Ever since I finished THE GHOST AND THE GOTH I was eagerly waiting for the sequel. The blurbs and info on the net only made me want to read it more because, quite frankly, I love Will and Alona. Together, individually, bickering, snarking...they caught my attention like few couples seem to.

The addition of the 'Order', a secret society/business who played Ghostbusters for science and profit, was definitely interesting. It gave Will a new perspective. Undeniably when Alona convinced him to help the Dead pass on, it was a reckless choice with little thought to the particulars or consequences. Given that he had no other knowledge...well it made sense. The 'Order' though was a whole new player. They saw the ghosts as 'echoes', imitations who needed to either be dispersed and studied or made to disappear for good.

Mina, the Order member in training, rubbed me the wrong way. I have to agree with Alona on this, she was a witch (with a b) and worse then Alona. Alona might be selfish, manipulative and thoughtless, but she has changed. Not completely, and she definitely has many moments of thoughtlessness, but I'd trust her over Mina any day.

Will meanwhile is confused by just about everything and everyone. He learns more about his father, and how similar the two of them are to each other, learns that there is more to this 'Ghost Talking' thing then just, well, talking to them.

The back and forth first person narrative works well to give a rounded impression to the plot once more, though I felt as if Alona was given more direction this book. Objectively speaking I think she learns more about herself then Will does--the root of her issues in life and death. The complication that arises after her and Will fight forces her to face some unhappy truths.

I wonder what the third book will bring. There are...very spoilery developments that happen in the last half that could get very messy very fast. Actually things are already pretty messy and for the first time in a long time I want to be like 'sudden deus ex machina--genie grants three wishes and Lily lives and Alona lives and the world is perfect!' because I don't want anyone to be hurt. I worry that there will be hurting involved. ( )

Shortly after book 1 leaves off, book 2 picks up...

Alona, who has been sent back from the light, is now supposed to help other ghosts find their peace. The only problem with that is 1. She doesn't have the best personality for helping and 2. her parents start finding their own kind of peace a little too soon for her likings and all hell breaks loose.

Will, who now has Alona as his spirit guide (and maybe more), meets up with a group of people that are actually like him!! (Yes there are other ppl who can see/hear ghosts besides him and his deceased father!!) But the joy is soon smothered when he realizes these people (The Order-- kinda Harry Potterish of a name if you ask me) don't have the same views on the dead as he does.

For a #2 book in a series this book was awesome!!! Was I wild about the turn it took with Alona? Not really.... but that's ok, I can get over it because it still made me love Will and Alona. I can't wait to read [b:Body and Soul|12346737|Body and Soul (The Ghost and the Goth, #3)|Stacey Kade|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1319990136s/12346737.jpg|17326110]!

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Don't get me wrong, I loved [b:Queen Of The Dead|9504214|Queen of the Dead (The Ghost and the Goth, #2)|Stacey Kade|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292644655s/9504214.jpg|14184077] but sometimes I wish authors would just keep it simples you know?



Over & Out, T xx ( )

Don't get me wrong, I loved [b:Queen Of The Dead|9504214|Queen of the Dead (The Ghost and the Goth, #2)|Stacey Kade|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1292644655s/9504214.jpg|14184077] but sometimes I wish authors would just keep it simples you know?



Over & Out, T xx ( )

Queen of the Dead is the second book in an ongoing series about a dead cheerleader and the quiet "goth" boy who can see and hear her. The series is delightful, and the characters are likeable and relatable.

In the second book, the relationship between the main characters becomes more complex, in that Alona needs Will more and he is starting to become more independent. Will has always been very unsure of himself and has felt like his "gift" is more of a disability. When Alona came into his life, he started to realize that there are ways to make it more manageable and to feel good about it.

Of course, right when they start to get a groove going- both personally and with a mission to help other ghosts, another girl comes into his life and makes things more complicated. Her views on the gift completely contradict the principles that the two protagonists have come to believe in, and it makes Will wonder if her way makes more sense.

This book wraps some pretty big issues and questions in a very palatable and enjoyable package. Unlike some of the very shallow paranormal romance out for teens these days, there is a message here, and it is a thought-provoking one. Teens (and adults) will love this book, and it would make a great addition to any collection.
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