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All the Lovely Bad Ones: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel
In this eerie full-color graphic novel adaptation of one of award-winning author Mary Downing Hahn's most popular ghost stories, mischievous siblings pretend their grandmother's Vermont inn is haunted and awaken the real spirits who dwell there.
Travis and his sister, Corey, can't resist a good trick. When they learn that their grandmother's quiet Vermont inn, where they're spending the summer, has a history of ghost sightings, they decide to do a little haunting of their own. Before long, their supernatural pranks have tourists flocking to the inn, and business booms.
But Travis and Corey soon find out that theirs aren't the only ghosts at Fox Hill Inn. Their thoughtless games have awakened something dangerous, something that should have stayed asleep. Can these siblings lay to rest the restless spirits they've disturbed?
Travis and his sister, Corey, can't resist a good trick. When they learn that their grandmother's quiet Vermont inn, where they're spending the summer, has a history of ghost sightings, they decide to do a little haunting of their own. Before long, their supernatural pranks have tourists flocking to the inn, and business booms.
But Travis and Corey soon find out that theirs aren't the only ghosts at Fox Hill Inn. Their thoughtless games have awakened something dangerous, something that should have stayed asleep. Can these siblings lay to rest the restless spirits they've disturbed?
160 pages, Hardcover
First published August 29, 2023
25 people are currently reading
3362 people want to read
About the author
Scott E. Peterson
338 books44 followersScott Peterson got his start in comics as an editor on the Batman line of comics, working with the legendary Dennis O’Neil. He edited DC’s flagship title, Detective Comics, and launched the first of the the Adventures sub-genre of comics, The Batman Adventures. He later went on to edit for WildStorm, where he oversaw such titles as WildCats, Midnighter, A God Somewhere and North 40, as well as Scooby-Doo and Looney Tunes. As a writer, he has been published by Disney, Scholastic, Golden Books, HarperCollins, and DC Comics, including a four-year run as the regular writer of The Gotham Adventures. He is the author of Batman: Kings of Fear with art legendary artist Kelley Jones, and the original graphic novel Truckus Maximus.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
August 30, 2023
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this title. All thoughts and opinions that follow are my own and were in no way influenced by receiving this copy.
Travis and Corey are a brother and sister combo that are staying with their grandmother at her inn for the summer, as they have been kicked out of summer camp for good this time. When at the inn they discover it was once haunted, so the trouble makers of course set out to make the visitors once again believe it's haunted. What they don't know is that by pretending the inn is haunted, walking around and making things go bump in the night themselves, they accidently disturb the old resting ground of the real ghosts, who are awoken by Travis and Corey's misbehaviors. What follows are a series of scary ghost haunts and frights, that eventually lead to Travis and Corey discovering that the inn used to be a poor farm run by an even more evil brother and sister duo that killed (or caused the death of) many families that came to stay with them. Travis and Corey were tasked to find the book that housed the true poor farm records, accounting every death and cent hoarded, that would eventually lead to the ghosts that haunted the inn to finally be laid to rest.
While spooky and overall a great story, I couldn't help be feel like this story was so incredibly wordy and long. At only 167 pages this graphic novel was on the shorter side, but it took me twice as long to read than even a thicker book. Since this is an adaptation, I feel the adaptors stayed too close to original wording and kept everything the same, copy and pasting passages of text that could have been chopped out completely or even shrunken down. In a normal novel it makes sense to be reminded of tasks or objectives every other chapter or so, as you likely aren't reading the whole book in one sitting or there is at least some passage of time. However in the graphic novel adaptation, the way it is written, they are being reminded of the objective to get to the end every other page, which is excessive. This book is also written from Travis' point of view and the yellow boxes are his internal monologue, and that is very repetitive and quite honestly boring to read over and over again. They're not adding anything to the story. Overall, I was a little disappointed in this one. Hahn has had much better GN adaptations before.
Travis and Corey are a brother and sister combo that are staying with their grandmother at her inn for the summer, as they have been kicked out of summer camp for good this time. When at the inn they discover it was once haunted, so the trouble makers of course set out to make the visitors once again believe it's haunted. What they don't know is that by pretending the inn is haunted, walking around and making things go bump in the night themselves, they accidently disturb the old resting ground of the real ghosts, who are awoken by Travis and Corey's misbehaviors. What follows are a series of scary ghost haunts and frights, that eventually lead to Travis and Corey discovering that the inn used to be a poor farm run by an even more evil brother and sister duo that killed (or caused the death of) many families that came to stay with them. Travis and Corey were tasked to find the book that housed the true poor farm records, accounting every death and cent hoarded, that would eventually lead to the ghosts that haunted the inn to finally be laid to rest.
While spooky and overall a great story, I couldn't help be feel like this story was so incredibly wordy and long. At only 167 pages this graphic novel was on the shorter side, but it took me twice as long to read than even a thicker book. Since this is an adaptation, I feel the adaptors stayed too close to original wording and kept everything the same, copy and pasting passages of text that could have been chopped out completely or even shrunken down. In a normal novel it makes sense to be reminded of tasks or objectives every other chapter or so, as you likely aren't reading the whole book in one sitting or there is at least some passage of time. However in the graphic novel adaptation, the way it is written, they are being reminded of the objective to get to the end every other page, which is excessive. This book is also written from Travis' point of view and the yellow boxes are his internal monologue, and that is very repetitive and quite honestly boring to read over and over again. They're not adding anything to the story. Overall, I was a little disappointed in this one. Hahn has had much better GN adaptations before.
July 13, 2023
Out August 15th, 2023! Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and NetGalley for a digital cop of this!
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I've been reading Mary Downing Hahn since I was young, but this a story that I somehow missed when growing up.
What a shame, too, as I feel like it's one of her better ones.
Travis and his sister Corey have been disinvited from returning to summer camp because of their pranks, leaving them in the loving arms of their grandmother and her gorgeous inn for the summer. Ever the trouble-makers, Travis and Corey catch wind of the inn's haunted history and decide to play ghost to drum up some business. New reservations aren't the only thing they're going to drum up... their games have stirred the ghosts that have been sleeping on the land.
