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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
Exellent book. Very, very credible, nicely set up and actually a little scary if reading in the dark. It is well-written, and gripped me like no other recent book I've read. The plot is clever, revealed a little slow for dramatic effect but this isn't necessarily a negative. I thought the aftermath was a little juvenile, where there's a bit too much of the feel-good factor, but then, we must remember that these are kids.
For me, this is an excellently devised book, creating a thoroughly believable world in which to lose yourself.
For me, this is an excellently devised book, creating a thoroughly believable world in which to lose yourself.
i’m mad at netflix for cancelling this show and finally got around to reading the books - and now i’m madder! this book is a great example of giving backstory without tedious exposition. this almost-dystopic world was exciting to enter and you felt the deep, rich history of the world, the mechanics of the ghosts and ghost-hunting, and the social and systemic implications of this history on the present.
the characters are interesting and, while lucy has some not-like-other-girls moments, i loved her narration. the fatphobia in regards to george was boring: i get lucy didnt like him at first but there were plenty of other things to fixate on other than his weight, such as his rudeness, his petulance, or the way he makes other feel idiotic to elevate himself. all that said, personally, i liked george and his snarkiness and his and licy’s back and forth felt very sibling coded. lockwood was also intriguing and charming, though his words feel disingenuous - someone online said he reminded them of kaz brekker, which i can see in his “i have a idea/theory but i’m not going to tell anyone about it until i have all the pieces are in place” schtick.
there were issues with this book: the fatphobia, misogyny (internalised and externalised), and exoticisation. overall, even with these issues, i enjoyed this series, i’m super mad netflix for cancelling the show, and i do want to read more in the world.
the characters are interesting and, while lucy has some not-like-other-girls moments, i loved her narration. the fatphobia in regards to george was boring: i get lucy didnt like him at first but there were plenty of other things to fixate on other than his weight, such as his rudeness, his petulance, or the way he makes other feel idiotic to elevate himself. all that said, personally, i liked george and his snarkiness and his and licy’s back and forth felt very sibling coded. lockwood was also intriguing and charming, though his words feel disingenuous - someone online said he reminded them of kaz brekker, which i can see in his “i have a idea/theory but i’m not going to tell anyone about it until i have all the pieces are in place” schtick.
there were issues with this book: the fatphobia, misogyny (internalised and externalised), and exoticisation. overall, even with these issues, i enjoyed this series, i’m super mad netflix for cancelling the show, and i do want to read more in the world.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
I can't write too much because I might include spoilers. But this was a really fun read with likable characters (well, even the grumpy ones and the evil ones were enjoyable).
The premise is that children can see ghosts, so they must work as ghost exterminators of sorts. It's like a cross between Sixth Sense and Ghostbusters but with some young teens as protagonists.
The encounters with the ghosts were a bit scary, so I chose to read this book only during full daylight.
I have a lot of other books on my TBR pile, but now I'm tempted to read the rest of this series!
The premise is that children can see ghosts, so they must work as ghost exterminators of sorts. It's like a cross between Sixth Sense and Ghostbusters but with some young teens as protagonists.
The encounters with the ghosts were a bit scary, so I chose to read this book only during full daylight.
I have a lot of other books on my TBR pile, but now I'm tempted to read the rest of this series!
Eerst de Netflix serie gezien (cancelled na één seizoen
4.5 stars. A promising start to what I hope is a long-running series.
I remember reading this when I was around 15, and I STILL can remember the impact it had on me. It was so tense, and I have vivid memories of certain scenes in the book that I don’t think will ever leave me.
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
More book reviews, discussions and interviews on my blog https://aprilsshelf.com/
This was so much fun and entirely not what I expected in such a good way! This book has humour, spooky ghosts, mysteries to be solved and emotionally heavy at points. I'm a sensitive soul so a few instances it was rather gut-punching.
Of the first few hauntings I investigated with Lockwood & Co. I intend to say little, in part to protect the identity of the victims, in part because of the gruesome nature of the incidents, but mainly because, in a variety of ingenious ways, we succeeded in messing them all up.
The ghost-busting trio!
The interactions between Lucy, Lockwood and George are so lovely. Classic silliness you would see between siblings but with a fundamental tone of protection. They are each other's family. There's no one else looking out for them, they only have each other. It's a serious aspect that always goes unsaid between our characters but it's also good to see them have fun and jab at each other as kids do.
Amongst all this there is some very good world building. The prominent feature of this world is the Problem, where ghosts come out once the sun goes down. Some of those ghosts are just floating, barely there whilst others are dangerous. Our trio were born with gifts which they use to help their clients rid themselves of ghost issues. It's a really interesting world to be in.
Saying that, there are quite a few dark themes throughout this book and our characters are really put to the test. This isn't just about ghosts, this is about telling human stories and unravelling their past. Some of those stories are troubling but I really enjoyed unravelling the mysteries with our characters and giving a voice back to the dead.
Smart, Witty and Funny
"Well, when you're being held at gunpoint by a geriatric madman in a metal skirt, you've kind of hit rock bottom anyway. It can't really get much worse.”
I love a bit of well placed humour in my books. I think it's why I enjoyed The Thursday Murder Club because I just love a bit of banter. It helps break up the more serious aspects of this story and it does help bring these characters together.
I also really enjoyed that we read this story from Lucy's perspective, it's as if she's reading the story back to someone so we learn everything at the same pace as her. It also helps add insight to Lucy's backstory and what she's been through. The flipside of that is that we don't know much about Lockwood or George besides what they tell her. But this is a long series and I am excited to read on and learn about them. I almost feel like I'm the one that's joined their team!
“What a great article," Lockwood said, for the twentieth time that day. "Couldn't have been better."
"They spelled my name wrong," I pointed out.
"They didn't mention me at all," George said.
"Well, in all the essentials, I mean." Lockwood grinned round at us.”
Although one of the things I love most about this book also makes me feel the saddest, and that is how young these kids are. In this world of ghosts for those born with gifts to see or communicate with the dead they are most powerful in their younger years. The older one gets the more they lose their grip on their gifts and they fade.
The world in this book relies so heavily on children and young adults. They are put into very dangerous situations that it feels rather apocalyptic that this has become the norm. The burden that the young bear is a heavy one.
His name was Sam McCarthy. For the record, he'd been twelve years old.
I love these characters so much, I grew so fond of them but it hurts me that these young kids are running around with terrifying ghosts with no one looking out for them. And I know it's all fictional but still, I think I imagine my own children and it leaves a little mark on me. But I've always been a very emotionally driven reader..
I wasn't pretty, but as my mother once said, prettiness wasn't my profession.
slow-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
I really enjoyed the start of this YA ghost series. I am a sucker for anything to do with ghosts and this takes it to a different level. It shows how dangerous it can be to come into contact with ghosts or anything else supernatural and how to properly deal with the after math of coming into contact with one.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
I didn't think a spooky ghost series could be so comforting?? These characters will forever live in my head #LOCKLYLE
AND NETFLIX YOU CAN FIGHT ME. I'll never forgive you for cancelling the show. We didn't even get a chance to see live action Holly
AND NETFLIX YOU CAN FIGHT ME. I'll never forgive you for cancelling the show. We didn't even get a chance to see live action Holly