Ghost House

July 7, 2014
“I’d never seen him look so lost.... But right now I had a bigger problem.” Meet Chloe Kennedy, observing her father at her mother’s funeral. Dad’s unsightly grief is a problem, no doubt, but Chloe’s “bigger problem” is that she’s just seen a ghost. She’s been seeing them all her life, and this one is doing nothing in particular. It’s symptomatic of Adornetto’s (Halo) heroines that this familiar personal nuisance commands all of Chloe’s attention. Later, whisked off to England by her grandmother to give her father a little space, Chloe continues to whine until a beautiful ghost in the woods catches her eye. He’s Alexander Reade, last alive circa 1860, and unlike other ghosts is willing to talk, far more graciously than Chloe’s obnoxious ripostes merit. Alex is not the only ghost behaving oddly, however, and the others aren’t nearly as friendly. The plot is slow to reveal why, but once the conflict finally emerges, a competent thriller-romance ensues—and concludes. A tacked-on cliffhanger for the next book sits awkwardly on a finished tale. Ages 14–up.

July 15, 2014
Chloe's family is reeling from her mother's sudden death. At the same time, Chloe realizes that her childhood ability to see ghosts has returned. To deal with their grief, Chloe and her little brother, Rory, are sent to their grandmother's English estate. It's more than a culture shock for Chloe: It exposes her to a great number of ghosts-like the handsome, charming Alexander Reade, dead for over 150 years. Their immediate connection provokes vengeance from Isobel, Alex's love and fellow ghost. Isobel sees Chloe as a threat, not just because of Alex's interest, but because of the living girl's supernatural ability. Chloe doesn't want any of this, but when Isobel strikes out at Rory and Chloe's new friend, Joe, not to mention dozens of innocent bystanders, Chloe will have to take a stand-even if it means losing Alex. Chloe's voice is rarely convincing, and other characters are one-dimensional and inconsistent. Plot inconsistencies and pedestrian prose are likely to deter all but the most persistent paranormal-romance fans. Even a great idea can be sunk by poor characterization and plotting; this has a standard idea, which makes the poor execution all the more obvious. (Paranormal romance. 12-16)

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August 1, 2014

Gr 7 Up-This paranormal romance breaks no new ground, but provides a solid entry into the genre. Chloe Kennedy has just lost her mother. The teen is upset and unnerved by her mother's death, as she was a source of comfort, wisdom, and stability. She also taught Chloe that ghosts shouldn't be feared, but simply told to go away. And she was correct-right up until her death. Chloe and her brother Rory have been sent to stay temporarily at their grandmother's newly renovated estate in England to allow their father time to recover. Grandma Fee has returned the Georgian home, the pride of the estate, to its former glory-financed in part by its new status as a bed and breakfast. With a nod to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, two deceptively clever elderly guests add a bit of levity and paranormal advice. Chloe soon encounters Alexander Reade, who died more than 150 years ago, but has not passed over. From their first meeting, Alexander and Chloe are drawn together. However, it is not just the earthly divide that separates the two, but also the presence of the evil specter Isobel, Alexander's sister-in-law and former lover. Isobel will stop at nothing, even murder, to prevent Alexander from moving on. A final, interesting twist revealed on the very last page should spark readers' anticipation for the next installment in this gothic romance series.-Cindy Wall, Southington Library & Museum, CT

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 15, 2014
Grades 7-10 A girl with the ability to see ghosts, a gloomy English manor with a tragic history, an angry spirit seeking retribution for a doomed love affair: these standard paranormal romance elements will feel immediately familiar to genre fans. After their mother's death, Chloe and brother Rory are sent to their grandmother's country estate to give their father grieving time. There, Chloe meets Alex, a gut-wrenching beauty who she later discovers is a ghost. Inflamed enough to contemplate dream sex with him, Chloe draws the ire of ghost Isobel, Alex's former lover. Unlike Alex, Isobel doesn't want to move on, and she will do anything to stop Chloe from banishing her, including attacking Rory and dropping a chandelier on the other hot (living) boy in Chloe's life. Adornetto's writing suffers from some clich'd phrasing, plot inconsistencies, and one-note characters. The final confrontation is appropriately dramatic, though the twist ending feels like a bit of an afterthought. Still, this should attract young teens looking to swoon over the heightened emotions of star-crossed lovers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)