BookView Review

Two siblings spend their summer inside a hospital and uncover a secret experiment that may be far more dangerous than anyone realizes in Darkmore’s suspenseful middle-grade novel. What starts as a dull summer at a hospital quickly becomes something far darker for Maverick and Maddi. Strange shadows, unnatural staff behavior, and hidden areas lead them to a classified project called B.O.O.T.S. As they uncover evidence of disturbing experiments, the hospital reveals itself as something far more dangerous than it seems. With Dr. Graves always watching, the siblings must decide how far they’re willing to go for the truth.

This well-paced middle-grade novel blends sharp humor with steadily escalating suspense. Darkmore uses Maverick’s comedic perspective to soften the story’s darker elements, allowing the tension to build without becoming overwhelming. The hospital is drawn with striking detail, gradually taking on a life of its own as an ominous, watchful space. The sibling dynamic feels genuine and adds emotional weight, especially as the plot moves into more complex territory. Though the quick pace occasionally sacrifices depth, it keeps the narrative moving briskly. The steady rise in unease leads to a gripping and accessible story.

A suspenseful, darkly imaginative adventure that fuses humor, mystery, and sci-fi horror into a gripping middle-grade thriller.

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