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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This is a review of the Rose Marshall trilogy, [b:Sparrow Hill Road|17666976|Sparrow Hill Road (Ghost Roads, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1384978942l/17666976._SY75_.jpg|24661595], [b:The Girl in the Green Silk Gown|36384411|The Girl in the Green Silk Gown (Ghost Roads #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1508888585l/36384411._SX50_.jpg|58074353], and [b:Angel of the Overpass|55002575|Angel of the Overpass (Ghost Roads, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597714075l/55002575._SX50_.jpg|85784818]. [b:Sparrow Hill Road|17666976|Sparrow Hill Road (Ghost Roads, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1384978942l/17666976._SY75_.jpg|24661595] introduces us to Rose Marshall, who died in a traffic accident in 1952 and became a hitchhiking ghost. The first book is a collection of short stories that introduce the world with the adventures of Rose. The second book, [b:The Girl in the Green Silk Gown|36384411|The Girl in the Green Silk Gown (Ghost Roads #2)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1508888585l/36384411._SX50_.jpg|58074353], is a novel that gives us a long connected adventure, advancing the story of Rose significantly. Both of these books are original, witty, and compelling reads. I highly recommend them.
You will probably want to read the third book in the trilogy, [b:Angel of the Overpass|55002575|Angel of the Overpass (Ghost Roads, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597714075l/55002575._SX50_.jpg|85784818], but it is sadly a let-down. First, it has an abrupt discontinuity in the story from the first two books. Unless you have read fairly deep into Seanan McGuire's InCryptid series, you won't understand what's going on (I have not). Second, it's not as well written as the first two. The book is quite repetitive and Rose preaches or rants at various points, which seems both out of place in the story and out of character for the Rose we've seen in the first two books. There are some interesting parts, so it's probably worth reading, but lower your expectations.
You will probably want to read the third book in the trilogy, [b:Angel of the Overpass|55002575|Angel of the Overpass (Ghost Roads, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1597714075l/55002575._SX50_.jpg|85784818], but it is sadly a let-down. First, it has an abrupt discontinuity in the story from the first two books. Unless you have read fairly deep into Seanan McGuire's InCryptid series, you won't understand what's going on (I have not). Second, it's not as well written as the first two. The book is quite repetitive and Rose preaches or rants at various points, which seems both out of place in the story and out of character for the Rose we've seen in the first two books. There are some interesting parts, so it's probably worth reading, but lower your expectations.
This was a huge disappointment to me. It as such a great concept, and so well written. But the plot went just about nowhere, with so many throw away tangents. The ending was completely unsatisfying.
The disjointed, non-linear nature is a little confusing and there is some repetition but since it was originally published as a serial it makes more sense. Still a very enjoyable read.
This book is written in installments, so it has an episodic feel to it.
Sixteen-year-old Rose Marshall is dead. She's been sixteen for sixty years. She was run off the road by a man who sold his soul for immortal youth--Bobby Cross, who uses souls to keep going. Rose ran from him, and is still running, so he can't claim her soul.
She's a legend, in some cases a dark one, accused of leading souls to death, though she tries to save who she can. She's trapped hitchhiking across the country, outrunning her death, but one day she'll have to face Bobby Cross. Because he'll never stop.
The episodic nature of the stories works with the drifting nature of the ghost girl's life, moving in and out of the world of the dead and the world of the living, hitching rides and borrowing life like a coat. She's pretty grown up for a teenager, probably because of how long she's been dead, and it's fascinating the way her history unwinds alongside an explanation for how certain kinds of ghosts are made, and what they do.
Sixteen-year-old Rose Marshall is dead. She's been sixteen for sixty years. She was run off the road by a man who sold his soul for immortal youth--Bobby Cross, who uses souls to keep going. Rose ran from him, and is still running, so he can't claim her soul.
She's a legend, in some cases a dark one, accused of leading souls to death, though she tries to save who she can. She's trapped hitchhiking across the country, outrunning her death, but one day she'll have to face Bobby Cross. Because he'll never stop.
The episodic nature of the stories works with the drifting nature of the ghost girl's life, moving in and out of the world of the dead and the world of the living, hitching rides and borrowing life like a coat. She's pretty grown up for a teenager, probably because of how long she's been dead, and it's fascinating the way her history unwinds alongside an explanation for how certain kinds of ghosts are made, and what they do.
I really wanted to like this book, but it was too fragmented for me. I feel a good short story should tell you more about a characters nature, or the series lore. The first half of the book felt almost more like writing exercises than short stories. With how short they were, and how little info they imparted, it was just hard to really get a grip on Rose until real far in. If I wasn’t so into InCryptoid universe I probably would have discarded it after a few of the short stories.
I think if some of the longer, more in depth ones had been placed earlier to help hook the reader it would have helped the pacing.
I think if some of the longer, more in depth ones had been placed earlier to help hook the reader it would have helped the pacing.
Update: 07. 10. 2020
Many years ago when i read this book, i was captivated with the story. Felt so refreshing and new. I never read a ghost book before. I still remember this one dearly and would love to return to the world one day.
Many years ago when i read this book, i was captivated with the story. Felt so refreshing and new. I never read a ghost book before. I still remember this one dearly and would love to return to the world one day.
This was a fun read, taking urban myth in an unexpected direction. Since the novelty is half the fun, it may be difficult to sustain as a series.
I'm not a fan of typical ghost stories, but something about taking the traditional story and flipping it so we see the perspective of the ghost made this interesting. The characters were compelling and it was a fun read.
That said, the story could have been improved with some editing to make it more cohesive. A large portion of the book felt less like a novel and more like a collection of related standalone short stories. I almost gave up on it partway through. I'm glad I stuck with it, and am ready for the second installment!
A solid 3.5 (wish I could give half stars)!
That said, the story could have been improved with some editing to make it more cohesive. A large portion of the book felt less like a novel and more like a collection of related standalone short stories. I almost gave up on it partway through. I'm glad I stuck with it, and am ready for the second installment!
A solid 3.5 (wish I could give half stars)!
An avid fan of Seanan McGuire, I was surprised that I wasn't aware of this trilogy until just now.
My apologies.
Sparrow Hill Road dives into the life and history of Rose Marshall - the girl in the green silk gown. We've met her throughout the Incryptid series as Aunt Rose, but I was never quite sure how she fit into the family. In fact, for a very long time, I got her and Aunt Mary confused. (Yeah... not anymore after the last Incryptid book.)
I absolutely loved Sparrow Hill Road. It took the unparalleled brilliance of McGuire's short story form and brought it to a longer form. Her decision to publish the series of short stories in novel form was brilliant. And I loved every single minute of it.
My apologies.
Sparrow Hill Road dives into the life and history of Rose Marshall - the girl in the green silk gown. We've met her throughout the Incryptid series as Aunt Rose, but I was never quite sure how she fit into the family. In fact, for a very long time, I got her and Aunt Mary confused. (Yeah... not anymore after the last Incryptid book.)
I absolutely loved Sparrow Hill Road. It took the unparalleled brilliance of McGuire's short story form and brought it to a longer form. Her decision to publish the series of short stories in novel form was brilliant. And I loved every single minute of it.