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Into The Grey
A pacy, chilling ghost story from the creator of the internationally acclaimed Moorehawke Trilogy.
I think the fire changed us – me and Dom. I think that’s how the boy was able to see us. Though he’d been there for every summer of our childhood, we’d only been stupid boys until then. Stupid, happy, ignorant boys. And what in hell would he have had in common with two stupid boys? But after the fire we were different. We were maybe a little bit like him. And so he saw us, at last, and he thought he’d found a home…
I think the fire changed us – me and Dom. I think that’s how the boy was able to see us. Though he’d been there for every summer of our childhood, we’d only been stupid boys until then. Stupid, happy, ignorant boys. And what in hell would he have had in common with two stupid boys? But after the fire we were different. We were maybe a little bit like him. And so he saw us, at last, and he thought he’d found a home…
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
48 people are currently reading
1661 people want to read
About the author
Celine Kiernan
16 books396 followersCeline Kiernan is an award-winning author of fantasy novels for young adults. Her critically acclaimed work combines fantasy elements with the exploration of political, humanitarian and philosophical themes. She is best known for The Moorehawke Trilogy, a dark, complex trilogy of fantasy YA books set in an alternative renaissance Europe. First published in Celine’s native Ireland in 2008, the trilogy has since been published in 15 different territories, and translated into 10 different languages. In 2009 the first book of the Moorehawke Trilogy, The Poison Throne, won The Readers’ Association of Ireland Award for best book; it was included in the White Raven Collection and short listed for the 2009 Irish Book Awards in two categories (Best Newcomer and Best Children’s Book senior category). In 2010 it was long-listed for an Australian Silver Inky Award.
Celine’s fourth novel, Into the Grey (aka Taken Away) – a YA ghost story set in 1970′s Ireland – won the 2012 CBI Book of the Year (formerly The Bisto award) and the CBI Children’s Choice Award. It is the first book to have won both categories. It won the RAI Book of the Year 2013, and has been shortlisted for the Sakura Medal (English High) 2014. In 2013 the Irish Times named it as one of the best children's books of the past 25 years.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, 1967, Celine has spent the majority of her working life in the film business, and her career as a classical feature character animator spanned over seventeen years, before she became a full-time writer.
Celine’s fourth novel, Into the Grey (aka Taken Away) – a YA ghost story set in 1970′s Ireland – won the 2012 CBI Book of the Year (formerly The Bisto award) and the CBI Children’s Choice Award. It is the first book to have won both categories. It won the RAI Book of the Year 2013, and has been shortlisted for the Sakura Medal (English High) 2014. In 2013 the Irish Times named it as one of the best children's books of the past 25 years.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, 1967, Celine has spent the majority of her working life in the film business, and her career as a classical feature character animator spanned over seventeen years, before she became a full-time writer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
October 1, 2011
The version I read was Into the Grey, but I own Taken Away too.
As usual, I am not going to write what happens in this book because you can always get that somewhere else.
I am a HUGE fan of the Moorehawke trilogy, and when I heard about her new book coming out I preordered it, which is something I hardly ever do. I'm thiking if you are interested in this book, it is highly likely you've read the trilogy and loved it. Now, I have a slight concern for you because this one is very diffeent from the trilogy. I loved it, and I feel like (possibly prematurely) defending it against your potential disappointment. So this review is going to focus on that.
The Moorehawke trilogy was very visual, descriptive without being over the top, and emotional. I LOVED it. It was written in the third person, and along with Kiernan's beautiful and skillful writing, we have had access to pretty much everybody's emotions, thoughts and intentions quite often through their actions, all of which make up of a person to tell you exactly who they are. Now Into The Grey / Taken Away is written in the first person - a fifteen year-old twin boy Patrick. Kiernan's beautiful writing is still there (more of which I'll talk about later), but we get to sit in this one boy's emotions and thoughts quite a bit more than in any other character's. This character being a teenager is definitely more focused on himself and his immediate surroundings not that he doesn't love his family. His fear, anger, frustration and helplessness at a time are very raw and true, while his thoughts and inner dialogues aren't as sophisticated as you may like or have expected from the same author who wrote the trilogy. But it's all part of the authenticity, which I loved. It is a fifteen year-old boy's perspective.
Talking about the authenticity, the book is set in Dublin in 1974. It is too bad I don't know Ireland's history very well, but throughout the book, it maintains a certain colour, tone and atmosphere, which is very subtle and realistic. What I admired the most about this book was how much it's NOT trying to force the story onto readers. It's very subtle. It's almost as if the author wanted to cut a slice of this particular era to present to us with a story of a ghost mixed into it. Not the other way around. That's how much this particular time in history seems to play a role in this book, again in a subtle way.
Her writing is superb as usual, making me cry only 13 pages in and giving me goose bumps 3 pages later. Only she can do that to me. As I said in one of the updates, the first chapter can stand on its own as a short story. That's how visually and tightly written it was.
Another reason why I love Celine Kiernan's books is how she ends a story. It's always, always beautifully done and satisfying. I occasionally wish other writers would pay her to write the ending for them. This ending is no exception. Not forcefully but neatly presented with so much love, and I signed with satisfaction.
As usual, I am not going to write what happens in this book because you can always get that somewhere else.
I am a HUGE fan of the Moorehawke trilogy, and when I heard about her new book coming out I preordered it, which is something I hardly ever do. I'm thiking if you are interested in this book, it is highly likely you've read the trilogy and loved it. Now, I have a slight concern for you because this one is very diffeent from the trilogy. I loved it, and I feel like (possibly prematurely) defending it against your potential disappointment. So this review is going to focus on that.
