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I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter
Moody sixteen-year-old barista Devin Mulwray is doing his best to ignore bizarre manifestations at his job in the chilly Northern California town of Arcata. Already teased about his recurrent ‘phase-outs’, the last thing he needs is to get pegged as a guy who sees ghosts. It doesn’t help his state of mind that his boss is a sarcastic slacker, his single dad is always on the road with clients and local occult fan girl Nayra is spreading ‘ghost boy’ rumors about him online.
But when violent paranormal activity badly spooks teens at an abandoned estate, Devin’s pushed into investigating by his eccentric friends Clive, a budding composer, and Rex, a tech head excited by ghost hunting gadgetry. At first reluctant to get involved, Devin’s encouraged when Emily, one of the more empathetic girls at Grey Bluff High, is impressed with his daring.
Together the friends explore the creepy Rousten manor. But as the only person able to perceive the manifestations, Devin soon finds himself going one-on-one against a powerful spirit who attacks the locals and infiltrates Devin’s own dreams.
Devin must face his fear of confronting the spirit world and get to the bottom of the hauntings before the specter unleashes more havoc on him and his friends.
Cover art by Christopher Park of Plant Monster Studios
But when violent paranormal activity badly spooks teens at an abandoned estate, Devin’s pushed into investigating by his eccentric friends Clive, a budding composer, and Rex, a tech head excited by ghost hunting gadgetry. At first reluctant to get involved, Devin’s encouraged when Emily, one of the more empathetic girls at Grey Bluff High, is impressed with his daring.
Together the friends explore the creepy Rousten manor. But as the only person able to perceive the manifestations, Devin soon finds himself going one-on-one against a powerful spirit who attacks the locals and infiltrates Devin’s own dreams.
Devin must face his fear of confronting the spirit world and get to the bottom of the hauntings before the specter unleashes more havoc on him and his friends.
Cover art by Christopher Park of Plant Monster Studios
271 pages, ebook
First published March 11, 2014
4 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Brian K. Henry
7 books149 followersFollow Brian's contributions to the twitter world at http://twitter.com/brianhenry63 and become a friend on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/briankeithhenry. To purchase e-books, check out the Amazon author page at http://amzn.to/t5Fnpw. Get the “absolutely hilarious” Space Command and the Planet of the Bejewelled Concubines at Amazon http://amzn.to/NhTmgL or at Smashwords: http://bit.ly/OVo6JA. House of Prension is also available at Smashwords: http://bit.ly/s7LZHH. Visit my smashwords author page at http://bit.ly/vqQIO4.
Brian K. Henry is the author of the humorous paranormal novel I WAS A
TEENAGE GHOST HUNTER. His other books include the fantasy novel HOUSE OF PRENSION and sci-fi novel SPACE COMMAND AND THE PLANET OF THE BEJEWELLED CONCUBINES, as well as the story collection SPACE COMMAND AND THE PLANETS OF DOOM. Primarily a writer of comedy and satire, Brian has also completed seven comedy screenplays, (including ZAK BEDFORD, PUNK DETECTIVE option to Feldco Development), several collaborations with punk-cabaret duo The Tyrants in Therapy and numerous short stories, sketches and, of course, tweets.
A California native and longtime Pasadena resident, Henry holds a PhD. in English from UC Riverside and a MA from CSU Fullerton. A die hard CD addict and music fan, his collection spans classical to Britpop to punk with especially large sections devoted to Mahler, Prokofiev, Wagner, the Dandy Warhols, XTC, Morrissey and the Smiths, Depeche Mode, and Madness.
Henry’s dissertation focused on the works of Henry James, Nabokov, and Poe. Other literary favorites include Don DeLillo, Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
Brian K. Henry is the author of the humorous paranormal novel I WAS A
TEENAGE GHOST HUNTER. His other books include the fantasy novel HOUSE OF PRENSION and sci-fi novel SPACE COMMAND AND THE PLANET OF THE BEJEWELLED CONCUBINES, as well as the story collection SPACE COMMAND AND THE PLANETS OF DOOM. Primarily a writer of comedy and satire, Brian has also completed seven comedy screenplays, (including ZAK BEDFORD, PUNK DETECTIVE option to Feldco Development), several collaborations with punk-cabaret duo The Tyrants in Therapy and numerous short stories, sketches and, of course, tweets.
A California native and longtime Pasadena resident, Henry holds a PhD. in English from UC Riverside and a MA from CSU Fullerton. A die hard CD addict and music fan, his collection spans classical to Britpop to punk with especially large sections devoted to Mahler, Prokofiev, Wagner, the Dandy Warhols, XTC, Morrissey and the Smiths, Depeche Mode, and Madness.
Henry’s dissertation focused on the works of Henry James, Nabokov, and Poe. Other literary favorites include Don DeLillo, Mark Twain, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.
