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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the whole ghost hunting. The only thing bad about it was there were crazy amount of extra spaces though the book.
Thank you Wednesday/St Martin's for the copy of Ghosted. I adored this book, I am a fan of Austen but also simply a fan of quality YA reads... this honors the original Northanger Abbey text but is also it's own, which is great. It is nuanced with themes on grief, growing up, a little romance, hints of ghosts and hauntings and mystery, and deft with recognizing that adolescents are not one note, they have depth. Quain has clear affection for her characters and deftness with storytelling and also understands her readers: honoring a classic but offering contemporary vibes and fresh approaches to time honored storytelling is tricky but it happens here.
Many thanks to the author and to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don't consider myself any kind of expert on Jane Austen by any stretch. I am obsessed with the films, and have happily enjoyed what I've read. It's been many years since I last read [b:Northanger Abbey|50398|Northanger Abbey|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388201718l/50398._SY75_.jpg|4039699], so my recollection is fuzzy at best. I did use this as an excuse to check out the movie again, which I haven't seen in as many years, and it was delightful as always, but I don't recall it being entirely faithful.
I think comparing this to the original source material ended up being my biggest hurdle. I was expecting the slightly goofy vibes I got from Northanger, the over-the-top characters and mild absurdity. Instead I got something serious and intense and notably genuine. This is obviously not a negative thing - it's typically a very good thing in writing - but it wasn't what I was expecting.
Hattie was my biggest issue. I was expecting the nerdy, cheerful but staid Henry (at least, this is the image of him the movie left imprinted in my brain). Instead I was mostly put off by Hattie's frequent declarations that "so-and-so looked [like they were feeling some emotion], but that couldn't be, because they never felt anything like that."
This felt very at odds given the realism of [b:Ghosted|61884953|Ghosted (Northanger Abbey, #1)|Amanda Quain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670436801l/61884953._SY75_.jpg|93664084]'s characters and situations. She was completely cut off from any kind of empathy, and that made it hard to like her for most of the book.
Kit was another sticking point. The only way he was reminiscent to Catherine in my mind (which is to be take with salt, remember) was in his optimistic, imaginative nature. Otherwise I thought him far too self-assured and socially capable to be very convincing.
This was ultimately my issue with all of them - I think as characters they were great, and I think (?) I liked the way the situations were handled. The writing was enticing (Hattie had a nice clear, consistent voice), and the pacing was good. I think I like this better as something more separated from Northanger. Maybe I'm just thinking about it too hard. I do that a lot
I don't consider myself any kind of expert on Jane Austen by any stretch. I am obsessed with the films, and have happily enjoyed what I've read. It's been many years since I last read [b:Northanger Abbey|50398|Northanger Abbey|Jane Austen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388201718l/50398._SY75_.jpg|4039699], so my recollection is fuzzy at best. I did use this as an excuse to check out the movie again, which I haven't seen in as many years, and it was delightful as always, but I don't recall it being entirely faithful.
I think comparing this to the original source material ended up being my biggest hurdle. I was expecting the slightly goofy vibes I got from Northanger, the over-the-top characters and mild absurdity. Instead I got something serious and intense and notably genuine. This is obviously not a negative thing - it's typically a very good thing in writing - but it wasn't what I was expecting.
Hattie was my biggest issue. I was expecting the nerdy, cheerful but staid Henry (at least, this is the image of him the movie left imprinted in my brain). Instead I was mostly put off by Hattie's frequent declarations that "so-and-so looked [like they were feeling some emotion], but that couldn't be, because they never felt anything like that."
This felt very at odds given the realism of [b:Ghosted|61884953|Ghosted (Northanger Abbey, #1)|Amanda Quain|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1670436801l/61884953._SY75_.jpg|93664084]'s characters and situations. She was completely cut off from any kind of empathy, and that made it hard to like her for most of the book.
Kit was another sticking point. The only way he was reminiscent to Catherine in my mind (which is to be take with salt, remember) was in his optimistic, imaginative nature. Otherwise I thought him far too self-assured and socially capable to be very convincing.
This was ultimately my issue with all of them - I think as characters they were great, and I think (?) I liked the way the situations were handled. The writing was enticing (Hattie had a nice clear, consistent voice), and the pacing was good. I think I like this better as something more separated from Northanger. Maybe I'm just thinking about it too hard. I do that a lot
Northanger Abbey doesn't have the popularity of some of Jane Austen's novels, but it's always been one of my favorites. The very tongue in cheek humor, the satire Gothic setting, innocent Catherine, and the family dynamics of the Tilneys.
I enjoyed Ghosted for what it was. If you want to straight up compare it to Northanger Abbey, it does not have the tongue-in-cheek humor in the narration, which was understandable but sad. Ghosted has more self-discovery, parent dynamics, and friend drama, as you would expect from a YA novel.
Kit was a delight. Hattie was a little on the more boring side, but at the same time, that was in fact her character: blend in, don't rock the boat, be the perfect friend, daughter, etc. And she does slowly find her way.
Overall, I liked the book, but I would have appreciated more depth and nuance. While I enjoy a good trope, I don't love flat characters who behave in very two-dimensional ways. While there is some excusing for that because everything was seen through Hattie's eyes and she was making assumptions about people that weren't the full truth, it still felt like most of the characters were straight up stereotypes: the rebellious sister, the demanding/distant parent, the popular best friend, the sidekick to the popular best friend who goes along with everything, the kid brother, etc.
Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed Ghosted for what it was. If you want to straight up compare it to Northanger Abbey, it does not have the tongue-in-cheek humor in the narration, which was understandable but sad. Ghosted has more self-discovery, parent dynamics, and friend drama, as you would expect from a YA novel.
Kit was a delight. Hattie was a little on the more boring side, but at the same time, that was in fact her character: blend in, don't rock the boat, be the perfect friend, daughter, etc. And she does slowly find her way.
Overall, I liked the book, but I would have appreciated more depth and nuance. While I enjoy a good trope, I don't love flat characters who behave in very two-dimensional ways. While there is some excusing for that because everything was seen through Hattie's eyes and she was making assumptions about people that weren't the full truth, it still felt like most of the characters were straight up stereotypes: the rebellious sister, the demanding/distant parent, the popular best friend, the sidekick to the popular best friend who goes along with everything, the kid brother, etc.
Thanks to Wednesday Books and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher(s) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review and/or promotion.
Truthfully, I haven't read much Jane Austen. A few classics, sure, but not as many as others probably have. Anyway— I mention this because, when I first got approved for this ARC, I wasn't even aware that it was a retelling of "Northanger Abbey," let alone a gender-bent one! I went into this read having pretty low expectations and left being mighty surprised because I really, really liked this one. The YA romance was cute and endearing, and I thought that the touches made/added in by the author to give the book's setting a subtly atmospheric, gothic vibe were well done. More than anything else though, what surprised me was how this book (which, again, is rated as falling under the YA genre), approached emotional topics— particularly grief. I loved how this novel illustrates the exploration of grief, the stages of it and how we choose to cope with such loss, and just how deep it can run when left unaddressed. As someone who also lost her father not too long ago and struggled in regaining my footing, I adored Hattie as a character and found her to be very relatable (and I'm sure lots of others will think so too). And Kit— Kit was so sweet and open and just... I felt such warmth radiating off of him while reading; I thought he was the perfect person to reach out to Hattie and help her in breaking down some of those walls. Overall, this was a solid, amazing read and I'm excited to read more from this author in the future!
Truthfully, I haven't read much Jane Austen. A few classics, sure, but not as many as others probably have. Anyway— I mention this because, when I first got approved for this ARC, I wasn't even aware that it was a retelling of "Northanger Abbey," let alone a gender-bent one! I went into this read having pretty low expectations and left being mighty surprised because I really, really liked this one. The YA romance was cute and endearing, and I thought that the touches made/added in by the author to give the book's setting a subtly atmospheric, gothic vibe were well done. More than anything else though, what surprised me was how this book (which, again, is rated as falling under the YA genre), approached emotional topics— particularly grief. I loved how this novel illustrates the exploration of grief, the stages of it and how we choose to cope with such loss, and just how deep it can run when left unaddressed. As someone who also lost her father not too long ago and struggled in regaining my footing, I adored Hattie as a character and found her to be very relatable (and I'm sure lots of others will think so too). And Kit— Kit was so sweet and open and just... I felt such warmth radiating off of him while reading; I thought he was the perfect person to reach out to Hattie and help her in breaking down some of those walls. Overall, this was a solid, amazing read and I'm excited to read more from this author in the future!
Thanks so much NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Wednesday Books for this fantastic arc!!
5/5 stars!!
