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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
Great middle grade and up read! It’s got peer pressure, some class dynamics, family dynamics, history, and ghosts!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cute paranormal romance with an adorable artstyle!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
New Orleans teenager Chelsea is forced to work for her dad's ghost hunting business after getting arrested for trespassing in a cemetary and drinking after dark with her friends. Summer plans ruined, Chelsea resigns herself to her fate. She doesn't believe that ghosts are real until her dad gets a job at an old mansion and she starts seeing ghosts. In particular, a ghost named Oliver starts talking to Chelsea, but she can't find any record of him existing. Who is Oliver, and what entity keeps scaring people away from the mansion? #GhostRoast #NetGalley
The ending is a bit abrupt, but overall I enjoyed this cute little YA novel. I can’t recall ever reading a book about another Black Chelsea so that was a fun little thing for me.
This story discusses the usual trope of a teenage girl being embarrassed by her parents because of peer pressure. The way a lot of YA novels go, I expected her friends to eventually be revealed as jerks. The comments they made about the neighborhood Chelsea lived in did make me side eye, to be honest. Too many kids get made fun of because their economic status isn’t the same as their peers. However, the book seemed to want the reader to think they were Chelsea’s actual friends despite their shallow tendencies, so do with that what you will.
The premise of the story is cool and I loved seeing this story for a Black family. Often times, the discussion of New Orleans supernatural stories leave out the ties the Black community has to magic and ghosts in that territory. There’s a ton of Black history there. I’m appreciative that the book didn’t shy away from acknowledging what kinds of spirits would be found on a former plantation.
Overall, this was enjoyable and I’m glad to see more comics like this with Black leads.
This story discusses the usual trope of a teenage girl being embarrassed by her parents because of peer pressure. The way a lot of YA novels go, I expected her friends to eventually be revealed as jerks. The comments they made about the neighborhood Chelsea lived in did make me side eye, to be honest. Too many kids get made fun of because their economic status isn’t the same as their peers. However, the book seemed to want the reader to think they were Chelsea’s actual friends despite their shallow tendencies, so do with that what you will.
The premise of the story is cool and I loved seeing this story for a Black family. Often times, the discussion of New Orleans supernatural stories leave out the ties the Black community has to magic and ghosts in that territory. There’s a ton of Black history there. I’m appreciative that the book didn’t shy away from acknowledging what kinds of spirits would be found on a former plantation.
Overall, this was enjoyable and I’m glad to see more comics like this with Black leads.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No