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Ashes #1
Ashes to Ashes
If I Stay meets the movie Ghost in this first book in a teen duology about a teenage-girl-turned-ghost who must cling to the echoes of her former life to save the people she left behind.
Ashes to Ashes is author Melissa Walker's sweeping, romantic, and emotionally rich story about the things that torment and tempt us, even from the Great Beyond. This book is perfect for fans of Die for Me and Imaginary Girls, and its breathtaking ending will leave readers anxiously awaiting the series conclusion, Dust to Dust.
When Callie's life is cut short by a tragic accident, she expects to find nothingness, or maybe some version of heaven.
Instead, her spirit travels to the Prism, an ethereal plane populated by the ghosts she thought were fictional. Here she meets a striking and mysterious ghost named Thatcher, who is meant to guide her as she learns to haunt and bring peace to the loved ones she left behind.
However, Callie uncovers a dark secret about the spirit world: The angry souls who always populate ghost stories are real, dangerous, and willing to do whatever it takes to stay on Earth, threatening the existence of everyone she ever cared about.
As she fights to save them, Callie will learn that while it may no longer beat, her heart can still love-and break.
Ashes to Ashes is author Melissa Walker's sweeping, romantic, and emotionally rich story about the things that torment and tempt us, even from the Great Beyond. This book is perfect for fans of Die for Me and Imaginary Girls, and its breathtaking ending will leave readers anxiously awaiting the series conclusion, Dust to Dust.
When Callie's life is cut short by a tragic accident, she expects to find nothingness, or maybe some version of heaven.
Instead, her spirit travels to the Prism, an ethereal plane populated by the ghosts she thought were fictional. Here she meets a striking and mysterious ghost named Thatcher, who is meant to guide her as she learns to haunt and bring peace to the loved ones she left behind.
However, Callie uncovers a dark secret about the spirit world: The angry souls who always populate ghost stories are real, dangerous, and willing to do whatever it takes to stay on Earth, threatening the existence of everyone she ever cared about.
As she fights to save them, Callie will learn that while it may no longer beat, her heart can still love-and break.
325 pages, Hardcover
First published December 23, 2013
29 people are currently reading
3970 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 169 reviews
May 5, 2015
“Thatcher opens his mouth, but I turn away before he can say another word, because I see the truth in his eyes. I’m dead.”
This was an okay YA paranormal story, but I did find the pace a little slow.
I did feel sorry for Callie, dying unexpectedly as a teenager must have been awful for her, but at the same time, she was such an idiot for driving so recklessly the way she did. Having a new car is not a license to drive at 90 miles per hour whilst talking on your mobile phone.
“My head crashes into the driver’s side window and the windshield explodes, showering me with sharp glass. The whole world darkens; my body goes limp.
And then I’m gone.”
The storyline in this followed Callie as she began to haunt her family and friends, trying to help them find peace and to move on after her death. I did wonder what the heck it was that her boyfriend had been keeping from her, and it seemed to take a really long time to find out! The pace in this was quite slow, and I did get a little impatient at times.
“Guess how fast I’m going,”
There was some romance, but to be honest I wasn’t really sure what Callie saw in Thatcher as her feelings for him seemed to come out of nowhere.
“Nick was the love of my life. Thatcher is the… I don’t think I’m ready to admit that he’s the love of my death,”
The ending to this did have a twist, but it was pretty easy to guess what it was.
6 out of 10
This was an okay YA paranormal story, but I did find the pace a little slow.
I did feel sorry for Callie, dying unexpectedly as a teenager must have been awful for her, but at the same time, she was such an idiot for driving so recklessly the way she did. Having a new car is not a license to drive at 90 miles per hour whilst talking on your mobile phone.
“My head crashes into the driver’s side window and the windshield explodes, showering me with sharp glass. The whole world darkens; my body goes limp.
And then I’m gone.”
The storyline in this followed Callie as she began to haunt her family and friends, trying to help them find peace and to move on after her death. I did wonder what the heck it was that her boyfriend had been keeping from her, and it seemed to take a really long time to find out! The pace in this was quite slow, and I did get a little impatient at times.
“Guess how fast I’m going,”
There was some romance, but to be honest I wasn’t really sure what Callie saw in Thatcher as her feelings for him seemed to come out of nowhere.
“Nick was the love of my life. Thatcher is the… I don’t think I’m ready to admit that he’s the love of my death,”
The ending to this did have a twist, but it was pretty easy to guess what it was.
6 out of 10
July 26, 2016
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
Thank you HarperCollins Australia for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.
Here's the thing: when you throw a big bomb in the water like that at the end of a book, you are going to get a whole lot of varying reactions. When this 'big' and 'unforseen' twist comes pummelling through, some people are going to love the book more, and some are going to hate it because, like me, I saw it coming early on in the book. And that's coming from someone who already ruled out fortune telling for their future job career.
Callie May's future disappears when her life is cut short by a car accident. No more best friend, no more boyfriend, no more father to see again. Just a strange place called the Prism. And an overbearingly serious ghost named Thatcher. Soon Callie discovers that when someone dies, they don't go straight to some place like Heaven like Callie had thought. First, they must be taken to the Prism where ghosts stay to charge energy while haunting their loved ones on Earth. However, like the process of the afterlife, things are different. Haunting does not mean to scare and spook, it is actually a practice that helps your loved ones grieve.
The main character was bearable to follow along with but not the brightest. Callie was certainly headstrong and determinded to connect with her loved ones but a hard head made Callie pretty dim-witted and gullible. She continuously ignores Thatcher's warnings about Leo and Reena but she brushes it off thinking he's just being boring instead of helpful. Another example is when Callie learns that all ghosts have no emotions and no senses; but she still acts and has emotions like a normal, living human being. She never really questions why she is so different. I constantly wanted to scream out: Use your freakin brain! Question it! Quite frankly, Callie isn't too curious about those things and is way too infatuated with trying to talk to her loved ones who are grieving on Earth.
There is a romance in Ashes to Ashes. Callie and Nick have been together for a while before the book begins so there is nothing to base the romance off. However from what I could gather from the short-lived romance was that it was very intimate. Yet I got annoyed at the amount of times Callie talked about how Nick was so damn hilarious and good-looking. Just a minor quibble. I wouldn't say that there is a love triangle, but Callie and Thatcher do begin to grow some feelings for each other along the way. But I don't get how Thatcher gets feelings for Callie when he has no emotions? Compliments can only go so far. Plot holes, plot holes. The best friend, Carson, was an easily likable character. Unlike with the romance where I had not much to base my opinion around, Carson is extremely interested about the afterlife and ghosts so when Callie dies, Carson is more than sure that she will be able to talk to Callie with her séances and Ouija boards.
As for the pace, it was real slow. I wasn't awfully invested with the haunting and want the actual plot to come in--it didn't really feel like it was progressing until near the end. On the other hand, I was a huge fan of the writing. It helped set the tone of the story which was dark and moody.
Overall, Ashes to Ashes contained a refreshing premise however it was not executed as well as it could have with it's terrible slow pace, meh main character and minor plot holes and unbelievable romance.
Thank you HarperCollins Australia for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.
The whole world darkens; my body goes limp. And then I'm gone.
Here's the thing: when you throw a big bomb in the water like that at the end of a book, you are going to get a whole lot of varying reactions. When this 'big' and 'unforseen' twist comes pummelling through, some people are going to love the book more, and some are going to hate it because, like me, I saw it coming early on in the book. And that's coming from someone who already ruled out fortune telling for their future job career.
Callie May's future disappears when her life is cut short by a car accident. No more best friend, no more boyfriend, no more father to see again. Just a strange place called the Prism. And an overbearingly serious ghost named Thatcher. Soon Callie discovers that when someone dies, they don't go straight to some place like Heaven like Callie had thought. First, they must be taken to the Prism where ghosts stay to charge energy while haunting their loved ones on Earth. However, like the process of the afterlife, things are different. Haunting does not mean to scare and spook, it is actually a practice that helps your loved ones grieve.
The main character was bearable to follow along with but not the brightest. Callie was certainly headstrong and determinded to connect with her loved ones but a hard head made Callie pretty dim-witted and gullible. She continuously ignores Thatcher's warnings about Leo and Reena but she brushes it off thinking he's just being boring instead of helpful. Another example is when Callie learns that all ghosts have no emotions and no senses; but she still acts and has emotions like a normal, living human being. She never really questions why she is so different. I constantly wanted to scream out: Use your freakin brain! Question it! Quite frankly, Callie isn't too curious about those things and is way too infatuated with trying to talk to her loved ones who are grieving on Earth.
There is a romance in Ashes to Ashes. Callie and Nick have been together for a while before the book begins so there is nothing to base the romance off. However from what I could gather from the short-lived romance was that it was very intimate. Yet I got annoyed at the amount of times Callie talked about how Nick was so damn hilarious and good-looking. Just a minor quibble. I wouldn't say that there is a love triangle, but Callie and Thatcher do begin to grow some feelings for each other along the way. But I don't get how Thatcher gets feelings for Callie when he has no emotions? Compliments can only go so far. Plot holes, plot holes. The best friend, Carson, was an easily likable character. Unlike with the romance where I had not much to base my opinion around, Carson is extremely interested about the afterlife and ghosts so when Callie dies, Carson is more than sure that she will be able to talk to Callie with her séances and Ouija boards.
As for the pace, it was real slow. I wasn't awfully invested with the haunting and want the actual plot to come in--it didn't really feel like it was progressing until near the end. On the other hand, I was a huge fan of the writing. It helped set the tone of the story which was dark and moody.
Overall, Ashes to Ashes contained a refreshing premise however it was not executed as well as it could have with it's terrible slow pace, meh main character and minor plot holes and unbelievable romance.
January 16, 2016
This book was actually pretty awesome. It’s not just another book about a girl who ends up in the afterlife. It has a different kind of take on being a ghost and haunting. It’s a quick, easy read and has some great characters and an interesting plot.
