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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
This book is a really mixed bag. Overall, it wasn’t as creepy or as paranormal as I was expecting/wanted. I enjoyed reading it and some parts were absolutely brilliant, but the book as a whole was dragged down by other elements.
I think the idea of using necromancy through a fiddle was sort of brilliant. It created a scenario where perfectly creepy things could occur and created an interesting storyline. I also really liked Shady, the main character. She was persistent and clever and loyal. However I think her character was really let down by how she behaved in relationships and treated her potential partners. The love triangle/square was completely unnecessary and for me it just added an element that wasn’t as well done as the rest of the book that was actually just annoying and distracting.
I also think the murder mystery was really well done. Watching various characters react in their own way was great and though I did guess who the killer was pretty early on, I think the narrative created was still absolutely worth reading.
My only real problem with this book, though, was the ending.it was cheesy and didn’t fit with the story. The plot of uncovering family secrets was great and the cliche ending sort of ruined a perfectly creepy and sad story.
I think my overall judgement is that I would recommend it if you’re looking for something creepy but not scary and you don’t mind a lot of side plots. My rating was just really dragged down by the end.
I think the idea of using necromancy through a fiddle was sort of brilliant. It created a scenario where perfectly creepy things could occur and created an interesting storyline. I also really liked Shady, the main character. She was persistent and clever and loyal. However I think her character was really let down by how she behaved in relationships and treated her potential partners. The love triangle/square was completely unnecessary and for me it just added an element that wasn’t as well done as the rest of the book that was actually just annoying and distracting.
I also think the murder mystery was really well done. Watching various characters react in their own way was great and though I did guess who the killer was pretty early on, I think the narrative created was still absolutely worth reading.
My only real problem with this book, though, was the ending.it was cheesy and didn’t fit with the story. The plot of uncovering family secrets was great and the cliche ending sort of ruined a perfectly creepy and sad story.
I think my overall judgement is that I would recommend it if you’re looking for something creepy but not scary and you don’t mind a lot of side plots. My rating was just really dragged down by the end.
(3.50/5.00)
Ghost Wood Song is a dark and haunting debut that’s part ghost story and part mystery. It has it all: family secrets and an eerie atmosphere, small towns and the things they keep buried, loss and longing; but it’s also about love and friendship, about surrounding yourself with people who make the world a little bit brighter. And about music—music is in every single word, a bittersweet melody.
To be completely honest, it took me while to get into Ghost Wood Song. After ten chapters or so I still didn’t really connect with the characters, and that made it hard for me to focus on the mystery aspect of the story, too. I didn’t really understand Shady, the protagonist: so many of her thoughts where about how much she loved her family, but when her brother was accused of a murder he didn’t commit, instead of helping him, she found herself right in the middle of a love triangle. But the story took a turn for me about 15 chapters in, and from that moment on I was captivated, wanted to get to the bottom of all those secrets, wanted to know who really killed Shady’s stepfather and how the ghosts of her family’s past were tied up in it all.
A thing I found myself surprised by was how much I actually enjoyed the romance aspect of Ghost Wood Song. Shady is bisexual (yes, Erica Waters actually uses that word on page and I love her for it) and she’s pulled into a love triangle; who will she choose, her best friend Sarah who she had feelings for for years, or a Mandolin-playing cowboy called Cedar? I usually hate love triangles and at first I wasn’t sure what to think of the idea of two love interests with different genders, because it can easily feel like “choosing”—but here, at least to me, it didn’t. It was complicated, for Shady to choose the person she wanted to be with. But in the end, she chose the person who came even without her having to call for them, who had her side, despite all the difficulties. Who made her feel safe. I love that the relationships in this book were messy, not so straightforward, but full of twists and turns—sometimes it takes a while to find the person you actually want to be with.
I also loved the focus on family. Shady’s family is complicated, too, there are a lot of unspoken things between all of her family members, things that put a strain on their relationships. From her father’s death four years ago and his secrets, the ghost-raising fiddle that might or might not be responsible for it all—Shady isn’t sure what to believe and she wants to get answers, but no one seems to give them to her. It’s not always easy, but in the end, her family had it each other’s backs when it counted, they tried to work through a painful past and came out stronger for it.
Overall, Ghost Wood Song is a story about family secrets and what they can cost us, about grief and what it does to you—but, more than anything, it’s about facing your past to live a brighter future. It took me a while to get into the story, and I think some of the elements just weren’t for me, but if you love books with a Southern Gothic vibe, with pages filled with ghosts, music and secrets, with complicated feelings and a protagonist that’s trying her best—this is the book for you!
Ghost Wood Song is a dark and haunting debut that’s part ghost story and part mystery. It has it all: family secrets and an eerie atmosphere, small towns and the things they keep buried, loss and longing; but it’s also about love and friendship, about surrounding yourself with people who make the world a little bit brighter. And about music—music is in every single word, a bittersweet melody.
To be completely honest, it took me while to get into Ghost Wood Song. After ten chapters or so I still didn’t really connect with the characters, and that made it hard for me to focus on the mystery aspect of the story, too. I didn’t really understand Shady, the protagonist: so many of her thoughts where about how much she loved her family, but when her brother was accused of a murder he didn’t commit, instead of helping him, she found herself right in the middle of a love triangle. But the story took a turn for me about 15 chapters in, and from that moment on I was captivated, wanted to get to the bottom of all those secrets, wanted to know who really killed Shady’s stepfather and how the ghosts of her family’s past were tied up in it all.
