Vera Strange brings readers another frightfully good story in her latest installment of the Disney Chills series, Fiends on the Other Side. Book two follows Jamal as he becomes entangled in the dark world of Dr. Facilier and his dark magic from Disney’s The Princess and the Frog.
Twelve-year-old Jamal has always lived in his twin brother, Malik’s, shadow. All he wants in the world is to know, just for one day, what it’s like to be his more popular, more talented, and more confident brother. So when a mysterious man named Dr. Facilier appears and offers Jamal the opportunity to do just that, Jamal jumps at the chance. But when he wakes up the next morning to find his dream has come true, he learns it comes at a terrible cost. There’s a reason people say “Never make a deal with the Shadow Man.” And Jamal is about to find out why.
Fiends on the Other Side is a chilling story that will have readers watching the shadows a little closer. Vera Strange perfectly captures the charismatic yet dangerous character of Dr. Facilier who haunts Jamal throughout the book after Jamal discovers an inheritance from his late grandmother is more than meets the eye. Dr. Facilier will stop at nothing to retrieve what he sees as his. Jamal is endearing as a protagonist struggling with making friends, bullies, and finding his way out of his brother’s shadow. When he meets Dr. Facilier and tries to outsmart him, the Shadow Man twists Jamal’s longing for friends and popularity in the worst way. Whatever you’re thinking, it’s worse (in a great plot twist kind of way). I promise.
Similar to book one, Fiends on the Other Side, will have readers reveling in the fast-paced, twisting tale of Jamal as his wildest dreams and worst fears are made real. Playing on the classic fear of the dark with Dr. Facilier’s shadow monsters and downright creepy voodoo dolls, Fiends invites readers to venture into the streets of New Orleans with Jamal and experience just what happens when you make a deal with the Shadow Man.
Set in modern day New Orleans, it’s a great companion book to the world created in Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. Strange subtly includes a few references of the world readers already know from the movie into Jamal’s story, perfectly balancing the familiarity of Tiana’s story with Jamal’s world. Fiends on the Other Side is the perfect next read for any young late elementary, early middle school fans of mystery, suspense, or horror books!
Disney Chills: Fiends on the Other Side will be available at your local bookstore and online October 6, and can be preordered now!