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December 26, 2022
— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Brian K. Henry
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Children's Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 18th March 2014
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is the first book that follows friends Devin, Clive and Rex as they investigation possible hauntings in their town, Arcata. Devin has the unique ability to see ghosts and creepy manifestations of imprinted spirits which is a huge burden on him, so he's not overly keen to seek them out.
When the Rousten estate has reported strange instances and two scared teenagers come running and screaming to a party that Devin, Clive and Rex were at, they decide that it's time to have a poke around.
The friends explore the spooky, abandoned Rousten manor and find that the ghost of Rutherford Rousten has been stirred up, and boy, is he angry...
Brian K. Henry does an awesome job of telling a mysterious, entertaining story about ghost hunting. The story didn't take itself too seriously; the vintage rug attacking Devin, the casual, light hearted tone of the prose and the sarcastic dialogue from Devin.
It wasn't the kind of spooky that gives you nightmares but more the kind that keeps you watching Ghost Busters.
The humorous banter between the three friends was a great way to establish the friendship boundaries and dynamics between them.
I would have loved to read this as a kid - it reminds me of the Goosebumps stories I used to read in class, except I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter was a little more enigmatic.
I thought that the ending was pretty tame. I wasn't expecting Devin to suck up Rousten in his ghost hoover or anything, but a little more excitement would have gone a long way. To be honest, it didn't really peak for me.
Thank you to the author, Brian K. Henry for gifting me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Brian K. Henry
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Children's Fiction
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 18th March 2014
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 3/5
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is the first book that follows friends Devin, Clive and Rex as they investigation possible hauntings in their town, Arcata. Devin has the unique ability to see ghosts and creepy manifestations of imprinted spirits which is a huge burden on him, so he's not overly keen to seek them out.
When the Rousten estate has reported strange instances and two scared teenagers come running and screaming to a party that Devin, Clive and Rex were at, they decide that it's time to have a poke around.
The friends explore the spooky, abandoned Rousten manor and find that the ghost of Rutherford Rousten has been stirred up, and boy, is he angry...
Brian K. Henry does an awesome job of telling a mysterious, entertaining story about ghost hunting. The story didn't take itself too seriously; the vintage rug attacking Devin, the casual, light hearted tone of the prose and the sarcastic dialogue from Devin.
It wasn't the kind of spooky that gives you nightmares but more the kind that keeps you watching Ghost Busters.
The humorous banter between the three friends was a great way to establish the friendship boundaries and dynamics between them.
"“Devin, I see a figure!”
Devin recognized Clive’s distinctive voice. He must be somewhere on the front of the property.
“What kind of figure?”
“Spooky as hell. It’s kind of big, rippling and kind of bat-like. Like it’s got some dark freaky wings.”
“Where?”
“Right on the center front of the roof!”
Devin looked around, saw nothing incredibly creepy, then realized his jacket was blowing out fiercely on both sides. “That’s me, Clive. My jacket’s whipping around.”
“Jeez, you’re spooky. Stop that. It’s freaking me out.”"
I would have loved to read this as a kid - it reminds me of the Goosebumps stories I used to read in class, except I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter was a little more enigmatic.
I thought that the ending was pretty tame. I wasn't expecting Devin to suck up Rousten in his ghost hoover or anything, but a little more excitement would have gone a long way. To be honest, it didn't really peak for me.
Thank you to the author, Brian K. Henry for gifting me a copy of his book in exchange for an honest review.
🧚🏻♀️
♡ my bookstagram • my twitter ♡
↑ follow my socials for more bookish content. ↑
April 11, 2019
Title: I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter
Author: Brian K. Henry
Genre: YA Horror, Ghost Story
Published: Self-published 2013
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is a quirky self-published YA ghost story. This novel follows Devin, a sixteen-year-old boy, as he navigates a job he hates, friends, and the fact that he can see ghosts. His friends convince him to investigate a creepy mansion while his dad is out of town, and strange encounters occur with the former owner.
My Thoughts
Thank you to the author for the copy for review.
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is light entertaining horror read perfect for teen readers. This novel seemed decently polished for a self-published work.
Devin and his friends were interesting and well developed characters that were fun to read about. One character that I wish was more fleshed out would be the father. Devin's father was out of town for work the whole week this story takes pace. I thought that was a bit convenient, and I would have enjoyed to see more of the family dynamic within the story.
There were some genuinely creepy scenes in this book that I really enjoyed, but nothing to bad to scare off a younger reader. There were also some silly aspects to the haunting and with the friends. The mix of spooky and funny made a very light entertaining read which is pretty rare when it comes to horror novels. I would recommend this book for teenage readers as well as adult readers that enjoy a good YA ghost story.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Author: Brian K. Henry
Genre: YA Horror, Ghost Story
Published: Self-published 2013
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is a quirky self-published YA ghost story. This novel follows Devin, a sixteen-year-old boy, as he navigates a job he hates, friends, and the fact that he can see ghosts. His friends convince him to investigate a creepy mansion while his dad is out of town, and strange encounters occur with the former owner.
