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nadiamasood's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Imagine inheriting a ghost from your grandmother and striking an unlikely friendship with him. You have been together since you were a toddler and he protects you at all costs...until his darker nature rears its ugly head.
What an emotionally wild, sometimes funny, oftentimes haunting story about friendship, loneliness, jealousy, bullying, and revenge. It is also about forgiveness, courage, and kindness.
This beautifully written and atmospheric novel unfolds in a quaint village in Malaysia. It begins with a lighthearted tone but gradually grows darker as the plot advances. I found myself utterly absorbed in the narrative!
What I loved most about this book:
- The ghost has his own POV!
- The part where Suraya names him "Pink" had me laughing out loud!
- Jing and Suraya's friendship. So precious!
- Learning about Malaysian culture and folklore.
- The funny ghost banter at the cemetery.
- Suraya choosing to go to her mom for help despite their strained relationship.
- The unexpected reveal toward the end!
Who is this book perfect for?
Those who love a little spooky story! If you enjoy powerful and atmospheric stories about family and friendship and don't mind it going to some dark places, this book is for you. Also recommended to those looking to read stories inspired by Malaysian folklore.
PS: This is an honest book review from a scaredy-cat who typically avoids horror novels.
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
moiru's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
I LOVE reading this book! I LOVE the writing! It took me 5 days to finish this book.
She shivered slightly under his gaze—she had no blanket—so he curled himself around her for warmth and smiled when she sighed happily in her sleep.
The story is about a pelesik, a ghost that takes the form of a grasshopper as a disguise, who was previously under the command of a witch. When he's no longer under her control, he traveled to find a girl who shares the same blood as the witch. The ghost doesn't understand what emotion was in his non-existent heart, but a joy of human pain, because that's how he was taught by the witch. However, when he meets Suraya, the girl he has been searching for, he begins to learn that her greatness of humanity is contagious to him.
He wasn’t sure he liked feeling it; ghosts weren’t meant to be sympathetic, of all things.
The Girl and the Ghost was an amusing read, but a little dark for a middle grade book. It's kind of depressing in the early chapters. I had to stop myself from reading because there are 20 pages of bullying scenes. I understand her, and I can see myself in her. Anyway, they cherish their friendship as a human and a ghost. They are so cute, funny, and wholesome together. As for the ghost's name, that kid was full of surprise, huh? LOL. Again, as I mentioned before, the ghost doesn't understand his feelings, and the story slowly became darker and darker.
“Because then, that makes me no better than them. That makes me a bully too.”
Through the story, they met new companions, like the hero's journey. The thing that gets me is that
It says that the most beautiful blooms come from the darkest soil.
I had so many predictions about how the story would end, and it is so satisfying to see it come true. One is back in their place, one is able to find their missing puzzle, and one is able to smile again.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book. It's a rare occasion to read an English book that represents Malaysian culture, and Hanna Alkaf is definitely the author I'll keep following. I can't wait to read her next book!
⭐ 4.3/5
Graphic: Blood and Bullying
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Grief
Minor: Violence and Murder
melancholymegs's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child death and Violence
lizgom's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child death, Bullying, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Violence, Murder, and Torture
alexvb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.0
The writing flowed so well, and the story was very easy to get into!
The characters are all so distinct and great. I like PINK even though we are challenged to question him and his morals. The bad guy was actually chilling and creepy!
The story naturally has Muslim and Malaysian culture / aspects into the story which was great for me to look up (especially all the food mentioned! So much food was mentioned!) and do extra research about if I wanted to.
I the dual pov was perfect for me.
This story also discusses parental love, mourning, and bullying, and it felt very realistic. The fantasy/supernatural is very minor compared to the modern day, everyday life, and real topics in ths book.
I found myself crying in that last chapter though! The reveal!!
Personally, I think that this book is probably better for the upper end of middle grade (13-14) rather than the lower end. Some publishers class age 8-14/15 as middle grade, but I would not recommend this book to someone under 12, because some parts of this were genuinely dark, creepy, and scary if I'm being honest. I had some disgusted, creeped-out, heart-racing moments myself reading this as an adult! Our main character around 12 to 13 years old, so if you're going to give this book to a child, I think a child of the same age or older is best.
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, and Death
Minor: Violence, Murder, and Grief
cozylifewithabby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Child abuse
bexi's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent, Child death, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Vomit, Stalking, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Violence, Murder, and Torture
thebooksanctuary's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Child death and Violence
cookiesandchapters's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Minor: Child death, Grief, and Violence
mxrumphius's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
Minor: Blood, Body horror, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Murder, Stalking, Torture, and Violence