AltDeath.com [Paperback]

Lynne Hansen (Author), Sally Bosco (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

An online murder mystery club for teens discovers they have a real murder to solve when one of their members is found dead under suspicious, perhaps even paranormal circumstances. The AltDeath Club knows that their friend Rachel didn't commit suicide. Her blue lips and withered body are not the product of poison like the Rappahannock police believe. An energy vampire is prowling their isolated stretch of Northern Neck, Virginia. The AltDeathers must find the killer before they, too, fall prey to the vampire's foul trap. Through their investigation, Tori St. James, her wheelchair-bound boyfriend Matt, and the rest of the AltDeath Club uncover the truth-that cyberspace...has fangs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Overall I was genuinely impressed by this novel. I loved the accurate descriptions of web maintenance and programming, it made a very unique and perhaps silly villain seem very possible, and also gave the novel an intelligent feel that was superior to any other YA horror I have read. --Justin Tate, TCM Reviews --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Paperback: 156 pages
• Publisher: Hard Shell Word Factory (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759945721
• ISBN-13: 978-0759945722
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,857,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynne Hansen writes dark fiction for teens, combining her passion for history with her lifelong love of all things creepy. She also writes FCAT test prep materials for middle school and high school and speaks at schools where she helps teens find their own creative spark. She spends far too much time thinking about the zombie apocalypse. Lynne lives in Tampa, Florida with her horror writer husband Jeff Strand, her deaf cat Mayhem, and her grumpy cat Pandora.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling and a 'Can't Put Down' Chilling story., August 24, 2005

By 

Chris B. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: AltDeath.com (Paperback)

Thanks for the FANTASTIC ride. It was hard for me to put down.

The characters are soo real in their teenage angst. The story is fully developed and a very interesting read, enough subplots to keep me involved. I appreciate that you didn't 'dumb down' the book. It is an intriguing intelligent read with goose bumps.

I especially love the way you take the reader into the AltDeath website. I felt as though I was trapped inside a very dangerous place with no exit door.

You planted enough red herrings that at the end I suspected everyone. Ha ha.

Thanks for the great read. I hope there's more to come.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique and Scary!, August 23, 2005

By 

Tate - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: AltDeath.com (Paperback)

One of the things I dislike most about YA novels is their lack of maturity. If you compare them to PG-13 movies, they are allowed to have violent deaths, sex, and even have limited usage to the F-word. However, if an MPAA rating was given to most YA novels I'd say 90% would come out with a G. Not to say that only novels with adult themes are good, but if you're going to have characters that are seniors in high school at least have them act like it. As far as AltDeath.com, I think they did a perfect job of keeping it appropriate for young readers but also didn't lose important characterization that is often lost when authors try to sugarcoat things. AltDeath.com doesn't have violent deaths, sex, and not a vulgar word is said, but they do include many exciting horror elements such as supernatural websites, creepy internet predators, unfaithful relationships, and murder.

The story is about five friends who run an internet site called AltDeath.com, a fun detective-style website where clues of a murder are posted and it's visitors try to guess who was the murderer. Everything seems to be going well until one of the friends supposedly commits suicide. Unable to believe their friend would have done such a thing, the AltDeathers get together to find any clues that might reveal it was actually a murder. They find a few clues, but soon get distracted by e-mails of poetry from strange people seeking love. As more bodies pile up, they start to realize the whole mess might be caused from something supernatural happening at www.AltDeath.com.

Overall I was genuinely impressed by this novel. There might have been a few flaws, but the list of pluses outweighed these negatives. I loved the accurate descriptions of web maintenance and programming, it made a very unique and perhaps silly villain seem very possible, and also gave the novel an intelligent feel that was superior to any other YA horror I have read.