Look, this isn't a ghost story that you've never heard before. I suspect I've seen some version of it several times through film and fiction in my life. But this was FUN. It felt a little bit Stranger Things and a little bit Goosebumps-like. And the art was to die for. Honestly, it feels like graphic novel format is how Mary Downing Hahn deserved to be enjoyed all along.
--
I've been reading Mary Downing Hahn since I was young, but this a story that I somehow missed when growing up.
What a shame, too, as I feel like it's one of her better ones.
Travis and his sister Corey have been disinvited from returning to summer camp because of their pranks, leaving them in the loving arms of their grandmother and her gorgeous inn for the summer. Ever the trouble-makers, Travis and Corey catch wind of the inn's haunted history and decide to play ghost to drum up some business. New reservations aren't the only thing they're going to drum up... their games have stirred the ghosts that have been sleeping on the land.
Look, this isn't a ghost story that you've never heard before. I suspect I've seen some version of it several times through film and fiction in my life. But this was FUN. It felt a little bit Stranger Things and a little bit Goosebumps-like. And the art was to die for. Honestly, it feels like graphic novel format is how Mary Downing Hahn deserved to be enjoyed all along.
August 4, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Staying true to the 2008 original, we see the story of Travis and his sister Corey. They are so fond of pranks that they get kicked out of their summer camp and are sent instead to their grandmother's Fox Hill Inn. It seems a little dull at first, but they find out from guests that the inn is famous for being haunted. Nothing seems to have happened lately, so the two kids decide to stage some paranormal activity. The caretakers who came with the place, cook Martha Brewster and her husband, frown on this and seem overly concerned. There's a good reason for this; Travis and Corey manage to wake up the ghosts that the Brewsters have kept carefully asleep. Soon, the guests have quite a show, as the Fox Hill ghosts are poltergiests who have the ability to move objects and are soon trashing the place. There are a number of suspicious, numbered stones on the property, and the history of the inn soon comes out. It was, at one point, a poor farm, run by Ada Jaggs, who was not kind to the children there. As the ghosts come and tell their story, Travis and Corey know that they must find the records, identify the graves, and help the spirits move on. Will they be able to put "the bad ones" to rest?
Strengths: This had a particularly good ratio of text to pictures, the font was readable but not crowded, and I didn't feel that there were huge gaps in information that sometimes occur in graphic novels. The art is fun, and has a nice, dark feel to it, even in the sunny scenes. The story holds up well, and the timeline is downplayed to alleviate problems there. The Brewsters are somehow enigmatically sinister, even though they really have the best intentions for Fox Hill. This creepy retelling will be hugely popular with students.
Weaknesses: There are some unnecessarily grusome instances that probably would not be written today. Ada Jaggs hanged herself, and her ghost is shown swinging from a noose; she also tries to encourage Travis to do the same. In the way that Oklahoma should never again be performed, this seemed inappropriate. The grave of Ada is also exhumed, and the records found in a box in her coffin.
What I really think: My students love scary stories, and I'm hoping that these graphic novel adaptations of Hahn's work will encourage them to pick up her classic novels. I met Hahn once at the 10th KidLitCon and wish I still had the picture of her wearing a birthday party hat. She is a wonderful lady, and I hope that the graphic novel adaptations give her comfort as she heads into her upper 80s!
Staying true to the 2008 original, we see the story of Travis and his sister Corey. They are so fond of pranks that they get kicked out of their summer camp and are sent instead to their grandmother's Fox Hill Inn. It seems a little dull at first, but they find out from guests that the inn is famous for being haunted. Nothing seems to have happened lately, so the two kids decide to stage some paranormal activity. The caretakers who came with the place, cook Martha Brewster and her husband, frown on this and seem overly concerned. There's a good reason for this; Travis and Corey manage to wake up the ghosts that the Brewsters have kept carefully asleep. Soon, the guests have quite a show, as the Fox Hill ghosts are poltergiests who have the ability to move objects and are soon trashing the place. There are a number of suspicious, numbered stones on the property, and the history of the inn soon comes out. It was, at one point, a poor farm, run by Ada Jaggs, who was not kind to the children there. As the ghosts come and tell their story, Travis and Corey know that they must find the records, identify the graves, and help the spirits move on. Will they be able to put "the bad ones" to rest?
Strengths: This had a particularly good ratio of text to pictures, the font was readable but not crowded, and I didn't feel that there were huge gaps in information that sometimes occur in graphic novels. The art is fun, and has a nice, dark feel to it, even in the sunny scenes. The story holds up well, and the timeline is downplayed to alleviate problems there. The Brewsters are somehow enigmatically sinister, even though they really have the best intentions for Fox Hill. This creepy retelling will be hugely popular with students.
Weaknesses: There are some unnecessarily grusome instances that probably would not be written today. Ada Jaggs hanged herself, and her ghost is shown swinging from a noose; she also tries to encourage Travis to do the same. In the way that Oklahoma should never again be performed, this seemed inappropriate. The grave of Ada is also exhumed, and the records found in a box in her coffin.
What I really think: My students love scary stories, and I'm hoping that these graphic novel adaptations of Hahn's work will encourage them to pick up her classic novels. I met Hahn once at the 10th KidLitCon and wish I still had the picture of her wearing a birthday party hat. She is a wonderful lady, and I hope that the graphic novel adaptations give her comfort as she heads into her upper 80s!
October 19, 2023
'If. Such a little word to make such a big difference.'
For a graphic novel that's only 160 pages long, All the Lovely Bad Ones sure is needlessly and unexpectedly wordy. The amount of text on every single page had me looking at how much of it was left every few pages and that's never a good thing.
Some aspects are quite prone to repetitiveness and that got old kinda quick. Like I get it, some people believe in ghosts while others don't without it having to be mentioned again and again. Sadly, that wasn't the only thing getting repeated since all the characters were pretty one-dimensional and that extended to Travis and Corey, neither of whom are fleshed out enough beyond their ~mischievous natures.
