The Stars Did Wander Darkling

A suspenseful and atmospheric horror perfect for younger fans of Stranger Things and Neil Gaiman, from New York Times bestselling author and the Decemberists’ lead singer/songwriter Colin Meloy.

Maybe Archie Coomes has been watching too many horror movies.

All of a sudden, the most ordinary things have taken on a sinister edge: a penny on a doormat. A man in a brown suit under a streetlamp. The persistent sound of an axe chopping in the middle of the night.

He keeps telling himself that this is Seaham, a sleepy seaside town where nothing ever happens. Or at least nothing did, until his dad’s construction company opened up the cliff beneath the old – some say cursed – Langdon place.

Soon, though, he and his friends can’t deny it: more and more of the adults in town are acting strangely. An ancient, long-buried evil has been unleashed upon the community, and it’s up to the kids to stop it before it’s too late . . .

“Meloy expertly teases out the suspense to foster an atmosphere of otherworldly mystery, while concretely establishing the story's sense of time and place. Delectable details stud the narrative. . . Meloy delivers a solid middle-grade horror story with authentic chills and splashes of gore. The friendship between the four main characters drives it all, much like in Stranger Things and Stand by Me , ensuring readers' hearts are engaged as much as their adrenaline.”

Meloy expertly teases out the suspense to foster an atmosphere of otherworldly mystery, while concretely establishing the story’s sense of time and place. Delectable details stud the narrative. . . Meloy delivers a solid middle-grade horror story with authentic chills and splashes of gore. The friendship between the four main characters drives it all, much like in Stranger Things and Stand by Me, ensuring readers’ hearts are engaged as much as their adrenaline. Starred Review
Aesthetically eerie. . . Evoking 1980s adventures such as The Goonies. . . a nostalgic summertime adventure involving cinematic chase sequences, uncanny occurrences, and psychological unease. Publishers Weekly
Set in a misty Oregon during the 1980s, fans of Stranger Things will definitely enjoy this. There are some big similarities, sure, but rest assured this is a unique book – and the ending also leaves room for a sequel, so here’s hoping! A well-written, fun and scary read for ages 9+. Readings
This is a suspenseful and scary tale, that will have you on the edge of your seat as the kids race against time to save their town. Perfect for readers aged 12 to 15 who enjoy thrilling stories. Lamont Books
Set in a dark and brooding Oregon, this eighties inspired supernatural horror story is spooky in just the right way. Archie Coombes keeps noticing strange things happening in his town and he is pretty sure that it is related to the building site that his dad works on. So, Archie and his friends decide to investigate, aided by stories from the proprietor of the local video shop. This spooky, beautifully written story is perfect for younger fans of Stranger Things, but is also utterly unique. Suitable for ages 9 and up. Readings

Colin Meloy is the author of The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid and the New York Times bestselling Wildwood Chronicles as well as two picture books, The Golden Thread: A Song for Pete Seeger and Everyone’s Awake. He is also the singer and songwriter for the indie rock band the Decemberists. Colin lives in Oregon with his wife and frequent collaborator, illustrator Carson Ellis, and their sons.

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