Dead Voices
by Katherine Arden
Summary
Having survived sinister scarecrows and the malevolent smiling man in Small Spaces, newly minted best friends Ollie, Coco, and Brian are ready to spend a relaxing winter break skiing together with their parents at Mount Hemlock Resort. But when a snowstorm sets in, causing the power to flicker out and the cold to creep closer and closer, the three are forced to settle for hot chocolate and board games by the fire.
Ollie, Coco, and Brian are determined to make the best of being snowed in, but odd things keep happening. Coco is convinced she has seen a ghost, and Ollie is having nightmares about frostbitten girls pleading for help. Then Mr. Voland, a mysterious ghost hunter, arrives in the midst of the storm to investigate the hauntings at Hemlock Lodge. Ollie, Coco, and Brian want to trust him, but Ollie’s watch, which once saved them from the smiling man, has a new cautionary message: BEWARE.
With Mr. Voland’s help, Ollie, Coco, and Brian reach out to the dead voices at Mount Hemlock. Maybe the ghosts need their help–or maybe not all ghosts can or should be trusted.
GoodReads Nominee for Favorite Middle Grade & Children's 2019
My Review
I really enjoyed this sequel, possibly more than the first book, because it involves the paranormal, specifically ghosts, which are my favorite type of supernatural story. I thought this second book had a very creative concept. It felt like The Shining meets Alice in Wonderland. There are many creepy and eerie moments, which I loved. It’s perfect for a winter read since they are snowed in, which is another horror/thriller element that I really enjoy reading about.
I enjoyed being back with the friend trio. Ollie was the leader of this group in the first book. She recently lost her mother in a plane crash, so it’s just her and her dad now. She’s strong, resilient, and a fierce leader. Then there’s Coco, who is the runt of the group. She’s very small and petite, a bit on the meek and timid side. She lives with her mother and is a bit underestimated by her friends. Then there’s Brian, the boy in the group, who is pretty popular at school. His parents are from Jamaica, and he’s viewed as the “cool kid.”
They all became friends in book one when their bus broke down during a class field trip, and their teacher went to get help but never returned. They searched for him in the woods and met some creatures and the Smiling Man, whom they were able to escape from, so they all had this shared experience.
In this story, the smiling man returns, and there are some things from book one that pop back up in this one, so I wouldn’t suggest reading these books out of order. I guess you could read each one as a standalone, but you may be a little lost or feel like you’re missing some elements.
Unlike how the first book centers around Ollie as she deals with the grief of her mother, this book focuses more on Coco as she begins to come out of her shell more and show everyone that she’s more than just a nerdy, timid little girl. I enjoyed watching her develop more and embrace the strength that she finds within herself. I had a bit more fun following her than I did Ollie’s story in Small Spaces. Ultimately, she must save everyone.
I thought the pacing was perfect. It’s a short audiobook at around 5 hours. Again, it’s a bit creepier and more haunting. It kept my attention more, and I loved the aspect of winter and how it played a role in the story. Highly recommend it if you’re a fan of the first book!