The Cherished
By (Author) Patricia Ward
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
HarperTeen
30th August 2023
United States
Young Adult
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Horror and ghost stories, chillers, or other scary
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories
Childrens / Teenage personal and social topics: Families and family members
813.6
Hardback
336
Width 140mm, Height 210mm
404g
For fans of White Smoke, The Hazel Wood, and Wilder Girls comes an original, hypnotizing horror thriller in the vein ofMidsommar,as one girl inherits a mysterious house from her estranged grandmotherand a letter with sinister instructions.
Jo never expected to be placed in her absent grandmothers willlet alone be left her house, her land, and a letter with mysterious demands.
Upon arriving at the inherited property, things are even more strange.
The tenants mentioned in the letter are odd, just slightly...off. Jo feels something dark and decrepit in the old shack behind the house. And the things that her father used to talk about, his delusions... Why is Jo starting to believe they might be real
But what Jo fears most is the letter from her grandmother. Because if its true, then Jo belongs here, in this strange place. And she has no choice but to stay.
For fans of Guillermo Del Toros Pans Labyrinth, Lebanese-American author Ward draws from her experience to create a frightening story exploring identity, grief, and what it means to be family. Robin Roe, author of Dark Room Etiquette "Unsettling in the best way, The Cherished is a captivating read that pulls you in and won't let go. Wonderfully atmospheric and compelling!" Sarah Beth Durst, award-winning author of The Lake House "A captivating mix of mystery and mythology." School Library Journal "[A] pulse-pounding thriller, pairing brisk pacing with frenetic plotting that adds a layer of unease to Jos harrowing situation." Publishers Weekly "A slow-burn mystery rooted in family bonds and duty... An oppressive unease effectively pervades the novel until Jo at last finds purpose and belonging. Hand to those who enjoy atmospheric character studies." Booklist "An exploration of belonging, a tale of generational trauma, and a fantasy thriller oozing with mystery around every corner." Mugglenet "[An] atmospheric, creepy fantasy... a thoroughly engaging read." YA Books Central "A spine-tingling, slow-burn horror mystery... a reflective story that uses elements of fantasy to tell a tale of the self-discovery and courage of a young girl." Pine Reads Review
An emerging children's book illustrator, Patricia Ward is an art director and illustrator whose work spans television, magazines and publishing. Her illustrations have appeared on cd artworks, magazine and book covers, in television series and her animations have won awards both at home in Australia and Internationally.