Just another WordPress.com site

Posts tagged ‘Ghosts’

Gap Year in Ghost Town

gap-year-in-ghost-town.jpg

By: Michael Pryor

Anton Marin has ghost-sight, it runs in his family, even though his father doesn’t have it. It is their job to send the ghosts out of this world. Their’s is a gentler approach to many of the others who pursue the same calling. Into his uncertain world crashes Rani Cross, her method involves a lot more slashing and sword work, needless to say they don’t see eye to eye. This is a moot point however when it becomes clear something is going on causing a massive spike in ghostly manifestations. In order to get the the bottom of things they need to find a way to work together. As things become more violent and crazy Anton needs to somehow find the time in this his gap year, to decide if this is the career he really wants.

In this book it is the girl who is more physical and this makes for a delightful extra dimension in the buddy hunting theme. Anton is a torn character, he knows ghost hunting is a family thing, and if he has the gift he should probably use it, however it is so not really what he wants to do with his life. He also doesn’t want to disappoint his dad. This story is not only intriguing and entertaining, it delves into some real family issues that people feel growing up and that makes Anton easy to identify with, even if his choices are beyond the bounds of what us normal folk experience. Anton and Rani balance each other well and keep the story moving at a good pace. A fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Published: 26th July 2017

Key Words: Ghosts, Ghost Hunting, Family, Intrigue

ISBN: 9781760292768

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

13 Days of Midnight

I received my copy from the publisher
thirteen-days-of-midnight
By: Leo Hunt

Luke Manchette is just like any other teenager from a broken home, he loves his mum and barely knows his dad. Unlike most teenagers his dad is sort of famous and Luke does everything he can to distance himself from the reality tv show host because let’s face it ghost hunting isn’t a cool thing. Then his dad dies and Luke discovers that he has inherited six million dollars but to get it he has to sign some papers he doesn’t understand. Signing something you don’t understand is never a good thing though and Luke finds he has also inherited 8 ghosts who would like nothing better than to be free and for that to happen Luke has to be dead. A pretty serious problem to have and one that throws his life into turmoil. He has 13 days before the ghosts will be at the height of their power and will use every dark magic trick they know to end him.
This story is intriguing. It’s dark overtones a big draw card because quite honestly there is nothing much to like about Luke. How reality and the supernatural interact is well done and makes for a more interesting tale. The addition of Elza is good because she balances Luke out even though she is a little cliched. All in all I enjoyed this book and it’s worth a look if you like ghosts stories and the supernatural.
Suggested age 10+.
Publisher: Orchard Books
Published: 2nd July 2015
Format: Paperback 379 pages
Genre: Supernatural, Adventure
ISBN:9781408337462

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

The Haunted Dollhouse

9781597070089By: Stefan Petrucha & Sho Murase

Nancy Drew Girl Detective Graphic Novel series bk 3

It is Nostalgia Week in River Heights and so many people are in the historical mood. People are committed to trying to live as if it was the 1930’s. The fun though is interrupted when a dollhouse that is up for auction, starts depicting strange crimes before they actually happen. Nancy is convinced something other than ghosts is responsible but at many turns she finds herself thwarted. Soon she sees a crime scene that shows her as the victim, the perpetrator didn’t count on Nancy’s friends though and Nancy soon gets to the bottom of the case.

A fun little ghost story. Nancy and her friends work well as a threesome, they always have and they do well at complementing each other in this updated series. The story is mysterious, not too easy to guess and entertaining. I good read for lighter moments or when you don’t have a lot of time. Also graphic novels are a good choice for those who are a little unwilling to pick a book up and read.

Publisher: Papercutz

Published: 29 November 2005

Format: Paperback 96 pages

Categories: Graphic Novels, Mystery, Ghosts

ISBN 13: 9781597070089

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on the side of the page

Category:

Fiction 8-12

Tagged with:

The Hunting Ground – Book Trailer

So here is a little teaser of The Hunting Ground.

That isn’t the only horror novel for teens written by McNish, here is a short introduction about Breathe by the author himself.

Category:

Book Trailers, Writers

Tagged with:

The Hunting Ground

By: Cliff McNish

Elliot and his brother Ben move into Glebe house with their father who is commissioned to renovate it for sale. The old mansion is more than it seems though, it is home to ghosts and it’s past is full of terrible tragedy. It seems beyond spooky and when they start to read pages of a diary they realise it is more than just ghosts. Real evil inhabits part of the estate called the East Wing. This place holds the darkest secrets in its labyrinthian corridors. It is a building devised by an evil and twisted mind. The old owner, Cullayn, is assisted by Eve, the ghost of a young girl and the boys are drawn into the darkness through trickery and dark manipulation. Will they escape teh horrible fate Cullayn has planned for them. Will they be able to vanquish the evil once and for all? Or will they be trapped for ever like those who came before. them?

A truly creepy story. Tension and darkness are woven through every page, with only the briefest glimpses of light to offer hope. It is everything you want in a ghost story; cruel, creepy, sinister and tense. It is hard to put down and there are times you may even forget to breathe. McNish has woven a darkly compelling and chilling tale. If you likes to be creeped out then you’ll love this. Warning! This book says on the back cover that it isn’t suitable for younger readers, pay attention to this warning. I’d have to say probably 15+ for this.

Publisher: Indigo (imprint of Orion Children’s)

Published: 05 January 2012

Format: Paperback 288 pages

Categories: Horror, Ghost

ISBN 13: 9781780620169

Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page

 

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

Traitor’s Revenge

I received a copy of this from the publisher

By: Andrew Hammond

CRYPT bk 2

Strange things are happening but when you are a CRYPT agent that’s not so unusual, in fact it’s what keeps you employed. Senior agent Jud gets pulled away from movie night to go and investigate something odd is happening in the tunnels underneath the Houses of Parliament. What he doesn’t expect is to get arrested for the ghost’s actions. It soon becomes clear that someone is determined to cover up what is really going on, but why and who has that kind of power?

London isn’t the only place the ghosts are stirring and Bex is sent to York to check out a couple of strange sightings. There Bex experiences a sensing event like she never has before, something whispered about by agents called hypersensing. Other agents are soon bought into the case in London while Jud is sent to York to assist Bex. THings in both locations heat up and it seems certain that an event a long time in the planning is finally coming to fruition. Can the CRYPT agents figure out what is causing such a disturbance before many more lives are lost.

This is the second of the CRYPT series and it is just as gruesome and engaging as the first. Jud still struggles with the issues from his past, some of which are ripped to the surface in this book. He also still struggles to control his anger but he continues to be a top agent because of his ability to sense and figure out what is really going on, and he instinct to act. I like that he is a flawed hero, prone to stuffing up, it makes him more real.

Bex is a tough character in her own right, she is resilient, smart and willing to step up when she needs to.

The ghost story at the heart  of this plot is an historical event many should at least be vaguely familiar with, though perhaps not the story behind it. I like the way Hammond has blended the modern with a good old fashioned ghost story. I also like the historical detail in this case. The resolution is something the team has to work to, they have to research and fit it all together like a proper investigation it doesn’t just all fall in their laps and there are costs to the agents along the way. The result of this is an entertaining if gruesome story that doesn’t insult it’s readers by thinking they need the characters to be immune to all the stuff they deal with.  I think this is a solid series and well worth a look if you like things on the scary side. It’s better than you might think just by looking at it.

Publisher: Headline Book Publishing

Published: 01 March 2012

Format: Paperback 352 pages

Categories: Adventure, Action, Horror, Ghost

ISBN 13: 9780755378227

Purchase: here or use link on side of page to Booktopia

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

The Name of the Star – Book Trailer

In case you were wondering what that grey book with the guy on with the top hat on the front cover was all about.

