Spirit Walk

Walk #1-2

by Richie Tankersley Cusick

Omnibus containing both books in the Walk series:

Walk of the Spirits:
When Miranda Barnes first sees the sleepy town of St. Yvette, Louisiana, with its moss-draped trees, above-ground cemeteries, and her grandfather’s creepy historic home, she realizes that life as she knew it is officially over. Almost immediately, there seems to be something cloying at her. Something lonely and sad and . . . very pressing. Even at school and in the group project she’s been thrown into, she can’t escape it. Whispers when she’s alone, shadows when no one is there to make them, and a distant pleading voice that wakes her from sleep. The other members in Miranda’s group project, especially handsome Etienne, can see that Miranda is in distress. She is beginning to understand that, like her grandfather before her, she has a special gift of communicating with spirits who still walk the town of St. Yvette. And no matter where she turns, Miranda feels bound by their whispered pleas for help . . . unless she can somehow find a way to bring them peace.

Shadow Mirror:
Unsettling. There's no better word to describe Miranda Barnes's ability to hear the cries of the dead, feel the wind move her hair when they run by, and - dare she look into a mirror - see the reflection of a ghostly woman behind her. There's only one person to turn to for support: Etienne. As sexy as he is mysterious, Miranda can't help but be drawn to him. He believes her; he wants to help her. But there's a secret in Etienne's past, something Miranda's on the verge of discovering. As paranormal activity escalates, passion grows, and soon Miranda is caught up in both love . . . and tragedy.

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal, Horror, Fantasy, Romance, Mystery, Young Adult Paranormal

704 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Richie Tankersley Cusick is the bestselling young adult author of over 25 titles, including two adult horror titles, Scarecrow and Blood Roots. Her popularity grew at the height of the horror/YA boom in the late '80s/early '90s, particularly with books like Lifeguard , Trick or Treat and Teacher's Pet, just to name a few, allowing her to keep company on the bestseller paperback lists with the likes of R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. Her fan base expanded about the time she changed publishers to Archway/Pocket Books with titles like Vampire and Someone at the Door.

Reviews

[Riss · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in a long time. It wasnt what I was expecting when I picked it up but it didn't dissapoint me in the least.

There were times where I laughed out loud, times when I myself was blushing right alongside the characters and the writting was just good. It wasnt boring or sluggish in the least. Even though its a rather thick book I didnt want it to end.

I think I'll be looking up more books by this author.

[Audrey Fanshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated this as a five, but would give it anywhere between a four and a five. As much as I love this book I have to agree that the end left a lot of questions: what happens to Ashley and Parker? What about Gage and Etienne and their relationship with Miranda? And my most pressing question: what on earth happens to Gage and Etienne's mom???? As an author I understand how that can make a book even that much more intriguing, but in this case it left too many holes for my poor mind to get over. I will be dwelling on this book for weeks to come I guarantee it. All in all a good read and one of the most heartrending and well written books I have read. A must read.

[Shelby Moreland · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave the Spirit Walk three stars because although I liked the storyline, the story was slow. I thought the different personalities of the characters were unique, especially since they are supposed to be the “popular group”. In the beginning of the book it was slow and hard to get into because the author was describing about Miranda and her family. I also thought the Spirit Walk wasn’t captivating and immaturely written.

[Isabella Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved these books, all I can say. Although the characters who I really wish were real are Etienne and Parker, love them both. The one thing about these books is that it left a LOT of questions about everyone, so I really hope there is a third and even a fourth.

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed? Meeehhhh...yeah.
Miranda inherits the family gift of being able to hear and see ghosts and gains the responsibility of helping them find peace. More so, her newfound friends decide to jump on her bandwagon without asking. A well-characterized introvert partnered with a few extroverts, a teasing allure that goes nowhere, an emo-jealous rat? Yeah..that's going well.
This was a struggle. There wasn't enough attention to the ghost-paranormal storylines and the characters, though individually sticking out very well, were just too much. Etienne came off as such a tease to Miranda and that was aggravating on so many levels. Sneaking into her bedroom like it ain't no thing, flirting with her, getting close....then he acts like none of that happened. Literally. Poof! Like, what!? And fracking Roo being a petty, jealous, twitch? I don't have time for you, girl. Get gone and stop lying to everyone and yourself about having no feeling for Gage. Ugh.
The writing and storylines were all over the place and I lost interest because there just wasn't enough background in certain areas from ghosts to characters to places to keep me actually interested let alone trying to enjoy this.


