BOOK REVIEW: Say Her Name by James Dawson ★★★★☆

WARNING. APOLOGIES FOR ANY SPOILERS. (I really don’t mean there to be, but I can’t help it.)

I’m going to dare you to chant her name. But if you survive let me know.

The legend of Bloody Mary, with a spooky twist began in Piper’s High School for Young Ladies. One Halloween night; involving a few spooky tales and a few drinks, nerdy Bobbie, rebellious Naya and local heartthrob Caine are pressured by their classmates to summon the legendary ghost of Bloody Mary. Chanting her name five times in front of a candlelit mirror, little did they know they unleashed something dark, terrifying and out of control. Soon a horrifying ghost with a mysterious past is thirsting for revenge and has only given them five days (a very relevant number), till she claims them.

Looking into what Hot Key Books Publishers have got so far, after reading, McManus’s Shiver the Whole Night Through, I thought I’d give this one a try. Dawson is a YA author, with his first novel Hollow Pike in 2012 and other eleven books rated three to four stars. Say Her Name has been nominated for YA Book Prize Winners and won the North East Teenage Book Award.

Much like the previous book I read, (Time and Time Again by Ben Elton) I love the book cover. It’s easy on the eyes, but this particular one captures a sinister vibe, especially with the hands and the condensation wipe near her eyes. Gives me the chills just thinking about it.

What I love about this book is Mary Worthington. Sad to say, the other characters weren’t that great and I won’t remember them. But Bloody Mary Worthington and her chilling, tragic story – yeah I’ll be remembering that one for a long time. Poor girl was bullied, used and on top of that she died in such a sad way. I also like how her background is gradually uncovered. The flashbacks scenes of Mary’s life were handled seamlessly. I didn’t care much for the others because it’s Mary’s story that popped to life. And yes the book gained half a star, all because of the Supernatural reference. I like this author already, although the episode was indeed quite scary.

And the other part that still makes it all ever so eerie. I don’t know if this constitutes as a spoiler but here it goes. She leaves a message in her coffin.

no one BeLiEvED me i just wanted people to LIKE ME

But wait for it – the capital letters read: BLEED LIKE ME

Holey moley guacamole! Now that is one heck of a way to leave a message behind. (I really am sorry for the spoiler but damn I just had to share it with you.) But that ending had me like ‘dun dun duh’ and it’s open to interpretation.

The only thing I didn’t like about Say Her Name was the present main characters. The flashback ones had substance. Bobbie, Naya and Caine were just pfft. I wanted to skip those scenes. Maybe I just found the three of them stupid enough to say her name, thus an instant dislike. And I wasn’t convinced with the Bobbie and Caine romance as I felt that it was just forced, like Dawson wanted these together for the sake of someone getting together. It was much like in The Devil’s Promise by Veronica Bennett, with Catriona and Jaime’s love just plonked there, not doing much. I don’t know, maybe I’m getting old to be reading YA novels. Guilty as charged, but I think it’ll just be a thing for a while.

I’ll be recommending it to the YA’s who love the whole ‘terrifying ghost, with a mysterious past, along with funny moments, a lot of running around to save your life with a dash of romance’. Honestly, I wasn’t all like ‘I got to cover all the mirrors up now’ like some readers are. The ending is excellent, makes you scratch your mind about Mary’s character, and is she really friend or foe? I’ll leave that up to you.

Rating 4/5
Publishers: Hot Key Books
Publication Date: June 5th 2014
Genre: Yong Adult/ Horror