BONECHILLER by graham mcnamee

Summary: Danny and his father constantly move to escape the pain and loss after the death of a mother and wife. His father takes a job managing cottages in a marina in a small remote town Harvest Cove in Ontario, Canada. When the coldest of winters settle in there, a centuries old nightmare, a ravenous roaming monster comes alive. It taunts its chosen prey until it sucks out their spirit and soul. Danny and friend Howie are its latest victims. Once bitten, you become ill, and it is only a matter of time before you succumb and go to the monster. Danny, Howie, Pike (Howie's brother) and Ash (Danny's love interest) join together to destroy the monster.

Comments: I felt the interactions, reactions, and actions of the individualized teen characters were true even in their unrelenting determination to rid the town of the monster. I had no problem believing in the existence of this monster.

I'm glad the author included some Native American folklore. The stories about Windigos told by Ash's father adds more chill, mystery, and depth to the monster.

Danny has another monster, another nightmare that he must face. He has to come to grips with the death of his mother from a brain tumor. This story hit close to home for me as my mother died from the aftermath of a brain tumor. I got a little teary-eyed at times reading this book. It is nice to see his father heal a bit too.

I will definitely recommend this to horror fans. It is fast-paced, with short chapters, and lots of intense action.

Audience: I would say older teens. SLJ says grades 9 and up.