A spine-tingling mystery that will haunt you forever.
Ghosts don't scare Maddy Deeprose as she's seen them all her
life. So when her mum sends her to creepy old boarding school Crowham Martyrs,
Maddy isn't worried. But when her friends start disappearing, Maddy knows it's
time to be scared.
Something evil is
lurking at Crowham Martyrs. Is the place that is supposed to keep Maddy safe
about to become the hunting ground?
Gothic ghost story with an unexpected ending.
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The Crowham Martyrs is a story about a girl called Maddy who is sent to a creepy boarding school and sees ghosts all the time. After making friends, they disappear and Maddy uncovers a scary truth.
ReplyDeleteThis was a good ghost story and I really enjoyed it. I think the story could have unravelled a little quicker as in places the pace slowed but I thought the ending was good and I would recommend it, especially if you like ghost, ghouls and horror.
Mrs M - Tendring Techology College 8/10
I am really enjoying this superb book about the young (maddy).I am only up to chapter 8 but its one of the best books I've seen. I would like to meet anyone who doesn't like it
ReplyDeleteCody Great Baddow High School
I agree I would also like to see anyone who doesn't like it
DeleteJoe
GBHS
I really enjoy this book. but in some parts its very strange!
DeleteGeorge
GBHS
thank you Joe
DeleteCody- GBHS
Joe, i think that The Crowham martyrs is the worst book in EBA and i realise that you may like it bu if you re- read it then you will think: I LIKED this?
DeleteKegs
crowham martyrs was the first of the books i chose to read as i was intrigued by the blurb and story line. As the mystery began unraveling i couldn't put the book down and i was even told off as i was staying up to late reading the book!
ReplyDeletethe last few chapters were very unexpected and i loved the suspense and the lies that are told to be completely wrong and a truth that was shocking!
overall i loved the book but i think a lot of information was stuffed into some chapters and needed to be spread out more!
i would rate the book 9/10 and i recommend the book to all who enjoy suspense, shock, horror, mystery and most of all GHOSTS!
Lauren M - great baddow high school
Suspense and horror is something I quite like in books as it makes them very interesting
DeleteJoe
GBHS
I agree.The book has a lot of suspense which is why i enjoyed it so much
DeleteHenry
GBHS
ME TO!
DeleteGEORGE
gbhs
I also loved the horror and suspense in the book as it made the book more exciting, I couldn't put it down!!
DeleteSafi- Moulsham High School
I really loved Crowham Martyrs because it was interesting, mysterious and quite scary at times. My favourite character was Hannah because of her bravery and wisdom towards the ghosts. I would rate the book 8/10 because at the end it was a bit predictable.
ReplyDeleteLily- Tendering Technology College
This was a thrilling read,that made sure I never put the book down. The plot seemed as if Maddy would just see ghosts throughout, but then a dark twist was added and I didn't know what would happen next. When your friends vanish ,when you keep discovering new secrets and when you keep meeting new people who hold back their own dark secrets,you have to be able to keep your cool and that is exactly what Maddy did. When I first picked up the book the blurb entranced me and I was even more excited when I began reading. The ending came as a complete shock and I would not stop talking about the ending for days. I would rate this book 9/10 because I was extremely disappointed when it ended. I would be mad not to reccomend this book to anyone and especcially those who love horror and mystery. I really hope Sally Gardener writes a book to follow this up.
ReplyDeleteThomas G
KEGS
Sincere apologies Jane McLoughlin wrote the book but I can not wait to read Sally Gardener's The Door that led to Where
DeleteThomas G
KEGS
Crowham Martyrs was the first book I chose to read because the blurb intrigued me and the front cover was full of suspense. Once I started reading I found the plot mysterious but overall it wasn't to my taste.
ReplyDelete6/10 because at some points the story was quite busy and complicated.
Matt L - GBHS
The Crowham Martyrs is a great book, it's about a girl who goes to a haunted boarding school but only she seems to be able to see them.
ReplyDeleteIt can some times make no sense and you will have to read it twice for it to only make no sense still, but over than that it's great and I'm only a few chapters in.
Ben Great Baddow High School
I'm really enjoying this book. Its about an innocent girl named Maddie who's friends keep on disappearing. She's on her own to discover the terrifying truth. I like the way the author has combined the amount of horror with the amount of humour. I chose this book because I love horror and humour. I would recommend it to a lot of people if they like horror, suspense and humour. I would like to know if there's anyone who doesn't like this book because I think its brilliant.You never know what's going to happen next.
ReplyDelete8/10-Its very good but seems a little bit slow to get started into the point at times but it's still my kind of book.
Joe Great Baddow High School
Crowham Martyrs is a haunting( geddit, haunting?) and emotional story. It was by far the worst book in EBA 2016 that I have read. The ending was so cliche with her mother not being her mother. I don't know how many books have that. The character was colourless and seemed to have no proper emotions, and the plot overall was boring.
ReplyDeleteI rate this book -10/10
William S- KEGS
Just to be clear, that is minus 10/10
DeleteWilliam S-KEGS
The Crowham Martys was a breathtakingly scary read. I liked the twist at the end. The book is all about a girl called Maddy, who can see ghosts. She has been seeing ghosts since she was little. I could not put it down. I think that the unexpected twist was excellent. Maddy makes friends with a girl and then she goes missing. Is this all linked with the ghosts?
ReplyDeleteI would rate this a 10/10. It was excellent.
Maria Ossorio DFS
The book Crowham Martyrs is a great book about a girl (maddie) who can see ghosts. This book is breath-taking and it makes you want to know what happens next, also this book is very appealing to someone who loves scary stories or stories that has a twist. I love the way the author has made a horror and humour fusion. I recommend this book this book to anyone who likes a bit of adventurous horror. I would rate this book 9/10 because I didn't fully understand the book but it is still a great book
ReplyDeleteNevaeh Gilzeane-Oji DFS
The Crowham Martyrs is a great read which keeps you hanging the whole way through. The plot is very mysterious and you don't actually find out what is going on until the very end. The ending was a little weird and I expected something better. The book could have been a little more realistic, but still a good book.
ReplyDeleteI would rate it 9/10.
Oliver C - KEGS
Very chilling and haunting. Setting was brilliant and plot was well thought out with everything explained completely at the end. Quite a bit of humour too. (Just got a bit confused some of the time about the demons and witches and the mother, but I understood everything in the end). Original and inventive. Nine out of ten.
ReplyDeleteEmma Vaughan
Plume
I know I've already commented but this book is unbelievable. Now up to chapter 24 and this story has got more description than a dictionary has words.
ReplyDeleteCody
Great Baddow High School
Crowham Martyrs is a haunting book which pulls the reader in from the beginning. It lures you into to the book by not revealing too much information at one time. Its haunting theme and spooky structure provide a most enthralling read for readers who are new to horror stories. Jane Mcloughlin has used the historic event of "burning witches at the stake" and transformed it into a horrific book.
ReplyDeleteSophia
DFS
I am really enjoying this book so far. I have nearly finished it and it was very grippng. It could have got started a bit quicker and it rambled quite a lot but overall it is aa great read
ReplyDeleteJoe
GBHS
Really good book . It was a bit slow to get into but after it was very gripping . It was interesting
ReplyDeleteIsabella
TTC
the crowham martyrs does not appeal to me because it is not very enjoyable but I have to admit that it keeps you on the edge of your seat
ReplyDeleteAmy Moulsham High School
Unfortunately I can't say I found this book terribly interesting. To start with I don't care for ghost stories, and a story like this really needs strong characters to carry it. I personally didn't think there were any. The intrigue was somewhat engaging at first, but the resolution was disappointing. 5/10
ReplyDeleteEmily Yr 11 Moulsham High School.
I thought the Crowham Martyrs was a very interesting book. It isn't my favourite book but was still good. It was hard to get into but once you got past a certain point it was a lot better.
ReplyDeleteNadine Moulsham High School
At first, I didn't like the look of this book as it seemed gothic (which is the genre I don't really like), but in the end, I read it within 2 days and it is actually a great, tension building book with lots of mysteries. I couldn't put it down!
ReplyDeleteNaomi, moulsham high school
This book so far is so good it makes so much sense to me and I cant wait to finish it to find out what happens
ReplyDeleteAlisha Moulsham high school
The Crowham Martyrs was the third book I read for the EBA 2016. After reading the blurb I could tell that it was going to be about ghosts and mystery, which I am not a massive fan of, so I wouldn't have read the book normally. However, I am required to read all the books shortlisted, so I gave it a go. I can now say that I didn't like it one bit. It was confusing and too unrealistic, and just went round in circles. It was boring and confusing throughout, but I finished it.
