All Hallows Eve Books

This is a wonderful book with a wonderful story! My kids love collecting candy on Halloween to leave for the Fairy Eve. And they love waiting to see what toy Eve has made them in return for their candy. It is something they looked forward to for weeks before Halloween! We'll continue this tradition for years to come.

. . .enough said. Buy this book. It makes a great gift for children of all ages.

All Hallows Eve: The Story of the Halloween Fairy isn't your typical children's Halloween story. It's not filled with the usual ghosts and goblins...there's really nothing remotely scary making it a wonderful choice for those with smaller children. The story is about a little fairy named Eve who lives in a pumpkin patch with other fairies. They carve out faces on the pumpkins to use them as "cozy spaces". Yet despite all of her magical fairy powers the one thing Eve can't do is make candy...and Eve dearly loves candy! It seems Eve can only make toys and her toys that look life candy just don't taste very good. Eve's friends want to cheer her up and they go about visiting the other fairies in the pumpkin patch to gather treats to make her feel better.

Its whimsical rhymes are reminiscent of Dr. Seuss and the magic of the fairies almost makes the story feel like a Christmas story. It makes for a different and fresh take on Halloween. All Hallows Eve is written by Lisa Johnson and illustrated by her husband Tucker and they certainly make a great team. Quality illustration is somewhat a lost art in children's books today as often publishers just try to get books put out as cheaply as possible but that isn't the case with All Hallows Eve. This is a wonderful hardcover book with dust jacket and the kind of story that you can share with your kids or grandkids over and over every Halloween season.

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

I love this book - its the sweetest Halloween explaination I've ever heard. Before kids are ready for spooks and scares, this can help be a great introduction to dressing up and visiting neighbors. I love the characters and the illustrations - i can't wait for the sequel!

This is a wonderful book for any fairy lover. I know this site recommends it for children 4 to 8 years old, however, all ages of fairy lovers will love it. I bought several copies for friends my own age and over and I am nearly retirement age. Both the author and illustrator do a wonderful job. You will do yourself a favor by buying a copy to add to your fairy book collection.

I bought this book for the projects I do in my classroom close to Halloween. It is already peaking interest on my desk along with other books dealing with Halloween.

This is an older view of Halloween. It gives an excellent overview of Halloween and gives a splendid idea about the spooky goings on during the late 1800s and early half of the 1900s. I recommend it.

I was so thrilled to discover that this book is back in print! My grandmother owned a copy, and I read it over and over again at Halloween when I was a little girl. It is the ultimate history of the Halloween holiday, from ancient times to the early Twentieth Century. The author, Ruth Edna Kelley, was herself just 25 or so when the book was originally published in 1919. I'm not a very good review writer, but I wanted to let anyone who is considering buying this book know that this is a very nice edition, and the cover is just adorable. Everything I remember from childhood is there, except for a few blurry black and white pictures that were never very exciting to begin with. What makes this book great are the words, the accounts of how Halloween was celebrated in various countries, especially the Victorian Era games people played at parties, including about a dozen "tests" for discovering the name or seeing the face of your true love in a vision. I am crazy for anything having to do with this era, and re-reading The Book of Hallowe'en after all these years was like stepping backward in time and really being there. The accounts are so vivid, it really makes you want to just live now the way they did then. With this book, you could accomplish it. Everything you would need to have an authentic Victorian Halloween party today is right here. Best of all, it's just $13.95. I've seen used copies selling on Amazon for over a thousand dollars! I'm just tickled, really! This is a great book!

Hallowe'en aficionado number one right here. Skeleton Jack was based on me. I thought there was nothing I didn't already know about my holiday, but apparently I missed a few things from the turn of the century.

Be prepared though. This book is wonderful as a chunk of history re-printed in the glow of a new millennium, but it's also dated in some ways of thought. That the people of Better Days Books left the text intact instead of editing it is very admirable. You'll be reading history as it was written, not as it has been changed to be.

Sadly, despite being very educational and exciting, Ms. Kelley is a rather poor author. The text is brief on subjects and jumps around considerably. Still an enjoyable read, but I found myself wanting more on subjects that only received a mention.