The Moorehawke trilogy was very visual, descriptive without being over the top, and emotional. I LOVED it. It was written in the third person, and along with Kiernan's beautiful and skillful writing, we have had access to pretty much everybody's emotions, thoughts and intentions quite often through their actions, all of which make up of a person to tell you exactly who they are. Now Into The Grey / Taken Away is written in the first person - a fifteen year-old twin boy Patrick. Kiernan's beautiful writing is still there (more of which I'll talk about later), but we get to sit in this one boy's emotions and thoughts quite a bit more than in any other character's. This character being a teenager is definitely more focused on himself and his immediate surroundings not that he doesn't love his family. His fear, anger, frustration and helplessness at a time are very raw and true, while his thoughts and inner dialogues aren't as sophisticated as you may like or have expected from the same author who wrote the trilogy. But it's all part of the authenticity, which I loved. It is a fifteen year-old boy's perspective.
Talking about the authenticity, the book is set in Dublin in 1974. It is too bad I don't know Ireland's history very well, but throughout the book, it maintains a certain colour, tone and atmosphere, which is very subtle and realistic. What I admired the most about this book was how much it's NOT trying to force the story onto readers. It's very subtle. It's almost as if the author wanted to cut a slice of this particular era to present to us with a story of a ghost mixed into it. Not the other way around. That's how much this particular time in history seems to play a role in this book, again in a subtle way.
Her writing is superb as usual, making me cry only 13 pages in and giving me goose bumps 3 pages later. Only she can do that to me. As I said in one of the updates, the first chapter can stand on its own as a short story. That's how visually and tightly written it was.
Another reason why I love Celine Kiernan's books is how she ends a story. It's always, always beautifully done and satisfying. I occasionally wish other writers would pay her to write the ending for them. This ending is no exception. Not forcefully but neatly presented with so much love, and I signed with satisfaction.
January 24, 2020
Into the Grey is a young adult ghost story about two twin brothers, Pat and Dom, who find themselves haunted after their family home is burned down. Two ghosts appear to the brothers: a young boy named Francis, and a mysterious soldier whom Francis calls the “bad man”. Soon, Dom finds himself in mortal danger and Pat must face these otherworldly beings to rescue him.
The majority of the story takes place in Ireland in the 1970s, and while the IRA and the cultural tension of that time is certainly not the focus of the novel, it added a lot to the plot, the characters’ histories, and even added some color to the primary conflict itself. Much about the setting is reflected in the characters’ interactions – the older generation experienced direct consequences for the instability of the early 1900s, and the adults in Dom and Pat’s life often turn a blind eye to the current conflicts.
There is a lot that Into the Grey does well, but its character development drives the plot in many ways, and provides the greatest source of depth. Pat and Dom, the two main characters, are well fleshed out, especially considering what is often the norm for twins in fiction. They are passingly mentioned to be identical twins, but their personalities do not blend together- both boys stand alone. They also are not presented as polar opposites of one another, as is often the case. Pat is shown to be the instigator, more often than not, but clearly looks to Dom for leadership, and when he finds himself without his brother’s help, he must find a path of his own. Dom often takes the role of leader, and is certainly more parental than Pat, but he is not necessarily more sensitive than Pat. He shows a certain reluctance to forge ahead, choosing instead to stay where things are familiar, and is certainly cautious to leap to the supernatural conclusions that Pat quickly suggests.
I’m usually not one to touch on themes in a book review, but I don’t feel that this one would be complete without it. For a young adult novel, Into the Grey did a remarkable job of addressing mental health, especially among the elderly. Dom and Pat have a grandmother that lives with them in their home and suffers from Alzheimer’s. Into the Grey looks unflinchingly at the difficulty Dom and Pat’s mother has as Nan’s primary caretaker – she is seen to be compassionate and understanding in front of her family, but Pat notices how the physical and mental strain has caused their mother stress, and has started to create conflict between their parents. Nan, however, is not the only character to struggle from mental health issues. Early in the novel, an elderly man from the town attempts suicide. Dom and Pat rescue him and tell the adults that it had been an accident, but clearly there is a need that is not being met. Nan and the man the boys rescue, however, receive a great deal of development throughout the plot, as the reader learns more about the characters’ backstory. I appreciated this development – so often, stories do not take advantage of the potential of and older character who may have a long, interesting life behind them.
See my full review at https://theperspicaciousbookworm.word...
The majority of the story takes place in Ireland in the 1970s, and while the IRA and the cultural tension of that time is certainly not the focus of the novel, it added a lot to the plot, the characters’ histories, and even added some color to the primary conflict itself. Much about the setting is reflected in the characters’ interactions – the older generation experienced direct consequences for the instability of the early 1900s, and the adults in Dom and Pat’s life often turn a blind eye to the current conflicts.
There is a lot that Into the Grey does well, but its character development drives the plot in many ways, and provides the greatest source of depth. Pat and Dom, the two main characters, are well fleshed out, especially considering what is often the norm for twins in fiction. They are passingly mentioned to be identical twins, but their personalities do not blend together- both boys stand alone. They also are not presented as polar opposites of one another, as is often the case. Pat is shown to be the instigator, more often than not, but clearly looks to Dom for leadership, and when he finds himself without his brother’s help, he must find a path of his own. Dom often takes the role of leader, and is certainly more parental than Pat, but he is not necessarily more sensitive than Pat. He shows a certain reluctance to forge ahead, choosing instead to stay where things are familiar, and is certainly cautious to leap to the supernatural conclusions that Pat quickly suggests.
I’m usually not one to touch on themes in a book review, but I don’t feel that this one would be complete without it. For a young adult novel, Into the Grey did a remarkable job of addressing mental health, especially among the elderly. Dom and Pat have a grandmother that lives with them in their home and suffers from Alzheimer’s. Into the Grey looks unflinchingly at the difficulty Dom and Pat’s mother has as Nan’s primary caretaker – she is seen to be compassionate and understanding in front of her family, but Pat notices how the physical and mental strain has caused their mother stress, and has started to create conflict between their parents. Nan, however, is not the only character to struggle from mental health issues. Early in the novel, an elderly man from the town attempts suicide. Dom and Pat rescue him and tell the adults that it had been an accident, but clearly there is a need that is not being met. Nan and the man the boys rescue, however, receive a great deal of development throughout the plot, as the reader learns more about the characters’ backstory. I appreciated this development – so often, stories do not take advantage of the potential of and older character who may have a long, interesting life behind them.