ReplyDeleteI would give this book 4/10, although that is maybe because I am not a fan of the genre. It was well written, however, and I would recommend to a fan of the genre.
Adam F- KEGS
It was a really amazing book that gave you the chills. it is about a girl called maddy who has the ability to see ghosts. she lives in a boarding school called Crowham Martyrs and it is swarming with ghosts. Maddy has many blackouts during the book but what could they all mean? Read the book to find out.........
ReplyDeleteThis book very good because of the awesome plot which haunts Maddy Deprose and her friends . In the book I liked it how the plot unfolded and how the front cover loomed as there are graves on the top of Crowham Martyrs and it was a mysterious book full of quirks and questions. For Maddy Deprose it is the time to be ultra frightened. This book wasn't my type of a genre because haunting books always gives me differences. It is still good though.
ReplyDeleteI recommend this 8/10
Jesbin S-Tendring Technology College
This was a great book with a lot of twists and turns at the fantastic ending. I was captivated by this wonderful thriller and I was inching to turn the next page. It gave you the chills and from time to time it'll even scare you. I would recommend this book to almost everyone I know well done Jane!
ReplyDeleteGeorge DFS
I thought this book was very mysterious and exciting! Because of it being so exciting and mysterious it became very gripping it made me never want to put down the book. All in all I would give this 9 out of ten !
ReplyDeleteKate
DFS year 7
I thought it was a mysterious and exiting book and I liked how there was another scary page after another
Deletereece 11
ttc
I have just finished reading this book. I found that it had a great storyline although horror is not my favourite type of book. It was very gripping and you never knew what would happen next. It had a great plot with plenty of twists to make you think different things. I really enjoyed reading this book but I would rate it 7 out of 10 as it was not my favourite
ReplyDeleteLucy Barnard
Boswells school
The Crowham Martyers was an...interesting book. Honestly, it wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it was enjoyable. Horror, not being my favourite genre, could have influenced this. The book has a very good storyline that ran throughout the whole book. Most characters (like Maddy and Hannah) were very well described while characters like Caleb, I was itching to know more about. Overall it was a good book.
ReplyDelete7/10*
Eloise, Year 7, The Boswells School
This is the third book I've read so far and I found it absolutely amazing!!! I picked this book up because I thought it was going to be sooo boring and not my type because I hate ghost stories. When I read the first chapter' I was right. But when I got into the story a little deeper it was starting to grow on me and I couldn't even put the book down. I thought the end was a bit naff but still could be a winner. I rate this 9/10 only because it was a tiny bit rough around the edges
ReplyDeleteSummer
Sweyne Park
The Crowham Martyers is one of my fravourite book! I have not yet finished but I am half way through I can not wait to finish!! This book is very mysterious and mischevious. There are a lot of secrets yet to be unrevealed! There are so many question that I want to ask!!! For example: why has she been seeing ghost all her life? I can not wait to find out !!!
ReplyDeleteLRS EBA 2016 KHA
I think that this book was a fantastic read and would recommend it to many other. I personally believe that the ending could be a lot better however I was still pleased with the read. I think that the protagonist was very relatable and was presented in a likable manner. on the other hand, I feel that a lot could be added and more detail could be given(like family info)but this could be used to develop the mystery in the book and of the character as well. overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
ReplyDeleteI would rate it a 8/10.
Juliet
BUCHS
The Crowham Martyers was different and clearly stood out from all the rest.
ReplyDeleteMaddy Deeprose is sent to a creepy boarding school and is seeing ghosts! Everything seems alright until her best friends start to disappear and, the first time in Maddy's life, she is scared. Awesome book, a bit confusing at times though, is a one worth reading.
7/10
Thomas, Tendring Technology College
A good book, it kept you guessing right to the end, had plenty of twists and turns in it, you were never quite what exactly was happening but that somehow added to the quirkiness of the book , yes not bad at all. 9/10
ReplyDeleteMrs sy Plume Academy
The crowham martyrs was a good book but i found it quite hard to follow, Especially with the amount of plot twists in it. when caleb turned out to be maddys brother it didnt make sense but apart from that i enjoyed it. 6/10 Garin- The Plume Academy
ReplyDeleteThe Crowham Martyrs was a good book, not the best, but decent in terms of keeping the reader guessing. It made sure you knew as much as Maddy did, and this meant that every piece of information she collected made you just as confused as she was to the events through out the book, and so made you want to read on to find the big finale. The end of the book did not disappoint as it revealed the mystery in clarity, clearing u[p many of the unanswered questions.
ReplyDelete6/10
Sasha Margree, Plume Academy
This book was quite a slow starter but it was really exciting at the end which made the whole book worthwhile.
ReplyDeleteBen - Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College
I really, really enjoyed this book. It was my favourite genre and it had a really good storyline. It was fast-paced and had me gasping in some places! It is mysterious, magical and even a little bit scary. I would definitely recommend it!
ReplyDeleteEleanor - Year 7 - Hockerill Anglo-European College
This book is really good i liked the story and the mystery that the book gave. I especially like the ending. 10/10 natalia plume school
ReplyDeletethe book was intresting and gripping however at the beginning of the book it was slightly dull but as the book proceeded, it began to get better
ReplyDeleteThis is such an interesting book! When I first got given the book I read the blurb to get a rough idea of what the book was about, when I read the blurb it sent a chill up my spine! It was a great book and I loved mysterious books as I am quite a curious person and it just got better and better. I would recommend it for people who love very spooky and mysterious books and I will guarantee you will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteJayani, Tendering Technology College
KT, HACH
ReplyDeleteThe Crowham Martyrs is an amazing fantasy read by Jane McLoughlin. The adventure seems never-ending and I love how the author interprets the ghosts as not frightening or menacing but as Maddy's guards/protectors. The fact that there is an element of mystery and the presence of the unknown draws you into the book and the blurb is quite attractive. Before I had read the book, I thought that more people would disappear than there actually did but that doesn't make the book 'bad'. I was disappointed that it finished as quick as it did, but I suppose that that was because previously I have read 'Sophie's World' which is quite a long book with lots of text. Now I can proceed to read the rest of the Essex Book Awards books. I rate The Crowham Martyrs 9/10
just started this NO SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThe crowham matyrs is an amazing book filled with creepy scenes and horror scenes to. From what I've read it seems quite intriguing and rather exciting.
ReplyDeleteJacoOb
GBHS
This book was really good, I enjoyed it very much. I was up so late reading this!
ReplyDeleteIt is filled with ghosts and haunting souls, with lots of mishaps and mixups which all turn out fine in the end. I would definitely advise this book.
The Crowham Martyrs was arguably a predictable book however, I thought the story itself was an interesting concept despite the anticlimactic ending. I found the book captivating until I got about half way through when I felt it began to drag a little.
ReplyDeleteI would recommend this book for younger readers than myself, depending on reading ability, for readers aged 9-13, myself and my friend held a book talk one lunchtime for the novel and it was mainly years 7-9.
6.5/10
Lydia Anderson
Sixth form student at Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School
I really like this book even though it has its creepy moments. I thought the story was very interesting and suspenseful. The ending is very mysterious and the book all comes together at the end. I would rate this book 9/10
ReplyDeleteCaitlin Morris Davenant Foundation School
Crowham martyrs is out standing book. I loved the mysteries and there was always something intriguing around the corner. Although this book had its creepy moments, it didn't stop me from finding out all the secrets of Crowham. I loved to read the transformation that happened to Maddy as she began to believe that ghosts were real.
ReplyDeleteI would rate this book an amazing 9/10
Elise Albiston
DFS
I like this book because it is eerily strange in a good way it reminds me of the series of mysterious events books it is full of suprises
ReplyDeleteI like this book
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this book because the book was very slow to start. It was meant to be set in today's time but I think there wasn't enough reality in it. This made the book feel slow and boring. I think the ideas could have been more inventive e.g. the name Maddy Deeprose which sounds depressing. All the seeing ghost and monsters and disappearing friends is very cliché and I think the book should have been more original. The boy at the end could have had more input and I think he should have had a bigger role.
ReplyDeleteI didn't like this book as the story line was like Harry Potter, the big remote house, a person who finds she is different from every one else then relising she isn't. The story took a long time to get going and i gave up half way through becuase i was getting bored.