I already knew I was going to love this, not only because Northanger Abbey is my FAVOURITE Austen novel, but The X-Files has been my favourite show since I was 12, and oh maaaan this did not disappoint! This was just a perfect fall/beginning of the school year read, and I love love love the dynamic between Hattie and Kit! I do feel like parts of it that I would have loved to read weren't there, like the haunted Hallowe'en walk in the graveyard, but that's ok. I know I'll definitely be doing a reread of this next fall :D
5/5 stars!!
I already knew I was going to love this, not only because Northanger Abbey is my FAVOURITE Austen novel, but The X-Files has been my favourite show since I was 12, and oh maaaan this did not disappoint! This was just a perfect fall/beginning of the school year read, and I love love love the dynamic between Hattie and Kit! I do feel like parts of it that I would have loved to read weren't there, like the haunted Hallowe'en walk in the graveyard, but that's ok. I know I'll definitely be doing a reread of this next fall :D
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I have read quite a few YA adaptations of Austen's novels (and grew up with Clueless, so I have been primed for these since adolescence!), but most of them have been takes on Pride and Prejudice. It's probably not surprising that there aren't very many attempts at Northanger Abbey. (The only other one I've encountered was Val McDermid's, and I'll admit to quitting that one less than a quarter of the way through.) Austen's Northanger is hilarious, but it's also so deeply entrenched in Gothic literature that you have to do a lot of homework to get all of the jokes.
Quain makes a lot of, in my opinion, wise decisions in tackling Northanger Abbey for a twenty-first century YA audience. First, she switches perspective and genders, telling the story from the perspective of Henry (here Hattie) Tilney and repositioning Catherine (here Kit) as the love interest rather than protagonist. Quain also decides not to attempt the kind of parody or humor that define Austen's novel; though there is humor here, Ghosted is more interested in exploring teenage anxiety and the question of belief. Turning Northanger into a boarding school and making ghost hunting a central part of the campus culture (and the plot more generally) are both reasonable tweaks as well.
Hattie's relationships with Kit and her siblings are well developed, though her interactions with her mother feel a little rushed in terms of both establishing family dynamics and finding resolutions. The discussions of belief may also be a little too earnest, though there are some poignant moments in Hattie's reflections about her late father.
This is a text that does not require knowledge of the source material to work, but it's also one that may not necessarily enhance young readers' interest in that source material. That said, reading Ghosted now may lead to some readers getting a few extra chuckles or taking a closer look at Henry when they do eventually get around to Northanger Abbey.
Merged review:
I have read quite a few YA adaptations of Austen's novels (and grew up with Clueless, so I have been primed for these since adolescence!), but most of them have been takes on Pride and Prejudice. It's probably not surprising that there aren't very many attempts at Northanger Abbey. (The only other one I've encountered was Val McDermid's, and I'll admit to quitting that one less than a quarter of the way through.) Austen's Northanger is hilarious, but it's also so deeply entrenched in Gothic literature that you have to do a lot of homework to get all of the jokes.
Quain makes a lot of, in my opinion, wise decisions in tackling Northanger Abbey for a twenty-first century YA audience. First, she switches perspective and genders, telling the story from the perspective of Henry (here Hattie) Tilney and repositioning Catherine (here Kit) as the love interest rather than protagonist. Quain also decides not to attempt the kind of parody or humor that define Austen's novel; though there is humor here, Ghosted is more interested in exploring teenage anxiety and the question of belief. Turning Northanger into a boarding school and making ghost hunting a central part of the campus culture (and the plot more generally) are both reasonable tweaks as well.
Hattie's relationships with Kit and her siblings are well developed, though her interactions with her mother feel a little rushed in terms of both establishing family dynamics and finding resolutions. The discussions of belief may also be a little too earnest, though there are some poignant moments in Hattie's reflections about her late father.
This is a text that does not require knowledge of the source material to work, but it's also one that may not necessarily enhance young readers' interest in that source material. That said, reading Ghosted now may lead to some readers getting a few extra chuckles or taking a closer look at Henry when they do eventually get around to Northanger Abbey.
Quain makes a lot of, in my opinion, wise decisions in tackling Northanger Abbey for a twenty-first century YA audience. First, she switches perspective and genders, telling the story from the perspective of Henry (here Hattie) Tilney and repositioning Catherine (here Kit) as the love interest rather than protagonist. Quain also decides not to attempt the kind of parody or humor that define Austen's novel; though there is humor here, Ghosted is more interested in exploring teenage anxiety and the question of belief. Turning Northanger into a boarding school and making ghost hunting a central part of the campus culture (and the plot more generally) are both reasonable tweaks as well.
