Title: Tales From the Hood
Author: Michael Buckley
First published January 1, 2008
274 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780810994782 (ISBN10: 081099478X)
Rating: 4.3
Overview
THE FAIRY TALE SERIES — Created by Terri Windling — ONCE UPON A TIME… — …fairy tales were meant to be enjoyed by all ages.
Patricia C. Wrede, the best-selling author of Caught in Crystal and other beloved fantasy novels, invites you to rediscover the enchanting story of Snow White and Rose Red.
Set in the mystical forests of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, this romantic and magical retelling will captivate adult readers. Immerse yourself in the Fairy Tale Series – a collection of beautifully-crafted original novels by acclaimed writers of fantasy and horror, each offering a unique twist on classic tales such as Briar Rose, Tam Lin, and Snow White and Rose Red.
About the Author
Michael Buckley, an author who has been featured on the New York Times bestseller list, was born in Akron, Ohio. Before attending Ohio University, he explored different career paths such as stand-up comedy and being the lead singer for a punk rock band.
After graduating with honors, he made his way to New York City to intern for the Late Show with David Letterman. This led to opportunities to develop programming for various networks such as Discovery, MTV, MTV Animation, and Klasky Csupo, known for producing Nickelodeon’s Rugrats.
Buckley now resides in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Alison and their son Finn.
Editoral Review
Tales From the Hood by Michael Buckley is a collection of spooky short stories that bring readers on a thrilling adventure. Buckley, who is known for his popular children’s book series “The Sisters Grimm,” pivots towards the horror genre in this exciting compilation.
Published on January 1, 2008, the book offers a unique blend of suspense, mystery, and horror that’s sure to captivate readers of all ages. The book opens with a chilling tale titled “The Unicorn in the Maze.” It tells the story of a group of teenagers who embark on a mission to solve a mysterious maze filled with dangerous traps, guarded by what they believe to be a unicorn.
An action-packed adventure, this story sets the tone for the rest of the book, which is filled with creepy tales that keep readers on the edge of their seats. Buckley’s mastery of language and storytelling is evident in each story of the book.
He weaves together compelling tales that feature relatable characters, complex plotlines, and a dark sense of foreboding. The stories in the book are all unique, but they are held together with the common thread of horror, which Buckley effortlessly uses to bring his characters to life.
One of the main strengths of this book is Buckley’s ability to balance character development and plot progression. Each story is driven by well-rounded characters who are easy to connect with and root for.
Readers will find themselves genuinely invested in each story’s outcome and curious about what’s to come. Additionally, the pacing of each story is carefully crafted, ensuring that readers never feel bored or unengaged.
While the book is primarily intended for young adults, it will be enjoyed by anyone who loves horror and suspense. The book tackles a broad range of themes, including friendship, self-discovery, and morality, with each story evoking a different set of emotions.
The book is especially important due to how it engages with contemporary issues such as identity politics and social class. One aspect of the book that could have been improved is its predictability.
Some of the stories follow staid horror formulas and predictable plot structures. Although this doesn’t detract too heavily from the enjoyment of the book, it does prevent a few of the tales from being as impactful as they could have been.
Overall, Tales From the Hood is a great book for anyone who enjoys horror and suspense. Buckley’s writing style is accessible, and he crafts his stories with an exceptional level of detail and care.
The book not only entertains but offers readers the opportunity to dive deep into the complexities of the human experience. For its strengths in character development, pacing, and storytelling, Tales From the Hood earns 4.5/5 stars.
Highly recommended for anyone who’s looking for a good scare!