Source: Publisher
Publication Date: 21 Aug 2012
Series or Standalone: Standalone (potential for series)
ISBN: 0525425845
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 256
The author on the web:
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
First Line: I was sitting in the Tranquility Room with my sketchbook and Mrs. Morris -- nice, quiet, unobtrusive Mrs. Morris -- when I heard the clang.
Related Posts: Destination Florida: Guest Post from Jill Baguchinsky (goes live 18 Sept 12)
Related Posts: Destination Florida: Guest Post from Jill Baguchinsky (goes live 18 Sept 12)
From the first moment I'd heard about Spookygirl by Jill Baguchinsky I knew that I had to read. This book seemed like it would be a cross between Veronica Mars and Ghost Hunters and it sounded like it would be a lot of fun. I wasn't disappointed in that either. Each chapter in the book started with a funny chapter heading and while I'm not typically a fan of these I often found myself letting out a little giggle over them. I liked all the main characters and loved how Violet had a loving caring parent in her life.
But the thing I loved most about this book was that it was all about the mystery and friendship of Violet. There was no romance in this book. No characters giving each other moony eyes at each other or thinking their lives were over when one broke up with the other. It was so refreshing to have a book about a quirky girl learning to survive being a bit of freak in a new high school. I call Violet a bit of a freak because she is. Violet inherited the ability to see and speak to ghosts from her mother and its not the easiest thing in the world to hide. She is given the nickname Spookygirl by most of her classmates but a few people reach out to her. Including one boy who is a self-proclaimed half-vampire wannabe goth boy who was all sorts of hilariousness.
The mystery itself that encompassed the main plot was a bit predictable and the ending was a bit underwhelming but overall I did enjoy this story. This is Jill Bagunchinsky's debut novel and for me the writing has a lot of promise for future works. I think that with Spookygirl she tried to have too many story lines and then due to the shortness of the book they all wrapped up a bit too quickly. Too neatly. Though there is enough left open so that there is a chance that Spookygirl could be turned into a series. Spookygirl is a book that reminded me a bit of Veronica Mars and any regular reader of this blog knows how much I adored that show. This book is filled with lots of snarky goodness and I'd often let out a little chuckle as I was reading.
Spookygirl was a quick, fun, and fast-paced read that I enjoyed a lot. I know that I will be looking forward to future books from Jill Bagunchinsky as a result of giving her debut a try. This book wasn't perfect but it was entertaining enough that one can ignore the flaws and just sit back and enjoy the story. If you're looking for a fun, quick read to pass the time then you should give this book a try.
You made this book sound way more exciting than I thought. I was just turned off by the paranormal angle I think but I may need to seek this book out.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds better than I had anticipated. I've just read 2 really heavy books that now I'm looking for something lighter. This fits the bill.
ReplyDelete