Ghost Wood Song review written by the Ent on 7/18/2020
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Know Before You Read
Book: Ghost Wood Song
Author: Erica Waters
Genre: Supernatural Mystery
Pages: 368
Published: July 14th, 2020
Age Suggestion: 14+
Themes: Justice, Relationships, Purpose, Ability, Grief, and Inclusion of same sex relationships
Warnings: Death of parental figures, creepy, haunting entities, violent murder, mild language
Quick Summary:
Shady Grove is a normal girl who, with the power of her father’s violin, has the ability to bring ghosts back from the dead. This power is one of the more normal thing in Shady’s life as she navigates through relationships, mystery, and murder! But there are dark secrets and mysteries within her own family that she must unravel in order to find justice.
Ghost Wood Song Review: (May Contain Spoilers)
–Why Read It-
Ghost Wood Song tells a great story of grief, love, and personal tragedy. The emotions are very raw, but also very relatable. On top of all of this, it is also a great “Whodunit” that keeps you guessing until the grand reveal. The darkness of some of the supernatural entities may be a bit too intense for some readers, but it also adds an overarching threat and suspense to the entire story. Overall, if the subject matter isn’t too sensitive for the reader, it is a great, thrilling read!
-Plot/Story-
The plot of Ghost Wood Song is very well paced. It contains a consistent balance between suspense, romance, terror and fun to create a living, breathing world. The overarching murder mystery is a steady thread throughout the book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Even when the mystery is solved, many questions are still left to be answered. And they are, in gratifying, interesting ways.
The allegories of grief within this book are very well done. There is a shadow monster that is revealed each time Shady uses the violin to bring back a ghost. The hurt and fear that this brings up is vivid and powerful. This is where the terror of the story originates. And the conclusion is also very powerful. The monster never really goes away, but you can choose not to let it take over your life.
-Characters-
Shady Grove is a dynamic, intriguing character who plays the perfect role of main character. Her actions are understandable, while also being complex in regards to the plot. This is played off very well with the other characters who also have their quirks and complexities. The compassion, grief, distress, happiness, and joy shine through each of these characters as the book progresses.
-What we loved about it-
Ghost Wood Song is a solid YA book for anyone who is willing to dive into the supernatural world of Shady Grove. It constantly leaves you wanting to know what’s going to happen next, whether it is about personal relationships or haunting entities. The ending is also very poignant and fulfilling.
Ghost Wood Song Discussion Questions:
- Did you figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed? If not, who did you think it is?
- [Trigger warning for anyone who has recently lost a loved one] If you could bring back anyone from the dead for one more conversation, who would it be and why?
- What is your favorite genre of music? Do you know the difference between Bluegrass and country music?
- How do you react when friends let you down or don’t reach out to you?
If you enjoyed this Ghost Wood Song Review, then check out these posts:
–Ghostopolis
–Addams Family Review
–Kimber
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