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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I haven't cried so much, so many times, in SO LONG, over a book. And this was beyond my expectations. I mistakenly thought that it would be mediocre, since I hadn't heard about it like other McGuire works, but Sparrow Hill Road was just as wonderful, if not more than, the Wayward Children series.
3.5 stars rounded up
This is a collection of what was once short stories fleshed out a bit for a complete story. Sometimes it is a little disjointed but I enjoyed it anyway. I found this to be a great way to learn more of the ghosts of the incryptid world. I loved learning little things that make what happened in the Incryptid series with the ghosts that much more intriguing. While that series does not need to be read to read this one I do think it increased my enjoyment.
This is Rose Marshal's story. She is also known as The Girl in the Diner, The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, and the Ghost of Sparrow Hill. Rumours abound about this girl who died on Sparrow Hill road, some make her to be a hero others a villain. Is she the killer of these truckers or is she trying to save them? Nobody but those who know her are certain.
Rose became a hitcher ghost after her death on the road and must follow certain rules. In her case she will always look like the 16 year old girl she was when she died and she will always be hitching rides across the country. Often those rides are with a driver who is about to die in an accident but maybe she can change their path, or at least be with them so they aren't alone in their final moments. The neat thing about hitcher ghosts is a coat freely given from the living makes them "alive" again until they remove the coat or the sun of a new day rises.
Recommend this and all of Seanan Mcguire's work. She is just such an original author with fascinating ideas.
This is a collection of what was once short stories fleshed out a bit for a complete story. Sometimes it is a little disjointed but I enjoyed it anyway. I found this to be a great way to learn more of the ghosts of the incryptid world. I loved learning little things that make what happened in the Incryptid series with the ghosts that much more intriguing. While that series does not need to be read to read this one I do think it increased my enjoyment.
This is Rose Marshal's story. She is also known as The Girl in the Diner, The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, and the Ghost of Sparrow Hill. Rumours abound about this girl who died on Sparrow Hill road, some make her to be a hero others a villain. Is she the killer of these truckers or is she trying to save them? Nobody but those who know her are certain.
Rose became a hitcher ghost after her death on the road and must follow certain rules. In her case she will always look like the 16 year old girl she was when she died and she will always be hitching rides across the country. Often those rides are with a driver who is about to die in an accident but maybe she can change their path, or at least be with them so they aren't alone in their final moments. The neat thing about hitcher ghosts is a coat freely given from the living makes them "alive" again until they remove the coat or the sun of a new day rises.
Recommend this and all of Seanan Mcguire's work. She is just such an original author with fascinating ideas.
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Complicated
This is a book I read a while back but I'm low key doing a reread of a bunch of Seanan's books that I haven't gotten to yet, so I decided it was fair to reread this before reading the two books in this trilogy I apparently missed. Seanan gets to do road ghosts here, and this is apparently a bunch of short stories she already had that she went and reframed as a novel. The way she blends together the various mythos of Americana and ghost mythos is fun, and Rose is a fun main. Definitely worth your time.
McGuire, Seanan. Sparrow Hill Road.
Rose died when she was 16, run off the road by Bobby Cross. Now she travels the ghost roads, helping those she can and seeking her revenge. She's known by many different names in various urban legends, many of which are explored in this novel.
This isn't a fast-paced story; rather, it's a well thought-out, well-developed, slow meander through the United States and the legend of the girl in the green dress (or whichever version you've heard; there are more than a few). We follow Rose as she assists the recently dead with finding their way, protects a few living people, and runs from Bobby Cross. This is a great story to read a chapter at a time before bed, as the story itself is not super fast-paced, but it is a very interesting read. Recommended.
Recommended for: fans of paranormal stories
Red Flags: It's an adult book, so language, violence, etc.
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.
Rose died when she was 16, run off the road by Bobby Cross. Now she travels the ghost roads, helping those she can and seeking her revenge. She's known by many different names in various urban legends, many of which are explored in this novel.
This isn't a fast-paced story; rather, it's a well thought-out, well-developed, slow meander through the United States and the legend of the girl in the green dress (or whichever version you've heard; there are more than a few). We follow Rose as she assists the recently dead with finding their way, protects a few living people, and runs from Bobby Cross. This is a great story to read a chapter at a time before bed, as the story itself is not super fast-paced, but it is a very interesting read. Recommended.
Recommended for: fans of paranormal stories
Red Flags: It's an adult book, so language, violence, etc.
Overall Rating: 3/5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purpose of review.
I was so excited to learn there was a whole series about Aunt Rose. Volume 1 definitely did not disappoint and I love that there's notations as though it was compiled by the Price family. Urban legends have been something I loved for a long time and Rose, Emily, The Last Dance, the Ocean Lady and everyone else fits right into that kind of mythos. It's a great freaking book.
An atmospheric book that's not afraid to poke fun at traditional tropes by mixing old-school trappings with new-school values. The sex positivity was especially refreshing considering Rose's background, and I like how most of the "rules" Rose knew were from observation, not from some all-knowing source.
At times the dialogue got a bit cheesy for me, but in kind of a good way. It's the kind of book that's perfect for long, eerie night drives. Or, in my case, snowy morning drives before the sun's up. This would be an awesome listen while road tripping at night, or during an overnight haul.
I look forward to the sequel.
At times the dialogue got a bit cheesy for me, but in kind of a good way. It's the kind of book that's perfect for long, eerie night drives. Or, in my case, snowy morning drives before the sun's up. This would be an awesome listen while road tripping at night, or during an overnight haul.
I look forward to the sequel.
LOVED this book. I adored the anthology feel (several of the chapters began life as short stories about Rose), but when it all comes together at the end? Just brilliant.
A collection of ghost stories unlike any other I've ever read. Thanks for all the dreams and nightmares, as any good paranormal book should bring.
Accidentally read the 2nd book in the series before this one, went back and read thsi one, honestly the 2nd one is more enjoyable! But this was fun, sets series up well and is a fun ride!
I picked this up because it was the new [a:Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg], with no further knowledge. So I will not-spoil two things about this book: it's a ghost story, and it seems to be in the Incryptid universe.
I am not super into ghost stories, but this was solid. There's definitely an interesting universe to play in set up here, and I think it could be fun if she writes more in this part of the universe. (As long as she doesn't stop writing October Daye books!) (please??)
I am not super into ghost stories, but this was solid. There's definitely an interesting universe to play in set up here, and I think it could be fun if she writes more in this part of the universe. (As long as she doesn't stop writing October Daye books!) (please??)