ReplyDeleteGeorgina year 8 Buchs
This book was interesting to me and told a story of a young girl at a mysterious and old boarding school. She meets a strange younger boy who found it quite hard to fit in. I rate this book 7 out of ten
ReplyDeleteLillyanna K-Goss
TTC
This book is all about a girl called Maddy who goes to a kind of creepy boarding school. But when strange things begin to happen, Maddy knows something is wrong.
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to read this book and could tell it was going to be a very exciting, thrilling story (and it was). I really liked all the characters from Maddy and Hannah to all the mysterious teachers. This book had lots of suspense in it which made it hard for me to put down as you just want to see what will happen next! I absolutely loved the plot of the story as we get to follow Maddy as she tries to find out what's going on in the school and what it is the teachers are hiding from her...
I was so surprised with the ending as the story but also loved it as we finally get to know the truth about what has been going on. I really enjoyed this book and give it 9/10!
Safi- Moulsham High School
I think that this is a good book. In this story Maddy sees ghosts and they try to save her life life from the 'bad fings'. This is a bit crazy and over the top, maybe because it is just not a book that I would usually read. I would rate this 6/10 mainly because it is not a genre that I would usually read.
ReplyDeleteHarvey M - KEGS
Absolutely brilliant! It had me on the edge of my seat and I felt sucked into the story.
ReplyDeleteTiegan, Boswells
this I didn't like 1/10
ReplyDeleteI thought The Crowham Martyrs was a really good book; full of spooky mystery which was unpredictable. Maddy is at an old boarding school and she can see ghosts, but then things start to get even more supernatural and she doesn't understand what is happening to her. The story flowed well and I liked the characters, particularly Maddy. She was really concerned for her friends, when strange things began happening and they started to disappear. Caleb too was intriguing and he made me concerned as I wasn't sure what his true nature and intentions were, til the end. The setting, especially the woods was really creepy and atmospheric.
ReplyDeleteI would rate this book 6 or 7 out of 10.
Florrie, The Sweyne Park School (Year 7)
The Crowham Martyrs is an exciting page-turner full of ghosts, mystery and magic. Almost the entire story is set in a haunted school called The Crowham Martyrs, the schools teachers are mostly witches and are trying to protect the main character from her evil father who is a descendant of the devil. This book is an exciting read and provides readers with an immersive reading experience. Overall I would rate this book 8 out of 10
ReplyDeleteBenjamin S. KEGS
The Crowham Martyrs is amazing. The plot, the characters, the twists, the language, the excitement, the sadness all makes this book without a doubt the best eba book I have read! I could not put down this book and it is the fastest I have ever read anything, ever! I cannot believe how thrilling the haunting looming ghosts seemed to come out of the book, so well described that they almost seemed to be rel. Maddy was such a gripping character that always hid a certain mysterious way to her that kept you reading for the next secret to uncover itself and shock not only the entire of Crowham but me as well! Who ever knew that such an evil, deceiving, murderous man could ever be the father of a girl portrayed do clearly to be sweet, kind, innocent and just a bit confused on how she got into this whole scary mess. I loved how the entire universe was made out to be based around Maddy as if she was in the centre of a big mess that she had no idea was surrounding her! Hannah was also a really great character, the way she stood up for Maddy no matter what and how she could not bare to keep this secret to herself any longer.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons why I could not put this book down is because I felt as if I wanted to know everything. AS each chapter started a new secret was created with more and more character knowing the answer that you would have never thought were connected to Maddie's life at all! It sort of made me want to be in on this big secret as well.
Some of the moment in the book were so terrifying and absolutely thrilling that I could not believe it was happening! making me almost scared or maybe worried for poor innocent Maddy who never did anything wrong. However, some moment made me so excited and at some point laughing at the characters! The language used created such emotional, beautiful scenes with lots of atmospheric moments that made you want to read on- understand more.
The only fault that I could find in the whole book was that sometimes it was not extremely clear what was happening in the plot line. Sometimes, it made you have to stop and turn back a couple of pages to try and understand what was happening. However, this situation was always rescued quickly when it explained itself soon after using amazing language and techniques that made you imagine such realistic images.
The ending was very good. I do have to admit, I really like a cliff hanger as it leaves you waiting for the next book or makes an exciting plot twist sometimes. However, I just love how this book properly concluded itself. It explained everything and did not leave you annoyed at any unresolved problems that were crucial to the plotline. The story was explained and it left you satisfied that you had understood the book and not been confused at the way it ended.