My Thoughts
Thank you to the author for the copy for review.
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is light entertaining horror read perfect for teen readers. This novel seemed decently polished for a self-published work.
Devin and his friends were interesting and well developed characters that were fun to read about. One character that I wish was more fleshed out would be the father. Devin's father was out of town for work the whole week this story takes pace. I thought that was a bit convenient, and I would have enjoyed to see more of the family dynamic within the story.
There were some genuinely creepy scenes in this book that I really enjoyed, but nothing to bad to scare off a younger reader. There were also some silly aspects to the haunting and with the friends. The mix of spooky and funny made a very light entertaining read which is pretty rare when it comes to horror novels. I would recommend this book for teenage readers as well as adult readers that enjoy a good YA ghost story.
My Rating: 3.5 stars
October 14, 2016
I was impressed by the picturesque wording used to describe the characters and the locations, I truly felt as if I were a part of the action. If I were to see this book on a shelf, I would most likely buy it for the cover art, without having any prior knowledge on the book. With that said I think the cover art is great. There seemed to be a glitch in the ebook setting as there were a few identical pages and I felt I was in a Deja Vu moment, looking back there was a chapter repeated and seemingly misplaced. I also felt that the story was a little too long for the plot line. Overall I did enjoy this book, I think with a little work it could be even better.
August 14, 2020
I received this book for free from The Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
As soon as Brian Henry reach out to me about possibly reviewing I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter, I knew I had to after I read the synopsis! It reminded me of something that I would have read while I was in school. I used to be attached to supernatural books like Goosebumps and The Last Apprentice Series.
I found Devin it be an average teenager with above average as I call it a superpower. He can literally communicate with ghosts even if he is just beginning to get the hang of it. I aspect I liked most about Devin throughout I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was that he slowly learned more about his gift of communicating with ghosts. Rousten, a mean spirited ghost is causing havoc on the Devin and his friends, but just maybe they started it.
The book follows Devin and his friends Clive and Rex as they try and get to the bottom of the issues at the Rousten estate. But at times goes on Devin can really feel the effects of his almost nightly vigils, both mentally and physically. But he wanted to stop the haunting and the people of Arcata, it was up to him.
Of course, Devin also has to deal with the typical high school. That includes partying and of course bullying. He's known as ghost boy ever since the student body found out that he had been able to see a ghost. For me, this brings another accurate representation of real-life into I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter.
Overall, if you enjoy paranormal high school fiction then this book is for you. It was nicely paced and the imagery was amazing. This would be a great book for middle school-aged readers and up. I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was a fantastic read and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
This review was originally posted on Charles Reads
As soon as Brian Henry reach out to me about possibly reviewing I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter, I knew I had to after I read the synopsis! It reminded me of something that I would have read while I was in school. I used to be attached to supernatural books like Goosebumps and The Last Apprentice Series.
I found Devin it be an average teenager with above average as I call it a superpower. He can literally communicate with ghosts even if he is just beginning to get the hang of it. I aspect I liked most about Devin throughout I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was that he slowly learned more about his gift of communicating with ghosts. Rousten, a mean spirited ghost is causing havoc on the Devin and his friends, but just maybe they started it.
The book follows Devin and his friends Clive and Rex as they try and get to the bottom of the issues at the Rousten estate. But at times goes on Devin can really feel the effects of his almost nightly vigils, both mentally and physically. But he wanted to stop the haunting and the people of Arcata, it was up to him.
Of course, Devin also has to deal with the typical high school. That includes partying and of course bullying. He's known as ghost boy ever since the student body found out that he had been able to see a ghost. For me, this brings another accurate representation of real-life into I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter.
Overall, if you enjoy paranormal high school fiction then this book is for you. It was nicely paced and the imagery was amazing. This would be a great book for middle school-aged readers and up. I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was a fantastic read and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
This review was originally posted on Charles Reads
August 4, 2019
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter
I would like to thank the author for gifting me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is delightful! I found it to be the exact right amount of humor and horror. Though, there was a bit too much of that teenage angst one finds in a lot of Young Adult novels. Of course, that it the idea, so please take that comment with a grain of salt. Teenagers will love this book!
I felt as if I were front and center in this book. I shared the emotions of the characters, which are extremely well-written. The old Rousten place was the perfect setting for the spooky elements. I also could picture the hotel with great clarity. Romona? I think we all have experienced a Romona in our lives.
I did have a hard time taking the male specter seriously though. He was a bit cartoonish to me until the end when he took full form. After that, he was satisfyingly scary.
