"The Amulet" by Michael McOwell is a gripping supernatural thriller set in modern-day London. The story revolves around a mysterious amulet, a powerful artifact that possesses dark and dangerous capabilities. The protagonist, Sarah, stumbles upon the amulet during a visit to an antique shop. Intrigued by its beauty and potential, she decides to purchase it without realizing the consequences that lie ahead. As Sarah begins to wear the amulet, strange occurrences start happening around her. Unbeknownst to Sarah, the amulet holds a malevolent spirit that seeks to take control of her mind and body.
City Museum: The artsy playground is an ever-evolving space full of wonderful eccentricities to explore. With floors upon floors of something whimsical in every corner, it's nearly impossible to see—and do—it all in one day. With the unlimited yearly membership, you can save something for another visit. But it's not all kid-centric. Adults can visit the museum’s bars, and come summer, the rooftop hosts events and live music. The Basic Membership ($39.99, plus tax, per person) includes unlimited admission, access to MonstroCity, and free admission for children under 3. Gold Memberships ($49.99, plus tax, per person) includes the Basic perks, as well as Rooftop access, discounts on food, beverage, and retail purchases, and more. 750 N. 16th.
Family Grandparent 99 includes free parking for six visits and 48 premium member tickets to use for the Zooline Railroad, Dinosaurus, Sea Lion Show, Winging It. The botanical garden offers four levels of membership, but there are two we highly suggest if you re planning to bring your kids multiple times per year.
Unbeknownst to Sarah, the amulet holds a malevolent spirit that seeks to take control of her mind and body. It slowly manipulates her actions, leading her down a path of darkness and despair. Sarah's friends and family become concerned for her well-being as they witness her drastic personality changes and erratic behavior.
Discounted Magic house membership for 2022
For families that value quality time above the latest electronic gadget, purchasing an annual pass or membership to one of the area's local attractions can be a great alternative. Instead of the traditional Christmas, Hanukkah or birthday gift, check out these best bets for annual passes and memberships to top destinations in St. Louis.
Explorers
An annual membership at the Saint Louis Zoo, Missouri Botanical Garden or Saint Louis Art Museum is perfect for the family that loves to explore. Friends and Family Memberships at the Missouri Botanical Garden are $125 and include unlimited admission for four adults and all children 12 and under to the garden, the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House and the Shaw Nature Reserve; free admission to the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden; discounted admission to signature events, including the Garden Glow; complimentary tram tours; and more. The St. Louis Aquarium offers an annual membership pass that includes unlimited entry for 12 months and discounts on food and shopping. The annual pass ranges from $55 for one person to $160 for four. Additional passes are $35 per person.
The Saint Louis Zoo's patron gift membership includes free parking for six visits, discounts on food and souvenirs, 36 passes for the Zooline Railroad and Sea Lion Show and more, all for $79. Treat the true animal lover to a plush animal adoption, which includes a cuddly plush animal, an invitation to the annual Zoo Parents Picnic and the honoree's name on the Donor Wall and website for one year. Plush animal adoptions are $60, with proceeds directly benefiting the care and feeding of the animals.
The Saint Louis Art Museum offers discounts on parking, gift shop purchases and onsite dining. Members also receive discounts for workshops, classes and exhibits, and invitations to exclusive family events. Family memberships start at $95.
Hit the greens or the slopes
Hit the slopes with season passes to Hidden Valley. Prices vary depending on the time of year packages are purchased. Visit Hidden Valley's website or call 636-938-5373. If you'd prefer to hide some tee time under the tree, enroll your child in a class or camp at Topgolf in Chesterfield in Midtown.
Fitness fanatics
Give the gift of health with a fitness center membership. Renaud Center in O'Fallon offers an indoor water park in addition to the traditional fitness facilities and classes. Family membership starts at $52 per month for residents. The aquatic center at The Lodge Des Peres boasts an indoor wave pool, fountains and spouts, a flume slide and more. Family membership at the lodge starts at $550 for residents. Give your family an annual membership at the Timbers of Eureka Recreation Center, a 30,000 square-foot, two-story recreation center and outdoor aquatic center. Family membership starts at $49 per month for residents. The McKendree MetroRec Plex in O'Fallon, Illinois, offers swimming, ice skating and fitness. Family memberships start at $70 per month for a family of four. St. Peters Rec-Plex offers access to its indoor pool, ice skating, indoor track, gymnasium, workout equipment and more with its memberships. Annual resident family memberships begin at $712.