I did appreciate the backstory on how the inn came to be haunted and the tragic revelation behind it. The slight eerie vibes were there, but it also kinda turned from eerie to just sad and yet not all that meaningful, or memorable. Side note, not out here judging a literal ghost but forcing kids to kill themselves like that gotta be a questionable move regardless.
The art was nice and all, but since every single page relied so heavily on dialogue, the focus was decidedly not on it since the balance was completely shot. A severe lack of visual storytelling in a graphic novel, who'd have thought.
For a graphic novel that's only 160 pages long, All the Lovely Bad Ones sure is needlessly and unexpectedly wordy. The amount of text on every single page had me looking at how much of it was left every few pages and that's never a good thing.
Some aspects are quite prone to repetitiveness and that got old kinda quick. Like I get it, some people believe in ghosts while others don't without it having to be mentioned again and again. Sadly, that wasn't the only thing getting repeated since all the characters were pretty one-dimensional and that extended to Travis and Corey, neither of whom are fleshed out enough beyond their ~mischievous natures.
I did appreciate the backstory on how the inn came to be haunted and the tragic revelation behind it. The slight eerie vibes were there, but it also kinda turned from eerie to just sad and yet not all that meaningful, or memorable. Side note, not out here judging a literal ghost but forcing kids to kill themselves like that gotta be a questionable move regardless.
The art was nice and all, but since every single page relied so heavily on dialogue, the focus was decidedly not on it since the balance was completely shot. A severe lack of visual storytelling in a graphic novel, who'd have thought.
August 12, 2023
This feels like strange feedback for a graphic novel, but this adaptation relied way too much on telling what was going on rather than showing through the illustrations. It was incredibly text-heavy, probably because it was trying to preserve the structure of the original novel, but I was hoping that it would make better use of the visual medium. Nothing against the quality of the illustrations themselves, I'm just not sure why we need an adaptation of a book that still relies so heavily on text to tell the reader what's happening in any given scene. I love the fact that graphic novels can do things with layout and imagery that text can't do, but this book didn't really take advantage of those opportunities, and as a result, the scary parts... weren't.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 13, 2023
78%
This story ended up being pretty wholesome, despite it being surprisingly dark and a lot spookier than I expected it to be. I find that scary stories don't usually translate into graphic novels very well for me personally, but this one did actually keep me on the edge of my seat! It wasn't gory or anything like that, but it was still pretty horrific and tense. I look forward to more of Hahn's stories being adapted into graphic novel format!
~Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.~
This story ended up being pretty wholesome, despite it being surprisingly dark and a lot spookier than I expected it to be. I find that scary stories don't usually translate into graphic novels very well for me personally, but this one did actually keep me on the edge of my seat! It wasn't gory or anything like that, but it was still pretty horrific and tense. I look forward to more of Hahn's stories being adapted into graphic novel format!
~Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.~
June 27, 2023
I'd like to thank NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the Advanced Readers Copy (ARC) of All The Lovely Bad Ones, A Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn. I loved this author growing up and hadn't read this particular book. When I saw that this book was being turned into a graphic novel, I knew I had to read it. I was ecstatic that my request to read it was approved.
The storyline is an intriguing one and perfect to read around Halloween. It's spooky, not scary. It was engaging and held my interest. Since I'm not the target audience, the story was a little young for me. I'd recommend this story for children between the ages of eight and twelve. I think both females and males would enjoy this story. The illustrations were absolutely stunning. They definitely helped move the story along.
All The Lovely Bad Ones, A Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn has an expected publication date of August 15, 2023. I gave it four out of five stars.
The storyline is an intriguing one and perfect to read around Halloween. It's spooky, not scary. It was engaging and held my interest. Since I'm not the target audience, the story was a little young for me. I'd recommend this story for children between the ages of eight and twelve. I think both females and males would enjoy this story. The illustrations were absolutely stunning. They definitely helped move the story along.
All The Lovely Bad Ones, A Graphic Novel by Mary Downing Hahn has an expected publication date of August 15, 2023. I gave it four out of five stars.
July 9, 2023
I really liked this book. It was a very simply laid out plot of a couple siblings spending the summer with their grandmother after having been kicked out of summer camp for playing pranks. Then comes the ghosts, the mystery, the hauntings, and the detective work.
This book would be perfect for teens or kids who want to read something spooky in time for October or want to read something that has ghosts in it. I've gotten many teens asking for scary books or thrillers that are similar to this title, so I'll definitely be purchasing this for my library and a few other branches.
It was just scary and spooky enough to make you keep going so I really appreciated how the graphic novel was written out. Happy Reading!!
This book would be perfect for teens or kids who want to read something spooky in time for October or want to read something that has ghosts in it. I've gotten many teens asking for scary books or thrillers that are similar to this title, so I'll definitely be purchasing this for my library and a few other branches.
It was just scary and spooky enough to make you keep going so I really appreciated how the graphic novel was written out. Happy Reading!!
July 20, 2023
My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this graphic novel.
I loved reading this graphic novel. The characters, Corey and Travis, are typical mischievous siblings. In their plot to draw in more guests to their grandmother's inn, they decide to stage a haunting. It's all fun and games until their actions awaken a real ghost from the past. They must unravel the secret history of the inn in order to put the spirits to rest.
Although the main characters in this book are "troublemakers", I couldn't help but love them. It was a fun story, with some very creepy elements! I will definitely be recommending this one to some young readers I know. The illustrations were colorful and well done. They really added to the overall story.
I loved reading this graphic novel. The characters, Corey and Travis, are typical mischievous siblings. In their plot to draw in more guests to their grandmother's inn, they decide to stage a haunting. It's all fun and games until their actions awaken a real ghost from the past. They must unravel the secret history of the inn in order to put the spirits to rest.
Although the main characters in this book are "troublemakers", I couldn't help but love them. It was a fun story, with some very creepy elements! I will definitely be recommending this one to some young readers I know. The illustrations were colorful and well done. They really added to the overall story.
August 30, 2023
Ramping up spooky season with this ARC provided by netgalley!
