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sphynxreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ghostcloud has all the elements I love in a middle-grade fantasy: a mixture of vivid worldbuilding and some darker moments, larger-than-life characters, and both heartwarming and heartwrenching scenes. That said, I felt that this story was less than the sum of its parts. I liked the story enough, but I felt it lacking a solid hook to reel the readers in. I felt that the characters could have been developed more. The magic, while interesting, was not necessarily leave me fascinated. I did love the overall mystery of the story though and how everything was resolved in the end. I think this would be perfect as a light read for Halloween.
Ghostcloud has all the elements I love in a middle-grade fantasy: a mixture of vivid worldbuilding and some darker moments, larger-than-life characters, and both heartwarming and heartwrenching scenes. That said, I felt that this story was less than the sum of its parts. I liked the story enough, but I felt it lacking a solid hook to reel the readers in. I felt that the characters could have been developed more. The magic, while interesting, was not necessarily leave me fascinated. I did love the overall mystery of the story though and how everything was resolved in the end. I think this would be perfect as a light read for Halloween.
kirstycarson1's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
zoiejanelle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
i edited this book, so i'm obviously giving this 5 stars! a fast-paced MG adventure about finding freedom within yourself and the power of friendship. paranormal fantasy elements are just icing on the cake, making this book a really fun, really intriguing read for anyone who likes dystopian fantasies based on real-life locations.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, and Child abuse
Minor: Animal death, Torture, Trafficking, and Injury/Injury detail
confessions_of_a_bookaholic's review against another edition
4.0
This is London, but not as we know it. 12 year old Luke spends his days shovelling coal in the half ruined Battersea Power Station. He dreams of getting back to his family, but the only way out is with a sacred Amber ticket. Just as Luke is nearing selection for a ticket he gets caught trying to help a new girl, Jess, and both are sent for punishment. With all hope of a ticket gone, Luke is shocked when he meets Alma and realises she is a ghost, but that quickly turns to excitement when he realises she might be able to help him escape.
I'm loving my middle grade fiction at the moment, there's some fantastic books that I'm discovering, and this one certainly fits the bill.
Being set in London, but not quite as we would know it, is great for me. I'm only vaguely familiar with London being a Northerner, but it's enough that landmarks like the Battersea Power Station conjure up images. Picturing that in ruins immediately sets the scene for me.
I loved all the characters here, even Tabatha! I mean obviously she's hateful and horrid but she is such a good villain! I really appreciated having a female baddie, and especially one so ruthless too.
Luke is instantly likeable as a protagonist, as is Jess. They make a great pair, and though their friendship is forged quickly it's easy to see why it's a strong one.
The plot is great: there's kidnappings, friendly ghosts, unfriendly ghouls, a despicable boss lady, and just enough magic to make it all work. I particularly like the theory behind why Luke can see and travel with Alma when other people can't.
All in all a great fun read. If you're an older reader who enjoys middle grade books give it ago. If you're a younger reader (or reading with younger readers) don't worry it isn't too scary!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm loving my middle grade fiction at the moment, there's some fantastic books that I'm discovering, and this one certainly fits the bill.
Being set in London, but not quite as we would know it, is great for me. I'm only vaguely familiar with London being a Northerner, but it's enough that landmarks like the Battersea Power Station conjure up images. Picturing that in ruins immediately sets the scene for me.
I loved all the characters here, even Tabatha! I mean obviously she's hateful and horrid but she is such a good villain! I really appreciated having a female baddie, and especially one so ruthless too.
Luke is instantly likeable as a protagonist, as is Jess. They make a great pair, and though their friendship is forged quickly it's easy to see why it's a strong one.
The plot is great: there's kidnappings, friendly ghosts, unfriendly ghouls, a despicable boss lady, and just enough magic to make it all work. I particularly like the theory behind why Luke can see and travel with Alma when other people can't.
All in all a great fun read. If you're an older reader who enjoys middle grade books give it ago. If you're a younger reader (or reading with younger readers) don't worry it isn't too scary!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
saccalai's review against another edition
4.0
Ghosts and half ghosts, kidnapped children and an extremely super creepy villainess. Gripping and fast paced, a little darker than I was expecting at times but still really easy to read. I don't know if there's going to be more but it definitely seemed like the book was left a bit open-ended so I really hope so. I enjoyed reading this so much, I can't wait for more books from this author.
backpackingbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
Ghostcloud is a magical and adventurous middle-grade story about a group of pre-teens who have been kidnapped and forced to shovel coal in a gruelling underground power station. Luke, Ravi, and Jess form a fast friendship despite their differences - where Ravi is determined to keep his head down for the much-anticipated amber ticket, Jess and Luke want to find another way to escape. An encounter with Alma, a ghost who travels on clouds, reveals that Luke is a half-ghost who can use his powers to not only escape, but bring down the entire power station operation. But it's a dangerous mission with boss Tabatha hot on Luke's heels.. and she will do anything to stop him.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the word-building and scene-setting - I could practically feel the heat from the coal, picture the squashed, hard bunks in the dorm and taste the bland gruel. It was an adventure from start to finish that I felt fully immersed in. The characters were diverse and interesting - I particularly liked Luke as the MC who was kind, thoughtful, and selfless, risking his freedom to help his friends and others trapped in the power station. There were also some darker themes that gave the story a gritty edge - there was plenty of tension and combat (though perhaps a little too much for the intended audience).
My main dislikes were probably around the length and pace - it felt a bit too dragged out in parts and lost my attention. I also felt like the story-building was a little amateur with a lot of 'and then this happened' 'and then out of nowhere' type sentences that felt a bit too blatant.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story and thought there was plenty of imagination and excitement to keep the reader engaged and wondering what would happen next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Children's Group & Hodder Children's Books for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating breakdown
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the word-building and scene-setting - I could practically feel the heat from the coal, picture the squashed, hard bunks in the dorm and taste the bland gruel. It was an adventure from start to finish that I felt fully immersed in. The characters were diverse and interesting - I particularly liked Luke as the MC who was kind, thoughtful, and selfless, risking his freedom to help his friends and others trapped in the power station. There were also some darker themes that gave the story a gritty edge - there was plenty of tension and combat (though perhaps a little too much for the intended audience).
My main dislikes were probably around the length and pace - it felt a bit too dragged out in parts and lost my attention. I also felt like the story-building was a little amateur with a lot of 'and then this happened' 'and then out of nowhere' type sentences that felt a bit too blatant.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story and thought there was plenty of imagination and excitement to keep the reader engaged and wondering what would happen next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Children's Group & Hodder Children's Books for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating breakdown
- Plot/narrative - 3.5
- Writing style/readability - 3.6
- Characters - 3.6
- Diverse themes - 3.5
- Ending - 3.5
Overall - 3.5
procrastinatingpages's review against another edition
fast-paced
4.0
I mainly picked this book up for the stunning cover, and I’m so glad I did because the story itself was equally brilliant.
While it was darker than I initially anticipated, the juxtaposition of the dark subject matter with the whimsical and carefree ghostly aspects really made me appreciate the writing and the story being told.
Alma, Jess and Ravi are great side characters and each bring something different to the group, and Luke is a main character that I enjoyed following and I loved to see their friendships develop as the book progressed.
While it was darker than I initially anticipated, the juxtaposition of the dark subject matter with the whimsical and carefree ghostly aspects really made me appreciate the writing and the story being told.
Alma, Jess and Ravi are great side characters and each bring something different to the group, and Luke is a main character that I enjoyed following and I loved to see their friendships develop as the book progressed.
bryonyindecisivereader's review against another edition
3.0
“‘Grow up?’ she said. ‘Why wait? Putting things off is a dangerous habit, and a boring one too.”
CW: Death of parent/Kidnapping
Honestly, I picked this up for the cover and I’m glad I did - I ended up really enjoying it! It was sweet and, whilst I can’t necessarily say it was happy because of the book’s content, it was certainly hopeful and positive.
Luke was a great main character. He was selfless and thoughtful and brave. I loved how he stayed positive and always tried to find the best in/for people.
I thought Alma and Jess were great side characters. They each brought out something in Luke and made the story more interesting and believable.
The ghosts were a really fun element. I loved how they allowed Luke to explore more of the world - to understand and appreciate it. I enjoyed how the author created rules for them to follow.
The mystery was really successful. It kept me reading and guessing and built up some tension at the end. I could not work out how it would be solved until it happened!
I would definitely read more of these characters’ adventures!
CW: Death of parent/Kidnapping
Honestly, I picked this up for the cover and I’m glad I did - I ended up really enjoying it! It was sweet and, whilst I can’t necessarily say it was happy because of the book’s content, it was certainly hopeful and positive.
Luke was a great main character. He was selfless and thoughtful and brave. I loved how he stayed positive and always tried to find the best in/for people.
I thought Alma and Jess were great side characters. They each brought out something in Luke and made the story more interesting and believable.
The ghosts were a really fun element. I loved how they allowed Luke to explore more of the world - to understand and appreciate it. I enjoyed how the author created rules for them to follow.
The mystery was really successful. It kept me reading and guessing and built up some tension at the end. I could not work out how it would be solved until it happened!
I would definitely read more of these characters’ adventures!
lisadoeslife_'s review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved this book!. Nothing makes my heart happy more than settling down with a cute middlegrade book . It is well written, the world bulding is top notch and the characters are just.. *chef's kiss* I am looking forward to reading more from this author