ARC, 240 pages
Release Date: February 4, 2014Published by: HarperTeenStand-aloneSource: Around the World ARC ToursFor fans of: Paranormal, Ghosts, Romance, Young Adult, Sparkly CoversFrancesca Lia Block, critically acclaimed author of Weetzie Bat, brings this eerie and redemptive ghost story to life with her signature, poetic prose. It’s perfect for fans of supernatural stories with a touch of romance like the Beautiful Creatures series by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl.
After Julie’s grandmother passes away, she is forced to move across town to the not-so-fancy end of Beverly Hills and start over at a new school. The only silver lining to the perpetual dark cloud that seems to be following her? Clark—a die-hard fan of Buffy and all things Joss Whedon, who is just as awkward and damaged as she is. Her kindred spirit.
When the two try to contact Julie’s grandmother with a Ouija board, they make contact with a different spirit altogether. The real kind. And this ghost will do whatever it takes to come back to the world of the living.
Francesca Lia Block’s latest young adult novel is a haunting work about family, loss, love, and redemption.
*MY THOUGHTS*
” How could this person you loved be reduced to this? I wondered, looking at the urn.“
pg. 16 (ARC)
When I saw this cover and read this synopsis I was expecting a story that would keep me up all night. Not because I would stay up reading it, but because I was too scared to close my eyes in the dark. This was the exact opposite. It had a small amount of creepiness, but only enough for me to think “Ok, stuff is getting weird…” Ghosts books don’t normally do it for me so I wasn’t really surprised, but I really was expecting to like this story a little more.
“You’re into Buffy? ‘I know, he said. ‘I’m a total nerd.’ Me too, then i guess.“
pg. 28 (ARC)
What I did like about it was the fact that it was a really well written story. It was the only thing that stopped me from not finishing. I liked her writing style so much that I’ve decided to find and read all the other books that Block has. There was so much grief and pain and love in this that its hard to think all her others won’t be filled with that much emotion. But I must admit I was a little worried about the book later on down the road. There were a lot of musical references in there and I’m afraid its going to date the book. After a while it will be looked at as “back in the day.”
“Death can give significance to every detail that cam before.“
pg. 162 (ARC)
With the plot, it was pretty steady but it wasn’t really much going on. It wasn’t really anything keeping me hooked to the story besides me wanting to know how they would get rid of a certain thing. And the characters. They liked some old tv shows that I liked as well as some old books that my mom liked. Because of that, it made me feel a little closer to them. And I was really proud that Block made her choose the nerd and not the super hot guy that everybody wants. First time I’ve ever seen that in a YA book!
“Sometimes you just want someone who can make you forget the person you wished you had never become, and make you remember who you were before.“
pg. 233 (ARC)
Although the writing style and characters were good, the non-moving plot and the missing creep factor kept me from actually enjoying this book. I’m a little disappointed because this one was heavily anticipated, but at the same time, it served its purpose as being the gateway for me to get Block’s other books. Here’s to hoping her other ones are just as beautifully written as this one!
