bek67's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Quick, entertaining read. Just what a needed. Ellie is a likable character as is her new partner Stacey. Writing is fine. Nice spooky ghost story-just what I wanted for October.
mrose21's review
4.0
This was a surprising read.
Took me completely by surprise.
I enjoyed how it was very heavy on the ghosts. No side story over taking this it was a lot of ghost hunting and it was just really gripping...
Took me completely by surprise.
I enjoyed how it was very heavy on the ghosts. No side story over taking this it was a lot of ghost hunting and it was just really gripping...
inbetweenthelines's review
4.0
I've read this before, a good few years ago. The story is brilliantly done and described very nicely.
The characters all have their own personalities, which is nice to see.
While it has its own little humour, it holds the creep factor in very well.
Would sure recommend this series.
The characters all have their own personalities, which is nice to see.
While it has its own little humour, it holds the creep factor in very well.
Would sure recommend this series.
suzid's review
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I had thought this would be a cosy fluffy ghost story but it had more substance to it than that. It was genuinely creepy for me at times which surprised me There were a lot of things that were clearly not based on reality but it was a fun read not to be taken too seriously. I'll be getting the next in the series as I did enjoy it.
mehsi's review
3.0
A creepy ghost story and interesting characters, but.....
So this one isn't that long, but it took me quite a bit to get through it. I read a few pages yesterday, and then the rest today whenever I felt like reading. Why I was struggling with reading this? Well, the story just was so slow, and then there were all sorts of things just magically happening which just felt to me like someone didn't want the story to end and just made up all sorts of things to make the story longer. And another reason was because some stuff is going on in my life and my mind is just wandering all over the place for most of the time. :(
And unlike many ghost books this one just stars one house. And that was quite interesting, I am generally used to having more than one place mentioned in a book, so it was a delight. But, again, at 30% of the book I was wondering how much longer the story would go on, it can't possibly be another 70% right?
Well the author keeps adding new things the whole time. Oh you thought it was just x, oh no, here is y, a, c, d, oh and did you know z and b also had a hand in this? While the additions were creepy (well not always, but mostly) they were also a bit silly and it just felt like the author didn't want the story to end just yet so she just kept adding.
But the story was still very creepy. The ghost, or I should say ghosts, were all pretty creepy, some more than others. The end battle was epic, and I had goosebumps all over my arms. I was really curious as to how this one would end, would everything end peacefully? Would the ghosts be happy? Will our family be able to live in peace?
I also love that in the second part Dale wasn't around. Thank heavens, because he was just terrible. I can imagine that he may not have believed in the ghosts, or tried to hide his fear, but I hated his attitude, hated how he treated his wife and daughter, how he drank, how he was rude towards people who were just trying to help him, and I could go on. No, Dale was not my favourite character.
Our MC? I had to get used to her. She was at times quite mean towards Stacey, and later also towards Jake. I get that she may not want to have assistants helping her, but well, sorry girl, this job is just too dangerous to do alone. Not to mention all the research and stuff you need to do. You need help. And Stacey is a great girl (who got more and more awesome with each passing page), and even Jake proved he was a good guy.
But later on she became a much better character, plus I just loved her kick-ass attitude and that she didn't let things mess with her. It was also great that we saw some of her backstory.
In the end I did quite like the book, it had all the elements that I liked, plus it added a mental asylum with dark and scary things. But due to those things I mentioned (Dale, the constant adding of new things, etc.)? I can't give this one more than 2.5 stars.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
So this one isn't that long, but it took me quite a bit to get through it. I read a few pages yesterday, and then the rest today whenever I felt like reading. Why I was struggling with reading this? Well, the story just was so slow, and then there were all sorts of things just magically happening which just felt to me like someone didn't want the story to end and just made up all sorts of things to make the story longer. And another reason was because some stuff is going on in my life and my mind is just wandering all over the place for most of the time. :(
And unlike many ghost books this one just stars one house. And that was quite interesting, I am generally used to having more than one place mentioned in a book, so it was a delight. But, again, at 30% of the book I was wondering how much longer the story would go on, it can't possibly be another 70% right?
Well the author keeps adding new things the whole time. Oh you thought it was just x, oh no, here is y, a, c, d, oh and did you know z and b also had a hand in this? While the additions were creepy (well not always, but mostly) they were also a bit silly and it just felt like the author didn't want the story to end just yet so she just kept adding.
But the story was still very creepy. The ghost, or I should say ghosts, were all pretty creepy, some more than others. The end battle was epic, and I had goosebumps all over my arms. I was really curious as to how this one would end, would everything end peacefully? Would the ghosts be happy? Will our family be able to live in peace?
I also love that in the second part Dale wasn't around. Thank heavens, because he was just terrible. I can imagine that he may not have believed in the ghosts, or tried to hide his fear, but I hated his attitude, hated how he treated his wife and daughter, how he drank, how he was rude towards people who were just trying to help him, and I could go on. No, Dale was not my favourite character.
Our MC? I had to get used to her. She was at times quite mean towards Stacey, and later also towards Jake. I get that she may not want to have assistants helping her, but well, sorry girl, this job is just too dangerous to do alone. Not to mention all the research and stuff you need to do. You need help. And Stacey is a great girl (who got more and more awesome with each passing page), and even Jake proved he was a good guy.
But later on she became a much better character, plus I just loved her kick-ass attitude and that she didn't let things mess with her. It was also great that we saw some of her backstory.
In the end I did quite like the book, it had all the elements that I liked, plus it added a mental asylum with dark and scary things. But due to those things I mentioned (Dale, the constant adding of new things, etc.)? I can't give this one more than 2.5 stars.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
crystal_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very well written book. Though it wasn't quite what I thought it would be. I enjoyed the ending which is why I have it 3*.
yumeshi's review
2.0
It was okay. Nothing special or new about this one. Not an unpleasant read, but still a bit boring at times. Average I would say.
ladyofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
A Fun and Spooky Ghost Story!
I really enjoyed this-lots of interesting, plausible ghosts and how to deal with them. Along with a strong female main character, humor, and lots of action-this is the perfect read for Halloween, or whenever you want a good ghost story. I applaud the author for excellent writing and storytelling. I definitely look forward to more of Ellie Jordan!
I really enjoyed this-lots of interesting, plausible ghosts and how to deal with them. Along with a strong female main character, humor, and lots of action-this is the perfect read for Halloween, or whenever you want a good ghost story. I applaud the author for excellent writing and storytelling. I definitely look forward to more of Ellie Jordan!
tobyyy's review
4.0
4.5
As the fourth book in a 10-book anthology (the same anthology that I've been mentioning in my reviews so far), Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper was definitely an original novel... and was very, very enjoyable.
I only had a couple of problems with it. Well, namely one -- I kept wondering when it would be over. Not in a "oh my gosh, just get to the end already because [your writing is terrible, your character are unlikable, etc.]." No, it just felt a little bit like the author dragged the story out a tiny bit longer than really was necessary. Yet -- at the same time -- I can't really pick out any sections of the book that could've been removed without taking away from the overall plot line.
Well, maybe --
Also, I was slightly disappointed with the ending. Thankfully, it wasn't a cliffhanger, but with all of the suspense in the earlier sections of the book, the ending did leave something to be desired. Not quite sure what -- although I could picture the climax in my head, it just wasn't as exciting as I thought it "should" have been.
However, still, definitely recommend. Also, I'm working on the fifth book in the anthology right now, and if it turns out to be as good as the first four have, I'm going to post a link to the Kindle version of this anthology (10 books for $0.99? yes please!). Because good grief, with an average rating of 3.9 for the first four books so far, I am totally getting my money's worth for even five good books in an anthology of ten. Thumbs up -- so far -- to the authors who have contributed and to the editor who selected what books to include.
As the fourth book in a 10-book anthology (the same anthology that I've been mentioning in my reviews so far), Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper was definitely an original novel... and was very, very enjoyable.
I only had a couple of problems with it. Well, namely one -- I kept wondering when it would be over. Not in a "oh my gosh, just get to the end already because [your writing is terrible, your character are unlikable, etc.]." No, it just felt a little bit like the author dragged the story out a tiny bit longer than really was necessary. Yet -- at the same time -- I can't really pick out any sections of the book that could've been removed without taking away from the overall plot line.
Well, maybe --
Spoiler
the part where Calvin wants Ellie to take a psychic along with her. That never really got resolved (although I have a feeling it will in the other books in the series), and it didn't really add a lot to the book in terms of thickening the plot or anything. Kinda seemed like the psychic was just tossed in there to "stir the pot" a little bit -- yet his presence really only added length to the story and a little bit of unnecessary stuff at the end.Also, I was slightly disappointed with the ending. Thankfully, it wasn't a cliffhanger, but with all of the suspense in the earlier sections of the book, the ending did leave something to be desired. Not quite sure what -- although I could picture the climax in my head, it just wasn't as exciting as I thought it "should" have been.
However, still, definitely recommend. Also, I'm working on the fifth book in the anthology right now, and if it turns out to be as good as the first four have, I'm going to post a link to the Kindle version of this anthology (10 books for $0.99? yes please!). Because good grief, with an average rating of 3.9 for the first four books so far, I am totally getting my money's worth for even five good books in an anthology of ten. Thumbs up -- so far -- to the authors who have contributed and to the editor who selected what books to include.