Review: Dead River by Cyn Balog

Dead River by Cyn Balog.

Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 2013
List Price: $17.99
ISBN-13: 9780385741583

Review: We were spending a weekend on the DeadÉThe Dead River, I thought it was going to be just usÉ I was wrong." This was the hook that brought me to this book. Once I read this short little sentence, no other book got in the way. Cyn Balog has written other books, however this book is not in a series. All though I personally wish it was; I just want more to happen to Kiandra, who used to be a normal 17-year-old girl.

The book takes us through what seemed like an ordinary 17-year-old New Jersey girl's life, a girl who wants to go to prom with her boyfriend Justin. The reader learns that she actually wanted to the Dead River with three of her friends. It all starts as a normal weekend, then her boyfriend drops a bomb shell on her---"I kissed her, I kissed Angela" (Kiandra's, "best" friend) "What" I say, "he doesn't repeat it, he doesn't have to." Well that sets her off, and she runs out of the door. When she finally comes back, it is very, very late; Justin and Angela start to worry. Kiandra steps into the room, but for some reason the two don't notice her. Kiandra screams and screams at them, but they don't hear her. Finally, Angela stands and walks toward her, walks right through her. "I was freaking out. What just happened to me!"

We break out the woods, near the service entry to the building. I'm about to say that this looks like a good place to dump the body when a voice calls, "Stop!"É I have one word for Cyn Balog's Dead River, AMAZING! It is exceptional! I am surprised how much I like this story, because, in my opinion, it is a little boring in the beginning, the reason being that it is just about prom. Then, on their vacation weekend, the action starts to pick up. Kids and ten and older, boys and girls should really read this book. I am thinking this way because, in the beginning of the book it's all about prom and girls would generally enjoy that part. I believe boys would I hope really enjoy the rest of the book, it would probably be way too scary for kids under that age group, but a thrilling book for people ten and older. Some reasons for my thinking are the book mentions evil sprits and ghosts. Now I am sure that is fine with the target audience, but for little kids that might be too scary. In my opinion this book deserves a five star rating for an excellent story line, plot, characters, and fright. Overall, this is an extraordinary book written by a talented author. Most importantly, readers will want to find out what happens on the Dead River!

Review written by Jake (6th grade student).

We would like to thank Random House for providing a copy of Dead River for this review.

Have you read Dead River? How would you rate it?