boris8556's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
clek625's review against another edition
5.0
I was fortunate enough to receive an arc of this wonderful story at BookCon, and I say fortunate because–honestly?—I'm not sure I would've read it otherwise. And when I say I read it, I mean I devoured it in one sitting.
This small town setting in Indiana and the characters that populated it felt so real. The plot was super original—a kind of light thriller mystery with a cool contemporary fantasy twist. And it was so fast paced, and I am a sucker for a fast paced story. Not to mention, I thrive off snarky main characters, and Zora delivered. She clearly had her flaws, but her characterization was so well done, I was rooting for her through the whole book and really felt for her.
I'm also not usually a fan of books that don't have completely tidied and polished endings wrapped in a bow, but this story ended with just enough to satiate that need for a resolution for a plot that was chock full of questions and answers. There were a couple worldbuilding/world rule issues for me and a little confusion over some of the side characters' motivations and goals, but overall, this book hooked me more than I thought it was going to. I fell in love with the intriguing story and the very strong voice, and Zappia is definitely an author I will be looking for more of.
This small town setting in Indiana and the characters that populated it felt so real. The plot was super original—a kind of light thriller mystery with a cool contemporary fantasy twist. And it was so fast paced, and I am a sucker for a fast paced story. Not to mention, I thrive off snarky main characters, and Zora delivered. She clearly had her flaws, but her characterization was so well done, I was rooting for her through the whole book and really felt for her.
I'm also not usually a fan of books that don't have completely tidied and polished endings wrapped in a bow, but this story ended with just enough to satiate that need for a resolution for a plot that was chock full of questions and answers. There were a couple worldbuilding/world rule issues for me and a little confusion over some of the side characters' motivations and goals, but overall, this book hooked me more than I thought it was going to. I fell in love with the intriguing story and the very strong voice, and Zappia is definitely an author I will be looking for more of.
readingundertheradar's review against another edition
4.0
I can see why a book like this would not be for some people, but it was exactly the kind of book I love.
Riverdale meets Stranger Things meets Female of the Species, and Zappia drops readers right into this small, Southern Indiana town full of legends, lore, and ghosts, and a family of ghosthunters who are trying to keep them at bay. Well, they hunt firestarters, not ghosts. And the thing I love is that there is no explanation, no drawn-out history, no let's-talk-about-what-this-means chapter. The lore has always been there, and so, the readers jump right into the story.
Yes, I still have questions, and yes, I am frustrated with some loose ends, but those are intentional loose ends, and things don't always end perfectly, making this my favorite kind of book—one with realistic outcomes despite the paranormal, that doesn't perfectly sum up everything or answer all your questions.
If you're a fan of Mindy McGinnis, CW shows, Nancy Drew, or Supernatural, this book should be on your radar.
Riverdale meets Stranger Things meets Female of the Species, and Zappia drops readers right into this small, Southern Indiana town full of legends, lore, and ghosts, and a family of ghosthunters who are trying to keep them at bay. Well, they hunt firestarters, not ghosts. And the thing I love is that there is no explanation, no drawn-out history, no let's-talk-about-what-this-means chapter. The lore has always been there, and so, the readers jump right into the story.
Yes, I still have questions, and yes, I am frustrated with some loose ends, but those are intentional loose ends, and things don't always end perfectly, making this my favorite kind of book—one with realistic outcomes despite the paranormal, that doesn't perfectly sum up everything or answer all your questions.
If you're a fan of Mindy McGinnis, CW shows, Nancy Drew, or Supernatural, this book should be on your radar.
vickyramirezy's review
4.0
4.5 stars. You might have to look past a couple of things to accept it, but I was willing because I really enjoyed it.
sapphicshelves's review
2.0
I'm finished but don't know how to rate it or what my feelings about it even are. I'm just confused, okay?
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After simmering on this for awhile I have a more solid idea of why this wasn't for me. How the story was pitched wasn't quite the story we got. I was more prepared for minor ghosts and a bigger mystery. It was heavier on supernatural than I had thought.
I didn't feel really engaged throughout the story. I realized at some points I had to go back and re-read. A gripe I had was how spelled out certain things were like the class dynamic between Zora and Artemis. To me it kind of underplayed readers being able to pick up on those nuances by themselves.
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After simmering on this for awhile I have a more solid idea of why this wasn't for me. How the story was pitched wasn't quite the story we got. I was more prepared for minor ghosts and a bigger mystery. It was heavier on supernatural than I had thought.
I didn't feel really engaged throughout the story. I realized at some points I had to go back and re-read. A gripe I had was how spelled out certain things were like the class dynamic between Zora and Artemis. To me it kind of underplayed readers being able to pick up on those nuances by themselves.
randi_in_horrorland's review against another edition
3.0
I maaaaaaaay have put this book on my TBR because I thought it had ties to The Addams Family. Don’t make the same mistake! THESE ARE NOT THE SAME.
Anywhooooooo. This is a spooky YA story about a girl named Zora who has an affinity for seeing ghosts. Because of her affinity, she finds herself in trouble with the law and is getting framed for serial arson.
This book gives me some mad YA Winchester vibes. A family of ghost hunters cruising around in a dope ass car? Hello, Dean?! It would be pretty cool to have a continuation of these books to encompass their ghostly haunts. *wink wink* *nudge nudge*. It would give it more of that Winchester-esque we all know and love.
I enjoyed the LGBTQ+ representation in this book. I find it didn’t feel forced or as an afterthought, which is nice. It made it feel more cohesive and had a good flow.
For all you who have read it... how we feelin’ about Bach? *insert eyebrow wiggle*. Why am I always attracted to the baddies!?
In my opinion, these books are perfect for someone looking for a spooky October book but they don’t want the bejeebus scared out of them.
Anywhooooooo. This is a spooky YA story about a girl named Zora who has an affinity for seeing ghosts. Because of her affinity, she finds herself in trouble with the law and is getting framed for serial arson.
This book gives me some mad YA Winchester vibes. A family of ghost hunters cruising around in a dope ass car? Hello, Dean?! It would be pretty cool to have a continuation of these books to encompass their ghostly haunts. *wink wink* *nudge nudge*. It would give it more of that Winchester-esque we all know and love.
I enjoyed the LGBTQ+ representation in this book. I find it didn’t feel forced or as an afterthought, which is nice. It made it feel more cohesive and had a good flow.
For all you who have read it... how we feelin’ about Bach? *insert eyebrow wiggle*. Why am I always attracted to the baddies!?
In my opinion, these books are perfect for someone looking for a spooky October book but they don’t want the bejeebus scared out of them.
calidareads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
lyncassady's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
lissysadventures's review against another edition
DNF - no rating
I am so sad. I really wanted to like this book. Francesca Zappia is one of my favorite authors. This book is unlike both of her previous works. I believe this is why I couldn't get into it. It was not what I was expecting when I picked it up. I am happy she is branching out and I hope I will come back to it eventually.
The one thing I enjoyed a lot in the 50ish pages I read was the art. It was very well done and it really added to the story.
I am so sad. I really wanted to like this book. Francesca Zappia is one of my favorite authors. This book is unlike both of her previous works. I believe this is why I couldn't get into it. It was not what I was expecting when I picked it up. I am happy she is branching out and I hope I will come back to it eventually.
The one thing I enjoyed a lot in the 50ish pages I read was the art. It was very well done and it really added to the story.