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Creed

Trisha Leaver (Goodreads Author),

Lindsay Currie (Goodreads Author)

3.24 · Rating details · 895 ratings · 243 reviews

Three went in. Three came out. None even a shadow of who they once were.

When their car breaks down, Dee, her boyfriend Luke, and his brother Mike walk through a winter storm to take refuge in a nearby town called Purity Springs. When they arrive, the emergency sirens are blaring and the small farming town seems abandoned. With no other shelter, they spend the night in an e ...more

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Hardcover, 264 pages

Published November 8th 2014 by Flux (first published November 1st 2014)

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· 895 ratings · 243 reviews

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Apr 14, 2015 Ben Alderson rated it it was amazing

This book was a mix of creepy and heart breaking!
I am in shock at the excellence of the stories idea and the uniqueness of the novel. THIS BOOK HAS CREEPED ME OUT TO A POINT WHERE I DONT EVEN WANT TO GO TO NEW TOWNS ANY MORE INCASE THEY TURN OUT TO BE RUN BY CREEPY, EVIL PEOPLE!

This book has left me thinking so much about it, I loved the read.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

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Sep 13, 2014 Emily May rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2014, arc, horror, young-adult

Cheap B-movie horror thrills abound!

I really think that anyone who has ever watched a bad horror flick will recognise the framework of this story instantly. I'm not even sure why these tropes are so damn universal in the horror genre, because they're just not scary anymore. If they ever were.

So there's three teens. Two of them are boyfriend and girlfriend (Dee and Luke) and can't keep their damn horny hands off each other. The other is a tag-along (Mike). Why is this so common, by the way? I've ...more

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Aug 25, 2014 Kelly (and the Book Boar) rated it liked it

Shelves: denied-the-arc, read-in-2014

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

3.5 Stars

Dee has planned an amazing weekend anniversary getaway with her boyfriend Luke (and, unfortunately, also his brother Mike who has to tag-along in order to keep Luke’s parents from getting suspicious). When their car runs out of gas, the concert becomes their last concern. Instead, the three find themselves stranded on a back road . . .

“Now all we needed was a skinny, pale girl in a bikini, a big guy in a mask sport ...more

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Jun 09, 2014 Evie rated it it was ok

Unnecessarily gore, inconsistently written and almost offensively stupid at times, Creed turned out to be a huge let down for me. This book had so much potential - the creepy setting, the disturbing secrets and the twisted mind of the *bad guy* - but almost non of it was realized. Filled with cheap B-class horror thrills and shockers, it's merely a somewhat entertaining trip to a very disturbed, freaky little town, and just like the characters, I just couldn't wait to get out of there.

I won't Unnecessarily gore, inconsistently written and almost offensively stupid at times, Creed turned out to be a huge let down for me. This book had so much potential - the creepy setting, the disturbing secrets and the twisted mind of the *bad guy* - but almost non of it was realized. Filled with cheap B-class horror thrills and shockers, it's merely a somewhat entertaining trip to a very disturbed, freaky little town, and just like the characters, I just couldn't wait to get out of there.

I won't lie, I had really high hopes for this novel. And the beginning really was quite masterful, with the atmospheric setting and the mystery behind the creepy little town, but the farther I read, the less I liked it, and the more I got to know the characters, the less I cared about their fates. I loved the premise of this book - three teenagers running out of gas in their car and, as a result of that, getting stuck in a weird town in a middle of nowhere. Right from the beginning, you can tell something is very off. The town is empty; not a single soul in sight. The emergency siren is blasting, adding to the disquieting atmosphere. And then a creepy kid shows up and starts talking about danger, running away before it's too late and making sure "he" doesn't find them, because if "he" does... well, they're in big trouble. Up until this point, I was really enjoying the ride.

This could have been a solid horror/thriller, if only it wasn't so paper thin and lacking substance. Even the characters could have been forgiven their never ending stream of poor and irrational decisions, if only they possessed some qualities that would make them relatable or, at the very least, likeable. But in the end, this book just didn't do it for me. I didn't care about the characters and what would happen to them. I didn't like where the story went and how it all ended. And while I appreciated the disquieting atmosphere of the first couple chapters, the moment coockoo-crazy Elijah shows up and what could be a really bone-chilling thriller turns into a generic, completely predictable horror flick, Creed goes off the cliff for me.

