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The Haunting Of Alaizabel Cray

4.0 of 5 stars 4.00 · rating details · 1,878 ratings · 188 reviews

The Alienist meets Dracula in this gripping, gothic-horror thriller from young UK phenom Chris Wooding.

Thaniel, just seventeen, is a wych-hunter. Together, he and Cathaline--his friend and mentor--track down the fearful creatures that lurk in the Old Quarter of London. It is on one of these hunts that he first encounters Alaizabel Cray. Alaizabel is half-crazed, lovely, an...more

Paperback, 304 pages

Published August 1st 2005 by Point (first published June 15th 2001)

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Best Steampunk Books

58th out of 471 books — 2,481 voters

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

The Haunting Of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

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5th out of 41 books — 58 voters

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Apr 19, 2009 Alexis rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Navah, my brother, fans of weird fantasy

Shelves: teen-ya, fantasy, unique, my-reviews

I really enjoy reading Chris Wooding's novels. There's always something very dark and weird to the worlds he creates, and it makes the stories edgy and exciting. The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray is no exception.

Set in an alternate universe of Victorian London, there are more than just famous serial killers (in this case, it's Stitch-face) to worry about. Ever since the city was bombed, wych-kin have been appearing in the Old Quarter. They kill, possess, steal babies, and just generally do bad stu...more I really enjoy reading Chris Wooding's novels. There's always something very dark and weird to the worlds he creates, and it makes the stories edgy and exciting. The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray is no exception.

Set in an alternate universe of Victorian London, there are more than just famous serial killers (in this case, it's Stitch-face) to worry about. Ever since the city was bombed, wych-kin have been appearing in the Old Quarter. They kill, possess, steal babies, and just generally do bad stuff. They're the things of nightmares, of fairy tales, the things that go bump in the night. And they just keep coming.

I unfortunately took a two month break before finishing the last 30 pages, but here are the basics:

There's Thaniel, a teenage wych-hunter by birth, talented and powerful by training. His dad was a really famous wych-hunter, but they had kind of a strained relationship. And after his father died, he was raised by...

Cathaline, his father's old friend. She finished his training and brought him up as her ward. She's way progressive. She even wears pants! Together they fight the wych-kin that threaten to overpower London.

But one night, while hunting a cradle-jack, Thaniel comes across Alaizabel Cray. She's young and beautiful and totally possessed. He brings her home, and she snaps out of it at some point and is able to tell him her name. She can't remember much other than that, but the glimpses into the real Alaizabel have Thaniel falling for her. He vows to protect her, even though she appears to be a magnet for wych-kin.

There's also an Inspector and his partner, who don't always seem to have the same interests, a doctor who runs the local asylum and who seems to know more than he lets on, Stitch-face the serial killer, a beggar king, a devil-boy, and of course, the spirit that is trying to take over Alaizabel's body - if only Alaizabel weren't so stubborn. And there's the Fraternity, but they're just a rumor...right?

By finding Alaizabel, Thaniel is suddenly consumed by questions. Who is she? Where did she come from? How did she end up in the old district in the possession of a very powerful spirit? And then there is the nature of the wych-kin themselves - and why they seem to be increasing in strength and numbers. As carefully planned pieces fall into place around them, Thaniel and his friends must answer these questions and fight the coming darkness, which threatens to consume not just Alaizabel, not just London, but the whole world.

This is a great creepy read. Chris Wooding's characters and writing style are fun and engaging, but he perfectly sets the sinister atmosphere of London's foggy streets with well-written detail. His stories are original and fresh, and when I'm in the mood to read something different, he's a good choice. If you've read Poison, I'd recommend checking this one out, too. (It's been too long since I read the first of Broken Sky for me to really comment on that.)(less)

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Apr 24, 2010 Becky rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: horror, library, young-adult, mystery-and-thrillers, 2010, fantasy, historical-fiction, multi-dimensional, reviewed, romance, blog_etb, challenge-1010

I was browsing the YA section of my local library and I stumbled across this book. Or maybe I should say that it called out to me. The blurry cathedral on the cover just promised to be dark and mysterious. I'm a sucker for dark, broody, creepy, gothic (etc) type stories, and this delivered just that.

I haven't read anything by Chris Wooding before, in fact, I'd never even heard of him until I picked up this book. As soon as I'm done writing this review, I'm going to be adding his other books to...more I was browsing the YA section of my local library and I stumbled across this book. Or maybe I should say that it called out to me. The blurry cathedral on the cover just promised to be dark and mysterious. I'm a sucker for dark, broody, creepy, gothic (etc) type stories, and this delivered just that.

I haven't read anything by Chris Wooding before, in fact, I'd never even heard of him until I picked up this book. As soon as I'm done writing this review, I'm going to be adding his other books to my TBR. I only hope that they live up to the expectations I have from this book.