It starts out with Callie getting a new car from her dad, her taking it out for a spin, then going to a party with her friends, and then getting into a car accident on her way to her boyfriend Nick’s house. Then Callie wakes up in the afterlife or limbo dimension know as Prism. Thatcher becomes her guide and tells her that she must haunt her friends and father to help them move on. After she finishes her haunting she can move on to Solace, which is supposedly heaven.
The story is heart-wrenching a makes you think about life after death and love after death. Would you move on or stay on Earth? Callie doesn’t feel ready to move on. She’s unlike any new ghost Thatcher has dealt with. She has all her memories and emotions, whereas new ghosts usually have amnesia and are tranquil and numb. Callie is full of energy and life, and that attracts other ghosts. Some ghosts choose to stay on Earth and borrow energy from other ghost and mess around with the living as poltergeists.
There’s a bit of romance along the way. Callie’s living boyfriend Nick is going though a hard time since the accident. Thatcher and Callie start to develop a soul-deep relationship, a connection different than anything she experienced while alive. I really like Thatcher. He’s so serious at the beginning, but he seems like a nice, caring guy. A true southern gentleman. He’s doesn’t joke around like Nick liked to. Carson, Callie BFF, likes to do fake voodoo stuff and she tries to do a séance to get Callie back. That was one of the best parts. I kind of liked Reena as a character for a while. She’s not very trustworthy, though.
I also liked the setting. It’s set in Charleston, South Carolina. My cousin lives near there, but I’ve never been to the south. I read a few series set in South Carolina, like Beautiful Creatures. This book was full of exciting event and revelations. The book ended with a big twist. To some people it was a twist at least. To me it was obvious since I found out she was unlike other ghosts. I saw a movie with a similar twist. I tend to guess the twist at the end within the first fifty page of a book. I’m right about 70% of the time.
I recommend this book if you enjoyed books like: Level 2/The Memory of After by Lenore Appelhans, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, The Catastrophe of You and Me, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, The Soul Screamers series, TV shows like Supernatural, or movies like Just Like Heaven and Ghost. If you like ghost stories or paranormal romance in general, you can give this book a try.
Cover Art Review: Really simple but beautiful photo. Looks like the Hereafter by Tara Hudson cover.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
It starts out with Callie getting a new car from her dad, her taking it out for a spin, then going to a party with her friends, and then getting into a car accident on her way to her boyfriend Nick’s house. Then Callie wakes up in the afterlife or limbo dimension know as Prism. Thatcher becomes her guide and tells her that she must haunt her friends and father to help them move on. After she finishes her haunting she can move on to Solace, which is supposedly heaven.
The story is heart-wrenching a makes you think about life after death and love after death. Would you move on or stay on Earth? Callie doesn’t feel ready to move on. She’s unlike any new ghost Thatcher has dealt with. She has all her memories and emotions, whereas new ghosts usually have amnesia and are tranquil and numb. Callie is full of energy and life, and that attracts other ghosts. Some ghosts choose to stay on Earth and borrow energy from other ghost and mess around with the living as poltergeists.
There’s a bit of romance along the way. Callie’s living boyfriend Nick is going though a hard time since the accident. Thatcher and Callie start to develop a soul-deep relationship, a connection different than anything she experienced while alive. I really like Thatcher. He’s so serious at the beginning, but he seems like a nice, caring guy. A true southern gentleman. He’s doesn’t joke around like Nick liked to. Carson, Callie BFF, likes to do fake voodoo stuff and she tries to do a séance to get Callie back. That was one of the best parts. I kind of liked Reena as a character for a while. She’s not very trustworthy, though.
I also liked the setting. It’s set in Charleston, South Carolina. My cousin lives near there, but I’ve never been to the south. I read a few series set in South Carolina, like Beautiful Creatures. This book was full of exciting event and revelations. The book ended with a big twist. To some people it was a twist at least. To me it was obvious since I found out she was unlike other ghosts. I saw a movie with a similar twist. I tend to guess the twist at the end within the first fifty page of a book. I’m right about 70% of the time.
I recommend this book if you enjoyed books like: Level 2/The Memory of After by Lenore Appelhans, Hereafter by Tara Hudson, The Catastrophe of You and Me, Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, The Soul Screamers series, TV shows like Supernatural, or movies like Just Like Heaven and Ghost. If you like ghost stories or paranormal romance in general, you can give this book a try.
Cover Art Review: Really simple but beautiful photo. Looks like the Hereafter by Tara Hudson cover.
~Haley G
My blog:
http://breathlessbookreviews.blogspot...
September 19, 2013
My Thoughts: If I could give this one more than five cupcakes, I so would! I loved this!
We are introduced to Callie who has an amazing dad, an amazing boyfriend, and a super cool best friend! Her life is pretty good. Yes, her mom passed away years ago but overall she is happy.
But that all changes one day, while she’s on the way to see her boyfriend. Her dad has just bought her a new car and she really enjoys having it. She picks up the phone as she’s driving, talks to her boyfriend, and gets in a car wreck. This is so horrible!
She’s instantly thrown into this place known as the Prism. In this mysterious place, she meets a boy named Thatcher. Oh how I loved him!
Thatcher is to be her guide and help her help her loved ones move on. They must get past her death so she can move onto what's next; a sort of heaven. Thatcher has to help her give each of them peace and let them accept her death and move on with their lives. But of course things can’t be this easy. Callie meets a few friends along the way who haven’t moved on and don’t want too. Callie finds out there is a lot more to their story than she knows and they are connected to Thatcher as well.
I don’t even know what to say about this one. I loved it. I read it in one sitting. I don’t want to give everything away but Thatcher has a lot of secrets and so does Callie’s boyfriend on earth. He has his own secrets and a huge one he was planning on doing the night Callie died.
Callie gets to visit both her best friend and boyfriend and she gets to see what they are going through and how they are handling her death. She wants to communicate with them so much. I also liked seeing her go back to places she enjoyed. I liked seeing her interact with Thatcher. Love him!
The ending left on a cliffhanger and I wanted to chuck the novel across the room. I want the next in the series right this minute. I wasn’t that surprised on how it ended but it still made me angry enough to want to scream and demand the next novel. HAHA.
Overall: Loved it! I loved Callie and Thatcher and the way things ended really made me tear up. I’m scared she’ll lose him forever. I’m scared of how things could play out in the next one. I’m nervous about it all. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. This was definatly a novel for me. One of my favorites! Make sure to pick it up!
Cover: Love it! I can see Callie looking like that! And I love how she’s just standing there and I love everything!!
What I'd Give It: 5 Cupcakes
________________
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
We are introduced to Callie who has an amazing dad, an amazing boyfriend, and a super cool best friend! Her life is pretty good. Yes, her mom passed away years ago but overall she is happy.
But that all changes one day, while she’s on the way to see her boyfriend. Her dad has just bought her a new car and she really enjoys having it. She picks up the phone as she’s driving, talks to her boyfriend, and gets in a car wreck. This is so horrible!
She’s instantly thrown into this place known as the Prism. In this mysterious place, she meets a boy named Thatcher. Oh how I loved him!
Thatcher is to be her guide and help her help her loved ones move on. They must get past her death so she can move onto what's next; a sort of heaven. Thatcher has to help her give each of them peace and let them accept her death and move on with their lives. But of course things can’t be this easy. Callie meets a few friends along the way who haven’t moved on and don’t want too. Callie finds out there is a lot more to their story than she knows and they are connected to Thatcher as well.
I don’t even know what to say about this one. I loved it. I read it in one sitting. I don’t want to give everything away but Thatcher has a lot of secrets and so does Callie’s boyfriend on earth. He has his own secrets and a huge one he was planning on doing the night Callie died.
Callie gets to visit both her best friend and boyfriend and she gets to see what they are going through and how they are handling her death. She wants to communicate with them so much. I also liked seeing her go back to places she enjoyed. I liked seeing her interact with Thatcher. Love him!
The ending left on a cliffhanger and I wanted to chuck the novel across the room. I want the next in the series right this minute. I wasn’t that surprised on how it ended but it still made me angry enough to want to scream and demand the next novel. HAHA.
Overall: Loved it! I loved Callie and Thatcher and the way things ended really made me tear up. I’m scared she’ll lose him forever. I’m scared of how things could play out in the next one. I’m nervous about it all. I really enjoyed the plot and the characters. This was definatly a novel for me. One of my favorites! Make sure to pick it up!
Cover: Love it! I can see Callie looking like that! And I love how she’s just standing there and I love everything!!
What I'd Give It: 5 Cupcakes
________________
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
December 3, 2013
Wanting something different, I picked up this book. I adored other books written by this author and wanted to see what this book could offer. Everyone, it was AWESOME!!
Plot: The plot begins with the author giving a good and quick back round on the main character Callie. As the reader, we see how she lives her day to day life and the events that lead up to it ending. I like that even in the first few chapters their are subtle hints of foreshadowing and emotions that I picked up on. And right away, I was hooked. I finish this book late into the evening and wanted more.
Love/Friendship: This is the main heart of the story since it focuses on a love that is cut short. As the reader, we see the great friendship that Callie had with her best friend. Their moments of small talk, advice and things they did together really shows how good their friendship was. On the other hand, the boyfriend is well…don’t want to say too much but I get it.
Ending: Initially, I was going to give this book a 4. Then I read the last chapter. I have not had a good shock in a book that swept the rug out from under me so yes. After my jaw-dropped and my mind reeled, it became a 5. That ending sealed the deal.
Ashes To Ashes combines great elements with an amazing plot, bringing the reader to an epic story. The deeper the reader goes into the story, the more real it becomes. Ashes To Ashes give strength for a sequel, should there be one and I, for one, would love to read it. A huge success that took my by surprise, Ashes To Ashes is an success.
Plot: The plot begins with the author giving a good and quick back round on the main character Callie. As the reader, we see how she lives her day to day life and the events that lead up to it ending. I like that even in the first few chapters their are subtle hints of foreshadowing and emotions that I picked up on. And right away, I was hooked. I finish this book late into the evening and wanted more.