See my full review at https://theperspicaciousbookworm.word...
July 7, 2015
I do not like being afraid; I don't like ghosts and ghouls and monsters in my closets. I shudder at the very idea of reading books about them or watching a television show featuring them or a film - hell, it's amazing that I could even sit through Scooby Doo.
I am the girl you never want to take to a horror flick because I'll cry all the way through and scream at the least scary bits. And yet this book was every bit of amazing to me. It was creepy for sure, but it never came close to terrifying.
At Barnes and Noble, my step-dad asked me what books I wanted. Immediately, I was attracted to the cover - it was intricate and interesting. The description and teaser seemed promising and despite the mention of ghosts, I felt comfortable enough asking him to buy it. So he did and while it took me months to get to it, I don't regret it.
On a whim, I started this book at 1:00 AM and finished around 5:30 with minimal distractions. I loved the opening paragraph, it truly sucked me in and while other parts were less than stellar, Celine has a real keen eye for details and behaviors of humans and I loved how the characters were so realistic and well-done. Although, as an American, I was thrown off by the Irish slang, but I wasn't completely thwarted. Once I was used to it, I truly stopped noticing and I picked up a couple new words too, ha!
I would love to give this book a five. It had all the potential to be a stellar book, but unfortunately, once Shamie and Patrick were "in the Grey" I was truly lost and confused. Maybe it's because I read it late at night, but I felt it drag on and the war flashbacks/dreams weren't my kind of thing.
The way it ended was just as amazing as the beginning, so I'm only knocking off one star. Definitely worth the read and will hopefully read again and find the same enjoyment, the true marker of a great book.
I am the girl you never want to take to a horror flick because I'll cry all the way through and scream at the least scary bits. And yet this book was every bit of amazing to me. It was creepy for sure, but it never came close to terrifying.
At Barnes and Noble, my step-dad asked me what books I wanted. Immediately, I was attracted to the cover - it was intricate and interesting. The description and teaser seemed promising and despite the mention of ghosts, I felt comfortable enough asking him to buy it. So he did and while it took me months to get to it, I don't regret it.
On a whim, I started this book at 1:00 AM and finished around 5:30 with minimal distractions. I loved the opening paragraph, it truly sucked me in and while other parts were less than stellar, Celine has a real keen eye for details and behaviors of humans and I loved how the characters were so realistic and well-done. Although, as an American, I was thrown off by the Irish slang, but I wasn't completely thwarted. Once I was used to it, I truly stopped noticing and I picked up a couple new words too, ha!
I would love to give this book a five. It had all the potential to be a stellar book, but unfortunately, once Shamie and Patrick were "in the Grey" I was truly lost and confused. Maybe it's because I read it late at night, but I felt it drag on and the war flashbacks/dreams weren't my kind of thing.
The way it ended was just as amazing as the beginning, so I'm only knocking off one star. Definitely worth the read and will hopefully read again and find the same enjoyment, the true marker of a great book.
December 7, 2014
Thanks to Candlewick Press and LibraryThing for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, was this a creepy read! Well, the first third or so at least had me kind of wishing I wasn't reading it late at night. After we are shown what was going on a bit more, it wasn't as freaky, but still, it's one heck of a story! I loved the setting and language in this one: the place (Ireland in the 70's) was spot-on for the story, and Kiernan has a way with words that pulls you in and paints such a lovely picture of the setting. Both sets of twins in the book were quite interesting, especially as all that happens unfolds. Personally, my favorite characters were the mom and the grandmother, as I loved their reactions and how inexorably real they felt, but basically the entire book was filled with people I wouldn't be surprised to run into on the street. And the ghosts? What a story! Not to give anything away, but their story will stick with you for sure. Overall, this was a great read, very atmospheric and chilling, but also a story of brotherly love and friendship. I highly recommend it!
Wow, was this a creepy read! Well, the first third or so at least had me kind of wishing I wasn't reading it late at night. After we are shown what was going on a bit more, it wasn't as freaky, but still, it's one heck of a story! I loved the setting and language in this one: the place (Ireland in the 70's) was spot-on for the story, and Kiernan has a way with words that pulls you in and paints such a lovely picture of the setting. Both sets of twins in the book were quite interesting, especially as all that happens unfolds. Personally, my favorite characters were the mom and the grandmother, as I loved their reactions and how inexorably real they felt, but basically the entire book was filled with people I wouldn't be surprised to run into on the street. And the ghosts? What a story! Not to give anything away, but their story will stick with you for sure. Overall, this was a great read, very atmospheric and chilling, but also a story of brotherly love and friendship. I highly recommend it!
July 20, 2019
I haven’t read a lot of YA books with notable siblings, as they’re really rare in my opinion. This book is about a pair of twins and their relationship is so precious I want more of it. And of course, not much of horror books out there too. You really have to dig further to find good books like this one.
It starts off slow, but manageable as it gives insight on the past and the troubles the characters face. I really adore the mc, who looks out for his brother, who is super sweet.
As for the ghost-not-ghost? He’s a sweet boy too. I feel bad for him, even when he’s creepy when Patrick first saw him. Of course, can’t reveal the spoilers!
All in all, I love this book! The story, the characters (even though the Nan suddenly becomes weird somewhere) and everything about the book, basically. Would I recommend this book? Of course! But let me give you a warning, you’re gonna cry at the almost end part unless you’re not a softie. No offense! Go read it!
It starts off slow, but manageable as it gives insight on the past and the troubles the characters face. I really adore the mc, who looks out for his brother, who is super sweet.
