Bite Risk

By Author / Illustrator

S.J. Wills

Genre

Horror

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

ISBN

9781398520943

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

08-06-2023

Synopsis

When everyone's a vicious beast, it's hard to spot the monsters . . . The first book in S. J. Wills' blockbuster teen horror series, perfect for fans of Stranger Things, Fear Street and Skulduggery Pleasant.

Sel Archer lives in a normal town with normal residents, except for one night a month . . . When the full moon comes out, almost all of the adults turn into werewolves, and it's up to the young people to protect themselves from danger. But, as this quiet life begins to unravel, and the Turned start to escape, can Sel and his friends uncover exactly who - or what - is watching their every move, before it's too late?

Welcome, to the TOWN OF THE TURNED!

Praise for Bite Risk: 'Bite Risk by the most talented S. J. Wills will have you turning each page feeling sheer horror and laughter.' - A. M. Dassu. 'Pure, thrilling brilliance!' - Louie Stowell. 'I inhaled this book. A concept that crackles, watertight world building, characters you care deeply about, & then the twists & turns . . . ' - Nicola Penfold. 'Smart, pacy, twists and turns with a hero who feels real. Exciting, thrilling but not too scary.' - Emma Norry. 'A gripping, fast-paced thriller.' - Nizrana Farook.

Download Extract

Reviews

At first glance you can tell what the theme of the book is going to be, with its well illustrated front cover. Bite Risk is a book that has family, friendship, trust and a dash of adventure, perfect for younger teens.

Bite Risk follows the lives of teenagers in a small town called Tremorglade. It all begins on Confinement night in April. Aspel is so busy sorting tripwires, that he almost forgot to feed his mum. His mum keeps warning him not to leave things so late and like a lot of teens, Aspel says he will change but not this month. Good job mum won't know how dangerously late he had left things.

On confinement night it's the children who must keep the town safe. Yes that's right. Mum and the other grown up are 'Rippers' aka 'Werewolves.' Can the children keep the town safe? Will they find out what is really happening and survive?

The author keeps you gripped throughout with the language used. It's simple, easy to follow and will be great for those readers aged 11+. There are twists you don't expect throughout, which makes it more gripping. Brilliant read.

320 pages

Suggested Reading Age 11+

What an absolutely 'ripping read'! Bite Risk is highly recommended read for any almost-teen. I'm not a great fan of werewolves, and at first look that's exactly what this book seems to be all about, but it's so much more. This is dystopia with a difference. Family, friendship, trust and adventure, what more can anyone want from a book?

Sel Archer, lives with his Mum and they get along fine, just like any other single parent family; however, once a month, Sel secures his Mum in a cage as she turns into a werewolf! But Sel is not alone, every full moon the young people of Tremorglade are responsible for locking up the adults who have 'turned', to protect themselves from danger. One night, every month, for as long as they can all remember, the young people in the town, are responsible for keeping the town safe. But then one 'confinement night' things begin to go awry, and Sel and his friends are sure someone is behind it all. Can they work out who is responsible for what is happening to their town before it is too late? New out this month, (June), a great summer read.

320 pages / Reviewed by Sam Phillips, school librarian