All the Lovely Bad Ones is a cute and scary story about two siblings who spend the summer in Vermont at their grandmother's Inn. When they hear the rumors about the Inn being haunted, the trouble making siblings find an opportunity to play some pranks on the guests, but quickly discover they aren't they only trouble making kids around.
A few pages into the story, I felt like the writing seemed picked right out of an existing book. So I checked and discovered this is a graphic novel version of an older story by Mary Downing Hahn, who I haven't heard of until now, but I will definitely be looking into more of her books.
This version was illustrated and colored beautifully and I love how true to the original text the story is, as it seems the lines were pulled word for word from the original story. I think I myself would have gotten more out of the story from the original version, but still enjoyed this one none the less.
All the Lovely Bad Ones is a cute and scary story about two siblings who spend the summer in Vermont at their grandmother's Inn. When they hear the rumors about the Inn being haunted, the trouble making siblings find an opportunity to play some pranks on the guests, but quickly discover they aren't they only trouble making kids around.
A few pages into the story, I felt like the writing seemed picked right out of an existing book. So I checked and discovered this is a graphic novel version of an older story by Mary Downing Hahn, who I haven't heard of until now, but I will definitely be looking into more of her books.
This version was illustrated and colored beautifully and I love how true to the original text the story is, as it seems the lines were pulled word for word from the original story. I think I myself would have gotten more out of the story from the original version, but still enjoyed this one none the less.
July 25, 2024
So amazing. I really liked it. I would totally recommend this to anyone looking for a good horror graphic novel. It still feels very true to the source material (the good and the bad, after-school special vibes of the ending) while adding a new layer of modern interest with the illustrative aspect. I cried multiple times for different reasons.
Definitely some trigger warnings that I would give a heads-up on!
TW: suicide/suicidal ideation, child abuse, and on-the-page death of children.
Definitely some trigger warnings that I would give a heads-up on!
TW: suicide/suicidal ideation, child abuse, and on-the-page death of children.
August 24, 2024
I did not find this work to be compelling-- the characters were flat, the events largely cliché, the art didn't sit entirely well with me, and overall I was bored. I wonder if this is just better suited for the YA audience in particular, as I could not find myself connecting with any characters.
Also-- both in the hardcover and the ebook editions the font was SO SMALL it was difficult to read! :(
Also-- both in the hardcover and the ebook editions the font was SO SMALL it was difficult to read! :(
March 2, 2024
I enjoyed this spooky graphic novel however I think it could have been a little less wordy. The story plot was good but there was a lot of small, wordy texts. I think the graphics would have supported less explanation. Overall it was a fun read.
October 12, 2024
All the Lovely Bad Ones: A Ghost Story Graphic Novel
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.85/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 5
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
Overall Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (3/5) or 5.85/10 overall
Characters - 6
Atmosphere - 7
Writing - 6
Plot - 5
Intrigue - 6
Logic - 6
Enjoyment - 5
September 26, 2023
4.5 stars. I was pleasantly surprised by this spooky middle grade graphic novel!
October 23, 2023
This was a great kids horror graphic novel! I enjoyed the story and illustrations, and was invested in what happened.
June 11, 2024
again, this was so fantastically fun, spooky, and sad. I'm so curious to read the original novels that these are based off of, I'm so hungry for more.
October 2, 2024
If you never read the Queen of spooky middle grade horror books, this is a great way to be introduced to Mary Downing Hahn! The adaptation is fast-paced, with lovely art, and a great ghost story. I think Hahn’s books are good for those who still want everything to work out in the end. A great one-day read to kick off spooky season!
December 30, 2024
Great adaptation I would have scared myself as a kid; Vermont inn, ghosts
May 20, 2023
Travis and Corey, brother and sister visit their grandmothers Inn for the summer. The inn has a history of being haunted. The children love to get into mischief. They see that business at the inn is going slowly so they think they'll play ghosts and bring people back to the inn. Corey plays like a ghost and brings in lots of business but not the kind that her grandma wants. In the process of pretending to be ghosts the children awaken the real ghosts which start to ruin their grandmothers Inn. Travis and Corey then have to figure out what the ghosts want.
I enjoyed this story very much. I enjoyed the history attached and the ghosts. The illustrations were wonderful and engaging. I like this kind of horror. I would say this is middle grade horror but I fully enjoyed it as an adult.
I enjoyed this story very much. I enjoyed the history attached and the ghosts. The illustrations were wonderful and engaging. I like this kind of horror. I would say this is middle grade horror but I fully enjoyed it as an adult.
September 6, 2023
All the Lovely Bad Ones is a thrilling tale about siblings staying with their grandma at her supposed haunted inn for the summer.
In hopes to drum up more business for their grandma, Corey and Travis decide to play at being ghosts so the haunted inn rumors would start up again. Low and behold, they end up waking the actual ghosts who insist of wreaking havoc at the inn. Corey and Travis must work hard to solve the mystery of the ghosts and how they can help them move on to the beyond. Definitely would say this is more upper Middle Grade/YA, but was an absolute enjoyable read with colorful artwork!
Death and child abuse are never easy subjects, but the way in which it was handled in the story was very tasteful. I would definitely recommend this to upper middle/YA readers who are looking for something on the spooky side.
In hopes to drum up more business for their grandma, Corey and Travis decide to play at being ghosts so the haunted inn rumors would start up again. Low and behold, they end up waking the actual ghosts who insist of wreaking havoc at the inn. Corey and Travis must work hard to solve the mystery of the ghosts and how they can help them move on to the beyond. Definitely would say this is more upper Middle Grade/YA, but was an absolute enjoyable read with colorful artwork!
Death and child abuse are never easy subjects, but the way in which it was handled in the story was very tasteful. I would definitely recommend this to upper middle/YA readers who are looking for something on the spooky side.
April 29, 2023
I’m super impressed with the creepy/spooky level of this graphic novel! Our two main characters, a brother and sister duo who have a propensity for causing trouble, team up to put their grandmother's secluded inn on the map of ghost enthusiasts. Unfortunately their schemes stir up the very real haunts of the Fox Hill Inn.
