Publishing Date: June 8th, 2010
Page Count: 192
Source: Bought from Barnes & Noble
Format: Paperback
Description from Goodreads.com:
Iris is ready for another hot, routine summer in her small Louisiana town, hanging around the Red Stripe grocery with her best friend, Collette, and traipsing through the cemetery telling each other spooky stories and pretending to cast spells. Except this summer, Iris doesn't have to make up a story. This summer, one falls right in her lap.
Years ago, before Iris was born, a local boy named Elijah Landry disappeared. All that remained of him were whispers and hushed gossip in the church pews. Until this summer. A ghost begins to haunt Iris, and she's certain it's the ghost of Elijah. What really happened to him? And why, of all people, has he chosen Iris to come back to?
Review:
I didn't know so much could happen in 183 pages. It really didn't feel rushed at all. Usually with a shorter book like this you feel like the ending was rushed, but it really didn't feel that way. It ended nicely. I mean there were a few details I wish would have been added, but since Iris really never got a full out explanation either I guess it makes sense why we didn't either.
I think this was a nice story, but compared to my usual reads this was a bit dry. Since it was so innocent feeling I thought maybe there would be a romance thrown in, but there wasn't, and then when I realized there wasn't going to be any romance I thought it was going to get really scary, but it didn't really get like that either. There definitely were some spooky parts, but it was just a little too innocent for me. I mean the characters are only 14 so I guess that makes sense, but with what did happen in the story I don't see why it couldn't have gotten scarier. I guess I just had too high of hopes for this novel, because I really like the cover, and it makes you feel like this is going to be a deep novel. I might just not be used to such an innocent, but still kind of dark novel. Im used to the dark and gritty and sexy YA and this novel definitely wouldn't fall into that category.
I really didn't get into the novel until about chapter six and then it gets pretty good. The story itself is pretty good, minus being a little dry for me, but I really didn't like the characters. Collette was extremely annoying and tiring, Ben was kind of awkward (that makes sense with him being 14) and Iris was just too innocent. She really didn't have a lot of depth to her character. Plus this novel takes place in the south and the way I perceive it from visiting the south and knowing my relatives from the south your basically raised to be afraid of your elders. They will not take your crap, so it was kind of hard for Iris to really get any information.
Overall:
This novel just was not for me. It was too dry for my taste. I like the overall story, but I wish it would of had a nice innocent romance to it or even just being scarier. I had pretty high hopes for this novel, because it sounds like its right up my ally and I like the cover, but it just wasn't for me. I am used to the gritty, sexy, almost crossing the line YA and this novel is definitely not one of those. It is more innocent with touches of gothic. I couldn't really bond with the character that well so I really had to depend on the story. Overall it was an ok story, but it definitely wasn't a favorite. I recommend this to those who like southern gothics or those who are already fans of Saundra's.
Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ 3/5