Love/Friendship: This is the main heart of the story since it focuses on a love that is cut short. As the reader, we see the great friendship that Callie had with her best friend. Their moments of small talk, advice and things they did together really shows how good their friendship was. On the other hand, the boyfriend is well…don’t want to say too much but I get it.
Ending: Initially, I was going to give this book a 4. Then I read the last chapter. I have not had a good shock in a book that swept the rug out from under me so yes. After my jaw-dropped and my mind reeled, it became a 5. That ending sealed the deal.
Ashes To Ashes combines great elements with an amazing plot, bringing the reader to an epic story. The deeper the reader goes into the story, the more real it becomes. Ashes To Ashes give strength for a sequel, should there be one and I, for one, would love to read it. A huge success that took my by surprise, Ashes To Ashes is an success.
November 22, 2013
3.5 out of 5 rating
I really liked the premise of this story--just what happens when you die? And it was done without being preachy AT ALL. Thank goodness! I loved the idea of an dimension (is that the right word?) you go to so you can "haunt" the ones you love. But in this book, haunting isn't a scary thing--its a peaceful thing that helps them move on in their lives.
I have to be honest that I didn't really connect with Callie. Maybe it was her daredevil ways. I'm not sure but I just never really got there. I did love Carson though. Oh and Thatcher. And I just pitied Nick.
The end was a huge twist! One I definitely did not see coming at all. And I love when that happens! I'm definitely intrigued to see what's going to happen in the sequel!
I really liked the premise of this story--just what happens when you die? And it was done without being preachy AT ALL. Thank goodness! I loved the idea of an dimension (is that the right word?) you go to so you can "haunt" the ones you love. But in this book, haunting isn't a scary thing--its a peaceful thing that helps them move on in their lives.
I have to be honest that I didn't really connect with Callie. Maybe it was her daredevil ways. I'm not sure but I just never really got there. I did love Carson though. Oh and Thatcher. And I just pitied Nick.
The end was a huge twist! One I definitely did not see coming at all. And I love when that happens! I'm definitely intrigued to see what's going to happen in the sequel!
February 6, 2016
1.5/5 stars
THIS BOOK KILLED ME!! (Pun count: 1)
This book had so MUCH potential! At first, I really liked Callie and could sympathise with her situation.
And then Thatcher came into the story, a Guide in the Prison. He had this mysterious allure. Yet, after the many times he lied to Callie and as the story progressed, he had the personality of cardboard. I'm sorry, I really hate being harsh when it comes to books, but this book frustrated the HELL out of me.
It's safe to say I didn't finish this one. As an avid fan of anything paranormal, it didn't LIVE up to my expectations (Pun count: 3)
THIS BOOK KILLED ME!! (Pun count: 1)
This book had so MUCH potential! At first, I really liked Callie and could sympathise with her situation.
And then Thatcher came into the story, a Guide in the Prison. He had this mysterious allure. Yet, after the many times he lied to Callie and as the story progressed, he had the personality of cardboard. I'm sorry, I really hate being harsh when it comes to books, but this book frustrated the HELL out of me.
It's safe to say I didn't finish this one. As an avid fan of anything paranormal, it didn't LIVE up to my expectations (Pun count: 3)
June 14, 2017
04/21/14: This book was a great story that almost seems dystopian with the action and plot twists. A great start to a new series, I can't wait to start the sequel dust to dust once it is released later this year!
06/13/17: Considering I gave this book five stars the first time I read it, I can't confidently say that I was more affected by it this time, or, more reeled in, but I almost feel like I was. Maybe having more experiences behind me than I did as a 12 year old lets the true meaning of this book seep in. It surprises me that I even liked it as much as I did at that age, since it seems more advanced, even adults with a taste for YA fiction could enjoy this one. It explores the supernatural and the questions of life and death, questions that are too hard to answer, ending with a twist I saw the foreshadowing for but probably wouldn't have caught the first time around. All in all, a very memorable book, since it has been 3 years since I last read it but when I saw the sequel at my library I had to go back and re-read it.
06/13/17: Considering I gave this book five stars the first time I read it, I can't confidently say that I was more affected by it this time, or, more reeled in, but I almost feel like I was. Maybe having more experiences behind me than I did as a 12 year old lets the true meaning of this book seep in. It surprises me that I even liked it as much as I did at that age, since it seems more advanced, even adults with a taste for YA fiction could enjoy this one. It explores the supernatural and the questions of life and death, questions that are too hard to answer, ending with a twist I saw the foreshadowing for but probably wouldn't have caught the first time around. All in all, a very memorable book, since it has been 3 years since I last read it but when I saw the sequel at my library I had to go back and re-read it.
May 2, 2014
Spoiler Alert.
Oh. My. God.
I loved this book. LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED.
This whole time i was dying to know what her boyfriend from earth was keeping from her the whole time yet the whole time i was falling more and more in love Thatcher. I loved him and his character, he was so hot. Yet, i felt great sympathy for her father, she was the last one left in his life, I actually cried when the father looked at the pictures of her as kid that broke my heart. But I still desparately need to know what her boyfriend was hiding and why he was planning to break up with her and why she is so special? I was in deep shock when i found out she was in a coma this whole time and went Thatcher put her back in her body to save her from the people who were trying to take her power, that was love. I can't wait for the next book!
Oh. My. God.
I loved this book. LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED.
This whole time i was dying to know what her boyfriend from earth was keeping from her the whole time yet the whole time i was falling more and more in love Thatcher. I loved him and his character, he was so hot. Yet, i felt great sympathy for her father, she was the last one left in his life, I actually cried when the father looked at the pictures of her as kid that broke my heart. But I still desparately need to know what her boyfriend was hiding and why he was planning to break up with her and why she is so special? I was in deep shock when i found out she was in a coma this whole time and went Thatcher put her back in her body to save her from the people who were trying to take her power, that was love. I can't wait for the next book!
June 16, 2014
This book is so amazing because Callie seems so realistic. I feel like I actually know her and at some parts of the book, I was her. Carlton was the supportive best friend that was there your whole life. She was a little crazy with the voodoo and stuff though. I also love how mysterious and off limits Thatcher is. At first he is kind of closed off and maybe even mean but it is so fascinating to watch him open up to Callie. It's just so cute how he cares so much about Callie, too. The twigs in the story with Reena was so unexpected but enough to keep me interested. The drama with Nick was so sad. I swear, at some point, I was actually screaming at the Callie (the book) to open her eyes! I cried a little near the end of this book. I hated that she had to leave Thatcher after all that they'd been through and worked for and finally they made it but she had to leave him!!
December 30, 2013
3.5 stars (I always round up when I can't give a half star, thus the 4-star rating)
I have been really eager to read this book since I heard about it. It sounded like it would be similar to Gabrielle Zevin's ELSEWHERE, which I read at the beginning of 2013 and really enjoyed. I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book from Shana at A Book Vacation -- so thank you, Shana, for giving me the chance to read it!
I was intrigued by the idea behind ASHES TO ASHES -- our main character, Callie, dies young in a tragic accident and finds herself in "the Prism," a sort of limbo, in-between place. She's no longer on Earth, clearly, but she's not in Heaven either (or, as it's called in the book, "Solus"). She is met upon her arrival in the Prism by Thatcher, who will be her Ghost Guide. It is Thatcher who is supposed to assist Callie in "haunting" her loved ones so that they will accept her death and she can move on to the next dimension, Solus. Of course Callie at first does not believe she is dead, then she becomes angry and feels intense pain at the idea that her loved ones will move on without her. Callie is no stranger to pain and grief, as we learn that her mother passed away 10 years ago, when Callie was just six. Thatcher uses that experience to try and help Callie understand the purpose of ghosts - the newly-deceased - landing in the Prism before moving to Solus; they are there to haunt their loved ones, but haunting is not what we have typically believed it to be, with poltergeists playing pranks and rattling chains and such. Rather, haunting is the process by which the ghosts will help their loved ones make peace with their deaths and accept that they are gone; then their loved ones can move past their grief and the ghosts can move past the Prism and into Solus. Thatcher explains that Callie's mother had done just this thing for Callie and her father. He says, "It doesn't mean that you forgot her. It just means that you had healed enough and accepted her death so that she could move on." (p.53 of ARC)
From this point on, we go with Callie on her journey of haunting her loved ones and trying to make sense of what happened her. We quickly learn from her interactions with other Ghost Guides and then with other ghosts that Callie is somehow different; she continues to feel very strong emotions in the Prism, which is something that very rarely happens (the Prism is designed to anesthetize them so that they may be in a calm state to effectuate their haunting). We also meet, along with Callie, a group of other ghosts (Reena, Leo, Norris, and Delia) who know Thatcher but are antagonistic to him and very different from him; they exist in the Prism, but they are neither newly-deceased ghosts nor Guides, and they look different from the rest of the ghosts. The bulk of the story is about Callie trying to reconcile her love and longing for her earthly boyfriend, Nick, and her developing feelings for Thatcher, as well as the mystery surrounding both her difference and the difference behind the other group of ghosts.
The writing in ASHES TO ASHES is very good, the plot is pretty fast-paced, and I definitely raced through the book (whenever I could sneak away from cleaning in preparation for our holiday visit from the in-laws!). I was eager to find out more about Callie's situation and what Thatcher seemed to know about it that he wasn't telling her, why Thatcher was "stuck" being a Guide in the Prism and unable to move on to Solus, how Callie would help her loved ones heal, and just what was up with Reena and her group (the rebel ghosts, as it were). Ms. Walker definitely had me hooked and I think she knows how to tell a very good story. There was a lot of teasing, I guess you could say, that kept me furiously turning those pages! She did a great job with that.