The art style used throughout this novel worked wonderfully with the story being told! It had that old comic style charm that matched the mood but bright color and clean lines that made reading the story enjoyable for the eye.
The story of the “lovely bad ones” is gripping and a lot heartbreaking. I did indeed find myself tearing up after only knowing these ghouls for a short 160 pages. Overall a fantastically chilling graphic novel adaption of this book!
Specical thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books for the
The art style used throughout this novel worked wonderfully with the story being told! It had that old comic style charm that matched the mood but bright color and clean lines that made reading the story enjoyable for the eye.
The story of the “lovely bad ones” is gripping and a lot heartbreaking. I did indeed find myself tearing up after only knowing these ghouls for a short 160 pages. Overall a fantastically chilling graphic novel adaption of this book!
Specical thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HarperCollins Children's Books, Clarion Books for the
May 29, 2023
Would I have loved this if I had the nostalgia of reading the original book from which this graphic novel is adapted? I think so. Did I still enjoy it and will I read the original? Yes to both (but eventually to the latter…this TBR is LONG!). I love a fun, spooky time and this book delivers in that regard but this was my first foray into this author’s works and I felt like I was missing something. The artwork had that nostalgic vibe that I wish I had from reading the original but thoroughly loved in the art style. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
November 25, 2023
Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the advance ebook of this graphic novel!
To start, I absolutely love 'spooky/horror' themed graphic novels and this one does not disappoint. The art style is really pleasing to look at and it is very text based which I enjoy as it offers a meatier story overall.
I think the plot is really unique and the perfect little ghost story. I would have loved a bit more as I do feel that it moves very quickly, especially towards the end, but overall it was really good!
To start, I absolutely love 'spooky/horror' themed graphic novels and this one does not disappoint. The art style is really pleasing to look at and it is very text based which I enjoy as it offers a meatier story overall.
I think the plot is really unique and the perfect little ghost story. I would have loved a bit more as I do feel that it moves very quickly, especially towards the end, but overall it was really good!
May 1, 2023
I was a huge fan of Mary Downing Hahn when I was younger and All The Lovely Bad Ones was one of my favorites. It's so cool to see her novels be turned into graphic novels! This was still as errie and spine chilling as I remember, and having visuals of the ghosts made it so much creepier!
September 9, 2025
That was creepier than I expected. I did not want to look at Ada’s ghost, she was so disturbing. I am not looking forward to dreams tonight.
The art was good, though not my usual style (I tend to read manga) and the story was interesting. I found the ending unsatisfying though, and also felt like the tone changed too much midway. Things started out fairly lighthearted then took a very dark and sad turn. It didn’t help that I wasn’t fond of Travis or Corey, who in my opinion were thoughtless and irresponsible brats. I know it was trying to say they were “lovely bad ones” or whatever, but unlike the unfortunate dead boys, those two seemed more entitled in their hijinks, and didn’t seem to truly feel responsible for their actions. Who wrote that book about the “lovely bad ones,” anyway? If that person researched about the poor house and people that were mistreated and died there, why not put some marker for the burial ground?
I would have liked to see the guest that had been coming for 20 years say more about the happenings in the past and what woke them up before. Is it naughty children? And the ghost hunters - what did they photograph, if ghosts can’t be photographed? I’d like to know how the Brewster family was aware that Seth was there to be looked after, and if the family cared so much and could see him, why they didn’t dig up his body and properly bury him with the family instead of spending generations looking after this place. Or buy the property themselves and perhaps have it blessed somehow. What happened before it was repaired and made into an inn? Who looked after it then? Did the Brewster only come back when it was occupied? It also wasn’t clear to me if all the unmarked graves were for people that “ran away” or if their deaths were known and recorded elsewhere - the Perkins historian lady certainly knew that Caleb’s family died there, so I’m not sure how that fits with the narrative that Caleb, Seth, and Ira ran away.
They really glossed over how disgusting it was to dig up that book. I can’t believe the book was ok to handle and not absolutely smelly after being with a decomposing body for that long. I know the smell eventually goes away, but. It also doesn’t make sense that Ada didn’t come after them while they dug it up since she apparently knew they took it, nor do I understand how the box was buried with her. Yes her brother visited secretly when her body was laid out, but did he dig up the grave to put the box in her corpse’s hands? And if so, why not destroy the book?? How did Ada know it was with her body, anyway? Wouldn’t she know then that her brother “came back for her?” I guess it’s supposed to be implied that the devil or something took her away, but what did they do to summon him? I thought where she forced the kids to the woods and Travis to nearly kill himself didn’t really fit the story. Suddenly she’s talking about all the years she’s had to research and strengthen her dark powers, whatever, that came out of nowhere. I could see if she could put psychological pressure on them, but physically dragging them there, putting nooses up there, and causing Travis to obey her….why wasn’t Corey under the same spell? I don’t know, it was weird.
For Ada to claim she did nothing wrong….hm. I suppose a person can lie to themselves, but it’s hard for me to think she believed that enough to carry it into death. Why? Because you don’t keep two sets of books or hide bodies if you don’t know you did something wrong.
Overall it was an entertaining, if creepy, read. The storytelling needs some work - there was a lot of detail on the poorhouse, but not enough on more practical aspects of the story.
ETA: I had not realized this was an adaptation of a book. Although the author’s name does not ring a bell, I recognized the covers and some of the titles of her other books. I think I read some of them and was scared of them as a kid 😅
The art was good, though not my usual style (I tend to read manga) and the story was interesting. I found the ending unsatisfying though, and also felt like the tone changed too much midway. Things started out fairly lighthearted then took a very dark and sad turn. It didn’t help that I wasn’t fond of Travis or Corey, who in my opinion were thoughtless and irresponsible brats. I know it was trying to say they were “lovely bad ones” or whatever, but unlike the unfortunate dead boys, those two seemed more entitled in their hijinks, and didn’t seem to truly feel responsible for their actions. Who wrote that book about the “lovely bad ones,” anyway? If that person researched about the poor house and people that were mistreated and died there, why not put some marker for the burial ground?
