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Exit 13 #2
The Spaces In Between
Welcome back to the EXIT 13 Motel! We are so so happy you decided to return. After all, why would you ever want to leave? If you'd like, we can even make sure that your stay is... permanent. With black-and-white comic pages throughout, EXIT 13 is perfect for mystery and horror loving kids everywhere! Try as they might, the McGinn family can't seem to escape from the clutches of the EXIT 13 Motel. Other guests come and go, totally unaware of the fact that Ash, Willow, and the rest of their family aren't able to leave, no matter how hard they try. But as they attempt to get to the bottom of the mystery of the Motel, things only seem to get more bizarre. Ash is hearing and seeing strange things almost every night, and Willow's attempts to learn more about Kristoff - the dark and brooding Motel receptionist - uncover a massive secret that has so far remained hidden underneath the Motel itself. New guests, new frights, and new animals in need of saving mean that the McGinn siblings - and Daisy the goldendoodle - have their work cut out for them. Can they get to the bottom of it all before the Motel closes its doors on them, once and for all? Return to the weird and creepy world of EXIT 13 in this hair-raising sequel. Whether you're a fan of mystery, a lover of horror, or even a graphic novel super reader, EXIT 13 is sure to grab you. This illustrated novel -- the second in the series -- includes black-and-white comic pages throughout!
188 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2023
6 people are currently reading
30 people want to read
About the author
James Preller
202 books142 followersJames Preller (born 1961) is the children's book author of the Jigsaw Jones Mysteries, which are published by Scholastic Corporation. He grew up in Wantagh, New York and went to college in Oneonta, New York. After graduating from college in 1983, James Preller was employed as a waiter for one year before being hired as a copywriter by Scholastic Corporation, where he was introduced (through their books) to many noatable children's authors. This inspired James Preller to try writing his own books. James Preller published his first book, entitled MAXX TRAX: Avalanche Rescue, in 1986. Since that time, James Preller has written a variety of books, and has written under a number of pen names, including Mitzy Kafka, James Patrick, and Izzy Bonkers. James Preller lives in Delmar, New York with his wife Lisa and their three children.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesp...
http://us.macmillan.com/author/jamesp...
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 2, 2023
This book does not follow the first book. It's all over the place and has so many cliffhangers and not in a good way. What happens with the red door and the kids finding the alien? Who is the fancy woman with Sebastian the dog, that is A.F.? Where is Kristoffs dad? What is the clearing? What is the brick building significance? They said there are many more animals to save but only 2 were saved, what happened to the rest of them or why were they out there? So many unanswered questions with no sign of a third book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2024
This picks up right after the first one, and the McGinn family is still stuck at the Exit 13 Motel. When the motel fills up due to alien convention, Ash and Willow get some more backstory to the area. Kristoff goes missing, and no one seems to have any answers. There's a new strange guest. I didn't like this one as much, and I thought this would wrap up the story and it didn't. Also, Mr. Do is not a fully developed character, and it feels like stereotyping and just an attempt to have one diverse character. I'll still come back to see how this ends, but I'm hoping it's only a trilogy.
January 14, 2024
Hope there will be more of these.
March 28, 2025
I'm a little heart broken that there won't be more books in this series 💔 it's very enjoyable.
December 19, 2023
The second book in the series, will our family be able to get out? Or will they be stuck forever?
😍 It was as if we haven’t left! But given that they have been trying for a while to get away (that poor dad) it was a bit later. But I could just hop step into the story. I was right back where I left.
😍 I loved that the family was able to find out that they were able to visit the town. The at least is something I guess. I mean, they are still stuck and that absolutely sucks, but at least they wouldn’t be 100% stuck at a small space. They could get groceries. They could go visit a vet or a doctor.
😍 Again the blend of comics with normal chapters just made my heart so happy. I love the art style so I was looking forward to those comic pages.
😍 Meeting new people, which included some peeps who are a big fan of Scooby Doo! They were a bit weird at times, but for most I really liked them. They were so nice and I loved how they were around Willow and Ash.
😍 I am sorry, but I already had a feeling, but I can see even more sparks here with Willow and Kristoff. I am a bit on the fence about it (given Kristoff mostly), but I also wouldn’t mind seeing them get closer.