As for the ghost-not-ghost? He’s a sweet boy too. I feel bad for him, even when he’s creepy when Patrick first saw him. Of course, can’t reveal the spoilers!
All in all, I love this book! The story, the characters (even though the Nan suddenly becomes weird somewhere) and everything about the book, basically. Would I recommend this book? Of course! But let me give you a warning, you’re gonna cry at the almost end part unless you’re not a softie. No offense! Go read it!
February 27, 2016
This book was a total mystery. The first few pages sucked me in and held me till the very end of the book. That's what is so superb about this book, is that while it sucked me in, I had no idea what was going on till about half way through the book. And even then, it told the mystery on such a way that I just had to keep reading. And I had to keep reading till the very end of the book.
If you need a good mystery with a twist, I suggest you go to your nearest Library and check out this book. And be prepared to not be able to put down the book till you're done.
If you need a good mystery with a twist, I suggest you go to your nearest Library and check out this book. And be prepared to not be able to put down the book till you're done.
October 1, 2014
An absorbing, suspenseful and atmospheric ghostly tale.
December 5, 2021
Surprisingly good YA ghost story. Not one, but two excellent brother relationships.
October 1, 2014
Ehhhh.... *shrug*
I can't place my finger on why I wasn't in love with this book. It wasn't my "cuppa" tea. And you might be sitting there saying, but Anna, I know you love ghosts, YA and historical fiction... why aren't you going gaga for this one? And I have to say...I'm not sure why. It just didn't completely resonate with me. And that may be a me thing, as I might have been completely ruined by the recent awesomeness that was Night Film. Maybe everything else is just shining a bit less brightly in the aftermath of the tremendous glow of Marisha Pessl's talent. I hope she hasn't ruined me forever. But, I digress.
This is a creepy little YA read; perfect for the upcoming cardigan/afgan wearing weather. I love to read ghost stories in the Fall - when the air is cold and the leaves are colored. It's the perfect prequel for Halloween; a month long creep-fest designed to celebrate the things that go bump in the night. It's a tale of ghostly possession and brotherly love, designed to both give you goosebumps and warm your heart.
I scored it through LibraryThing's Early Readers program. Gracias. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to read it - because I can see the appeal that it would hold for a particular readership. I'm kind of accepting blame for not falling on the bandwagon with this one. I'm not sure if the war aspect was distancing to me - or if I'm just not in the right headspace to appreciate this one right now. I'd be willing to give it another read in the future, as I can imagine I might change my mind with a second reading. I won't hesitate to talk about this one with other like-minded readers in the future - as I believe it's worth a read.
I can't place my finger on why I wasn't in love with this book. It wasn't my "cuppa" tea. And you might be sitting there saying, but Anna, I know you love ghosts, YA and historical fiction... why aren't you going gaga for this one? And I have to say...I'm not sure why. It just didn't completely resonate with me. And that may be a me thing, as I might have been completely ruined by the recent awesomeness that was Night Film. Maybe everything else is just shining a bit less brightly in the aftermath of the tremendous glow of Marisha Pessl's talent. I hope she hasn't ruined me forever. But, I digress.
This is a creepy little YA read; perfect for the upcoming cardigan/afgan wearing weather. I love to read ghost stories in the Fall - when the air is cold and the leaves are colored. It's the perfect prequel for Halloween; a month long creep-fest designed to celebrate the things that go bump in the night. It's a tale of ghostly possession and brotherly love, designed to both give you goosebumps and warm your heart.
I scored it through LibraryThing's Early Readers program. Gracias. I'm really grateful for the opportunity to read it - because I can see the appeal that it would hold for a particular readership. I'm kind of accepting blame for not falling on the bandwagon with this one. I'm not sure if the war aspect was distancing to me - or if I'm just not in the right headspace to appreciate this one right now. I'd be willing to give it another read in the future, as I can imagine I might change my mind with a second reading. I won't hesitate to talk about this one with other like-minded readers in the future - as I believe it's worth a read.
November 25, 2014
Into the Grey is a fiendishly phantasmagorical escapade.
Into The Grey by Celine Kiernan, the author of many award-winning fantasy books, delivers a ghost story that is anything but generic. This novel revolves around two brother’s spectral misadventures into an unfamiliar realm. After a tragic event, the brothers, Patrick and Dominick, experience new dangers at their family’s summer home. How would you feel if your brother was being possessed and no one else knew? How far would you go to save him?
Celine Kiernan vividly expresses the characters emotions with passionate dialogue. It is important to note that there is some profanity in the first few chapters. The Irish dialect forces you to read carefully, however it adds an original element to the story. The settings seem to blur the line between the ethereal and mortal dimension.
Each chapter is unique and seamlessly pulls you to the next chapter. This book keeps you on a seemingly endless cliffhanger. As a reader you will be intrigued by the constantly changing plot. You are forced through a dream world, surreal situations, and a climax that ties together each characters story. Into the Grey is a perfectly possessed young adult ghost story, all wrapped up with an Irish accent!
Review by Young Mensan Zander H., age 12, Mid-America Mensa
Into The Grey by Celine Kiernan, the author of many award-winning fantasy books, delivers a ghost story that is anything but generic. This novel revolves around two brother’s spectral misadventures into an unfamiliar realm. After a tragic event, the brothers, Patrick and Dominick, experience new dangers at their family’s summer home. How would you feel if your brother was being possessed and no one else knew? How far would you go to save him?
Celine Kiernan vividly expresses the characters emotions with passionate dialogue. It is important to note that there is some profanity in the first few chapters. The Irish dialect forces you to read carefully, however it adds an original element to the story. The settings seem to blur the line between the ethereal and mortal dimension.
Each chapter is unique and seamlessly pulls you to the next chapter. This book keeps you on a seemingly endless cliffhanger. As a reader you will be intrigued by the constantly changing plot. You are forced through a dream world, surreal situations, and a climax that ties together each characters story. Into the Grey is a perfectly possessed young adult ghost story, all wrapped up with an Irish accent!