I would have liked to see the guest that had been coming for 20 years say more about the happenings in the past and what woke them up before. Is it naughty children? And the ghost hunters - what did they photograph, if ghosts can’t be photographed? I’d like to know how the Brewster family was aware that Seth was there to be looked after, and if the family cared so much and could see him, why they didn’t dig up his body and properly bury him with the family instead of spending generations looking after this place. Or buy the property themselves and perhaps have it blessed somehow. What happened before it was repaired and made into an inn? Who looked after it then? Did the Brewster only come back when it was occupied? It also wasn’t clear to me if all the unmarked graves were for people that “ran away” or if their deaths were known and recorded elsewhere - the Perkins historian lady certainly knew that Caleb’s family died there, so I’m not sure how that fits with the narrative that Caleb, Seth, and Ira ran away.
They really glossed over how disgusting it was to dig up that book. I can’t believe the book was ok to handle and not absolutely smelly after being with a decomposing body for that long. I know the smell eventually goes away, but. It also doesn’t make sense that Ada didn’t come after them while they dug it up since she apparently knew they took it, nor do I understand how the box was buried with her. Yes her brother visited secretly when her body was laid out, but did he dig up the grave to put the box in her corpse’s hands? And if so, why not destroy the book?? How did Ada know it was with her body, anyway? Wouldn’t she know then that her brother “came back for her?” I guess it’s supposed to be implied that the devil or something took her away, but what did they do to summon him? I thought where she forced the kids to the woods and Travis to nearly kill himself didn’t really fit the story. Suddenly she’s talking about all the years she’s had to research and strengthen her dark powers, whatever, that came out of nowhere. I could see if she could put psychological pressure on them, but physically dragging them there, putting nooses up there, and causing Travis to obey her….why wasn’t Corey under the same spell? I don’t know, it was weird.
For Ada to claim she did nothing wrong….hm. I suppose a person can lie to themselves, but it’s hard for me to think she believed that enough to carry it into death. Why? Because you don’t keep two sets of books or hide bodies if you don’t know you did something wrong.
Overall it was an entertaining, if creepy, read. The storytelling needs some work - there was a lot of detail on the poorhouse, but not enough on more practical aspects of the story.
ETA: I had not realized this was an adaptation of a book. Although the author’s name does not ring a bell, I recognized the covers and some of the titles of her other books. I think I read some of them and was scared of them as a kid 😅
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2024
Set in the present day, the story revolves around Travis and Corey, siblings with a penchant for mischief. Their playful antics of pretending their grandmother's inn is haunted take a terrifying turn when they inadvertently awaken the real spirits lurking within its walls. The tale unfolds in the first person, narrated by Travis, which adds a personal touch and immerses you directly into the spooky ambiance of Fox Hill.
**Writing Style and Illustrations**
The graphic novel format, with its blend of speech and narration bubbles, perfectly complements Hahn's storytelling. The illustrations are not just mere accompaniments but integral to the narrative, conveying the eerie atmosphere and the emotional depth of the characters in a way that words alone could not. Each page is a visual delight, with illustrations that are both engaging and haunting, enhancing the overall reading experience.
**Character Development**
Travis and Corey are portrayed as relatable characters, their initial mischief giving way to a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions. The grandmother's transformation from a skeptic to a believer in ghosts adds a layer of depth to the story, illustrating how experiences can change our beliefs. The villain of the story, Ada, is chillingly effective, her presence looming large over the narrative and adding a genuine sense of dread.
**Themes and Educational Value**
While primarily a work of entertainment, the graphic novel does touch on themes of belief, consequence, and redemption. The character diversity is somewhat limited, with a predominantly white cast, but it does make an effort to include background characters of color.
**Engagement and Pace**
The graphic novel is a quick read, but every page is packed with detail and story, ensuring that you're hooked from beginning to end. The pace is brisk, with the illustrations propelling the narrative forward and keeping you engaged.
**Personal Reaction**
As someone who appreciates a good scare that's not too over the top, I found this graphic novel struck the perfect balance. It's spooky without being too frightening, making it an excellent choice for younger readers or those new to the horror genre. The story is well-crafted, with a blend of humor, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural that is classic Hahn.
**Potential Concerns**
The inclusion of themes such as suicide by hanging and some potentially scary illustrations might necessitate parental discretion for younger readers. However, these elements are handled with care and contribute to the story's overall impact.
**Final Verdict**
On a scale of 1 to 5, I would give this graphic novel a solid 3.5. It's an engaging, well-illustrated story that captures the essence of what makes a ghost story thrilling. Mary Downing Hahn proves once again that she can master any format, delivering a tale that is sure to become a favorite among her fans and newcomers alike. Would I recommend it to its target age group? Absolutely. It's the perfect introduction to horror for young readers, offering just the right amount of spookiness to delight without causing nightmares.
**Writing Style and Illustrations**
The graphic novel format, with its blend of speech and narration bubbles, perfectly complements Hahn's storytelling. The illustrations are not just mere accompaniments but integral to the narrative, conveying the eerie atmosphere and the emotional depth of the characters in a way that words alone could not. Each page is a visual delight, with illustrations that are both engaging and haunting, enhancing the overall reading experience.
**Character Development**
Travis and Corey are portrayed as relatable characters, their initial mischief giving way to a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions. The grandmother's transformation from a skeptic to a believer in ghosts adds a layer of depth to the story, illustrating how experiences can change our beliefs. The villain of the story, Ada, is chillingly effective, her presence looming large over the narrative and adding a genuine sense of dread.
**Themes and Educational Value**
While primarily a work of entertainment, the graphic novel does touch on themes of belief, consequence, and redemption. The character diversity is somewhat limited, with a predominantly white cast, but it does make an effort to include background characters of color.
**Engagement and Pace**
The graphic novel is a quick read, but every page is packed with detail and story, ensuring that you're hooked from beginning to end. The pace is brisk, with the illustrations propelling the narrative forward and keeping you engaged.
