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monetp 's review for:
Ghost Wood Song
by Erica Waters
3.7 stars
"Daddy always said twilight was good for ghost raising because it’s an in-between time, when the barrier between worlds seems to grow thin as tissue paper and the ghosts are at their lonesomest." ~ [b:Ghost Wood Song|53098065|Ghost Wood Song|Erica Waters|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576126814l/53098065._SX50_SY75_.jpg|63892625]
Definitely enjoyed this unusual story, but I wish the plot hadn't moved at a glacial pace. Like the suspense was there already, so the slow pace felt heavy. The story didn't start picking up until halfway through, but that's when the story grew compelling. The fiddle is almost like a character itself - it's crazy that such an ordinary object can advance the plot forward. Also, the mystery of who killed Jim kept me going all the way until the epilogue.
This story was difficult to get into, especially with all the side characters. Like I know it's important to the story that Shady has such a big family, but I only cared about Aunt Ena! The rest of the characters felt underdeveloped or frustrating to read about; like Kenneth's loyalties were all over the place and Shady's mother never listened to what her daughter had to say! The only character I could root for was Shady. It was intriguing to learn more about the fiddle's backstory and if it was magical or not. This novel bends and plays with reality so much that sometimes it feels like you're reading a contemporary fiction story, other times the paranormal element is super strong! My favorite moment was when the Shadow Man's identity was revealed...I did not see that one coming! Overall this story was a fun read, but the unrelenting suspense was too much for me.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"I linger in the woods after Sarah and Orlando head home. The sun has gone down, and the woods are hushed, shadows spilling like ink through the trees."
"I’ve lived with ghosts my whole life, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt haunted."
"'I’m not Veronica Mars, teen detective,' I say, crossing my arms."
"'Aren’t you tired of it, Aunt Ena?' I say. 'Tired of what, darlin’?' 'Tired of letting the Franks of the world make us scared?' I glance at her and see her shudder, wrapping her arms around herself...Should I take you home first, Aunt Ena?' She’s quiet a long time. 'No, don’t take me home.'"
"But then I realize the person you choose to love isn’t the one who shows up when you ask them to. It’s the person who shows up even when you don’t. Maybe even when you don’t want them to. Sarah would have come if I’d asked, but I didn’t have to ask Cedar."
"Daddy always said twilight was good for ghost raising because it’s an in-between time, when the barrier between worlds seems to grow thin as tissue paper and the ghosts are at their lonesomest." ~ [b:Ghost Wood Song|53098065|Ghost Wood Song|Erica Waters|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1576126814l/53098065._SX50_SY75_.jpg|63892625]
Definitely enjoyed this unusual story, but I wish the plot hadn't moved at a glacial pace. Like the suspense was there already, so the slow pace felt heavy. The story didn't start picking up until halfway through, but that's when the story grew compelling. The fiddle is almost like a character itself - it's crazy that such an ordinary object can advance the plot forward. Also, the mystery of who killed Jim kept me going all the way until the epilogue.
This story was difficult to get into, especially with all the side characters. Like I know it's important to the story that Shady has such a big family, but I only cared about Aunt Ena! The rest of the characters felt underdeveloped or frustrating to read about; like Kenneth's loyalties were all over the place and Shady's mother never listened to what her daughter had to say! The only character I could root for was Shady. It was intriguing to learn more about the fiddle's backstory and if it was magical or not. This novel bends and plays with reality so much that sometimes it feels like you're reading a contemporary fiction story, other times the paranormal element is super strong! My favorite moment was when the Shadow Man's identity was revealed...I did not see that one coming! Overall this story was a fun read, but the unrelenting suspense was too much for me.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"I linger in the woods after Sarah and Orlando head home. The sun has gone down, and the woods are hushed, shadows spilling like ink through the trees."
"I’ve lived with ghosts my whole life, but this is the first time I’ve ever felt haunted."
"'I’m not Veronica Mars, teen detective,' I say, crossing my arms."
"'Aren’t you tired of it, Aunt Ena?' I say. 'Tired of what, darlin’?' 'Tired of letting the Franks of the world make us scared?' I glance at her and see her shudder, wrapping her arms around herself...Should I take you home first, Aunt Ena?' She’s quiet a long time. 'No, don’t take me home.'"
"But then I realize the person you choose to love isn’t the one who shows up when you ask them to. It’s the person who shows up even when you don’t. Maybe even when you don’t want them to. Sarah would have come if I’d asked, but I didn’t have to ask Cedar."