Review by Young Mensan Zander H., age 12, Mid-America Mensa
January 1, 2016
2.5 stars. I really was enjoying this book in the beginning, it wasn't until the middle where it began to drag on and honestly I couldn't care anymore. I skimmed the ending I don't even care.
September 10, 2021
One of my favorite ghost stories! A very eerie story of brotherly love.
April 28, 2018
This was sent to me by the publisher (literally) years ago; unfortunately, its arrival coincided with the start of a sharp and prolonged reading slump. I dug it out of TBR a little while back, and have raced through it over the past week.
This is a thoughtful and rather poignant YA chiller, pulling together layers of history and loss across several generations in a small Irish coastal town. The main plot centres on 15-year-old Patrick, in 1974, but dreams and hauntings take us back to WWI, and to events both before and after it that transformed multiple families. In the process, Kiernan explores memory, trauma, and the impact of war on Irish communities (fighting for the British army being not exactly an uncomplicated choice, in 1914), but in an under-stated way that foregrounds the emotions and experiences of her particular characters.
This is a thoughtful and rather poignant YA chiller, pulling together layers of history and loss across several generations in a small Irish coastal town. The main plot centres on 15-year-old Patrick, in 1974, but dreams and hauntings take us back to WWI, and to events both before and after it that transformed multiple families. In the process, Kiernan explores memory, trauma, and the impact of war on Irish communities (fighting for the British army being not exactly an uncomplicated choice, in 1914), but in an under-stated way that foregrounds the emotions and experiences of her particular characters.
May 8, 2019
Just the YA book I was wanting, historical fiction elements, gorgeous character development and a freaky little goblin boy that scared me out of my wits (I do scare easy, though, so don’t expect a horror).
Set in Ireland in the 1970s, Pat and Dom are fifteen year olds who watch their house burn down a few weeks before the summer holidays. Set alight by their confused old Nan, the family retreat to an old house that has been used as a holiday home for years. This time they come with their sadness and loss, which draws the little goblin boy out of the grey. What starts as a mere haunting quickly turns horrid and Pat is forced to watch his brother slowly dying at the hands of the goblin boy.
The brothers share a beautiful bond and one that carries them throughout the rest of the novel, as they are forced to seperate and do things without the other. I also loved the family, with their quirks and arguments they became a curious dynamic - support and isolation. Absolutely top class storytelling, and who doesn’t love a heartbreaking ghost story?
Set in Ireland in the 1970s, Pat and Dom are fifteen year olds who watch their house burn down a few weeks before the summer holidays. Set alight by their confused old Nan, the family retreat to an old house that has been used as a holiday home for years. This time they come with their sadness and loss, which draws the little goblin boy out of the grey. What starts as a mere haunting quickly turns horrid and Pat is forced to watch his brother slowly dying at the hands of the goblin boy.
The brothers share a beautiful bond and one that carries them throughout the rest of the novel, as they are forced to seperate and do things without the other. I also loved the family, with their quirks and arguments they became a curious dynamic - support and isolation. Absolutely top class storytelling, and who doesn’t love a heartbreaking ghost story?
May 14, 2018
What I Liked
This ghost story was unexpected, and I liked it more than I thought I would. Two sets of twin brothers are contained in this story. Their relationships span generations and span life and death.
The little goblin boy's first appearance was one of the eeriest scenes I have read in a long time.
What I Didn't Like
I wish there had been a little more resolution into what the grey was. Dom doesn't believe in God or heaven or hell... there isn't really any kind of religion or belief in folklore in this book, and yet there is an intense and complex afterlife. What is real here? What belief system is this author following?
At times, I had no idea what these Irish characters were saying. The slang and lingo would go right over my head.
This ghost story was unexpected, and I liked it more than I thought I would. Two sets of twin brothers are contained in this story. Their relationships span generations and span life and death.
The little goblin boy's first appearance was one of the eeriest scenes I have read in a long time.
What I Didn't Like
I wish there had been a little more resolution into what the grey was. Dom doesn't believe in God or heaven or hell... there isn't really any kind of religion or belief in folklore in this book, and yet there is an intense and complex afterlife. What is real here? What belief system is this author following?
At times, I had no idea what these Irish characters were saying. The slang and lingo would go right over my head.
October 25, 2022
Got to 32% and was just so bored. The first chapter was excellent and then it just stopped working for me. I couldn't figure out why Patrick was so angry at Dom and started to think Patrick was possessed, but it turned out to be so much less interesting.
July 13, 2020
Wonderful haunting story. Highly recommend
December 3, 2019
This was a pleasant ghost read that I hadn't expected to actually enjoy.
The story explores the concept of family and the distortion that comes from fear, encompassing self identity and recognition.
Fifteen year old Pat (short for Patrick) and his twin Dom (short for Dominick) are forced from their homes due to a fire and sent to live with relatives in a small home. Said small home actually ends out being haunted by a ten year old boy named Fran (short for Francis) who is in search of his twin brother Lorry (short for Laurence). While this may seem simple, complications arrive when the unidentified "bad man" also known as "the soldier" is chasing Fran. Terrified, Fran finds himself pushing Dom from his body and taking over where he is now "older and stronger" enough to find his brother Lorry and free them from the clasp of "the bad man" chasing after them. This in turn, takes Dominick from his brother and sets him (Pat) out on a journey to retrieve the dead soul of his twin, while also helping Fran to realize his inner demons are distorted by his memories. With the help of his senile but not so senile grandmother, and a senile but not so senile old man who attempts to commit suicide due to memories of Lorry, Pat finds himself running head first into the grey, a world beyond the living.
