OMG I LOVE THIS BOOK. it’s the perfect mix of mystery+ soft horror+friendship+magic. i just can’t get over how adorable this book is. theres learning to be yourself, facing that you don’t like yourself, and trying to be okay with letting people in. i just can’t get enough. my favorite character was lenore, the antagonists cat. i love her<3

Hansel and Gretel meets Scheherazade. Nightbooks is a Middle Grade contemporary fantasy following 12 years old Alex, who is obsessed with horror stories and all creepy stuff. But when he's lured into a strange, magical appartement by a real witch, he suddenly finds himself stuck in a terrifying story. Trapped, he has to read one of his scary stories to the witch every night in order to survive. I really enjoyed reading this. Nightbooks has an interesting cast of characters, a sweet friendship that shows that together you're always stronger, and an intriguing plot with some twists you don't see coming until they hit you in the face. The element of books/stories in books is something I always adore. But what really stands out in this book are the different themes it touches. The importance of self acceptance, that you're vaild and right exactly the way you are, that kindness is always the best option, and overall to never give up hope. The struggle with writer's block, especially when you have a strict deadline, was also an interesting theme to explore throughout the story.