Full review here:
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[Viv · Rating 4 out of 5]

One the best paranormal story I have read so far. I even wanted to call on sick at work so I didn't have to put the book down. I loved both books of the Spirit Walk series.
Walk of the spirits at the beginning give me the sensation I was seeing an episode of Ghost Whisperer but much more beautiful in detail and voice. What got me in to reading this book was my personal experience with the paranormal, I like with Miranda had to move to another place with completely strangers, but I had experience ghostly encounters in my home town in Mexico something Miranda didn't experienced until she and her mother moved to St. Yvette My friend and I used to do something like the Ghost walk or like Ashley name it Walk of the Spirits in our neighborhood. Sometimes we heard rounds like moaning, crying; but on one occasion we saw a shadowed human figure floating on a small corn field. It scared the crap out of us, just like Miranda with her first encounters with the paranormal phenomena. This first Spirit Walk book brought some old but beautiful memories of true friendship. This story was romantic like Ashley said about their ghost walk because it illustrates the true nature of friendship and the sacrifices we endure sometimes for that friendship. Walk of the Spirits made me feel all kinds of different emotions. Frustration was one that got me by surprise, when Miranda was asking for help from her Grandpa and he said “Listen, Miranda…watch” I wanted to scream at her that it was the watch that he didn't want her to watch. But then, she figured it out just like her grandfather always did. I felt so sad for Nathan. Oh Nathan! He only wanted to protect his Ellena. They resemble so much with Ashley and Parker; and I think that was the intention Cusick wanted to. I think she wanted her readers to know that love never truly dies, and the maybe it reincarnates with another couple. All the characters grab you and make you what to be part of the group.
On Shadow Mirror a whole new adventure and new scares awaits Miranda and his friends. I could not stop crying in some parts of this book. It was so touching and beautiful that make me feel of warm and fussy inside. Oh poor Etienne, he suffer so much in the inside. I am so glad he got Miranda with him. I love how Miranda and Etienne’s relationship gets stronger. Also, the bond between Miranda and Parker seems to be growing because they aren't so different. The tragic story of Miranda’s ghost at Belle Chandelle broke my heart and some what make me feel like there is this kind of reincarnation between the ghost and Etienne, Gage and Miss Nell again. And what to say about the secret between them, the love of a mom has no limits. Shadow Mirror leaves you ending with the hope of a third book.
Overall, I love southern plots. This series was amazing, so romantic not only in the sense of a couple but the love between friends. I can’t wait to read this heart melting, fascinating and beautiful story again.
Now, after reading the first book, I want to begin my own research of the secrets and dark history of the small town I moved in. I want to find out what happening the house I live in, because the paranormal it’s part of this house.I have seen the little girl who appears to be six years old. Like Miranda said in book number 2, Shadow mirror:
the answer’s waiting for me.
At some unknown time…but soon.
In some unknown place …but close .

[Annika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book overall. I mean, I didn't really expect the romance for whatever reason. I mainly wanted to read the book because of the whole mystery-solving-ghost-thing, not the romance. There wasn't that much, but I just really don't like it when the pans out like the main character moved to a place they've never been, and they magically meet a group of people where everyone evens everyone out. Also, there was the fact that she met two apparently gorgeous dudes in the same group, and so naturally, she was torn between the both of them, but she eventually chose the guy that snuck into her room on a seemingly nightly basis, which I consider creepy. There's also the fact that he also showed up whenever she needed to talk to him, which makes me think that he has telepathic powers, or it's just something that happens because it's a romance/ghost book, and in romances, everything works out, but it's just really silly to me.

