kat10186's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
alittleoverdue's review against another edition
4.0
This book has a totally unique premise and is unlike any middle grade fiction I've encountered. Abbott bites off a lot with this ambitious novel, but it really pays off as far as character development, plot, suspense, and satisfying ending. Definitely a good read for anyone who likes a good mystery or family story.
jessdex's review against another edition
4.0
This book was incredible! Would recommend for pre-teens/ early teens.
csjucha's review against another edition
4.0
I couldn’t put this books down, I read it in one day. Yes, it is dark but it is so gripping. Very interesting take on the afterlife. Amazing mystery as well.
destinysreads's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
kabookworm's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
This one—though it took me a while to get into, and I still feel that the plot was carried by several too many conveniences—made me feel things that I am grateful to have experienced from a book as gentle and tragic as this one is.
gschwabauer's review against another edition
3.0
Wonderful narrative voice and strong relationships, particularly Denis's connection to his twin brother and his brother's lovely friend Trey. The mystery was compelling, with enough twists to keep me engaged, though none of them went into remarkable territory. The story tried to explore generational trauma, which I appreciated, but pulled some punches at the end in basically going with the "well, this horrible abusive man is nice now!" I liked the ethereal, never-fully-explained nature of life after death and ghosthood, but there was a whole element of the story that added a huge amount of tension (basically the idea that haunting people is something you can only do rarely or it messes up your soul) that didn't even seem necessary--I would have been intrigued without it because the stakes of murder were already so high--but then it never even paid off, so why was it there?
Definitely an interesting read, but with a little less substance than I wanted.
Definitely an interesting read, but with a little less substance than I wanted.
marierossi's review against another edition
4.0
This was an absolutely incredible MG book about the heartache of both loss and moving on. Denis died under mysterious (murderous?) circumstances when he was 7 and it’s now five years later. He’s living in the Great Beyond (or whatever), but his twin brother is still mourning him so much that Denis can’t move on to the Greater Beyond (or whatever). So Denis decides to haunt his twin and together they untangle the many truths of Denis’ tragic death.
It’s really not as cheesy as it sounds. And it’s not nearly as dark. It is a serious topic and Abbott covers it thoroughly but also with a lightness only a MG book could bring. I thought that the construction and writing of both twins was phenomenal. I also loved that their parents played a big part in the grieving and healing process, because that’s how it would be in real life.
Everyone deals with loss differently and this book highlights that beautifully with humor and tenderness.
It’s really not as cheesy as it sounds. And it’s not nearly as dark. It is a serious topic and Abbott covers it thoroughly but also with a lightness only a MG book could bring. I thought that the construction and writing of both twins was phenomenal. I also loved that their parents played a big part in the grieving and healing process, because that’s how it would be in real life.
Everyone deals with loss differently and this book highlights that beautifully with humor and tenderness.