Hattie's relationships with Kit and her siblings are well developed, though her interactions with her mother feel a little rushed in terms of both establishing family dynamics and finding resolutions. The discussions of belief may also be a little too earnest, though there are some poignant moments in Hattie's reflections about her late father.
This is a text that does not require knowledge of the source material to work, but it's also one that may not necessarily enhance young readers' interest in that source material. That said, reading Ghosted now may lead to some readers getting a few extra chuckles or taking a closer look at Henry when they do eventually get around to Northanger Abbey.
Merged review:
I have read quite a few YA adaptations of Austen's novels (and grew up with Clueless, so I have been primed for these since adolescence!), but most of them have been takes on Pride and Prejudice. It's probably not surprising that there aren't very many attempts at Northanger Abbey. (The only other one I've encountered was Val McDermid's, and I'll admit to quitting that one less than a quarter of the way through.) Austen's Northanger is hilarious, but it's also so deeply entrenched in Gothic literature that you have to do a lot of homework to get all of the jokes.
Quain makes a lot of, in my opinion, wise decisions in tackling Northanger Abbey for a twenty-first century YA audience. First, she switches perspective and genders, telling the story from the perspective of Henry (here Hattie) Tilney and repositioning Catherine (here Kit) as the love interest rather than protagonist. Quain also decides not to attempt the kind of parody or humor that define Austen's novel; though there is humor here, Ghosted is more interested in exploring teenage anxiety and the question of belief. Turning Northanger into a boarding school and making ghost hunting a central part of the campus culture (and the plot more generally) are both reasonable tweaks as well.
Hattie's relationships with Kit and her siblings are well developed, though her interactions with her mother feel a little rushed in terms of both establishing family dynamics and finding resolutions. The discussions of belief may also be a little too earnest, though there are some poignant moments in Hattie's reflections about her late father.
This is a text that does not require knowledge of the source material to work, but it's also one that may not necessarily enhance young readers' interest in that source material. That said, reading Ghosted now may lead to some readers getting a few extra chuckles or taking a closer look at Henry when they do eventually get around to Northanger Abbey.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 3.5/5 stars.
Overall, I really liked this book and the inspiration it had from Austen's Northanger Abbey. While this is a romance/romcom, there is a LOT of the book centering on Hattie's reluctance to deal with the grief from her father passing a few years before...along with the difficulties it caused with her family. All of them refuse to discuss it, and Hattie (and the rest) closed themselves off from one another. It's also complicated since Hattie's mom is the director/principal of the school (Northanger Abbey). Hattie feels she has to meet the high expectations of her mother, but she also doesn't feel like her mom is ever truly her mom...only ever her director.
Then you throw in some paranormal elements and Kit. Hattie used to love ghost hunting with her dad, but it's another part she closed off to meet her mom's expectations. Then Kit arrives and brings it back for Hattie and also helps her work through the grief.
This is a quick read, and I LOVED Hattie and Kit's banter and the eventual move from friends to something more. Some of the plot was meh and also I expected...more ghosts? I also did not appreciate the MASSIVE time skip at the end....I wanted more Hattie and Kit.
Overall, I really liked this book and the inspiration it had from Austen's Northanger Abbey. While this is a romance/romcom, there is a LOT of the book centering on Hattie's reluctance to deal with the grief from her father passing a few years before...along with the difficulties it caused with her family. All of them refuse to discuss it, and Hattie (and the rest) closed themselves off from one another. It's also complicated since Hattie's mom is the director/principal of the school (Northanger Abbey). Hattie feels she has to meet the high expectations of her mother, but she also doesn't feel like her mom is ever truly her mom...only ever her director.
Then you throw in some paranormal elements and Kit. Hattie used to love ghost hunting with her dad, but it's another part she closed off to meet her mom's expectations. Then Kit arrives and brings it back for Hattie and also helps her work through the grief.
This is a quick read, and I LOVED Hattie and Kit's banter and the eventual move from friends to something more. Some of the plot was meh and also I expected...more ghosts? I also did not appreciate the MASSIVE time skip at the end....I wanted more Hattie and Kit.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Cute adaption of Northamger Abbey, one which focuses on the family dynamics of the Tilneys: one parent dead, the other grieving and kind of an asshole.