The Gathering

Poblocki, Dan. The Gathering. Book 1 of the Shadow House series. 2016. 217p. ISBN 9780545925501. Available at FIC POB on the library shelves.

Poppy’s mother disappeared when she was six, so she ended up at the Thursday House for orphan children. Everytime she looks in a mirror she sees another girl in the background looking at her. The girl looks sad and never talks to her, but she shows her small objects. When Poppy wakes up in the morning, she discovers these objects on her pillow. The other children believe her to be crazy, and, in the cruel way of children, name her Crazy Poppy. On the day she’s had enough of their bullying, she snaps and it lands her in the director’s office. There, in her file, she discovers a letter a great aunt sent her a letter inviting her to live at her mansion, Larkspur. Polly is thrilled and decides to leave the orphanage and find the only family she has.

Marcus loves to play the piano, but between his siblings and his mother, he can’t find enough time that don’t disturb the others. He hears a haunting music in his mind that inspires him. His mother is thrilled when he receives a scholarship to a prestigious music school called Larkspur Academy of the Performing Arts. Marcus can’t believe his own luck. He’ll be among other musicians driven like himself.

Azumi needs to leave her Seattle home. Ever since her older sister disappeared during a trip to Japan to visit their grandmother, Azumi has been heartbroken. In her nightmares she keeps reliving her disappearance. She wants a change of scenery, and an internet search keeps returning one website, that of the Larkspur Boarding School.

Twin actors Dylan and Dash have just finished their seven year run as a child named Scooter in a family sitcom, and they are looking for work. An opportunity presents itself when they are invited to become the stars of a horror flick to be filed at Larkspur. They readily accept, and Dash sees this as his opportunity to escape Dylan’s shadows.

These five children all come to Larkspur for their own reasons, sustained by specific hopes. But what they discover instead is the horrors that haunt the old mansion. For the Shadow House seems intent on consuming them all. Once inside, they discover they can’t leave. There are strange children haunting the house. Dolls that look like them are scattered throughout the house. And everywhere they feel the malevolence of Shadow House. What evil forces called the children here? And what must they do to escape with their lives?