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Project 17
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 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.
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.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
66 people are currently reading
3233 people want to read
About the author
Laurie Faria Stolarz
36 books3,165 followersLaurie Faria Stolarz grew up in Salem, MA, attended Merrimack College, and received an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College in Boston.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.
Laurie Faria Stolarz is an American author of young adult fiction novels, best known for her Blue is for Nightmares series. Her works, which feature teenage protagonists, blend elements found in mystery and romance novels.
Stolarz found sales success with her first novel, Blue is for Nightmares, and followed it up with three more titles in the series, White is for Magic, Silver is for Secrets, and Red is for Remembrance, as well as a companion graphic novel, Black is for Beginnings. Stolarz is also the author of the Touch series (Deadly Little Secret, Deadly Little Lies, Deadly Little Games, Deadly Little Voices, and Deadly Little Lessons), as well as Bleed and Project 17. With more than two million books sold worldwide, Stolarz's titles have been named on various awards list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 521 reviews
December 17, 2013
A group of unlikely teens join up and explore a haunted asylum before it's destruction. Add typical characters, typical plot, throw in a gripping ghost story for good measure and you've got Project 17.
The characters seemed quite cliche. There's a comic relief, strong & attractive lead man, attractive brainiac, goth girl, and and the two theater kids (who were very annoying).
What gripped me the most though was the underlying story of a girl haunting the asylum. I HAD to keep turning pages until it was resolved. The ending of Mimi was quite nice.
It held me on for a day (which is as long as I took to read this) with it's ghost story. I give it TWO stars because I like the insane asylum and the ghost story in it. Not FIVE/FOUR stars because once you read it you won't need to read it again.
It's a nice, quick, chilly, summer read.
I do wish it could have been a little more scary. Can't say I'm going to be kept up at night thinking about this.
The characters seemed quite cliche. There's a comic relief, strong & attractive lead man, attractive brainiac, goth girl, and and the two theater kids (who were very annoying).
What gripped me the most though was the underlying story of a girl haunting the asylum. I HAD to keep turning pages until it was resolved. The ending of Mimi was quite nice.
It held me on for a day (which is as long as I took to read this) with it's ghost story. I give it TWO stars because I like the insane asylum and the ghost story in it. Not FIVE/FOUR stars because once you read it you won't need to read it again.
It's a nice, quick, chilly, summer read.
I do wish it could have been a little more scary. Can't say I'm going to be kept up at night thinking about this.
May 7, 2011
Instead of reading this book, turn on the sci-fi channel and save yourself the trouble. The blurb on the back of the book reminds me very much of a sci-fi movie (Death Tunnel was the name, I believe.)
It's not that this is a bad book. The ending is satisfying, the humor is aimed for teens (so as a teen, I was amused), and the plot is enticing.
However, it was very disappointing. I kept waiting to see some sort of ghostly presence or feel a sense of danger for the cliche-characters, but I didn't. I tore through the parts of Derek, Mimi, and Chet, but the other characters I could care less about. I feel as though they were added in simply to add them in.
PROS:
X Quick Read.
X Enticing beginning.
X Spooky, paranormal element to it.
X Satisfactory conclusion.
CONS:
X No real sense of danger. Creepy haunted asylum, should have plenty of opportunity for insanity, but everything turned out to be anticlimactic.
X Cliche characters. Some of them felt useless.
X Unrealistic setting. The grafiti was the only thing that seemed realistic to me. The building has been closed for tons and tons of years, but they still found all this equipment/props/etc lying around.
RECOMMENDED TO: Bored library visitors. Good book for a dark, rainy day with thunderstorms. Glad I saved this one for my summer read.
Overall, this isn't a book I'd go out and buy. I picked it up on a whim and got pretty much what I expected out of it. I can think of 10 books I'd rather recommend before this one, but it could easily entice a younger reader with its short size, creepy-factor, and satisfactory ending.
It's not that this is a bad book. The ending is satisfying, the humor is aimed for teens (so as a teen, I was amused), and the plot is enticing.
However, it was very disappointing. I kept waiting to see some sort of ghostly presence or feel a sense of danger for the cliche-characters, but I didn't. I tore through the parts of Derek, Mimi, and Chet, but the other characters I could care less about. I feel as though they were added in simply to add them in.
PROS:
X Quick Read.
X Enticing beginning.
X Spooky, paranormal element to it.
X Satisfactory conclusion.
CONS:
X No real sense of danger. Creepy haunted asylum, should have plenty of opportunity for insanity, but everything turned out to be anticlimactic.
X Cliche characters. Some of them felt useless.
X Unrealistic setting. The grafiti was the only thing that seemed realistic to me. The building has been closed for tons and tons of years, but they still found all this equipment/props/etc lying around.
RECOMMENDED TO: Bored library visitors. Good book for a dark, rainy day with thunderstorms. Glad I saved this one for my summer read.
Overall, this isn't a book I'd go out and buy. I picked it up on a whim and got pretty much what I expected out of it. I can think of 10 books I'd rather recommend before this one, but it could easily entice a younger reader with its short size, creepy-factor, and satisfactory ending.
September 25, 2010
Derik "LaPlaya" LaPointe decides he doesn't want to end up flipping burgers at his parent's diner for the rest of his life. So he gets the idea to be a film director, his first project being a movie about a group of teenagers crazy enough to spend the night in a haunted mental hospital the eve of its demolition. Now all he needs is a cast: Mimi, the goth chick, Chet, the comic relief, Liza, the gorgeous braniac, and Tony and Greta, two drama geeks. But once inside the hospital, the teens realize this may be more than they bargained for.
First off, I am confused about the audience of this book. The writing is juvenile and the plot reminded me of one of those Disney Channel movies they play around Halloween, but there were sexual references and some cussing. So I don't know.
Some reviewers describe this as The Blair Witch Project meets The Breakfast Club, and I can see where they are coming from. Except in The Blair Witch Project I was ready to piss my pants and in The Breakfast Club I actually came to like the characters. Not so much in this book.
The reason I picked this book up was not because of the glowing (enter sarcasm here) reviews or interesting (more sarcasm) premise. It was because the Danvers State Hospital reminded me a lot of the abandoned mental hospital down my street, the Norwich State Hospital. Ghost Hunters even did an episode on it. Whether or not you think its a load of shit is up to you.
Anyway, I would have liked this book infinitely better if it was the littlest bit scary, or had a well-developed cast. Instead I got cliched, two-dimensional characters and a load of cheese.
Read it if you must.
