The Boo Hag by David Morgan

Author: David Morgan
Edition: Self-Published Paperback
Published: March 28th 2012
Pages: 327
Rating: 3/5

Lenny Petrakas is worried about her skin. Not the way you're thinking. Not like that at all. While most people spend time concerned about dirt and elasticity, temperature and moisture, Lenny has a more pressing problem. Something is after her. Something evil that won't stop until it has peeled every last inch of skin from the teen's body. And then, it may end her misery quickly, or it may dump her body in the woods. Let infection and dehydration run its course.
Lenny is just your normal sixteen-year-old girl. Was. Was just your normal sixteen-year-old girl. Quiet and polite. Petite. Introspective, but not to the point of isolation. Loyal? Fiercely so. Outstanding? Noteworthy? Different? No, no, and no. Or so she thought. What started as an eerie feeling, a certainty that someone had been in her room while she slept, has spiraled into something far worse. Something was in her room. Something that finds her highly different, extremely noteworthy, and intensely outstanding.
Game over? Wrong. Lenny's a fighter, and she isn't about to lie down and take what's coming to her. Enlisting the help of her best friend, a not-so-secret admirer, the hottest guy in school, one odious cheerleader, and a paranormalist teacher, Lenny is facing her fears head on, in a battle she knows can only end in death.

When I first heard of this book I was definetly intrigued. It sounded different (and scarier!) than any other book I had ever read and I really wanted to give it a shot. In some ways I'm glad I did!

Straight away from page one we are swooped up into the story... and the eeriness of it all: As she walked to her bedroom door, a tinge of fear sent chills tiptoeing up her spine. You can only imagine how even that little sentence intrigued me to read on. Overall, I quite enjoyed the storyline and was always on edge when the "the boo hag" made an appearance. She was definetly creepy! However, even though the story was creepy, it wasn't scary. It was also really refreshing reading a third person narritive. It would switch between all the feelings, thoughts and actions of the different characters.

The main character, Lenny was definetly strong to be able to hold it together! Brave too. She didn't want any of her friends in danger and she always hinted at how she would sacrafice herself for them if it ever came to that (but best friend Anna would never let her). The relationship between Lenny and Anna was definetly sweet. However, Brian (referred to in the blurb as the hottest guy in school) really annoyed me! I hated how he sucked up to Katie (the odious cheerleader) constantly. He came across really needy whenever he was around her! Definetly not a good love interest for Anna! I just hope he turns his act around and sees sense!

Unfortunetly I also found a couple faults. ONE) I got really confused at some bits. There were quite a few typos, editing mistakes and some things that just didn't make any sense. For instance, near the end when Anna was on the phone to Brian she kept saying "me and Anna" instead of me and Lenny. TWO) I felt that there were too many no-purpose, should-have-been-edited-out bits. For example, the day Lenny and Brian were going to find Anna, Katie was introduced and said she wanted to come with them or she'd tell the football coach that Brian was missing school. They agreed and so she got into the car only to say that she wasn't coming because Lenny was giving her abuse. Then she got back out of the car and walked back to the school doors. Brian then shouted her back. She came back. They all left. I'm not sure if any of the others who have read this book would agree with me but I just found that some parts weren't necessary.

Overall, The Boo Hag had a unique and intriguing storyline with strong characters and an eerie theme to it. For all you wary of the paranormal genre, I would declare it safe - it's not terrifying. Even though I found that some parts were really confusing and pointless I would still recommend this to readers who like the look of the synopsis and enjoy a creepy thriller! And, ahhhhh the ending! What is Brian and Mr Brown's secret?


I would like to send a big thank-you out to the author for sending me a copy of this book to review! :)

Happy Reading,
Rachel xoxo