In Diary of a Part-Time Ghost, Vered Ehsani creates a world where the biggest dangers can’t be seen. Fifteen-year-old Ash wants nothing more than to blend in with the crowd. But he has the unusual problem of being hunted by shadows. Not to mention the too-real dreams about his murder. Then his long-lost aunt shows up and promises to explain everything. Instead, she leaves him with a warning to avoid the shadows and a mysterious history book that allows him to travel back in time. On his first trip to the past, Ash discovers a few things. The most obvious is that he’s a ghost. And even more disturbing, the same evil that is hunting him on this side of the veil is stalking his ancestors in the past. Now Ash has a choice to make: He can hover in the background unseen, or he can take action and protect his family.
I love the cover art for Diary of a Part-Time Ghost. The ominous shadows blocking the face on the cover give the impression of mysterious danger, a theme carried throughout the book. My favorite part of the story is the unusual spin on ghosts. Ash does not have to die to become a ghost, he just leaves his body on one side of time, while traveling in another. My biggest complaint about the book deals with the formatting. Ash relays his experiences through a series of diary entries, but the book is divided into chapters. I found this disorienting at times. The story would flow better if the book was divided into separate journal entries, instead of chapters. There were also a few holes in the plot. But the end of the book lends itself to a sequel, so the plot could easily be expanded in a second book. Overall, I wish that the plotline was a little more in-depth, but if you’re looking for an easy read with a unique take on ghosts and history, this book may be for you.
* book provided by bookdivas.com
Now that sounds like my kind of book!
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