Friday, August 3, 2012

Review: The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade

The Ghost and the Goth by Stacey Kade
(The Ghost and the Goth #1)
Reviewed by Noelle on August 2, 2012
Published by Hyperion Book June 29, 2010
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So, my normal allotment of reading time has been booked pretty solid lately but every once in awhile I'll get some unexpected free time when I don't have access to my Kindle or an actual book let's call these times "work breaks".  Eager to take advantage, I troll my library's Currently Available Kindle Book section to get some reading in using the Kindle Cloud function on my computer.  At the mercy of whatever is available at any specific time, I've read some pretty random books this summer.  At first I was hesitant to give The Ghost and the Goth a shot, but you know what? I'm glad I did.  It was surprisingly fun.

Have you ever wondered...what if Cher Horowitz had gotten run over by a bus and everyone thought Josh was schizophrenic because he was talking to dead people only he could see and hear?  You haven't, you say?  How about now?


(Why yes, that is a hastily photoshopped Ghost Cher and nope, I've never been named Employee of the Month. Why do you ask?)

Now before you get too excited, this book isn't nearly as amazing as Clueless (ugh, as if!) but it does feature a heroine in need of a wider world view and a hero that brushes her off as a shallow, narcissistic annoyance.  When a school bus and his supernatural abilities force them into a new alliance, both find they have quite a lot to learn from the other.

This is a lighthearted romp that easily surpassed my (admittedly low) expectations by adding quite a bit of humor and emotional stakes.  If you're looking for a quick, fun read with a great starring duo, this book hits all the marks.  And for those of you worrying that a ghost and a real live boy can't make out, any ghost within 5 feet or so of Will becomes corporeal, so never fear! Ms. Kade has your back.

The sequels aren't available at my library, but I wouldn't be averse to stumbling across them one day.  In conclusion, it does not say RSVP on the Statue of Liberty! Ahem, I mean...Rating: 3/5 stars.