Overall, for the very reasonable price of this paperback, you can't go wrong. If you're even the slightest bit interested in how Hallowe'en was celebrated in and around the author's time, as well as speculation on customs from long before her time, definitely purchase this book.

Tara Conrad praised this book very well in her review, so I won't rehash the reasons The Book of Hallowe'en is a great work of folklore and fun. I do want to point out, though, that her review refers to the Better Days Books edition, which is considerably cheaper and has an awesome cover. It's the same book on the inside, so save yourself a few bucks! This review will likely populate to all editions of this book by all publishers, so please note that the Better Days Books edition has "Lulu.com" listed as publisher (I don't know why) on the product page. But you'll know you're there when you see the cover - an adorable Halloween owl sitting atop an old-fashioned, round-eyed jackolantern. And a list price of $13.95!

Attention Wiccans and pagans! The Book of Hallowe'en is probably the best history of the Samhain holiday ever compiled. Ruth Edna Kelley really did her homework, and the literal centuries of folklore gathered in this book, from all over Europe and America, is a priceless source of information every person with a magickal inclination should have in their library.

I had high expectations of and genuinely looked forward to reading "All Hallows' Eve," knowing that the author, Charles Williams, was one of the famous Inklings, a small literary group that included the great J.R.R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. If you're a fan of Tolkien or Lewis, dial down your expectations for "All Hallows' Eve."

I know I will not win any plaudits or "Recommend this review" for my review, but this is my honest reaction, so take it for what it's worth.

The book, as any one reading this no doubt has already gathered, is about a twilight world inhabited by the souls of the dead, which is beside our world of the living. In fact, the entire first chapter is about one of the characters, a recently-deceased woman named Lester, who just realized she has died and is wandering the twilight version of London. The chapter, as is the entire book, is composed of very very long paragraphs about Lester's "inner life" of meandering thoughts. This alone should be a warning to any potential reader that this book is not reader-friendly.

The rest of the book is about how the twilight world intersects with the world of the living, centering on 7 characters. They are Lester & her friend Evelyn (an unpleasant character), both of the twilight world; Lester's husband, Richard; a friend of Richard, an artist named Jonathan; Jonathan's paramour, Betty; Betty's adopted mother, an imperious Lady Wallingford; and Father Simon, aka Simon Le Clerc (Simon the Clerk). The latter pretends to be a Christian minister, but is really a sorcerer, magus, or magician who practices the dark arts of the occult. Simon wields a hynoptic mesmerizing power over his "congregation," including Lady Wallingford. Simon also means to take over & rule both worlds.

Since I'm an academic, I'm used to reading dense & reader-unfriendly writing. But I found myself unable to get through this book. I do not care for Charles Williams' writing (the long paragraphs & the focus on a character's interior life). I found the main characters to be unappealing & unengaging; I could not even find ONE character whom I like. One of the reviewers here lauded the book on its use of & descriptions of two paintings by Jonathan. While I concur, that only made me compare "All Hallows' Eve" to Oscar Wilde's "The Picture of Dorian Gray." Alas, the comparison is not to Charles Williams' favor.

This is one of the greatest novels I've ever been forced to read in school. I recommend to all of my friends after having read it in my upper-level undergraduate Literature class. Read this book!

I had heard so much hype about this supposedly fantastic author and was hugely disappointed. I had to force myself to finish the book, unnecessarily wordy, taking away from the story line or moral message he was trying to get across. This made what could have been an interesting story a very boring story. It was just steeped w/ very heavy spiritual symbolism that you'd have to be Dante to figure out. I was embarrassed that I had recommended it for our Halloween pick for my book club. Of what use is a spiritual message if you can't even bring yourself to read it?

A decent "purgatorial" novel about the redemption of a soul and what it takes. I often found myself thinking of Lewis's space trilogy during the read especially the last volume. I'd put this on a reading list of books about the theology of purgation; The Divine Comedy, The Great Divorce, etc.
At times I found Williams writing style a bit thick but I suspect that was intentional. I particularly enjoyed what seemed to be a slam on logical positivism and literary post-modernism in the character of the clerk.
Some classify this as horror and perhaps it is but it wasn't really scary to me. In fact, the clerk just winds up looking like a boob. Maybe the scariest thing about it is the choice one of the characters makes for hell.

