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samidhak 's review for:
Ghost Wood Song
by Erica Waters
A couple of things I didn’t know going into this book was that a) it’s a YA contemporary, I don’t know why in my head I thought that this was a fantasy, and b) the magic in this book will not be the highlight; I mean I knew it was southern gothic but later realised it is more magical realism.
I enjoyed this book. It was a short, quick read, and keeping with the contemporary genre, it focused more on family and friends, rather than world building or setting up the rules that make up the fantastical aspect of the plot. Although, this book reads more like a children’s book than young adult.
This book follows the first person perspective of Shady Grove, a teenager who can see and conjure ghosts by playing her fiddle. She inherited the fiddle and the ability from her father. When the book opens, Shady and her family are going through a recent death (her father’s), and we see that she feels lost and alone. Her almost-girlfriend is distant, her brother is absent, her mom doesn’t give any attention to Shady, and more or less Shady’s a girl with no friends and much grief.
It was interesting following her perspective and seeing how she changes from her initial characterisation as an obedient and goody-good girl to a more independent and wholesome person. The mystery is built nicely, even if it’s resolved too conveniently. And the family secrets run deep, even though they were pretty obvious to guess. The novel doesn’t add anything more to the genre but it doesn’t stray from the conventions either; which worked in the story’s favour.
A significant point to note is the eerie spooky feeling that is created by Walter’s writing. And it stays long after the scene is over and we’ve moved on to a different place. However, no matter how much the eerie feeling was built there was no culmination of it, most of it felt like a built up with no reward.
I would recommend this book, as it’s perfect for fall/Halloween season. And in parts, really enjoyable.
I enjoyed this book. It was a short, quick read, and keeping with the contemporary genre, it focused more on family and friends, rather than world building or setting up the rules that make up the fantastical aspect of the plot. Although, this book reads more like a children’s book than young adult.
This book follows the first person perspective of Shady Grove, a teenager who can see and conjure ghosts by playing her fiddle. She inherited the fiddle and the ability from her father. When the book opens, Shady and her family are going through a recent death (her father’s), and we see that she feels lost and alone. Her almost-girlfriend is distant, her brother is absent, her mom doesn’t give any attention to Shady, and more or less Shady’s a girl with no friends and much grief.
It was interesting following her perspective and seeing how she changes from her initial characterisation as an obedient and goody-good girl to a more independent and wholesome person. The mystery is built nicely, even if it’s resolved too conveniently. And the family secrets run deep, even though they were pretty obvious to guess. The novel doesn’t add anything more to the genre but it doesn’t stray from the conventions either; which worked in the story’s favour.
A significant point to note is the eerie spooky feeling that is created by Walter’s writing. And it stays long after the scene is over and we’ve moved on to a different place. However, no matter how much the eerie feeling was built there was no culmination of it, most of it felt like a built up with no reward.
I would recommend this book, as it’s perfect for fall/Halloween season. And in parts, really enjoyable.