The story takes place in an alternate version of Victorian London, a bleak and foreboding place where night is treacherous and unpredictable, wych-kin roam and wreak havoc and serial killers pick their victims off with shocking ease.

We first meet Thaniel Fox, son of England's most reknown wych-hunter, on the hunt for a Cradle-Jack which has been plucking babies from their cribs for a tasty little midnight snack. Thaniel is independent, courageous, smart, resourceful and compassionate - all the things that an English gentleman should be. Add to that that he is simply bad-ass, and you have the making of one sexy hero. His fight with Curien Blake was... well, it was exciting to read. I'll just put it that way. There's just something about a man with a big knife that knows how to use it that gets my blood flowing. :)

Anyway, so we meet Thaniel, and soon meet with a mysterious girl that is in obvious need of help. He brings her back to the house that he shares with Cathaline Bennett, another wych-hunter and Thaniel's tutor, if you will. The three of them discover that there is an ancient wych possessing Alaizabel, and embark on a journey to find out why, and how to get the wych out of her. From there, everything starts to go downhill, and the shocks just keep coming.

I loved all of the characters in the story. They all felt real, and acted according to how real people would act. The romance bits between Thaniel and Alaizabel were a little rushed, but I can overlook that when I consider that he saved her and therefore felt responsible for her, and she was saved and was grateful. Both of those things can easily run a bit deeper, especially among teens who have both been alone for a large amount of their lives. To suddenly meet someone that plays such a role in your life, I would imagine that's a kind of big change.

I also really loved the London that Wooding created here, complete with it's own Jack the Ripper-esque killer, Stitch-face. It was dark and creepy and definitely not the place one would want to take a casual midnight stroll. I loved all of the little mini-stories that he incorporated into the bigger London-story. It gave me an idea not only of what the city as a whole was facing, but who the people facing it actually were, and what kind of people a city this dark and menacing breeds. It's unforgiving, and that's represented in the characters depicted. I thought that it was a nice touch to add those little personalizations, even if they were only a page or two long.

Wooding's imagination is awesome when it comes to the creatures that he brings to life here. I've read a goodish amount of horror in my life, but there were things in this book that gave me goosebumps, and that's not an exaggeration. The thing on the ceiling of Alaizabel's bedroom is seared into my memory as if I saw it myself, which is pretty commendable, as it was only very roughly described. I think that's a testament to a good author, to be able to subtly show us each what we fear without describing it into the light of perfect knowledge. Once we know what the heck we're dealing with, it's not nearly as scary as when we have no idea what's chasing us.

I also loved the blending of mechanical inventions and superstition here. Airships on one hand, and cultish Rites and ceremonies and charms on the other. Wooding perfectly brought these two very disparate things together in this book, and made it believable and plausible. I really loved it, and look forward to more from him. :)(less)

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Apr 10, 2013 Amanda rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: wish-list, my-own-my-preciousss, twas-good, supernatural, horror, mystery, alternate-universe, urban-fantasy

15 Jan '12

Still shrieking, she saw the thing lurking in the shadows of the corner of the room, visible only in the murk of sleep-fogged eyes. Naked, twisted, an old, old crone with her long straggly hair cloaking her bent body, she crouched on all fours with hooves for feet and a long tail twitching behind her.

If you liked the Bartimaeus Trilogy, or if you thought The Mortal Instruments was good - or, in my case, had good ideas but failed to deliver, then go give The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray...more

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Oct 17, 2007 Kim rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: young Goths, fans of Lovecraft and "The New Weird"

Another unexpected wonder by Chris Wooding. In an alternative Victorian London, young Thaniel Fox hunts wych-kin, the spooky beings who haunt the Old Quarter. While hunting, he encounters the beautiful Alaizabel Cray, who is possessed by a spirit that makes her an attraction to all sorts of wych-kin horrors. In solving Alaizabel's mystery, Thaniel and his mentor Cathaline become discover a secret society that is threatening not only London, but humanity itself. This atmospheric tale is perfect f...more

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Aug 09, 2011 Malissa rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, teen-book-group-selection

I'm maybe a bit below four stars on this one, but I'll round up because my teen book group really seemed to like it, and teen appeal counts for something with YA lit.

In general, this book held my interest well. It was pretty original, and the writing is decent. Toward the end, though, it seemed to get a bit heavy handed with the philosophical aspects of the story. I like the idea that the witch-kin (ghoulish beings of all sorts) come from the dark part of human minds, but to say that they come...more

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Oct 08, 2011 Aly (Fantasy4eva) rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: just-no, uk-bookish-love

So I'm actually not going to rate this book until I've finished my review. I've had a lot of mixed feelings about this one. Normally I would just decide whether a book is good or not, but for some reason I just couldn't decide this time around. I felt maybe reviewing it would finally bring me to a conclusion. The problem might have been that I actually found the main characters bland. Whilst the ones that stood out were the bad creepy ones, and you know when your preferring the bad guys over the...more So I'm actually not going to rate this book until I've finished my review. I've had a lot of mixed feelings about this one. Normally I would just decide whether a book is good or not, but for some reason I just couldn't decide this time around. I felt maybe reviewing it would finally bring me to a conclusion. The problem might have been that I actually found the main characters bland. Whilst the ones that stood out were the bad creepy ones, and you know when your preferring the bad guys over the heroes that something is very wrong.

