The Haunting of Derek Stone by Tony Abbott

I don’t often review a whole series together, but The Haunting of Derek Stone by Tony Abbott is the kind of series that really needs to be read all together. Although the author gives a quick review in each book in case you are picking up the middle of the series, these snipets of information also make the reader want to go back and see how Derek reached this point, if they haven't read the previous book(s). The flow of the action is so quick in this series that you really must keep reading – there is almost no down time in the entire series!


Summary: Derek Stone used to be an average, slightly overweight, fourteen-year-old boy living in New Orleans. That was before he discovered that the evil dead are coming back into the world of the living to try and take over. That was before his father and brother died in a train crash and were both translated – their bodies taken over by dead souls. Derek’s brother, Ronny, is now Virgil, a good soul that has come back to fight the forces of evil. It’s a good thing, too; Derek can use all the help he can get!

The action in this series is non-stop. Every time you think Derek and his companions are going to get a break, the Legion catches up with them and the havoc begins anew. As the story continues and the walking corpses multiply, Derek gains more allies and learns the truth about himself. Who is he & how can he stop the Legion from destroying the living world? What will he have to sacrifice in order to save a world full of people who don’t even know they are in danger? Can he stop The First & close The Rift? Will he survive? And can his life ever be normal again?

If you’re going to start this series, make sure you have all four books. They are quick reads, and each leaves you wanting to know what happens next!

Themes:
Good vs. Evil
Courage
Lotalty


Age Appropriateness:
Grades 6 & up


Areas of concern (content):
Foul Language: none
Nudity/Adult Content: none
Violence: Yes. Many battle sequences.