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Summary
Summary
In a devilishly dark and funny debut, a teen finds himself the unwitting beneficiary of eight enslaved and angry ghosts seeking bloody vengeance.
When Luke Manchett's estranged father dies unexpectedly, he leaves his son a dark inheritance: a collection of eight restless spirits, known as his Host, who want revenge for their long enslavement. Once they figure out that Luke has no clue how to manage them, they become increasingly belligerent, and eventually mutiny. Halloween (the night when ghosts reach the height of their power) is fast approaching , and Luke knows his Host is planning something far more trick than treat. Armed with only his father's indecipherable notes, a locked copy of The Book of Eight, and help from school outcast Elza Moss, Luke has just thirteen days to uncover the closely guarded secrets of black magic and send his unquiet spirits to their eternal rest--or join their ghostly ranks himself.
Author Notes
Leo Hunt wrote Thirteen Days of Midnight in his first year of college and signed with an agent the following year. When he was younger he thought he wanted to be either an archaeologist or an author; but when he learned that archaeologists didn't unearth piles of perfectly preserved dinosaur bones every time they put a spade in the ground, he decided to write books instead. He lives in northeast England.
Reviews (5)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Hunt's gripping first novel introduces British 16-year-old Luke Manchett, who discovers that his late, estranged father was a necromancer and that he has left Luke millions of pounds in his will-as well as eight ghosts. This "Host"-its members include the "Judge," a hulking skinhead punk, and the "Heretic," a human skeleton engulfed by flames who screams prayers in Latin "at foghorn volume"-was bound to his father and is now bound to Luke. Theoretically, the Host must do whatever Luke orders, but some of the ghosts are deeply malevolent and just waiting for a chance to wrest control away from him, something that will require the deaths of both Luke and his disabled mother. Worse, Halloween is coming, when the Host is strongest. Aided by high school outcast Elza Moss, a sarcastic outsider with second sight, he must find a way to release the Host from their captivity while protecting himself and those he holds dear. With well-drawn characters, some truly creepy ghouls, and entertaining banter, this is a self-assured debut that's as funny as it is terrifying. Ages 14-up. Agent: Jenny Savill, Andrew Nurnberg Associates. (Aug.)? © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Horn Book Review
Sixteen-year-old British teen Luke Manchett thinks hes got it made when his estranged father suddenly dies. Dr. Horatio Manchett had been the host of the popular ghost-hunting TV show Nightwatch, and Luke will inherit six million poundsif he just signs the creepy goatskin contract proffered by lawyer Mr. Berkley. Luke doesand quickly regrets his decision when it turns out he has also inherited his fathers necromantic power, the secret to his success. The eight archetypal spirits (each more dangerous and disturbing than the last) of his fathers Host arrive to serve Luke. With the help of necromantic text The Book of Eight and Elza Moss, an ostracized schoolmate whos able to see ghosts, Luke learns that the Host will be at full strength on Halloweenonly thirteen days awayand will attempt to kill him in a mutiny. Given the Faustian bargain trope, Mr. Berkleys true identity will likely come as no surprise to readers, but the way Luke resolves his dilemma and the details of Dr. Manchetts own bargain will. The frequent dark humor of Lukes narration is balanced by moments of true suspense and satisfyingly complex relationships between Luke and his parents, Elza, the Host, and even his dog (whose touching perspective is revealed in an unexpected way). katie bircher (c) Copyright 2015. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Luke Manchett believes he has cashed in when his television-star father dies and leaves him a large inheritance. The catch is killer: Luke's estranged father was raising and possessing souls, and they are displeased with their continued enforced servitude. Since it's almost Halloween and their powers are heightened, they conspire to free themselves by any means necessary. Luke's best hope is Elza, a strange classmate with second sight who agrees to help him flush out the souls and rescue his possessed mother. As readers learn the true price his father paid for fame and fortune, they will eagerly follow Luke and Elza as they rip open the layers separating them from the Deadside and discover what it takes to put a life right again. Hunt builds suspense as the days to Halloween melt away and creates a sharp contrast between the mundane details of Luke's pedestrian school life with the fresh horror he sees as the veil between the living and the dead grows ever thinner. A solid pick for paranormal enthusiasts.--Howerton, Erin Downey Copyright 2015 Booklist
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-Luke Manchett lives in a small town in northeast England where his life consists mainly of rugby; tending to his headache-prone, New Age-advocating mother; and attempting to hide the fact that his father, who walked out when he was six, exorcises spirits on a paranormal television show. But when Luke's estranged father unexpectedly dies, he leaves the teen with a Host of eight unhappy spirits, a set of incomprehensible notes, a locked book, and a collection of rings. With school outcast Elza Moss's help, Luke has until Halloween-just 13 days-to figure out how to use this miscellany to control or banish the Host; if he fails, the entire town will be in danger. Dark and witty, Hunt's debut novel is like an eerie episode of Ghost Hunters merged with an Edgar Wright comedic film. A well-constructed, truly unique plot and perfect pacing combine to immediately hook readers, who will be invested in Luke's fate after only a few pages. Luke and Elza are credible and convincing characters: He is funny, likable, and though inexperienced with the paranormal, he is determined. Independent and outspoken Elza shows a spark of her own humor. By the end of the book, readers will not only be cheering for the teens' survival but also hoping for a budding romance as well. VERDICT Fans of Jonathan Stroud's "Lockwood & Co." series (Disney-Hyperion) are certain to appreciate this unusual and enjoyable title.-Maggie Mason Smith, Clemson University R. M. Cooper Library, South Carolina © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
Sixteen-year-old Luke has no idea what he's in for when he inherits his dad's Host of malevolent ghosts. Luke hasn't seen his dad, host of a TV show about the paranormal, for years. As the book opens, he learns about his father's death and his inheritance of some 4 million. In order to receive the money, he must sign a strange agreement written in Latin on vellum. He also receives his dad's chaotic papers and an ancient green book that he can't open. Soon Luke meets the Vassal and the Judge, two of the eight-strong Host of ghosts that his father enslaved as a powerful necromancer. Luke wants simply to free them but learns that's not an option. Enter the Shepherd, bound as one of the Host but an ancient necromancer himself, who knows how to use the green book and aims to trick Luke into giving up what little power he has. Luke teams up with Elza, a bookish local girl with second sight, and together they do their best to decipher the notes and use the green book before Halloween, when the Host ghosts will become powerful enough to kill Luke. Hunt keeps tension high but balances it with humor, including a wonderful short episode written from a dog's point of view. The northern English setting adds atmosphere, and Luke's narration is both disarming and amusing. A sprightly, original story with good twists. (Paranormal suspense. 12-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
