BookView Review
"Two siblings spend their summer inside a hospital and uncover a secret experiment that may be far more dangerous than anyone realizes in Darkmore’s suspenseful middle-grade novel. What starts as a dull summer at a hospital quickly becomes something far darker for Maverick and Maddi. Strange shadows, unnatural staff behavior, and hidden areas lead them to a classified project called B.O.O.T.S. As they uncover evidence of disturbing experiments, the hospital reveals itself as something far more dangerous than it seems. With Dr. Graves always watching, the siblings must decide how far they’re willing to go for the truth.
This well-paced middle-grade novel blends sharp humor with steadily escalating suspense. Darkmore uses Maverick’s comedic perspective to soften the story’s darker elements, allowing the tension to build without becoming overwhelming. The hospital is drawn with striking detail, gradually taking on a life of its own as an ominous, watchful space. The sibling dynamic feels genuine and adds emotional weight, especially as the plot moves into more complex territory. Though the quick pace occasionally sacrifices depth, it keeps the narrative moving briskly. The steady rise in unease leads to a gripping and accessible story.
A suspenseful, darkly imaginative adventure that fuses humor, mystery, and sci-fi horror into a gripping middle-grade thriller."
Readers’ Favorite
Anne-Marie Reynolds
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.
CURRENT AWARD SUBMISSIONS
🏆 Readers' Favorite International Book Award (2026)
Status: Submitted
Review Result: ★★★★★ Readers' Favorite Review Received
🏆 Moonbeam Children's Book Awards (2026)
Status: Submitted
🏆 Bram Stoker Awards (Planned for Book Two: Dreams)
Status: Future Submission