Customer Reviews

Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(17)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The good news is that the author continues to realistically portray teenagers, their experiences, attitudes and particularly their zany and metaphoric way of using language. This makes for a humorous and entertaining reading experience. The story, like the previous novel (Ghost Huntress I the Awakening), is a page turner. The characters quickly come to life and are convincing. Their emotions are effectively communicated in the story, and I felt those emotions right along with the characters. There are frequent exciting scenes, and moments of genuine warmth and caring.

The bad news is that I have three areas of concern, rather perplexing to me after liking the author's first Ghost Huntress novel so much.

The author no doubt wants to be accurate with her paranormal details, so much so that, if I recall correctly, she has participated in actual ghost hunter investigations. But in this novel the author has a teenager possessed/oppressed by a civil war soldier's ghost. Now, I have never heard of any alleged ghost supposedly having the power to possess or oppress to the extent the fictional ghost does in this story. Theologically speaking and also in the arena of paranormal research, possession/oppression is only accomplished by demons/evil spirits. Oppression, by the way, is more than spooking, scaring, and minor harassment, when it allegedly occurs.

Now it may be that the author knows this but sought to lighten-up things by having a ghost do the possessing/oppressing rather than a scarier demon/evil spirit.

Second, in the story Kendall (the heroine) seeks to reassure her mother about her psychic powers and activities by sharing a list of Bible references, provided to Kendall by her Episcopal priest. Objection: there is no way a competent Episcopal priest would have used those verses. They are surprisingly lame. I will permit myself just three examples:

One example on Kendall's list is Mathew 14:26 where Jesus catches up with his disciples in their boat by walking on water, a rather famous incident. They mistake Him for a ghost. Kendall's conclusion: "Right! So if Jesus was a ghost, maybe they are real?" That's a rather dumb conclusion by a gal that has a fictional IQ of 152! Just because, in the story in the Bible, Jesus was walking on water at night and looked like a ghost to his disciples doesn't mean the story portrayed Him as an actual ghost! This verse certainly in no way comes anywhere near proving that ghosts actually do exist.

The author cites Psalm 91 and Luke 4:10 and writes: "there are references to angel and spirit guides" (page 184). The verse says that angels guarded Christ, meaning in a protective way. Spirit guides are not mentioned. (Luke 4:10 quotes a verse in Psalm 91.)

I mention one more. Regarding, John 16:12-23, the author writes that "Jesus talks of future truths that will be revealed to the world through mediums." That's pure garbage. Read the verses. There's nothing there about mediums. Jesus mentioned that "the Spirit of Truth" (which most sensible Bible interpreters take to mean the Holy Spirit) will come and lead His disciples into all truth.

Why these inept "proof-texts"? The author is obviously intelligent enough to avoid mistakes like these. Was she in a hurry? There are, after all, much better verses to support to existence of paranormal things (for example Matthew 17: 2-3 at Christ's Transfiguration and 1 Samuel 28, the medium of Endor).

I need to comment on one more issue: This novel's reading level is designated as appropriate for "young adults," meaning ages 12-18. There is a scene in it in which a teenage cheerleader, who is in the story possessed/oppressed, "feels herself up" (page 199) in front of a football-game-watching crowd and includes a few explicit details. The author even has one unnamed character comment, "This is totally rental porn" (also page 199). My own feeling is that this certainly is not appropriate content for younger readers.

The author is a talented weaver of tales. She writes good stories. I looked forward to this second installment of her Ghost Huntress trilogy. But I was disappointed, especially by the careless use of Bible verses and the highly questionable content for young readers. Personally, these aspects to an extent dampened my reading enthusiasm.

Recommended, with reservations, only to older teens (better young adults) and adults interested in paranormal stories.

It may be a tad lame for a woman in her mid 40's to be reading a YA book but do I care? No! Was it a good book? Heck frickin' YES!! I'm no writer (not fiction, anyway) but if one wants to appeal to the yound adult crowd, one has to speak their language...and Marley Gibson definitely does! I have an 18 yr. old son and some of the texts he sends me (on my BlackBerry, of course) look very similar to the ones in this book. I especially like Marley's/Kendall's description of the "oh s**t!" handle above the passenger door Kendall grabs when she and her mother drive into ATL to the para-shrink. Too funny! (btw, that decription is accurate...think about it). I'm a total book nerd and usually have 4 or 5 books on my nightstand at any given time. This one, I had to read completely through and did so in 5-1/2 hrs., which is a new personal best. As for the Episcopal priest's dialogue at the critical moment in the story...it's entertainment folks. It's not meant to be verbatim since this is not a "based on a true story" kind of book. Don't be so theological, mmmkay? Kids don't give a rip about things like that, they just want a good story with characters they can relate to. Period. I think Marley balances everything quite nicely but that's just my opinion. I'll be reading #3 and 4 today (yes, both in one day) and can't wait. I'll read anything Marley Gibson writes because I think she's that good. p.s. LOVE your sense of humor Marley! U so crazy! LOL

ATTENTION ALL BELIEVERS AND NON- BELIEVERS ALIKE!

This is the second book in the Ghost Huntress series by Marley Gibson.

I have already written a review for the first book, and I am now on to the second. This book is a PERFECT sequel to the first one, and I really am amazed. This book is as captivating as the first one, if not more! There is action, suspense, mystery, and just so much more!!!

PLEASE read this series, trust me, you won't regret it!