However, I felt I could only give a 3.5-star rating because there was just *something* that was missing, for me. I'm not sure if it was that I didn't connect on a deeper level with the characters - I mean, I liked Callie, but didn't necessarily identify with her or adore her - or what, exactly, but there was some elusive thing that I maybe expected but didn't get. I also had a difficult time getting my head around Callie and Thatcher's developing relationship. Now, I understand it was not the same as an earthly relationship, and I DO think that Ms. Walker did a good job of trying to explain that. Callie acknowledges that what she might feel for Thatcher is completely different from what she felt for Nick when she was alive. If one's soul/ghost can "fall in love" with another after our earthly body has ceased to exist, I think Ms. Walker came as close as I can imagine to describing what that kind of love would look like. However, there was maybe just one time too many when Callie mentioned wanting to kiss Thatcher that it just kept throwing me off. It's hard to explain, but... I'm just not sure how I felt about their relationship. Also, Thatcher was (understandably) so distant and cold for most of the book that I had a difficult time connecting with him. That had to be very hard for Ms. Walker to handle, though, because it IS perfectly understandable that he would be like that, and I think writing him any other way wouldn't have been true to the character. So I don't know how she could have done any better! But I just wasn't 100% connected with him.
Overall, I want to emphasize that a 3.5-star rating from me is good!! (I very rarely give a 5-star rating.) I really did like this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal reads, romance, or generally just enjoys YA fiction. I would say you should go into it with an open mind - this is not a religious book and it might not jibe with your religious beliefs about what happens to people when they die. At the same time, I find it very comforting to think that our soul or ghost would have as its purpose the easing of our loved ones' pain and grief upon our death. I really liked that aspect of the book; in fact, I liked the whole mythology behind the story and I think it's very creative. I would just urge readers to be open to what happens in the book to increase the likelihood that they'll enjoy it. Finally, I will say that I will ABSOLUTELY be reading book 2 when it releases!! And that you should be prepared to be saying the same thing once you read this ending!
Thank you again to Shana for giving me the chance to read the book! I really enjoyed it and am so glad I was able to read it just before it released. Thank you also to Ms. Walker for writing such a thoughtful, creative book and for encouraging young readers to think about death and grief in such thoughtful ways.
I have been really eager to read this book since I heard about it. It sounded like it would be similar to Gabrielle Zevin's ELSEWHERE, which I read at the beginning of 2013 and really enjoyed. I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book from Shana at A Book Vacation -- so thank you, Shana, for giving me the chance to read it!
I was intrigued by the idea behind ASHES TO ASHES -- our main character, Callie, dies young in a tragic accident and finds herself in "the Prism," a sort of limbo, in-between place. She's no longer on Earth, clearly, but she's not in Heaven either (or, as it's called in the book, "Solus"). She is met upon her arrival in the Prism by Thatcher, who will be her Ghost Guide. It is Thatcher who is supposed to assist Callie in "haunting" her loved ones so that they will accept her death and she can move on to the next dimension, Solus. Of course Callie at first does not believe she is dead, then she becomes angry and feels intense pain at the idea that her loved ones will move on without her. Callie is no stranger to pain and grief, as we learn that her mother passed away 10 years ago, when Callie was just six. Thatcher uses that experience to try and help Callie understand the purpose of ghosts - the newly-deceased - landing in the Prism before moving to Solus; they are there to haunt their loved ones, but haunting is not what we have typically believed it to be, with poltergeists playing pranks and rattling chains and such. Rather, haunting is the process by which the ghosts will help their loved ones make peace with their deaths and accept that they are gone; then their loved ones can move past their grief and the ghosts can move past the Prism and into Solus. Thatcher explains that Callie's mother had done just this thing for Callie and her father. He says, "It doesn't mean that you forgot her. It just means that you had healed enough and accepted her death so that she could move on." (p.53 of ARC)
From this point on, we go with Callie on her journey of haunting her loved ones and trying to make sense of what happened her. We quickly learn from her interactions with other Ghost Guides and then with other ghosts that Callie is somehow different; she continues to feel very strong emotions in the Prism, which is something that very rarely happens (the Prism is designed to anesthetize them so that they may be in a calm state to effectuate their haunting). We also meet, along with Callie, a group of other ghosts (Reena, Leo, Norris, and Delia) who know Thatcher but are antagonistic to him and very different from him; they exist in the Prism, but they are neither newly-deceased ghosts nor Guides, and they look different from the rest of the ghosts. The bulk of the story is about Callie trying to reconcile her love and longing for her earthly boyfriend, Nick, and her developing feelings for Thatcher, as well as the mystery surrounding both her difference and the difference behind the other group of ghosts.
The writing in ASHES TO ASHES is very good, the plot is pretty fast-paced, and I definitely raced through the book (whenever I could sneak away from cleaning in preparation for our holiday visit from the in-laws!). I was eager to find out more about Callie's situation and what Thatcher seemed to know about it that he wasn't telling her, why Thatcher was "stuck" being a Guide in the Prism and unable to move on to Solus, how Callie would help her loved ones heal, and just what was up with Reena and her group (the rebel ghosts, as it were). Ms. Walker definitely had me hooked and I think she knows how to tell a very good story. There was a lot of teasing, I guess you could say, that kept me furiously turning those pages! She did a great job with that.
However, I felt I could only give a 3.5-star rating because there was just *something* that was missing, for me. I'm not sure if it was that I didn't connect on a deeper level with the characters - I mean, I liked Callie, but didn't necessarily identify with her or adore her - or what, exactly, but there was some elusive thing that I maybe expected but didn't get. I also had a difficult time getting my head around Callie and Thatcher's developing relationship. Now, I understand it was not the same as an earthly relationship, and I DO think that Ms. Walker did a good job of trying to explain that. Callie acknowledges that what she might feel for Thatcher is completely different from what she felt for Nick when she was alive. If one's soul/ghost can "fall in love" with another after our earthly body has ceased to exist, I think Ms. Walker came as close as I can imagine to describing what that kind of love would look like. However, there was maybe just one time too many when Callie mentioned wanting to kiss Thatcher that it just kept throwing me off. It's hard to explain, but... I'm just not sure how I felt about their relationship. Also, Thatcher was (understandably) so distant and cold for most of the book that I had a difficult time connecting with him. That had to be very hard for Ms. Walker to handle, though, because it IS perfectly understandable that he would be like that, and I think writing him any other way wouldn't have been true to the character. So I don't know how she could have done any better! But I just wasn't 100% connected with him.
Overall, I want to emphasize that a 3.5-star rating from me is good!! (I very rarely give a 5-star rating.) I really did like this book a lot and would recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal reads, romance, or generally just enjoys YA fiction. I would say you should go into it with an open mind - this is not a religious book and it might not jibe with your religious beliefs about what happens to people when they die. At the same time, I find it very comforting to think that our soul or ghost would have as its purpose the easing of our loved ones' pain and grief upon our death. I really liked that aspect of the book; in fact, I liked the whole mythology behind the story and I think it's very creative. I would just urge readers to be open to what happens in the book to increase the likelihood that they'll enjoy it. Finally, I will say that I will ABSOLUTELY be reading book 2 when it releases!! And that you should be prepared to be saying the same thing once you read this ending!
Thank you again to Shana for giving me the chance to read the book! I really enjoyed it and am so glad I was able to read it just before it released. Thank you also to Ms. Walker for writing such a thoughtful, creative book and for encouraging young readers to think about death and grief in such thoughtful ways.
July 10, 2021
This was definitely an interesting read. The concept of the prism and Solus was different for sure. The idea that ghosts have to have their former loved ones move on from their death was different as well and was a beautiful way to have ghosts and living together and such. The book did a good job of describing what was going on and making it a pretty special experience. The plot was interesting enough though it lulled at times. I do think having the villains of the story being as enticing as they were was a pretty good idea. Callie was drawn to them because she died so young and they were able to do things she still wanted to do. But she came to her senses and realized what they were doing was wrong. Taking over people and allowing their souls to just disappear? Definitely wrong. Overall, not a bad read. I will probably continue the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2018
I wasn't really sure what to expect with this story. Overall, it was nicely written and I would read it again. The characters varied; some of them were flat while others were deep...this made the story sometimes enjoyable and sometimes not. There were parts of this book that made my heart race and others I just wanted to get over with.
The whole plot of the book felt repetitive:
Thatcher: Cali, no!
Cali: Cali yes!
The plot felt drawn out and I had a sense of Deja vu throughout it. There are some parts that you get hit in the face with emotion and leave you sitting there like, "where did THAT come from?" Also, there were a ton of unanswered questions at the end/stuff that didn't add up.
For example, WAS her boyfriend going to dump her? (This may be cleared up in the second book but I haven't gotten that far). If so...WHY was he acting so loving when she woke up? Also, how the heck was Thatcher able to bring her back? Was she half alive/half dead? What about their relationship? I know I need to read the sequel but holy cow DON'T do this to readers!
I'd recommend this to someone. It was full of emotion and gave a powerful message about life and death.
The whole plot of the book felt repetitive:
Thatcher: Cali, no!
Cali: Cali yes!
The plot felt drawn out and I had a sense of Deja vu throughout it. There are some parts that you get hit in the face with emotion and leave you sitting there like, "where did THAT come from?" Also, there were a ton of unanswered questions at the end/stuff that didn't add up.
For example, WAS her boyfriend going to dump her? (This may be cleared up in the second book but I haven't gotten that far). If so...WHY was he acting so loving when she woke up? Also, how the heck was Thatcher able to bring her back? Was she half alive/half dead? What about their relationship? I know I need to read the sequel but holy cow DON'T do this to readers!
I'd recommend this to someone. It was full of emotion and gave a powerful message about life and death.
November 3, 2013
**This review will post to Ashley Loves Books at a later date.**
Real rating: 3.5 stars
There is one main thing that I think a person should know going into reading Ashes To Ashes: this is a duet. There will be a second book! I had absolutely no idea when I read it, I thought it was a standalone—but as I crept closer and closer to the end of the book, I started thinking, “Hmmm…all these questions and still ninety BILLION questions?!” And I remember thinking good heavens there BETTER be a second book, else I’m not even going to bother rating this it infuriates me so much! (Book blogger threats. They’re real.)
So, PHEW on that front. Knowing that, I definitely like this book the more I think about it. When I first closed it, I thought it was a bit odd, and unsatisfying, and that there were too many questions without answers. And while I do still think there weren’t enough answers, it wasn’t enough to put me off from wanting to pick up Book 2.