**Personal Reaction**
As someone who appreciates a good scare that's not too over the top, I found this graphic novel struck the perfect balance. It's spooky without being too frightening, making it an excellent choice for younger readers or those new to the horror genre. The story is well-crafted, with a blend of humor, suspense, and a touch of the supernatural that is classic Hahn.
**Potential Concerns**
The inclusion of themes such as suicide by hanging and some potentially scary illustrations might necessitate parental discretion for younger readers. However, these elements are handled with care and contribute to the story's overall impact.
**Final Verdict**
On a scale of 1 to 5, I would give this graphic novel a solid 3.5. It's an engaging, well-illustrated story that captures the essence of what makes a ghost story thrilling. Mary Downing Hahn proves once again that she can master any format, delivering a tale that is sure to become a favorite among her fans and newcomers alike. Would I recommend it to its target age group? Absolutely. It's the perfect introduction to horror for young readers, offering just the right amount of spookiness to delight without causing nightmares.
August 8, 2023
SUMMARY
Siblings Travis and Corey are incorrigible trouble makers. When they get sent to their grandmother’s supposedly haunted inn for the summer, they decide to stage a haunting of their own. It will be fun to prank the guests, and besides, a ghost will be good for business.
Turns out, though, the ghosts of Fox Hill are easy to wake. When Travis and Corey realize what they’ve done, they must uncover the inn’s dark past to lay the restless spirits to rest.
REVIEW
It’s been ages since I’ve read Juvenile (the last one being Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), so I wasn’t really sure what to expect from a middle-grade horror. I was pleasantly surprised to get a fantastic ghost story with beautiful art that got unexpectedly (but, I think, appropriately) dark. I won’t spoil anything, but the final confrontation had my jaw dropped.
The art is gorgeous. The character designs are fantastic (the kids are all adorable and I just wanted to hug them), the colorwork is richly gorgeous, and I love the expressive style and use of lineart. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to share an excerpt, but the cover, included below, is accurate to the inside.
The illustrators are Naomi Franquiz, Brittany Peer, and Joamette Gil. All three absolutely knocked it out of the park. I’d love to see more horror graphic novels from them as a team in the future!
The ghost story elements are very American folklore, reminding me of ghost stories I’ve seen both as an adult in the horror space and heard as a kid at summer camp: wicked rich folk using their power and wealth to suppress poor folk, accompanied by all the resulting the bloodshed and tragedy.
What is especially vital about All the Lovely Bad Ones’ ghost story is the treatment of historical tragedy; the narrative urges acknowledgement of tragedy and honoring the dead, rather than profiting off of or making a spectacle of very real pain.
Ghost stories are about the past, but they’re about the future, too. In a digital age where it’s all too easy to make a spectacle of death and pain, it’s especially important for narratives to explore how to respect tragedies while honoring and acknowledging the dead.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I had such a blast with All the Lovely Bad Ones. I should read more juvenile horror, especially ghost stories–they’re where the spooky stuff is at.
All the Lovely Bad Ones is a treat for middle-grade readers and adult readers alike who love Goosebumps or Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Fans of the original story by Hahn will love how the artists brought the characters to life (or conversely, unlife? undeath?).
Thank you to Clarion Books for providing a digital ARC via Netgalley. If you are interested in All the Lovely Bad Ones, the graphic novel releases 15 August 2023. Find more information from the publishers, including preorder information. If possible, support indie bookshops by purchasing the novel from your local brick and mortar or from Bookshop.org!
Siblings Travis and Corey are incorrigible trouble makers. When they get sent to their grandmother’s supposedly haunted inn for the summer, they decide to stage a haunting of their own. It will be fun to prank the guests, and besides, a ghost will be good for business.
Turns out, though, the ghosts of Fox Hill are easy to wake. When Travis and Corey realize what they’ve done, they must uncover the inn’s dark past to lay the restless spirits to rest.
REVIEW
It’s been ages since I’ve read Juvenile (the last one being Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark), so I wasn’t really sure what to expect from a middle-grade horror. I was pleasantly surprised to get a fantastic ghost story with beautiful art that got unexpectedly (but, I think, appropriately) dark. I won’t spoil anything, but the final confrontation had my jaw dropped.
The art is gorgeous. The character designs are fantastic (the kids are all adorable and I just wanted to hug them), the colorwork is richly gorgeous, and I love the expressive style and use of lineart. I’m not sure if I’m allowed to share an excerpt, but the cover, included below, is accurate to the inside.
The illustrators are Naomi Franquiz, Brittany Peer, and Joamette Gil. All three absolutely knocked it out of the park. I’d love to see more horror graphic novels from them as a team in the future!
The ghost story elements are very American folklore, reminding me of ghost stories I’ve seen both as an adult in the horror space and heard as a kid at summer camp: wicked rich folk using their power and wealth to suppress poor folk, accompanied by all the resulting the bloodshed and tragedy.
What is especially vital about All the Lovely Bad Ones’ ghost story is the treatment of historical tragedy; the narrative urges acknowledgement of tragedy and honoring the dead, rather than profiting off of or making a spectacle of very real pain.
Ghost stories are about the past, but they’re about the future, too. In a digital age where it’s all too easy to make a spectacle of death and pain, it’s especially important for narratives to explore how to respect tragedies while honoring and acknowledging the dead.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I had such a blast with All the Lovely Bad Ones. I should read more juvenile horror, especially ghost stories–they’re where the spooky stuff is at.
All the Lovely Bad Ones is a treat for middle-grade readers and adult readers alike who love Goosebumps or Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Fans of the original story by Hahn will love how the artists brought the characters to life (or conversely, unlife? undeath?).
Thank you to Clarion Books for providing a digital ARC via Netgalley. If you are interested in All the Lovely Bad Ones, the graphic novel releases 15 August 2023. Find more information from the publishers, including preorder information. If possible, support indie bookshops by purchasing the novel from your local brick and mortar or from Bookshop.org!
