Title: Ruined: A Ghost StoryAuthor: Paula Morris
Publication date: August 1st, 2009
Summary: Rebecca Brown couldn't feel more out of place in New Orleans, where she comes to live while her dad is away on business. She's staying in a creepy house with her aunt Claudia, who reads tarot cards for a living. And at the snooty prep school, a pack of filthy-rich girls treat Rebecca like she's invisible. Only gorgeous, unavailable Anton Grey seems to give Rebecca the time of day, but she wonders if he's got a hidden agenda.
Then one night, among the oak trees in Lafayette Cemetery, Rebecca makes a friend. Sweet, mysterious Lisette is eager to show Rebecca the nooks and crannies of New Orleans. There's just one catch.
Lisette is a ghost.
A ghost with a deep, dark secret, and a serious score to settle.
As Rebecca learns more from her ghost friend - and as she begins to trust Anton Grey - she also uncovers startling truths about her own history. Will Rebecca be able to right the wrongs of the past, or has everything been ruined beyond repair?
Review:
What started off as a lighter story about a girl being sent to New Orleans while her father is in China, evolved into a thrilling page-turner at the end. Paula Morris uses vivid imagery so that I could clearly see everything in my head. At first, I was a bit confused/disinterested because it seemed like too many things were going on at once (Anton, Lisette, the parades, the cemetery, her father going to China, etc.). It was slow at quite a few points. But about 2/3 of the way through the book it all begins to come together, and then I couldn't put it down. There was also a lot of culture and history about New Orleans and the old-line families interspersed throughout the book, which I felt added depth and made the story more interesting. It's a great ghost story with a lot of history behind it.
Characters: 7/10
Plot: 8/10
Originality: 8/10
Writing: 8/10
Overall grade: B
11 comments:
First off, I love that this book takes place in New Orleans. I don't think I've ever really read a book in that setting! And the summary sounds so wicked cool!! I'm glad you liked it! Nice review. (:
The cover is really cool and it sounds really interesting!
I really want to read this book- it looks so good! I love ghost stories.!
I'm really interested by the fact that Rebecca can see ghosts and am curious to see how here view of New Orleans will differ from seeing it from a historical point-of-view. Plus there is a love plot line too! :)
I've heard really mixed things about this, so I am not sure what to think. I want to hope for the best because I love the cover. I think I'm most likely going to read it anyway because I can fit it into my Helluva Halloween challenge. We'll see.
Nice review! I like how you break down your ratings.
~Misty
I love those books where they start out slow and then you keep going and they grab you, and you're just engrossed. Stardust was like that for me.
This book has me intrigued by the cover, so beautiful, and then the story, definitely! Claudia is one of my favorite names. :)
How intriguing. I love books wih a New Orleans setting. New Orleans has such a rich history and I love reading about it in novels. What a lovely cover as well. Really fits the New Orleans setting.
I love ghost stories, and a ghost story set in New Orleans sounds even better! Even if this book is a bit confusing at first, I'll probably be reading it!
I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on this book, your review has intrigued me so I think I'm going to give it a go.
Great review
-Ashley
I'm glade you enjoy it many people have mix feelings about the book I've never been to New Orleans or know about the history so I'm glad thye book gets some of those points maybe i should give this book a try
Denise
I won this book a while back and finally got it in the mail this week. It sounds really good and I'm excited to read it. Thanks for the review.
~Briana
P.S. The cover is just GORGEOUS!
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