Shiver Point: It Came from the Woods

The number of authors who can write both Middle Grade and YA horror fiction successfully is relatively few, but you can add Gabriel Dylan to that exclusive list. In 2020 Ginger Nuts of Horror listed their favourite fifty horror novels of the previous decade, ranking Dylan’s superb Whiteout (2018) at 37, published on the excellent Red Eye Series. It Came From The Woods is the first book is a projected quartet called Shiver Point and now that this Invasion of the Bodysnatchers inspired opener has set the scene for the ‘Shiver Squad’ I cannot wait to see what the team of twelve-year-olds get up to next. There is a lot of terrific Middle Grade horror around at the moment and this new series is very much in the same vein as Jennifer Killick (Dreadwood) and Lorien Lawrence (Fright Watch trilogy) who have featured in previous roundups. It Came From The Woods was a very easy to read pageturner and is an absolute perfect gateway horror novel, with a splash of science fiction, for kids who do not want to be scared too much at the top end of primary or first year of secondary school.

Twelve-year-old Alex is new to the small town of Shiver Point and has struggled (refused even) to make friends with his single parent mum often working long hours. One night he spots a meteorite plummeting into the local Howelmoor Forest and goes to investigate, only to find four other kids from his class, Oli, Sophia, Mo and Riley, with the story covering them all in the narrative. Before long lots of weird things begin to happen in the town and the group realise that what fell to the ground definitely was not a meteorite. It Came From The Woods does not break any new grounds, but it was an engaging fun read and would be perfect for kids to get lost in for a few hours. The characters are nice and diverse, many will relate to Alex’s struggle sitting into his new school, and there are lots of nice horror jokes scattered here and there (the dog was called Cujo). In the end friendship triumphs and the ‘Shiver Squad’ gear up for another adventure. Bring it on! AGE RANGE 8-12

Since Alex has been forced to move to Shiver Point because of his mum's work, the pace has only been boring. Anyway, Alex doesn't want to make friends or get too involved in case they have to move again.
Until one night, what looks like a meteorite falls in the nearby woods.

As he goes to investigate, Alex meets four other children - Oli, Sophia, Mo and Riley. Together they discover something much more extraordinary than they ever dreamed, and far more dangerous. They will have to work together to save the town's people from being reduced to slaves... or food!

Gabriel Dylan is truly a master of slowly building up the tension until he reveals the raw, horrifying truth. Shiver Point is a thrilling ride but be prepared to get very scared!

It Came From The Woods is a fast moving horror story that will keep readers turning the pages - with the lights firmly on! There's a good mix of thrills, chills and gore with light touches of humour that stop the book from being too scary. It Came From The Woods is a great read and perfect for fans of Goosebumps and Crater Lake.

A short fun read about 5 vastly different 12 year olds who come together to find a meteorite, and from there things just get weirder. Despite the odd things happening and the sinister mystery unfolding all around town, these 5 youngsters come together despite their differences, overcoming the strangest slimy issues of what can only be described as alien as well as forming a friendship group willing to fight together for each other and their boring little town

Shiver Point: it Came From The Woods by Gabriel Dylan is the first in a horror series for 9 -12 year olds which follows a group of unlikely friends solving creepy goings on in the town of Shiver Point. Our protagonist Alex is a typical grumpy 12 year old who is annoyed at the world for being made to move town due to his mother’s job. This gave me major Eerie Indiana vibes, a welcome bit of nostalgia that put me in the right mindset for reading a book aimed at kids.

Alex goes to investigate some mysterious happenings in the brilliantly named Howlmoor Forest and so starts our story, we meet the ragtag gang who are thrown together by chance and left with no choice but to become friends and save Shiver Point. Just on the right side of spooky so as not to give nightmares, we are thrown into a world of latchkey kids, graveyard treehouses and a trip to the sewers.

Throughout the short pacy chapters I was impressed with Dylan’s ability use an authentic voice for his characters, their points of reference and language could have come directly from the mouth of my partners 10 year old and there were also some great references to classic movies which may go over the heads of the target audience at the moment but will plant the seeds for budding fans of horror.

It’s this generations Goosebumps and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Shiver Point and would be happy to go back to visit.

Oh this was a fun read, and a bit scary too. I sat on the sofa under a blanket and listened ,and jumped, at every creak in the house. I was almost too scared to sleep. Honestly though it was a good book that I might share with the grandchildren.

Alex isn't happy!  His mum's job was relocated to a new town, miles away from all his friends and she works nights! Even with a name like Shiver Point it's a boring place where nothing ever happens at least that was the case, but now, well things might have just changed and not necessarily for the best!

Investigating what he thinks might be a meteorite plummeting towards nearby Howlmoor Forest sends Alex headfirst into an adventure nothing could have prepared him for, but at least, suddenly, he's no longer alone. Four other pupils at his new school also headed to the forest that night and now they have to work together or Shiver Point might just become everyone's worst nightmare!

Although this is the first Shiver Point novel it didn't read that way. Within just a couple of chapters the main protagonists were familiar and although a little stereotypical in personality were original enough to rise above that. Alex also doesn't dominate the storyline, which is a little obvious in places, but instead serves to help the reader become familiar with the town and its residents at the same time as him.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I never read scary books as a child but my kids read Goosebumps and I would definitely recommend this to my grandchildren and others aged 10+.

The return of a good horror series for 9-12s is well overdue, and if Shiver Point: It Came from the Woods is an example of what’s still to come we’re in for a real treat.

Set in the fictional coastal town of Shiver Point where nothing ever happens, basement in the library and quirky librarian may be something to watch out for in the future though.

Alex has moved there with his mum and doesn’t want to make new friends but after a strange eerie green meteorite lands in the local woods he is thrown together with a bunch of other kids from his school. Mo, Oli, Riley, and Sophie all have different skills that lead to the creation of a ‘Scooby Gang’ to save the town from the invasion from outer space.

Full of really creepy scenes, anxious moments, and fast-paced chases this hits all the right spots as the ‘Shiver Squad’ try to find out what’s going on, why the cat food is missing, what are the creepy slugs, and how they can stop what’s going to happen.

Well paced and fun creepy adventure for all ages and I’m looking forward to the next in the series as it’s rare to get good horror aimed at this age group.