A thing I found myself surprised by was how much I actually enjoyed the romance aspect of Ghost Wood Song. Shady is bisexual (yes, Erica Waters actually uses that word on page and I love her for it) and she’s pulled into a love triangle; who will she choose, her best friend Sarah who she had feelings for for years, or a Mandolin-playing cowboy called Cedar? I usually hate love triangles and at first I wasn’t sure what to think of the idea of two love interests with different genders, because it can easily feel like “choosing”—but here, at least to me, it didn’t. It was complicated, for Shady to choose the person she wanted to be with. But in the end, she chose the person who came even without her having to call for them, who had her side, despite all the difficulties. Who made her feel safe. I love that the relationships in this book were messy, not so straightforward, but full of twists and turns—sometimes it takes a while to find the person you actually want to be with.
I also loved the focus on family. Shady’s family is complicated, too, there are a lot of unspoken things between all of her family members, things that put a strain on their relationships. From her father’s death four years ago and his secrets, the ghost-raising fiddle that might or might not be responsible for it all—Shady isn’t sure what to believe and she wants to get answers, but no one seems to give them to her. It’s not always easy, but in the end, her family had it each other’s backs when it counted, they tried to work through a painful past and came out stronger for it.
Overall, Ghost Wood Song is a story about family secrets and what they can cost us, about grief and what it does to you—but, more than anything, it’s about facing your past to live a brighter future. It took me a while to get into the story, and I think some of the elements just weren’t for me, but if you love books with a Southern Gothic vibe, with pages filled with ghosts, music and secrets, with complicated feelings and a protagonist that’s trying her best—this is the book for you!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If it wasn’t for the love triangle I’d give this book all the stars, so instead I give it 4.5 ⭐️
Aside from that, I really liked the book. Loss and forgiveness are the main themes of the novel and the story reflects how everything isn’t always black and white. Shady is the main character, she’s disaster bisexual who’s crushing on two people at the same time. As if that wasn’t enough drama she also has to figure out a mystery to save her brother. A mystery that involves ghosts and family secrets. Ones that unravel everything she thought she knew about her parents and brother.
Shady’s investigation helps her learn to see beyond the surface and understand that there’s more than one aspect or reason to any situation. By the end she’s able to forgive and find closure❤️🩹
Would recommend ✨
Aside from that, I really liked the book. Loss and forgiveness are the main themes of the novel and the story reflects how everything isn’t always black and white. Shady is the main character, she’s disaster bisexual who’s crushing on two people at the same time. As if that wasn’t enough drama she also has to figure out a mystery to save her brother. A mystery that involves ghosts and family secrets. Ones that unravel everything she thought she knew about her parents and brother.
Shady’s investigation helps her learn to see beyond the surface and understand that there’s more than one aspect or reason to any situation. By the end she’s able to forgive and find closure❤️🩹
Would recommend ✨
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
it took a while for this book to get going— like, a while— but once it got going i didn’t want to put it down. i wanted to know what happened.
it’s not a book i would pick up a second time, i don’t feel the need to re-read it, but i don’t regret having read it once. it was a good ghost story, it certainly kept you wondering.
it’s not a book i would pick up a second time, i don’t feel the need to re-read it, but i don’t regret having read it once. it was a good ghost story, it certainly kept you wondering.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, Murder
Minor: Child death, Confinement, Violence, Police brutality, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood
Overall, an enjoyable read. Ghost Wood Song is a good book to read on Halloween season, since there are ghosts, family secrets, mysteries, murder, and a kinda dark tone to it.
I like how music was used here. I usually hate stories with bands, singers and stuff, but the way the Shady, the main character, talks about music is so passionate that I finished the book wanting to listen to bluegrass. Btw, bluegrass is a traditional genre from the appalachian montains, and all the songs Shady mentioned are kinda sad or tragic, which made the story have some poetic moments, and I loved it.
The plot itself is easy to follow: there is a murder and Shady needs to prove her brother is not the culprid (even though she's not sure about that). I was happy that especific character was murdered, because he was a piece of shit. There are a lot of family secrets being revealed, and I found easy to guess who was the murderer (but I'm already used to that, so it's not a problem).
The only thing I didn't like is the love triangle. Shady is bisexual (love it! ♥) and in love with a girl who gives zero fucks about her, and it annoyed me as hell. Later, she starts falling for a guy who is amazing, but she doesn't know if she wants to be with the stupid girl or the nice boy. Thank GOD she chose right by the end.
I like how music was used here. I usually hate stories with bands, singers and stuff, but the way the Shady, the main character, talks about music is so passionate that I finished the book wanting to listen to bluegrass. Btw, bluegrass is a traditional genre from the appalachian montains, and all the songs Shady mentioned are kinda sad or tragic, which made the story have some poetic moments, and I loved it.
The plot itself is easy to follow: there is a murder and Shady needs to prove her brother is not the culprid (even though she's not sure about that). I was happy that especific character was murdered, because he was a piece of shit. There are a lot of family secrets being revealed, and I found easy to guess who was the murderer (but I'm already used to that, so it's not a problem).
The only thing I didn't like is the love triangle. Shady is bisexual (love it! ♥) and in love with a girl who gives zero fucks about her, and it annoyed me as hell. Later, she starts falling for a guy who is amazing, but she doesn't know if she wants to be with the stupid girl or the nice boy. Thank GOD she chose right by the end.
The story was beautiful, the ambience well set, the worldbuilding believable and the magic held nice mystical elements. However I hated most of the characters, some were simply not well enough written, some were just unlikable, particularly Shady, maybe it's that I'm not used to YA protagonists but most of the book I could not understand why some of the people she had just met cared so much for her, enough to risk themselves for her. I did like the family dinamics but all the teenagers were either half written or deeply unlikable. I'd recomend it for the story and the ambience, but definitely not for the characters.
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes