Beth and Brent have a special connection but don’t see each other as much as they used to. That is, until Brent suddenly goes missing. Beth and her friends decide it’s time to face their fears and explore a haunted, abandoned theater. However, they don’t find Brent; instead, the stumble into a portal to another world. Beth and her friends are suddenly thrown into a battle between light and dark, and Beth discovers more about herself than she could ever imagine.

The fantasy piece of this book is nothing new. Hidden portal. Family secrets. Good versus evil. It is a good story which keeps the reader interested in finding out who will prevail. On occasion, the story jumps ahead or time progresses quickly, and it required me to reread to make sure I understood what was going on. The characters are easy to relate to, especially the turmoil Beth is going through. It is the first in a series so be prepared to wait to find out what happens next. Overall, this book is a solid fantasy with a few good twists and turns.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

This was a great story. It had moments full of tension and suspense and then some more light hearted moments. I read it on Haloween and there were some creepy parts just perfect for the day. I really felt for all of the children. They all went on the adventure to find a friend and they found out a lot more than that. Beth gets some answers about her parents and their accident and in doing so, finds out a lot more about her history. Her friends support her all the way through, even during the dangerous and scary times. I hope there is a 2nd one coming.

I loved the characters and how loyal they are to each other as they risk so much to find their missing friend. Even when they are tossed into a different world filled with danger and frightening situations, they are always ready to jump to protect each other. I wish the ending was a little less abrupt but it also leave much to the imagination. Especially with Beth and Brent. I know a bunch of my customers who are going to love this book.

I loved the concept of this story. The author’s world building is excellent and the range of characters interesting. As this is the first book in a series, it would have been easy to have information dumps but this hasn’t happened. The pace is good and we are learn about some characters. I am sure there will be more in-depth coverage of those we didn’t, in future books.

A spooky and engaging Y/A book that I thoroughly enjoyed! Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

The Abandoned Theater by Dana Robertson is a super fun read with some good twists! Good book for all ages to enjoy! Can’t wait for the next one:))) will recommend to friends!

I was fortunate to get an advanced reader copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. In this compelling young adult novel, the Springvale theater, a relic of past performances, holds dark secrets from eight years ago when Mr. Winnodov mysteriously vanished during what ultimately became the last show. Fast forward to the present, and a new mystery unfolds as a group of children sneaks into the theater—only for one to go missing.
Beth Shoner, who discovers that the missing child is someone she knows, is propelled into a race against time with her friends to uncover the truth. As they delve deeper, Beth realizes that the past eight years of her life may not be what they seemed, and she finds herself in a pivotal role—her choices could mean the difference between rescue and disaster.
This story is a briskly paced adventure, making it an easy and engaging read. However, the rapid tempo occasionally leaves little room for deeper exploration, which might leave some adult readers craving more nuance. Nevertheless, its accessibility makes it a perfect fit for middle-grade readers.
The novel masterfully weaves together elements of thriller, mystery, and fantasy, all while tackling significant themes like grief, divorce, and the complexities of young friendships. The character development is particularly strong, allowing readers to form genuine connections with Beth and her companions.
Overall, this book is a delightful journey filled with suspense and heart, making it a must-read for young adults and anyone who enjoys a well-crafted tale of discovery and resilience.

this was a very engaging book!! the characters were fleshed out and the story had depth to it, not to mention that it dealt with a myriad of different themes; it was wonderfully layered!

A seriously spooky YA Horror story melds seamlessly into Epic Fantasy while also coping with overtones of life issues such as divorce, parental fatalities, parents acting out, friendships vs. cliques, town and familial secretkeeping. The characters are engaging and the story holds a plethora of surprises, encased in a lyrical, imaginative, writing style.