All in all, though, it is a wonderful novel and I can see how young adults could identify with these characters as fellow teenagers, though maybe without the ghosts. The rest of the book is fully relatable to the average teenager.
I award I Was a Teenage Ghosthunter 4 out of 5 stars. I urge everyone to read this book!
I would like to thank the author for gifting me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is delightful! I found it to be the exact right amount of humor and horror. Though, there was a bit too much of that teenage angst one finds in a lot of Young Adult novels. Of course, that it the idea, so please take that comment with a grain of salt. Teenagers will love this book!
I felt as if I were front and center in this book. I shared the emotions of the characters, which are extremely well-written. The old Rousten place was the perfect setting for the spooky elements. I also could picture the hotel with great clarity. Romona? I think we all have experienced a Romona in our lives.
I did have a hard time taking the male specter seriously though. He was a bit cartoonish to me until the end when he took full form. After that, he was satisfyingly scary.
All in all, though, it is a wonderful novel and I can see how young adults could identify with these characters as fellow teenagers, though maybe without the ghosts. The rest of the book is fully relatable to the average teenager.
I award I Was a Teenage Ghosthunter 4 out of 5 stars. I urge everyone to read this book!
December 9, 2019
I was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is a light-hearted paranormal read with a unique plot, well-rounded characters and sprinkled with humor. The story follows Devin, a sixteen-year-old barista with unique abilities and his friends. He can see ghosts but tries really hard not to. His close friends know that and often tease him about it. It’s hard to hide it because when he sees manifestations of the other world gets into a trance-like stance.
“I get distracted sometimes. I try to focus, but before I know it I just get into some zone.”
The author’s sense of humor comes through almost every conversation and that’s part of this book’s charm. Who doesn’t love witty dialogue?
Nayra removed her hands and continued walking. “The exact nature of your phase-outs are what perplex me. Do you like lemon?”
“Why? Are phase-outs,
like, citrus related?”
“No. They have lemon-melon
ice cream this week on special at the Freezer Cup.”
Nayra even has a blog about supernatural manifestations where she posts about Devin’s phase-outs while Rex tries to down-play it.
I wouldn’t worry about it,” advised Rex. “There’s only like 100,000 members on that whole site, and half of them live in Romania or something.”
Read the full review here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
“I get distracted sometimes. I try to focus, but before I know it I just get into some zone.”
The author’s sense of humor comes through almost every conversation and that’s part of this book’s charm. Who doesn’t love witty dialogue?
Nayra removed her hands and continued walking. “The exact nature of your phase-outs are what perplex me. Do you like lemon?”
“Why? Are phase-outs,
like, citrus related?”
“No. They have lemon-melon
ice cream this week on special at the Freezer Cup.”
Nayra even has a blog about supernatural manifestations where she posts about Devin’s phase-outs while Rex tries to down-play it.
I wouldn’t worry about it,” advised Rex. “There’s only like 100,000 members on that whole site, and half of them live in Romania or something.”
Read the full review here: https://www.summonfantasy.com/book-re...
July 18, 2016
"No rest for the eerie"
It takes a lot to scare me and freak me out. I have read so many horror novels and seen a lot of horror movies, that most things don't even phase me. Except if you're Angela from Sleepaway Camp, then I'm gone. You'll see a cloud of dust shaped like me.
I want to be scared to where I lose sleep and have to constantly look over my shoulder. This book is full of ghostly frights, but none of it even phased me. I think to normal people, they would lose their shit over this. To the average non-freak this would spook them like no other.
Devin has been seeing things out the corner of his eye and most recently they have been appearing more often. Living in a small town, everyone knows your business. He can't concentrate, loses sleep and kids at school delittle him for being the ghost boy.
At work he can't seem to hold it together. Going to strange realms in his mind and not paying attention to his surroundings. Seems like he might be going crazy.
At a marsh party, a girl comes screaming out of the woods with her boyfriend talking about hearing loud bangs inside of the old Rousten Manor.
The manor has been abonded for some time and kids sneak in their to het things done... (clears throat and straightens tie).
Devin and his two friends, Clive and Rex talk about seeing of they can see or hear what Jean was talking about.
At the house Devin is attacked by books or whatever else the ghost can thrown at him. Now it's Devins turn to find out the truth.
Extremely adventurous and highly descriptive. Everything was laid out elegantly and you knew exactly what was going on. The ending had me a tad disappointed. Some of the characters were thrown in and disappeared. As some of the characters fully developed, others fell off and didn't gain much of anything until the very end.
What I noticed was everyone seemed to love vitamin water. Umm eww. Also, whats up with the use of last names? Everyone was know by their full names. We are on a first name basis people!
Not impressive to this weirdo here, but could be terrifying for others.
Now stay off my lawn!!
