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littleangelsreadingcorner's review against another edition
5.0
The Ghost Files is a mix between two of my favorite series. Meg Cabot- The Mediator Series and Jennifer Lynn Barnes - The Naturals. Mattie is a kick character with a heart of hold down deep only few can see. She’s a foster kid who’s been through tough times. What makes matters worse she sees ghosts. Those ghost are fun and kind like Casper, most are scary because she sees the way they looks when they died. But let’s go a step further she doesn’t just see the but she can talk to them and touch them. But dhe doesn’t understand why. The one night her foster sister goes missing she knows the truth Sally is dead. Murdered but who can she tell and why would anyone listen to her when there not any proof. The story becomes a race against time to find a killer possibly a serial killer? This is series but it does wrap up the current storyline it does however lead you into a set of new questions so be prepared to want to read on. Mattie reminds me of two of my favorite Characters Suze from Meg Cabot -Mediator Series who can also see ghost and is also one tough cookie. Then there is Cassie from Jennifer Lynn Barnes- The Naturals who is a natural at reading people. She can tell you all kinds of things just by looking at you. In this set of fast pace series she joins the FBI to solve a string of mysteries. So go check out all these great series.
brandinh's review
2.0
2.75 stars
It really is too bad that this story didn’t land in the hands of a good editor, because the bones of the plot line are really great. Good enough to almost push this up to a three star rating, despite its faults. I actually did enjoy reading this book. Mattie (MC) just didn’t feel like a real person and her internal dialogue didn’t feel authentic. Her referring to ghosts as “little buggers” multiple times took me out of the story because it felt so weird, and that’s just one example. Also, Mattie’s cavalier attitude about everything (including being almost molested by a foster parent more than once) feels dangerous. I’m not on board with sending the message that you should just get tough and get over it when it comes to traumatic events that many teen readers have experienced. I don’t think I’ll continue with the series, but I will cross my fingers that someday this book will be picked up by an experienced and talented editor that leads to a rerelease.
It really is too bad that this story didn’t land in the hands of a good editor, because the bones of the plot line are really great. Good enough to almost push this up to a three star rating, despite its faults. I actually did enjoy reading this book. Mattie (MC) just didn’t feel like a real person and her internal dialogue didn’t feel authentic. Her referring to ghosts as “little buggers” multiple times took me out of the story because it felt so weird, and that’s just one example. Also, Mattie’s cavalier attitude about everything (including being almost molested by a foster parent more than once) feels dangerous. I’m not on board with sending the message that you should just get tough and get over it when it comes to traumatic events that many teen readers have experienced. I don’t think I’ll continue with the series, but I will cross my fingers that someday this book will be picked up by an experienced and talented editor that leads to a rerelease.
tyler_j's review against another edition
3.25
I really did enjoy this over-all. I was able to overlook some flaws (like quite a few typos and some cringey moments) because they didn't sour my enjoyment. I felt so much for Mattie. A foster kid who has been through absolute hell in her life. It was emotional and horrifying imo. Eventually I got to a point where I couldn't put it down and it had me on the edge of my seat. Plot twists left me stunned and felt like sucker punches. But there is one that leaves a bad taste in my mouth, however it's a spoiler so here (if you want to know)
The killer has DID, a mental illness that is very misunderstood and stereotyped, exactly like it is here from the looks of it. It seems like it'd be very hurtful to people with DID. I say it this way because I don't have DID but i've heard people talk that do.
That said I can understand it in some ways with all the pieces that are going on and can recognize that it's fictional. I'm interested to know where it goes. But i'm struggling to figure out a rating. Maybe i'll figure out a rating at some point, maybe not. If you are into paranormal horror, ghosts and don't mind some cliches you may enjoy it like I did.
Edit not a few minutes later: I went through my notes and yea...it did bug me quite a bit even as I was able to brush some things off. It's odd. I enjoyed aspects of it a lot but other aspects I really didn't. So it's hard to rate. And at this point I don't know if I want to continue the series or not. So I think i'll give it 3 stars for now at least.
Edit the next day: Going with 3.25 and I think I will check out book #2 because it has me intrigued enough, especially that ending .
That said I can understand it in some ways with all the pieces that are going on and can recognize that it's fictional. I'm interested to know where it goes. But i'm struggling to figure out a rating. Maybe i'll figure out a rating at some point, maybe not. If you are into paranormal horror, ghosts and don't mind some cliches you may enjoy it like I did.
Edit not a few minutes later: I went through my notes and yea...it did bug me quite a bit even as I was able to brush some things off. It's odd. I enjoyed aspects of it a lot but other aspects I really didn't. So it's hard to rate. And at this point I don't know if I want to continue the series or not. So I think i'll give it 3 stars for now at least.
Edit the next day: Going with 3.25 and I think I will check out book #2 because it has me intrigued enough, especially that ending .
knallen's review against another edition
4.0
While something about the tone or the writing seemed a little juvenile, this was a book I enjoyed a great deal. It had some paranormal mystery, just a touch of romance and a main character that I really liked. I enjoyed the side characters of Officer Dan and Eric a lot as well. I really hope sticks around as a character in the sequel(s?). This is one I am very interested in reading the sequel to.
littleangelsreadingcorner's review against another edition
5.0
The Ghost Files is a mix between two of my favorite series. Meg Cabot- The Mediator Series and Jennifer Lynn Barnes - The Naturals. Mattie is a kick character with a heart of hold down deep only few can see. She’s a foster kid who’s been through tough times. What makes matters worse she sees ghosts. Those ghost are fun and kind like Casper, most are scary because she sees the way they looks when they died. But let’s go a step further she doesn’t just see the but she can talk to them and touch them. But dhe doesn’t understand why. The one night her foster sister goes missing she knows the truth Sally is dead. Murdered but who can she tell and why would anyone listen to her when there not any proof. The story becomes a race against time to find a killer possibly a serial killer? This is series but it does wrap up the current storyline it does however lead you into a set of new questions so be prepared to want to read on. Mattie reminds me of two of my favorite Characters Suze from Meg Cabot -Mediator Series who can also see ghost and is also one tough cookie. Then there is Cassie from Jennifer Lynn Barnes- The Naturals who is a natural at reading people. She can tell you all kinds of things just by looking at you. In this set of fast pace series she joins the FBI to solve a string of mysteries. So go check out all these great series.
sarahs_bookish_life's review against another edition
3.0
I pretty much read this over the weekend while travelling on a train to kill time. I quite enjoy ghost stories and overall this is quite a good one. It started off well but did lose its way a bit for me and I struggled slightly with getting into the story but then it picked up again and ends strongly. I liked Mattie though still not sure if I like the direction of the relationship she has with Dan, even though I liked him also. To me they come across more like a brotherly/sisterly type and personally think it would work better that way. Overall not a bad read at all.
123rsijrcl's review
1.0
This is literally a knock off version of Meg Cabot's "I see ghosts" book, with the added addition of the author having zero clue how the foster system works, how police officers work, how addiction works, how serial killers operate... if she did any research at all I would be beyond surprised.
Dan is creepy (and a terrible police officer), Mattie is an asshole (please... I beg all YA authors to learn what sarcasm actually is) and this book has a bad ending. If I have to read the word squirt one more time I might legitimately blind myself. The jailbait sceneS are physically painful. Dan has CHOCOLATE GOOGY EYES y'all. Just in case you missed that in every single paragraph.
The scene where Dan's ADULT girlfriend, because he is an ADULT man says it's weird for him to be hanging out with a child and Mattie acts like a total asshole with an added dose of misogyny is a throwback to the atrocious YA of the mid 2000's. That's right kids, she's not like other girls, she's sarcastic and not a bimbo. Spectacular characterisation there buddy, why develop your characters when you can pull the "not like other girls" line instead? This is great if you're like 12 and deep in the "I'm not like other girls because I only shower once a week and wear converse" phase, but can we please for the love of god leave it in the past?
Just when you're like "hey, this might turn out okay, maybe they'll go back to the ghosts and not the ridiculous love square/scribble nonsense" she gets another MAN who is attracted to her. Because she's got a great rack that every male in the tristate area can't take their eyes off, even though she is a kid and they're adults.
I would genuinely like the last two hours of my memory wiped so it wasn't wasted on this book.
Dan is creepy (and a terrible police officer), Mattie is an asshole (please... I beg all YA authors to learn what sarcasm actually is) and this book has a bad ending. If I have to read the word squirt one more time I might legitimately blind myself. The jailbait sceneS are physically painful. Dan has CHOCOLATE GOOGY EYES y'all. Just in case you missed that in every single paragraph.
The scene where Dan's ADULT girlfriend, because he is an ADULT man says it's weird for him to be hanging out with a child and Mattie acts like a total asshole with an added dose of misogyny is a throwback to the atrocious YA of the mid 2000's. That's right kids, she's not like other girls, she's sarcastic and not a bimbo. Spectacular characterisation there buddy, why develop your characters when you can pull the "not like other girls" line instead? This is great if you're like 12 and deep in the "I'm not like other girls because I only shower once a week and wear converse" phase, but can we please for the love of god leave it in the past?
Just when you're like "hey, this might turn out okay, maybe they'll go back to the ghosts and not the ridiculous love square/scribble nonsense" she gets another MAN who is attracted to her. Because she's got a great rack that every male in the tristate area can't take their eyes off, even though she is a kid and they're adults.
I would genuinely like the last two hours of my memory wiped so it wasn't wasted on this book.
thisbeauty733's review
5.0
Interesting YA Book
I actually liked the book a lot. The main character annoyed me some at first but I had to get past the fact she is however 16 and therefore is bound to act more childish then some would be in say a fantasy novel. I thought she was an interesting and real character. She’s a fighter and honestly makes me think of Rose Hathaway some with her bravery.
I actually liked the book a lot. The main character annoyed me some at first but I had to get past the fact she is however 16 and therefore is bound to act more childish then some would be in say a fantasy novel. I thought she was an interesting and real character. She’s a fighter and honestly makes me think of Rose Hathaway some with her bravery.
suezeewit's review
4.0
Ghosts
Interesting take on the whole ghost thing. For the most part I liked this book. Mattie could be a bit irritating and there was the occasional misplaced comma but the characters were well done and the story worked from start to finish. I plan to read book 2.
Interesting take on the whole ghost thing. For the most part I liked this book. Mattie could be a bit irritating and there was the occasional misplaced comma but the characters were well done and the story worked from start to finish. I plan to read book 2.