Product Description

Kyle has always been afraid of things, especially dying. But when he gets on the train that is taking him and his class on a school trip, he has no idea how close to Death he is going to come. Death enters the train and Kyle moves with him, past his friends, who are frozen in time, in life-or-death situations. Kyle finds that he can pick up on their deepest, darkest fears - real things that have happened to them, or may happen in the future, and sometimes their surreal nightmares too. Kyle realises that he isn't the only one who has buried fears and, more importantly, he now burns with the desire to live, and to live without fear. But will Death release him?

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #51158 in Books
• Published on: 2008-07-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From the Back Cover
It begins with a ride on a train.
But where it ends is on a precipice of horror - dangling on the border between life and death.
It's a moment when Kyle discovers he's not the only one in his class who knows about fear.

Not the only one who has nightmares.

And now, as Death stalks the carriages, it's a moment when nightmares become real.

Nightmares of wars, and a world devastated by chemical weapons. Of a body being slowly stolen, bit by bit. Of monstrous actions and monstrous creatures from old myths. Of jealousy, obsession and a stalker outside your window. Nightmares of everything imaginable.

What will it take for Kyle to finally face his greatest fear?

Pacy, compelling and seriously creepy, don't read this chilling novel late at night!

Not suitable for younger readers.

About the Author
Malorie Blackman worked as a database manager and systems programmer before becoming a full-time writer. Her reputation has steadily grown and she has been awarded a number of prizes including the WHSmith's Mind-Boggling Books Award and the Young Telegraph/Gimme 5 award for HACKER, the Young Telegraph/Fully Booked award for THIEF! and, more recently, shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal for PIG-HEART BOY. She was voted Voice/Excel Children's Writer of the Year in 1997. Her novel NOUGHTS AND CROSSES has won both the Children's Book Award and the Lancashire Children's Book Award 2002. THE TIMES recently described her as 'a bit of a national treasure.'

Customer Reviews

excellent
It would be difficult for any reader to write their next big novel after writing the iconic 'Noughts and Crosses' series. But Malorie Blackman, in typical style, pulls it off again.

This time, Blackman enters the realms of fantasy horror, through the eyes of a doubting child. With its rather unusual plot, the book describes how the main character 'hops' into other people's nightmares after a school trip goes terrible wrong. The ending is perhaps the only weak point of the book, it leaves you feeling almost empty after the fullness of the rest of the book.

The book is truly spooky, with some of the nightmares truly spine-shivering material. Thanks you Malorie for another great read.

I liked it but...
If this were a collection of short stories I wouldn't hesitate to give it four stars. Each leap into someone's nightmare is brilliantly executed; the body-part snatchers in particular will stay with me for weeks. However, the overall narrative felt a bit forced, as though the writer wanted to tell each of the stories and had to find a way to connect them. I would have been happier to read them each as a stand-alone piece.

fantastic
Malorie Black has created a very interresting, psychological teen horror. The story is strongly written, with a sense of real fear and terror with every nightmare.

Kyle, the narrotor of the story, is a boy who has not had the easiest life. His parents have brought his unhappiness and he tries to be normal at school. During school trip, the train they are taking crashes. Kyle gains conscieousness, and meets a girl who can take him into the dreams, or nightmares, of his classmates.

Malorie's style is quite sinister, but does not have to go into gory details or stupid slashing like many modern horrors feel the need to. Her pace is perfect and she is very accomplished in giving her readers some truly chilling stories. The book is right in giving a warning for younger readers, but if they are mature of feel the need for a challenge, but a not too hard one, then they can read this.

My only problem with the book was that some of the revelations were obvious. However, these are completely outnumbered by the others which truly bring fear with their story.

A very good read. A strongly written horror for teens which will actually satisfy their quench for scares.