The story explores the innocence that comes with adolescence and youth. When Fran exclaims that he's older and stronger, it distinguishes his ten year old body from that of a fifteen year old. In Fran's eyes, 15 is an adult. Meanwhile, from Pat's point of view, he's constantly trying to work out his problems alone while keeping the actual adults out. In Pat's point of view, he is still a child and he is the mirror picture of Fran but rational. Only, what happens when he finds himself also facing the same fear? His images become distorted until he can almost no longer recognize his brother in the same way that Fran was unable to recognize Fran. Throughout the story, Dom is recognized as the frail brother, the ill one with asthma, while Pat is recognized by his short temper and intellect. What actually speaks of his nature is when he realizes he is unable to do this by himself and that he needs adult help. He's not as rational as he thinks he is, and he's just as afraid as Fran. Fran is actually more brave than the rest of them. The story ultimately questions what lengths you would do for someone you care about, even if it crossed the border of life and death. Can you recognize your motive even through fear?
It was a lovely read. I definitely wasn't expecting the heartfelt conclusion that I received. The only qualms I have about the story would be the ability to recognize (which I understood after only finishing the book, and even then, i'm not sure if that was meant to be portrayed or not), but this was a minor setback. I deducted no stars for this. The main reason was that the writing, and I mean the constant sound effects and the capital letters, really deduced the effect that the writer wanted to convey. I felt that had she utilized it seldom, the effect would've actually left the impression that she wanted. Many of the climaxes were reduced to just a bit of rage because of her constant outbursts. The sound effects threw me off entirely with each "BOOM" that appeared. I feel as though she could've used her words to portray the disarray around them without physically showing me what it sounded like by literally screaming it. Other than that, no complaints. You definitely have to be patient to read the book because the little things that happen in the beginning seem irrelevant until a little past half of the book where everything begins to make sense. Be a patient reader.
The story explores the concept of family and the distortion that comes from fear, encompassing self identity and recognition.
Fifteen year old Pat (short for Patrick) and his twin Dom (short for Dominick) are forced from their homes due to a fire and sent to live with relatives in a small home. Said small home actually ends out being haunted by a ten year old boy named Fran (short for Francis) who is in search of his twin brother Lorry (short for Laurence). While this may seem simple, complications arrive when the unidentified "bad man" also known as "the soldier" is chasing Fran. Terrified, Fran finds himself pushing Dom from his body and taking over where he is now "older and stronger" enough to find his brother Lorry and free them from the clasp of "the bad man" chasing after them. This in turn, takes Dominick from his brother and sets him (Pat) out on a journey to retrieve the dead soul of his twin, while also helping Fran to realize his inner demons are distorted by his memories. With the help of his senile but not so senile grandmother, and a senile but not so senile old man who attempts to commit suicide due to memories of Lorry, Pat finds himself running head first into the grey, a world beyond the living.
The story explores the innocence that comes with adolescence and youth. When Fran exclaims that he's older and stronger, it distinguishes his ten year old body from that of a fifteen year old. In Fran's eyes, 15 is an adult. Meanwhile, from Pat's point of view, he's constantly trying to work out his problems alone while keeping the actual adults out. In Pat's point of view, he is still a child and he is the mirror picture of Fran but rational. Only, what happens when he finds himself also facing the same fear? His images become distorted until he can almost no longer recognize his brother in the same way that Fran was unable to recognize Fran. Throughout the story, Dom is recognized as the frail brother, the ill one with asthma, while Pat is recognized by his short temper and intellect. What actually speaks of his nature is when he realizes he is unable to do this by himself and that he needs adult help. He's not as rational as he thinks he is, and he's just as afraid as Fran. Fran is actually more brave than the rest of them. The story ultimately questions what lengths you would do for someone you care about, even if it crossed the border of life and death. Can you recognize your motive even through fear?
It was a lovely read. I definitely wasn't expecting the heartfelt conclusion that I received. The only qualms I have about the story would be the ability to recognize (which I understood after only finishing the book, and even then, i'm not sure if that was meant to be portrayed or not), but this was a minor setback. I deducted no stars for this. The main reason was that the writing, and I mean the constant sound effects and the capital letters, really deduced the effect that the writer wanted to convey. I felt that had she utilized it seldom, the effect would've actually left the impression that she wanted. Many of the climaxes were reduced to just a bit of rage because of her constant outbursts. The sound effects threw me off entirely with each "BOOM" that appeared. I feel as though she could've used her words to portray the disarray around them without physically showing me what it sounded like by literally screaming it. Other than that, no complaints. You definitely have to be patient to read the book because the little things that happen in the beginning seem irrelevant until a little past half of the book where everything begins to make sense. Be a patient reader.
February 27, 2017
The beginning scared me because possession freaks me out, but once I got past that, the story itself focuses mainly on the history of a family and its neighbors during the first World War. Creepy, but good, read.
December 11, 2015
Oh man. This book. What can I say about this beautiful book?
Alright, well first off I picked up this book by chance at the library because it had a pretty cover and spine. I stuck it in my basket and it sat by my desk for about 4 months before I really touched it again. I don't know if I'm glad I saved the best for last or if I wished I had read it first. Either way I'm happy it had such a pretty cover.
Sometimes a book is so beautifully written that I just have to sit back and bask in the fact that I'm basically reading poetry. I wish I could write like that. I aim to write like that. This book had me spinning in delight at how real and tragic the entire story was, while still having a language that felt foreign enough to take me to another world. I would read it again in a heartbeat. I would read it again after that.
First off TWINS. Anyone who knows me knows I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with twins. In real life, as a plot device, in movies, in fashion. I don't really care. Something about people born at the exact same time catches my interest. Add tragedy and I'm bound to take a second look. Add something supernatural and hell I'll walk out of the story with barely enough time to pay for it, trying to read it so fast.
But often they fall short of my expectations quickly. This one didn't. Nope, it exceeded them, giving me every ounce of creepy, overly connected, inexplicably bound twin action I could handle and then some. Thank you Celine Kiernan. I'll be checking out every other book you've had any part of.