This is a ghost story, but not a horror story. You may get chills reading it, but not always from "the creeps". On the other hand, you may finish it wondering just what the heck you just read. I submit to you All Hallows' Eve-- definitely not for everybody.

All Hallows' Eve is Charles Williams' last novel, written and set in WW2 England. It starts shortly after the tragic deaths of two women friends, Evalyn and Lester, in a bizarre collision, and neither is aware at first that they have died. They wander a weirdly deserted London separately for a brief time before meeting up, which gives the author an opportunity to focus on Lester's inner spiritual journey as she slowly confronts some unattractive truths about herself and her important relationships with her husband and her friends. In a separate but intersecting storyarc, Lester's surviving husband and his artist friend cross paths with a popular cult leader, Simon Le Clerc. This disturbing figure has a hidden past that is revealed only to us, the readers, as the plot unfolds. He is shaping up to be something not unlike an antichrist of sorts who is conducting covert, occultic experiments on the artist's love interest, Betty Wallingford, who is the daughter of one of Le Clerc's most devoted followers.

Williams makes use of Betty's nighttime passages to scratch the surface of an alternate universe which Evelyn, Lester and (presumably) other newly-deceased inhabit. It is simply described as the City, and although it bears a surface resemblance to London, it is more of an infrastructure to London, or perhaps the Platonic Ideal of London...possibly something more. Many things in this realm tantalize us with glimpses of hidden spiritual truths, and time itself seems to have no linear requirement; past, present and future flashbacks occur without regard to conventional order. I was left with the sense that I would have liked to discover more about this City, and as this is my first Williams novel, who knows..he may indeed refer to it in his other stories.

I'm not sure what sort of person would be best prepared to read this final Charles Williams novel. The author (an Anglican, or so I've read) clearly gives his audience much credit, as he allows us to draw our own conclusions about either the allegorical or the literal truths he dallies with along the storyline; he never force-feeds or "preaches". Somebody moderately educated in various religious history and/or theology would recognize a lot of the hints and references Williams makes along the way to telling his story. I wouldn't say that you must be a Christian to appreciate it, but it might help. On the other hand, I would only recommend this book to a mature Christian who has some direct study of the bible under his belt and yet a non-legalistic attitude toward their christian fiction. Certainly the reader would benefit from an ability to appreciate mysticism.

All Hallows' Eve was recommended to me by A Reader's Delight, which appeals to readers who crave rare literary treasures from various genres. Williams' writing style is rich and many-layered, so that I may have to read All Hallows' Eve several times to extract everything I should from it in time. Take that under advisement, and if the shoe fits, do try.
-Andrea, aka Merribelle

Vivian Vande Velde, All Hallows' Eve (Harcourt, 2004)

Thirteen pretty standard horror stories for Halloween. (Somehow, I entirely overlooked the fact that it was October when I put both this and The Dollhouse Murders on hold. Now I know why it took so long to get them...) Collections like this have been floating around kidlit for generations, and if you've seen one, you've seen 'em all. Or most of 'em, anyway. (I have a soft spot for a number of Robert Arthur's Alfred Hitchcock collections, in which the stories were, compared to, say, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, shockingly adult.) Still, if you're looking for stories to tell around the campfire that you can embroider with your own details, these make as good a starting point as any. I was particularly fond of the haunted barn story, whose name now escapes me, because I'm an old fogey with a mind like a sieve. And, of course, if you're a collector of horror stories, this is an absolute must for your collection. The rest of you, I'd recommend checking it out at your local library before shelling out the dough to make sure the stories are original enough to tickle your fancy. ***

While I'm not one to enjoy many young adult books, and I generally like my horror a little more "down and dirty," I'm also not one to pass on creepy Halloween tales. True, these tales may not be gory, explicit, raunchy, or intense thrill rides. However, they will send a chill up your spine. While none of the stories are long enough to truly suck the reader into the plot, this collection is positively enjoyably spooky and light-hearted.

The book opens with "Come In and Rest a Spell," a tale of a witch and what she might trade in exchange for her services. "Morgan Roehmar's Boys" is one of my favorites, as well as one of the longest stories of the book (though still only about 30 pages). It's about a young girl working at a Halloween haunt, and what might happen when a local serial killer is not at rest. "Only on All Hallows' Eve" is a short but humorous tale that tells of quarrelling lovers whom death did not part. "Cemetery Field Trip" boasts that not all ghosts are bad, and not all humans are good. "Best Friends" is another humorous tale that depicts how not all perceptions are accurate. "Pretending" is another good story that portrays a bloodsucking Halloween prank with a twist.

Each tale has its own unique spin on some clichéd situations, keeping each and every story interesting. Some make you smile or chuckle, while others send shivers up and down your spine. One thing this book definitely is not, however, is boring.

Vande Velde has put together a fun collection of campfire tales of things that go bump in the night readers of any age will enjoy. Recommended for fans of all things Halloween, and for those who can appreciate what more subtle, mild, subdued and fun horror has to offer.

They should call this All Boring Eve.I like horror stories especially one's
that involve Halloween.Yet these stories were'nt scary.The only story in the book I liked was Cemetery Field Trip.This class goes on a field trip to a
cemetery(hence the name).A girl named Janelle gets seperated from the rest when she thinks she hears a kitten meowing and goes to look for it.She walks
up to a mausoleum where she hears mewing she steps inside for a closer look.Yet instead finds a nasty old pervert.He drags her inside and locks the door.Inside there are 5 coffins.While the man holds Janelle at knife point.
There's something more evil awaitng him.This book is good for young kids yet
if your looking for a real scare you might want to look somewhere else.

I have been a fan of Vivian Vande Velde ever since I read Curses, Inc. and Other Stories. I quickly followed that up by reading several of her other books, including Now You See It . . . (Magic Carpet Books) and Companions of the Night. Ms. Vande Velde is the master of spooky stories, whether they be contemporary, paranormal, or fantasy. What she's even better at, though, is writing short stories that have a way of staying with you long after you finish reading them.

With ALL HALLOWS' EVE, the author has brought us thirteen original short stories that, as a whole, scared the bejesus out of me. Whether the story is two pages long or ten, you find yourself immersed in the life of whatever tale the author is telling--and find yourself coming out, at the end of it, glad you're reading with the lights on.

The stories in this collection include:

COME IN AND REST A SPELL
MARIAN
MORGAN ROEHMAR'S BOYS
ONLY ON ALL HALLOWS' EVE
CEMETERY FIELD TRIP
BEST FRIENDS
PRETENDING
I WANT TO THANK YOU
WHEN AND HOW
WHEN MY PARENTS COME TO VISIT
EDWARD, LOST AND FAR FROM HOME
MY REAL MOTHER
HOLDING ON

There is nothing timid about this collection. I have always loved Halloween; it is, in fact, my second favorite holiday, beat out only by Christmas. After reading these short stories, though, I will never look at hay rides, cemeteries, school trips, cackling old ladies, or scarecrows on front porches in the same way. I read, on a regular basis, the stories of horror/paranormal authors Dean Koontz and Stephen King, and these stories by Vivian Vande Velde freaked me out just as much as those by my horror heroes. Be warned, though. Read MORGAN ROEHMAR'S BOYS, CEMETERY FIELD TRIP, and MY REAL MOTHER at your own risk--and with those lights on.

VandeVelde can do no wrong as far as I am concerned. This collection will have teen (and older--I've got a good 35 years on the intended audience) horror enthusiasts turning pages all night.

While gore mongers won't be satisfied, those who like to be creeped out, chilled and even a little upset will be delighted.

Among the best of these terrific tales:

MORGAN ROEHMER'S BOYS--takes the haunted hayride ghost story and gives it a twist...then twists it sharply again in a nasty, vicious direction

NOW AND WHEN--What happens when five teens are allowed one question each from a backwood's psychic. Even though I could see where the story was going, I was completely sucker punched by the epilogue. It still haunts and eats at me.

