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Amy Girl
Left alone when her father kills her mother, nine-year-old Amy Kaslov is taken in by a policeman and his family as she gradually comes to recognize her psychic ability, the power of absolute mental domination.
346 pages, Hardcover
First published April 20, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 12, 2014
"Amy Girl"by Bari Wood has some similarities with "Firestarter" (Stephen King). An abused child who watches her father kill her mother, is then taken into the home of the police officer who saved her, as a foster child. With her father in jail and she in the care of the Levin's, Amy begins to develop the power that was triggered when she became the unwilling observer to her mother's death. With the sudden ability to control those around her, Amy is also struggling to fit into a new home where the eldest son most certainly is not a welcome host.
This book was written in the late 80s, and it definitely shows its age in a lot of the plotlines. But the characters are honest, and the story is interesting in and of itself. As Amy takes constant abuse from the eldest son of her new home, Amy never uses her "powers" against the rest of the Levins, who take her in and care for her, or against the doctors responsible for her care (not in a negative way anyway). However, the characters in the novel all seem to take heed of Amy and be wary of her, when the reader wants to sympathize with her. These conflicting emotions leave a bit of an emptiness for me- wondering "what am I missing? Why does everyone hate this child so much?" or at times, yelling "that's not fair!" It is the eldest son Paulie that I detested, and although he received his just desserts, he really seemed to get the sympathy of the writer and her characters. I am not sure if Wood meant to evoke such reaction from a reader or if the emotional disjointedness was just part of my experience.
Also, personal experience tells me that when a person "escapes" from a mental institution ("Sane" or not), he cannot show up at a person's home, claiming to be an "uncle" and all of a sudden become responsible for that child. That was a ludicrous plot line although it did make for a "happy" ending (if the ending could really be described as 'happy'). This novel was a good read, and it had a nice creepy vibe that I enjoyed, however a more plausible plot and connection between characters and reader would have increased my enjoyment.
This book was written in the late 80s, and it definitely shows its age in a lot of the plotlines. But the characters are honest, and the story is interesting in and of itself. As Amy takes constant abuse from the eldest son of her new home, Amy never uses her "powers" against the rest of the Levins, who take her in and care for her, or against the doctors responsible for her care (not in a negative way anyway). However, the characters in the novel all seem to take heed of Amy and be wary of her, when the reader wants to sympathize with her. These conflicting emotions leave a bit of an emptiness for me- wondering "what am I missing? Why does everyone hate this child so much?" or at times, yelling "that's not fair!" It is the eldest son Paulie that I detested, and although he received his just desserts, he really seemed to get the sympathy of the writer and her characters. I am not sure if Wood meant to evoke such reaction from a reader or if the emotional disjointedness was just part of my experience.
Also, personal experience tells me that when a person "escapes" from a mental institution ("Sane" or not), he cannot show up at a person's home, claiming to be an "uncle" and all of a sudden become responsible for that child. That was a ludicrous plot line although it did make for a "happy" ending (if the ending could really be described as 'happy'). This novel was a good read, and it had a nice creepy vibe that I enjoyed, however a more plausible plot and connection between characters and reader would have increased my enjoyment.
August 11, 2013
So I have literally had this book on my shelf for 20 years. I think my aunt gave it to me when I was 12ish. Finally picked it up to read for a change of pace. Its a horror story set/written in the 1970s about a little girl with a terrifying psychic potential. What I love about horror (books and movies is how relatable the story can be regardless of when it was written. The horror genre also says so much about the time in which it was written and also about how much we have changed. The characters in the book seemed to be some much more idealistic and naïve than we are today. And yet, for me, the casual violence that was common place and accepted as everyday life was so much more terrifying than the actual horror plotline. Weird that today spousal battery and drunk driving is no where near as accepted or tolerated. Yet when it came to the purposely "scary" parts of the book I was a little underwhelmed. Today we are used to much more descriptive and graphic bloodletting. However then ending scene was completely translatable and impactful today.