I didn't really like how Miranda, once she found out about Etienne's scars and stuff, how like, she kept thinking about them, and feeling bad for him, and making a big deal about them. I mean, I don't really have any scars, but I'm sure that I would feel annoyed at least if someone kept pointing them out and stuff. Plus there was the fact that he has bad memories that go along with having those scars, so pointing them out would remind him of said memories.

I also thought it was weird how Gage seemed to automatically know that Miranda had sex with Etienne. How does one know by instantly? I thought he was being a tad bit butthurt about the matter, I mean, Gage never actually did anything to indicate that he was interested in Miranda, or at least not that I remember reading. It was a good thing that he got over it quickly when she was in danger, but still.

And whatever happened to Ashley's crisis of boyfriends? Did she just ditch Kurt? Is she having an affair with Kurt? Was she planning to break up with Parker for Kurt? Or did she just get over Kurt, decided that Parker, the guy who doesn't really want to be on the football team, and is *very* close to being kicked off the team, and has parental issues, (not to mention some unexplained power, that basically saved Miranda's life!) was better for her?

And I guess Roo faded out into insignificance, because she's not hooked up with anyone?

Part of me kinda hoped that there would be more books, because she only helped 5 ghosts in 2 situations, and I thought, seeing as she has this power, she would help more ghosts. But the second group of ghosts she helped, their story was pretty tragic. A mom and her two sons suffering from yellow fever, trapped in the attic, and the mom had already died, knowing that her two sons would die alone, without her. That was very sad, definitely. And it sort of went hand in hand with what was going on in her time, but more towards the end of book.

I really did like the book, I was just sometimes confused on what was going on, and like with most romance books I've read (not many), the romance just seems unnecessary. Or put in at the wrong time. I mean, if it wasn't Miranda that had the ghost powers, and someone else, I doubt that she and Etienne would be making out when that other person was trapped in a mirror.

[Natasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book read by this arthur and loved it. Going to read others by her. This Book was definitly a page turner. But like the other reviews it left a lot of questions at the end on what is happening with the other characters. Hoping for a third.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far so good i like the setting, Ghost Whisperer kind of feel.....okay now I have read it, I really liked it.

[Jill Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put these books down. Here is to hoping for another amazing book in the remarkable series.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some slow spots but otherwise a really good read. I wish there was more interaction with Etienne because those were my favorite written parts.

[Ramonita Perez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book hoping for a third, felt like I was left hanging with all the characters..,,

[Kendra Dodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it . but wish it didn't end. hoping there will be another.

[Katrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a very interesting take on a somewhat overdone concept. Miranda is a 17 year old girl who had to move her home in Florida up to her grandfather's hometown of St. Yvette, Louisiana with her mom due to a hurricane. It's there that her ability to communicate with spirits begins to make itself known and she has to rely on her new friends to help her lay these lost souls to rest.

Instead of the stereotypical sees-ghosts-like-they're-real-people trope, Miranda doesn't generally flat-out sees ghosts but instead gets senses and impressions from them, along with the occasional memory, of what they need in order to move on. That puts a really interesting twist on things since it involves a lot of inference on her part of what she needs to do. I really appreciated this change compared to other books of a similar nature and it made for a very engaging read.

There was, of course, the very needed love triangle between Miranda and two cousins. Gage, the all around American boy, and Etienne, a.k.a. Mr. Tall, Dark, and Mysterious. She likes both of them and there's some angst since they're cousins and she doesn't want to hurt them or their relationship but it's not the main focus of the story so it didn't get too obnoxious. Plus, it gets pretty clear early on in the series who she's going to pick so...

All in all, this is a great read and I'm very sad that there isn't going to be another book since I would love to see more of these characters!!

[Chy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only read the first book of the two Walk Of The Spirits and after finishing that I had absolutely no desire to read the second book.

I had such a hard time getting into this book. The summary sounded so good and like exactly the kind of book that was my style.

Young adult? Check!

Takes place in a small town where spooky things are happening/the town has ghosts? Double check!