First off, I am confused about the audience of this book. The writing is juvenile and the plot reminded me of one of those Disney Channel movies they play around Halloween, but there were sexual references and some cussing. So I don't know.
Some reviewers describe this as The Blair Witch Project meets The Breakfast Club, and I can see where they are coming from. Except in The Blair Witch Project I was ready to piss my pants and in The Breakfast Club I actually came to like the characters. Not so much in this book.
The reason I picked this book up was not because of the glowing (enter sarcasm here) reviews or interesting (more sarcasm) premise. It was because the Danvers State Hospital reminded me a lot of the abandoned mental hospital down my street, the Norwich State Hospital. Ghost Hunters even did an episode on it. Whether or not you think its a load of shit is up to you.
Anyway, I would have liked this book infinitely better if it was the littlest bit scary, or had a well-developed cast. Instead I got cliched, two-dimensional characters and a load of cheese.
Read it if you must.
June 26, 2009
Ages 11+ (some mild language) The Breakfast Club meets the Blair Witch Project, blandly. Not scary enough, and the supernatural elements are never clearly stated. (Was there really a ghost/haunting? Or wasn't there?) On the level with Lois Duncan, maybe not enough for high school horror fans.
January 7, 2008
Have you seen the movie Session 9? Did you like The Blair Witch Project? If so, you need to read Project 17.
Derek wants to be a film maker and he has come up with the perfect subject for a movie. He is planning to enter his film about teens spending the night inside the haunted Danvers State Hospital into a contest. The only thing he needs now is a cast.
Mimi is a goth chick. She begins helping Derek plan by drawing story boards for possible scenes and showing him the ways to get into the hospital at night without getting caught by the security guards that are always on duty. Mimi has a special reason for wanting to see inside the abandoned mental institution and has been thinking about it for a long time.
Liza is a straight A student hoping to get into Harvard. She has done everything she feels is in her power to get in. She is class valedictorian and devotes all her spare time to studying, but when she hears from her guidance counselor that being admitted isn't a sure thing, she begins to panic. The only advice her counselor can give her is to get involved in extra-curricular activities, but at the end of the school year, there isn't much to choose from. Once Liza hears about a student movie being shot, she decides it might be her only chance to show a little diversity in her school career.
Chet is Derek's best friend. Basically he decides to tag along so he doesn't have to be at home. Chet's father is an alcoholic and sometimes knocks Chet around when he's had too much to drink. Chet uses humor to hide his pain and embarrassment. He intends to be the comic relief for the night.
Greta and Tony are a loving, romantic couple that both are majorly into acting. They are members of the drama club and look for any chance to be in the spotlight. Tony's main passion is directing, but Greta definately wants to be an actress. They use Derek's film as an excuse to prepare for their future in the business.
Together, these six teenagers sneak past security guards and enter Danvers State Hospital. Tension fills the pages right from the start. Through the dark tunnels, in the run down hallways, and behind the doors to rooms where lobotomies and other frightening medical procedures took place, the kids learn about themselves, eachother, and the people that inhabited the walls of Danvers State Hospital.
Project 17 isn't a book to read in the dark if you are easily creeped out. The weird occurances that take place while the kids are inside make you believe there are ghosts living in the hospital. Your heart will pound until you get to the last page - and maybe even after.
Derek wants to be a film maker and he has come up with the perfect subject for a movie. He is planning to enter his film about teens spending the night inside the haunted Danvers State Hospital into a contest. The only thing he needs now is a cast.
Mimi is a goth chick. She begins helping Derek plan by drawing story boards for possible scenes and showing him the ways to get into the hospital at night without getting caught by the security guards that are always on duty. Mimi has a special reason for wanting to see inside the abandoned mental institution and has been thinking about it for a long time.
Liza is a straight A student hoping to get into Harvard. She has done everything she feels is in her power to get in. She is class valedictorian and devotes all her spare time to studying, but when she hears from her guidance counselor that being admitted isn't a sure thing, she begins to panic. The only advice her counselor can give her is to get involved in extra-curricular activities, but at the end of the school year, there isn't much to choose from. Once Liza hears about a student movie being shot, she decides it might be her only chance to show a little diversity in her school career.
Chet is Derek's best friend. Basically he decides to tag along so he doesn't have to be at home. Chet's father is an alcoholic and sometimes knocks Chet around when he's had too much to drink. Chet uses humor to hide his pain and embarrassment. He intends to be the comic relief for the night.
Greta and Tony are a loving, romantic couple that both are majorly into acting. They are members of the drama club and look for any chance to be in the spotlight. Tony's main passion is directing, but Greta definately wants to be an actress. They use Derek's film as an excuse to prepare for their future in the business.
Together, these six teenagers sneak past security guards and enter Danvers State Hospital. Tension fills the pages right from the start. Through the dark tunnels, in the run down hallways, and behind the doors to rooms where lobotomies and other frightening medical procedures took place, the kids learn about themselves, eachother, and the people that inhabited the walls of Danvers State Hospital.
Project 17 isn't a book to read in the dark if you are easily creeped out. The weird occurances that take place while the kids are inside make you believe there are ghosts living in the hospital. Your heart will pound until you get to the last page - and maybe even after.
March 4, 2021
Spoilers kinda
everyone ends up with someone which is shit bc Chet was hitting on both girls and then halfway is like 'well.. this one looks taken I guess I'll go with the other'. Someone gets PSTD (yet they'll scream about how you should respect the place but then is okay to pull pranks, yeah kinda a hypocrite much?) even though like nothing spoooky~! Really happens which I've got a problem with like all that happens is they read a spoooopy~ journal, flashlights turn off here and there, sometimes they hear a whisper, and walkie talkies dont work. ooooe~ ScAAARrrY~ OOOE. But thats usually all that happens in ghost hunts so eh. And someone almost falls through a hole (if anything that could be the only pstd trigger and that didn't even happen to the person that DOES GET IT.)
Everyone gets a happy ending and eh it all works out. aww how cute.. Oh and everyone is pretty stereotypical and kinda annoying that why.
I cant tell who i hate more Chet bc his jokes suck ass and just wants to bang anyone and talks about it all the time. Or Liza for miss innocent "I need to be protected and adored by all the males but I'm such a nerd that no one can POSSIBLY like me. Greta is just.. ugh there. Driek or how you spell it sounds like he was a total prick and just suddenly does a 180 to good guy. No you're still a asshole for not apologizing to that girl and being a walking fuck machine. Tony is weird and i just don't get him. Mimi idk I wanted to hear about her grandmother and why did you end up with Chet who is just ugh the annoying wannabe funny side kick in bad movie that no one likes, oh and you're a weak bitch that I have no idea why you get PSTD, like why?.
