The Remaking

Thanks to Mr. Chapman and Quirk books for the Advance Reader Copy of The Remaking. I read several different genre's and particularly enjoy thrillers, horror, and some true crime, so when I saw the synopsis I quickly requested. I did enjoy the book, it is a little different than what I was expecting, a little more on the YA side, which is fine, I just usually enjoy more adult themes in my horror. That being said I do read Graphic Novels, including some by Mr. Chapman and I enjoy them. If you enjoy Graphic Novels and YA horror, I think this will a great book to add to your TBR this summer! The book moves at a brisk pace with some definite creep factor that kept me interested throughout. I look forward to more work from Mr. Chapman. Thanks again to the publisher and NetGalley! Happy Reading! #theremaking #netgalley

I absolutely enjoyed this novel as a long time horror fan. The story was very interesting and the writing was cinematic. I hope this is adapted into a movie or TV series eventually.

Amber is cast in a horror movie based on a true story when she was a child and is affected ever since after something horrible happens when she is on set. The movie becomes a cult favorite and it seems to actually haunt people who see it. Amber turns to prescriptions and liquor to drown her feelings and as an adult she is asked to appear in the remake. Can she stop the spirits who haunt the town? The book jumps in time from when Ella and her daughter are accused of being witches to later when Amber is young and then older.
"It felt like the film was an entity of itself-a phantom with my face. It wanted to be watched. It was using my likeness, my smile, to lure people in."

"These woods whisper...the woods know what the people of Pilot's Creek have done." The residents of Pilot's Creek, Virginia, a superstitious town, felt that Ella Louise Ford was "touched". As a child, she made dolls that looked like totems. (like effigies) Shunned by the populace, disowned by her parents, she raised her daughter Jessica, supporting the family of two, with Ella's Apothecary Shop nestled in the woods. There were"...miracle cures...roots and leaves and fungi of all kinds." Unfortunately, a pregnant woman died after taking Ella's suggested cure. On October 16, 1931, at four minutes past midnight,...five men went beyond the law...Tonight they were going to burn a witch." Both Ella Louise and nine year old Jessica were burned alive. Thinking that Jessica was "more powerful", she was buried in the cemetery in a steel-reinforced coffin under six feet of concrete. A metal fence of more than one hundred interlocking connected crosses was installed to prevent Jessica's ghost from searching for and reuniting with her mother who was buried somewhere deep in the woods. "Until they are reunited, her soul won't be at peace." Based upon a true witch burning, an urban legend was born. "...a legend that is told and retold without knowledge of what really happened-and why."

"The Remaking" by Clay McLeod Chapman is a ghost story divided into four chapters. The first part is a "campfire" style version of the legend of "The Witch Girl's Grave at Pilot's Creek". Subsequent retellings include the tale as a horror film, a horror film "remake", and a podcast. Amber Pendleton, a nine year old budding actress, is chosen to star as Jessica in the flick "Don't Tread on Jessica's Grave"." [Amber] was a vessel, a conduit for her character, for Jessica Ford, the Little Witch Girl...Whispers of dialogue had followed her into her dreams." Amber is "swept up in their history". She acts as the thread binding and connecting the embellished remakes of Ella Louise and Jessica's haunting story.

Although the writing was uneven at times, on the whole, this reader was impressed with the concept of four reworkings of an urban legend, one remake every twenty years. Be careful where you are at four minutes past midnight! A creepy, spooky read. Most enjoyable.

Thank you Quirk Books and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Remaking".

Vividly written from the POV of a true genre fan. Engaging dialogue and inner dialogue(s) with fleshed out characters. Exciting descriptions of the ghoulish nature and nothing felt out of place i.e. everything was written for a reason. An excellent choice for horror fans of a variety of ages.

First, this cover is fantastic. I like that the cover was actually referenced twice in the book as well. This is a very entertaining and fun horror that really places the spotlight on bad, B horror films and the fans that follow it. I really enjoyed Amber discussing her horror conventions and the fans; I have friends that are deeply into this and I feel that the author was able to do the horror-con circuit justice (even if it's not in a favorable light - the actresses probably feel exactly the way Amber described).

Horror film buffs should delight in The Remaking by Clay McLeod Chapman which chronicles the history of the films made about the legendary witches of Pilots Creek, Virginia. We follow the star of the film through the disastrous original and catastrophic remakes as the persecuted and murdered witches of Pilots Knob exact their revenge on those who dishonor them.

If you became obsessed with horror movies as a kid walking through the video store, sneaking glimpses of the macabre VHS covers, THE REMAKING is your kind of novel. And if you have a soft spot for witches, urban legends, and cursed films, you'll love this book as much as I did.

Based on the true story of a young girl and her mother burned at the stake, accused of witchcraft, THE REMAKING follows the story of a young actress cast in the role of the young girl and years later, cast as the mother in a remake of the cult classic.

Dark and unsettling, this story speaks to true horror lovers. There were a few parts that were so frightening, I needed to take a little break from reading! I enjoyed how the story was told - the novel spanned many years and the narrative shifted which was unique and held my interest. I also appreciated how this novel looked at misogyny in the horror genre.

I’ll definitely read more from this author!

Inspired on a true story about a women and her child burned for witchcraft. The story of their murder is carried through the years to become an urban legend. I wouldn't say it was a horror story but it definitely has that classic ghost story feel.
I did loose track at times, I felt that there was tom much repetition, but overall I really enjoyed it. I couldn’t put it down. I would say that the style of writing was lacking a little but it made for an easy read

I'm so disappointed in myself for taking so long to get to reading this book! I always love any kind of horror book, but ghost and witch stories are probably my favorite! The Remaking is a good old-fashioned, burn-witches-at-the-stake who then take revenge as ghosts story! I whipped through it in a day and a half because I just had to know what Jessica and her mother, Ella Louise, were going to do next! The town of Pilot's Creek burned Ella Louise and Jessica at the stake, claiming that Ella Louise was at fault for the death of a townsperson--and they believed that Jessica was even more powerful. Skip ahead in time and young Amber Pendleton is selected to play Jessica in a movie about the two. But something goes really wrong on the set and Amber's life is changed forever. This was such a crazy, spooky ride, and I cannot wait to read more by Clay McLeod Chapman!