The Ghost and the Goth

Author: Stacey Kade
Publication Date: July 6, 2010
Genre: YA Paranormal
Copy provided by: Around the World Tours
Summary (via Goodreads):

After a close encounter with the front end of a school bus, Alona Dare goes from Homecoming Queen to Queen of the Dead. Now she’s stuck here in spirit form with no sign of the big, bright light coming to take her away. To make matters worse, the only person who might be able to help her is Will Killian, a total loser/outcast type who hates the social elite. He alone can see and hear her, but he wants nothing to do with the former mean girl of Groundsboro High.

Can they get over their mutual distrust—and this weird attraction between them—to work together before Alona vanishes for good and Will is locked up for seeing things that don’t exist?

Why I read this: The cover really peaked my interest and it seemed a bit like ghostgirl and Give Up The Ghost - which I both enjoyed. It's also a debut novel! :)

Plot: The usual girl dies, is a ghost and has to figure out how to move onto Heaven. Throw in one goth boy who can actually see ghosts and you have a fun tale - especially since the girl who died was one of those mean, popular girls.

Characters: Alona cracks me up as a character. She is almost a comical stereotype of the popular mean girl. No one really cares when she dies - even her boyfriend moves on within a week. She's outraged and is pissed that the only person that can see her is some loser goth boy.

Will is that teen who doesn't want anyone to notice him. Or rather - any ghosts. They're bothersome enough without them knowing that he can see them. When Alona catches him laughing at her though, she changes that and all the ghosts know he can see them. Will actually has a reason for being so mopey and out of touch with people - he can see things that they can't and doesn't want to let on to it. Who would? You'd be locked up in a psych ward for a good part of your life. I like the way Alona effects him and how they interact. It's comical, definitely.

Relatability: I can understand Will's need to block out the world and Alona's need to be heard. I feel like every one runs into these needs at one point or another. I like the comical aspects of the book and it was just an overall fun read.

Cover commentary: Cute - definitely a book I would pick up if I saw it at the bookstore.

Rating: 5/5 Roses

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