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Kitty Slade #3
Venus Rocks
Hey, Kitty Slade here. Just hanging out, doing ordinary things. You know, like seeing ghosts. It’s been happening for a while now, but this time – this time is different…
When Kitty sees a ghost ship, she knows her spooky powers are growing stronger. Plunged into a dark mystery from long a go, she soon encounters Beth, a lost soul who drowned on board. Kitty must uncover the secrets buried at the bottom of the sea – before it’s too late…
When Kitty sees a ghost ship, she knows her spooky powers are growing stronger. Plunged into a dark mystery from long a go, she soon encounters Beth, a lost soul who drowned on board. Kitty must uncover the secrets buried at the bottom of the sea – before it’s too late…
- GenresFantasy
216 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2012
2 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Dunbar
46 books44 followersFiona Dunbar is a British author. She was born in 1961 in Hemel Hempstead and as well as being a writer, she is also an illustrator and a graphic artist. She has written and sometimes illustrated books such as the Silk Sisters trilogies and Toon-Head. Her books, The Lulu Baker trilogies, have also been adapted to become a children's TV series called Jinx.
She now lives in Brooklyn, NY.
She now lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 14, 2022
*3.5*
January 4, 2025
I loved this story I really enjoyed it immensely
February 5, 2012
A great central character and fabulous voice make this a great read. Recommended for older children and younger teens (and adults too...).
NB: Since this is the third in the series, this review may contain spoilers for books one and two.
This is the first Kitty Slade book I've read. It will not be the last. Do you need to know more? :) Just in case you do...
By this, the third book in the series, Kitty is fairly comfortable with her ability to see ghosts (known as phantorama in the story), but she is quite surprised to see a whole ghost ship. This story takes place in Cornwall and is steeped in the lore of shipwrecks and pirates associated with the area. I like that the family live in a camper van (known as The Hippo), which gives Dunbar more flexibility with settings and additional characters. They are certainly a quirky family, and Kitty's abilities (and the issue of who knows and who doesn't - it's inherited from her late Mum so can't be a complete secret) make for some interesting family relationships.
The story is narrated by Kitty, so we get to enjoy her individual point of view and entertaining voice. She appears confident and sassy, but her narration allows us to see some less confident feelings and to sympathise with her. Some sections are presented as Kitty's blog, which she maintains privately like a diary to set out and explore her feelings. I also enjoyed her interaction with other characters, including her quirky-bordering-on-weird Grandmother Maro and her cousin Ashley, who lives a much more normal teen life including a cute crush.
Although there are scary moments, this is not a creepy ghost story - more like junior urban fantasy than horror. The lively voice and the confidence of the children in their investigations ensures that it is on the lighter side and would be unlikely to terrify any delicate souls.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it (and the series).
NB: Since this is the third in the series, this review may contain spoilers for books one and two.
This is the first Kitty Slade book I've read. It will not be the last. Do you need to know more? :) Just in case you do...
By this, the third book in the series, Kitty is fairly comfortable with her ability to see ghosts (known as phantorama in the story), but she is quite surprised to see a whole ghost ship. This story takes place in Cornwall and is steeped in the lore of shipwrecks and pirates associated with the area. I like that the family live in a camper van (known as The Hippo), which gives Dunbar more flexibility with settings and additional characters. They are certainly a quirky family, and Kitty's abilities (and the issue of who knows and who doesn't - it's inherited from her late Mum so can't be a complete secret) make for some interesting family relationships.
The story is narrated by Kitty, so we get to enjoy her individual point of view and entertaining voice. She appears confident and sassy, but her narration allows us to see some less confident feelings and to sympathise with her. Some sections are presented as Kitty's blog, which she maintains privately like a diary to set out and explore her feelings. I also enjoyed her interaction with other characters, including her quirky-bordering-on-weird Grandmother Maro and her cousin Ashley, who lives a much more normal teen life including a cute crush.
Although there are scary moments, this is not a creepy ghost story - more like junior urban fantasy than horror. The lively voice and the confidence of the children in their investigations ensures that it is on the lighter side and would be unlikely to terrify any delicate souls.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and would definitely recommend it (and the series).
December 22, 2023
Book Review- Venus Rocks by Fiona Dunbar
Middle Grade, Ghostly Mystery
Kitty sees ghosts and in this book (the third in the series) she meets a very distressed teen ghost that needs her help.
Set in Cornwall, with fantastic descriptions of Cornish scenery, this spooky mystery follows Kitty, her brother and sister and cousin Ashley, as they try to uncover the mystery of the ‘Venus’ a ghostly ship.
Kitty, who lives in a camper van, is a caring character with lots of resilience. Her adventures are not too scary, but there are a few ‘eeew’ moments, especially if you enjoy ghostly snot.
A great ghostly adventure.
Middle Grade, Ghostly Mystery
Kitty sees ghosts and in this book (the third in the series) she meets a very distressed teen ghost that needs her help.
Set in Cornwall, with fantastic descriptions of Cornish scenery, this spooky mystery follows Kitty, her brother and sister and cousin Ashley, as they try to uncover the mystery of the ‘Venus’ a ghostly ship.
Kitty, who lives in a camper van, is a caring character with lots of resilience. Her adventures are not too scary, but there are a few ‘eeew’ moments, especially if you enjoy ghostly snot.
A great ghostly adventure.
January 24, 2012
This series is amazing!
Wow.
Wow.
March 25, 2012
I liked but it got a bit confusing sometimes, but it is very good and creepy,so those who like creepy books it is the one for you and the age group is good.
November 11, 2012
The third book in the series and I did like it but it was very hard to read, out of all of them this wouldn't be my number one
November 2, 2013
Amazing I liked the first two and this is as good as the others. Slow at start but soon the story gets going.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews