Give Up The Ghost by Megan Crewe

Rating: 4.5/5.0

Re-Read? This was such a quick read, I look forward to re-reading it.
Recommend? Yes! To any other paranormal lover out there. Someone who is looking for a break from love stories.
Release date: September 15th, 2009
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 256

Synopsis:

Cass McKenna much prefers ghosts over “breathers.” Ghosts are uncomplicated and dependable, and they know the dirt on everybody…and Cass loves dirt. She’s on a mission to expose the dirty secrets of the poseurs in her school.

But when the vice president of the student council discovers her secret, Cass’s whole scheme hangs in the balance. Tim wants her to help him contact his recently deceased mother, and Cass reluctantly agrees.

As Cass becomes increasingly entwined in Tim’s life, she’s surprised to realize he’s not so bad—and he needs help more desperately than anyone else suspects. Maybe it’s time to give the living another chance….

My Thoughts:

When I first picked up Give Up The Ghost, I knew I was in for a surprise. I had never really read many stories about ghosts and so I was instantly interested. And boy, did this one surprise me.

The characters and the relationships between them were important throughout the novel. You really had to pay attention to back story to really understand everyone's stance on everyone else. Even Cass's ghostly friends and her relationship with them needs to be noted. My favorite relationship was between Cass and her older sister Paige. It really came together the more you read, which was interesting. Funny how death can bring you together.

Something that took me by surprise was the lack of a love story. After reading the synopsis, I guess I just assumed there was going to be something going on between Tim and Cass, and in the future there might, but definitely not in this novel. Maybe it is just the way I interpreted it, but I actually really liked this about Give Up The Ghost. With YA nowadays, you have certain expectations on what should be included and what shouldn't and usually a love story is a give in. This book is unique in the way that it took its own approach to a relationship between a boy and a girl-- and I really enjoyed it.

Megan Crewe cleverly crafted the plot so that it was well developed and never really confused me. The pace was set at a good rate that kept me on my feet, but still able to put it down to get some lunch. I can not wait to read more from her in the future, for Give Up The Ghost was an excellent addition to the YA market.

Details:

Cover: 5.0
Plot: 4.5
Characters: 4.5
Writing: 4.0