Throughout this entire novel, there's not a single thing to really capture the reader's attention, nothing to emotionally engage them in the characters and their story. Even Dee's tragic past isn't enough to make us sympathize with her, not to mention that it's completely irrelevant to the plot itself. She's a difficult character to follow, mainly because she's either completely disconnected from reality, or too overwhelmed by the things happening to and around her. And, for someone who experienced some pretty horrible things in life, her willingness to let others go through even worse just to save her own skin, is disgusting. I get scarred. I get damaged. I get broken inside and fearful. But I don't get selfish, cold and indifferent to other people's suffering.

On top of all that, some plot developments are just completely baffling to me. Say, Joseph's behavior all throughout the novel. I can't discuss it in detail without spoiling the plot line, but let's just say I don't think I ever rolled my eyes this many times while reading a novel. And I believe even the most avid horror junkies would have a hard time not rolling their eyes at the randomness and blandness of it all.

I would recommend this book to people who are looking for a quick, disturbing horror flick to keep them entertained on those long, late-autumn evenings. And only if you're craving something that does not require too much commitment, nor the use of your brain muscle. ...more

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Apr 02, 2013 Tracey Neithercott added it

Shelves: reviewed

There are few things I love as much as a truly creepy story. When I was in high school, I went on a rampage, trying to discover a horror movie that would keep me up at night. I pretty much failed.

I did, however, avoid Arachnaphobia, which I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt would keep me up for the rest of my life. And, most likely, lead to a psychotic break. Spiders and I? Not really friends.

Anyhow, I love a good horror story. And I love a horror story that aims for more than cheap screams. Which ...more

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Oct 21, 2014 Abbie rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-r2r, ebooks, horror, young-adult, abuse-and-psychological-issues, up-all-night-reads

The story is vaguely familiar, like a typical thriller movie. Three unsuspecting teenagers out on a weekend of fun stumble on a creepy town in the middle of nowhere... The weekend getaway turns into a hellish nightmare when these teens have to fight to stay alive.

The reaction I expected from myself:
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My expression at the end:
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I was squirming at the edge of my seat while I read this book. I knew it probably would end horribly because that's how the thrilling movie versions do, but I didn't expect t ...more

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Apr 03, 2013 Christina rated it it was amazing

This book is creepy, atmospheric, and intense. Plus, the writing is just GREAT! I would not want to be left in a room alone with Elijah Hawkins! *shivers* It has something for everyone--horror, romance, suspense! Plain awesome!

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Mar 31, 2014 Rayne rated it really liked it

Recommended to Rayne by: Cillian

Shelves: stand-alone-novel, thriller, young-adult, horror, you-have-disturbed-me, between-3-and-4-stars, realistic-fiction, not-for-everone

Creed is one of the most thoroughly disturbing and horrifying books I've ever read. It is infuriating, unfair, visceral, and just really freaking bloody awful. The atmosphere is so thick, I was drowning in it right alongside the characters. The tension throughout the novel was so taut, I often had to put the book down because it felt like too much. This book is an utterly uncomfortable and very unpleasant experience, which means that the book achieved exactly what it set out to do. I would class Creed is one of the most thoroughly disturbing and horrifying books I've ever read. It is infuriating, unfair, visceral, and just really freaking bloody awful. The atmosphere is so thick, I was drowning in it right alongside the characters. The tension throughout the novel was so taut, I often had to put the book down because it felt like too much. This book is an utterly uncomfortable and very unpleasant experience, which means that the book achieved exactly what it set out to do. I would classify this as a horror novel, but it is not the type that pushed on the reader macabre scenes or hideous monsters for the sake of cheap thrills or scares. No, this novel is creepy and disturbing and relies more on its atmosphere and eeriness than violence and a bad guy, though there's plenty of everything.

Not much can be said about Creed without spoiling it, but I feel the need to reiterate time and time again how profoundly upsetting and unsettling this novel is. I'm sure we've all seen a movie like this at one time or another, and even if it disturbs us, the lights come on in the theater, you get up from your seat and leave the experience behind. Personally, I'd never read a book that so closely resembled the feeling of watching one of those horrifying thrillers at the theater, except that this novel's effect is about a million times worse and its effect has lingered for weeks. I don't think this would be the type of book to keep you up all night, staring in fear at the shadows, but this book does have a pretty powerful effect, which can go either way for the reader: begrudged love or absolute hate.

