Reviews

The Ghosts We Keep by Mason Deaver

wbunnyberry's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

courtknee__vn's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book is so heartbreakingly messy in the most real way. Grief is so complicated and painful and everyone deals with it differently and that is so honestly told with each of the characters in this story. Liam was the perfect narrator and having to see how much they were struggling with was devastating 😭 there were points in the story where I just didn’t like each characters but I think that was so important because there are always points in peoples lives where they are at their worst and if you’re not allowed to be  unlikable while your grieving, I’m not sure when you can. Honestly, this is probably not a book I should’ve read right now when I’m personally not mentally at my best but making myself more sad when I’m down is something I’m way too good at 😅 but anyway, this book was beautiful but please check trigger warnings before picking it up! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Self harm

mxmaxreads's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was powerful in that it deals head-on with the traumatic grief that comes with unexpectedly losing a loved one and queer/non-binary identity (but, refreshingly, the latter part is just a background theme and not the main focus for a LGBTQIA+ novel). I enjoyed the music and poetry parts especially. The author made me feel so connected to the characters and their language of music and the written word. 

That being said, the only characters who aren’t white are portrayed as “toxic friends.” And the ending felt a bit rushed to me. This could have been a stronger read for me had there been more character development and more time for the plot’s direction to fully take form. 

robbins_reads's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

3.0

ireadbooks_10's review against another edition

hopeful reflective 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

4.5

greenleafbooks's review

3.0

I did enjoy this book, although I had a few issues. The biggest one was that the middle section felt very slow and unnecessary in a way. The way grief was explored was very interesting though and there were lots of great and emotional moments, so that was a big plus.

readwithkiekie's review

4.0

I just want to start this review with some trigger warnings. This book deals with mental health, grief, death and attempt at self harm.

I was so hesitant to jump into Mason Deavers Sophmore novel. I loved I Wish You All the Best so much, as someone who identifies as Genderqueer, it means so much to me. It was the first book I read where I felt seen and understood. It's also a book I happily recommend to everyone.

However, The Ghosts We Keep did not disappoint.

I really related to Liam. When I was 12 years old I lost my Grandmother, who was basically my 2nd Mother. I never knew grief until then and it made me spiral out of control, I became someone I didn't recognise and this is exactly what happens with Liam. They don't understand how to process their feelings and emotions and it makes them do things that they usually wouldn't do. Grief is a complex thing.

Mason Deaver handled the topic of grief and mental health so well. I will happily recommend this one to people as well.

nikfernandez17177's review against another edition

4.0

If I think about this book too much it will make me very sad

breezyjean's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

whatashisreading's review

3.0

I think that the way grief was discussed felt very real and aspects of this book were mentioned that I don’t think are talked about a lot when it comes to loss. However, I think that there were some aspects about Liam’s character that just annoyed tf out of me. Like how do you talk about no one making assumptions when it comes to you but put your own brother into this perfect little box? I get that the point is that maybe people are selfish and can be self centered but idk I just couldn’t seem to get past the way they acted and treated not only Ethan but their friends as well.