October 21, 2023
Mary Downing Hahn is one of those authors that I started reading in elementary school and continue to rave about after graduating college. Her ghost stories are legitimately chilling and engaging in a way reminiscent of scary stories told around a campfire. Her climaxes are incredibly memorable, and to this day I would love to see film adaptations of any number of her works. And of these, although All the Lovely Bad Ones is not, perhaps, the most unsettling (that honor goes to Deep and Dark and Dangerous for me), it is my favorite and the one I reread the most and remember exactly where I was and how I felt reading the last few chapters on a rainy day bus ride home from a fifth grade field trip, pages carefully angled to catch whatever light I could.
In other words, I was very excited to have seen this one get the graphic novel treatment. All the Lovely Bad Ones is one of those books that really holds up at any age, centering around two troublemaker siblings who accidentally wake a hoard of child ghosts and the abusive poor farm overseer responsible for their deaths by playing ghost-related pranks in their grandmother's inn. Since they were the ones to wake the ghosts, it's their responsibility to put them to rest once and for all.
This was a damn solid graphic novel adaptation, if a little wordier than I tend to like them. Much of it is dominated by narration boxes, which does make sense for this story, but sometimes makes it feel like a one-to-one copy-paste of the original. I will say, the climax - which is so unsettling every single time I read it in the original - was not as effective in this form, likely because it happens a lot quicker and without the main character's internal monologue. (Which is significant because . Which is honestly part of the sickening part.) If they would have lingered on these events a little more, or actually used the narration boxes more to express internal thoughts rather than scene narration, I think this could have been so much better.
However, I loved seeing this story in visual form and it's great to see these stories get a new lease on life and hopefully a new audience who loves and appreciates them as much as I do. I really hope they end up doing Deep and Dark and Dangerous someday, too!
In other words, I was very excited to have seen this one get the graphic novel treatment. All the Lovely Bad Ones is one of those books that really holds up at any age, centering around two troublemaker siblings who accidentally wake a hoard of child ghosts and the abusive poor farm overseer responsible for their deaths by playing ghost-related pranks in their grandmother's inn. Since they were the ones to wake the ghosts, it's their responsibility to put them to rest once and for all.
This was a damn solid graphic novel adaptation, if a little wordier than I tend to like them. Much of it is dominated by narration boxes, which does make sense for this story, but sometimes makes it feel like a one-to-one copy-paste of the original. I will say, the climax - which is so unsettling every single time I read it in the original - was not as effective in this form, likely because it happens a lot quicker and without the main character's internal monologue. (Which is significant because . Which is honestly part of the sickening part.) If they would have lingered on these events a little more, or actually used the narration boxes more to express internal thoughts rather than scene narration, I think this could have been so much better.
However, I loved seeing this story in visual form and it's great to see these stories get a new lease on life and hopefully a new audience who loves and appreciates them as much as I do. I really hope they end up doing Deep and Dark and Dangerous someday, too!
May 16, 2023
I read All the Lovely Bad Ones for the first time last year. I went on a Mary Downing Hahn kick to pay tribute to the younger me.
I think it is a really cool idea to adapt a book into a graphic novel. The most important thing about reading and books is that it be available for everyone. Some people can read and picture in their heads the story and others need visuals! Both are perfectly okay! If you like graphic novels over regular printed books you should have equal access! It’s also a great way to revamp a classic. Whatever gets someone to start reading is great by me!
MDH does a wonderful job of mixing ghost stories and making them kid/YA friendly in a way that adults can still enjoy. All of the books I’ve read of hers have moments where I’m actually a little afraid! When I was younger (and honestly still) I craved being scared. I was constantly searching for books about ghosts. My teacher read Wait Till Helen Comes to the class and I wish I had been encouraged to search out more books by MDH. It would’ve set my little spooky heart on fire! I love that kids today can continue reading her books.
The Inn at Fox Hill in the graphic novel reminded me of The Pink Palace in Coraline. It was cool to see what images matched up with the ones I created in my mind when originally reading.
The graphics of the ghosts are actually pretty creepy! Not so scary that you’d have nightmares but enough to get the thrill! The story of the children is very sad so be prepared for some conversations later if your child reads this book.
I loved searching for all the little hidden details in each comic. The artists captured so much in each small frame! It’s amazing!
I highly recommend the graphic novel for All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hall! I think it would be a great book to recommend for younger kids getting into reading bigger books. If you love classic ghost stories, this is the book for you! Make sure to check out the other graphic novel adaptations as well. Thank you to Netgalley and Mary Downing Hahn and team for the opportunity to read this book. I have written this review voluntarily.
I think it is a really cool idea to adapt a book into a graphic novel. The most important thing about reading and books is that it be available for everyone. Some people can read and picture in their heads the story and others need visuals! Both are perfectly okay! If you like graphic novels over regular printed books you should have equal access! It’s also a great way to revamp a classic. Whatever gets someone to start reading is great by me!
MDH does a wonderful job of mixing ghost stories and making them kid/YA friendly in a way that adults can still enjoy. All of the books I’ve read of hers have moments where I’m actually a little afraid! When I was younger (and honestly still) I craved being scared. I was constantly searching for books about ghosts. My teacher read Wait Till Helen Comes to the class and I wish I had been encouraged to search out more books by MDH. It would’ve set my little spooky heart on fire! I love that kids today can continue reading her books.
The Inn at Fox Hill in the graphic novel reminded me of The Pink Palace in Coraline. It was cool to see what images matched up with the ones I created in my mind when originally reading.
The graphics of the ghosts are actually pretty creepy! Not so scary that you’d have nightmares but enough to get the thrill! The story of the children is very sad so be prepared for some conversations later if your child reads this book.
I loved searching for all the little hidden details in each comic. The artists captured so much in each small frame! It’s amazing!
I highly recommend the graphic novel for All the Lovely Bad Ones by Mary Downing Hall! I think it would be a great book to recommend for younger kids getting into reading bigger books. If you love classic ghost stories, this is the book for you! Make sure to check out the other graphic novel adaptations as well. Thank you to Netgalley and Mary Downing Hahn and team for the opportunity to read this book. I have written this review voluntarily.
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