This book was definitely the best book ever and a very good story that was mysterious, exciting and incredible with fantastic imagery and description that made you feel like you were really there with Maddy, Hannah and all the other excellently described characters.
I will definitely be looking for this author again and hoping for a sequel to this extraordinary book!
Grace Asher
!0/10
The Boswells School
*10/10
DeleteGrace A
nearly half way through totally awesome
ReplyDeleteAlex
GBHS
very good book. I read the last 150 pages in 2 days the end is so gripping I couldn't put it down.
ReplyDeleteTaylor,TTC 9/10
Hard to get into, but a great thriller
ReplyDelete5/6
Matthew - Year 7 Hockerill Anglo-European College
The Crowham Martyrs is a horror book which envelops the reader into its world. The thriller is full of mystery from beginning to end. It is however predictable, and the ending was rather anti-climactic seemingly just rounded off in a very uninteresting way with the problem just being magically solved. I thought there wasn't much variation in the language, with the same words and phrases being repeated frequently.
ReplyDelete5/10
Jeshua, KEGS
I think the repetition was there for effect, although I agree with the issues on the ending.
DeleteChelmsford County High School
THE CROWHAM MARTYRS is one of the best books I have ever read. I love that it makes me feel as if I am Maddy Deeprose, going through all of these troubling and spine tingling moments, I would definitely recommend it as its got lots of adventure and action if you like to be left on a cliff hanger then don't hesitate to read this book. V.F FROM KING HAROLD ACADEMY
ReplyDeleteI have now finished The Crowham Martys. I am so glad that I read this book because it is my favourite book. I would recommend it to any one who loves ghosty and supernatural things. I can't think of any criticism!
ReplyDeleteL.R.S King Harold
The Crowham Martyrs is a horror book about a girl called Maddie. I felt the book was a little slow paced at points. I also found the ending a bit anti-climatic as it ended in a boring way. 7/10
ReplyDeleteD.W. KHA
I think it would be interesting to be maddy deeprose for a while as I would like to know why ghosts, ghouls and demons torment her and some of her friends as well as why she thinks they disappear
ReplyDeleteV.F FROM KING HAROLD ACADEMY
I didn't really like The Crowham Martyrs because it's like a ghost story and I don't really like ghost stories. Also, I found it hard to get into, so it was sort of boring for me. I did find it extremely mysterious when Maddie's friend goes missing. I would give it 4/10 as I didn't really like it and found myself not wanting to read it often.
ReplyDeleteAnnisha, The Sweyne Park School (Year 7)
Crowham Martyrs was both scary and exciting. It really scared me but at the same time it made me want to read more. I wish i could read it again. It was so good. I really hope that this book wins.
ReplyDeletePaige.Lepley Boswells school (year 7)
The Crowham Martyrs was a very good book, although it is not one that I usually would have chosen to read. I found some of the plot a bit confusing and I found parts of it hard to follow. At first I didn't really enjoy reading the book, but once I got into it, I read it so quickly that I barely even realised! I actually quite enjoyed it once I got started, as there were loads of twists and the plot progressed very well.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I had a favourite character in this book, but the one who I felt was best described was Hannah. You really got to know her as an individual, whereas I found it hard to remember who was who with the others until later on in the book. With Hannah, though, she was very well described in both her appearance and personality, which helped me to understand her.
Over all, I enjoyed this book but it definitely wasn't my favourite. This isn't because it's a bad book, though, just because it isn't the type of book that I enjoy. I thought it was very well written and it kept me guessing which was very effective. If I liked that type of book, I would have voted for it as it was so well written.
I would rate this book 7/10
Charlotte B
Boswells
Wowzers. My recipie for the perfect book would be adventure blended with mystery and seasoned with some historical aspects, so this almost fits the brief. My only criticism is that near to the end it gets a bit jumpy and you start to lose the plot a bit, but the beginning is excellent and I love the twist where you thought Caleb and Maddy would end up going out but they turned out to be related. It's a great way to avoid clichés. Overall an intriguing plot with twists, betrayals and a happy ending.
ReplyDeletePhilippa ChelmsfordCounty High School ( year 8 ) 9/10
I have started this book so far i'm really enjoying this book
ReplyDeleteGBHS Taylor
I found this book alright. Maybe it was just me but I seriously thought that it was just TRYING to be dramatic but it really just wasn't working. The plot was cool but it just needs more intriguing drama. I'd give this book a 7/10 to be nice.
