Reviewed by Anne-Marie Reynolds for Readers' Favorite

Project H.E.A.L. by E.T. Darkmore is a science fiction tale for children. Maverick and Maddi are spending the summer break at the St. Magnus Memorial Hospital because it is where their parents work. It’s a very strange place. As they explore, they notice weird things. Whole wings are shut off, doors lock themselves, and even the hallways change without warning. There is an eerie atmosphere about the hospital, but when the kids begin to explore, what they discover is shocking. They soon realize they may be trapped and need to discover what’s going on and get out before they are trapped for good.

Project H.E.A.L. by E.T. Darkmore is a creepy tale that cleverly blends mystery, horror, and sci-fi, tailored for younger readers. It’s a tense story with plenty of suspense, but while it has elements of horror in it, there’s nothing that will shock readers; it’s more psychological than graphic, centered on feelings of paranoia and helplessness. The characters are wonderfully well-developed, and the two children have their own personalities that many readers will relate to easily. There’s plenty of action, and it’s an exciting, unique story that readers will struggle to put down. The ending leaves you with more questions than answers, suggesting there may be a sequel in the works. The main themes in the story are courage, trust, and how deceptive appearances can be, especially in authority figures. At its heart, it’s designed to entertain, and I certainly enjoyed it. Although it is aimed at young readers, you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this book.