December 16, 2012
This is the type of book I thought I never would read. But it was recommended to me by my mother, saying it is not horror, it is about special powers. I said I will at least give it a try, intending to read 20 pages and then say I didn't like it. This was just after lunch, but the 20 pages went by and I continued reading until my mother had to take away the book and tell me to come down and eat supper. 3 o'clock in the morning I was done and I can hardly describe the feeling, but the book had a total grip of me, I didn't notice anything happening around me. Amy is a child with great psychic powers. Her uncle has the same powers and he is in a mental institution. One day Amy is attacked by some boys who try to rape henne. Amy uses her powers, the same powers that her uncle has...
September 4, 2016
It's the early 1970s. Amy is only 8 years old when she (mostly) sees her father kill her mother with a hammer. She was locked in a closet at the time, and she tried – with her mind – to stop him. From here on, when Amy gets upset, she feels a cold and is able to control other people with her mind. Her uncle, who is in a mental institution, sees things through other people and knows what's happened. One of the police officers who saved Amy from the closet decides to take her in as a foster child. His daughter, Greta, loves having Amy around, but teenager, Paulie, HATES Amy and will do anything to get rid of her.
I have had this over 25 years and never read it until now. There is an inscription from a couple of friends from high school and it took me this long to read it! It's a good thing I still “like” horror novels, because it was really good (though quite horrifying). There is a lot of violence, though, so beware.
I have had this over 25 years and never read it until now. There is an inscription from a couple of friends from high school and it took me this long to read it! It's a good thing I still “like” horror novels, because it was really good (though quite horrifying). There is a lot of violence, though, so beware.
January 27, 2021
Fantastic book for people who enjoy supernatural fiction. It really sucked me in!
January 23, 2025
I started this book without knowing anything about it. I found a hard copy without a dust jacket in a house I moved into and decided I would read it…eventually. I wish I would have read it sooner. This author really knew what she was doing.
The backstories of the characters were woven into the story so seamlessly that it wasn’t until after the scene that I realized I was given this character’s history. All the characters were distinct with their own “voice”. The descriptions in this book really put you in the scene. You see, hear, smell, feel, and sometimes taste what is being described. A few times I wished the description wasn’t so good because I was tasting smells. The pace was good only dipping into dragging when scenes were necessary to move the story along giving very little new information. But you knew something good was about to happen so muddling through wasn’t too bad. The foreshadowing was repetitive to the point that halfway through I shook the book saying, “Stop telling me something’s gonna happen and make it happen!” However, I guess that means it was doing double duty to increase tension. Overall, the good (dare I say great) things about this book definitely outweigh the bad.
TW: Violence (domestic, gun, animal), Sexual Assault, Racial Slurs, Alcoholism, Homicide, Arson
The backstories of the characters were woven into the story so seamlessly that it wasn’t until after the scene that I realized I was given this character’s history. All the characters were distinct with their own “voice”. The descriptions in this book really put you in the scene. You see, hear, smell, feel, and sometimes taste what is being described. A few times I wished the description wasn’t so good because I was tasting smells. The pace was good only dipping into dragging when scenes were necessary to move the story along giving very little new information. But you knew something good was about to happen so muddling through wasn’t too bad. The foreshadowing was repetitive to the point that halfway through I shook the book saying, “Stop telling me something’s gonna happen and make it happen!” However, I guess that means it was doing double duty to increase tension. Overall, the good (dare I say great) things about this book definitely outweigh the bad.
TW: Violence (domestic, gun, animal), Sexual Assault, Racial Slurs, Alcoholism, Homicide, Arson
August 26, 2019
I figured it was time to give some old-school horror a try. This story about a little girl with special powers was good, but I did have some issues with the story. However, I do think that part of my issues may be due to the time period in which this book was written.
At its core, this book is quite tragic. I felt so badly for Amy and her foster family. I also was quite confused as to why, when the parents finally figured out how deeply disturbed their son was, they didn't do everything in their power to separate the children. They didn't even do anything to get their son some help. I mean, come on people - you are told by multiple people that the situation is getting out of control, but you still do nothing? But I guess that hindsight is 20/20, and it is easy to point fingers as the reader who knows more about the situation than the people involved.
Overall, it was an interesting read, and I look forward to reading more of Bari Wood's books.