Ugh.
im stuck on giving it 2 or 3 stars there's a better story somewhere in here.. I'll probably keep this and read it again. I like trash.
I feel like since it was based on a real place it could have done more. Its not terrible it kept me interested to finish it. its just meh
-UPDATE-
i did not keep it got rid of it like a hot potato
everyone ends up with someone which is shit bc Chet was hitting on both girls and then halfway is like 'well.. this one looks taken I guess I'll go with the other'. Someone gets PSTD (yet they'll scream about how you should respect the place but then is okay to pull pranks, yeah kinda a hypocrite much?) even though like nothing spoooky~! Really happens which I've got a problem with like all that happens is they read a spoooopy~ journal, flashlights turn off here and there, sometimes they hear a whisper, and walkie talkies dont work. ooooe~ ScAAARrrY~ OOOE. But thats usually all that happens in ghost hunts so eh. And someone almost falls through a hole (if anything that could be the only pstd trigger and that didn't even happen to the person that DOES GET IT.)
Everyone gets a happy ending and eh it all works out. aww how cute.. Oh and everyone is pretty stereotypical and kinda annoying that why.
I cant tell who i hate more Chet bc his jokes suck ass and just wants to bang anyone and talks about it all the time. Or Liza for miss innocent "I need to be protected and adored by all the males but I'm such a nerd that no one can POSSIBLY like me. Greta is just.. ugh there. Driek or how you spell it sounds like he was a total prick and just suddenly does a 180 to good guy. No you're still a asshole for not apologizing to that girl and being a walking fuck machine. Tony is weird and i just don't get him. Mimi idk I wanted to hear about her grandmother and why did you end up with Chet who is just ugh the annoying wannabe funny side kick in bad movie that no one likes, oh and you're a weak bitch that I have no idea why you get PSTD, like why?.
Ugh.
im stuck on giving it 2 or 3 stars there's a better story somewhere in here.. I'll probably keep this and read it again. I like trash.
I feel like since it was based on a real place it could have done more. Its not terrible it kept me interested to finish it. its just meh
-UPDATE-
i did not keep it got rid of it like a hot potato
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2015
Nice one sitter read. I'm giving this book 3.5 stars. It was entertaining, but lacked a real scare factor.
If you have read Laurie's most recent books Welcome to the Dark House and Return to the Dark House, you will be familiar with the large cast of characters and having each chapter from a different POV.
In this book, Project 17, Derik is a high school kid looking for a way out of the family business. He doesn't want to bust his ass in a diner for the rest of his life, even though that is what his parents dream for him. When he catches wind of a indie film contest with the winner getting a internship at a reality tv studio, Derik jumps at the chance. He just so happens to live in a town that houses a very grand and famous Mental Hospital. One that will be demolished in a week. Derik is determined to make his movie in that hospital.
Derik gets a few kids from his school to participate in this film a couple of drama rats, a goth chick, a class clown and a brainiac. Things get really weird when the enter the hospital. They feel compelled to stay in that run down asylum and clues lead to a treasure hunt for a missing doll.
The book was really easy to read and kept me engaged. The only sour part was that there were no true scary moments. I know, I know this is a YA novel so it has to be somewhat tame, but really...no blood? No ghostly apparitions?
The ending seemed tided up the book nicely, but could have been left out truthfully. I mean, sometimes it's nice wondering what happened to the kids afterward.
Overall I'm glad I read it and I will continue to read book written by this creative author.
If you have read Laurie's most recent books Welcome to the Dark House and Return to the Dark House, you will be familiar with the large cast of characters and having each chapter from a different POV.
In this book, Project 17, Derik is a high school kid looking for a way out of the family business. He doesn't want to bust his ass in a diner for the rest of his life, even though that is what his parents dream for him. When he catches wind of a indie film contest with the winner getting a internship at a reality tv studio, Derik jumps at the chance. He just so happens to live in a town that houses a very grand and famous Mental Hospital. One that will be demolished in a week. Derik is determined to make his movie in that hospital.
Derik gets a few kids from his school to participate in this film a couple of drama rats, a goth chick, a class clown and a brainiac. Things get really weird when the enter the hospital. They feel compelled to stay in that run down asylum and clues lead to a treasure hunt for a missing doll.
The book was really easy to read and kept me engaged. The only sour part was that there were no true scary moments. I know, I know this is a YA novel so it has to be somewhat tame, but really...no blood? No ghostly apparitions?
The ending seemed tided up the book nicely, but could have been left out truthfully. I mean, sometimes it's nice wondering what happened to the kids afterward.
Overall I'm glad I read it and I will continue to read book written by this creative author.
February 24, 2016
This book was meh. I expected action, panic and frenzy, just like the blurb said there would be. Sadly the book starts slow, it takes a big part for them to actually go to the asylum/hospital.
After that there are some scary moments, but most of the time it is Greta x Tony, Liza x Derik, Mimi x Chet... aka romance and lots of drama/talking. Also we have some pranks being done by Chet.
But the whole scary action isn't until almost the last part. And by then we are nearing the last few pages so it is quite rushed, and ends (for my feeling) quite soon and unexpected. Like we got the doll, now out and book is over. We get some letters/diary entries from our main characters, but well nothing is really happening.
Overall: Very disappointing. It gets a 2 star since there have been a few scary moments, and I liked those.
After that there are some scary moments, but most of the time it is Greta x Tony, Liza x Derik, Mimi x Chet... aka romance and lots of drama/talking. Also we have some pranks being done by Chet.
But the whole scary action isn't until almost the last part. And by then we are nearing the last few pages so it is quite rushed, and ends (for my feeling) quite soon and unexpected. Like we got the doll, now out and book is over. We get some letters/diary entries from our main characters, but well nothing is really happening.
Overall: Very disappointing. It gets a 2 star since there have been a few scary moments, and I liked those.
March 21, 2008
this was such a good book!
December 29, 2019
I generally don't read YA, but I have an affinity for asylums and the one in this book - the Danvers State Hospital - is a rather famous one. I mean look at how creepy and cool this place was!
While the characters were a bit cliche and the story could have been scarier, I'm always going to enjoy a story with that setting. And now I have to go watch Session 9, which I was surprised to see mentioned in the book, also set (and filmed) at Danvers.
While the characters were a bit cliche and the story could have been scarier, I'm always going to enjoy a story with that setting. And now I have to go watch Session 9, which I was surprised to see mentioned in the book, also set (and filmed) at Danvers.