It takes a lot to scare me and freak me out. I have read so many horror novels and seen a lot of horror movies, that most things don't even phase me. Except if you're Angela from Sleepaway Camp, then I'm gone. You'll see a cloud of dust shaped like me.
I want to be scared to where I lose sleep and have to constantly look over my shoulder. This book is full of ghostly frights, but none of it even phased me. I think to normal people, they would lose their shit over this. To the average non-freak this would spook them like no other.
Devin has been seeing things out the corner of his eye and most recently they have been appearing more often. Living in a small town, everyone knows your business. He can't concentrate, loses sleep and kids at school delittle him for being the ghost boy.
At work he can't seem to hold it together. Going to strange realms in his mind and not paying attention to his surroundings. Seems like he might be going crazy.
At a marsh party, a girl comes screaming out of the woods with her boyfriend talking about hearing loud bangs inside of the old Rousten Manor.
The manor has been abonded for some time and kids sneak in their to het things done... (clears throat and straightens tie).
Devin and his two friends, Clive and Rex talk about seeing of they can see or hear what Jean was talking about.
At the house Devin is attacked by books or whatever else the ghost can thrown at him. Now it's Devins turn to find out the truth.
Extremely adventurous and highly descriptive. Everything was laid out elegantly and you knew exactly what was going on. The ending had me a tad disappointed. Some of the characters were thrown in and disappeared. As some of the characters fully developed, others fell off and didn't gain much of anything until the very end.
What I noticed was everyone seemed to love vitamin water. Umm eww. Also, whats up with the use of last names? Everyone was know by their full names. We are on a first name basis people!
Not impressive to this weirdo here, but could be terrifying for others.
Now stay off my lawn!!
December 24, 2020
Disclaimer: I received e-book version of from the author in exchange for honest reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sixteen year old Devin Mulwray, high school student and part-time barista, has been zoning out and seeing things. As if being a teenager wasn't hard enough, Devin has to deal with a boss who hates him, a single dad who travels a lot for work, and now he has been outed as "ghost boy" by the town's resident teenage expert on all things occult. Encouraged to investigate accounts of a haunted mansion in town by his friends Rex and Clive, Devin must figure out how to be a normal teenager and also face his fears and embrace life as a teenage ghost hunter.
Author Brian K. Henry has a knack at creating a world that you at once feel at home in, as well as a large cast of characters who are believable and relatable. The book has the perfect balance of humor and fear, well-rounded characters, and a unique plot. If you like the Goosebumps style of books, then you will love I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter.
Sixteen year old Devin Mulwray, high school student and part-time barista, has been zoning out and seeing things. As if being a teenager wasn't hard enough, Devin has to deal with a boss who hates him, a single dad who travels a lot for work, and now he has been outed as "ghost boy" by the town's resident teenage expert on all things occult. Encouraged to investigate accounts of a haunted mansion in town by his friends Rex and Clive, Devin must figure out how to be a normal teenager and also face his fears and embrace life as a teenage ghost hunter.
Author Brian K. Henry has a knack at creating a world that you at once feel at home in, as well as a large cast of characters who are believable and relatable. The book has the perfect balance of humor and fear, well-rounded characters, and a unique plot. If you like the Goosebumps style of books, then you will love I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter.
dnf
December 6, 2020The author of this kindly reached out to offer me a free review copy, which I really do appreciate. However, I will be marking this book as dnf at the moment. I read a few chapters and made it to 13% to give it a try, but unfortunately, the writing is not working for me. Some of the language does not seem to fit the target audience either, so it feels out of place. I am not sure if it is just me, but there has been a few things that rubbed me the wrong way because it is hard to tell tone wise what the author meant.
June 8, 2015
Review coming soon
March 30, 2021
I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is a YA ghost story set in a contemporary world of eye rolls and hair flicks, in a small seaside Northern Californian town called Arcata. Devin Mulwray is a pretty normal 16 year old high schooler, working part time in a local coffee shop, apart from one thing - he can see ghosts. It all started when he was at camp in Junior High and had a ghostly vision. He has forgotten all about this but his friend who was also at camp remembers. Combine that with the ghostly woman he often sees in the walnut tree over the road from his work, and Devin is getting scared by his paranormal abilities. It doesn’t help that his friends do not respect his wishes for them to keep quiet about these experiences, and one of them posts on the social media platform ‘GhostSpace” while the other let’s stories spread around school. Now Devin is getting called “ghost boy” and finding himself distracted and having “phase-outs” in class. Brian K. Henry has managed to write the typical sarcastic banter of these teenage friends and bring the teenagers to life really well.
A mysterious event during a party leads Devin’s quirky British composer friend Clive to the abandoned Rousten House to try and record eerie sounds, and in the process Devin finds himself responding to a terrified phone call from Clive, begging for his help. The author’s description of the outside of the Rousten property is very atmospheric and sets a spooky scene for the events that are about to unfold. Devin eventually locates Clive and the two of them search in the dark haunted house for Clive’s phone which he dropped when pushed by a ghostly presence. Separated, Devin experiences another ghostly vision but Clive only hears a voice shouting “Intruder”.
