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A review by twicomb
Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A charming, light-hearted tale with gallons of heart, all spun around the amusingly-unexpected idea of a girl who becomes able to see ghosts upon beginning her monthly periods. The ghosts are curmudgeonly, or super-friendly, or chill and laid-back...just the way that humans might be any of those things. These ghosts are far from monolithic. They also appear in a variety of colors. As for where they appear, they tend to congregate near loved ones who are still alive, but also in locations relevant to topics of great passion (like the fight to keep their former apartment building from being bulldozed for new condo development).
The story is quick and peppy, with good conflicting emotions around family dynamics, duty to others, respect for your own self, and all the other things that come along with trying to figure out who you are (and who you want to be) during your teenage years. I really enjoyed all of the supporting characters as well, especially the passionately energetic grandmother who will absolutely put in her two cents no matter what and no matter when.
Props to the author and publisher for being willing to tell a story within which "girl gets her period for the first time" is a light, humorous plot point, and not either something to be never mentioned or something that is incredibly embarrassing and must be examined with grave concerns. This is such a fresh, authentic way to tackling the topic. And really, it actually makes perfect sense - with all of those other changes that come along with your menstrual cycle beginning as you start your transformation into womanhood, why wouldn't you also start being able to see ghosts?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.
The story is quick and peppy, with good conflicting emotions around family dynamics, duty to others, respect for your own self, and all the other things that come along with trying to figure out who you are (and who you want to be) during your teenage years. I really enjoyed all of the supporting characters as well, especially the passionately energetic grandmother who will absolutely put in her two cents no matter what and no matter when.
Props to the author and publisher for being willing to tell a story within which "girl gets her period for the first time" is a light, humorous plot point, and not either something to be never mentioned or something that is incredibly embarrassing and must be examined with grave concerns. This is such a fresh, authentic way to tackling the topic. And really, it actually makes perfect sense - with all of those other changes that come along with your menstrual cycle beginning as you start your transformation into womanhood, why wouldn't you also start being able to see ghosts?
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review.