May 27, 2018
This was very entertaining. Read it in one day. I loved all the characters. It was a very nice and fluid read all the way through to the very end. I would have really liked to see some real ghost scenes though.
September 8, 2018
9/6/18 - Let’s just this girl ruined another favorite in a blazing fire.
Upon rereading, I noticed some major glaring errors and the feels were no longer there and the characters were a bit of a mess. I mean, a lot of a mess. They only had super surface level characterization, and they fit more into molds of characters than actual people. However, Laurie Faria Stolarz can write an atmosphere right, and always one of my favorite things about this book was the setting and the atmosphere. That certainly didn't change. But reading back, it lost a ton of its magic, and I was so not invested in anything.
Updated rating: 2 crowns, Cinderella rating, and a spot sadly off the favorites spot.
**Something in 2016 Review where I was lost in a haze or something:**
The perfect book for a Halloween read!
I think I have a lot to blame on this book. I have to blame my love of ghostie books on this one. I have to blame my love of abandoned insane asylums or hospitals on this book. I have to blame my love of cheering on any dual-POV book by Laurie Faria Stolarz on this book. And lastly, I have to blame my love of a bunch of rough and tumble kids going on secret adventures on this book.
I loved this book. Correction, years later, I still love this book. I've never been a horror girl - and I most definitely will never be - but this is horror and thriller done right.
This book is about a group of kids that go into an abandoned insane asylum that is about to be torn down for a night. All the locals think it's haunted, and truthfully, after starting to read all the crazy happening that's going on, you may be inclined to think so, too. Enter in our group of adventurers. There's Derek, the budding movie maker who needs to make this documentary in order to win a film contest to help him in his movie career, so he grabs a crazy cast to make his movie perfect. We've got Mimi, the quintessential goth chick who has problems of her own; Chet, the class - or abandoned mental hospital in this case - clown always trying to get a laugh; Liza, the type and straight A student going along to get something a little extra on her resume to make sure she gets into the college of her dreams; and Tony and Greta, two actors who are always in the spotlight...or always making out. What will happen once they're locked into the hospital for the night? Will the ghosts appear...or maybe something go horribly wrong?
I loved this cast of characters. They all had their own demons, they're own problems. They weren't just cookie cutter characters that you couldn't tell apart when the narration changed. Even if you didn't like them at first, you began to see why they were doing the things that they were and how they got to this point. My two favorite characters were definitely Liza and Derek - mostly because I adored their little ship. I really wasn't expecting a romance out of this story, but Stolarz made sure there were little ships that I could cheer for and watch them sail. I did like all of the characters, though, and there really wasn't one that I hated.
I also loved the atmosphere of the book. She created a very haunting and scary picture. I definitely would not like my butt locked in there for the night, and she definitely helped us paint a picture of what or wasn't lurking in the dark. Trust me, if you're looking for a spooky setting, this is definitely the book for you.
Also, the storyline kept me on my toes...and definitely had me looking over my shoulder. I would scurry down the hallway at night, and I didn't dare get up to the pee. Walking down a darkened hallway or darkened hallway was definitely not allowed for me at this point. There were so many little twists and scary things that had me rethinking things and my stance on ghosts. I really don't get freaked out by too many books, and this book had me definitely creeped out.
Stolarz created such a perfectly atmospheric and dark story that infused humor, great characters, and an interesting storyline. While this story was perfect for a Halloween read, it's a great read period. I would so recommend this for anyone - and truthfully, it really doesn't get too scary so don't let me scare you off too much. It has its adorable ships and creepy atmosphere.
Check out more of my thoughts:
https://bookprincessreviews.wordpress.com/text
Upon rereading, I noticed some major glaring errors and the feels were no longer there and the characters were a bit of a mess. I mean, a lot of a mess. They only had super surface level characterization, and they fit more into molds of characters than actual people. However, Laurie Faria Stolarz can write an atmosphere right, and always one of my favorite things about this book was the setting and the atmosphere. That certainly didn't change. But reading back, it lost a ton of its magic, and I was so not invested in anything.
Updated rating: 2 crowns, Cinderella rating, and a spot sadly off the favorites spot.
**Something in 2016 Review where I was lost in a haze or something:**
The perfect book for a Halloween read!
I think I have a lot to blame on this book. I have to blame my love of ghostie books on this one. I have to blame my love of abandoned insane asylums or hospitals on this book. I have to blame my love of cheering on any dual-POV book by Laurie Faria Stolarz on this book. And lastly, I have to blame my love of a bunch of rough and tumble kids going on secret adventures on this book.
I loved this book. Correction, years later, I still love this book. I've never been a horror girl - and I most definitely will never be - but this is horror and thriller done right.
This book is about a group of kids that go into an abandoned insane asylum that is about to be torn down for a night. All the locals think it's haunted, and truthfully, after starting to read all the crazy happening that's going on, you may be inclined to think so, too. Enter in our group of adventurers. There's Derek, the budding movie maker who needs to make this documentary in order to win a film contest to help him in his movie career, so he grabs a crazy cast to make his movie perfect. We've got Mimi, the quintessential goth chick who has problems of her own; Chet, the class - or abandoned mental hospital in this case - clown always trying to get a laugh; Liza, the type and straight A student going along to get something a little extra on her resume to make sure she gets into the college of her dreams; and Tony and Greta, two actors who are always in the spotlight...or always making out. What will happen once they're locked into the hospital for the night? Will the ghosts appear...or maybe something go horribly wrong?
I loved this cast of characters. They all had their own demons, they're own problems. They weren't just cookie cutter characters that you couldn't tell apart when the narration changed. Even if you didn't like them at first, you began to see why they were doing the things that they were and how they got to this point. My two favorite characters were definitely Liza and Derek - mostly because I adored their little ship. I really wasn't expecting a romance out of this story, but Stolarz made sure there were little ships that I could cheer for and watch them sail. I did like all of the characters, though, and there really wasn't one that I hated.
I also loved the atmosphere of the book. She created a very haunting and scary picture. I definitely would not like my butt locked in there for the night, and she definitely helped us paint a picture of what or wasn't lurking in the dark. Trust me, if you're looking for a spooky setting, this is definitely the book for you.
Also, the storyline kept me on my toes...and definitely had me looking over my shoulder. I would scurry down the hallway at night, and I didn't dare get up to the pee. Walking down a darkened hallway or darkened hallway was definitely not allowed for me at this point. There were so many little twists and scary things that had me rethinking things and my stance on ghosts. I really don't get freaked out by too many books, and this book had me definitely creeped out.
Stolarz created such a perfectly atmospheric and dark story that infused humor, great characters, and an interesting storyline. While this story was perfect for a Halloween read, it's a great read period. I would so recommend this for anyone - and truthfully, it really doesn't get too scary so don't let me scare you off too much. It has its adorable ships and creepy atmosphere.
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August 10, 2016
Insane asylums freak me out so I decided to read this book for Halloween and it did not disappoint.
It was a fast paced, really creepy story & I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get in the spooky mood.
It was a fast paced, really creepy story & I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to get in the spooky mood.
March 7, 2008
Loved it-- the plot twists so many ways! Teens will love this book and the multiple perspectives. Creepy and very chilling.
April 9, 2008
Being in a haunted asylum? Count me in!
August 26, 2022
This is so bad. Gave it two stars because it was hilariously bad.
August 21, 2019
0.5 - 1 ☆
I've been getting into alot of haunted hospital/asylum themed books lately and the ones I've read so far were really good.
BUT....
I was expecting alot more from this book and I just didn't get it. It wasn't scary or thrilling and the whole time it seemed like the characters were just making jokes. If they had actual interesting paranormal experiences, it would be alot better.
The characters themselves were just empty.... and boring.
I wouldn't recommend it :/
- Jessica 💕
I've been getting into alot of haunted hospital/asylum themed books lately and the ones I've read so far were really good.
BUT....
I was expecting alot more from this book and I just didn't get it. It wasn't scary or thrilling and the whole time it seemed like the characters were just making jokes. If they had actual interesting paranormal experiences, it would be alot better.
The characters themselves were just empty.... and boring.
I wouldn't recommend it :/
- Jessica 💕
August 2, 2020
I'm glad that this emphasized that the "crazy people" were being mistreated and dehumanized and driven to mental and psychological break, and that the real scary people in places like this were the people in authority roles. I found the characters rather one dimensional, though their individual motivations were definitely present. It didn't truly grab me until well into the second half, but then I couldn't put it down.
March 17, 2022
Project 17 started out a bit slow to me. I had some trouble getting into it. I liked the characters. It felt like The Breakfast Club goes to the asylum. More teenage drama than ghost story but still good.
June 10, 2016
My username (the part of if that doesn't have a punky song lyric and/or pronoun preferences in those squiggly little brackets. It kinda changes a lot) states that I'm a Zombieslayer/Alienhunter.
I am.
Those are two huge aspects of my reading habits, my gaming habits and my life in general.
Some genius let me watch Independence Day when I was maybe six, and thanks to that I have sworn myself in as an individual who will never let the far-out-of-towners take over.
As for the zombieslayer thing...
Whatta ya want me to say?
Zombies eat brains, man!
But what I've barely eluded to (okay, it might've been in those squiggly brackets once. I don't remember) is that I moonlight as a Ghostbuster.
Movies like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project and, yes, the movie shouted-out to above, are my guilty pleasures.
Marathon of Paranormal Witness or My Haunted House? No, I'm not dead. I'm just ignoring you.
Since I was ten or eleven, one of my favorite things to do has been to wander into some dark, abandoned place armed with a digital camera or, as I got older, a smartphone, and record 'paranormal phenomena'.
Do I think I have ever recorded anything legitimate?
No.
Do I believe in ghosts, regardless?
Yes. Always have, always will. I believe I've seen them.
Do I think Project 17 was particularly good novel?
Not really.
Did I enjoy it?
Hell yes.
Six teenagers, whose names aren't important because they're all the same, venture into the Danvers State Asylum to film a short docu-drama before it's torn down in one week.
Needless to say, it isn't long before strange things start happening.
They all have their own motivations for going because, in case you hadn't figured it out, they would never hang out in any other circumstances.
The head honcho, the filmmaker, wants a way out of working for his parents the rest of his life.
The drama-rats want exposure.
The class clown is desperate for anywhere else to be.
The academia nut thinks it'll look good on her application to Harvard, a school she's been told she should go to and earn a degree for a job she'd been told she wants.
The 'emo-goth-punk-non-conformist-just-doesn't-give-a-fuck-no-I'm-not-Ally-Sheety' girl is the only one with legitimate reason to be there; answers.
This book was a fun little ride. I love shit like this, as stated.
Are there better paranormal books out there? Sure. I still plan on reading more by the author.
Thoughts on fluid narration (goes from person to person in the 1st person)? It didn't really matter, since the author was going with the trop 'hey, man, we're all the same', so, of course, they all sounded the same.
Didn't bother me- I didn't care who was talking.
Also, and I'm avoiding spoilers here, this book was almost two-starred.
Reason for the added third?
The last fifty or so pages are...
A little creepy.
Kind of unsettling.
Unnerving.
I'd definitely recommend this book to amateur Ghostbusters like myself. The philosophy is simply to keep your mind open to things unknown, which is hard to disagree with.
I am.
Those are two huge aspects of my reading habits, my gaming habits and my life in general.
Some genius let me watch Independence Day when I was maybe six, and thanks to that I have sworn myself in as an individual who will never let the far-out-of-towners take over.
As for the zombieslayer thing...
Whatta ya want me to say?
Zombies eat brains, man!
But what I've barely eluded to (okay, it might've been in those squiggly brackets once. I don't remember) is that I moonlight as a Ghostbuster.
Movies like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project and, yes, the movie shouted-out to above, are my guilty pleasures.
Marathon of Paranormal Witness or My Haunted House? No, I'm not dead. I'm just ignoring you.
Since I was ten or eleven, one of my favorite things to do has been to wander into some dark, abandoned place armed with a digital camera or, as I got older, a smartphone, and record 'paranormal phenomena'.
Do I think I have ever recorded anything legitimate?
No.
Do I believe in ghosts, regardless?
Yes. Always have, always will. I believe I've seen them.
Do I think Project 17 was particularly good novel?
Not really.
Did I enjoy it?
Hell yes.
Six teenagers, whose names aren't important because they're all the same, venture into the Danvers State Asylum to film a short docu-drama before it's torn down in one week.
Needless to say, it isn't long before strange things start happening.
They all have their own motivations for going because, in case you hadn't figured it out, they would never hang out in any other circumstances.
The head honcho, the filmmaker, wants a way out of working for his parents the rest of his life.
The drama-rats want exposure.
The class clown is desperate for anywhere else to be.
The academia nut thinks it'll look good on her application to Harvard, a school she's been told she should go to and earn a degree for a job she'd been told she wants.
The 'emo-goth-punk-non-conformist-just-doesn't-give-a-fuck-no-I'm-not-Ally-Sheety' girl is the only one with legitimate reason to be there; answers.