I’m not a big paranormal person, so I was a bit iffy going into this novel. I haven’t quite figured out my feelings on ghosts and the paranormal happenings in life; and I have even less experience in my books. But I like Melissa Walker, I adore most of her contemporaries that I’ve read and I thought this would be a good way to get into it. And I’m glad to say I gave it a shot!
The concept of the Prism is pretty interesting to me, I like that we try to help our loved ones get over our death. I found that delightfully satisfying and fulfilling, and I kind of hope that is the real reason ghosts haunt. Not their own unfinished business, but the unfinished business of helping someone else. I loved the personal ghost prisms they each had too, the concept of why they’re built as they are and that it’s an area for them to recharge. Kinda made me wonder what my personal prism would look like (as vaguely morbid as that seems). And I quite enjoy the little bits of humor and puns regarding life/death/having a life in death.
I have to admit that there are still some predictable parts, that I knew why Callie could feel and still had her memories and emotions as a ghost—that seemed pretty easy to figure out, and that definitely influenced how I felt about certain scenes where that affecting things. It took away some surprise to the book, but there were still enough moments for me to overlook that.
I found I really liked most of the characters, too. Carson was a great friend, I loved how into the spirit world she is and how she connects with all that. She was a fantastic friend to Callie, even after she was gone, and I started hoping that my friends were like her. Nick is…well. He was probably my least favourite of the good characters, but I didn’t particularly not like him. He felt mostly incomplete to me, like I was given him as a part to the story without explanation or real connection. Leo was creepy. He was so, so creepy. Written well, and a great character, but like Callie, I would shiver and dread every time he showed up on the page. The entire idea of some ghosts existing who did not want to move out of the Prism and into Solus was dark and scary; and Leo just took it to an extreme. That’s some great writing where I would hate seeing his name on a page.
I am SO FREAKIN’ CURIOUS. Omg. There are so many questions, and I don’t have answers, and omg you guys I NEED THEM. Why was Nick going to…well, you know. What is going on with Carson? Who is H? Why is Thatcher so freakin’ hot and amazing and man aliiiiiiiiive do I want that ghost (pun!). The book ended fairly well in terms of leaving you satisfied enough for the book but wanting more.
Last, random thing: I love the title font on the cover. I really, really draw towards the first “Ashes” being different than the last “ashes.” I don’t quite know why, but I know I really loved it.
Real rating: 3.5 stars
There is one main thing that I think a person should know going into reading Ashes To Ashes: this is a duet. There will be a second book! I had absolutely no idea when I read it, I thought it was a standalone—but as I crept closer and closer to the end of the book, I started thinking, “Hmmm…all these questions and still ninety BILLION questions?!” And I remember thinking good heavens there BETTER be a second book, else I’m not even going to bother rating this it infuriates me so much! (Book blogger threats. They’re real.)
So, PHEW on that front. Knowing that, I definitely like this book the more I think about it. When I first closed it, I thought it was a bit odd, and unsatisfying, and that there were too many questions without answers. And while I do still think there weren’t enough answers, it wasn’t enough to put me off from wanting to pick up Book 2.
I’m not a big paranormal person, so I was a bit iffy going into this novel. I haven’t quite figured out my feelings on ghosts and the paranormal happenings in life; and I have even less experience in my books. But I like Melissa Walker, I adore most of her contemporaries that I’ve read and I thought this would be a good way to get into it. And I’m glad to say I gave it a shot!
The concept of the Prism is pretty interesting to me, I like that we try to help our loved ones get over our death. I found that delightfully satisfying and fulfilling, and I kind of hope that is the real reason ghosts haunt. Not their own unfinished business, but the unfinished business of helping someone else. I loved the personal ghost prisms they each had too, the concept of why they’re built as they are and that it’s an area for them to recharge. Kinda made me wonder what my personal prism would look like (as vaguely morbid as that seems). And I quite enjoy the little bits of humor and puns regarding life/death/having a life in death.
I have to admit that there are still some predictable parts, that I knew why Callie could feel and still had her memories and emotions as a ghost—that seemed pretty easy to figure out, and that definitely influenced how I felt about certain scenes where that affecting things. It took away some surprise to the book, but there were still enough moments for me to overlook that.
I found I really liked most of the characters, too. Carson was a great friend, I loved how into the spirit world she is and how she connects with all that. She was a fantastic friend to Callie, even after she was gone, and I started hoping that my friends were like her. Nick is…well. He was probably my least favourite of the good characters, but I didn’t particularly not like him. He felt mostly incomplete to me, like I was given him as a part to the story without explanation or real connection. Leo was creepy. He was so, so creepy. Written well, and a great character, but like Callie, I would shiver and dread every time he showed up on the page. The entire idea of some ghosts existing who did not want to move out of the Prism and into Solus was dark and scary; and Leo just took it to an extreme. That’s some great writing where I would hate seeing his name on a page.
I am SO FREAKIN’ CURIOUS. Omg. There are so many questions, and I don’t have answers, and omg you guys I NEED THEM. Why was Nick going to…well, you know. What is going on with Carson? Who is H? Why is Thatcher so freakin’ hot and amazing and man aliiiiiiiiive do I want that ghost (pun!). The book ended fairly well in terms of leaving you satisfied enough for the book but wanting more.
Last, random thing: I love the title font on the cover. I really, really draw towards the first “Ashes” being different than the last “ashes.” I don’t quite know why, but I know I really loved it.
April 3, 2014
Callie is sixteen and lives on the edge taking daring risks for the thrill to fill the void left behind when her mother died she was six. Her father though loving and kind, is emotionally withdrawn, a military man who won't let himself be vulnerable to heartache since his wife died. One early summer day, just before Callie is going off to a collegiate camp, he gives her a new car, a sporty BMW. The same day, Callie takes one too many risks and ends up paying the ultimate price, catapulting herself into the unknown world of the great beyond where her earthly energy and emotions present constant conflict in this other worldly place. To move on, she must comfort friends and family who grieve for her but there are others who will do anything they can to thwart her efforts.
I will admit to a good deal of eye rolling and exasperated sighs whilst reading this novel. Admittedly, I am not the target audience for this type of story. But it made me cringe at times. Callie is superficial and alternately saccharine or bitter and vengeful, doing what she pleases when she pleases. And she's completely unoriginal, a Stepford teen who wants to be part of the "in" crowd. Although I am supposed to believe there's character growth, I did not buy it. The instant Callie ends up in the Prism she's attracted to Thatcher despite the previous several chapters detailing the earthly eternal love of her life, Nick, and her unwavering and faithful commitment and devotion to him. A majority of the plot deals with her conflicting attraction and devotion to both guys, earthly and celestial, neither one available. And let me tell you, the earth guy doesn't stand much of a chance because Thatcher is deep. What bothered me most was a lot of the author telling me what to think and feel about the characters and not much showing to back it up. I'm supposed to believe Thatcher is guileless and too good to be true because Walker says so not because he does anything completely honest or altruistic. If you don't guess the big secret and big plot reveal before the midpoint of the book, you are not reading closely enough as it's that obvious. Now that I know there's to be a sequel I can see why the book ended as it did, which was infuriating and shallow. Still, this will undoubtedly appeal to YAs seeking romance and the paranormal. The fact that Callie wakes up next to Nick on page 1 and then plans to give up her virginity a few days later, coupled with mentions of underage drinking, pot consumption, and daredevil stunts make this most appropriate for mature but not discriminating readers.
I will admit to a good deal of eye rolling and exasperated sighs whilst reading this novel. Admittedly, I am not the target audience for this type of story. But it made me cringe at times. Callie is superficial and alternately saccharine or bitter and vengeful, doing what she pleases when she pleases. And she's completely unoriginal, a Stepford teen who wants to be part of the "in" crowd. Although I am supposed to believe there's character growth, I did not buy it. The instant Callie ends up in the Prism she's attracted to Thatcher despite the previous several chapters detailing the earthly eternal love of her life, Nick, and her unwavering and faithful commitment and devotion to him. A majority of the plot deals with her conflicting attraction and devotion to both guys, earthly and celestial, neither one available. And let me tell you, the earth guy doesn't stand much of a chance because Thatcher is deep. What bothered me most was a lot of the author telling me what to think and feel about the characters and not much showing to back it up. I'm supposed to believe Thatcher is guileless and too good to be true because Walker says so not because he does anything completely honest or altruistic. If you don't guess the big secret and big plot reveal before the midpoint of the book, you are not reading closely enough as it's that obvious. Now that I know there's to be a sequel I can see why the book ended as it did, which was infuriating and shallow. Still, this will undoubtedly appeal to YAs seeking romance and the paranormal. The fact that Callie wakes up next to Nick on page 1 and then plans to give up her virginity a few days later, coupled with mentions of underage drinking, pot consumption, and daredevil stunts make this most appropriate for mature but not discriminating readers.
January 5, 2014
Originally posted on www.yareads.com, reviewed by Nichole.
Ashes to Ashes is one of the most hauntingly beautiful books that I have read this year. It was one of those books were I picked it up and then just couldn’t set it down. It was so raw, so powerful, so intense….I just wanted to dive into that world and stay there forever. (hopefully while still being alive.)
My one and only complaint with Ashes to Ashes is that I wasn’t overly in love with Callie. I loved every single other character, but I found Callie to be a bit annoying and hyper. I also disagreed with the majority of her decisions and that makes it difficult to attach to a character. Everyone else, though, was brilliant. I especially loved Thatcher. Oh my goodness did I love Thatcher. He’s the kind of guy whose hesitant and withdrawn, but really steps it up and shows emotional, powerful moments. I had a real thing for Thatcher. I can’t wait to see him in the second book.
The storyline of Ashes to Ashes was something that I haven’t really seen before. It’s kind of similar to Hereafter by Tara Hudson in the sense of the main character dying and haunting their loved ones, but it’s also different in the sense that it’s actually Callie’s mission to haunt her loved ones so that she can move on. I loved reading about the interactions in the prism and then watching the characters come to earth and be with their loved ones. It almost seemed like two stories in one, but they both blended beautifully.
While this book is a paranormal read, it had a contemporary feel to it that made the haunting aspect so much more intense and emotional. I would find myself choking up, because it was constantly making me think of the what ifs. It was so real. So real! It did take me awhile to get into it. The contemporary feel kind of makes it slow at first, but it was just too haunting to pass up. I’m glad I stuck with it!
The ending of Ashes to Ashes……..I have no words. I did have that suspicion early on in the book, but it wasn’t something that was obvious. It was really me just trying to think of all the different types of scenarios that could go down. That was flipping brilliant! Probably one of the best endings that I’ve seen to a book. I can’t believe that Melissa C. Walker managed to pull that off. I can’t WAIT to read the next one. It sucks that I don’t have it.
Overall, I loved this book. I thought that it was great. Ashes to Ashes is a book that everyone is going to want to read, and it fits every group out there. Whether you love dystopia, contemporary, or paranormal…this one’s for you.
Ashes to Ashes is one of the most hauntingly beautiful books that I have read this year. It was one of those books were I picked it up and then just couldn’t set it down. It was so raw, so powerful, so intense….I just wanted to dive into that world and stay there forever. (hopefully while still being alive.)
My one and only complaint with Ashes to Ashes is that I wasn’t overly in love with Callie. I loved every single other character, but I found Callie to be a bit annoying and hyper. I also disagreed with the majority of her decisions and that makes it difficult to attach to a character. Everyone else, though, was brilliant. I especially loved Thatcher. Oh my goodness did I love Thatcher. He’s the kind of guy whose hesitant and withdrawn, but really steps it up and shows emotional, powerful moments. I had a real thing for Thatcher. I can’t wait to see him in the second book.
The storyline of Ashes to Ashes was something that I haven’t really seen before. It’s kind of similar to Hereafter by Tara Hudson in the sense of the main character dying and haunting their loved ones, but it’s also different in the sense that it’s actually Callie’s mission to haunt her loved ones so that she can move on. I loved reading about the interactions in the prism and then watching the characters come to earth and be with their loved ones. It almost seemed like two stories in one, but they both blended beautifully.
While this book is a paranormal read, it had a contemporary feel to it that made the haunting aspect so much more intense and emotional. I would find myself choking up, because it was constantly making me think of the what ifs. It was so real. So real! It did take me awhile to get into it. The contemporary feel kind of makes it slow at first, but it was just too haunting to pass up. I’m glad I stuck with it!
The ending of Ashes to Ashes……..I have no words. I did have that suspicion early on in the book, but it wasn’t something that was obvious. It was really me just trying to think of all the different types of scenarios that could go down. That was flipping brilliant! Probably one of the best endings that I’ve seen to a book. I can’t believe that Melissa C. Walker managed to pull that off. I can’t WAIT to read the next one. It sucks that I don’t have it.
Overall, I loved this book. I thought that it was great. Ashes to Ashes is a book that everyone is going to want to read, and it fits every group out there. Whether you love dystopia, contemporary, or paranormal…this one’s for you.
June 25, 2014
I don't feel like I should really give a young adult novel about ghosts five stars, right? I mean, it's another paranormal book with another love triangle and a protagonist that's a little slow and a lot irritating at times.
But... it was such an enjoyable story!
Basically, the novel focuses on Callie, a teenager who dies one night (in her brand new car... go figure!) on the way to her boyfriend's house. (This isn't a spoiler! I promise!) She wakes up to a strange, glowy existence only to discover that she is a ghost -- and she will not move on to the afterlife until she is able to help her dearest love ones find peace with her death.
Callie has a Guide, Thatcher, who assures her that he will help her through the process of seeking acceptance for herself and her family... but Callie meets a group of rebels who make her wonder if Thatcher might be hiding the true extent of her powers and abilities in Prism. So, when Callie is given an opportunity to reconnect with her boyfriend --- maybe even to join him back on Earth -- she jumps at the possibility. But, is there any truth in Thatcher's warnings that she may be making the biggest mistake of her (after)life?
Maybe it's because I've been in a reading slump, or because this is my first book about ghosts... or maybe it's just a genuinely entertaining piece of fiction, but I really loved ASHES TO ASHES. I mean, yes, there were times when I wondered how Callie could POSSIBLY be so unaware of what was happening all around her, but even these annoying little character quirks really weren't enough to detract from the story for me.
I enjoyed Thatcher's character and liked that the author provided a bit more character development and background than I usually expect in this type of story. Callie's friends and boyfriend before death were fairly multidimensional characters too -- I especially enjoyed her quirky best friend and her obsession with all things paranormal. Sure, she was a bit over the top at points, but who didn't know at least one kid in school who acted like this?
And.. that ending! I just really was NOT expecting that ending! And then I find out that I have to WAIT, because this is part of a series?!
If you like cute paranormal fiction with a little tinge of romance and intrigue, go ahead and give ASHES TO ASHES a read. Just know that you'll be waiting a little while for the story to continue...
(4.5 stars)
But... it was such an enjoyable story!
Basically, the novel focuses on Callie, a teenager who dies one night (in her brand new car... go figure!) on the way to her boyfriend's house. (This isn't a spoiler! I promise!) She wakes up to a strange, glowy existence only to discover that she is a ghost -- and she will not move on to the afterlife until she is able to help her dearest love ones find peace with her death.
Callie has a Guide, Thatcher, who assures her that he will help her through the process of seeking acceptance for herself and her family... but Callie meets a group of rebels who make her wonder if Thatcher might be hiding the true extent of her powers and abilities in Prism. So, when Callie is given an opportunity to reconnect with her boyfriend --- maybe even to join him back on Earth -- she jumps at the possibility. But, is there any truth in Thatcher's warnings that she may be making the biggest mistake of her (after)life?
Maybe it's because I've been in a reading slump, or because this is my first book about ghosts... or maybe it's just a genuinely entertaining piece of fiction, but I really loved ASHES TO ASHES. I mean, yes, there were times when I wondered how Callie could POSSIBLY be so unaware of what was happening all around her, but even these annoying little character quirks really weren't enough to detract from the story for me.
I enjoyed Thatcher's character and liked that the author provided a bit more character development and background than I usually expect in this type of story. Callie's friends and boyfriend before death were fairly multidimensional characters too -- I especially enjoyed her quirky best friend and her obsession with all things paranormal. Sure, she was a bit over the top at points, but who didn't know at least one kid in school who acted like this?
And.. that ending! I just really was NOT expecting that ending! And then I find out that I have to WAIT, because this is part of a series?!
If you like cute paranormal fiction with a little tinge of romance and intrigue, go ahead and give ASHES TO ASHES a read. Just know that you'll be waiting a little while for the story to continue...
(4.5 stars)
November 19, 2013
Wow!!!!!! One day to read one page to get hooked into this one..review to come….
My review:
Let me first say I LOVED IT! I was not sure what I was getting into when I started this one, I read the blurb just to see but thought, “ I am not sure this is a book I will enjoy” But let me say that’s was SO very wrong. I loved it and enjoyed it so much it took me 7 hours to read it. I COULD NOT put it down. I was just needed to get to the next chapter to see what was going to happen. Walker wrote not only a heart gripping read but also one that I have never come a crossed before. It had everything you ever wanted in a paranormal read!
So we follow Callie a young girl who’s life is cut very short when she is killed in a car wreck on her ways to see her boyfriend. Now she is stuck in the Prism, the place between the living and heaven. She is giving a sprit guide, Thatcher, to help her haunt the people she loves to help them move on from there lose of her. But he is not just a spirit guide he is a hot one, and she can’t seem to shake the fact she is attracted to him. Strange she is just died and lost her father, friends and boyfriend and she is having feeling for her guide. Strange right well let me say I never felt that way through out any of the book.
Now that she knows ghosts are real and she is on of them Callie has a lot to learn. Things are not going that great on Prism, there are loads of secrets and tons of thing she des not understand and this makes for a intense and suck you in type of read. Callie will have to deal with her life before she died, the boy who seems to have caught her attention and the sprits that are hell bent on staying on Earth and doing what ever it takes to makes sure that happens.
Walker will take you into a world you will not want to leave. There was such a great flow to this book its hard to explain it was just WOW. I cannot wait for book two, the ending to Ashes to Ashes really left for so much more to come. Phenomenal 2013 read that’s for sure!
My review:
Let me first say I LOVED IT! I was not sure what I was getting into when I started this one, I read the blurb just to see but thought, “ I am not sure this is a book I will enjoy” But let me say that’s was SO very wrong. I loved it and enjoyed it so much it took me 7 hours to read it. I COULD NOT put it down. I was just needed to get to the next chapter to see what was going to happen. Walker wrote not only a heart gripping read but also one that I have never come a crossed before. It had everything you ever wanted in a paranormal read!
So we follow Callie a young girl who’s life is cut very short when she is killed in a car wreck on her ways to see her boyfriend. Now she is stuck in the Prism, the place between the living and heaven. She is giving a sprit guide, Thatcher, to help her haunt the people she loves to help them move on from there lose of her. But he is not just a spirit guide he is a hot one, and she can’t seem to shake the fact she is attracted to him. Strange she is just died and lost her father, friends and boyfriend and she is having feeling for her guide. Strange right well let me say I never felt that way through out any of the book.
Now that she knows ghosts are real and she is on of them Callie has a lot to learn. Things are not going that great on Prism, there are loads of secrets and tons of thing she des not understand and this makes for a intense and suck you in type of read. Callie will have to deal with her life before she died, the boy who seems to have caught her attention and the sprits that are hell bent on staying on Earth and doing what ever it takes to makes sure that happens.
Walker will take you into a world you will not want to leave. There was such a great flow to this book its hard to explain it was just WOW. I cannot wait for book two, the ending to Ashes to Ashes really left for so much more to come. Phenomenal 2013 read that’s for sure!
January 8, 2014
Seventeen-year-old Callie is excited for her upcoming senior year - she's got the perfect boyfriend, a great best friend, and a brand-new car courtesy of her dad. But when Callie crashes her car, she is taken to the Prism - a transitional place between life and death where she will spend some time as a ghost, haunting those she loves until they are able to accept her death. "Haunting," in this book, doesn't refer to the typical scary and angry haunting, but rather to a method of connecting with the living person so that they know that you will always be with them. Once her loved ones have accepted her death, she'll move on to Solus, an alternate name for Heaven. Her guide throughout her haunting is Thatcher, a by-the-books ghost who doesn't seem to be much fun. Reena, however, seems to be a much more fun-loving ghost; she focuses on making "real" connections with the living, making things move and whispering in people's ears. Which is the right way? And does Callie really want to move on to Solus when it means never seeing her loved ones on Earth again?
This was such a fun read, and refreshingly well-written in an increasingly saturated market; these days, it feels like because YA is the "hot thing," a lot of poorly-edited and poorly-plotted books are seeing publication. Walker focuses on fewer characters rather than more, a good move that helps us get to know those characters well. And although I was able to predict a few of the twists (one was foreshadowed pretty much from the first few pages and I was astonished how long it took Callie to put the pieces together), the big one at the end was a true surprise. I did knock a star off because of the incredibly predictable love-triangle element; there were times when I just wanted Walker to get back to the world-building and haunting scenes that she did so well.
Although Ashes to Ashes isn't highbrow, it was supremely enjoyable and incorporated a lot of interesting philosophical thoughts on life, death, and grieving. This is one where I'm anticipating the sequel!
This was such a fun read, and refreshingly well-written in an increasingly saturated market; these days, it feels like because YA is the "hot thing," a lot of poorly-edited and poorly-plotted books are seeing publication. Walker focuses on fewer characters rather than more, a good move that helps us get to know those characters well. And although I was able to predict a few of the twists (one was foreshadowed pretty much from the first few pages and I was astonished how long it took Callie to put the pieces together), the big one at the end was a true surprise. I did knock a star off because of the incredibly predictable love-triangle element; there were times when I just wanted Walker to get back to the world-building and haunting scenes that she did so well.
Although Ashes to Ashes isn't highbrow, it was supremely enjoyable and incorporated a lot of interesting philosophical thoughts on life, death, and grieving. This is one where I'm anticipating the sequel!
December 15, 2013
I wasn't expecting to enjoy Ashes to Ashes as much as I did, so I am very glad I was sent a review copy. I read some of Melissa's other books, but they seemed so different, and I felt like I was done with ghost stories, but this had a spin that I enjoyed.
I enjoyed Callie, and wanted to know why she was special, having all of the energy, clear memories and emotions when she first crossed into the Prism, and I was curious about the mysterious Thatcher. There is also another group that does not want to move on to Solace, the version of heaven per Thatcher in this book.
The grief and emotions jump off the page, and while it seems it would be a completely down book, there are plenty of lighter moments and even flashbacks to get some romance and bestie time.
What I also appreciate is the message--you don't know if you will have another day, another chance to speak to the people you love, and she was looking back wishing that her and her father would have been closer, and that once we die, there is no way to fix that, so focus on what is important.
One thing that bothered me was some repetition of the rules and facts about Prism where different people says different things about what is okay or not, what you're supposed to do or not. And then there are details that I felt should have been given a tad earlier to avoid said repetition. If we had more info, the why, how, etc then it wouldn't be like, oh here's the rule again, and no reason behind it.
I figured out the twist before I got there as well as a few other details that maybe should have been more mysterious, but it didn't take away my enjoyment, and this is a series that I will continue with. Besides my affirmed suspicions about the end, they did a good job wrapping things up and stopped at a point that definitely made me wonder where exactly the series will go next, and wanting more.
Bottom Line: Good, fast read even if a bit predictable.
I enjoyed Callie, and wanted to know why she was special, having all of the energy, clear memories and emotions when she first crossed into the Prism, and I was curious about the mysterious Thatcher. There is also another group that does not want to move on to Solace, the version of heaven per Thatcher in this book.
The grief and emotions jump off the page, and while it seems it would be a completely down book, there are plenty of lighter moments and even flashbacks to get some romance and bestie time.
What I also appreciate is the message--you don't know if you will have another day, another chance to speak to the people you love, and she was looking back wishing that her and her father would have been closer, and that once we die, there is no way to fix that, so focus on what is important.
One thing that bothered me was some repetition of the rules and facts about Prism where different people says different things about what is okay or not, what you're supposed to do or not. And then there are details that I felt should have been given a tad earlier to avoid said repetition. If we had more info, the why, how, etc then it wouldn't be like, oh here's the rule again, and no reason behind it.
I figured out the twist before I got there as well as a few other details that maybe should have been more mysterious, but it didn't take away my enjoyment, and this is a series that I will continue with. Besides my affirmed suspicions about the end, they did a good job wrapping things up and stopped at a point that definitely made me wonder where exactly the series will go next, and wanting more.
Bottom Line: Good, fast read even if a bit predictable.
December 4, 2013
Ashes to Ashes was reviewed by our reviewer Fiona. This review can be found on http://www.goodchoicereading.com/2013...
4.5 Stars!
What happens to your body when you die? Where does your soul go? How do you reach your loved ones to help them get over your passing and what if they still had something to tell you?
Ashes to Ashes is a journey that 16 year old Callie takes after a horrific accident. Callie is a thrill seeker, she uses this to mask the emptiness that she has after losing her mother to an illness many years before, which puts her in some pretty questionable situations.
It’s the summer between her sophomore and junior year of high school and her father has just given her first car. Having this car would change Callie's outlook on life forever!
In the Prism (the other realm), Callie meets the Guides-Thatcher, Sarah, & Ryan who will teach her what she needs to know to put her loved ones at ease and help them accept her death.
Along her journey throughout the Prism she learns that there too exists good and evil when it comes to the ghosts. She's taught in a sense that one's energy is like GOLD!
Throughout my reading, I noticed that Ms. Walker has her characters experience as many emotions as possible-sadness, anger, fear, embarrassment, happiness, and exhilaration.
Ms. Walker's writing style draws the reader into the pages of the book, I was able to feel the emotions with Callie, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next whether it be good or bad.
The book takes quite a few interesting turns which keep the reader's attention. Ashes to Ashes is packed with drama, romance, and action/suspense.
I recommend this book for ages 16+ because of the dramatics in the storyline, it may be a bit too much for a younger reader.
Ms. Walker, I would like to see more of this story continued from the Epilogue.
Out of 5 stars my recommendation would be 4.5.
4.5 Stars!
What happens to your body when you die? Where does your soul go? How do you reach your loved ones to help them get over your passing and what if they still had something to tell you?
Ashes to Ashes is a journey that 16 year old Callie takes after a horrific accident. Callie is a thrill seeker, she uses this to mask the emptiness that she has after losing her mother to an illness many years before, which puts her in some pretty questionable situations.
It’s the summer between her sophomore and junior year of high school and her father has just given her first car. Having this car would change Callie's outlook on life forever!
In the Prism (the other realm), Callie meets the Guides-Thatcher, Sarah, & Ryan who will teach her what she needs to know to put her loved ones at ease and help them accept her death.
Along her journey throughout the Prism she learns that there too exists good and evil when it comes to the ghosts. She's taught in a sense that one's energy is like GOLD!
Throughout my reading, I noticed that Ms. Walker has her characters experience as many emotions as possible-sadness, anger, fear, embarrassment, happiness, and exhilaration.
Ms. Walker's writing style draws the reader into the pages of the book, I was able to feel the emotions with Callie, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next whether it be good or bad.
The book takes quite a few interesting turns which keep the reader's attention. Ashes to Ashes is packed with drama, romance, and action/suspense.
I recommend this book for ages 16+ because of the dramatics in the storyline, it may be a bit too much for a younger reader.
Ms. Walker, I would like to see more of this story continued from the Epilogue.
Out of 5 stars my recommendation would be 4.5.
March 6, 2014
I couldn't even finish this book and it pisses me off because I wasted almost $9 of my Christmas money on it. This is gonna be a bit of a rant.
I bought Ashes to Ashes because it sounded intriguing and it was set in Charleston. I live in Upstate SC but my brother goes to college in Charleston and I love the city. I read the sample on my Kindle and the author mentioned so many familiar places and stories that I decided I had to read it. Mistake.
My first problem is with the main character. I didn't like her AT ALL. She was whiny and annoying and obsessed with her boyfriend - all the things I hate in a MC. I really didn't care what happened to her and truthfully hoped she would get more interesting after death. That didn't happen.
The version of the afterlife that the author illustrates is painfully boring. I rolled my eyes so much that bystanders may have thought I was having some sort of seizure. Seriously? There is nothing to do but watch the living live their lives and MEDITATE? If I wasn't already dead by that point, I would have thrown myself off of a bridge.
The love interest (?), Thatcher, was about as interesting as a week-old jello mold. He was always lecturing Callie, never letting her have any fun and always droning on about peace. I would be more attracted to the sidewalk than this nincompoop.
The "villains" were the only mildly interesting part and even they read like the annoying mean kids in a subpar YA novel.
Also, she wouldn't have been going 90 mph down a street in downtown Charleston. It's virtually impossible.
Sorry ya'll - I warned you about the rant. I'm just so frustrated. Normally, I can at least find one nice thing to say but I'm mostly irritated that I will never get the 2 hours back that it took me to read half of it.
Not recommended at all.
I bought Ashes to Ashes because it sounded intriguing and it was set in Charleston. I live in Upstate SC but my brother goes to college in Charleston and I love the city. I read the sample on my Kindle and the author mentioned so many familiar places and stories that I decided I had to read it. Mistake.
My first problem is with the main character. I didn't like her AT ALL. She was whiny and annoying and obsessed with her boyfriend - all the things I hate in a MC. I really didn't care what happened to her and truthfully hoped she would get more interesting after death. That didn't happen.
The version of the afterlife that the author illustrates is painfully boring. I rolled my eyes so much that bystanders may have thought I was having some sort of seizure. Seriously? There is nothing to do but watch the living live their lives and MEDITATE? If I wasn't already dead by that point, I would have thrown myself off of a bridge.
