3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I have always been intrigued by the possible existence of ghosts or spirits. Science and logic dictate that they absolutely don’t exist, but that doesn’t stop them from being a really spooky concept. In Every Ghost has its Story, Quinn, a 15-year-old girl, develops an exceptional gift. She is able to see ghosts. At first, the thought that she can see these spirits is horrifying, as it should be! But as her story progresses, she realises that the apparitions she sees are mere impressions of people who once were.
As word of the new medium gets around, Quinn loses thought-to-be friends, finds unlikely allies, and is thrown into a world that she didn’t even know existed. As she navigates her newfound abilities, she encounters both good and bad situations and, consequently, learns how to evolve. This is Quinn’s story; however, it is also the story of how she gives voices to a host of spirits who never got their tales told.
I loved reading this book. As far as books about the paranormal go, this one included just the right amount of creepy to keep me on my toes. Although I wouldn’t classify this as a horror book, there were definitely stages where I needed to make sure all of my lights were turned on… just in case. Spooky aspect aside, the characters were all so endearing and well built that it was hard not to empathise with them through the various trials that they encountered. I felt like I knew Quinn and her friends and family well. The author, Lynda Austin, has clearly mapped out exactly who each character is, as well as their unique personality traits.
One of my favourite things about this book was the dialogue. So often, authors bumble through conversations and make them awkward or unrealistic. Austin’s way with words made it so that every conversation was one which I could clearly imagine taking place. The dialogues also spanned age groups, ethnicities, and, of course, lifetimes. The author took great care in making every interchange genuine.
The only thing that I was a little thrown by was how quickly Quinn’s mother accepted that she was seeing ghosts. I loved the creative way with which Quinn’s father came to terms with the fact (a long lost neighbour back from the dead), but Quinn’s mother never faltered in her belief of her daughter. Conversely, it also showed the bond between the two, so it didn’t bother me for long.
I am so sad, having enjoyed this book so much, to have to rate it 3 out of 4 stars. The editing was good, but it was not good enough. The biggest error was the lack of commas, especially after introductory phrases. ‘To make Dad happy Mom and I trailed along with him to the battle site,’ is one such example. Even so, I would still recommend Every Ghost has its Story to anyone who is interested in the paranormal, especially ghosts and spirits. This book is also perfect for a younger audience.
I hope the author considers a sequel, or maybe even a series of books. Quinn’s adventures have just begun, and I would love to read more about her and her ethereal antics.
******
Every Ghost Has Its Story
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Bianka Walter's review? Post a comment saying so!
I believe this one is a very interesting and engaging read. I agree, very often dialogues in the books are just unreadable, and well-developed dialogues bring so much pleasure to a reader. Thank you for this excellent review!
