A Perfect Storm

Saranormal #10

by Phoebe Rivers

In the aftermath of a hurricane, Sara’s got a new secret—and an old crush—to decipher.

A hurricane hits the New Jersey shore, and while Sara’s hometown of Stellamar is spared from any major damage, things will still never be the same. At home, a spirit reveals to Sara that he has a secret about her mother...but then the spirit is spooked by the storm and leaves before Sara can find out more. Sara enlists the help of her best friend, Lily, and together they try to find out what other secrets might be hidden away in the old house.

At school, there are some new faces as kids from a neighboring town start attending Stellamar Middle School since their own school was damaged in the storm. One of the new kids is Mason, Sara’s summer crush. Will sparks continue to fly between Sara and Mason?

Genres: Paranormal, Ghosts, Middle Grade, Mystery, Fantasy, Childrens, Family

160 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2013

About the author

Phoebe Rivers had a brush with the paranormal when she was thirteen years old, and ever since then, she has been fascinated by people who see spirits and can communicate with them. In addition to her intrigue with all things paranormal, Phoebe also loves cats, French cuisine, and wiling her afternoons away in coffee shops writing stories. Phoebe has written dozens of middle-grade fiction books and is thrilled to now be exploring Sara’s paranormal world.

Reviews

[Rosemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series that is set in the fictional New Jersey shore town of Stellamar. I have not lived in New Jersey for two years, but reading this book brought back memories.

Several interesting things happened in this volume. First of all, the mystery of the Spirit of the gym teacher - Coach Barkus - that has bothered Sara since the beginning of the series has finally been solved. He only wanted Sara to give a message to the love of his life. In response to his request, Sara visits Miss Evelyn Diamond and gives her the message. Barkus loved her and wanted to marry her - but died before he was able to tell her. It's a very sweet scene.

Next, a hurricane hits the Jersey Shore. When there is storm damage to a neighboring middle school, some kids must transfer to Stellamar Middle School for the duration of the semester. One of the transfer students is Mason, Sara's current crush and the boy she has shared her secret with. Mason also has paranormal powers, and while they bonded over that, there are complications now that they are trying to get to know each other as average kids would.

The storm also brings a Sailor Spirit, Duggan, to Sara's house. Duggan sometimes appears in the blue bedroom and Sara has avoided that room. But now she finds out that the Spirit knew her mom and has a message for her from her mom! It is revealed that Sara's mom, Natalie, left a journal in the house. This was very unexpected and the book ends with Sara searching the whole house and finally finding the journal under a floorboard in the small cupboard of the blue bedroom.

I only have one book to go in this series and I am both looking forward to it and not - I really don't want this series to end!

[Clara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mouahahah ! Just Mouahahah !

[Jess - The Hexed Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another super cute one and this one ended on a cliffhanger!

[Karol · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Perfect Storm was intriguing to read because Sara had her first experience with a hurricane and she dealt with matters of the heart and finally a connection to her Mom.

A planchette is a pointer used on a Ouija board.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

A storm brewing over the ocean, new mysterious ghosts, and a secret diary all collide in the tenth book in the Saranormal series titled The Perfect Storm. Sara is a normal middle school student except for the fact that she can see ghosts. While she doesn’t always enjoy seeing the spirits that appear, she is slowly learning to accept her gift. Lilly, Sara’s best friend convinced Sara and her eccentric grandmother, Lady Azura, to attempt make contact with the other side. While no spirits appear that day, the next day the house is crawling with them as the wind and rain of the coming storm picks up. With the storm brewing outside Lady Azura cleans up the storm of spirits inside, or so she thinks. A mysterious fisherman begins to appear to Sara and for the first time the spirit talks to her. As Sara encounters the fisherman he begins to tell her about her mother that she never knew, but always leaving Sarah with more questions than answers. The story comes to a dramatic conclusion as the storm beats outside and Sara find a hidden journal written by her deceased mother.
The newest book in the Saranormal series is an entertaining and mysterious read. Readers would not need to have read the previous books in the series to understand the story; however, reading one book will leave the readers wanting for more. Saranormal would appeal to young readers who enjoy paranormal mysteries.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara and her family prepare for the worst hurricane to hit NJ in many years. They weather the storm pretty well and help the neighbors recover as well. At the same time Sara has had an encounter with one of their household ghosts that has her trying to find a message from her u mother.

This series is fun and it is good for children and tweens. There is enough teen angst and romance to keep them interested. The ghosts are not scary but usually people in need of help. Sara, her family and friends are all good folks who enjoy helping others. They are all good role models. Looking forward to the next book in the series,

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find these books enjoyable. They have an innocent teen boy/girl attraction and they deal with friendships, and her ability to see ghosts. I enjoyed this one but was thoroughly bummed out at the end when she finds her mother's journal and the book ends. It is a good thing, that the first part of the next book is a part of the book, because as a reader, I really needed to know what was in the journal. It makes me want to read the next one in the series. Clean, kids 12 and older could read them and they are tame enough for 10 year olds.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This new installment wasn't about ghosts per se. There are ghosts but it's more about Sara and her father and the memories of her mother.

A hurricane comes to Sara's town. The aftermath brings a new mystery with a sailor ghost telling her that her mother left a message for her.

It's a mystery to solve as she tries to contact the ghost again.

Mason and his friends complicate her nonparanormal life with normal drama.

I liked this book.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

soooooooooooooooooooooooooo coollllllllllllllllllll