It had shades of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, but only enough that were I to see someone reading it, I would walk up and be like 'hey. do you know what you need to read? Like, yesterday? Into The Grey.'
I've got to go marvel over this on my own terms. I give this book 5 stars. 100 percent. Just read it, you'll understand.
Or you won't and that's fine by me. I'll just be sitting over here reading it again.
Alright, well first off I picked up this book by chance at the library because it had a pretty cover and spine. I stuck it in my basket and it sat by my desk for about 4 months before I really touched it again. I don't know if I'm glad I saved the best for last or if I wished I had read it first. Either way I'm happy it had such a pretty cover.
Sometimes a book is so beautifully written that I just have to sit back and bask in the fact that I'm basically reading poetry. I wish I could write like that. I aim to write like that. This book had me spinning in delight at how real and tragic the entire story was, while still having a language that felt foreign enough to take me to another world. I would read it again in a heartbeat. I would read it again after that.
First off TWINS. Anyone who knows me knows I have a slightly unhealthy obsession with twins. In real life, as a plot device, in movies, in fashion. I don't really care. Something about people born at the exact same time catches my interest. Add tragedy and I'm bound to take a second look. Add something supernatural and hell I'll walk out of the story with barely enough time to pay for it, trying to read it so fast.
But often they fall short of my expectations quickly. This one didn't. Nope, it exceeded them, giving me every ounce of creepy, overly connected, inexplicably bound twin action I could handle and then some. Thank you Celine Kiernan. I'll be checking out every other book you've had any part of.
It had shades of A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, but only enough that were I to see someone reading it, I would walk up and be like 'hey. do you know what you need to read? Like, yesterday? Into The Grey.'
I've got to go marvel over this on my own terms. I give this book 5 stars. 100 percent. Just read it, you'll understand.
Or you won't and that's fine by me. I'll just be sitting over here reading it again.
October 15, 2014
Into the Grey is a genuinely scary, atmospheric read. Celine Kiernan's prose can be lyrical, brutal, and breathless/breath-taking, sometimes within the space of a single sentence. The chilling proposition is a lost twin, taken by a unknown and supernatural assailant. Add to this an old war story, the battered Irish coast, and a grandmother equally lost, stolen by Alzheimer's. The theme of loss--and limited recovery, whatever that can mean--winds its way through the generations of Kiernan's masterful work. Grieving these losses is our central hero, Patrick, whose brother Dom is taken by a force that may be malevolent, but may be something a little more interesting than just that.
The "past" is layered upon the main throughline (though that in itself is in the past of the 1970s), creating a magical sense of dislocation. Anchoring the reader are the vivid characters and the palpable love they feel for each other.
A YA novel with pithy language, this novel is ideal for those who love a good ghost story, and who appreciate an excellent sense of place and time.
The "past" is layered upon the main throughline (though that in itself is in the past of the 1970s), creating a magical sense of dislocation. Anchoring the reader are the vivid characters and the palpable love they feel for each other.
A YA novel with pithy language, this novel is ideal for those who love a good ghost story, and who appreciate an excellent sense of place and time.
May 31, 2015
Spoilers below...
Patrick and Dominick are twins. When their house and all they own is lost in a fire, they go and stay in the old house they usually rent in the summer, with their mum, dad, grandmother and toddler sister.
The house isn’t the same in the winter. It’s cold and more run-down than they remembered. But that’s not the only thing that’s different. Pat begins to hear a voice. Then realises the voice is talking to his twin – Dom.
When he first sees the owner of the voice – a boy of about ten, with black eyes and teeth, Pat likens him to a goblin boy.
This stranger ‘becomes’ Dom – taking over his body and mind. Pat can’t understand why his parents can’t see the change, but when he tries to fix things, the prescence inside Dom becomes angry and Pat is worried for his brother’s life.
This ‘haunting’ had me gripped from the very first time I saw the cover, to the very last page. Fantastically different – a ‘posession’ without devils or demons – a story of two sets of twins and how lost they are without each other.
Patrick and Dominick are twins. When their house and all they own is lost in a fire, they go and stay in the old house they usually rent in the summer, with their mum, dad, grandmother and toddler sister.
The house isn’t the same in the winter. It’s cold and more run-down than they remembered. But that’s not the only thing that’s different. Pat begins to hear a voice. Then realises the voice is talking to his twin – Dom.
When he first sees the owner of the voice – a boy of about ten, with black eyes and teeth, Pat likens him to a goblin boy.
This stranger ‘becomes’ Dom – taking over his body and mind. Pat can’t understand why his parents can’t see the change, but when he tries to fix things, the prescence inside Dom becomes angry and Pat is worried for his brother’s life.
This ‘haunting’ had me gripped from the very first time I saw the cover, to the very last page. Fantastically different – a ‘posession’ without devils or demons – a story of two sets of twins and how lost they are without each other.
October 2, 2016
“I staggered after him. Following him inside and heading upstairs to the room where it had all begun”. The plot. a coincidence between two pairs of twins and Francis and Patrick begin their search for their missing twin brothers, draws in the reader with every clue of the mystery behind the location of the brothers. Both Francis and Patrick undergo character development as they both find themselves in a relatable position and find peace among their differences. The author uses a narrative tone, one that is casual. He also uses diction and slang words of English like “old biddies” or “I’m bloody terrified”.
Into the Grey is an atmospheric, scary plot that continues to build tension between not only the characters but connects with the reader as well. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a thriller novel. Those who like mystery, “into the Grey” brings the reader along in solving the puzzle of finding the twin brothers and what exactly happened to them.
Into the Grey is an atmospheric, scary plot that continues to build tension between not only the characters but connects with the reader as well. I recommend this book to anyone interested in a thriller novel. Those who like mystery, “into the Grey” brings the reader along in solving the puzzle of finding the twin brothers and what exactly happened to them.
