Scan barcode
moiru's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.5
A heart-wrenching, yet heartwarming story about family and grief, based on Malaysian folklore and superstition.
I LOVE reading this book! I LOVE the writing! It took me 5 days to finish this book.
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.
There's a quote that bothers me a lot.
“Because then, that makes me no better than them. That makes me a bully too.”
Well, no! Protecting yourself from getting bullied doesn't mean you and the bully are the same. If you can't defend yourself against bullies, you'll never find your freedom. Better teach the kids to defend themselves.
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 enjoy reading this book. It's rare occasion to read an English book that represents Malaysian culture, and Hanna Alkaf is definitely the author I will be following. I can't wait to read her next book!
⭐ 4.3/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Bullying
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Child death
Minor: Murder and Violence
dhiyanah's review
adventurous
challenging
fast-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Abandonment, and Child death
Moderate: Child abuse and Emotional abuse
trix21's review
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
did not see the twist coming at the end!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
ryn_richmond's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Bullying, and Child death
melancholymegs's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Child death and Violence
tania_mybookishsecret's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Blood and Vomit
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Child death
geeky_spider's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Bullying
acupofmouie's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Bullying, Toxic friendship, Death, and Gore
wchereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
2.0
I am unsure how to rate or review this book. There are many things I liked but ultimately there are more thing I didn't like.
Th set up was solid. A girl who's a bit "strange", lives with a borderline neglectful mother and struggles to build friendship, and a ghost who loves the girl dearly but does not know the best way to protect her and relies on dark methods a bit too much... I feel like there are lots of potentials for character development here. There's a lot of nuance too with the girl and her mother's relationship and also the way the girl reacts to/interacts with the school bullies. But none of these are explored in a satisfying way.
What bothered me the most was how the bullying was handled. I checked out when the girl would rather take essentially inhumane treatment than doing ANYTHING for herself. Not letting Ghost retaliate is one thing, but considering any sorts of fighting back as bad as the bullies themselves is quite another.
The girl's character development is incredibly weak and nonexistent. The conflict with the antagonist also feels fake and unconvincing. For the rest of the book I was simply not engaged.
Th set up was solid. A girl who's a bit "strange", lives with a borderline neglectful mother and struggles to build friendship, and a ghost who loves the girl dearly but does not know the best way to protect her and relies on dark methods a bit too much... I feel like there are lots of potentials for character development here. There's a lot of nuance too with the girl and her mother's relationship and also the way the girl reacts to/interacts with the school bullies. But none of these are explored in a satisfying way.
What bothered me the most was how the bullying was handled. I checked out when the girl would rather take essentially inhumane treatment than doing ANYTHING for herself. Not letting Ghost retaliate is one thing, but considering any sorts of fighting back as bad as the bullies themselves is quite another.
The girl's character development is incredibly weak and nonexistent. The conflict with the antagonist also feels fake and unconvincing. For the rest of the book I was simply not engaged.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
qrschulte's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
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
5.0
Ugh what a beautiful and emotional book. Had me crying by the end. My suspicions were correct, and the reveal at the end was hard, but perfect. It was definitely horror, but not too much for me to handle. It was scary while still being manageable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Stalking, Torture, Bullying, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Classism, Death, Slavery, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and Murder