Reviews

Gilda Joyce: The Ghost Sonata by Jennifer Allison

moe84058's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

cursed_sapphire's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I thought this was the best of the series as a kid, and I'm happy to find I still see it that way. This book was the funniest of the first three books, and the tension is so much higher. I like that Wendy got more focus in this, and I really appreciated her arc in this. The side characters were all fun and didn't overstay their welcome, and the paranormal aspect was much more prevalent, and tied into the story much better than in Ladies of the Lake. This is such a fun read, and it tones down some of the flaws of the earlier books while enhancing their best parts.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief and Death

Minor: Medical content, Cancer, and Car accident

readingwithrylanne's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve been very quickly making my way through this middle grade series over the last couple of weeks, and I feel like each one gets better and better! I’ve rated the first two books in this series 5 stars simply because they were so much fun, but The Ghost Sonata is my favorite one yet. I’ve loved getting to watch Gilda’s character develop during each mystery she finds herself a part of. She’s an entertaining protagonist, that’s for sure! I love the little paranormal aspects sprinkled through the books but it’s the general mystery that always gets to me.

I loved the Oxford setting and the inclusion of Gilda’s best friend Wendy in The Ghost Sonata as well as the sprinkle of romance as two teenagers attempt to develop feelings for each other (only to fail because one of them sucks LOL). The spooky vibes in this story were the best of the series yet, and I’m excited to continue with it! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident and Death

healingtothemax's review against another edition

5.0

The most poignant and beautifully written installment in the funny & spooky Gilda Joyce: Psychic Investigator series. Author Allison focuses on the friendship between Gilda and BFF Wendy Choy during Wendy's intense piano competition in London, England. Haunting piano music and haunted musicians drive this layered mystery. There's romance and rivalry -- Gilda's first kiss! -- amid the foggy, rainy, English tombstones. Again the narrator excels in her performance range, adding vocal nuance to Allison's words.

quietjenn's review against another edition

3.0

eh. this time around, gilda was too often teetering on the edge of being insufferable. it's a fine line sometimes. loved the setting though and the mystery/paranormal element was suitably creepy.

victoriaslibrary's review against another edition

5.0

I loved the Gilda Joyce series growing up

cjmichel's review against another edition

3.0

book 3 in series for middle grade --
Gilda Joyce sleuthing detective like Nancy Drew
good

eggbreadcryptid's review against another edition

4.0

see my review at http://scribblereviews.blogspot.com/2009/11/gilda-joyce-ghost-sonata-book-review.html

sarkamatty's review against another edition

5.0

Gilda je nejvíc. Když jsem ji četla poprvé, v páté třídě, byla pro mě něco jako vzor. Patnáctiletá (v mém vnímání prakticky dospělá), nebojácná, s naprosto šíleným, ale taky zatraceně úžasným stylem oblékání. A taky vášní pro duchy. Z mého současného pohledu Gildě za ta léta nic neubylo. Kdybych se snažila, dokázala bych na ní určitě nějakou vadu najít, ale to se knihám z dětství nedělá. Má to spád, má to různorodé propracované postavy, dokonce i náhled do životů lidí hned několika odlišných kultur. Zápletka má logickou pointu a navíc se to celé odehrává v Oxfordu.
Jo a chci ty kočičí brýle, ale už. ❤️

emvsmith's review against another edition

3.0

Enjoyed but didn't love this book. Gilda is hilarious, but a bit annoying.