😍 On that note, I still don’t trust him entirely (I mean, his mom is THAT so what does that make him? Plus, we still know so little about him.) but I do like his character for most and I am kinda hoping we find out more about him and his family. What happened to them. Hopefully in the next book we learn more!
😍 I loved that we got some more hints on Mr. Do. What happened to him. His family. They are little hints, but they help so much. And I guess, also break my heart. Poor guy.
😍 That we follow not just Willow and what she is up to (investigating, finding a thing to do), but also Ash and what he is up to (investigating, trying to help out the animals, learning about liminal spaces, dreams, and his powers). It was never confusing who was who, which you sometimes have with books with more than one POV and especially when the POVs seemingly go from one and the other. They both have clear voices and it was easy to discern them from each other.
😍 I loved that Willow found something to do while being stuck there. She decided to help out at the motel. Clean up. Check people in (and out because most people can leave). Do little chores here and there. It was really great and I was happy for her. It is better than just sulking or being afraid of never leaving.
😍 A new mystery person appears. Or well, their texts appear on Willow’s phone. Warning her. Giving her hints. And I just adored that there was someone, or something, out there that was trying to help.
😍 The new “bad” guy appears. I am putting it between quotes because while he wasn’t the best guy to meet, I was also very curious about him and what his real motivations were.
😍 That we get A LOT of hints and some secrets told. There is still a lot to explore (what is up with that room? What happens if you pick the wrong door? for instance), but I am totally happy with that. I don’t need all the answers in one go, I am happy that as things continue we get to see more and more and slowly are able to form something of an idea.
😍 That ending! I won’t spoil anything, but BOY, it definitely sets the tone for the next book and I just cannot wait. I want to know more. I need to know more.
All in all, bring the next book! I need to know what happens next~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
😍 It was as if we haven’t left! But given that they have been trying for a while to get away (that poor dad) it was a bit later. But I could just hop step into the story. I was right back where I left.
😍 I loved that the family was able to find out that they were able to visit the town. The at least is something I guess. I mean, they are still stuck and that absolutely sucks, but at least they wouldn’t be 100% stuck at a small space. They could get groceries. They could go visit a vet or a doctor.
😍 Again the blend of comics with normal chapters just made my heart so happy. I love the art style so I was looking forward to those comic pages.
😍 Meeting new people, which included some peeps who are a big fan of Scooby Doo! They were a bit weird at times, but for most I really liked them. They were so nice and I loved how they were around Willow and Ash.
😍 I am sorry, but I already had a feeling, but I can see even more sparks here with Willow and Kristoff. I am a bit on the fence about it (given Kristoff mostly), but I also wouldn’t mind seeing them get closer.
😍 On that note, I still don’t trust him entirely (I mean, his mom is THAT so what does that make him? Plus, we still know so little about him.) but I do like his character for most and I am kinda hoping we find out more about him and his family. What happened to them. Hopefully in the next book we learn more!
😍 I loved that we got some more hints on Mr. Do. What happened to him. His family. They are little hints, but they help so much. And I guess, also break my heart. Poor guy.
😍 That we follow not just Willow and what she is up to (investigating, finding a thing to do), but also Ash and what he is up to (investigating, trying to help out the animals, learning about liminal spaces, dreams, and his powers). It was never confusing who was who, which you sometimes have with books with more than one POV and especially when the POVs seemingly go from one and the other. They both have clear voices and it was easy to discern them from each other.
😍 I loved that Willow found something to do while being stuck there. She decided to help out at the motel. Clean up. Check people in (and out because most people can leave). Do little chores here and there. It was really great and I was happy for her. It is better than just sulking or being afraid of never leaving.
😍 A new mystery person appears. Or well, their texts appear on Willow’s phone. Warning her. Giving her hints. And I just adored that there was someone, or something, out there that was trying to help.
😍 The new “bad” guy appears. I am putting it between quotes because while he wasn’t the best guy to meet, I was also very curious about him and what his real motivations were.
😍 That we get A LOT of hints and some secrets told. There is still a lot to explore (what is up with that room? What happens if you pick the wrong door? for instance), but I am totally happy with that. I don’t need all the answers in one go, I am happy that as things continue we get to see more and more and slowly are able to form something of an idea.
😍 That ending! I won’t spoil anything, but BOY, it definitely sets the tone for the next book and I just cannot wait. I want to know more. I need to know more.
