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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 14 customer reviews )
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1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 The Cave Sep 15, 2009
By D. Coverston
This is a great book. I enjoyed it very much. Although it was written for a younger crowd, I found it very intriguing. Just enough characters to make it interesting but not so many I couldn't keep up. It has a great story line. It's a great book for a child to have read to them, or a younster to read themselves. I would recommend it highly regardless of your age.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 The Cave Aug 29, 2009
By Christine J. Zegelis
"booktumbling"
The Cave by Steve McGill is a little treasure. Combining the love of an extended family, history, overcoming one's fears and a few ghosts, the story is thoughtful and compelling. I loved Ian and the courage he finds (after an other-worldly visit) to once and for all, enter the cave he has feared for so long. What happens to him is a mystery, one that he cannot explain to himself, let alone his family and friends. The relationship between Ian and his great-grandfather is lovingly described as he helps grandpa down to the cellar to share, for the gazillionth time, a trip back through time while going through grandpa's WWI scrapbook. Ian is mesmerized by the stories and photos of allies lost and never brought home. Perhaps this knowledge, compassion and interest are why ghostly apparitions are visiting Ian? Perhaps this is why Ian is drawn to the cave like never before? It will take every ounce of bravery for Ian to complete the task set before him.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Cave. Mr. McGill skillfully blends the main story of Ian with snippets of the last moments of some of the veterans in his great-grandfather's scrapbook. The characters are honest and, in a very short time, I found myself rooting for Ian! The book will especially be loved by young boys. It has adventure, intrigue, caves, sneaking out, a great friend and best of all, ghosts!!!! I will be holding onto this one to give to my nephew!The Cave
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Scary! Aug 26, 2009
By L. Brandau
The main character of Ian Pratt has a wonderful relationship with his grandfather, and his "Gramps" teaches him through phtotographs and stories about Ian's great-great-grandfather who went missing in World War I. Ian also learns lessons in bravery as he sets out on his mission to discover the secrets of the cave. Because of my own interest in genealogy, I enjoyed Ian's intense curiosity in his ancestry and the encouragement of his family in that interest.
The Cave is a wonderful, well-written story that combines horror and history to create a tale that is magical. The book is classified as Young Adult, but the story itself will hold the attention of anyone that has an interest in history or just enjoys a scary quick read.
Don't think for a minute that because this is written for young people that it is a lightweight horror story! I thought it was pretty scary. Because of that and because the book deals with war and death, I would even show care in choosing this book for sensitive children under 12. I would definitely recommend The Cave for adventurous children and teens, and I think adults looking for a quick read will also enjoy this well-composed story.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
A combination horror story, history lesson and adolescent adventure Aug 06, 2009
By Charles Ashbacher
This book is a combination horror story, historical recapitulation and adolescent male adventure. Ian Pratt grew up hearing stories of the brave exploits of his great-great-grandfather in World War I. This has generated a great desire to express the same bravery exhibited by his ancestor. Since participating in war does not appear to be realistic, his options are restricted to visiting the local haunted house and a mysterious cave.
Given his paternal line, Ian has a great interest in the history of the First World War and he is in the process of co-authoring a school paper on the war with his friend Nate. To prove his bravery, Ian goes alone at night to the haunted house and there he meets a disembodied head that is identical to one that appeared in a "dream." With his courage now strong, Ian also enters the cave and as he moves deeper into it, the entrance disappears and he once again encounters spectral forces. He eventually manages to leave the cave but tells only Nate about his experience, as he doubts that anyone else would believe him.
After some prodding and daring, Nate agrees to accompany Ian back into the cave and when they encounter the spectral forces, Nate gets frightened and is unable to continue. Ian then learns what valuable role he is to play. Throughout the book, there were flashbacks to incidents of soldiers on the battlefields of World War I, but they seemed out of context. The incidents were minor, where the deaths of the soldiers were senseless and trivial, especially when considered in the context of the size of the conflict. For example, there is an incident where on Christmas a spontaneous truce arises between the English and German forces. The opposing soldiers come out of their trenches and exchange gifts and information about their families. As the truce is winding down and the soldiers are moving back to their trenches, one English soldier turns to give one last wave at his German "comrades", only to take a bullet in the forehead.
Ian's role is to meet with the spirits of dead English soldiers that have not passed on due to their thoughts and fears for their loved ones. For each of them, Ian assumes the role of the loved one, which allows the soldiers to express their feelings and then move on to their ultimate peace.
The most appealing aspect of the anti-war features of this book is the sheer pointlessness of the deaths of the soldiers. They do not die in grand battles, but in generally extraneous incidents that serve no real purpose in furthering the goals of the war. Using the horror aspects to provide a link between a boy and his warrior ancestor is a new twist that is to be commended, it is an original approach that the author carries out well.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Excellent book!! Aug 06, 2009
By Breann
If you're a history buff, historical fiction fan, or just someone who enjoys quality storytelling (and don't we all!), I recommend buying The Cave immediately. In fact, buy a couple extra copies while you're at it. You'll want to give them to friends and family after you've read this gripping tale. This book is full of adventure and wonder. The last half of the book in particular is a page turner- you'll finish it in less than a couple of hours. The Cave also deals with several serious issues, such as the brutality of war, loyalty, friendship and family without becoming preachy. Grab a box of tissues to prepare for the last couple of chapters. Out of the hundreds of books I have read, I have cried at the end of only three. The Cave was one of those three.
Buy this book. You won't regret it.
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