Customer Reviews

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Admittedly, I purchased this book because it was $1.99 for the Kindle, and I was curious (and David Roberts' cover illustration drew me in).

While the terror tales told by Uncle Montague to his nephew Edgar weren't spine tingling to me as an adult, they were all well written, and I can see how they could keep a younger (little?) person on the edge of his/her seat. Many are written in such a way that a younger person would be full of "why?... how?... what?..." questions that could easily prompt an out-of-the-book discussion.

The ending was a welcome surprise, and it worked in that it explained the Montague/Edgar relationship in more depth as well as providing reasons and origins for the tales told by Montague.

The illustrations by Roberts are included in the Kindle edition and only add to the "classical" feel of the book.

While I am far from a child, Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror is a book I thoroughly enjoyed.

Uncle Montague is a bachelor who lives alone in a house that is packed with artifacts and collectibles. Edward loves to walk through the woods and visit Uncle Montague to hear his spine-tingling stories. Uncle Montague is reminded of each story as he picks up an artifact that is associated with it in his memory.

Edward's imagination is sent into a tailspin when he begins to wonder how Uncle Montague knows all of these frightening stories, and a darker side of Uncle Montague begins to emerge. Not all the stories have clear-cut endings, and Edward's fears become your own as you read these scary narratives.

From the Vicar's son who needed a hammer to mount his collection in the garden, to the Demon on the bench end, and Christina, who, to her horror, was granted three wishes, Chris Priestley has crafted a book that is impossible to put down, and definitely left me wanting more.

This book should appeal to reluctant readers with its fast-paced fear factor with a literary touch that just grabs you and won't let go.

Reviewed by: Grandma Bev

Young Edgar loves visiting his eccentric, Great-Great Uncle Montague even if it means going though the spooky woods to get there. For Uncle Montague is a very talented storyteller and has a story to tell about all the creepy odds and ends he has lying around his study.

I loved the goosebumpy feeling I had the whole time I read this book. The fact that each tale's main character was a child made it even more spooky for me. I loved the gothicy feel each tale had and although the stories were short they were definitely potent and got their message across. As always, my main complaint with short stories... that they are just too short and right when I'm finally getting into the story they end.

Needless to say, I thought Mr. Priestley delivered with this group of stories. The underlying story of Uncle Montague and Edgar was, I think, the creepiest by far... but I won't give anything away. I loved the wordplay used, I think Mr. Priestley has a talent for using simple words and descriptions that definitely enhance his stories and make them far more sinister. Although I felt some of the stories ended quite abruptly, in retrospect, I think, this was what made me think of them well after I was done reading them.

I recommend that younger readers take the warning on the back cover seriously, as this isn't a book to be read alone or late at night... especially those who are faint of heart. If they are brave enough, then I definitely recommend a quick glance in the closet and definitely take a peek under the bed.

As the not-so-young adult I am, I found these to be deliciously creepy, spine-tingling and definitely worth the read.

I read this to my students a few weeks ago and they LOVED it! It was moody enough to scare and short enough to read in class a few days before Halloween. A great collection of shorts that were perfect for my 4th and 5th graders

A very quick and fun read. Would be great for older kids who love creepy tales. The illustrations are super cute and will remind you of Edward Gorey and the original ADDAMS FAMILY. Possibly too much for younger kids.

This is a book to bring to the camp fire, or maybe a sleep over. The story's are short, sweet and to the point.

Each short story kept me on my toes making this a real fun read. I would recommend it to adults and children alike!

I loved these fiercely funny stories and their tiny gnawing teeth. These twisted children and their dark fates will be with you long after you learn Uncle M's sick secrets. But, a word of warning, while not gruesome- these tales are dark like ink. The children in these stories can earn their twisted fates, which may scar impressionable young readers instead of scare them. But, I'm old enough to buy my own kindle books and I heartily recommend these Tales of Terror.

Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror, e-book ISBN 9781599906980 by Christopher Priestly is a collection of ghostly/terror stories told by an uncle to his nephew. The setting is in England and the stories are typical of those that a group of children will gather about an adult to hear on a Halloween or similar gathering around a campfire or darkened room around a fireplace. It is an interesting collection that is well presented with an ending that ties the entire package together. Reviewed by John H. Manhold, award winning fiction/non-fiction author.

Very good spooky stories, each with a twist in them. The other two books in the series are "Tales of Terror from the Black Ship" and "Tales of Terror from the Tunnel's Mouth". Each can be read alone, without having read another one. BUT if you do read them all there is a link running through them that is cool.