Lifelong learners
Families with younger children will enjoy The Magic House, the Saint Louis Science Center, HealthWorks! Kids' Museum and The National Museum of Transportation. Annual family membership at The Magic House starts at $175 and includes unlimited free family admission at The Magic House and discounted admission at reciprocating museums around the country. Grandparents can share a year of fun to The Magic House, as well, with the Grandparents Membership, which includes unlimited visits for one year for two grandparents and up to four grandchildren for $150 a year. The Saint Louis Science Center offers a family and friends membership starting at $99; it includes parking passes, tickets to the OMNIMAX, discounts on tickets to paid exhibitions and more. Membership for four at HealthWorks! Kids' Museum St. Louis is $125 and includes one year free general admission; discounts on merchandise, camps and parties; guest passes; and invitations to exclusive events. Family membership for the Edwardsville Children's Museum is $100 and includes unlimited annual membership for up to five family members, as well as discounts on merchandise, birthday parties and programs. Base membership to The National Museum of Transportation starts at $83 and includes admission for the member and up to five guests per visit, discounts and invitations to special events; for $110, members also receive 40 passes that may be used at the Creation Station and the miniature train.
For $90, purchase a dual membership at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum; members will receive free admission to permanent and special museum exhibitions, discounts on museum programs and more. For a gift of truly historic proportions, purchase a membership to the Missouri History Museum. The Museum Historian Membership for up to two adults and their children under age 18 is available for $75 and includes invitations to exclusive members-only events, family events, discounts at Cafe St. Louis and more.
Thrill seekers
Annual membership to the City Museum is perfect for families with older children and teens; 2024 memberships are $39.99 plus tax per person and include free visits for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. Season passes to Six Flags St. Louis deliver spills, spins and splashes, as well as special events like Fright Fest and summer fun at Hurricane Harbor; prices vary throughout the year. For summer fun, purchase season passes to Raging Rivers Waterpark in Grafton, Illinois.
Note: When purchasing gift memberships be sure to check guidelines and values; some require the recipient to be someone other than the buyer.
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Thrill seekers
Annual membership to the City Museum is perfect for families with older children and teens; 2024 memberships are $39.99 plus tax per person and include free visits for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. Season passes to Six Flags St. Louis deliver spills, spins and splashes, as well as special events like Fright Fest and summer fun at Hurricane Harbor; prices vary throughout the year. For summer fun, purchase season passes to Raging Rivers Waterpark in Grafton, Illinois.
As the story unfolds, Sarah discovers the true nature of the amulet and the ancient curse it carries. She becomes aware that the only way to break free from its clutches is to find a way to destroy it. With the help of an enigmatic historian, Sarah embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover the amulet's origin and put an end to its reign of terror. Throughout the novel, McOwell masterfully builds suspense and tension, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. His vivid descriptions and vivid characters add depth to the story, making it easy for readers to become fully immersed in the narrative. "The Amulet" delves into themes of temptation, inner strength, and the battle between good and evil. It explores the human psyche and the lengths one may go to in order to rid themselves of a malevolent force. McOwell's writing style is engaging, and the twists and turns of the plot make for a thrilling read. Overall, "The Amulet" is a compelling supernatural thriller that will captivate fans of the genre. McOwell's skillful storytelling and intriguing plot make it a must-read for those seeking an enthralling and spine-chilling experience..
Reviews for "The Amulet: A Haunting Journey into Darkness by Michael Mcowell"
1. Jane - 2/5 - Although the concept of "The Amulet" seemed promising, I found the execution to be lackluster. The pacing was incredibly slow, with several chapters dragging on without any significant plot development. The characters were also one-dimensional and uninteresting, making it difficult for me to care about their journey. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it.
2. Mark - 1/5 - "The Amulet" was a complete letdown for me. The writing style felt amateurish, with frequent grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. The plot was predictable and cliché, lacking any originality or surprises. I could not connect with the characters, as they were poorly developed and lacked depth. Overall, this book was a waste of my time and I would not recommend it to others.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "The Amulet," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The story lacked cohesiveness and seemed disjointed at times. The world-building was minimal and left much to be desired. The dialogue felt forced and unbelievable, making it difficult to immerse myself in the narrative. While there were some interesting elements, they were not enough to salvage the overall reading experience.
4. Tom - 2.5/5 - "The Amulet" had an intriguing premise, but it failed to deliver for me. The pacing was uneven, with certain sections dragging on while others were rushed. The characters were forgettable and lacked substance, making it difficult to invest in their journey. The writing style was average, lacking the lyrical and captivating prose I was hoping for. Overall, this book fell flat and left me feeling unsatisfied.
5. Megan - 1.5/5 - I found "The Amulet" to be incredibly dull and unengaging. The plot was convoluted and poorly executed, making it difficult to follow and stay interested. The character development was minimal, leaving me feeling disconnected from their struggles. The story lacked any real depth or emotional impact, failing to evoke any genuine response from me. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating read.