Project 17 *Review*

Project 17

By: Laurie Faria Stolarz

Product Description:

High atop Hathorne Hill, near Boston, sits Danvers State Hospital. Built in 1878 and closed in 1992, this abandoned mental institution is rumored to be the birthplace of the lobotomy. Locals have long believed the place to be haunted. They tell stories about the unmarked graves in the back, of the cold spots felt throughout the underground tunnels, and of the treasures found inside: patients' personal items like journals, hair combs, and bars of soap, or even their old medical records, left behind by the state for trespassers to view.

On the eve of the hospital's demolition, six teens break in to spend the night and film a movie about their adventures. For Derik, it's an opportunity to win a filmmaking contest and save himself from a future of flipping burgers at his parents' diner. For the others, it's a chance to be on TV, or a night with no parents. But what starts as a playful dare quickly escalates into a frenzy of nightmarish action. Behind the crumbling walls, down every dark passageway, and in each deserted room, they will unravel the mysteries of those who once lived there and the spirits who still might.

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Sound alittle spooky? It's not as bad as it seems actually and that may be a turn off already for some people. This is the fifth book I've read by Stolarz, the other four being The Blue Is For Nightmares Series. Since I loved those books I definitely wanted to read the newest book by this author. My reaction though ended up pretty mixed.

I liked the environment, characters and the direction the plot was going, but felt like the climax misfired. My favorite characters were well developed, but not all of the six main teens were as well developed as they could be. The spooky was also good in the beginning, but after continuing reading it died down for me and I was able to read the book in the dark with ease. Trust me I'm not the bravest person in the world either.

Fans of Stolarz's old books will definitely like this book I'm sure. Others I think will be mixed, especially since their favorite character might get a crappy ending that they might not like. It depends on which characters you get attached to and what couples you want to happen.

 Overall Rating: 6/10

Not Stolarz's best, and not for hardcore horror fans. If you like alittle bit of spookiness and romance then atleast borrow it from the library or a friend.

*This is an older review*