Most people will probably be familiar with the movie based off this book (and for good reason it's a really well done movie) and I too was curious about its source material. When I learned that it was Neil Gaiman behind it originally, I couldn't get a hold of it fast enough. Let's dive into this modern children's tale and all the creeps and unease that comes with it.
Coraline Jones moves to a new house with her parents at the end of a particularly rainy and foggy summer. A naturally curious child who likes to explore, Coraline is quickly bored with the house and the weird and very old neighbors that share the building. But a formerly boarded up door suddenly opens to reveal a copy of her own world but where everything is better and controlled by a strange creature that calls itself her other mother. But this new world is not at all what it seems and Coraline must use her wits to save herself, and those she cares for, from a terrible fate.
Coraline, the character, is a great child character you don't find too often nowadays. While she's remarkably self-reliant and independent than most normal kids might be, she thinks and acts very much like a normal kid would. She gets frustrated, she cries, she thinks and behaves perfectly for a kid her age. She's also pretty smart. She hesitates and thinks things through and you know she's got the mentality of a horror survivor. She doesn't let emotions get the best of her and that makes her just great.
The world that Gaiman writes for this character is very much one out of a child's perspective. Kids can read this book no problem and completely understand and relate to this world and Coraline's reactions to both the usual world and the other world lies beyond the door. We all know people like the weird old ladies who revel in their glory days and live with ten or more dogs (or cats). We know what it is to have parents who have a ton of work to do and leave the kids bored or with nothing to do. He brilliantly captures the voice of a young child and their perspective of the world and wrote it so younger readers and older ones alike would understand it perfectly. This guy is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.
However, this does make for a good Halloween read because it is creepy. The sense of unease and dread brought on by the other mother and the world she creates is perfectly captured, making you spend a little too much time checking the corners of your room to make sure nothing is staring back at you. There's also a scene where Coraline goes through the door and feels something following her in the darkness that really sends chills down your spine. It all comes together as the mood switches from suspense, to isolation, to dread, and then real fear as Coraline realizes just what this other world is and what her potential fate could be. As such, while this book is the perfect reading level for young kids, the story might not be for little, little kids. Most kids I know might not have a problem with it, but parents might want to read it first then judge for themselves before handing it over to them.
Final Verdict
Ah, just what I was hoping for! Creepy, excellently written, and just the perfect little scary bedtime story where you can still fall asleep but might hesitate before turning off the lights. For this reason, this sweet little thing is going onto the Shelf of Recommendation!
Have you read the book? What did you think? Comment below and share your thoughts. Please make sure to Follow Midnight Readings for instant updates. Have a book you'd like me to read or would like to make a recommendation? Contact me on goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/65448711-michelle-beer
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Powerless-Shelley-Miller/dp/1543482546/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519062043&sr=8-1&keywords=powerless+by+shelley+miller
Xlibris: https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001175242
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