Skip to main content

ghostgirl: Lovesick


ghostgirl: Lovesick is third in the ghostgirl series by Tonya Hurley. To read my review of the first novel, ghostgirl: http://bibliophilesupportgroup.blogspot.com/2009/06/ghostgirl.html To read my review of the second novel: http://bibliophilesupportgroup.blogspot.com/2009/06/q-with-tonya-hurley.html To read my interview with author Tonya Hurley: http://bibliophilesupportgroup.blogspot.com/2009/06/q-with-tonya-hurley.html

So, of course, if you haven't read the previous novels in this YA series - DON'T READ THIS REVIEW.

Anyway - our ghostgirl cast of Charlotte, Scarlet, Damen, Petula, the Wendys, and the ex-students of Dead Ed are back and so is Tonya Hurley's unique, blunt, not-at-all-shy, clever writing voice that jumps out at you from the awesomely designed pages.

First off we meet up with a slightly older, slightly more sophisticated Scarlet on Valentine's Day. Then we catch up with Charlotte who has managed to start up a kinda-romance with a fellow dead guy, but her deceased buds Pam and Prue don't approve. Next, we see that Petula has also changed - it seems for the better... or is it? A big theme in ghostgirl: Lovesick is how people change and whether the changes are good or bad. I don't want to give away too much more except to say that a bunch more plot-related stuff happens and, well, read it and find out!

There is a quote on the back of ghostgirl: Lovesick that mentions the novel having a Tim Burton feel. That is spot on! Some readers may be put off initially by the almost-odd tone of the series, but once you accustom yourself to it you find that ghostgirl is an original, gothic, comedy satire. It's different from pretty much anything I've ever read. It is literally incomparable to me in style and voice.

Charlotte is a fantastic character because she has a real-life personality - one that has a lack of representation in literature, I feel. We've all felt invisible, which makes her very relatable. She's also super sweet (but not so much that you drown in sugar, either). Once you add this likability factor to the twist that she is dead - well, how can you go wrong? ;)

ghostgirl: Lovesick is both an excellent, biting exaggeration of high school cliques and "types", as well as a touching character study that delves into raw emotions and the less likable side to ourselves.

Though there were some scenes that happened off page that I was disappointed to not witness as a reader, and sometimes I was truly frustrated with how certain characters were acting - there always manages to be a poignancy and surprisingly bittersweet redemption in Tonya Hurley's writing.

Then there is the big shocker about two-thirds into the book that throws a huge curveball that manages to cause ghostgirl: Lovesick to be even more awesome and page-turning. A little supernatural suspense only adds extra spice to what is already a delicious dish of artfully peculiar YA.

The biggest thing to me about this novel is how I actually truly care about these characters. Even ones that seem unlikable have their unexpected moments of humanity. ghostgirl: Lovesick is funny, sharp, touching, sad, realistic, mysterious, romantic and absolutely crazy all at once!

Though the end was satisfying and felt, in a way, conclusive - I sure wouldn't mind yet another foray in ghostgirl's unique world! I'm hoping Tonya Hurley will be kind enough to whisk us there again! How 'bout you?

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Author Q & A - Jan Eldredge Stops By!

Next Wednesday y'all will be getting my oh-so-humble opinion of Evangeline of the Bayou , the Summer 2018 Kids' Indie Next List selection! (That means it was picked via booksellers at independent bookstores countrywide.) Until then, I have a Q&A with the Louisiana born and raised author herself: Jan Eldredge! (Don't forget to come back next week for my review!!) A Conversation with JAN ELDRIDGE Author of Evangeline of the Bayou 1) The glossary in the back of the book is so helpful! Where did you learn about all these creatures? Which creature from the book is your favorite? I have a small, but growing, collection of books about mythical creatures around the world. If I couldn’t find what I was looking for there, I researched library books, online websites, and the occasional documentary. Something that really surprised me as I started learning more about mythical monsters was the number of different cultures that share very similar

First Step: Admit You Have a Problem

Hi fellow Bibliophiles! I have been rather neglectful to this blog... instead continuing to stay buried in a book as I have during the holidays. I'm hopeful that most of you have been doing this too and can easily accept my apology. Have I been reading? Um, yeah! (Translation: duh.) Just haven't been able to pull myself away long enough to actually WRITE about what I'm reading. Lol. But that's me, a bibliophile, an addict, an addict who's fallen off the wagon and fully embraced her love of reading - especially with all this free time to do so!!! I've also been watching awesome holiday movies, eating yummy, but bad-for-me, food and hanging out with the people I love best! You too? I hope! ;) Anyway, I will return with a new book review next week, most likely on Monday or Tuesday. Thanks for your patience and keep reading!!!

Promotion Celebration for Maximum Ride!!!

Do you love the series Maximum Ride ? How about James Patterson? Are you a huge fan of action-packed books? Well, I’m thrilled to bring to you an opportunity to stock up on some awesome reading!!! ENTER TO WIN A SET OF JAMES PATTERSON PAGETURNERS! MAXIMUM RIDE – IF SHE LIVES, THE WORLD LIVES, IT’S THAT SIMPLE. Read “MAX” - the newest book in the bestselling Maximum Ride series. On sale in paperback 09/01/09! Still reeling from their most recent adventure, Maximum Ride and the rest of the flock must head out to sea to uncover the secret behind a brand new series of disasters—fish are dying off the coast of Hawaii, hundreds of ships are being destroyed. As if that weren’t enough, they’re also being tracked by a criminal mastermind with, oh yeah, an army of mercenaries. Can the flock save themselves and the ocean, and the world, from utter destruction? Now for the rules : The Maximum Ride: Max Promotion is open to legal US residents who are at least 13 years of age as of August 24, 200