This novel makes you feel claustrophobic and powerless by virtue of how horribly it treats its characters. I don't know if I'm impressed by how committed the authors were to their story and the effect they wanted it to have, or if I'm horrified at what they did, because this book is very rough to read, not in the same that it's boring because it's actually fast-paced and fairly quick to read, but it's hard to plow through because of the severity of events that take place in it. It has a few turns I never saw coming, not like surprising twists in the mystery of the plot but like a couple or surprising events that were risky, but powerful in the narrative.

The characters were not exactly deeply characterized and there was one in particular who was never given any space to come out of his stereotype, but they were all given enough issues to feel realistic enough and the bonds between them were strong, clearly defined and carried the entire emotional load of the novel. The main character, Dee, was a bit inconsistent in her characterization, but she was still a competent one that, in spite of passed traumas and what she faces in this novel, still fought all the way through. Elijah, the main antagonist, comes off a bit cartoonish at times, but he still managed to infuriate me and terrify me several times.

Truth be told, I don't think I would ever recommend Creed unless somebody came along and asked for a book specifically like this one. This is not an enjoyable book, but rather one that you must survive. It plays with your emotions mercilessly, makes you feel trapped and powerless and then leaves a dirty feeling all over your skin, so if that's what you are looking for, you found it. Under any other circumstances, I think this book would be a 3 star for me because the writing stumbled a bit a couple of times, but the atmosphere of this novel was so fantastic, the whole feel of the novel so well-crafted, I it deserves the 4 stars. If you decide to read it, good luck to you, my friend. ...more

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Aug 10, 2014 Yvonne rated it it was ok

Shelves: books-i-own, 2-stars-books, stand-alones

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT. I can't even tell how betrayed I feel right now ... definitely a waste of time. I expected this to be a creepy, kinda scary read with a great plot and good characters ... that's definitely not what I got. I don't even know how people can shelf this as "horror" because honestly? There was NOTHING horror-like here, instead I was bored to death and couldn't wait to finish this as soon as possible.

Not everything was bad, okay. The first few chapters were actually quite promising ... the atmosphere the authors created COULD HAVE been creepy, if they wouldn't have destroyed everything in the following chapters. When I read the synopsis I couldn't help but think of Silent Hill, you know with a deserted town and sirens going off ... well, that would've been awesome! But Creed was nothing like that - too many information about a town that didn't even interest me, the weirdest "villain" I've ever read about and characters I couldn't care less about if I tried.

The authors tried to make us feel connected to or at least sympathize with the main character, Dee, through her terrible past but to be honest she mostly annoyed me. I didn't feel sorry for her or anyone else in this town. The other two guys, Mike and Luke, with which she got into town weren't present for the most part of the book and didn't seem important, so towards the end I just thought: Whatever. I don't care.

The whole plot was so ridiculous and weird. I had a hard time "accepting" all of this ... I mean, ugh. I don't want to spoiler anything, in case someone still wants to read this but it was just stupid and didn't make any sense - that's at least how I see it. Or maybe it was just not my thing, I don't know.

So, what's my conclusion? I wouldn't recommend it. In my opinion, it's not worth anyone's time and I would rather pick one of the hundred other books on my TBR than this one.

www.aworldbetweenfoldedpages.blogspot.com

_________________________________
October 11:
Yeaaaah ... well. That really wasn't my thing. So different to what I expected or hoped for but nope. It was ridiculous and weird, not scary/creepy at all. Sadly. ...more

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Dec 16, 2014 Becky rated it did not like it

I admit, I was sucked in by this book's creepy cover. Combining that with a well-trod but still promising premise, I had high hopes for this book. Sadly, it doesn't deliver.

It should be mentioned that I read this book in the dark, huddled up to my sleeping hubby. So I was fully ready for this book to scare the crap out of me. And for the first few chapters, the tension is killer. We find ourselves in Silent Hill territory, complete with a deserted town in the middle of nowhere.