Devin’s friends Rex and Clive are set on starting a ghost investigation of the seemingly haunted Rousten mansion but Devin doesn’t really want a part of it. Unnerved by his newfound abilities he just wants a quiet life. However when Rex buys a whole host of investigation equipment from the ghost store Devin reluctantly agrees to be a part of the plan, becoming more enthusiastic when a girl he likes calls him to say how brave she considers him and his ghost investigations.
Devin discovers he can also talk to the ghosts he sees and tries to calm down the enraged Rutherford Rousten who then starts throwing books at him. He tries to speak to the ghostly lady he often sees when he is at work but this proves not to be useful to the team’s Rousten House investigation. Meanwhile clothes start attacking people in a part of town near the mansion house and the boys’ online investigation finds out that Rousten was a clothier - could this all be connected somehow? What did the ghostly lady want to tell Devin?
I particularly liked a scene where the three boys took off in pursuit of flying books, trying to see where they were headed - it reminded me of scenes from Disney films such as The Sorceror’s Apprentice or Beauty and the Beast. Devin is also attacked by a floating rug, which brought to mind the flying carpet from Aladdin.
All in all I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is more humorous than scary and the banter between the characters is entertaining and works very well:
“Spooky as hell. It’s kind of big, rippling and kind of bat-like. Like it’s got some dark freaky wings.”
“Where?”
“Right on the center of the roof!”
Devin looked around, saw nothing incredibly creepy, then realized his jacket was blowing out fiercely on both sides.
“That’s me, Clive. My jacket’s whipping around.”
I found the characters likeable and although there was a lot of teasing and sharing of rumour on social media, when asked not to, it couldn’t really be classed as cyber-bullying. By the end of the story the boys were considered heroes and had gained the respect of their fellow classmates. I did find the ending a little disappointing - it could have been much more exciting and spookier.
Do the boys find out why the ghost of Rutherford Rousten is haunting his manor? Will Devin get the girl? Read I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter to find out!
A mysterious event during a party leads Devin’s quirky British composer friend Clive to the abandoned Rousten House to try and record eerie sounds, and in the process Devin finds himself responding to a terrified phone call from Clive, begging for his help. The author’s description of the outside of the Rousten property is very atmospheric and sets a spooky scene for the events that are about to unfold. Devin eventually locates Clive and the two of them search in the dark haunted house for Clive’s phone which he dropped when pushed by a ghostly presence. Separated, Devin experiences another ghostly vision but Clive only hears a voice shouting “Intruder”.
Devin’s friends Rex and Clive are set on starting a ghost investigation of the seemingly haunted Rousten mansion but Devin doesn’t really want a part of it. Unnerved by his newfound abilities he just wants a quiet life. However when Rex buys a whole host of investigation equipment from the ghost store Devin reluctantly agrees to be a part of the plan, becoming more enthusiastic when a girl he likes calls him to say how brave she considers him and his ghost investigations.
Devin discovers he can also talk to the ghosts he sees and tries to calm down the enraged Rutherford Rousten who then starts throwing books at him. He tries to speak to the ghostly lady he often sees when he is at work but this proves not to be useful to the team’s Rousten House investigation. Meanwhile clothes start attacking people in a part of town near the mansion house and the boys’ online investigation finds out that Rousten was a clothier - could this all be connected somehow? What did the ghostly lady want to tell Devin?
I particularly liked a scene where the three boys took off in pursuit of flying books, trying to see where they were headed - it reminded me of scenes from Disney films such as The Sorceror’s Apprentice or Beauty and the Beast. Devin is also attacked by a floating rug, which brought to mind the flying carpet from Aladdin.
All in all I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is more humorous than scary and the banter between the characters is entertaining and works very well:
“Spooky as hell. It’s kind of big, rippling and kind of bat-like. Like it’s got some dark freaky wings.”
“Where?”
“Right on the center of the roof!”
Devin looked around, saw nothing incredibly creepy, then realized his jacket was blowing out fiercely on both sides.
“That’s me, Clive. My jacket’s whipping around.”
I found the characters likeable and although there was a lot of teasing and sharing of rumour on social media, when asked not to, it couldn’t really be classed as cyber-bullying. By the end of the story the boys were considered heroes and had gained the respect of their fellow classmates. I did find the ending a little disappointing - it could have been much more exciting and spookier.
Do the boys find out why the ghost of Rutherford Rousten is haunting his manor? Will Devin get the girl? Read I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter to find out!