Kendall discovers she is psychic. She discovers this after moving to Radisson, Georgia. Kendall gets into some trouble after stealing the boyfriend of Courtney. In addition, Kendall's popularity surpasses Courtney's, which causes tension between the two. Courtney decided to fake psychic abilities to get back at Kendall. She holds a seance at a Halloween party. In the process, her body is taken over by a spirit and she begs for Kendall to help her. Kendall gets to work on trying to exorcise the spirit from Courtney's body, discovering the reasons why the event occurred. It's also up to Kendall to get the spirit to follow its journey into the light. As Kendall goes deeper into the spirit's past, the reader discovers just why they lost their way. This story will take young readers on a bizarre journey into the paranormal world, but also entertain with its main characters abilities and skills.

Marley Gibson is an extremely talented writer. Her talent of accurately portraying and capturing the emotions and attitudes of a YA audience is amazing. Having said that, I do know that Marley has in fact painstakingly researched the paranormal through and through, bringing a wealth of knowledge to her GH series. How do I know? I am proud to say that Loreen Woods, a character in her novels was modeled after myself. I am the Psychic Investigator / Trance Medium for the New England Ghost Project. Not only did Marley join our team on numerous investigations, but also she has ventured off and worked tirelessly with numerous paranormal investigative teams. I must admit that I love the Ghost Huntress series. It's not just Marley's keen wit and intelligence that breathes life into her characters, but a true sense of love for the written word, coupled with the creativity and know how to see them through. Marley, I anxiously await your next book in the GH series. Hurry up lady, what's taking you so long! :-)

My 12-year old daughter loved this second book in the Ghost Huntress series. She likes reading books about paranormal things (ghosts, fairies, mythical creatures) but for some reason she doesn't like the Twilight series. The main character in the book can see, hear, and talk to ghosts similar to Jenifer Love Hewitt's character in the Ghost Whisperer TV show.

She says the book is very well written, and is age appropriate -- although there is some mild language. She highly recommends it. She can't wait for the next book in the series to come out.

This book was provided compliments of the publisher.

This is the 2nd book after Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening. I have not read the first book, but it was still easy to get into the 2nd one and follow the plot and characters. The main character, Kendall, is likable and not a bad role model for young girls. She deals many typical teen issues in a quite mature way instead of lashing back, is helpful, does the right thing and enlists grown up help and advice when she needs it. There is some cursing and some sexuality, however, it is not very graphic in my opinion.

I will update this review once my 12 yr old has read the book, too.

The second book in the Ghost Huntress series propels us right into the action, which is one of Gibson's strong points, along with her ability to speak the lingo of a teenager. We are immediately involved in Kendall's mission to help the lost souls of Radisson find peace while she juggles the fears of her devout Christian mother. This time, Kendall has more than just her mother's fears and irascible ghosts to worry about. She has managed to get on the bad side of THE popular girl at school who is trying to make her life miserable. Problem is the popular girl is messing around with things best left to the experts!

The Guidance was yet another fun book from Marley Gibson in what has become a engaging series. Again, not Shakespeare, though Shakespeare is quoted; however another fun metaphysical read from Marley Gibson.

Kendall and her fellow ghosthunters have settled in to their roles and are solving cases left and right, and, after saving her dad from a ghost in the last book, Kendall is no longer forbidden from pursuing her powers, so it would seem that everything is smooth sailing. But no, Kendall still has challenges to face: a jealous and spiteful cheerleader who's making Kendall's school life miserable, her boyfriend is getting miffed that their dates are being interrupted by spooks, and Kendall's up against a malicious spirit who has no intention of going meekly to the light. Oh and to top it all off? Hanging over Kendall's head is an impending trip to the shrink's office which will hopefully prove to Kendall's mom once and for all that Kendall's powers aren't a just psychotic delusions or the result of a tumor. Could life be more stressful for Kendall?

I actually liked Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance even more than Ghost Huntress Book 1: The Awakening. I liked that Kendall deals with the frustration and powerlessness of cheerleader Courtney's nastiness in a mature way instead of lashing back and that Kendall doesn't hesitate to do the right thing and step in to help out when Courtney's plans to steal the `psychic spotlight' backfire. I also liked that Kendall isn't afraid to bring in adult back up when a ghostly situation gets dicey.

If you are trying to decide if Ghosthuntress is appropriate for your younger reader: as other reviewers have mentioned, there is some cussing and, on the romance front, in one scene Kendall is making out (kissing) with her boyfriend and he tries to push the line a bit but Emily, Kendall's `ghostly chaperone', breaks it up.

So I enjoyed this second installment of Gibson's Ghosthuntress - my 15 year old liked it too - and we are both curious to find out what happens next, since the epilog left us with clues to a secret about Emily and also with an ominous vision of Kendall's future.

These books are so much fun to read! I love how the author has incorporated actually paranormal tools anf techniques into the story. Also, what's great is that the plot keeps up with the readers anticipation and her characters actually grow as individuals. I highly recommend this book for all readers over 12 and for anyone intersted in the paranormal.

plot summary:
Kendall (our main character) is all the rage in her little town with her ghost hunting group. When going on a particualarly difficult case she encounters a very disturbed spirit that is set on hurting her and her friends. At the same time her high school enemy, Courtney, is off to try and make Kendall look like a fraud and upstage her. Courtney dabbles with the this disturbed spirit and now Kendall must save everyone.