Once it becomes cl ...more

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Aug 10, 2014 Jessica rated it it was amazing

Wow this book was creepy! I made the mistake of starting this book whilst alone in a very silent room. Ten minutes into it and I had to stop reading. I picked it back up today and omg I had to keep reading. The book itself is well written and the characters are brilliant. The main character Dee is tormented by an abusive past and the town leader Elijah...let's just say that man is a twisted SOB. The teens just want to escape the town but two plot twists later and I was in utter disbelief! I woul ...more

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Oct 27, 2013 K.R. Conway rated it it was amazing

Elijah Hawkins needs to die. Slowly. Painfully. Tortured until his pleads for mercy only serve to fuel my inner demon. Needless to say, I am not a fan of the man, which is why he was so perfectly written.

When I started reading CREED by Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie, I was expecting to hide under the covers – that it would be totally terrifying, but I didn’t find it scary. Instead I found it ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, RAGE-INDUCING! I burned through the novel in a matter of hours on a Sunday afte Elijah Hawkins needs to die. Slowly. Painfully. Tortured until his pleads for mercy only serve to fuel my inner demon. Needless to say, I am not a fan of the man, which is why he was so perfectly written.

When I started reading CREED by Trisha Leaver and Lindsay Currie, I was expecting to hide under the covers – that it would be totally terrifying, but I didn’t find it scary. Instead I found it ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY, RAGE-INDUCING! I burned through the novel in a matter of hours on a Sunday afternoon, unable to put the sucker down because I was begging, PLEADING, for Elijah to D-I-E. Now, I’m not going to say if the pervert meets his fork-tailed maker or not, BUT it was the driving force behind my reading obsession. I wanted justice and I wanted him stoned into mush.

The story starts out with three friends (Dee, her boyfriend Luke, and his younger brother, Mike) on the road to a concert in East-of-Nowhere New York when they run out of gas on an abandoned stretch of highway. They spot lights in the distance, and with ice coating the roads and hypothermia knocking on the windows, they decide to investigate the town. Bad idea – didn’t these kids see Cujo?? DON’T LEAVE THE DAMN CAR! It all turns into a real-life Hell, with cult leader Elijah Hawkins filling his role perfectly as the violence-in-the-name-of-god character. His horrifically abused son, Joseph, is also wandering the town with his own agenda.

The characters in this book are what make the story. Hands down, Luke was my favorite (damn you Leaver and Currie!!). His brother Mike is a great, unlikely hero. I loved the brothers and fell for them both quickly. Joseph is brilliantly drawn as a survivor of his father’s wrath, but the reader never knows if he is actually a good guy or a player, and I love that. His broken but tough soul made me want to root for him, but then I questioned his motives constantly.

Elijah – well, I covered my thoughts on him, but Dee, the voice of the story, really needed to die. She was a cool character until Elijah showed up and for some reason she didn't kick his butt. I kept screaming at her to fight back, beat the piss out of Elijah. Stab him, claw his face off – ANYTHING! I was hoping she would go after him and die in a way fitting of Pulp Fiction, taking Elijah down with her. Seriously . . . if I ever meet her on the street, I may push her out into traffic because she didn't go down "guns blazing."

This book is like a train wreck in that you can’t peel your eyes from the carnage even though you know the outcome ain’t gonna be pretty. Which is why it works so flawlessly.

Leaver and Currie did not set out to write a happily-ever-after. They set out to make you totally loathe a character and scream at the pages, which is precisely what this story does.

CREED leaves you haunted . . . and in need of a punching bag. A big one.

I dare you to put it down. A lethal five-stars.
...more

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Sep 25, 2014 Kristi rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, arc, horror, flux

I absolutely love a good horror story and as we all know, horror stories don’t always have to have things that go bump in the night. Creed by Trisha Leaver and Lindsey Currie delivers an ultimate horror story that used good old fashioned flesh and bone humans to scare the crap out of me.

Three teens set off to a concert when their car breaks down near Purity Springs, New York. What they find is an abandoned town with sirens going off. Hmmm …. Strange? Oh yes, this is just the beginning of the nig I absolutely love a good horror story and as we all know, horror stories don’t always have to have things that go bump in the night. Creed by Trisha Leaver and Lindsey Currie delivers an ultimate horror story that used good old fashioned flesh and bone humans to scare the crap out of me.

Three teens set off to a concert when their car breaks down near Purity Springs, New York. What they find is an abandoned town with sirens going off. Hmmm …. Strange? Oh yes, this is just the beginning of the nightmare that is about to become their lives.

The characters, Dee, her boyfriend Luke and his younger brother Mike, make an amazing cast of characters. Dee and Luke have an amazing relationship for a couple so young but Dee is a foster child who comes with a strong history of abuse. Luke is very gentle and compassionate, despite being an aggressive football player. Mike, Luke’s younger brother, provides the much needed comic relief with his snarky humor and sarcastic comments. There are some other well developed characters that come into play, the town cult leader, Elijah Hawkins, who I tend to think of as ‘Psycho Freak from Hell’ and his son, Joseph.

Trisha and Lindsey really know how to set an atmosphere! There is a sense of eeriness that is present throughout Creed that just doesn’t go away. It sort of permeated my mood and stuck with me. I don’t want to say much more, to do so will spoil the actual premise of the story and I don’t want to do that!

What starts out to be the beginning of a fun weekend for the teens soon turns out to be the worst weekend of their lives. In light of keeping this as spoiler free as possible, I will say that there is some serious sick stuff that goes down, there is some serious heart-breaking moments and there is some serious what the hell moments. And that is what kept me turning pages! All. The. Way. To. The. End!

If you like horror with a little side of psycho, then Creed is for you. Trust me, you’ll think twice the next time you get stranded on the side of the road!
...more

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Mar 29, 2014 Christy rated it it was amazing

I'm sure that if you've followed me for a while then you probably know that I'm a sucker for horror books. There's just something about the icky, creepy and gory that calls to me. Yes, I'm a freak. Anyway, when I saw Creed, I KNEW that I had to read it ASAP and I was lucky enough to get approved on Netgalley so once I downloaded it I immediately dove right in and Creed didn't disappoint.

Dee has her anniversary with her boyfriend Luke all planned out; she even enlisted Luke’s brother, Mike, in t ...more

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Dec 14, 2015 Sarah Louise rated it really liked it

This book was not even remotely frightening, at least for me, but it was definitely disturbing. After running out of gas in their car, three teenagers find themselves at Purity Springs (HA! I now understand the significance of the town name), an eerie little town that appears to be abandoned. With freezing cold temperatures, and hazardous, winter conditions, the three teens decide to take shelter in one of the homes. But, of course, their stupid curiosity convinces them to investigate this myste ...more

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Dec 31, 2013 Lauren rated it it was amazing

I just read an advanced copy of CREED, and MAN....I don't think I'll ever sleep again! Creepy small towns, terrifying secrets locked away behind closed doors, religious cults with charismatic leaders...CREED has it all! Definitely pick this book up if you want to feel creeped out for days. ...more

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Jul 25, 2014 Joana rated it really liked it

Shelves: ebooks, netgalley

I'm utterly revolted with this book!! I cannot put into words how frustrating and messed up that ending was! Okay not just the ending. The whole book.

It's had never happened to me in the book. In "horror" movies sure, they always end this way. I've learned a long time a go to not expect a happy ending when it comes to these kinds of movies but reading a book that ends like this... Goddammit! It's so revolting!!

This was all very twisted. I really enjoyed most of the book. There was a part, w ...more

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Apr 02, 2013 Mary Waibel rated it it was amazing

Leaver and Currie do an excellent job of creating tension in this thrilling read.

You'll root for the characters as they face dangers and trials, dark and deadly. You'll cry, and in the end, you'll long for more.

If you love thrillers and horror, you will love this book! ...more

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Apr 30, 2013 Jaye rated it it was amazing

I could not put this down. One seriously messed up bad guy. Engrossing, page turning, and freaky. You will never want to drive through rural NY state ever again. An intense, awesome read for fear fiction fans.

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Mar 13, 2014 Tonya Kuper rated it it was amazing

Be ready for a killer read! I was a lucky beta-reader for this novel. This is a fast-paced, un-put-downable book that is seriously creeptastic. The characters and setting are so well-drawn, you'll forever question small towns and car trips. ...more

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Jan 29, 2014 Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books) rated it liked it

This was so good during the first half. It is the ending that makes me feel so cheated. Review to come...

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Oct 22, 2014 Wendy rated it it was amazing

Psycho town. Psycho people. Cult! Not a religion. Very interesting story. Really held my attention.

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Jan 29, 2014 Shane rated it really liked it

Shelves: young-adult, psychological

Creed was many things, but I wouldn't call it horror. Suspenseful is the word for the opening chapters, while the rest played on the psychologically messed up. I didn't read the summary prior to going into the story because I didn't want any expectations only an open mind. And I must say I felt intrigued from start. Three teens on a road trip end up stranded and this weird town comes into view. The blaring alarm and emptiness stirred up my curiosity and I started to feel like I was reading a Ste Creed was many things, but I wouldn't call it horror. Suspenseful is the word for the opening chapters, while the rest played on the psychologically messed up. I didn't read the summary prior to going into the story because I didn't want any expectations only an open mind. And I must say I felt intrigued from start. Three teens on a road trip end up stranded and this weird town comes into view. The blaring alarm and emptiness stirred up my curiosity and I started to feel like I was reading a Stephen King novel. I thought maybe a mysterious entity passed through the town and took everyone with it. I mean, that would explain the emergency alarm, abandoned cars, vacant diner, and overall empty town. Not a soul in sight. So, Mike, Dee, and Luke, along with readers are taken on a ride of okay, what's going on here? Where is everybody?

I was spooked when they found the cemetery and the number of deaths, etc. But then when they went inside of the house and found those books and creepy stuff, I was like no, this is weird. They should just leave. But, leaving Purity Springs was hard because it was freezing out, not to mention snowing, and their car was dead. I wasn't expecting the story to take the turn that it did when they came in contact with Joseph. But after that, I wanted to see how they would get out of it.

Regarding the plot, I haven't read many books having to do with closed community and lunatic leaders after Gated, but I'm interested in reading more into the genre, so I didn't mind the route the story went into. My skin crawled at the intention that Elijah had for Dee, not to mention the rules he had about purifying people. Elijah was a grade A sicko and I actually wished they'd dealt with him the opposite of how they left him.

Character wise, I didn't really connect with any of them, but I did sympathize with Dee, having to go through such a turmoil before coming to Purity Springs, and close to facing it again. Also, when she found Luke, I felt her emotions, along with Mike's. Their reaction was just and real. I actually wanted to shed a tear with them.

Joseph rubbed me the wrong way from start. I never trusted him, and when I realized what he'd done, I disliked him even more and wanted to slap the hell out of him. He really messed with my emotions throughout the story because of the problem he'd placed them in, and then the fact that he didn't stick around at the end pissed me off even more.

Oh yes, the ending. That was my main issue. As angry as I was with Joseph throughout the story, I would have loved to know what happened to him, if he was brought back to Purity Springs, or if he took off before his father's people found him at the hospital. I also wish Elijah had paid for what he'd done, not only to Luke, Dee, and Mike, but also for everyone else he's inflicted suffering on throughout the years. I just feel that the ending didn't bring about a lot of clarity and I wouldn't mind a sequel. Regardless, with lucid writing and a creepy plot, Creed was an interesting read overall. ...more

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Oct 29, 2014 Shannon (It Starts At Midnight) rated it really liked it

Well. I can't say that I liked this book, because that would imply that I didn't want to run screaming from it. And let me assure you, I did want to run. Because holy crap, this book was messed up. Obviously, there is a reason I am saving this review for Halloween, because this is the perfect Halloween book.

When Dee, Luke, and Mike got stranded and end up in Purity Springs, honestly I wanted to yell and scream at them. Seriously guys, take a long walk, a jog, camp in the damn woods, but do not s ...more

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Aug 11, 2014 L.G. rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, horror, arc, netgalley

Rating: 4.5 STARS

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of CREED through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. CREED originally sparked my interest when it appeared on the Pub Hub blog a while back.

The first three lines of the book blurb for this Young Adult Horror novel are what captured my attention: “Three went in. Three came out. Not even a shadow of who they once were.” Well-written and fast-paced, we find out the consequences of what three teenagers forgetting to fill up their gas Rating: 4.5 STARS

I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC of CREED through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. CREED originally sparked my interest when it appeared on the Pub Hub blog a while back.

