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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Abigail Rook and Mr. Jackaby are trying to solve a murder from ten years ago - the murder of their dearly departed friend Jenny, the resident ghost in Jackaby's house. Whenever Jenny tries to remember her death, she is overwhelmed by an "echo" and dissolves into darkness. It might take her hours to recover a visible form again after an episode like that. When a new string of murders seems to mirror the same circumstances as Jenny's murder, Abigail will do anything to uncover the clues, but Jackaby warns that they should be cautious when dealing with ghostly echoes. He is afraid of pushing Jenny too far in exploring her memories. Once again, Miss Rook and Mr. Jackaby are dealing with the supernatural as a greater evil becomes apparent. They have hidden in the shadows for years, but now Jackaby will bring their dastardly plans into the light.
I loved this book so much! I really liked the world-building and the way that the supernatural creatures and people are trying to mingle with ordinary humans. The more we dive into Jackaby's world, the more we learn that legends of mysterious creatures are really true.
This book also has a transgender character who is bullied, but Miss Rook and Mr. Jackaby are kind to the person.
I especially loved Jackaby and Miss Rook and their detective partnership. They are both full of witty remarks and flippant little quips. Jackaby kind of reminded me of Doctor Who in the way that he carelessly meets danger with no plan and silly grin. Utterly delightful!
I loved Miss Rook's character! She is very introspective, analyzing the clues and analyzing her relationships with people. We get to see her emotional turmoil as she tries to adjust to her life in the big city. She goes on quite an inner journey to find the confidence to trust herself and be able to assist in the investigation. She is so spunky!
The writing style is excellent. The plot is mysterious and fun! The mystery really kept me guessing, and I loved all the strange clues. Because there are magical elements in play, it's difficult to tell what is just a normal clue or what is some weird supernatural power at work. There are a lot of moving parts in the plot, and characters with different abilities and secret knowledge. It becomes like this weird game of chess with red herrings all over the place, until you realize that the red herrings are actually the center of the mystery. Such great plot twists!
To see sensitive content in this book, including violence, murder, and dark content, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/ghostly-echoes-jackaby-3-365246
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
I loved this book so much! I really liked the world-building and the way that the supernatural creatures and people are trying to mingle with ordinary humans. The more we dive into Jackaby's world, the more we learn that legends of mysterious creatures are really true.
This book also has a transgender character who is bullied, but Miss Rook and Mr. Jackaby are kind to the person.
I especially loved Jackaby and Miss Rook and their detective partnership. They are both full of witty remarks and flippant little quips. Jackaby kind of reminded me of Doctor Who in the way that he carelessly meets danger with no plan and silly grin. Utterly delightful!
I loved Miss Rook's character! She is very introspective, analyzing the clues and analyzing her relationships with people. We get to see her emotional turmoil as she tries to adjust to her life in the big city. She goes on quite an inner journey to find the confidence to trust herself and be able to assist in the investigation. She is so spunky!
The writing style is excellent. The plot is mysterious and fun! The mystery really kept me guessing, and I loved all the strange clues. Because there are magical elements in play, it's difficult to tell what is just a normal clue or what is some weird supernatural power at work. There are a lot of moving parts in the plot, and characters with different abilities and secret knowledge. It becomes like this weird game of chess with red herrings all over the place, until you realize that the red herrings are actually the center of the mystery. Such great plot twists!
To see sensitive content in this book, including violence, murder, and dark content, check out the book on the Screen It First website! https://screenitfirst.com/book/ghostly-echoes-jackaby-3-365246
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Finally a pay-off, although incomplete. I have to keep reminding myself that these books are not written for adults and to judge accordingly. I ended up rating it just on how much I enjoyed it, like I do everything else, and not get tied up in other things.
I'm looking forward to book 4, supposedly the last in the series, but it looks like the ebook is going to be priced out of my personal range (I can afford the books but refuse to pay ridiculous prices for bytes) so it will be a while. Hopefully, I remember to look for it in a year or so.
I'm looking forward to book 4, supposedly the last in the series, but it looks like the ebook is going to be priced out of my personal range (I can afford the books but refuse to pay ridiculous prices for bytes) so it will be a while. Hopefully, I remember to look for it in a year or so.
Book 3 in the series. Abigail and Jackaby investigate Jenny's murder 10 years ago. Abigail goes down into the Underworld in pursuit of answers. Lots of otherworldly adventures and a climactic ending. To be continued...
I really enjoyed it but definitely not as much as the first books. Will just has a magical way with words
First of all Innumerable Thanks to the really nice people at the Algonquin/Workman Booth at PLA in Denver this past week who when I stood looking longingly at this ARC they reached under the table and gave me one. You are kind and lovely people; I really needed this book when I got home strung-out and exhausted from traveling.
However, all that being said, this book is the best of this series yet and the first two got high accolades so that is saying something. Both the story and characters just keep getting better as one gets more of their adventures and their backstory. I don't want to say too much as it is not out till August and don't want to spoil it for anyone, because it is really worth it. If you are unsure about this series, just read it, if only to get to this book, though I am sure that won't be the case. And wow, what the next one will be too! The only problem with getting to read this so wonderfully early is that now I have to wait even longer for the forth... though maybe I can get another ARC next Spring. *wink*
However, all that being said, this book is the best of this series yet and the first two got high accolades so that is saying something. Both the story and characters just keep getting better as one gets more of their adventures and their backstory. I don't want to say too much as it is not out till August and don't want to spoil it for anyone, because it is really worth it. If you are unsure about this series, just read it, if only to get to this book, though I am sure that won't be the case. And wow, what the next one will be too! The only problem with getting to read this so wonderfully early is that now I have to wait even longer for the forth... though maybe I can get another ARC next Spring. *wink*
I was so desperate to keep reading this series that I actually checked it out as an ebook (and I hate ebooks), it's just that good.
I loved the first two books in the series and was ecstatic to learn that I won the Goodreads contest to receive an advance reading copy! So thank you Goodreads, William Ritter, and Algonquin publishing!
As the second novel ends, all is not wrapped up. Solving one case only revealed another, more volatile case involving Jenny (a house-mate, ghost, and friend) and her unsolved murder. Like the other novels, as Jackaby and Abigail Rook delve deeper into their investigation, they seem to unlock more questions and dangers rather than finding the answers.
With Jackaby's powers as a seer and his connections with the unseen world, he and Abigail, with the help of some friends, seek to learn the mystery behind Jenny's murder and new, similar cases in New Fiddleham. Abigail comes into her own in this novel and through her cleverness and bravery becomes an equal to Jackaby.
This book seems darker to me than the first too and maybe a bit more grown up, but still a novel my students will gobble up this school year. While Jackaby has always been the main attraction to this series with his Sherlock Holmes/ Dr. House ways, Abigail becomes the heart of the series, at least in my eyes, in this third novel.
Now, I really can't wait for the fourth book, but I'm also sad that it will be the last!
As the second novel ends, all is not wrapped up. Solving one case only revealed another, more volatile case involving Jenny (a house-mate, ghost, and friend) and her unsolved murder. Like the other novels, as Jackaby and Abigail Rook delve deeper into their investigation, they seem to unlock more questions and dangers rather than finding the answers.
With Jackaby's powers as a seer and his connections with the unseen world, he and Abigail, with the help of some friends, seek to learn the mystery behind Jenny's murder and new, similar cases in New Fiddleham. Abigail comes into her own in this novel and through her cleverness and bravery becomes an equal to Jackaby.
This book seems darker to me than the first too and maybe a bit more grown up, but still a novel my students will gobble up this school year. While Jackaby has always been the main attraction to this series with his Sherlock Holmes/ Dr. House ways, Abigail becomes the heart of the series, at least in my eyes, in this third novel.
Now, I really can't wait for the fourth book, but I'm also sad that it will be the last!