ReplyDeleteMayowa Grays Convent High School
Crowham Martyrs is a good book but the pace was quite slow in places.
ReplyDeleteCCHS
I really enjoyed this book because of its originality. I haven't read many books that feature ghosts, but out of these, this is definitely the most intriguing. Maddy is an average teenager who just happens to be able to see ghosts. Her story begins at her boarding school where she meets new friend, Hannah and the enigmatic Caleb. Odd things begin to happen and the author weaves tension and suspense throughout the story and we, like Maddy, are unsure of Caleb's intentions. I felt at times, the author's descriptions of the settings were rather blunt and not detailed enough. One aspect I also didn't like about this book was the slow beginning and middle that led to a rushed ending. I felt like all the reader's questions were answered abruptly in the space of a chapter. Overall, however, I did enjoy this book, although for me, it is not the winner. I would rate this 6.5/10.
ReplyDeleteMolly, The Sweyne Park School (Year 7)
I really enjoyed this book. The creepy atmosphere is shown really well. I like the descriptions as they help to build a clear picture that suits the story well. Also, the mystery was intriguing and I found it a very enjoyable book.
ReplyDeleteSophie - Year 9 - Hockerill Anglo-European College
I think this book would be suitable for teenagers because of some of the content is not appropriate for younger ages, and I also think girls may prefer it more than boys.
ReplyDeleteThe book followed a story about Maddy Deeprose, a girl who is able to see ghosts and tries to uncover a mystery surround her school, Crowham Martyrs.
I liked this book a lot because it included lots of fantasy and creatures like ghosts, which I found interesting. I really liked Maddy because she was a very unique character, whose point of view was an interesting one to read.
One thing I didn’t like was the fact that there seemed to be a lot of repetition, meaning each chapter didn’t always bring something new, but sometimes had a pointless piece of repetition. This meant that the plot was slow paced and sometimes not as enjoyable.
Overall, I liked the actual mystery within the book and I think the author created a great main character, but in places, the pace of the plot was too slow.
Erfan HACH
Book Review for Crowham Martyrs by Jane McLoughlin, is an amazing book. It tells the story of Maddy Deeprose. Who has an ability to see ghosts. She has been able to see them all her life, and they do not scare her in the slightest. She is sent to boarding school,Crowham Martyrs, and soon after she arrives strange events begin to take place. Her best friend, Hannah mysteriously disappears and Maddy knows that things are getting more serious than ever.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I particularly enjoyed throughout the novel is the fact that it was full of suspense. The plot ensured that it built up tension and secrets until the last few pages of the book, which ended in a dramatic reveal, affecting all of the characters that had a main importance in the book and the storyline. I also enjoyed the fact that the content of the chapters was not overly complex and it was easy to read which resulted in the readers’ attention being focused on the plot.
The only negative about this books is that I personally felt as if the beginning of the book needed a more detailed personal historical explanation. If the writer had done this, I feel that it would have been more beneficial to the reader in order for them to understand more of the novel.
In conclusion, this is a very well written book balanced out by some interesting history of the characters. I liked the fact that it wasn’t extremely frightening compared to other horror/mystery books on the market for young teenagers. I don’t normally to horror, but I think this book is perfect for younger readers who perhaps want to read a horror book. I gave it 5/5 star rating
E. Cullis, HACHS
The Crowham Martyrs is an amazing fantasy read by Jane McLoughlin. The adventure seems never-ending and I love how the author interprets the ghosts as not frightening or menacing but as Maddy's guards/protectors. The fact that there is an element of mystery and the presence of the unknown draws you into the book and the blurb is quite attractive. Before I had read the book, I thought that more people would disappear than there actually did but that doesn't make the book 'bad'. I was disappointed that it finished as quick as it did, but I suppose that that was because previously I have read 'Sophie's World' which is quite a long book with lots of text. Now I can proceed to read the rest of the Essex Book Awards books. I rate The Crowham Martyrs 9/10
ReplyDeleteTrendell, HACHS
This was a good book but it scared me at times. I don't really like things that scare me. If I had to rate it I would give it 8/10. It was a good read.
ReplyDeleteBenjamin, Plume School