The first three lines of the book blurb for this Young Adult Horror novel are what captured my attention: “Three went in. Three came out. Not even a shadow of who they once were.” Well-written and fast-paced, we find out the consequences of what three teenagers forgetting to fill up their gas tank could be. The one word that comes to mind for this psychological horror story is “believable,” and that’s what makes this story so scary. If anything, it could easily have been a “ripped from the headlines plot.” Elijah Hawkins and Purity Springs reminded me of real-life eighteen shades of crazy, Warren Jeffs and the FDLS Church, and how they controlled and abused their followers.

Leaver and Currie do an expert job of not insulting the readers intelligence, and giving their characters enough of their own. There aren’t any “too stupid to live” moments typically associated with teenage horror where we want to cover our eyes. Instead, as we watch Dee, Luke, and Mike, we understand how they ended up where they are, yet we, as the readers, are left powerless to offer them a better alternative: sit in a car freezing to death miles from the highway, or stick together and find help. We root for them every step of the way.

The characters are real and well-drawn, but my favorite is Joseph, the damaged and desperate son of Elijah. Although the reader is meant to doubt if he can truly be trusted, I could see him through Dee’s eyes. Finding her a credible narrator, he had my trust throughout, his actions supporting his stated motivations. Had he not been true to his word, things would’ve turned out much differently.

Very well done, CREED delivered on giving the horror it promised. A nice change of pace from all the YA paranormal I’ve been reading. The only thing that I wish had been different was the outcome.
...more

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Jul 24, 2014 Teri rated it it was ok

I tried to remember the last time a book frustrated me this much - and I got nothing. So many things about this book bothered me.

First, the idea is great and, after the cover, the book description immediately caught my attention. Three teenagers stranded, abandoned town, half eaten dinners still on the table, cars left at the gas station - a high creep factor right away. This was the perfect eerie setting to drop the characters into. I had high hopes for this book.

Soon after that, I realized the ...more

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Aug 04, 2014 Megan (thebookishtwins) rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: mystery, contemporary, netgalley, reviewed, read-in-2014, standalone, own, romance

I received this free from the publishers via NetGalley

Dee, Luke and Mike are on there way to a concert, but on the way a winter storm and a broken down car forces the three into a town called Purity Springs. The town is deserted and isn't what it seems. The next morning the towns inhabitants appear and Dee, Luke and Mike are chased and captured. The towns charismatic leader has them trapped and he intends to make Dee his new wife.

I went into Creed really exited because I wanted something creepy ...more

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Jul 08, 2014 Melissa Chung rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-horror, owned, kindle-books

I want to thank NetGalley and Flux publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

This book scared the crap out of me. I am not usually squeamish, but when it comes to actual people doing evil deeds that pretty much makes me shake in my boots.

Dee and her boyfriend Luke, along with his younger brother Mike are on a weekend getaway. While trying to get to their destination, the car runs out of gas and the trio have to hike to the nearest town for help. This town just so happe ...more

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Oct 22, 2014 Philomena Callan Cheekypee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: dark

This book was written by two authors I've never heard of. I jumped into this book expecting to be terrified. Instead what I got was a gripping read that had me sitting all afternoon glued to the story.

Three people go in. Three people come out. Dee, her boyfriend Luke and his brother Mike find themselves stranded in Purity Springs. What happens while they are there will have you sitting at the edge of your seat. They unfortunately meet Elijah who is a real sicko. He stands up for what he believe ...more

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May 09, 2014 Paula rated it really liked it

Received an ARC from Netgalley.
What happens in Purity Springs stays in Purity Springs. Dee has the perfect surprise weekend for planned for her boyfriend, but this road trip quickly turns into a nightmare when the teens' car runs out of gas on a desolate rural road. Dee, Luke and Luke's brother, Mike, hike to the small town of Purity Springs in search of gas and find the town eerily empty while an emergency siren wails in the distance. However, they are being watched and they soon discover the s ...more

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About Trisha Leaver

Trisha Leaver

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Trisha Leaver lives on Cape Cod with her husband, three children, and one rather disobedient black lab. She is a chronic daydreamer who prefers the cozy confines of her own imagination to the mundane routine of everyday life. She writes Young Adult Contemporary Fiction, Psychological Horror and Science Fiction and is published with FSG/ Macmillan, Flux/Llewellyn and Merit Press. To find out more a ...more