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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 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
Graphic: Blood and Bullying
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Child death
Minor: Murder and Violence
emerentina's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Blood, Mental illness, Death, Child death, Confinement, Gore, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder
tania_mybookishsecret's review
- 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
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Blood and Vomit
Minor: Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Child death
qrschulte's review
- 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
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
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
charmingreads's review
4.5
age rating: 11+
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Death and Murder
jay_jade736's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I was really fond of Pink and Suraya's friendship. When there was a debale between the two, I found myself being lenient to one over the other when the POV switches. As individuals, I really love them and can see myself being friends with them
Jing is a fun side character. I do think that she's shallow compared to some other side characters in other books, she still is someone I have a sort of fondness over. She reminds me alot of Mei Mei in Upin and Ipin and I think the author draw inspiration from her
I also noticed a rather intriguing but peculiar writing style the author tends to add. "If you would listened carefully, you would have heard Pink buzz" (Not an actual sentence from the book)
At first I thought it was annoying and ruined the whole vibe of the book but as I read along and eventually being engrossed with the books sequence of events, the more I found it to be engaging. It then felt awkward in the ending parts as it wasn't utilised as much and when it was, it no longer has that nuance to it
Speaking of endings, this one crushed me. While I think it was cliché (the twist to be specific) I still found the departure of Pink and Suraya heartbreaking especially since that was the last time they could be together in the same physical space if that made any sort of sense
Overall, this was a fun read and a bug suggestion if you love to get to know more of Malaysia and it's culture
(Note: This has bullying, medical detail, murder and abandonment way detailed and explicit than what you'd normally expect from a middle grade book so read with caution)
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Murder, and Torture
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Panic attacks/disorders
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
sarah984's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Blood, Stalking, Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Child death
Minor: Cannibalism, Murder, Vomit, and Cursing