All in all, bring the next book! I need to know what happens next~
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
April 18, 2023
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
Ash and Willow's family found themselves stuck in The Exit 13 motel in The Whispering Pines. Their father is determined to escape, but drives off in the family car only to return immediately to the family, but in his world has just spents days driving around. The mother wants them to just enjoy being together. Other visitors, like Justice, managed to escape, and the family is able to go into town, but no further. Willow has been helping Kristoff, the dark and dramatic desk clerk whose mother has not been seen, with the housekeeping around the motel when a group of UFO enthusiasts checks in. Ash has tried to get information from Mr. Do, the enigmatic gardener, and has managed to find a book about liminal spaces. Ash still hears whispers calling him, and finds the woods especially creepy. Daisy, the family dog, is injured out in the woods, and the family does have to consult a vet. Willow is dealing with a creepy man who seems to be hiding something, and gets mysterious texts warning her about him from "AF". Kristoff goes missing. The UFO group is a lot of fun, and they even try to help the kids investigate the odd things going on, since they are more than willing to believe in supernatural phenomena, but no one is able to make any inroads into what is going on. Ash and Willow aren't checking out any time soon, but will they be able to leave in book three? (No title or publication date available at this time.
Strengths: See? It's possible to have a scary adventure without killing the parents. I maintain that it actually heightens the tension to have them involved. For example, Willow is trying to occupy herself and be useful, but her parents don't want her to be near him because he's just a bit older. She and her brother, who get along fairly well and like each other, have to hide their activities from the parents, which is much more realistic. There's a big secret driving all of the mysteries, but we don't know what it is yet. We are just dealing with the ramifications of it. The UFO group was a good touch; helpful, believing, but ultimately, on their way back to the real world. (With a rescue dog and everything!)
Weaknesses: I loved the first book in the series, but this wasn't quite as good; not an uncommon occurrence in series. Mr. Do was an odd character. At one point, he quotes Eliot's The Wasteland, which will be lost on most middle grade readers.
What I really think: I'm still looking forward to the next installation to see what is going on. I'd definitely order additional copies of these if I were hosting a Scholastic book fair, since they are just the right amount of creepy. The mix of text and a few comic style panels in each chapter are something I think will catch on.
Ash and Willow's family found themselves stuck in The Exit 13 motel in The Whispering Pines. Their father is determined to escape, but drives off in the family car only to return immediately to the family, but in his world has just spents days driving around. The mother wants them to just enjoy being together. Other visitors, like Justice, managed to escape, and the family is able to go into town, but no further. Willow has been helping Kristoff, the dark and dramatic desk clerk whose mother has not been seen, with the housekeeping around the motel when a group of UFO enthusiasts checks in. Ash has tried to get information from Mr. Do, the enigmatic gardener, and has managed to find a book about liminal spaces. Ash still hears whispers calling him, and finds the woods especially creepy. Daisy, the family dog, is injured out in the woods, and the family does have to consult a vet. Willow is dealing with a creepy man who seems to be hiding something, and gets mysterious texts warning her about him from "AF". Kristoff goes missing. The UFO group is a lot of fun, and they even try to help the kids investigate the odd things going on, since they are more than willing to believe in supernatural phenomena, but no one is able to make any inroads into what is going on. Ash and Willow aren't checking out any time soon, but will they be able to leave in book three? (No title or publication date available at this time.
Strengths: See? It's possible to have a scary adventure without killing the parents. I maintain that it actually heightens the tension to have them involved. For example, Willow is trying to occupy herself and be useful, but her parents don't want her to be near him because he's just a bit older. She and her brother, who get along fairly well and like each other, have to hide their activities from the parents, which is much more realistic. There's a big secret driving all of the mysteries, but we don't know what it is yet. We are just dealing with the ramifications of it. The UFO group was a good touch; helpful, believing, but ultimately, on their way back to the real world. (With a rescue dog and everything!)
Weaknesses: I loved the first book in the series, but this wasn't quite as good; not an uncommon occurrence in series. Mr. Do was an odd character. At one point, he quotes Eliot's The Wasteland, which will be lost on most middle grade readers.
What I really think: I'm still looking forward to the next installation to see what is going on. I'd definitely order additional copies of these if I were hosting a Scholastic book fair, since they are just the right amount of creepy. The mix of text and a few comic style panels in each chapter are something I think will catch on.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews