Review: Curse of the Boggin (The Library Book 1)

Review:

The Library Book 1: Curse of the Boggin

Author: D. J. MacHale

Publisher: Random House, 2016

Source: Public library

As I wrap up my series reviews for September, I thought I would merge into our October offerings with a selection that is spooky.

This is a new series by D. J. MacHale, which, as he explains in his foreword, will contain some familiar characters in each book but will be able to be read independently of each other and in any order so that the reader doesn’t necessarily have to move sequentially to understand what is going on. This is an idea I just love! It reminds me of the old Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy mysteries, but it is much scarier. You do have to read Book 1 because it is the setup, but I wouldn’t want you to miss it anyway because it was such an enjoyably creepy mystery!

Question: Do you believe in ghosts? Old legends? Time travel?  Marcus O’Mara might have once answered those questions with a resounding NO – that is until he learns differently. That is, until he first enters The Library.

A chance incident at school leads Marcus to discover information about his biological father, who presumably died along with his wife in a sailing accident when Marcus was a baby. John Roxbury, Marcus learns, was a paranormal investigator, and he had left something in the care of a friend for Marcus – the Paradox Key. It is the Paradox Key that allows Marcus to enter The Library. And it is not your typical library, but a supernatural one with unfinished ghost stories – stories Marcus must help to finish.

Marcus may not want the responsibility of the Paradox Key, but someone else surely does. The Boggin. “For centuries children have been assured I’m a myth, but in the dark corners of their imaginations, they know that I am oh, so very real. I’m always there, perched on the edge of their dreams. Watching and waiting” (pg. 129). When Marcus receives the message, Surrender the key or others will die, he knows she is not kidding. The Boggin is a wickedly cunning creature with all sorts of evil powers that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Behind all the thrills and chills is a story about an adopted kid who believes his adoptive parents regret taking him; that he was a mistake. His father’s legacy certainly helps complicate the family situation. It’s nice to know that Marcus is not simply a one-dimensional ghostbuster.

I loved this story and can’t wait to read more of the series. I am going to point you in the direction of D. J. MacHale’s website so that you, too, can be on the watch for the next story. http://djmachalebooks.com/

Barbara