By Stacey Kade
Genre YA Supernatural/Paranormal adventure
Pages 266
Recommended by Me
First Sentence On television, ghost-talkers run antique stores, solve crimes, or stand on a stage in a nice suit giving the teary-eyed audience a toothy, yet sympathetic grin.
Synopsis
Will and Alona are back. Graduated from high school, Will is working for a friend of his moms. When he meets a girl who, like him, can see ghosts he starts to learn more about his fathers past. Meanwhile Alona, furious that her parents seem to be getting over her death a little too fast, makes a mistake that make things a lot more sticky.
What it has going for it
I love this series! First of all, Will and Alona are such awesome characters and their relationship is surprisingly realistic. There's no insta-love that turns a blind eye to each others faults. Will is a believable male character written by a female author which is always a HUGE plus and he's just so funny to me. Alona is, yes, a little bit of a snot but she's endearing somehow too. Then comes the plot in these books. I love that, yeah, they're a little on the fluffy side but there's just enough depth to make you feel like you didn't completely waste your time. Everything ties together and has a purpose. There are no lose ends or pointless characters littering the book and that makes for a VERY satisfying read.
What's lacking
This one might be considered a filler book between the first and third book. It does bring up some questions and situations that aren't completely resolved but I still think it has a basic dilemma that was presented and fixed by the end of the book. ...Nope, can't really think of anything else that was bad.
Yea or Nay?
YES! Read these books. They've got the best of both plot and character worlds.
Sounds like a fun series!
ReplyDeleteI'm too chicken to read any books with ghosts in them but I swear if I ever did it would be this one for sure.
ReplyDeleteLOL! These books are so NOT scary but I understand. ;)
DeleteThis one sounds fun but I'm waiting for the new Odd Thomas.
ReplyDeleteWell, when it comes to books with ghost in them nobody beats Odd. ;)
DeleteHmmm...sounds like I may have to check out this series when my anger at the paranormal genre ebbs a little. Isn't it annoying that second books in trilogies often seem to be filler-y?
ReplyDeleteYes, wait till that anger dies down first. ;) This one wasn't too bad as a second in the series book, but yeah, I know what you mean.
DeleteIs it shallow of me that the cover would be enough to make me pass by? Just doesn't look like a story that would have the kind of plot and characterization you say...but since you've said it's good, I'll be investigating further. Those are the make-it-or-break-it elements of a story, for me...
ReplyDeleteI've heard others who don't like the covers so you're not alone. You know how picky I am, though, and these really are quite good.
DeleteI've seen these books around....but being the cover snob that I am I always passed them by with my nose in the air. Super glad you reviewed it because now I am definitely going to check it out! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I know the covers aren't for everyone. It makes them look like really bad fluff. They're really good, though, I swear!
DeleteI've been so out of things lately that I haven't seen or heard anything about these but they sound fun. I'll have to see if I can find them soon.
ReplyDeleteYou really should. :)
Delete