A review by missbreathing
The Ghost Tree by Christina Henry

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This wasn’t perfect, but it was fun. It was exactly what I was looking for. It had an intriguing premise and lots of creepy imagery and scary moments.
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The characters are all interesting, complex, and layered. Lauren is an endearing MC, and her reluctance to grow up is relatable and enriches the story. The multiple POVs work well: they each have a distinct voice, and we get lots of information from each one.
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The prose does feel awkward at times, and it could use some polish, but it’s easy enough to get used to.
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While this book starts off strong, it does become a bit slow and repetitive. The story, tensions and intrigue would work better if this was a shorter book. As it is, it is a tad predictable and spends a lot of time repeating itself. Additionally, the last act feels a little convenient. The very end feels unearned and a bit abrupt. 
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Still, I looked forward to picking this up in the evenings. I had a good time reading it. I’d recommend this to fans of small-town horror or of “My Best Friend’s Exorcism,” since it’s similar in its themes and imagery. 
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