This book was a fun little ride. I love shit like this, as stated.
Are there better paranormal books out there? Sure. I still plan on reading more by the author.
Thoughts on fluid narration (goes from person to person in the 1st person)? It didn't really matter, since the author was going with the trop 'hey, man, we're all the same', so, of course, they all sounded the same.
Didn't bother me- I didn't care who was talking.
Also, and I'm avoiding spoilers here, this book was almost two-starred.
Reason for the added third?
The last fifty or so pages are...
A little creepy.
Kind of unsettling.
Unnerving.
I'd definitely recommend this book to amateur Ghostbusters like myself. The philosophy is simply to keep your mind open to things unknown, which is hard to disagree with.
June 17, 2012
To be completely honest, the expectations I had for this book were completely shattered. I had expected this book to be extremely scary and terrifiying - I was not, in the least bit, scared while reading this, rather, I was preoccupied with thinking "this is weird".
There were a few things that really bothered me and, ultimately, made me give the rating that I did.
1.) When I realized that the chapters were broken up by each character's point of view, I got really excited. I figured that it would be cool to see how each character would react - and I liked the thought of it. HOWEVER, after reading the book, I realized that the different POV approach was pointless for Laurie Faria Stolarz, because she graciously gave each character the same freaking personality. They ALL thought alike and they all said, relatively speaking, the same things. This pissed me off.
2.) It was just another 'run-of-the-mill' YA books. I had expected so much more from this book but, again, my expectations fell short.
3.) There was an over-usage of "lame-o" and "heinous" throughout the entire novel. It endlessly annoyed me.
4.) The end was totally anticlimactic. I wanted to cry because the ending was so bad. I also feel that they never really explored the depths of Christine's mind or death when they had the resources to do so. Also, it ended rather abruptly and only the couples stayed together after the adventure had ended. It never mentions if they [Derik, Mimi, Liza, Chet, Tony, and Greta/Ashley] remained friends, but it's safe to assume that they didn't.
5.) I could never draft a mental picture of Greta/Ashley. The lack of description [for not just Greta, but for all of the characters (except perfect Liza)] was a little strange. I was only able to make vague images of Derik, Tony, Mimi, and Chet.
6.) They all 'coupled-off' in the end. Each person had a girlfriend/boyfriend by the end of this novel. wtf.
7.) LIZA. I hated her. She's just another pointless Mary Sue character and she irritated me. All of the boys lusted over her. I guess it would have been different if she had ended up with Chet [a flawed character] rather than Derik [a flawless character]. Also, this idiot [Liza] decided to become an item with Derik, despite of his history with girls. A smart girl [one that would aspire to go to Harvard, *cough, cough*] would not have even given this kid a second glance. She's just a bimbo.
8.) Project 17 was simply not scary. It was a little creepy at times, yes, but it was not as scary as the premiss would allow you to think it was going to be.
Ultimately, this book was a disappointment to me.
There were a few things that really bothered me and, ultimately, made me give the rating that I did.
1.) When I realized that the chapters were broken up by each character's point of view, I got really excited. I figured that it would be cool to see how each character would react - and I liked the thought of it. HOWEVER, after reading the book, I realized that the different POV approach was pointless for Laurie Faria Stolarz, because she graciously gave each character the same freaking personality. They ALL thought alike and they all said, relatively speaking, the same things. This pissed me off.
2.) It was just another 'run-of-the-mill' YA books. I had expected so much more from this book but, again, my expectations fell short.
3.) There was an over-usage of "lame-o" and "heinous" throughout the entire novel. It endlessly annoyed me.
4.) The end was totally anticlimactic. I wanted to cry because the ending was so bad. I also feel that they never really explored the depths of Christine's mind or death when they had the resources to do so. Also, it ended rather abruptly and only the couples stayed together after the adventure had ended. It never mentions if they [Derik, Mimi, Liza, Chet, Tony, and Greta/Ashley] remained friends, but it's safe to assume that they didn't.
5.) I could never draft a mental picture of Greta/Ashley. The lack of description [for not just Greta, but for all of the characters (except perfect Liza)] was a little strange. I was only able to make vague images of Derik, Tony, Mimi, and Chet.
6.) They all 'coupled-off' in the end. Each person had a girlfriend/boyfriend by the end of this novel. wtf.
7.) LIZA. I hated her. She's just another pointless Mary Sue character and she irritated me. All of the boys lusted over her. I guess it would have been different if she had ended up with Chet [a flawed character] rather than Derik [a flawless character]. Also, this idiot [Liza] decided to become an item with Derik, despite of his history with girls. A smart girl [one that would aspire to go to Harvard, *cough, cough*] would not have even given this kid a second glance. She's just a bimbo.
8.) Project 17 was simply not scary. It was a little creepy at times, yes, but it was not as scary as the premiss would allow you to think it was going to be.
Ultimately, this book was a disappointment to me.
October 15, 2012
This is a story of a high school student, named Derik, who decides to enter a film contest in the hopes that if he wins it could lead to a big break and help him avoid a life of running his family's diner. The wining video will appear on Real Life Television. He decides to take a group of students and break into, and film overnight, in the town's abandoned mental asylum. The place is rumored to be haunted.
Derik convinces his friend Chet to join him. The idea of getting out of the house for the night and away from his alcoholic father definitely appeals to Chet, and he agrees.
Also joining the group is Mimi, the goth girl. She also has ulterior motives for agreeing to go.
Next we meet Greta and Tony. They are both part of the drama club and aspiring actors. They see Derik's project as an opportunity to get television exposure and maybe become famous.
The last member to join the group is Liza. Since the day she was born, Liza's parents have set her on a course to becoming a doctor. When her excellent grades fail to gain her acceptance into Harvard, her counselor suggest that what her application is missing is extra curricular activities. Greta and Tony tell her about Derik's project, and she joins the others for an overnight stay at the asylum.
I really liked the character development in this book. They were all like able, with the possible exception of Greta who was just too into herself and always concerned about getting maximum screen time in the film. Still, I felt myself concerned for their well being. I particularly liked Chet who was the jokester of the group.
The setting was excellently creepy, an overnight stay at an abandoned asylum believed to be the birthplace of the lobotomy. Patients' files and possessions are strewn about the interior and their unmarked graves lie in the surrounding grounds.
I've been watching Bedlam on BBC America which takes place in a similarly haunted setting so that helped add to the visuals provided in the book.
