The Ghost of the Wicked Crow

by Scott R. Welvaert

From grade school to junior year, Ian Wilder’s heart belongs to one person – his next-door neighbor and best friend Penelope Archer. To him, they match like the last two puzzle pieces across an infinite, jigsaw universe. Together, they spend every free moment in the outgrown treehouse adjoining their yards. There, under the dull glow of dying flashlights, Ian scribbles the words and Penelope paints the worlds from their imagination. From western shootouts with kooky outlaws or surviving a horde of alien zombies aboard a space station, their stories have always been more vivid than reality. But junior year hits harder. Their stories take a back seat to make out sessions under the sleeping bags of that old treehouse. And as these two puzzle pieces jostle closer to completing the universe, something changes. Penelope grows distant. Troubled. Bad dreams and unforgiving worry wrack her mind. And then, the unthinkable – a brain aneurysm. And Penelope’s gone.Ian cracks and succumbs to a walking state of catatonia. They were team. They had plans. A future. Together. How could he go on without her? When his parents drag him to her funeral, a hallucination of Penelope breaks through his madness. But it couldn’t be her. He saw her body in the casket. When Ian finally returns to school, a strange substitute teacher tells Ian that infinite realities exist across a multiverse, and worse, an alternate version of Penelope is in danger. He needs Ian’s help to navigate to a distant reality to save her from a world of blood-thirsty pirates. What more could Ian lose? His mind is already lost. But he could see her one more time. Or more. Ian doesn’t need an A in Calculus to figure this out. The Ghost of the Wicked Crow is a story about a teenager using his overactive imagination to cope with trauma. Can you solve your problems with the multiverse at your fingertips? Or does it fracture your psyche and family even further?

288 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2024

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8. The story was frustrating at times. While the reader should be able to figure it out it just left too many questions left unanswered. I thought the story line tangled with itself and knowing there is a sequel is not reassuring. It does very much nail teenage angst and confusion although i am not sure I believe that the imagination was still such a part of those lives. All in all an interesting premise with some fun twists and characters.
I received this ARC from Booksirens and am happy to leave this review

[Destiny Imperati · Rating 5 out of 5]

An epic multiverse YA novel
ARC Review ✨️
If you're looking to read a book that contains adventure, is a psychological thriller mixed with fantasy, has fantastic world building, and a bunch of plot twists, then I recommend giving this story a shot! The plot was easy to understand, and the characters were great!

[Lucian · Rating 5 out of 5]

What’s harder than battling scallywag pirates in the Infiniuum? Being a teenager, of course. This YA novel has the perfect blend of sci-fi and fantasy, while still deftly incorporating the drama of teenage life back home and in the multiverse. On top on that, this novel has enough twists and turns to out-maneuver a careening ship.

[Abhay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚫️Scott R. Welvaert's The Ghost of the Wicked Crow is an action-packed, brain-twisting ride through the limitless potential of the multiverse. Full of adventure, tragedy, and self-discovery, this book seamlessly weaves together sci-fi, fantasy, and emotional resonance into a tale that will not be forgotten.

⚫️The novel centers around Ian Wilder, a seventeen-year-old whose world is broken by tragedy. His connection with his best friend and girlfriend in childhood, Penelope, forms the core of his universe—until it is all turned around. While Ian grapples with loss and reality, he is catapulted into the multiverse, where infinite possibilities exist for existence. A cryptic substitute teacher presents Ian with the opportunity to change something in a different world, one of blood-crazed pirates, and Ian goes on a journey that compels him to face his hurt and purpose.

⚫️Welvaert's prose is evocative and engaging, transporting readers into every alternate reality with breathtaking detail. The book shifts between the intense feelings of loss and the thrilling adventures of multiverse travel seamlessly. The characters are interesting, and Ian's journey is believable—his conflicts, his relationships, and his inner struggles are deeply human.

⚫️What makes The Ghost of the Wicked Crow stand out is its capacity for blending action-paced excitement with philosophical complexity. It poses strong questions regarding destiny, free will, and the influence of imagination. Can flight from adventure mend a shattered heart? Or does it lead to greater disconnection from reality? Ian's adventure in the Infiniuum is not merely a sci-fi page-turner—it's a tale of transformation, perseverance, and the abiding strength of love and imagination.

⚫️For fans of multiversal adventures, coming-of-age tales, and stories that tug at the heartstrings, The Ghost of the Wicked Crow is a must-read. Scott R. Welvaert delivers a captivating and emotional experience that lingers long after the final page.

Happy reading ❤️✨

[Jithendra Jithu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ghost of the Wicked Crow (The Lost Zenith Book 1) – Scott R. Welvaert

Rating:5/5

Review:

👉 A breathtaking mix of love, loss, and the limitless possibilities of the multiverse! This book is an emotional rollercoaster, blending deep grief with a thrilling adventure that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

👉Seventeen-year-old Ian Wilder had a perfect world—his best friend and first love, Penelope Archer, by his side, and their endless imagination fueling stories of space zombies and outlaw duels in their childhood treehouse. But when Penelope suddenly dies from a brain aneurysm, Ian’s world crumbles. He withdraws into himself, drowning in grief, unable to see a way forward. 💔

👉Then something strange happens. Ian starts seeing Penelope—not just in memories, but in ways that feel too real. When a mysterious substitute teacher tells him that infinite realities exist, Ian faces an impossible question: Could there be another world where Penelope is still alive? And if so, will he risk everything to find her?

🏴‍☠️⚔️ His search takes him into a reality filled with bloodthirsty pirates and unimaginable dangers, pushing him beyond his limits. But as he fights to uncover the truth, Ian realizes that the multiverse isn’t just a playground of possibilities—it’s a test of who he truly is and what he’s willing to sacrifice.

📚 This book hits hard. The raw emotion of Ian’s grief is beautifully written, making his journey through alternate realities all the more powerful. The world-building is incredible, filled with vivid, immersive settings and action-packed moments. It’s Stranger Things meets The Midnight Library, with a sci-fi twist that keeps you turning the pages.

👉The Ghost of the Wicked Crow is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, and unforgettable read. If you love stories that challenge reality while tugging at your heartstrings, this one is a must-read!

Happy reading 😁

#bookreview

[Blake Hoena · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Ghost of the Wicked Crow, Welvaert does many unexpected things.

For starters, he provides a more understandable explanation of the multiverse (or the Infiniuum as he calls it) than any of the Marvel movies I've seen or many of the other science fiction books I've read.

On top of that, he's created a genre-bending story that is part adventure (with pirates), part science fiction (with a journey across the multiverse), part lesson in pop culture (with numerous movie mentions), part love story (with the protagonist, Ian Wilder, searching the Infiniuum for an alternate version of Penelope Archer, the girl he loves), part coming of age story (with high schooler Ian having so much in life to figure out and doing so in awkward fashion), and part psychological thriller (with events leading Ian to having a mental breakdown).

The story hits you from all angles, never lets up and is never predictable.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows Ian in his day-to-day routine with a classmate and school lessons. Suddenly the one person in Ian's life who means everything to him is gone and Ian functions on autopilot, struggling to comprehend the loss. Then the hallucinations start and Ian sees multiple Penelopes. Receiving the support from Steve, Ian learns about handling his friend's death and the importance of being there for his parents. This is a character-driven story as the narrative delves into Ian's mental state and motivation. This is also a very young story despite featuring heavy romantic activities early on in the book.


I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.