Red Eye 9 Charlotte Says

4.5 starsCHARLOTTE SAYS, by Alex Bell, is the Prequel to her novel FROZEN CHARLOTTE--both of which are part of the Red Eye Series. You do not have to read both of these novels in order to enjoy them singularly, as each completely stands on its own merits.Ironically, my only complaint with FROZEN CHARLOTTE was that I would have liked to have learned more about how the dolls came to be. In CHARLOTTE SAYS, we uncover every last detail of their origin, which was--to my delight--much more horrible than I had imagined!"I'll tell you when it's time to be frightened . . . "We begin in the year of 1910, when seventeen year-old Jemma Black arrives at the Isle of Skye in order to fill the position of Assistant Mistress at the Dunvegan School For Girls. As the girls in this school primarily had the unfortunate luck of coming from impoverished, drunken, or jailed parents, the school reminded me more of a cold, isolated, work house than of an actual school. The details that Alex Bell paints into this novel are so complete that I could easily envision these poor, undernourished children shivering at night under their allotted threadbare sheet.The strict disciplines of the Head Mistress struck me as uncommonly cruel and sadistic, which brought the plight of these young girls, and Miss Black, even more "alive" and vivid in my mind.". . . Dreams can't hurt us . . . Only people can . . ."The atmosphere at the school was not the only detailed location, however, as the scene shifted from there to Jemma's recent past. The mansion known as Whiteladies was a place that Jemma had assisted her mother--a renowned medium--conduct seances in. The man of the house, a widower, had lost his only child in a horrible horse riding accident. The first impression we get of this imposing home is one of infinite sorrow and a single-minded obsession, as pictures of the deceased Vanessa Redwing adorned nearly every wall.". . . there was something a little disconcerting about having a dead girl gazing at you from every angle . . ."At some point Jemma's mother marries Mr. Redwing, and the two are permanently moved in. Redwing remains obsessed with breaking through to the spirit realm in order to reconnect with his departed daughter--using her collection of Victorian Frozen Charlotte dolls as a physical link. The characterization here is simply impeccable. In these past-scenes, I could picture each and every aspect of the individuals involved. The author has fully fleshed out their personalities, motivations, and characteristics, by "showing" the reader scenes, instead of merely "telling" them. The picture in my mind as I read the printed words was as intense as if I was watching them unfold before me. Also, another testament to Bell's consistency in her writing style is that the level of detail was steadily evident, no matter which time frame or scene I was reading about."Charlotte says don't open the door, . . . Charlotte says there are some horrors that burn . . . "I've seen some reviewers label this series as "young adult", but in Alex Bell's books, I would have to wholeheartedly disagree. Her fluid manner of conveying horrors--be they otherworldly, or the day-to-day existence of the girls at Dunvegan School--is so emotive and detailed that the situations her characters faced were all too "real" to envision. Combine her intense grasp of the atmosphere being set with the brutality and occasional gore, and you have a story that is certain to sustain most horror-loving adults."Devils are like chameleons . . . They shape themselves to fit whatever identity is presented to them."The very thought of the Frozen Charlotte dolls--figurines designed to replicate a foolish woman who froze to death as a result of not bundling up before going out into the frigid night--is enough to give me a shiver. However, these particular figures are so much more . . . haunting.". . . it was evil and it was dangerous and it was terrible but, most of all, it was bored. And it wanted to play."Overall, I found the very beginning to be a little slow in setting up the scene, but once it got going, it didn't let up. The horrors--both human and nonhuman--were interwoven so well that at times I wouldn't have been able to say which one was the worse. A great addition to the Red Eye series, and another hit from author, Alex Bell."Sometimes you can't win if you play nice."Highly recommended!

Charlotte Says was an enjoyable read and a solid 4 stars for me. Part of the Red Eye collection, this is a prequel to the book Frozen Charlotte. Set in early 1900s, main character Jemima is hired to work at a girl’s boarding school-employment that she really needs after a fire destroys her home and kills her mother. Working for an evil woman, Miss Grayson, working in a creepy and potentially haunted school-things only get worse when Jemima receives a box containing creepy Frozen Charlotte dolls. Weird and horrific things start happening and the students start blaming these dolls. Is it the dolls or just the students themselves?! No spoilers here. Recommended to fans of YA/horror books.

I read this following "Frozen Charlotte ", for context and some added background detail to the previous story. As it was, I found this to be both riveting and more creepy than the first. I loved the mysterious and Gothic undertones in this one, more even than the first one. I'm an adult, and I didn't expect these books to be so intense, to say nothing of scary, with them being YA, I suppose I expected it to be a little less intese and a little less, well, creepy. Nevertheless, it is a very well-written story and the characters are likewise well-written, with a setting that lends itself very well to a very atmospheric read.

A truly creepy twisted horror story! This was so good that I could not put the book down. I love everything about this book and I hope Alex Bell continues to write more creepy stories.

This is the sequel to Frozen Charlotte, which my middle schoolers LOVED! Both books have been in high demand from my reluctant readers!

Great thank you

Was slow start but when it got going didnt want to put it down. I had already read Frozen Chlt and loved it. After reading Chlt Says it mades you understand things that talked about in Frozen Chlt.

Exactly as described. Thank you.

If you loved Frozen Charlotte, you'll love this too. This is a prequel and there are things I've recognised from Frozen Charlotte in this book. So well written and emotive and you really feel for this characters in no more than a few lines. There's nothing creepier than china dolls and this is truly wonderfully creepy. I LOVE IT. Tip - don't read in a new house when you're still in the process of moving... or do, it ups the scariness so... go for it if you want some atmosphere with your read.

Having read frozen Charlotte by the same author I was eager to try her new novel.Was I disappointed no no no.It was brilliant answering all the questions from the former novel.What an imagination by this woman.I am sure I am not alone to think there could be more to come on the story of the dolls.

I was very disappointed with this book, I anticipated it to be live up to the first book, Frozen Charlotte, which was amazing, however, this definitely doesn't. Not worth the read, so many holes in the plot and feels as though it's been written in a rush and not edited at all.

Great book, shame it wasn’t part of the bundle in the same series, so had to purchase separately, but my daughter loved it and gives great reviews!

After the first book which was Frozen Charlotte I decided to read this one as well however this book is confusing as the storyline doesn't make any sense