The Haunted

High school student Hendricks Becker-O'Malley moves with her family to a historic house in Philadelphia, hoping for a fresh start. On her first night, she encounters signs that the house may be haunted, but her parents dismiss her concerns. As Hendricks navigates her new school and makes friends, the supernatural occurrences in the house intensify. She begins to research the property's dark history while struggling to convince others of the danger she senses. Strange events escalate into physical threats, forcing Hendricks to face both the house's malevolent presence and her own past trauma. She must decide whether to flee or confront what lurks within the walls. This young adult horror novel explores themes of trauma recovery and the ways people confront - or deny - uncomfortable truths. The story blends supernatural horror with psychological elements to create tension between reality and perception.

Readers found this book less scary than Vega's previous works, with many noting it follows standard haunted house tropes. Multiple reviewers mentioned the story felt rushed, particularly in the final chapters. Liked: - Fast-paced narrative - Main character Hendricks' personal growth - Connection to events from previous books - LGBTQ+ representation - Short chapters that maintain momentum Disliked: - Predictable plot elements - Limited character development for side characters - Inconsistent pacing - Less horror than expected - Some plot threads left unresolved Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,300+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) "The ending felt rushed and too convenient," noted one Goodreads reviewer. Another reader on Amazon wrote, "Not as terrifying as The Merciless series, but still entertaining." Several reviews mentioned the book works better as a supernatural mystery than a horror novel.

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake A ghost hunter falls for a deadly spirit while trying to banish her from the Victorian house where she murders visitors.

Mary: The Summoning by Hillary Monahan Four teens conduct a ritual to summon Bloody Mary and unleash a vengeful spirit that follows them beyond the mirror.

The Dead Girls of Hysteria Hall by Katie Alender A teenager dies in a former asylum and must protect future visitors from the other spirits trapped within its walls.

The Women in the Walls by Amy Lukavics A girl begins hearing voices in her family's mansion after her aunt's disappearance and her cousin's descent into madness.

House of Furies by Madeleine Roux A runaway takes a job as a maid at a boarding house where the staff punishes guests for their past sins.

🏚️ "The Haunted" was inspired by the real-life Amityville Horror case, where the DeFeo family tragedy and subsequent haunting claims captured national attention. 📚 Author Danielle Vega (real name Danielle Rollins) worked as a ghostwriter before publishing her own horror novels under the Vega pen name. 🎭 The book incorporates elements of both supernatural horror and psychological thriller, blurring the lines between what's real and what's imagined by the protagonist. 🏫 The story takes place in a small town called Drearfield, New York, which Vega created as an amalgamation of various real upstate New York communities known for their haunted histories. 🌟 "The Haunted" is part of Vega's growing collection of YA horror novels, which includes the popular "Merciless" series, earning her the nickname "YA's answer to Stephen King."