Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Ghost Town by Jason Hawes, Grant Wilson, and Tim Waggoner

From the stars of the SyFy network’s popular show Ghost Hunters, the second novel in a new spine-tingling supernatural series. 
When Amber, Drew, and Trevor are invited to a paranormal conference in the most haunted town in America, they confront a murderous ghost called the Dark Lady and her human servant: Amber’s abusive ex-boyfriend Mitch. The three friends must stop the Dark Lady before she destroys the entire town, and they'll have the help of a surprising and spooky ally…
 This is the second book in the series. The first being, Ghost Trackers. I enjoyed that one and so was excited to get this one. We follow the same characters we do in the first, so I would say to read that first book. You are able to then get the references placed in this book about their adventure in the last. You also get a better feel for the characters. You could read this one first, but like I said, the enjoyment would be more if read in order.

In this book we also get to see the relationship of Amber and Drew in a better light. Mostly because Amber is much more confident in herself. She also has a great sense of self that may throw a few since she was so broken in the first. However, this didn't bother me at all. I just enjoyed the more confident Amber.

Amber is also thrown by a reemergence of an old abusive boyfriend. One who is hellbent on making her pay for dumping him. Of course the paranormal gets involved and what was dangerous becomes even more harrowing. The friends have to figure out what is going on, what they are up against, and what to do before more people die. How are they able to fight something that can draw from illusion and you can't touch? It's an interesting conundrum.

I have to say that this adventure was fun. It wasn't scary to me (I'm a big chicken) because the scariest thing wasn't the Dark Lady (although she was a close second) but the abusive ex, Mitch. Probably because I can see that as more of a danger IRL than who or what the Dark Lady represents. Still, the adventure was suitably dark. I also have to say that I was pulled out of the sense of dark by Drew's psycho-analytical observances. It had a tendency to shed light into the darkness so it was much less scary than if he didn't do that. I must say, however, I did like his analysis so this really isn't a complaint. Just an observance myself. :) Still, it may bother some people who are looking for an extremely dark novel.

I think my biggest criticism of the book is the secondary characters. I have to admit, I was not a fan. Still, as long as the main characters are interesting, I really don't mind as much. I just hope that the next book finds these characters a bit more exciting and confident. Confidence in something evil makes it seem much scarier, IMO. Plus, it would be great to see more confident females as well.

I give this book 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the story but it wasn't as dark as I feel it was leaning toward. I enjoyed Amber and Drew's romance and I like the main characters. I think this is a continuing series so I guess I'll end with (and those that enjoy Ghost Hunters will recognize this:) "On to the next..." ;)
I received this book from the publisher, Gallery Books and no compensation for my review was given.

14 comments:

  1. Loving the cover, alas I'm not so keen on the sound of the story as to me secondary characters though they may not play a big part should ideally be just as well written as the main ones.

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    1. True, but they weren't bad, it might boil down to personal preference.

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  2. I love the cover, but I don't think that this book is for me. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. I put this one on Friday Forecast and remember wanting to check it out and here is your review. I love scary stories and this sounds great. Absuive exs are very scary! I had no idea it was a book two...drat more books to read!

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    1. LOL I know what you mean. Bad thing about book blogging is that you always find more...

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  4. Look at you all reading in order and things. *pats you on the back* Well done:) I'm a big chicken too so I'm glad this one isn't too scary, I feel like I could probably handle it without wanting to sleep with the lights on:) Too bad on the secondary characters though, I always love when they're as strong as the protagonists so it's really disappointing for me when they're not. Fabulous review!

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    1. *wags tail* TY! :D

      I'm a big chicken and if I can take it, so can you. It was fun. :)

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  5. I really should read a ghost book this October ;)

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  6. Oh I remember reading your first review, I wouldn't have thought there was a second one but it sounds fun!

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  7. Glad to hear it's not to scary...you think you are a big chicken, well you read zombies I can't even read those. lol.

    Thanks for the review on this one. :)

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  8. I'm a big chicken too and probably would have been a little afraid to pick this one up so knowing it's not really scary is a big bonus. It sounds very interesting so thanks for the review!

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