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krisrid's review
3.0
Although this is a YA book, it was very well written, and had a very interesting based-in-fact story which wrapped around the fictional plot.
This is a story I knew nothing about - the laying of the first trans-atlantic communication cable from Ireland to Newfoundland - but it was a very exciting event, and fraught with challenges and risks for those who did it. It was an exciting, engaging piece of history to learn about.
I really liked the main character of Ailish, and Irish girl with second sight who ends up accidentally stowed away on the Great Eastern just as it begins its historic voyage to Canada. Ailish was a spunky, clever and determined young girl, and I enjoyed following along as she had her adventure.
This would be a great book for girls anywhere from 10 to probably 13 or 14 who enjoy adventure stories featuring girls, and who enjoy history. I'm way older than 14, but I still enjoyed this very much.
This is a story I knew nothing about - the laying of the first trans-atlantic communication cable from Ireland to Newfoundland - but it was a very exciting event, and fraught with challenges and risks for those who did it. It was an exciting, engaging piece of history to learn about.
I really liked the main character of Ailish, and Irish girl with second sight who ends up accidentally stowed away on the Great Eastern just as it begins its historic voyage to Canada. Ailish was a spunky, clever and determined young girl, and I enjoyed following along as she had her adventure.
This would be a great book for girls anywhere from 10 to probably 13 or 14 who enjoy adventure stories featuring girls, and who enjoy history. I'm way older than 14, but I still enjoyed this very much.
iilex's review
3.0
I read this one on a whim because it promised a ghost story on the high seas. The book did include this, but the ghost story was honestly a very minor aspect of the story. Ailish, our main character, may have psychic powers and there may be a ghost on board, but do not expect a highly paranormal tale. Ghost Messages is more or less a straight historical novel about the Great Eastern laying the first transatlantic undersea telegraph cable.
If you're looking for a heavily factual book about telegraph cables and 19th century ships, then by all means read this book. If you're looking for a nice little ghost story, I might go find something else to read. The author obviously did a ton of research, but unfortunately it makes for a fairly boring book. I can't see many kids (the target audience) going crazy for this one. Luckily, it's pretty short, so if you do decide to start Ghost Messages, it'll be over quickly.
I didn't completely hate this one, but I wouldn't recommend it to many. There are enough facts in here for this to be a very educational middle grade historical fiction novel, but the paranormal aspect may or may not hinder that purpose. It also just may not hold the attention of kids long enough. As an aside, there actually is an adult historical fiction novel on this same subject called [b:Signal & Noise|1195926|Signal & Noise|John Griesemer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1181791882s/1195926.jpg|1184062]. I haven't read it, but I wonder if the author of Ghost Messages did.
If you're looking for a heavily factual book about telegraph cables and 19th century ships, then by all means read this book. If you're looking for a nice little ghost story, I might go find something else to read. The author obviously did a ton of research, but unfortunately it makes for a fairly boring book. I can't see many kids (the target audience) going crazy for this one. Luckily, it's pretty short, so if you do decide to start Ghost Messages, it'll be over quickly.
I didn't completely hate this one, but I wouldn't recommend it to many. There are enough facts in here for this to be a very educational middle grade historical fiction novel, but the paranormal aspect may or may not hinder that purpose. It also just may not hold the attention of kids long enough. As an aside, there actually is an adult historical fiction novel on this same subject called [b:Signal & Noise|1195926|Signal & Noise|John Griesemer|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1181791882s/1195926.jpg|1184062]. I haven't read it, but I wonder if the author of Ghost Messages did.
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