Category:

Book Trailers, Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

The Name of the Star

By: Maureen Johnson

A Shades of London Novel

Aurora ‘Rory’ Deveaux has chosen to spend a year at Wexford Boarding School in London, when her parents are working in Bristol. her arrival coincides with the beginning of a series of brutal murders. Crimes that appear to have left no witnesses, not even the extensive CCTV systems have caught anything useful. These murders are brutal, mimicking the oft copied, never caught, Jack the Ripper, sparking a new round of Rippermania. In the midst of this Rory is trying to fit in to a new school and adjust to a different culture.

As if this isn’t enough, it seems Rory has seen the prime suspect on the school grounds but the strange thing is no one else has seen him. Rory doesn’t understand what is going on, but it appears this mystery man has taken an interest in her and she doesn’t know why, or what that means for her.

The Name of the Star is a mystery story with more than a touch of Ripper history. The addition of Rory being transplanted from the deep south to London adds an interesting and light hearted touch to a core story that would otherwise seem quite dark. The mystery is well fitted into the flow of Rory’s school adjustment and fledgling relationship. It is also pushed along by Jerome’s Ripper interest and budding journalistic drive.

Johnson has taken a story most of us think we know well and given it a modern twist and tweak. If you are looking for a mystery with a touch of the paranormal and a taste of London, then give this a look.

Publisher: HarperCollins Children’s Books

Published: 29 September 2011

Format: Paperback 400 pages

Categories: Ghosts, Mystery

ISBN 13: 9780007432264

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

Sounds Spooky

By: Christopher Cheng and Sarah Davis

In an old spooky looking house strange sounds fill the air. The girl upstairs stops her playing listens, the kids downstairs stop and listen. They then go back to what they were doing. There are creaks and crashes, slams and howls. But I’m not scared. Are you?

This is a wonderful picture book about a ghost girl and three kids exploring her house. Look closely and you will see clues as to what happened to the girl. The text is simple and the sort of text that is fun to read – full of silly noises to make. The illustrations are 3D looking, layered and interesting to look at. This would be a fun choice for a halloween book for a younger reader.

Publisher: Random House Australia

Published: 01 November 2011

Format: Hardback 32 pages

Categories: Ghosts

ISBN 13: 9781864718799

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page

Category:

Picture Books

Tagged with:

The Gallows Curse

By: Andrew Hammond

CRYPT series Bk 1

CRYPT stands for Covert Response Youth Paranormal Team. This team is affiliated with MI5 and are the people called in when a crime is committed and  police are at a loss. It is their job to figure out if something paranormal is going on and if so what it is and how to stop it.

Jud Lester is CRYPT’s star agent, also one of their liabilities, for Jud has a secret past. This new case is a big one, a 17th century highwayman wreaks havoc on the underground, the police have no idea what to make of it. Then people go missing and yet others are viciously attacked. The thing these attacks all have in common is that all the culprits appear to be from the 17 century.

Jud is unwillingly paired with new recruit Bex and together they have to work out what has caused these dangerous spirits to return to London’s streets. More to the point can they find out how to prevent the violence escalating, or stop it all together.

After a very brief history of the CRYPT organisation this book throws you right into the gruesome action and I do mean gruesome, some of the descriptions are quite graphic. The story itself is tight and entertaining, with just enough layers to provide a good number of twists.

Jud is a troubled young man with plenty of issues, this is what makes him something of a liability but also makes him interesting. Bex is a solid counterpart to him, tough enough to stand on her own two feet and stubborn enough to go out on her own if she feels it’s the right thing to do.

This is a fun ghost-busting read. The story behind the ghosts mixed in with a modern corruption keeps you interested. This is full of action, moves at a brisk pace and will be enjoyed by readers of other action fueled young adult series.

Publisher: Headline Book Publishing

Published: 01 September 2011

Format: Paperback 352 pages

Categories: Horror Action Ghosts

ISBN 13: 9780755378210

Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of the page

 

Category:

Young Adult Fiction

Tagged with:

Tag Cloud

%d bloggers like this: