mehsi's review
3.0
“You were born raging, Frances Frida Ripley. That’s what happens when you’re born in a storm.”
I was so delighted that my library finally had the newest book by Nicola Skinner in stock! I really enjoyed Bloom so I was eager to find out if I would like Storm as well!
In Storm we meet with strong-willed and stormy Frances. She is a ghost. Well, in the beginning of the book she is a normal girl… until a freak disaster hits and she loses it all. I just wanted to hug her so badly. I can only imagine how much pain it must have been, to wake up in your own house. But you are dead. No one can see you. We see how she tries to get through those first days before she takes that sleeping potion that will set the time forward to 100 years (and 2) later. We meet Jane/Jill (sorry, I also forgot her name and mostly because Frances gets it wrong). And then 100 years later we meet many other people. Because Frances’s house has turned into a museum.
I was so delighted that my library finally had the newest book by Nicola Skinner in stock! I really enjoyed Bloom so I was eager to find out if I would like Storm as well!
In Storm we meet with strong-willed and stormy Frances. She is a ghost. Well, in the beginning of the book she is a normal girl… until a freak disaster hits and she loses it all. I just wanted to hug her so badly. I can only imagine how much pain it must have been, to wake up in your own house. But you are dead. No one can see you. We see how she tries to get through those first days before she takes that sleeping potion that will set the time forward to 100 years (and 2) later. We meet Jane/Jill (sorry, I also forgot her name and mostly because Frances gets it wrong). And then 100 years later we meet many other people. Because Frances’s house has turned into a museum.
juliette_d_03's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ntharpta1's review against another edition
3.0
This book was all over the place. I liked our main girl and thought I was in for a spooky story with some sort of lesson on family and friendship, but I wasn't expecting the time-capsule house museum, poisoning people for entertainment, ghosts for hire, and everywhere else this book went. It had a great start and by the end I forgot this was even the same book.
rozanne_visagie's review against another edition
5.0
*Disclaimer: I was kindly gifted a copy of this book by Jonathan Ball Publishers in exchange for an honest review.
'You've got a storm inside you, haven't you, Frances? Isn't it time you let it out?'
If you are in the mood for a fun middle grade read with the cutest illustrations, look no further! Storm: The Smashing Afterlife of Frances Ripley written by Nicola Skinner and illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino is about a young girl, Frances Ripley, who tragically dies in a tsunami that wipes out her village. The story takes a turn when Frances doesn't die properly and wakes up in her house as a ghost.
While Frances was alive, she had a short temper and she came to the conclusion it was because her parents weren't prepared for her birth and she was born on a beach during a storm. Now all alone in her home, Frances is filled with questions about the whereabouts of her family, why she didn't die properly and what's going to happen next, all the while trying to control her temper. During this confusion, a bus arrives who picks up children twelve years and under, children who didn't die properly and aren't old enough to be alone. Jill, the death guardian, tries to persuade Frances to board the bus by answering some of her questions, but Frances refuses to board the bus. Jill gives Frances a sleeping potion that allows her to sleep and to wake up in the presence of other people, alive or dead. Frances takes the sleeping potion and wakes 100 years later when her house is transformed into a museum.
Being surrounded by strangers every day, Frances loses it. Her temper flares and she starts smashing things until a regular visitor warns her to stop attracting attention to herself. But as stubborn as Frances is, she doesn't listen. Intrigued by the idea that someone can see her, she pursues this strange boy named Scanlon, against his warnings, and soon finds herself in a new dilemma.
The story has a good pace and is told from Frances' POV. The writing style is easy to follow and the chapters are short, accompanied by cute illustrations. This book is a joy to read! There is laugh out loud moments, sad moments and angry moments, but every moment leaves the reader entertained. This is such an enjoyable read and even adults will learn a moral lesson after reading this book. This story is suitable for readers 10-12 years and older; even though the main character is a ghost, it isn't scary. I highly recommend this read! It's my favourite middle grade read for the year.
A storm isn't always a bad thing and Frances shows us why.
Do yourself a favour and read this book!
This review is posted on my blog:
https://willowscornerbook.wordpress.com/2021/06/09/storm-the-smashing-afterlife-of-frances-ripley-by-nicola-skinner-book-review/
'You've got a storm inside you, haven't you, Frances? Isn't it time you let it out?'
If you are in the mood for a fun middle grade read with the cutest illustrations, look no further! Storm: The Smashing Afterlife of Frances Ripley written by Nicola Skinner and illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino is about a young girl, Frances Ripley, who tragically dies in a tsunami that wipes out her village. The story takes a turn when Frances doesn't die properly and wakes up in her house as a ghost.
While Frances was alive, she had a short temper and she came to the conclusion it was because her parents weren't prepared for her birth and she was born on a beach during a storm. Now all alone in her home, Frances is filled with questions about the whereabouts of her family, why she didn't die properly and what's going to happen next, all the while trying to control her temper. During this confusion, a bus arrives who picks up children twelve years and under, children who didn't die properly and aren't old enough to be alone. Jill, the death guardian, tries to persuade Frances to board the bus by answering some of her questions, but Frances refuses to board the bus. Jill gives Frances a sleeping potion that allows her to sleep and to wake up in the presence of other people, alive or dead. Frances takes the sleeping potion and wakes 100 years later when her house is transformed into a museum.
Being surrounded by strangers every day, Frances loses it. Her temper flares and she starts smashing things until a regular visitor warns her to stop attracting attention to herself. But as stubborn as Frances is, she doesn't listen. Intrigued by the idea that someone can see her, she pursues this strange boy named Scanlon, against his warnings, and soon finds herself in a new dilemma.
The story has a good pace and is told from Frances' POV. The writing style is easy to follow and the chapters are short, accompanied by cute illustrations. This book is a joy to read! There is laugh out loud moments, sad moments and angry moments, but every moment leaves the reader entertained. This is such an enjoyable read and even adults will learn a moral lesson after reading this book. This story is suitable for readers 10-12 years and older; even though the main character is a ghost, it isn't scary. I highly recommend this read! It's my favourite middle grade read for the year.
A storm isn't always a bad thing and Frances shows us why.
Do yourself a favour and read this book!
This review is posted on my blog:
https://willowscornerbook.wordpress.com/2021/06/09/storm-the-smashing-afterlife-of-frances-ripley-by-nicola-skinner-book-review/
a_robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
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Information:
- Library book & Audiobook Storytel
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Review:
Really good writing, but story was just okay
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Review previously placed on my blog:
Review previously placed on my blog:
I'm currently reading Storm by Nicola Skinner. I'm reading a copy from the library.
Picked this up randomnly from my library, because the cover is super cool. Already liking it so far. It's very original. I also think it's well written and I really enjoy Frankie as a main character. She is different from the usual middle grade characters, so really enjoy that.
Finally finished this book! I enjoyed it, but I think the author could have done more with the story. It was actually pretty long and sometimes boring. But I did really love the writing, so will definitely pick up other books by this author.
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heydivyeah's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0