Crescentville Haunting (Bonus Edition)

De: MN Bennet

Narrado por: Eddie Blake

Determined to pass junior year, Logan won’t let Henry distract him—much. Logan’s focusing on all things human, which means his swoony vampire ex-boyfriend will have to file his own fangs for a change. When he goes to the school bonfire and runs into Henry, wandering into the woods seems like a great escape. Until he’s bitten by a wicked Crone with some twisted magical munchies.

Logan is certain his ex-free human future is done when he’s dragged off to a scientific institution for study. There, he’s presented with an opportunity to keep his life, family, and future. All he has to do is stick to human ideology, since all things paranormal are illegal. But complications arise when the Crone begins to haunt him and Logan realizes that if he wants to get his life back, he has to navigate his lingering feelings for Henry.

With the Crone set on devouring him and the institution ready to obliterate him for any missteps, Logan must decide between pursuing the human future his family wants—one that he thought he wanted too—or the chance to embrace Henry, even if the world isn’t ready.

Note: This is the bonus edition that includes an added compendium of monsters and an extra epilogue adventure.

©2023, 2024, 2025 MN Bennet (P)2025 MN Bennet

a solid read that I truly enjoyed. GIVE ME MORE

Have you ever binged an anime, fallen in love with the characters, realized you’d only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg of the world-building/plot, only to find out there’s only one season? Allow me to introduce you to a book that can recreate that feeling.

MN Bennet has a way of creating relatable characters (including side characters, not just the MMCs) who navigate life with thoughtfulness and plenty of “that’s what s/he said” jokes along the way and I loved every minute of it. Logan’s journey, while paranormal, had many real-world parallels. My complaint is that I NEED to know Logan and Henry’s back story. I also MUST know how they are doing a few years down the road after graduation.

The ending to the story was satisfying with closure, BUT I AM INVESTED in these adorable bi boys and their futures, along with the futures of the many other characters we met along the way.

This was my first time to listen to the narrator Eddie Blake. I loved his voice for Logan; Henry’s voice was a bit off to me, which made it hard for me to love him as much as I think I should have. HOWEVER, I truly believe he did an excellent job voicing SO many characters. Not once did I have to question who was speaking because of how well he differentiated the voices.

The worldbuilding of this book is amazing

It tells the story of Logan, a high school boy who tries unsuccessfully to get over his ex, Henry, because he tries to stay out of the supernatural world. But he doesn't succeed. The worldbuilding is incredible, blending supernatural elements with urban fantasy in a story of acceptance.

This is my first audiobook by this narrator, and I liked how he differentiates the voices, doing a very good job, especially with the supernatural beings.

I adored these characters and the story was so fun!

When Logan decides to put some distance between himself and his vampire boyfriend, Henry, and focus on school and human things, it almost works. Almost. That plan derails spectacularly when Logan reluctantly attends a bonfire and is bitten by a crone hiding among the humans.

Logan is then whisked away to a government facility where scientists study the supernatural — working to restore humanity while preserving supernatural abilities. Think diverse creatures, original powers, and strong Halloweentown High adjacent vibes (listen, I said vibes, not plot — don’t come for me).

Logan is such a relatable MC: awkward, anxious, and proudly representing the gamers who would rather play something like The Sims than a violent RPG. He was already struggling to navigate the world as a teenager, but also becoming supernatural in a world where that’s illegal? Terrifying. Confusing. Infinitely harder.

Henry, meanwhile, surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting a redemption arc I couldn’t quite define, and instead got a funny, charming, soft, emotionally mature, quietly wise vampire who has lived his entire life hiding who he is. He told Logan the truth early in their relationship, against his family’s wishes, and that trust and respect forms the foundation of their connection. Their rekindling relationship is built on emotional vulnerability and deep mutual care just as much as romantic feelings, and I was absolutely giggling and kicking my feet over it.

This book delivers a fun cast of characters, original creatures and abilities, mystery, action, and plenty of twists. At times it gave me light A Tale of Magic energy and a dash of Halloweentown High — again, strictly vibes, and strictly in my ow brain.

Aside from a few f-bombs and subtle sexual undertones, I think this would be appropriate for the younger end of the YA spectrum as well. While there is talk about a relationship between two high school age characters, this is very much a YA paranormal fantasy first. The memories and feelings are present but they’re not the driving force.

Sweet, fun, and surprisingly heartfelt, this one completely won me over.

A Modern day Goosebumps

I Absolutely loved this book all the charm and story telling. Logan is a 16 year old kid trying to navigate a world of vampires ghost and other monsters. Logan ends up getting bitten and changed into a half monsters him self. As you read you will fallow Logan on a path to self discovery, loving him self, and finding out how he fits into his new world. With friends by his side and his love interest Henry nothing is impossible and no challenge to hard to overcome.

DNF

The combination of bad narration, and YA stylized writing made this painful to listen to. Logan thinks in circles which even though it is an accurate portrayal of a teen, just does not read well. A lot of things could have been left out and had the same effect.
The way that all the adults almost feel like cartoon characters, the harsh teacher, the overly mothering mom, the gruff and mysterious paranormal police, and the mocking evil hag, made it really hard to connect with the setting.
Like this should have been a middle school grade book, rather than the characters being in their junior year of high school.

I don’t think the narrator helped at all with the way this all felt childish. Every thought seemed hurried and the entire pacing felt off. Plus there was a random evil laugh track that was so off-putting.

I have read a few of his other books, so I think I went into this with other expectations.
Definitely a choice to start your YA book with a literal teenager (a child) on their knees.