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lyndajdickson's review against another edition
5.0
Luke left his family home in Eaton, Texas, over a year ago, and no one has heard from him since. Then his family finds out that he has just died in a car crash in Ann Arbor, Michigan. On the day of his funeral, Ellie receives a bucket list map - created by Luke, his sister Ellie, and his best friend Wes three years ago - mailed from an address in Dexter, Michigan. Accompanied by Wes, Gwen (Luke’s ex-girlfriend and Wes’s current girlfriend), and Cade (her once-almost-boyfriend), Ellie sets out on a road trip to find out what really happened to Luke. This should be interesting.
The group make some stops and have a series of adventures in the towns marked on the map in question: the first real stage where Elvis performed in Shreveport, Louisiana; the Mississippi River and a fortune teller in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri; the catacombs and Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana; Lake Erie in Newport, Michigan; and, finally, Dexter, Michigan, where they locate the address from where the map was sent to Ellie. Along the way, they also find out a few things about themselves, uncover secrets they have been hiding from each other, and discover the truth surrounding Luke’s disappearance. None of them will ever be the same again.
The current-day story is told from Ellie’s point-of-view, interspersed with flashbacks in italics from the time before Luke left home. The relationship between brother and sister Luke and Ellie is so sweet. I especially love what Luke did for Ellie on her first day of high school. Ellie’s mother, on the other hand, is a nightmare, and we never really find out why she acts the way she does. Apart from the overuse of the phrase “scrub my hands over my face”, the writing is beautiful, heartfelt, and insightful. I found myself highlighting so many passages!
Don’t miss this story of family, friendship, forgiveness, and overcoming grief. It will leave you pondering: Who are the ghosts? Those who die or those who are left behind?
Warnings: coarse language, sexual references, underage drinking.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2019/08/we-are-the-ghosts-by-vicky-skinner.html
The group make some stops and have a series of adventures in the towns marked on the map in question: the first real stage where Elvis performed in Shreveport, Louisiana; the Mississippi River and a fortune teller in New Orleans, Louisiana; the Gateway Arch in St Louis, Missouri; the catacombs and Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana; Lake Erie in Newport, Michigan; and, finally, Dexter, Michigan, where they locate the address from where the map was sent to Ellie. Along the way, they also find out a few things about themselves, uncover secrets they have been hiding from each other, and discover the truth surrounding Luke’s disappearance. None of them will ever be the same again.
The current-day story is told from Ellie’s point-of-view, interspersed with flashbacks in italics from the time before Luke left home. The relationship between brother and sister Luke and Ellie is so sweet. I especially love what Luke did for Ellie on her first day of high school. Ellie’s mother, on the other hand, is a nightmare, and we never really find out why she acts the way she does. Apart from the overuse of the phrase “scrub my hands over my face”, the writing is beautiful, heartfelt, and insightful. I found myself highlighting so many passages!
Don’t miss this story of family, friendship, forgiveness, and overcoming grief. It will leave you pondering: Who are the ghosts? Those who die or those who are left behind?
Warnings: coarse language, sexual references, underage drinking.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.com/2019/08/we-are-the-ghosts-by-vicky-skinner.html
justinreads_'s review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gpepe_0's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mariecoura's review
3.0
The story is progressing kind of slow . Their siblings dynamic was too good to be true in my opinion. The characters were really okay and I really understood the anger of the MC because what her brother did was terrible. At the end there was the biggest plot twist ever. But nothing was really resolved. Ellie’s feelings were still all over the place and the only thing she got was answers.
lynnziebooks's review
3.0
Although, I did like the book it was a little slow in my opinion. I was bored at a lot of different points in the book. Also, I didn’t feel as though the story was completely resolved by the end. I still had questions and felt like it was a quick wrap up for this adventure.
I will say the book made me a little emotional because by the end the MCs emotions felt so raw. I felt upset for her and what was happening that I wanted to cry too. I did enjoy the way the author portrayed those emotions.
It wasn’t a bad book. The progression wasn’t something that held my attention at all times but I’m sure other readers wouldn’t have a problem with it.
I will say the book made me a little emotional because by the end the MCs emotions felt so raw. I felt upset for her and what was happening that I wanted to cry too. I did enjoy the way the author portrayed those emotions.
It wasn’t a bad book. The progression wasn’t something that held my attention at all times but I’m sure other readers wouldn’t have a problem with it.
candacerobinsonauthor's review against another edition
I like the road trip aspect but I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I tend to veer toward more upbeat contemporary so that could have been part of the problem.
mariastram's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0