The love interest (?), Thatcher, was about as interesting as a week-old jello mold. He was always lecturing Callie, never letting her have any fun and always droning on about peace. I would be more attracted to the sidewalk than this nincompoop.
The "villains" were the only mildly interesting part and even they read like the annoying mean kids in a subpar YA novel.
Also, she wouldn't have been going 90 mph down a street in downtown Charleston. It's virtually impossible.
Sorry ya'll - I warned you about the rant. I'm just so frustrated. Normally, I can at least find one nice thing to say but I'm mostly irritated that I will never get the 2 hours back that it took me to read half of it.
Not recommended at all.
August 27, 2014
Oh my lawd. Oh. My. Lawd. I enjoyed Ashes To Ashes so much more than I thought I would. What had me on edge about reading this was the fact that there are alot of books that come off like it. You know where someone dies and become trapped in the in between having to watch their loved ones grief. Personally, it depends on the book for me to like those plot ideas. But this knocked it out of the park. Ashes To Ashes completey changed my view on "stuck in the in between" books. Callie gets into a car accident and ends up going to the Prism. It's where souls go to learn to haunt. To be guided on how to help their loved ones be at peace with the death. After that they can move on to Solus...or so some do. I think why I like this was because of my interest in the paranormal. Walker did an amazing job twisting this idea into something else. It wasn't a sad book about grieving it was..powerful. It kept drawing me in with each page. Having so much happen on the spirit world side with so many secrets then the surprises being thrown at you on the 'alive' side, all added together to make a great, suspenseful read. The characters were pretty nicely written. Callie could get a bit annoying. she was very clueless and a bit gullible. At times I was verbally saying HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT THEY ARE BAD AND THAT IS A BAD IDEA. But I guess with all her confusion maybe that was her way of coping? I don't know but other than that she was a strong lead. Thatcher made my heart ache. You could see him letting his walls down and opening up to Callie. You could sense they had a bond. The twists and turns thrown all in this book was perfect. The ending was absolutely beautiful. Yes it's a cliffhanger but the kind that makes you excited to see what's next. I hope there's another one because Ashes To Ashes is one of my favorites this year.
August 15, 2019
I feel like I want to be so done with YA novels. I am sick of this insta-love, whining MC cliché. The first book of 2014 and I'm already disappointed.
She reminisces about Nick, then turns around and starts to fantasize about her new guide named Thatcher who, by the way, sounds like the typical boy in a YA novel (blond hair that falls over his blue eyes, broad shoulders, yadda yadda yadda). Not even that, but as soon as the newly Dead named Genevieve asks what's-her-face (she's not that important to me so I keep forgetting her name) if Thatcher is her Guide, she gets all "this is my Guide waaaah" and literally starts with,
"I don't know why, but I feel a sense of ownership over the strong shape of Thatcher's shoulders, the way his lips are parted slightly..."
WHAT? Okay you DO know why you feel that way: you lust for not only your boyfriend, but your dead Guide. Like, you met him most likely an hour ago, it's not that hard to know it's lust if you're ifngidnkabf You were just reminiscing about Nick—the memory you wish you could hold on to forever knowing good and well that you should have chosen your mother—A PAGE BEFORE YOU MET THE OTHER GIRL. I AM SO DONE WITH THIS.
*glares at a lighter*
She reminisces about Nick, then turns around and starts to fantasize about her new guide named Thatcher who, by the way, sounds like the typical boy in a YA novel (blond hair that falls over his blue eyes, broad shoulders, yadda yadda yadda). Not even that, but as soon as the newly Dead named Genevieve asks what's-her-face (she's not that important to me so I keep forgetting her name) if Thatcher is her Guide, she gets all "this is my Guide waaaah" and literally starts with,
"I don't know why, but I feel a sense of ownership over the strong shape of Thatcher's shoulders, the way his lips are parted slightly..."
WHAT? Okay you DO know why you feel that way: you lust for not only your boyfriend, but your dead Guide. Like, you met him most likely an hour ago, it's not that hard to know it's lust if you're ifngidnkabf You were just reminiscing about Nick—the memory you wish you could hold on to forever knowing good and well that you should have chosen your mother—A PAGE BEFORE YOU MET THE OTHER GIRL. I AM SO DONE WITH THIS.
*glares at a lighter*
January 22, 2014
I received a copy of Ashes to Ashes from a GoodReads first reads giveaway.
I don't usually read paranormal novels so I was not sure what to expect. i was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The premise is that thrill seeker Callie dies in a car accident and wakes up in Prism, where she must haunt her friends and family until they have accepted her death, and then she can move on to Soulus. She has a guide named Thatcher who is supposed to teach her how to complete her haunting.
The best part of the novel for me was the character development, especially Callie. As she struggles to accept her death and the grief it caused, she also begins to understand that she should have approached life differently. Callie's relationship with Thatcher and Thatcher's past was also intriguing.
I also liked the conflict in Prism between guides and those who do not want to move on from Prism and the back story behind that. I am eager to see where that goes in the sequel.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am excited about the sequel.
I don't usually read paranormal novels so I was not sure what to expect. i was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. The premise is that thrill seeker Callie dies in a car accident and wakes up in Prism, where she must haunt her friends and family until they have accepted her death, and then she can move on to Soulus. She has a guide named Thatcher who is supposed to teach her how to complete her haunting.
The best part of the novel for me was the character development, especially Callie. As she struggles to accept her death and the grief it caused, she also begins to understand that she should have approached life differently. Callie's relationship with Thatcher and Thatcher's past was also intriguing.
I also liked the conflict in Prism between guides and those who do not want to move on from Prism and the back story behind that. I am eager to see where that goes in the sequel.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am excited about the sequel.
April 3, 2014
Callie is a thrill-seeker; it is the only way she knows how to feel alive… until it leads to her untimely death. She finds herself in an afterlife existence in Prism, a place between Earth and whatever comes next. Callie meets a boy ghost, Thatcher, who is a spirit guide and will help her to haunt her loved ones so they can move on. Thatcher’s version of haunting is quiet and peaceful and will help those left behind to heal. Callie feels frustrated with the slowness of this type of healing; instead she is drawn to the intervention style of some fringe ghosts. They are attempting to return to Earth and make their presence felt by using Callie’s energy. Callie’s present-tense narration creates a wonderful view into how she feels about her current state of limbo. The beginning of the story started a little slow but those who persist will be rewarded. This first installment in a two-part afterlife story will draw fans of self-discovery, love stories, and the paranormal.
August 15, 2014
Oh my gosh! okay! so I love love loveddddd this book! the only reason I didn't give it a 5 star is the ended. I almost ripped the book in half! Such a cliffhanger! thank god there is going to be a sequel otherwise this book would have been a 1 star because that was the dumbest ending I've ever read! I hate getting myself involved in series though. especially when the next book isn't even out yet. However, I can't rant about this book until I read the conclusion of it in the next book in December. This book on its own was a phenomenal book. I read the whole thing in a day and I just wanted more! Hopefully the sequel will be up to my standards and have a better ending than the first book. No more messing with my emotions!
While reading though I could totally see the whole if I stay book coming in to play. so thank god the synopsis said something about it being related to if I stay. I don't know. that's just my little cliff note lol(:
While reading though I could totally see the whole if I stay book coming in to play. so thank god the synopsis said something about it being related to if I stay. I don't know. that's just my little cliff note lol(:
July 30, 2018
This was much better than I thought! The premise seemed kind of tired, but I found myself immersed quickly. It's a story about letting go and finding peace after death, both from the side of the living and from those who have passed on. It's a thoughtful premise, but along with it are some genuinely creepy stakes as poltergeists try to learn how to possess living bodies permanently.
I was also really pleased that there was a good explanation for why Callie was "different" as a ghost- too often in these paranormal books the main character is special or has different powers for no reason, or with a thin explanation tacked on. The mystery behind why Callie's energy is stronger and why she can do certain things that other ghosts can't IS explained, an the ending is a great twist that guarantees a sequel.
I was also really pleased that there was a good explanation for why Callie was "different" as a ghost- too often in these paranormal books the main character is special or has different powers for no reason, or with a thin explanation tacked on. The mystery behind why Callie's energy is stronger and why she can do certain things that other ghosts can't IS explained, an the ending is a great twist that guarantees a sequel.
May 13, 2014
Started this book in the morning, finished it in the evening. Perfect for fans of the movie Ghost or the book If I Stay. Callie is in a car accident and the next thing she knows she's in a version of the afterlife with a guide named Thatcher. He's there to guide her goodbyes to her family & friends and help them find peace with what has happened. But there's also others in the afterlife that are encouraging Callie to join them and find a way to permanently stay on earth. As a reader you are trying to understand who's telling Callie the truth and who is leading her astray. Beautiful writing, great premise with strong relationships. I'm looking forward to reading book two, Dust To Dust, coming out late this year.
dnf
May 14, 2020I dnfed this book roughly 76 pages in. Even though I did not finish it, it is handy for me to know why I did not finish it so here I go.
This wasn't a bad book, but it just couldn't keep my attention. I love reading books about the afterlife so I thought this would be up my alley. The afterlife shown in this book has some interesting ideas but it is mostly ghosts stalking the living which I have seen done many times before in books. The book also seems to revolve more around romance, there's even a hint of a love triangle, and that's not what I'm looking for. I kept wanting to read other things instead so I'm DNFing this. Again, not a bad book, and if I picked it up back in 2013 when I added it I might've continued, but I want to read books that I enjoy reading now.
This wasn't a bad book, but it just couldn't keep my attention. I love reading books about the afterlife so I thought this would be up my alley. The afterlife shown in this book has some interesting ideas but it is mostly ghosts stalking the living which I have seen done many times before in books. The book also seems to revolve more around romance, there's even a hint of a love triangle, and that's not what I'm looking for. I kept wanting to read other things instead so I'm DNFing this. Again, not a bad book, and if I picked it up back in 2013 when I added it I might've continued, but I want to read books that I enjoy reading now.
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