This is a psychological horror story, which I prefer, as opposed to a slash and gore fest. The author does well to play upon those irrational fears we all have when things go bump in the night or we think we saw something move out of the corner of our eyes. However, in this setting, are those fears irrational or real?
I liked the writing style and way the author shifted POV between all six characters, allowing us to really get an insight into their thoughts and fears.
Very enjoyable and just the right amount of chills thrown in.
Derik convinces his friend Chet to join him. The idea of getting out of the house for the night and away from his alcoholic father definitely appeals to Chet, and he agrees.
Also joining the group is Mimi, the goth girl. She also has ulterior motives for agreeing to go.
Next we meet Greta and Tony. They are both part of the drama club and aspiring actors. They see Derik's project as an opportunity to get television exposure and maybe become famous.
The last member to join the group is Liza. Since the day she was born, Liza's parents have set her on a course to becoming a doctor. When her excellent grades fail to gain her acceptance into Harvard, her counselor suggest that what her application is missing is extra curricular activities. Greta and Tony tell her about Derik's project, and she joins the others for an overnight stay at the asylum.
I really liked the character development in this book. They were all like able, with the possible exception of Greta who was just too into herself and always concerned about getting maximum screen time in the film. Still, I felt myself concerned for their well being. I particularly liked Chet who was the jokester of the group.
The setting was excellently creepy, an overnight stay at an abandoned asylum believed to be the birthplace of the lobotomy. Patients' files and possessions are strewn about the interior and their unmarked graves lie in the surrounding grounds.
I've been watching Bedlam on BBC America which takes place in a similarly haunted setting so that helped add to the visuals provided in the book.
This is a psychological horror story, which I prefer, as opposed to a slash and gore fest. The author does well to play upon those irrational fears we all have when things go bump in the night or we think we saw something move out of the corner of our eyes. However, in this setting, are those fears irrational or real?
I liked the writing style and way the author shifted POV between all six characters, allowing us to really get an insight into their thoughts and fears.
Very enjoyable and just the right amount of chills thrown in.
November 3, 2010
The reason why I chose Project 17 is because I am into books that are mysteries, crimes, all those kinds of book. The Genre would probably be mystery or horror because it gets really scary and in some spots they were trying to figure out what was going on or how things were happening. The setting is dark, old, dusty, and scary! The main character is Derik; he is a teenager trying to win a contest so he doesn’t get stuck working at his parent’s diner for the rest of his life. He is tall black hair not the smartest kid, dislike school A LOT! The book is about some teenagers the go into a metal hospital to shoot a TV show for a contest. The begging of the book they plan out the day and night they are going to sneak into the metal hospital. The middle of the book the are in the mental hospital checking out the place and the rooms, and all around. The last thing of the book they are all scared and are dying to leave the place. The main conflict is that Derik wants to win a TV show contest so he doesn’t get stuck working at his parent’s diner. So he talks to some of his friends and got them to go with him to the metal hospital. They worked out the night they were going to stay there. And the also had to find a way to get in without getting caught. Derik wanted to go because he knew that his grandmother went there before it was shutdown. And he wanted to find her records from being there so he could know a little more about his grandmother. And once they got in the metal hospital they found a picture that wasn’t finished. They found a journal that this girl wrote while she was in there. Every time they weren’t doing anything tony read more out of it. The solved it by reading the last page of the journal. She had this bear and she wanted someone to take it and keep it safe…. My opinion of this book: I really liked this book because I’m into mysteries and horror and this book pretty much covered what I love to read about.
February 24, 2011
I'm going to give this caution right at the beginning: If you're creeped out easily (like me) don't read this book. If you're creeped out easily and STILL decide to read this book, don't read it when it's dark outside (like me). Hey, they say you learn from other people's mistakes, right?
Derik doesn't want to spend his life running the third generation family diner, but his grades won't get him into college. The last chance he has left is entering a film contest held by Reality TV on making a documentary and winning a summer internship.
So, he gets a team of people who are pretty much polar opposites together and decides to break into the old abandoned asylum to film. He doesn't think anything will happen, that all the stories are myths. yet, strange stuff keeps happening, with this person who was there named Christine Belle.
And, even after the trip - long after, even - nobody can forget the chilling effects of that one night.
Project 17 is now one of my favorite books. Yes, it freaked me out. But still, it was written extremely well, so it was VERY believable. It's one o those books that when you're reading, you feel like you're right there, watching all the action. Told from all six teens point of views, you get all the action - including every person's thoughts. And with a hit of romance, where can you go wrong?
Derik doesn't want to spend his life running the third generation family diner, but his grades won't get him into college. The last chance he has left is entering a film contest held by Reality TV on making a documentary and winning a summer internship.
So, he gets a team of people who are pretty much polar opposites together and decides to break into the old abandoned asylum to film. He doesn't think anything will happen, that all the stories are myths. yet, strange stuff keeps happening, with this person who was there named Christine Belle.
And, even after the trip - long after, even - nobody can forget the chilling effects of that one night.
Project 17 is now one of my favorite books. Yes, it freaked me out. But still, it was written extremely well, so it was VERY believable. It's one o those books that when you're reading, you feel like you're right there, watching all the action. Told from all six teens point of views, you get all the action - including every person's thoughts. And with a hit of romance, where can you go wrong?
November 5, 2011
This was a very good book, I gave it three stars for the simple reason that it creeped me out better than Salad Fingers could have. It kept me up at night, I couldn't sleep until I had finished the whole book.
This took about four hours.
Finally, when I was able to calmly come to the conclusin that Greta had changed her name back to Ashley, confirmed that Chet and Mimi are indeed going out, as well as Derrik and Liza (the second couple I could kind of see coming, but Mimi and Chet? Talk about blindsided). Once I had made sure that Tony was going to go ahead and become a director, and could finally relax about Christine and that flippin' doll, I closed the book, checked what time it was (5:00 Am) and just sank into a subconscious state riddled with nightmare of dolls hanging from nooses.
Although it thoroughly threw me out of whack, I really enjoyed this book, I found it hard to put down, and it was a very fast paced, twisty-turny book, with just a dash of humor thrown in for good measure, (Thank yooouuuuu Chet). Anyhow, it is different from other books in the way that it doesn't give you time to think about and process the whole story, another thing I found interesting. It just keeps throwing it at you.
Very good book, I reccommend it for all ya'll creepers.
This took about four hours.
Finally, when I was able to calmly come to the conclusin that Greta had changed her name back to Ashley, confirmed that Chet and Mimi are indeed going out, as well as Derrik and Liza (the second couple I could kind of see coming, but Mimi and Chet? Talk about blindsided). Once I had made sure that Tony was going to go ahead and become a director, and could finally relax about Christine and that flippin' doll, I closed the book, checked what time it was (5:00 Am) and just sank into a subconscious state riddled with nightmare of dolls hanging from nooses.
