Small Spaces are Hidden Treasures

    Small Spaces, a novel by Catherine Arden, tells the story of a girl named Olivia, Ollie for short. The story creates a world where things are not as they seem, and where shadows are abundant. The book throws elements of surprise at the reader throughout the story, and builds suspense with the ever ticking watch that counts down the time until sunset. Combining horror and mystery makes the book hard to put down, and it leaves the reader wondering what happens next.

Ollie isn't exactly an average girl; her mother died the year before and she lives with her dad in a house painted with a variety of colors, known as "The Egg." She's just trying to get through seventh grade when she finds a woman crying by the side of a river, about to throw a book in. Before she knows it, Ollie snatches the book out of the woman's hands and runs away with it, with the words of the woman still in her head, "Avoid large places at night. Keep to small." As she reads the book, she learns the story of the Websters, a farm family that lived in a place called Smoke Hollow. 

The story of Smoke Hollow is this; a girl named Beth grew up with her friends Caleb and Jonathan at Smoke Hollow. As they grew, the two boys competed for the love of Beth. One day Jonathan asked for her hand in marriage, and Beth said yes. Caleb was so angry at Jonathan he left Smoke Hollow and ran into the woods. He did not return. Days later, on a rainy evening, mist began to rise in the fields, the same mist that gives Smoky Hollow its name. Jonathan, in grief, left the house and cried to the rain "Please, I'm sorry, I just want him back. I'll do anything." At that a figure walked out of the mist and told Jonathan he could bring his brother back... at a price.

Ollie does not think much of the story until she visits Smoke Hollow itself and learns more of the story. Later that day, as she is heading home from Smoke Hollow with her classmates, a mist descends upon them and the countdown to sunset begins. Joined by two students, she sets out into the woods and ultimately into another world, one where scarecrows lurk in the shadows and night is a treacherous place to be.

In Small Spaces I learned about the values of teamwork, that not only does it make things more efficient, it can provide safety to team members, with the ultimate message being stick together and stay focused, and one can succeed. The story of Ollie and her fellow students is a creepy, interesting tale sure to hook you. I highly recommend reading Small Spaces, as it keeps you on the edge of your seat and is hard to put down, to say the least. Also- avoid large places at night.