Stitch - Face and Jack stood out to me. Their creepiness more like made them stand out. Was it because the other characters were so plain in contrast? It's not one of those that after a few pages you give up on, and trust me I've been doing that a lot lately. Actually far from it, I finished it within the day, so its not that it was boring although it wasn't exciting or anything. It was good enough to keep me reading, this is why I'm confused. I really haven't been in this situation before. I'm normally very final about my overall opinion.

The Wych kin were an interesting concept, and something that's kept very much in the dark and mysterious until the very end of the book. The outcome, was I felt also very interesting. The plus point I would have to say would be the ending. I thought it was very cool and left a lot of room for a sequel. Maybe I'm just not getting it, but within characters like Stitch - Face and Jack who normally I would never like or want to relate to, this time I found myself actually having some sort of understanding towards, so if anything this book does leave you a bit more open minded.

My problem with Alaizabel was that she seemed pointless. Her whole character seemed pointless, and Thaniel seemed to have no personality at all. If at least one of them stood out then I might have been a bit more forgiving, but for me the main characters making an Impact is essential because for me they make the story. However the story does have its fair share of action and bad ass points not to mention it was a pretty fast read!

I'll leave it at that, and let you guys decide for yourself. A fellow blogger and mate adored it and it was under her suggestion I decided to read it. *cough KAY! :D* I don't regret reading it. I just felt maybe a little let down, but I wouldn't say don't pick it up because others have actually enjoyed this book a lot more than I have, so give it a go, and get back to me =)
(less)

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Apr 06, 2012 Photina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, school, horror

Photina Haumschilt
Genre: Horror

Thanial Fox is a seventeen year-old wych-hunter. London has been plagued with wychs and dark creatures ever since The Vernichtung. While on a hunt for a Cradlejack Thaniel finds what he thinks to be a creature crouched in a corner half-crazed. He soon finds out that the "creature" is really Alaizabel Cray and that she has been possessed by an old wych spirit. With his mentor and friend, Catheline, they all set out to find answers and fight the creatures that keep p...more

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Aug 25, 2007 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: sf, young-adult, favorites

This one's a keeper. Some books just hit you in the first few pages, and you know deep in your gut that you've stumbled on a true find. Wooding has crafted a gritty, atmospheric fantasy set in the Old Quarter of London. Thaniel is a wych-hunter; he hunts Cradlejacks, monsters who steal babies. He protects Alaizabel who is mysteriously possessed and a magnet for evil creatures. The tools of a wych-hunters trade are well-detailed, and it's a pleasure to read such a well-thought out form of magic....more

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Oct 14, 2011 Kristina added it · review of another edition

cross-posted from Book Haven

Элайзабел Крэй и Темное Братство – одна из моих самых-самых любимых подростковых книг. Это как раз тот самый иллюзорный идеальный случай, когда главный герой вызывает неподдельное восхищение, женские персонажи вызывают симпатию, в мотивацию главного злодея возможно поверить, а второстепенные персонажи не фон, а участники действия. И главное! От приключений героев невозможно оторваться, но еще очень радует тот факт, что все происшествия в книге в конечном итоге оказыв...more cross-posted from Book Haven

Элайзабел Крэй и Темное Братство – одна из моих самых-самых любимых подростковых книг. Это как раз тот самый иллюзорный идеальный случай, когда главный герой вызывает неподдельное восхищение, женские персонажи вызывают симпатию, в мотивацию главного злодея возможно поверить, а второстепенные персонажи не фон, а участники действия. И главное! От приключений героев невозможно оторваться, но еще очень радует тот факт, что все происшествия в книге в конечном итоге оказываются звеньями одной цепи, и это подчиняется законам логики, а не взято автором с потолка.

Таниэлю Фоксу всего 17 лет, но он уже один из самых известных в Лондоне охотников за нечистью, которая расплодилась в городе после бомбардировок. Родители мальчика умерли, так что он живет со своей наставницей Кейтлин, вместе с которой и продолжает дело отца. Однажды во время охоты Таниэль встречает странную девушку, и тут-то начинается самое интересное…

Действие романа происходит на улицах Лондона, в небе, в тоннелях метро; герои встречаются с массой интересных обитателей “подполья”, с ведьмами и монстрами, по городу рыщет маньяк, а зловещее тайное общество вынашивает план, угрожающий существованию всего человечества. По-моему, неплохо для детской книжки. И мне очень нравится интонация автора – он не заискивает перед не очень взрослыми читателями, а общается с ними на равных. И монстры в книге реально страшные, злодеи – обычные люди с амбициями, готовые на все ради власти, дружба выдерживает все испытания, а герои… просто героические. Только такие и способны спасти мир.(less)

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Feb 18, 2013 Jason rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2013

4 Stars

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding is a fun, fast, and action packed gothic horror novel that is done up in a steampunk like London. Wooding has created a cast of likable characters and put them in a really cool urban fantasy setting. Thaniel, our main protagonist is a young man that is a Wych-Hunter by trade. He is the son of England’s most renowned Wych-hunter, and has had to try and live up to his father’s legacy. This novel centers on a mass murder named Stitch Face, a l...more

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Dec 30, 2012 Becky B rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Those who like gothic fantasy or mystery

Recommended to Becky by: Daniel Shellenbarger, Lydia Shellenbarger

Shelves: steam-punk, fantasy, young-adult, mystery, thriller

I don't normally pick up books labelled as horror, but my brother and sister both told me I HAD to read this. In fact, I think this book is somewhat misfiled. It is more gothic fantasy with a touch of steam punk than straight up horror. (I guess it does fit in horror in the same sense that Frankenstein does. Not because it induces the creeps and the need to sleep with a light for the next five years, but because it is depressing what lengths some humans will go to get what they want and scary to...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Philosophile rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another strange book by Chris Wooding. Like all his books, there is a strange undertow in the way that the world of "The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray" functions. You begin to catch in in the beginning of the book, an explanation to why their world works this way, and most main characters seem to be close to an epiphany on why it is so. In "Alaizabel Cray," we receive a startling, sensible answer. Chris Wooding's plot twists always make sense: On a second read-through, you see the little line and h...more

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Oct 01, 2011 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

I want to give a review of a book that's been out for about seven years and one that I had never heard of (P.S. I usually like to pretend I've heard of everything). I am aware of who the author Chris Wooding is, but I was not familiar at all with his book The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray until a co-worker placed it into my hands and told me I needed to read it. So I read it, and now I want to share it with you.

The prose in this book is incredible. It reads at such a smooth pace and the details, pa...more

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Jun 24, 2011 leah rated it 2 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. The world building was solid, but the characters less so. They started out fairly promising, especially Cathaline, but they steadily declined in being interesting.

It's another one of those "ethereally beautiful troubled girl is more magical than EVERYTHING and also stronger and braver. And the boy she's known for four days is in love with her!" Alaizabel really had no chance to be interesting. Thaniel, supposedly the protagonist, quickly takes a back seat to Alaizabel's powerfulness. Also, he's...more

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Mar 21, 2011 Sawler rated it 5 of 5 stars

I never expected any anticipation of a pleasurable read from this book. I was bored and I was in dire need of buying a book and I came across this book by Chris Wooding and it was on sale at that time. A book below ten bucks is what I consider a sure buy with no regrets, which is why I didn't shed a tear when I bought The Da Vinci Code. So, I bought it and let it collect dust on my bookshelves for a while until the day I was urged to read it. I finished the book in one sitting and at the end of...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Karissa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have read a lot of other Chris Wooding books. I loved Poison and enjoyed Storm Thief and Malice as well. This though, was one of the best of the bunch. This is a very well done book and creates a wonderful world with an excellent story.

Thaniel is a wych hunter, like his father before him. On one of his treks into the dark alleys of London, while tracking a Cradlejack, his is attacked by a young woman. He subdues her and brings her home. When she comes too he finds that her name is Alaizabel Cr...more I have read a lot of other Chris Wooding books. I loved Poison and enjoyed Storm Thief and Malice as well. This though, was one of the best of the bunch. This is a very well done book and creates a wonderful world with an excellent story.

Thaniel is a wych hunter, like his father before him. On one of his treks into the dark alleys of London, while tracking a Cradlejack, his is attacked by a young woman. He subdues her and brings her home. When she comes too he finds that her name is Alaizabel Cray and she has been possessed by an evil old wych named Thatch. Little do they know that Alaizabel is tied into much darker plans that threaten to destroy London. Thaniel and his friends will have to join forces with both legal and illegal forces to prevent a secret society, the Fraternity, from summoning darkness that will destroy first London and then the world.

The characters in this book were amazing as was the creative world that Wooding has created in Victorian London. Thaniel is an interesting character as a seventeen year old boy who was raised by the most prominent wych hunter in London. He feels a desperate need to prove himself now that his father is dead. Alaizabel is intriguing because of her mysterious past and her persistent ability to survive against all odds. Then you have Thaniel's guardian Cathaline, the Beggar Lord, Carver a determined police deputy, Stitchface (A serial killer of dubious alingment), and the Fraternity themselves. All of the characters are incredibly interesting and have many shades of grey to their personalities.

This is not a light-hearted book, it is very dark and has a bit of a steampunk tone to it. Most of it takes place in dark places and the hunts are for monsters and other evil things. The book isn't incredibly gory, but it is very spooky. The action scenes were very well done.

The plot was amazing and it was nice how the number of small plots that were going on all tied together. In true Chris Wooding style there is a revelation at the end that is surprising and thought-provoking. Wooding is very good at throwing something crazy at you at the end and it is always something that makes you think.

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for middle grade and older readers. It would probably be a bit scary for younger children; a lot of people do die and it is a very dark story. I loved the way it ended and kind of wished we would get to join Alazaibel, Thaniel, and Cathaline on more adventures.

Chris Wooding continues to be one of my favorite authors. Next up to read from him is Fade and then the next book in the Malice series Havoc. (less)

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Jan 30, 2010 Fiendishly Bookish rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: steampunk, urbanfantasy, ya-sci-fi-fantasy, ya-thriller, 5-star

London has been over-run by Wych-kin for twenty years or so after the bombing by the Vernichtung. The city's residents have lived as prisoners terrorized by the nebulous and nefarious Cradle-jacks,Drowned Folk, Wights, Chackh'morg, Rawhead and Bloodybones, Deildegasts,The Hallow Ghoul, The Draug, and Stitch-Face.

Ultimately at the heart of the evil and the spawning of the Wych-kin lays the Fraternity, a coven of immense power-enough to summon a beast that will lay waste to London and next...the...more

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Jul 13, 2009 Meagan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: horror, ya

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray is set in an alternative Victorian London. The characters live in a London much as it really existed, except for the fact that it was bombed by Prussian zeppelins. Somehow, the Prussian bombs not only destroyed much of the Old Quarter, but also released hordes of supernatural creatures called wych-kin. This imaginary London is filled with both the new fruits of science, such as underground trains and telephones, and also with the ancient monsters of nightmares, suc...more

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Jun 24, 2009 Liz (Consumed by Books) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Liz (Consumed by Books) by: Jeremy (my boyfriend)

Shelves: 4-star, young-adult, fantasy

I have to say that up until the last few chapters of this book, I didn't expect to enjoy it as much as I did. I thought that the author tied this book together really well at the end.

The whole story is set in Victorian London and has a very Gothic mood and feel to it. At the beginning of the novel, I wasn't sure how all of the individual story lines would tie together, but the author pulled it together quite well. Also, I didn't get a sense of infeasibility as I read. It really made sense to me...more

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Mar 15, 2012 Chamara rated it 3 of 5 stars

This is my first Chirs Wooding book and i was impressed.

The setting for the story is excellent, an alternative Victorian London giving off the feeling of decay and despair. The history of the setting perfectly explains the way the city turned out like this a bit at a time as the story goes on, in a way that was very enjoyable to piece together. The supernatural elements in the book all make sense according to the rules and back story. And they follow the rules, Wooding doesn't once bend the rul...more

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Jan 02, 2010 Saralibrary rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010

I found this book on a steampunk list, but don't be fooled. It's not steampunk; in fact, it's more Lovecraftian horror, by which I mean lots of creepy creatures and not much soul.

Basically, that's the problem with this book. The characters are fairly one-dimensional and you never get close enough to them to really invest in their story. The description and detail in the book is great, but when more time goes into describing the wych-kin than the characters reaction to them, you're in trouble.

For...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Alyssa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, so this book is predictable and the main characters aren't especially interesting... BUT it also somehow manages to be 4 stars worth of macabre funtimes. I suppose the world-building may have something to do with why I liked this story so much. I loved the semi-post-apocalyptic Victorian London and all of the deliciously chilling critters and side-characters that populated it. At any point in this story, it was clear to me that there was a landscape of potential other stories happening out...more

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Dec 02, 2009 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: urban-paranormal, steampunk, fantasy

I enjoyed this book, it was Young Adult in tone but not pandering. I just read two books of very similar tone to this, and I liked both of them. This one has a very Gothic, Faerie Tale bent to it. Definitely felt Young Adult, like Graceling, but I was engrossed and kept with the characters.

Interesting environment and world (which I was interested in learning more about, sometimes it felt a bit thinly drawn, but the author succeeded in giving me the total creeps a few times with his monsters, so...more

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Mar 15, 2008 April rated it 2 of 5 stars

This book was written by the same author as Poison. It is very Gothic. Well written, but super scary, and frankly not one I would recommend. It is a young adult book as well, but I don't think that it should have been. It seemed more adult themed to me. Certainly no nudity, or cursing, but the subject matter was very dark, and I did not like the feel of the book.

