Book Blurb:
From the New York Times bestselling author of the Halo trilogy comes the start of a beautiful and powerful new series
After the loss of her mother, Chloe Kennedy starts seeing the ghosts that haunted her as a young girl again. Spending time at her grandmother's country estate in the south of England is her chance to get away from her grief and the spirits that haunt her. Until she meets a mysterious stranger…
Alexander Reade is 157 years dead, with secrets darker than the lake surrounding Grange Hall and a lifelike presence that draws Chloe more strongly than any ghost before. But the bond between them awakens the vengeful spirit of Alexander's past love, Isobel. And she will stop at nothing to destroy anyone who threatens to take him from her.
To stop Isobel, Chloe must push her developing abilities to their most dangerous limits, even if it means losing Alex forever…and giving the hungry dead a chance to claim her for their own
My Review:
2 Out Of 5 Stars
Genre: Ghosts, Supernatural--
After her mother’s death, Chloe started seeing ghosts again. Her father is a mess and not able to help Chloe or her little brother cope, so their grandmother whisks the two kids to her sprawling plantation-turned-Inn in the English countryside. Instead of the boredom and healing Chloe expects, she finds the house to be full of ghosts. One in particular named Alex has caught her attention, but Chloe herself has caught the attention of something wicked.
I feel so torn right now in my feelings over this book. I have not read anything from this author previously and the premise of this story sounded interesting so I figured I would give it a whirl. Unfortunately, the book fell flat for me. The main premise of the book was a love story (I guess) and it was awful. The reason I am torn is because the ghost parts of the book were freaking awesome and super scary. If this had been just a ghost story without the bad romance I would have loved the book. But, alas, that is not how it worked.
I absolutely hated with a passion the romance between Chloe and Alex. I did not mind Chloe as a person (minus the fact she appears to not like her best friends but keeps them for status anyway), but Alex I could have done without. They were both so in love with the other from the first meeting even though they knew nothing about each other. I understand the whole “he is a ghost, we can’t ever be together” idea, which I don’t have a problem with. But that was not my issue here. I was bothered by the unrealistic ridiculous fact Chloe loved him with no reason really at all. We learn some pretty shady things about Alex throughout the book, which were good reasons not to like him as a character. But despite all signs and common sense, Chloe does anyway. I swear the two of them only talked a handful of times for just a few minutes at most. I have no logical explanation as to where the romance came from. Poof! There is was, defying my logic. Maybe it was her gratitude for him saving her? (Keep in mind that it was his fault she needed to be saved in the first place.) But then the real live boy Joe with whom I loved saved her life at the risk of his own and she was not super impressed. Alex gave up nothing to help her yet Joe was willing to sacrifice himself. Also, they had a real relationship where they talked and got to know each other like real people do. I personally think Chloe is an idiot, but to each his own. Here comes a potentially spoilerly moment so close your eyes if you don’t want to see it: The ending did not make sense! Why would a 22 year old person attend High School??? I don’t care about the whole ghost whatever thing, but this confounds me. If he had been like 18, then I would have been slightly more interested because that makes sense. Those who have read the book feel free to comment and give me an answer or tell me I’m crazy.
I thought the author did an amazing job of imagery for the ghost encounters. Every time something supernatural occurred, I was so wrapped up in the moment that I lost track of real life and became freaked out. There were moments were the ghosts would come into focus startling Chloe and me right along with her. Oh and the creepy lake with the dead body! I would absolutely read a ghost story or horror novel by this author, just without the terrible angsty unrealistic romance included.
Some parts of this book I loved and couldn’t get enough, others made me cringe and ask myself why? I am sure there will be more to come in what is obviously a first in a series but I am not anxiously waiting for more. I may pick up the next one, but only if there is scary potential.
I received this book form the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
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