BEST FRIENDS--Told in two voices. One friend tells a story through rose colored glasses, the other tells the bitter truth...and the ending is a bitter one indeed.

MY REAL MOTHER--Our heroine searches for her "real" mother when her adoptive mother is less than sympathetic to her demands. You just KNOW that the "real" mother is going to be someone our heroine won't want to know. And the ending holds a breathtaking shock for the reader.

These are the four that stand out in my mind, but all all well written, shivery and a good choice for a spooky night at home--or even for a read aloud among teens. Lots of fun.

So many good ideas!!! And yet, so little development. It almost seems like the author was racing to meet a deadline. Details are wrong (Red Guard are from China, not Iraq), the timeline is screwy (I couldn't figure out if it was day or night and a week went by with no sense of development), and there are at least 3 'first' chapters (the opening paragraphs read like the first chapter of the book). This could have been drawn out into three books worth of mystery and magic. Instead, it was slapped together like a meal at an expensive restaurant that will close a month after it opens in New York because the chef is a great cook but a bad manager.

Billie Stern isn't your average former-Marine. She sees trolls. The City Knights catch her just in time--before she decides to seek medication. You see, there really are trolls and they're the least of the Knight's problems.

An Evil Sorceress, Eve, is plotting to unleash a vast evil and take over the world.

And what they need to stop her is one bad-@ss woman.

If you love hard hitting heroes fighting against goofus bad guys, you've come to the right place. Smith serves up far more laughs than chills, but this light hearted romp is definitely worth a read and I wouldn't mind a sequel.

I was looking forward to reading this book after hearing a few good reviews about it and liking the premise. I was sorely disappointed. I felt like i was reading the rough draft of a novel, not the finished piece. It was in desperate need of editing, reworking of action scenes, and better explanation of the mildly ridiculous magic system. I was bored the entire time. But it did have some witty dialogue at times and it never took itself too seriously (definitely a good thing!). Maybe the next one will be better...

Good premise. I hope to read the next soon, but will probably wait until it is on e-book or heavily discounted. Read like a comic and was a disappointment for the price. Liked and disliked the short cuts taken for explaining magic and the use/learning of magic. This usually slows the story, but when you totally skip it, you leave something out of the whole verisimilitude of the world that is created.

For the past millennium creatures of the night like goblins, fire exhaling dragons, and other so-called mythical beings have resided amidst humanity with few people aware of their presence. For the most part over the past few centuries, there is a peaceful coexistence, but at times conflict arises. Keeping the naive scientific-centric humans safe is the job of the ultra top secret City Knights.

Eve the darkest sorceress in centuries wants to come out of the closet and take control starting with New York City. She casts a spell to awaken and bind a monster so evil that malevolent sprites have watched over it. Now the sprites leave their subterranean chamber to cause havoc on the streets of New York. Former marine and recent City Knight recruit Billie Stein leads the counterassault against dangerous foes.

ALL EVES HALLOWS is a tongue in cheek fantasy that uses hyperbole to tell a good vs. evil tale. The story line is fun to follow though at times inane as Billie sees things like trolls, but wonders if the burger did her in until the Knights enlist her. Billie is a terrific heroine, kind of like an ex marine chick lit star stuck in a world filled with monsters that only she seems to see until she meets her peers. Fans who appreciate a kick butt female champion fighting insurmountable odds against powerful malevolent mythical cretins will enjoy this lighthearted urban fantasy.

Harriet Klausner

These books on cd are entertaining for parents and kids alike! I would recommend them for ages 5-6 and older. There are a few "scary" parts that are a little much for the younger kids, and they are packed with information about true historical events!

I thought I was buying Magic Tree House book and not CD's. I feel that I was mislead. There was no place in the description that stated I was purchasing CD's and not books.

My granddaughter and grandson both enjoy these books. Sometimes it is hard to find the exact book they want. Thank goodness they are numbered in the series so we can keep track of them. They devour them so fast.