The Assembly Room

Young Adult, Mystery & Thrillers, Middle Grade

By Bryony Allen

Publisher : Pneuma Springs

ABOUT Bryony Allen

Bryony Allen
Bryony was born in Enfield but spent most of her youth growing up in the North East of the UK near to Hartlepool before moving southwards again. She now lives in the remote wilds of Suffolk with her husband, four children and two dogs and cats where she is also a teacher. She has always e More...

Description

 

The ghosts of The Assembly Room have been waiting for someone to unlock their secrets, and Merryn Stearne has arrived.

For 14 year old Merryn, the future should have been perfect – a new home in the idyllic Suffolk countryside and romance with the gorgeous boy next door, Jamie. If only the past would stop interfering with the present. Dreams of medieval witchcraft trials become terrifyingly real and Merryn realises there is a mystery to be solved. With Jamie's help, she uncovers the truth about her ancestor's role in the Suffolk witch hunts of 1645.

But can they stop the curse that threatens to ruin the Stearne family once again, or are the forces of the past too strong?

 

Paperback and e-Book formats available - follow the buy link

 

The book is also a finalist in 'The Wishing Shelf' 2013 Book Awards (results announced in Early 2014). The link to the finalists web page is http://www.thewsa.co.uk/finalists2013/ .You can read a short sample via Amazon 'Look inside' (as well as here on bookbuzzer obviously). If you like what you read there you buy a copy easily.Please share with anyone you think would enjoy the book.

 

 

 

For years I've passed an old creepy looking building that sits off the roadside on the way to visit my mother in the village of Hitcham, Suffolk. Everytime I went by it I always got the feeling the place could have some kind of story to tell. In any case I let my imagination run wild and combined this my creative side to come up with the novel. I have always been fascinated with ghosts, the paranormal and the local history on my door step. The result was the 'The Assembly Room'. I hope readers enjoy the story which is 'simply out of this world!'

Amazon reviews so far
 
4.0 out of 5 stars Spooky yet entertaining., 22 Nov 2012
 
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This review is from: The Assembly Room (Kindle Edition)
I won this book in a giveaway and finished reading it in a day! I liked the use of witch trials in the current era...and it was spooky enough to make me shudder. I look forward to more books by Bryony Allen.
 
4.0 out of 5 stars
 
A book practicially written for me, 9 Oct 2012
By 
 
*Free book from the author in exchange for honest review*

I have always been fascinated by the study of witchcraft and the witchcraft trials for years now which is why I was really excited to find out about this book.

After finishing this book, I realized that it nothing like how I thought it would be, which can be a good thing. Because I knew quite a bit about witchcraft trials, I thought that the book was well written and well researched. I loved the idea of going into Merryn's dreams where she was experiencing first-hand what had happened to these witches. It was so descriptive I was able to picture it in my head while I was reading.

However, I should stress one thing, I have studied witchcraft briefly but to anyone who hasn't, don't be afraid to pick up the book, you do not any knowledge prior to reading this book simply because the author Byrony Allen has done such a wonderful job with the writing that you won't be left confused. I loved the characters and how they were portrayed, I really felt for the poor victims who had been accused of witchcraft in the novel in what I can only describe as hysteria in a country full of chaos. I only wish the book were longer. Allen is becoming one of my favourite authors and I hope I can read more from her.
 
****  
4 Star review from Angie at the YA Novelties review team
 
What would you usually get when you move into a crummy old house? The Assembly Room of course, which comes with a package of dark, gory mystery neatly wrapped in a beautifully written story. 
 
We start off with Merryn's family moving into the disgustingly rotting house that Merryn's father inherited from an insane late uncle. Right off the bat, we know that we're in for a disturbing past because really, all horror stories begin with someone doing something stupid in the past like 300 years ago. In this case, Merryn is reliving all of these moments in the past that are haunting the future, her present. 
 
Watching the present and the past intertwine to create a spellbinding tale just caused me to love this book. Although I am usually not a big fan of horror, The Assembly Room possesses something that lurks beneath the pages that drew me. Bryony Allen excels in seamlessly splitting the story between the present and the past. The witch trials provide a vindictive history behind the haunting events in the book. Let's just say that Bryony Allen has an extraordinary gift with storytelling. 
 
My only concern with The Assembly Room was the point of view. Most books have a consistent narration from first-person and third-person. However, this book had an interesting characteristic of incorporating the thoughts of all of the characters present in scene in the same chapter. Like, Merynne would be talking about how embarrassed she felt about her feelings for Jamie, while in the next paragraph, Jamie would be thinking the same thing. I didn't really dislike it, but it just felt a little out of place.
 
The Assembly Room is a amazingly written story of the past and present intermingling. The depth of many of the characters that face terrible luck due to the past is realistic and perfectly portrayed. This book is definitely one of my favorite surprises of this year. I totally did not expect to enjoy The Assembly Room as much as I did. The Assembly Room is a must read for all horror readers because honestly, it's an story that packs a punch and tantalizes one's reading palette.
 
Elise And Her Books - 4 Star Video Review of The Assembly Room