At its core, this book is quite tragic. I felt so badly for Amy and her foster family. I also was quite confused as to why, when the parents finally figured out how deeply disturbed their son was, they didn't do everything in their power to separate the children. They didn't even do anything to get their son some help. I mean, come on people - you are told by multiple people that the situation is getting out of control, but you still do nothing? But I guess that hindsight is 20/20, and it is easy to point fingers as the reader who knows more about the situation than the people involved.
Overall, it was an interesting read, and I look forward to reading more of Bari Wood's books.
February 6, 2021
Le meilleur livre que j'aie jamais lu. Sans aucun doute le seul livre qui ne quitte jamais ma table de chevet.
Apres les 100 premières pages j'ai du faire une pause tant l'histoire me prenait aux tripes. J'ai dû le relire une dizaine de fois depuis et chaque fois je le dévore, regrettant de ne pas pouvoir entrer dans l'histoire.
Apres les 100 premières pages j'ai du faire une pause tant l'histoire me prenait aux tripes. J'ai dû le relire une dizaine de fois depuis et chaque fois je le dévore, regrettant de ne pas pouvoir entrer dans l'histoire.
March 21, 2018
Part of Rockville Public Library's Reading Challenge for the month of February includes written by an person in color. Amy Girl is an Perfect suspense novel with an blend of horror. This book have some scary things in there. Perfect for the fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz.
October 15, 2018
Never read Bari Wood before. Not at all what I expected. My niece recommended this book and I’m so glad I read it. Really suspenseful and in this instance, the bad guy gets his comeuppance. And the little girl gets her wish. Read it.
January 23, 2021
Amy Girl is the first adult horror book that I had read at 11 years old. I found a hardcover copy in a resale shop! I'd never seen this book in stores. If you find it, make sure you snatch it up and read it.
February 12, 2023
Bari Wood is a national treasure. Everything I want in a good horror novel and then some. This is my fourth of hers, and just like her other 3, Amy Girl gets 5 stars all day long! If you have an old Bari Wood book lying forgotten in your TBR stack, PICK IT UP!
January 12, 2024
A well-written book that starts with what feels like too many characters but carefully draws them together. Decent pace, some intrigue and foreshadowing. It mixes character development with some horrific concepts. A dark book with good contrasts to keep it balanced.
August 22, 2017
Läst på svenska: Skuggornas hus
September 27, 2019
I fell in love with this book from the very moment I saw it! I can read it over and over again. It never gets old or boring! Love love love the history and I believe in powers at be!
November 12, 2020
Read in 1988. A sweet young girl can make people do whatever she wants, in a bad way.
July 17, 2025
Absolutely love this book! It’s been my favorite for 20+ yrs
March 26, 2008
About a girl, Ami, who has the unusual power to control ppl. She makes ppl do terrible things if they threaten her almost whithout her knowing. She was abused by her mother and locked in a closet. She grows up troubled and mysterious. I cant remember what else happened since its been so long since i've read it. At the end though... never mind dont want to ruin anything
June 5, 2014
I have liked Bari Wood since I picked up Doll's Eyes back in 1995..This book was written in 1987. She has not written many novels. Pity. Her characters are believable. The story is about a young girl named Amy and the people she touches with her "gift". She can control the actions of others using mind control. This story has been told and retold many times.
March 17, 2008
This book can be disturbing at times.
I was surprised by this story. I had very little expectation that this would be a worthwhile read.
Fans of the likes of Koontz would enjoy this book.
Not for those sensitive to the abuse of children.
I was surprised by this story. I had very little expectation that this would be a worthwhile read.
Fans of the likes of Koontz would enjoy this book.
Not for those sensitive to the abuse of children.
October 15, 2009
Crazy book but a GREAT read!!!!!
March 30, 2010
AMAZING book!!
March 18, 2012
This book had such an impact on me! This was one of my first reads when I was only 14 yrs old. I would totally recommend this book, even now
July 23, 2012
This is an unforgettable book. I read it when I was only 12 and I still remember the details so vividly, totally worth reading more than once!
March 28, 2013
my favorite favorite book ever
December 2, 2008
I remember it keeping me up at night.
November 27, 2009
I read this when i was about 15, and to this day can still remember it was a thrilling book!
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February 10, 2017Ned. Titel: huiver
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews