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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
I loved Witchlings by the same author, but this book is for slightly younger readers, with less depth to the characters and a lighter tone (which is absolutely fine for its target age of course), and so didn't engage me personally as much. But it is a really fun book with plenty of action and an endearing cast of characters.
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lucely and her best friend Syd accidentally cast a spell releasing evil spirits in their town. With the help of Syd’s grandma, who is a witch, and her Goonies named cat, Chunk, they fight to put the evil spirits back to rest.
Fun fantasy book, lead by a Dominican girl.
Fun fantasy book, lead by a Dominican girl.
**3.75 stars, rounded up** i'm always looking for middle grade books with spooky atmospheres and ghosts, so i'm so pleased GHOST SQUAD is out in the world. like Coco meets Stranger Things? sign me up.
i've especially got to commend Claribel Ortega's ability to set the scene — the descriptions and the atmosphere throughout the book were just amazing. i really felt like i could picture what was happening with Lucely and Syd, that i was there with them in the cemeteries or in Babette's house. i also loooooved the lore of the spirit tree and how Lucely's family ghosts (not a spoiler) were incorporated into the story.
i did feel the story was a little too short and too narrow; the second half in particular really focuses on the three main characters and them alone. even the Luna ghosts start to fall to the side. i would have been interested in having some more time with Lucely's dad, for instance, or with the main antagonist even (whose motivation for doing what she did was much weaker than i was expecting, kind of a stock villain). the plot is fast-paced, which i think works with Lucely's urgency to save the town, but i do feel there could have been more to the book.
my only other real critique is that some of the dialogue didn't hit the mark with me, particularly some of the jokes. i think it may have just gone over my head a little? i liked Lucely and Syd a lot, but there were a few times during their conversations where i was really trying to understand why they were laughing.
GHOST SQUAD was a pretty delightful read overall with lots of excellent spooky vibes, and i think 9 year old me would have been thrilled to find this on the shelves.
i've especially got to commend Claribel Ortega's ability to set the scene — the descriptions and the atmosphere throughout the book were just amazing. i really felt like i could picture what was happening with Lucely and Syd, that i was there with them in the cemeteries or in Babette's house. i also loooooved the lore of the spirit tree and how Lucely's family ghosts (not a spoiler) were incorporated into the story.
i did feel the story was a little too short and too narrow; the second half in particular really focuses on the three main characters and them alone. even the Luna ghosts start to fall to the side. i would have been interested in having some more time with Lucely's dad, for instance, or with the main antagonist even (whose motivation for doing what she did was much weaker than i was expecting, kind of a stock villain). the plot is fast-paced, which i think works with Lucely's urgency to save the town, but i do feel there could have been more to the book.
my only other real critique is that some of the dialogue didn't hit the mark with me, particularly some of the jokes. i think it may have just gone over my head a little? i liked Lucely and Syd a lot, but there were a few times during their conversations where i was really trying to understand why they were laughing.
GHOST SQUAD was a pretty delightful read overall with lots of excellent spooky vibes, and i think 9 year old me would have been thrilled to find this on the shelves.
Great YA novel. The first 55% of the book are so good it’s very interesting for a picky adult even. If I were 15 reading it, I swear I would die for this book:) highly recommended.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was sooo cute. I listened to the audiobook. Ghost Squad was the perfect, cozy autumnal read. I loved the emphasis on family as well as found family.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes