Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, although the first couple chapters really dragged down the experience for me. They were incredibly slow and tedious with lots of repetition, especially the first chapter. I guess it makes sense because Bod was a literal toddler, but it was still a bore to read. However, the book really picked up around the end of Chapter 3, and I was able to fly through the book after that.

I find the world fascinating, although I shouldn't be surprised because world building is one of Neil Gaiman's greatest strengths as an author. I liked that he didn't feel the need to constantly explain things to us. It's obvious what Fading, and Fear, and Haunting is. I think a lot of authors make the mistake of over-explaining so I found this refreshing.

Another thing I enjoyed about the book was the great use of foreshadowing and aptronyms.

Miss Lupescu is obviously a werewolf because lupus in Latin means wolf. Mr. Frost is obviously the man Jack because he's Jack Frost. Etcetera.

The ghoul names were also hilarious, especially

the famous author Victor Hugo

. 

I found the ending very bittersweet and perfectly fitting for a boy who grew up in a graveyard. But I do have one complaint:

it should have ended when Bod was 18 rather than 15. In my opinion, it would have made more sense if Bod's powers went away at the dawn of his adulthood rather than the very arbitrary age of 15. Plus, sending a 15 year old out into the world with just some pocket money and a passport? How is he to live anywhere? Nobody (ha) would rent to a 15 year old!

I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a spooky book that you can read with your children. It's a fantastic story, not to short and not to long. You just have to get through those first couple chapters.