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Avanti Hi, peoples, my name is Avanti. Somebody took my name and email account and impersonated me on this website, but I found out when I got a verification...more Hi, peoples, my name is Avanti. Somebody took my name and email account and impersonated me on this website, but I found out when I got a verification letter in my inbox. I went onto the site and deleted all the comments my impersonator put on here- he or she hasn't impersonated me since then, so I think they took the hint.

Anyway, I took a liking to this website (because I loooove reading) and I wanted to tell you that I disagree with your comments. I liked the book a lot, and I read it when I was quite young, and it didn't seem very scary to me at all. I understand how it could be considered scary, as it did have some frightening bits, such as the attack of the Cradle Jack, the murder exacted by Stitch Face, and that weird water creature who entered Alaizabel's room, but Young Adults can handle that sort of thing. There are worse things in the Young Adults section than monsters and murder, trust me.

If it wasn't the monsters that bothered you, was it the ideas displayed in the story? That bit near the end, where it was revealed that the demons were created by the despair of humanity in general, is not something that would much scare children, but I can see how it could scare adults. Now, why shouldn't children read deep ideas? Children are the ones that benefit the most from deep ideas, because it enables them to learn and grow in ways that might (surprise surprise) actually come in handy for them someday. Keeping a child from deep ideas does not keep it safe, it keeps them ignorant, and that will cause them a disservice one day.

This book ISN'T that dark, children SHOULD be allowed to access deep ideas like the hopelessness felt by the general population when they realize that they don't have other people to blame their problems on. Understand that violence and swearwords does not necessarily equal a lack of ignorance. But really, placing this book in the adult section would be like saying, 'Young Adults these days cannot handle a little fear and darkness. Young Adults these days should be naive and cute at all times because they are not grown up enough to read something that scares some of the parents.' Good books which are MEANT to be scary SHOULD be scary. That doesn't mean that young people should be put off reading them. I mean, honestly, if they're in Middle or High school already, they've probably read stuff way worse than this.

Now, despite the detailed and rather beautiful language that the author used (those first few lines about the gray streak of zeppelin and glowing gas lamps really painting a picture in your head), this book wasn't even really that deep- if you want deep stuff, read a book which challenges your perspective and way of thinking. Telling you that humanity is full of darkness and hopelessness doesn't challenge your perspective or make you think- it just states a pretty obvious fact that people don't want to think about much, because they want to think that humanity is a good thing. Sorta like Holocaust denial.

The purpose of the 'demons of humanity' in this story was just to catch the readers eye and amuse them a bit. It was something that made a reader feel interested, in that a person's feelings of despair could become their own demons, but it was not something with real depth or value. If a person had a positive perspective on humanity in general, they might even be surprised at the negativity coming from this book. Personally, I'd be surprised myself, to know that there was a person with a positive perspective on humanity, considering our long history of war and prejudice, and the injustices you see performed on people even now. (Don't believe me? Look on the internet and the news channels- the whole wide world is being flooded with the misery we're giving to each other.)Well, as I was saying, this book's value was more in it's characters, storyline, or the nice writing techniques than it's depth. No, really, there wasn't much depth in this book, more like a half-baked attempt at depth, because let's face it, the book was more good because of it's scariness and descriptiveness than it was for it's philosophical value. Anything that might have sounded insightful or surprising to the reader- like that bit when Stitch Face mentioned that monsters wanted to live, too- were really just obvious facts being stated, and a young or naive reader would totally fall for them, because for all that it lacks, that book has some pretty cool lines.

Stitch Face spoke about his desire for survival so artfully, the audience is shocked or intrigued, but seriously, what did they expect? That they monster would want to die because it knew it was "evil?" All creatures (save for suicidal folk) strive for their own survival. Common fact of life. Applies to monsters too. Not that shocking, people.

So, I believe that was a good book, and I know it is capable of inciting fear. But just don't say that only adults should read this book. Young people are very capable of reading this book. I know it might sound hypocritical for a young person (such as I) to tell you guys that young people should read a scary book, but it really isn't all that grown up. Besides, children are exploring all over the internet these days- you can't keep them ignorant forever, you know. I know you think this book is rather dark, but it isn't, really. It all has to do with the readers perspective, and children should be allowed to access as many perspectives as possible so that they can grow up to be more educated adults. I seriously don't think a book like this is capable of leaving any emotional scars whatsoever on Young Adults. This read is a read meant for entertainment and a degree of fear- rather like a roller coaster, or an exciting carnival ride. Fun, scary, and safe.

Oh my gosh, did I actually spend all this time rambling on about a book review? I practically wrote a book myself about perspectives and deep ideas and blah blah blah. Seriously, what am I doing with my life? Why did I just write a bunch of paragraphs about how children should read this book, and how this book was harmless, all over one dinky comment?! Sorry to all folks who spent valuable time reading this when they could have been doing something else :P. And by the way, there's no need to get into a heated argument over my comment, or degrade my IQ if you disagree with me. I'm still in middle school. I don't have much life experiences other than reading books by adults. Don't call me an idiot just because I am young and inexperienced, if that's what you're planning to do. Possibly, someday I'll read this comment over and realize that I put something in here which wasn't right, and I'll edit it or delete it or something. Well, here it is: my really really really long comment that you spent all this time reading. Sorry if this conclusion is disappointing, it's the best I can do.(less)
updated May 20, 2010 04:57pm

Aug 02, 2011 Lori Spadea rated it 2 of 5 stars

Steam Punk is a very interesting genre. I would have to read a few more books in this genre before making a judgement on it. I would venture to say that in high school, Emo kids, Punk kids, and Goth kids may enjoy these books very much. These groups were previously a very hard niche to please.
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray is very different from anything I have ever read. It was very, very dark. Darker than I care to have explored. I would may even go so far as to say sacreligious if you are a s...more Steam Punk is a very interesting genre. I would have to read a few more books in this genre before making a judgement on it. I would venture to say that in high school, Emo kids, Punk kids, and Goth kids may enjoy these books very much. These groups were previously a very hard niche to please.
The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray is very different from anything I have ever read. It was very, very dark. Darker than I care to have explored. I would may even go so far as to say sacreligious if you are a strong Christian.
The story takes place in Old London, or the Chris Wooding version of Old London gone bad. London is a very different place that has been taken over by Wyches. These Wyches (and there are different kinds) take over peoples bodies and turn them into Wyches too. They do this by biting or scratching them. Most of London lives on the North side of the river. The South side has been taken over by these beings. Any shop keepers that work there close before dark and return home. There are certain people who are Wyche hunters. Thaniel Fox is one. His father did the same thing and was one of the greats but has since passed away. Thaniel’s friend and fellow Wyche hunter Cathaline lives with him.
One night as Thaniel is hunter a Cradlejack, he finds a girl. He take her home to care for her and finds out that she has escaped from the mental institution. She has a strange episode, and he and Cathaline find out that she isn’t insane, she is “haunted” also known as possessed. A secret society called the Fraturnity tried to poison her and make her week enough for a demon named Thatch to inhabit her body and take over, but she recovered and he wasn’t able to take over so they are both in there. Thatch is the part of the Fraturnity’s plan to take over. Thaniel with the help of Cathaline and Lord Crott (and his followers) set out to help Alaizabel. One of the characters is called Devil Boy. He is a particularly creepy blind boy with extrasensory abilities. He can tell what is going to happen, who is going to live and die, and sometimes how they die.
They also run into Stitch face, who is essentially Jack the Ripper who ends up helping them. This was a very disturbing novel. Definitely a very different experience. I would be afraid to recommend this novel to anyone under senior year. I would feel irresponsible recommending such a dark book to anyone younger.
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Dec 22, 2012 Procrastinador Diletante rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Tenho que confessar que após tantos anos a ler este género em inglês, custa-me fazê-lo em português, porque começo sempre a tentar descobrir quais seriam os termos originais - neste caso temos a expressão "seres-bruxa", que me deixou sempre curioso ao longo do livro.

Como é assim óbvio, o livro envolve monstros e magia, numa Londres vitoriana que vê parte da cidade dominada por criaturas mortíferas, que gostam de sair à noite para caçar e matar os mais distraídos, que andam por aquela zona abando...more Tenho que confessar que após tantos anos a ler este género em inglês, custa-me fazê-lo em português, porque começo sempre a tentar descobrir quais seriam os termos originais - neste caso temos a expressão "seres-bruxa", que me deixou sempre curioso ao longo do livro.

Como é assim óbvio, o livro envolve monstros e magia, numa Londres vitoriana que vê parte da cidade dominada por criaturas mortíferas, que gostam de sair à noite para caçar e matar os mais distraídos, que andam por aquela zona abandonada.

No entanto, o isolamento da área não basta e para além de bombardeamentos feitos por dirigíveis, estes seres demoníacos são perseguidos por caçadores de seres-bruxas, especialistas em vários encantamentos e armas específicas para cada monstro.

A personagem principal é um destes caçadores, que numa das suas missões, acaba por encontrar a jovem que dá o título ao livro. Obviamente que desde o primeiro contacto, percebemos que vai haver romance entre os dois, ou não fosse este um livro para "jovens adultos".

Aliás, o ponto mais negativo que senti durante a leitura, é que em alguns momentos, Chris Wooding podia ter explorado mais certas personagens ou acontecimentos, mas não o fez, talvez não querendo complicar demais ou porque é uma obra de início de carreira e ainda não se sentia totalmente confortável em fazê-lo.

Mas é claro que o facto de querer saber mais sobre certas coisas, também significa que ele fez um óptimo trabalho em despertar a curiosidade dos leitores para aquele ambiente de uma Londres alternativa, que mistura a época vitoriana com um estilo que tem pitadas de steampunk e gótico.

E como todo o bom livro com esse ambiente misterioso, onde magia se mistura com ciência, existe uma organização secreta que pretende destruir o mundo, invocando algo muito antigo e poderoso - para impedir isto, vai ser necessária a colaboração entre pessoas de camadas distintas da sociedade londrina, como polícias, caçadores de seres-bruxas, pedintes...e assassinos em série!

Como conclusão, posso dizer que é bom livro de aventuras, num universo muito bem imaginado e que mistura vários aspectos do fantástico, seguindo sempre a um ritmo interessante, embora o final deixe algo a desejar, pois desenrola-se tudo muito rapidamente e de uma forma simples. Tal como referi anteriormente, com mais umas 100 páginas para expandir certos aspectos, tinha sido um livro ainda melhor - o caso mais gritante é o do assassino psicopata -, mas penso que na altura o autor teria ideias de revisitar este universo num segundo livro. De qualquer forma, é uma leitura muito agradável, para quem gosta da temática , mas pessoalmente prefiro a saga de ficção-científica, publicada 8 anos depois deste "O Mistério de Alaizabel Cray".(less)

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Apr 07, 2011 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, adult, horror, high-school, s524

In an alternate Victorian London lit by gas lamps, circled by airships, and plagued by a Jack-the-Ripper-style serial killer, Thaniel Fox is a wych-hunter who relies on an arsenal of wards, rites and charm-strings to rid the Old Quarter of demons. As fog swirls and wolves howl, Thaniel stumbles across a young woman racked with fever and certain to fall victim to wych-kin without his protection. Although Alaizabel appears insane, Thaniel learns she may be possessed by an evil spirit summoned by T...more

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Apr 12, 2013 Lynette rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I did not finish this book. I found nothing enjoyable about it.

Here are some of my notes:

Pg 48: "Thaniel glanced at the lady; she was Mrs. Turner, obviously, for they had been told when they were called by Hettie that the address they were required t was the Turner residence." This was my first clue that the author was trying to fill some kind of word quota.

Pg 64: Cathaline "stood up suddenly, leaning backwards, further and further until she glided into an expert handstand, and then slowly broug...more

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Apr 08, 2009 Afira rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: owned

Oh, my God. This is my most favorite book ever! I can't even count how many times I've read it! The spine is all battered and usually when you open the book, it falls directly to the pages that I have read over 50 times already.

When I first read it, I was young and I was all, "Okaay... *insert o.O face*" Because, for a fact, it is quite dark and Gothic. Which is why I love it so. And it has all these cool wyches (monsters) in it! I just wanna tear the book open (not literally O.O) and discover...more

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Feb 01, 2013 Lizzy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'm a huge fan of Chris Wooding. His style of writing is amazing and I always enjoy his darker themed novels (such as Poison and Storm Thief).
Whilst reading The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray, I was worried the horror aspect would repel me; as I am not very much into scary stories. Persevering in spite of that was one of the best decisions I have made, as this book was extremely compelling - I could hardly put it down! Amongst various plot twists, endearing characters, and intense cliff hangers, THO...more

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About Chris Wooding

Chris Wooding grew up in a small town in Leicestershire, where not much of anything happened. So he started to write novels. He was sixteen when he completed his first. He had an agent by eighteen. By nineteen he had signed his first book deal. When he left university he began to write full-time, and he has been doing it professionally all his adult life.

Now thirty-two, Chris has written sixteen b...more

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Books by Chris Wooding

Retribution Falls (Tales of the Ketty Jay, #1)

The Black Lung Captain (Tales of the Ketty Jay, #2)

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Quotes from The Haunting Of Alaiza...

“Devil-boy Jack: "A higher power than ours directs us against the wych-kin. There is no turning back."

Thaniel Fox: "There is no higher power, Devil-boy! And I am no-one's pawn, neither man nor wych nor whatever entity you speak of."

Devil-boy Jack: "I do not speak of entities. I speak of the force that created the physics of the universe, the force that makes time flow forward and not allow everything to happen at once, the force that sets the patterns to which the planets turn. Its weapons are coincidence, unlikelihood, happenstance. It is there when a man stops suddenly to pick up a coin dropped by another man ten days before, and the woman who is to be his wife bumps into him, and five hundred years hence their offspring rules half the world. It is there when a chance comment causes a scientist to think, What if...? and ten years later a great plague is cured. It is so vast that what we call chaos is simply another part of its order, with a shape too big to see. It has no name, nor will it ever have, though man may hint darkly at fate and destiny. It is what it is... the pattern. We may choose our own paths, but the pattern is always ahead of us. It is a way. It is the way.” — 6 people liked it

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