September 17, 2014
From the Scotland of the last book, I headed into Ireland of the 70s for this one! And I liked it enough to drop it in my library's Awesome Box!
I loved the atmosphere and setting of this - it felt foreign to me, which added to the creepy factor. The haunting of Dom is super-chilling and really weirded me out. I do think the dream haunting type things were a little much, but I can see why she did them, and they did work. And I loved the closeness between Pat and Dom, and really of the whole family. The characters all seemed real and developed, which is impressive considering it's not a long book.
All in all, this was great - and it's pretty short so you won't lose anything giving it a read! Hope this author writes more along these lines, as I've heard that her series isn't fantastic.
I loved the atmosphere and setting of this - it felt foreign to me, which added to the creepy factor. The haunting of Dom is super-chilling and really weirded me out. I do think the dream haunting type things were a little much, but I can see why she did them, and they did work. And I loved the closeness between Pat and Dom, and really of the whole family. The characters all seemed real and developed, which is impressive considering it's not a long book.
All in all, this was great - and it's pretty short so you won't lose anything giving it a read! Hope this author writes more along these lines, as I've heard that her series isn't fantastic.
May 8, 2020
The best kind of creepiness; a ghost boy that climbs down a bunkbed headfirst, a ghostly soldier pointing out the man drowning in the bay. A great read not only for those looking for a good scare but also for those who have ever loved a sibling enough to go to the depths of terror for them. This is definitely a flat out ghost story. The pacing dragged a little through the middle, but I ended up liking this quite a bit. Ultimately a ghost story, Kiernan lets Pat explain the strange events that unfold when his family has to take up residence in their annual beach rental earlier than usual. The writing was beautiful and some aspects were very creepy. It was so completely different from anything that I have ever read. I wasn't sure it was going to work for me, but I shouldn't have worried. It sucked me in completely and I couldn't put it down until it was done. Beautiful and haunting.
July 19, 2015
This is worth reading! I picked it up because of its cover, and only because of the cover. However, I found some incredible writing inside, believable rounded characters, and a mystery that -- while I did solve it -- was very interesting.
In case you don't know, it's a ghost story about twins. I won't reveal much, because I don't want to ruin it for anyone.
It's also Irish!!! Yay! I love Irish literature!
Here is my favorite quote:
I suddenly understood. We were keeping each other safe out there, but we were also keeping each other dim. We were trudging along, shadows in the shadows, when we should have been out there shouting -- th only living soals in the world of the dead, screaming our heads off, glowing like torches, making ourselves known. - Pg 253 (in my book)
In case you don't know, it's a ghost story about twins. I won't reveal much, because I don't want to ruin it for anyone.
It's also Irish!!! Yay! I love Irish literature!
Here is my favorite quote:
I suddenly understood. We were keeping each other safe out there, but we were also keeping each other dim. We were trudging along, shadows in the shadows, when we should have been out there shouting -- th only living soals in the world of the dead, screaming our heads off, glowing like torches, making ourselves known. - Pg 253 (in my book)
May 16, 2014
In INTO THE GREY, Patrick and his family relocate to a musty old cottage after a fire destroys their home and belongings. Unbeknownst to the family, the cottage is already inhabited by a supernatural presence. The ghost, a disturbing young boy, is determined to claim Patrick's twin brother, Dom, as his own. Pat, terrified he's lost Dom to the spirit world, fights to make sense of history, his mysterious dreams, and the dark space between life and death known as the Grey. This haunting ghost story will keep readers up well into the night, slightly afraid and contemplating the transcendent power of friendship and familial love.
Full review to come closer to release.
Full review to come closer to release.
December 2, 2014
Kiernan, C. (2014). Into the Grey. Berryville: Candlewick Press.
Kirkus Star Review/ Fiction (paranormal)
As a lover of a good ghost story this book intrigued me. The book did not disappoint as this unique paranormal tale kept me reading happily. After a fire at their house the family is forced to move to a seaside cottage. A boring place for the brothers, since it’s not tourist time. Anyway the mystery begins and eventually one of the brothers is possessed by the spirit of a soldier. Fun story and would recommend for any person who loves a spooky tale. Although I enjoyed this book and it was for 7th grade and up, I don’t see it being something used in the classroom.
Kirkus Star Review/ Fiction (paranormal)
As a lover of a good ghost story this book intrigued me. The book did not disappoint as this unique paranormal tale kept me reading happily. After a fire at their house the family is forced to move to a seaside cottage. A boring place for the brothers, since it’s not tourist time. Anyway the mystery begins and eventually one of the brothers is possessed by the spirit of a soldier. Fun story and would recommend for any person who loves a spooky tale. Although I enjoyed this book and it was for 7th grade and up, I don’t see it being something used in the classroom.
April 4, 2014
Wow! This book is probably really scary for 9-12s, so if you know anyone that age who likes to be frightened, this is the book for him or her.
If, however, you want a book that has a really different and interesting view on the relationship between life and death, this book is for you. It's a mystery, it's a story about multi-generational families.
FYI, because it's Irish, the dialogue may seem a bit clunky to Americans. However, let the voice in your head use a great accent, and you'll be fine.
If, however, you want a book that has a really different and interesting view on the relationship between life and death, this book is for you. It's a mystery, it's a story about multi-generational families.
FYI, because it's Irish, the dialogue may seem a bit clunky to Americans. However, let the voice in your head use a great accent, and you'll be fine.
November 16, 2014
WHY DO MORE PEOPLE NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS BOOK?! I'm going to be honest. Before I started this book, my hopes were not high. My first impression was more wrong than you can fathom until you read this book. There was not a single boring moment. I know most books will have at least one boring patch, but not this one. It was just so amazing. I found myself feeling like the characters were my own friends and family. And the Grey was just so... Wow. Flawless. I recommend this to anyone and everyone.
I will not rest until my friends get as lost Into the Grey as I was.
I will not rest until my friends get as lost Into the Grey as I was.
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