Author: Natasha Preston is a Wattpad author turned published and created hauntedly beautiful stories.
link to the author's website https://www.natashapreston.com/
Published: 2014
Genre: Young Adult Horror
AR Information: Level 4.2
Code 170057
Characters: Main character is 16 year old Summer. There are other girls in the cellar aged between 14-22.
Back of Book Overview: "Summer is trapped in a cellar with the man who took her―and three other girls: Rose, Poppy, and Violet. His perfect flowers. His family. But flowers can't survive long cut off from the sun, and time is running out..."
Content Warnings: Kidnapping, murder, rape, etc.
Spice: 2 out of 5 for minimal described but thoroughly discussed rape
My Opinion: The Cellar definitely starts the scare right at page 6. Yup, Natasha Preston really does not waste anytime. This scare is a little different though, this scare is a thing that almost every girl I know fears. The Cellar is a book about a 16 year old girl named Summer who gets kidnapped and locked in a cellar with three other girls (ranging between 18 and 22). The book covers their time in the cellar and Summer's family's time trying to find her. According to the cover, this book is for ages 14 and up, which makes perfect sense in a few ways but I struggle to agree with that recommendation in others. I do have a few things to bring up from the book that I felt like parents might want to discuss with their young readers before or after reading, as it is a great opening for these tougher conversations. This book is all about being kidnapped, a young girl walks alone, outside, at night from a party and in just a few minutes is shoved into a van and gone (anyone else reading that sentence and going "stupid, stupid, stupid?"). Discussing safe habits and self defense tools are always a brilliant idea, but this book can help demonstrate why. The Cellar also discusses in detail some events that take place down there, including many fully described murders and even a minimal detailed but thoroughly discussed rape. Again all topics that could be touched on for younger readers. I really would recommend this book, despite the dark tone and the pit in your stomach when you are reminded that this girl is only 16. Basically I think y'all should read the book and then discuss the book with your kids if you think this is a book your child would enjoy. A true beauty of books is the discussions they can open and light that they can shine on difficult situations.
Where Can I Buy This Book? (Nonaffiliated links)
Amazon https://a.co/d/2vB4EPI
Barnes and Nobles https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-cellar-natasha-preston/1117509760?ean=9781492600978
Happy reading!
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