So why didn't I get sucked into this book? Good question and one that I'm not quite sure about.

The writing was fine. The characters were okay if a little cliche. New girl to town, two heartthrob characters, the cliche southern belle, the quarterback, the goth. Sounds like a bad version of The Breakfast Club, but anyways I felt the characters were a little too one dimensional and I was given no reason to care about any of them.

I think my biggest annoyance with this book was all the italics the author used for emphasis in the dialogue. It was so overdone it not only got repetitive it got annoying! There would be two sometimes three words emphasized in one sentence or line of dialogue. Clearly nobody ever told the author less is more.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the second book more than the first; they’re highly readable books. There are horrible details of death and torment, but they don’t overwhelm the book. I like the recurring places and the individual character profiles. I especially like the details of the area. The second book deals more with the adults in town, which I appreciate. I feel that they didn’t appear enough in the first book. The bombshell at the end of book two was a little unexpected, and I don’t know why it was inserted the way it was, although I like the information. The second book also incorporated more school stuff. I appreciate the consistency that grew in the second half. These books aren’t what I though they would be at all, but I’m not mad.

[Jennifer Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written story about lost, tragedy, secrets, and romance all surrounding a past of small town and a group of kids from the present who try and help the poor souls of the past. All in all, it's a good story. Shadow mirror part 2 of this story was written just as well as the 1st. It continued with the storyline and kept to the true characters. Even with the plot twist, they decided to just go and throw at us at the end.

[Anna-Leigh Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was by far the best 3 dollars I have ever spent. While browsing the shelves of a used book store, I stumbled upon this gem of a book. Spirits, Louisiana, cute boys! All things I love in a supernatural read! That characters were well written, passionate and witty. The scenes were described so vividly that I felt I was really in this story. I highly recommend!

[Cortney · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. I really like supernatural and the ability to talk with spirits types of books. I felt like it possibly could have been a bit better. Sometimes was hard to keep concentration on the story for me.

[Bri · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was great i couldn’t put it down
but when the second book started it was almost the same as the first books beginning that’s what made my five a four but other then that i would recommend this book to anyone

[Joyce Tomala · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about some of the history of a small Louisiana town. Miranda struggles to fit in with new friends after her and her mom lose everything and are forced to move from Florida. She also struggles with the stigma of being different and what others view as mental illness.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I’m honestly just mad I finished it because I needed more.

[Destiny Chall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember really liking this book.

[Samantha Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book 3 or 4 times and I will continue to read it over and over again in my life time.

[Emma-Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Waaaaay too much focus on the high school drama/teen angst/ love triangle. I was really hoping for a way more ghosty book.

Also, Parker sucked and Ashley should have dumped him by like page 10.

[Breanna Holley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book at a store named Ollie’s n I thought it maybe good for wasn’t sure and turns out it was good n it is one of my favorite books and a definite must read

[Asha R · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the book Spirit Walk by Richie Tankersley Cusick, a girl named Miranda moves to St. Yvette after a hurricane destroys her house in Florida. During her first couple of days at her new high school, Miranda was considered a misfit until a group of popular kids picked her to be in their group for a school project.

Miranda had never met her grandpa, even after she started living in a house with him. So when Roo, her new friend from the popular group, asked her what it was like to live with her crazy relative, she was confused and started to wonder why her mom really didn’t want her to meet her grandpa. After accidently meeting her grandpa one night, her life is suddenly filled with ghosts and spirits that need her help. I think that just the thought of someone having to talk to spirits and figure out the truth of the past is what kept me interested in the book because as I read, I would never know when she was going to talk to a ghost again. I was very anxious to see what a spirit would tell her about the mystery of how they died.

The main character, Miranda Barnes, has a hard time trusting others to help her talk to spirits. On one page after someone at the lunch table says that they know about Miranda seeing ghost, Miranda turns to the only person she told, her grandpa’s friend Etienne, and says, “You . . . told them? You told them what happened?” I think this passage shows the reason why she takes so long to actually trust her new friends because she lost the trust of Etienne when he told the rest of his friends she saw a ghost. Miranda also never gives up. Even after countless times of her friend Parker making rude jokes about seeing ghosts, because he doesn’t believe they are real, she still trusts her instincts to solve a mystery surrounding the past. In one paragraph Parker says “Well I don’t believe her. I don’t believe any of ya’ll, and I think you’re all crazy.” I used this passage as an example because the things that Parker said about ghosts and spirits were mostly negative or joking and he said these hurtful things throughout the book. Miranda just kept up with helping spirits because she knew it was the right thing to do. I personally liked Miranda because she wasn’t going to let anyone stop her from helping the spirits no matter how much it scared her. Reading about her bravery in this book has given me the belief that anyone can overcome their fears and that people shouldn’t let their fears run their mind. I didn’t like Parker at most points because of his attitude because he acted like he was the best thing to walk the earth and didn’t appreciate the things he had. At some points during the story, Parker showed his true self and his feelings, and those were the only moments I actually liked Parker in this book because I like it when people are themselves and aren’t acting like someone else to look cool.

The genre of this book is young adult fiction because it’s about high school and spirits. I have read many books of this genre and I like them alot because to me, none of them are ever the same. I think the theme of this book is learning to cope with disaster and trust others. The author made Miranda grow closer to her friends throughout the whole book until she was finally able to fully trust them. I also liked how the author made each person in the group have different styles and personalities, because they were supposed to be the “popular” group and people usually portray the kids in that group to all act the same way and think the same way. This book is like the book Born At Midnight by C.C. Hunter, because the main character Kylie sees ghosts and has to figure out what she is from her dead father, and pass on the spirits’ last wishes so that the spirits will be able to move into heaven. I gave the book Spirit Walk 4 out of 5 stars because I loved the characters of the story, what they had to go through, and all of the conflicts Miranda had to face.

[Janie Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a bind up of two books called Walk of the Spirits and Shadow Mirror. I did not find these to be as good as her Unseen series but they were good enough to read through both of them.

Walk of the Spirits

In this story we have Miranda who just survived hurricane Katrina and has moved to another town called St. Yvette and discovers that she has special talents to see, help and speak to the dead. At first she is pretty unsettled over this whole affair but gradually is able to handle things and help those on the other side who have lost their way. In the midst of this she makes some great friends who try their best to help her while they put together a project called Walk of the spirits for school. They learn a lot more about Miranda's abilities and who she is supposed to help.

I think that this story is more plot driven with some good bits of history thrown in. It had a good tale to tell but I felt like it lacked depth and did not have enough action or excitement. I think it could have been so much more than it was. The love triangle in this story Between Gage, Miranda and Etienne just felt odd to me, kind of off. It did not seem like any of them really wanted to fight for anyone which made it feel pretty unrealistic and really kind of non existent.

The cast of characters were pretty good, with plenty of protagonists, but it lacked antagonists. I feel like a good story needs both good and bad characters to be successful. However, my favorite character ended up being Roo. She is quite the girl. She is strong, vocal, and sometimes annoying, but she knows what she wants and she is not afraid to speak her mind. It really bothered me that there were no villains in this book and I think it would have been so much better with bad guys running amuck.

I rated this first story 3 stars because it flowed pretty well, and I feel there was enough to keep my interest and to continue on to the next story in the bind up.

Shadow Mirror

In this story we have all of the same characters plus a couple new ones, but still no villains of any kind. This one I felt was better than Walk of the Spirtis. It has more action and excitement and still more plot driven than character driven. Miranda discovers new spirits that she needs to help by way of mirrors and a plantation called Belle Chandelle.

I liked the premise of this story much more than the first story. I think it flowed better and had a better, more exciting tale to tell. A lot more was going on in this one and it had a creepier air to the story. I do like how the story carried over from the other one and improved in doing so. It felt a bit more realistic.

The characters were pretty much the same although they did grow a little bit. I still think it would have been better if we would have had a villain of some sort in the story. The love triangle was still quite dull until more towards the end of the book, so it is not very memorable at all. I feel like the characters were just playing each other, and not just the ones in the love triangle.