Although it thoroughly threw me out of whack, I really enjoyed this book, I found it hard to put down, and it was a very fast paced, twisty-turny book, with just a dash of humor thrown in for good measure, (Thank yooouuuuu Chet). Anyhow, it is different from other books in the way that it doesn't give you time to think about and process the whole story, another thing I found interesting. It just keeps throwing it at you.
Very good book, I reccommend it for all ya'll creepers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2011
I think that this book is awesome. I loved it. I choose this book to read because it was interesting. It is a fiction book and it is at the Denvers state hospital is where the setting takes place. The main charecter is Liza she is outgoing, funny, and smart. The summary is Liza, Derik, Mimi,and Chet are all best friends they go into a hospital to look around and see if anything is going on in there. The hospital is haunted they lost mimi's doll that she carrys around her everywhere she goes. They look under the chairs but all they see is numbers and they are looking for the number 17 chair cause the doll is under that chair. But one problem there is no number 17 chair at all so now they have a problem. The problem is resolved because finally they find mimi's doll and mimi is all glad to have it back. Cause it was her great grandmothers and she died so she gave mimi the doll so that she can keep it. This book was a very good book I liked how you didnt know what was going to happen next and it was all going to be a surprise. i also liked how it was haunted cause i love scary haunted movies so i would think that i would like the books too and i did like the book.
September 14, 2020
2019
I liked the mystery and para-normality behind the story (and that it's not completely explained). And I like that the kids all have to come to terms with something in their lives (as many teenagers do. Even some very serious stuff). Derik, for the most part, is pretty sweet and bumbling. I like that he struggles with his family expectations in exactly (but also oppositely) the same way as Liza. Both need to figure out what it is - they - want out of life, instead of living the way their parents want them to. Chet is a clown, but hiding some major league issues with his family, again mirrored (but not) in similar ways with Mimi. Mimi doesn't hide as a class clown, but instead enjoys looking like a regular at a graveside service on Halloween. And Tony and Ashley/Greta mostly just need to deal with their insecurities of themselves as a person. Their stories captured me less than the rest of the cast. Overall, though, it is a pretty neat/almost gothic tale of kids spending their night in an insane asylum. Not terrible shocking or terrifying, but still an interesting read to waste away an hour of the day.
I liked the mystery and para-normality behind the story (and that it's not completely explained). And I like that the kids all have to come to terms with something in their lives (as many teenagers do. Even some very serious stuff). Derik, for the most part, is pretty sweet and bumbling. I like that he struggles with his family expectations in exactly (but also oppositely) the same way as Liza. Both need to figure out what it is - they - want out of life, instead of living the way their parents want them to. Chet is a clown, but hiding some major league issues with his family, again mirrored (but not) in similar ways with Mimi. Mimi doesn't hide as a class clown, but instead enjoys looking like a regular at a graveside service on Halloween. And Tony and Ashley/Greta mostly just need to deal with their insecurities of themselves as a person. Their stories captured me less than the rest of the cast. Overall, though, it is a pretty neat/almost gothic tale of kids spending their night in an insane asylum. Not terrible shocking or terrifying, but still an interesting read to waste away an hour of the day.
November 8, 2009
Laurie Faria Stolarz‘s Project 17 is about six teenagers breaking into a mental hospital who is said that spirits of those who lived in the hospital still remain. Once the six teenagers enter the hospital, they realize that they cannot leave without completing a mission: helping a spirit to find the Debbie doll.
After reading this book, I was disappointed that there are not enough suspense and horror elements. The story took too long to escalate and, to an extent, the ending was predictable. I did like how each chapter shifts between each teenager’s perspective. I understand that if the story is told through teach character, we could see and learn more about their roles; however, having six different perspectives was just difficult to follow and keep track. Each character learns more about others but I do not feel that they grew a lot. The ending was a nice wrap up of the book but it really quick and unsatisfactory. I cannot believe that they went through the scares in the hospital and could leave the hospital easily.
After reading this book, I was disappointed that there are not enough suspense and horror elements. The story took too long to escalate and, to an extent, the ending was predictable. I did like how each chapter shifts between each teenager’s perspective. I understand that if the story is told through teach character, we could see and learn more about their roles; however, having six different perspectives was just difficult to follow and keep track. Each character learns more about others but I do not feel that they grew a lot. The ending was a nice wrap up of the book but it really quick and unsatisfactory. I cannot believe that they went through the scares in the hospital and could leave the hospital easily.
July 4, 2010
For some reason I rathered the beginning of this book, more so than the middle and end. The character set ups are really interesting, as is finding out why these kids want to spend the night in a haunted asylum. I just found the actual part of the book that takes place in said asylum, Danvers State Hospital in Boston to be exact, not creepy enough.
Dont get me wrong, there's some weird shit in this book: dolls hanging from nooses, ghostly graffiti messages, whispering voices in empty corridors. Just not much direct confrontation with the paranormal. This is more like a docile episode of Ghost Hunters than, lets say, the bat shit awesomeness of Paranormal Activity.
It does, however, make me interested in Stolarz's Touch series. I've always heard those are pretty suspenseful, and she really showed here that she has the potential to get under people's skin.
Dont get me wrong, there's some weird shit in this book: dolls hanging from nooses, ghostly graffiti messages, whispering voices in empty corridors. Just not much direct confrontation with the paranormal. This is more like a docile episode of Ghost Hunters than, lets say, the bat shit awesomeness of Paranormal Activity.
It does, however, make me interested in Stolarz's Touch series. I've always heard those are pretty suspenseful, and she really showed here that she has the potential to get under people's skin.
March 1, 2022
2022 review: Honestly? I thought this was going to have a lower rating from my initial read through of it, but it still holds up. I had fun, and read it in one sitting.
If you're in the market for a fast-paced, character-driven haunted house story, then I would recommend this. It's got a lot of heart, and tackles a lot of emotional topics. While the story takes place in an abandoned asylum, it definitely plays the role of a backdrop. I feel like the characters in this novel take center stage, and their emotions/own personal trauma is really the meat of the story.
If you're in the market for a fast-paced, character-driven haunted house story, then I would recommend this. It's got a lot of heart, and tackles a lot of emotional topics. While the story takes place in an abandoned asylum, it definitely plays the role of a backdrop. I feel like the characters in this novel take center stage, and their emotions/own personal trauma is really the meat of the story.
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