Into the Grey

Lots of YA writers are trying their hand at supernatural fiction these days. You should see the bookshelves here at The Inquirer: practically every other book has some wannabe-spooky Twilight-looking image on its cover. But not every author gets it right. You need something more convincing than a too-pale boyfriend to craft a good horror story - and Irish fantasy author Celine Kiernan has totally nailed it with Into the Grey, a complex harrowing story of history, haunting and long-ago losses ... the whole book is powerful, but there's one scene ... that is as unsettling as one of Poe's ghastlier moments ... if you're in the mood for a scare ... Kiernan's beautiful novel comes highly recommended ... just read it in the daylight, maybe, and don't say I didn't warn you

confident, pungent, and poetic. Family love, loyalty, and protectiveness are palpable in a well-drawn cast of characters, and the pace is frequently galvanized with energetic drama and dialogue

Kiernan's beautiful and haunting novel is full of mystery and suspense with continuous plot twists and turns. The narrative voice is compelling and honest while capturing the emotional terror the teen has to face. The refreshing, multidimensional characters drive the story line and readers will connect with them because of the poignant and touching moments. A captivating read that combines Irish history with the supernatural

this haunting supernatural thriller is well written and hard to put down ... original, refreshing, challenging and enjoyable

a mysterious and suspenseful ghost story that will draw readers in from the start ... a chilling ghost story that will appeal to fans of the paranormal genre ... Recommended

a sad, scary, beautiful story

imaginative, fast-paced thriller ... full of suspense ... makes for the perfect creepy read

a pacy, chilling ghost story

'Kiernan shows an acute sense of how to build tension and when to twist the knife'

'..this is a pacy supernatural thriller in which suspense and intrigue are excellently created.'

'the literacy skills inherent in Celine's first novel The Poison Throne and fully enhanced by the two remaining novels of her Moorehawke Trilogy have now been further enriched by what, in my opinion, is her most impressive fiction to date ... Those episodes in Celine's novel where various of her characters do indeed revisit their `childhood halls' and haunts elevate her writing and its themes to a standard and give it a depth well beyond what we have come to expect in run-of-the-mill Irish young adult fiction ... This is writing of an extremely high order, eloquent in its imagination and warm in its empathetic humanity ... Celine's storytelling skills are given full, imaginative scope ... I heartily recommend it to all readers of 14 and well beyond'

'I am so impressed with Celine Kiernan's imagination and writing. I loved how the tension in the story slowly builds up until the reader suddenly finds themselves in the middle of a full blown nightmare ... a very realistic finale ... I love Celine Kiernan's writing ... As long as she keeps on putting words on paper, she will have a faithful follower in me.'

'Celine Kiernan's mastery of imagery and ability to enthrall, will keep the young adult spellbound in her new novel Taken Away ... Kiernan sweeps the reader along, weaving the 'other world' into this novel with ease ... would recommend it as being suitable for placing on school library bookshelves ... a well-crafted introduction to a darker genre of fantasy prose'

'young teenagers will be gripped by this supernatural thriller ... an impressive work for the 12+ age group ... offers thrills alongside an important, but understated, lesson in humanity'