I rated this story a 4 star based on the excitement of the plot which gives my overall rating of the book a 3.5 stars. If you want a YA ghost story than this is probably good for you, but if you want a believable creepy tale you might need to try something else like her Unseen Series which I feel is much better than this one.

[Cyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spirit walk is the title given to the series by Richie Tankersley Cusick and it is made up of book 1: Spirit Walk and book 2: Shadow Mirror. It follows Miranda who just moved to a new town, St.Yvette, Louisiana, following a disaster back home in Florida. Her mother moved them in with her aunt, whom Miranda loves but has never really seen, and her grandfather, a man her mother never speaks about. In this quirky little town Miranda somehow (she's not quite sure how it happens) ends up with five amazing new friends that are quickly becoming more like family. She also inherits the ability to communicate with the dead. As she deals with new feelings and situations she never could have dreamed up, two of Miranda's friends are unfailingly at her side and willing to offer her the possibility of something more than friendship. Miranda knows she can't have them both. She also can't help but realize that although the two best friends (and cousins) are wildly different there's something about both of them that she trusts, that makes her open up and feel comfortable.

I have a confession. I tend to read books like this: beginning, end, middle, end. I am terrible with suspense and have to read ahead to know what happens before I can calmly read the book. I had to do this during this book... more than once. Its suspenseful and intriguing and although I have not read all that many ghost books, this one always stands out for me. I love how it mingles history and the present. It leads you on an adventure by revealing things piece by piece. I also really enjoy the characters and how they're brought to life, especially Miranda's friends whom I quickly accepted and couldn't help but adore. There are many moments that are filled with playful banter and it was easy to get caught up in it. Sometimes, I caught myself feeling like Miranda must have at times―as though I had grown up with these friends and we all knew each other better than ourselves. I've never said this about a book before but I felt included.

I have one complaint about this book.The last bit felt rushed and, in my opinion, like it either needs a sequel really badly or more time should have been taken to gently round out the ending. One more short chapter (not Dan Brown short chapter but just a few pages) would have done it. (This is pretty much the only reason that I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5.)

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a hurricane demolishes her home, Miranda Barnes and her mother pack up whats left of their life and move to St. Yvette, Louisiana to live with Miranda’s grandfather and aunt. Miranda has never met her grandfather, even after days of living in the same vicinity as him. So when Miranda’s new group of friends question how its like to live with the Town Crazy, Miranda is thrust into a world filled with ghosts and spirits. Like her supposed crazy grandpa, Miranda is able to communicate with ghosts and spirits that need her help to move on.

It doesn’t help that there’s many spirits in St. Yvette, home to a vicious battle during the Civil War, where hundreds of spirits are at unrest. While worming on a school project, Miranda and her group of misfits team up to help some of these lost souls, particularly a soldier, Nathan, a soldier that was tortured and murdered during the Civil War, and his love, the actress Ellena Rose, who was a spy spilling Confederate secrets.

I really loved Cusick’s The Unseen series, because those were so chilling and we’re just as in the dark as the characters. Spirit Walk, however, lacks the suspense and the luster of The Unseen. A lot of it is slow, and much of the first book was just working on the school project Spirit Walk where Miranda and her friends put together a history of death and mayhem that has happened in buildings around town, and have a sort of ghost walk. If you’ve ever been to towns like Savannah, Georgia, these are fun little experiences to learn about the history of an old city.

In the second book of this two-parter tome, we find a whole new adventure with Miranda and her friends, especially Etienne. I usually don’t care much for minor characters, usually just one or two at most, but I loved all of Miranda’s friends. The typical Southern Belle, Ashley, whose voice is described as melted honey. Roo, the snarky goth chick whose entirely different from Ashley, but the two step-sisters are thicker than maple syrup. Parker, Ashley’s boyfriend and sarcastic rich boy. Gage, cute and shy, and his cousin Etienne, the drool worthy boy every YA book seems to have.

While it didn’t have the same zest as other books by Cusick, it had spirit all on it’s own.