July 8, 2020
BOOK REVIEW
Name- I Was Teenage Ghost Hunter
Length-271 pages(pdf)
Publish- Self published( 11th March 2014)
Smashwords (18th March 2014)
Rate-4.2/5
Cover-4/5
Review:-
“Jeez , you are spooky. Stop it. You are freaking me out!”
Devin was different from other Calfornian teens of Grey Bluff High of Arcata. Devin has a unique ability to see paranormal things like ghosts or manifestations of imprinted spirits. He calls them phase out. He never really wanted to seek unusual ability out but eventually is compelled to do so.
Rousten estate is said to report strange paranormal instances.
Devin, Clive and Rex are partying hard in the marsh party but suddenly a girl comes screaming out of the woods with her boyfriend talking about hearing loud bangs inside of the old Rousten Manor.
The manor has been abandoned for some time.
Being the only one with the unusual trait of seeing ghosts his friends persuade him to investigate the matter(which his friends thought would be fun but actually not) till his dad was out of town.
Throughtout this creepy, spooky and absolutely awkward investigation Devin, the sisteen year old barista of Escamonde Café , got attacked by almost every object like books( I mean who throws books! Eh) a ghost can throw on someone who tries to breakthrough the veil of their world.
The ending was rather too fast I would say. Because the story suddenly gathered so much pace and transformed to a cheetah from a tiger( worst metaphor ever! Oh lord!)
The narration was pretty good. The characters were very well constructed.
Also, what I loved most is the sarcastic replies of serious conversations by Devin and his friends. The funny essence has relaxed the story a bit and made easier for one to gulp it down. I mean everyone likes sarcastic replies in serious moments, isn’t it?
If you are searching for a horror story which is not that serious but can make you think horrible paranormal stuff at 2am, then THIS IS IT! But yeah, I can gurantee that you won’t get goosebumps or won’t feel terrorized going to the washroom at midnight.
Thank you Mr. Henry for gifting us this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
Name- I Was Teenage Ghost Hunter
Length-271 pages(pdf)
Publish- Self published( 11th March 2014)
Smashwords (18th March 2014)
Rate-4.2/5
Cover-4/5
Review:-
“Jeez , you are spooky. Stop it. You are freaking me out!”
Devin was different from other Calfornian teens of Grey Bluff High of Arcata. Devin has a unique ability to see paranormal things like ghosts or manifestations of imprinted spirits. He calls them phase out. He never really wanted to seek unusual ability out but eventually is compelled to do so.
Rousten estate is said to report strange paranormal instances.
Devin, Clive and Rex are partying hard in the marsh party but suddenly a girl comes screaming out of the woods with her boyfriend talking about hearing loud bangs inside of the old Rousten Manor.
The manor has been abandoned for some time.
Being the only one with the unusual trait of seeing ghosts his friends persuade him to investigate the matter(which his friends thought would be fun but actually not) till his dad was out of town.
Throughtout this creepy, spooky and absolutely awkward investigation Devin, the sisteen year old barista of Escamonde Café , got attacked by almost every object like books( I mean who throws books! Eh) a ghost can throw on someone who tries to breakthrough the veil of their world.
The ending was rather too fast I would say. Because the story suddenly gathered so much pace and transformed to a cheetah from a tiger( worst metaphor ever! Oh lord!)
The narration was pretty good. The characters were very well constructed.
Also, what I loved most is the sarcastic replies of serious conversations by Devin and his friends. The funny essence has relaxed the story a bit and made easier for one to gulp it down. I mean everyone likes sarcastic replies in serious moments, isn’t it?
If you are searching for a horror story which is not that serious but can make you think horrible paranormal stuff at 2am, then THIS IS IT! But yeah, I can gurantee that you won’t get goosebumps or won’t feel terrorized going to the washroom at midnight.
Thank you Mr. Henry for gifting us this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2023
I received a copy of this for free to review.
I thought this book was entertaining and a lot of fun. I warmed to the protagonist, and some of the other characters as well.
This book is aimed at young adults, and I think certainly it is the kind of book that would have appealed to me as a schoolgirl. I loved ghost stories and horror stories, so this would have caught my attention.
The protagonist, Devin, is the teenage ghost hunter, and he has a few friends in tow. A fun paranormal fantasy/adventure story.
Thank you to the author and Smashwords for my copy to review.
I thought this book was entertaining and a lot of fun. I warmed to the protagonist, and some of the other characters as well.
This book is aimed at young adults, and I think certainly it is the kind of book that would have appealed to me as a schoolgirl. I loved ghost stories and horror stories, so this would have caught my attention.
The protagonist, Devin, is the teenage ghost hunter, and he has a few friends in tow. A fun paranormal fantasy/adventure story.
Thank you to the author and Smashwords for my copy to review.
March 3, 2021
Good book.
Read my review here.
https://featzreviews.com/i-was-a-teen...
Read my review here.
https://featzreviews.com/i-was-a-teen...
December 29, 2017
I had the wonderful opportunity to receive a copy of this book for free from the author, Brian K. Henry, in exchange for my honest review of the book. I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter is a fun read about a boy and his friends uncovering the truth behind the paranormal activity surrounding the abandoned Rousten manor.
Devin Mulwray just wants to survive high school and his after school job as a barista. He didn't ask to be named the town's local ghost hunter, but when he starts zoning out and seeing what appears to be ghosts, and having strange dreams, word spreads.
The Rousten manor has been abandoned for years. After two teens try to sneak in it seems they've uncovered potentially dangerous, supernatural activity. Clive and Rex, Devin's two best friends, push Devin to test his ghost hunting abilities and find out what's really happening in the small town of Arcata, California.
I would give this book 3.5 stars. It's a quick read and has a unique plot that I haven't read before. The characters are each unique and have their quirks that make them funny and relatable. I really enjoyed how Devin, Rex, and Clive are really close friends who would do anything for each other. There's a particular scene in the book that required a little scheming and acting for Devin and his friends, and I absolutely loved it! It was so funny and really portrayed how friends always have your back. Reading the adventures of these three boys, it's clear to see that there's a real kinship, and I really appreciated that. Of course there are moments when they don't get along as well or give each other a hard time, but that's what helps make them even more relatable.
I must say, in Devin's case especially, their bravery is remarkable. Maybe it's just me but I am without a doubt a scaredy cat, and there's no way I would have been able to continuously enter the Rousten manor to investigate. As soon as I hear anything remotely ominous, I'm out!
I loved the dialogue in the book because it was very conversational. The writing was easy to read but sometimes I had a hard time with the British lingo used by Clive. Granted, Clive is British and I'm not, but at times I thought it was thrown in for the sake of including it or to remind you that Clive is British.
There's a slight love interest in the book but I felt like it was more of an afterthought. It was brought up in the beginning of the book and the end of the book, but throughout the middle there were only slight references to it here and there. It felt a little forced.
The ending of the book was definitely a plot twist that I didn't see coming, or at least the way it unfolded. Overall the book was intriguing and unique. I'd be interested to see what becomes of Devin and his friends, and what paranormal activity they find themselves wrapped up in in the future!
You can read this review and others on my blog at http://rebeccayoungs.com
Check out my account on instagram! https://www.instagram.com/accounts/lo...
Devin Mulwray just wants to survive high school and his after school job as a barista. He didn't ask to be named the town's local ghost hunter, but when he starts zoning out and seeing what appears to be ghosts, and having strange dreams, word spreads.
The Rousten manor has been abandoned for years. After two teens try to sneak in it seems they've uncovered potentially dangerous, supernatural activity. Clive and Rex, Devin's two best friends, push Devin to test his ghost hunting abilities and find out what's really happening in the small town of Arcata, California.
I would give this book 3.5 stars. It's a quick read and has a unique plot that I haven't read before. The characters are each unique and have their quirks that make them funny and relatable. I really enjoyed how Devin, Rex, and Clive are really close friends who would do anything for each other. There's a particular scene in the book that required a little scheming and acting for Devin and his friends, and I absolutely loved it! It was so funny and really portrayed how friends always have your back. Reading the adventures of these three boys, it's clear to see that there's a real kinship, and I really appreciated that. Of course there are moments when they don't get along as well or give each other a hard time, but that's what helps make them even more relatable.
I must say, in Devin's case especially, their bravery is remarkable. Maybe it's just me but I am without a doubt a scaredy cat, and there's no way I would have been able to continuously enter the Rousten manor to investigate. As soon as I hear anything remotely ominous, I'm out!
I loved the dialogue in the book because it was very conversational. The writing was easy to read but sometimes I had a hard time with the British lingo used by Clive. Granted, Clive is British and I'm not, but at times I thought it was thrown in for the sake of including it or to remind you that Clive is British.
There's a slight love interest in the book but I felt like it was more of an afterthought. It was brought up in the beginning of the book and the end of the book, but throughout the middle there were only slight references to it here and there. It felt a little forced.
The ending of the book was definitely a plot twist that I didn't see coming, or at least the way it unfolded. Overall the book was intriguing and unique. I'd be interested to see what becomes of Devin and his friends, and what paranormal activity they find themselves wrapped up in in the future!
You can read this review and others on my blog at http://rebeccayoungs.com
Check out my account on instagram! https://www.instagram.com/accounts/lo...
March 14, 2016
First of all, thanks to Brian K. Henry for allowing me to read his book in exchange of an honest review and let’s just say that I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter was everything I needed.
The book follows the story of Devin, a teenager who can see ghosts, and his two best friends, Rex and Clive, in their ghostly adventures. These three characters are joined by Nayra, an expert in the paranormal and a blogger. But we also have Ramona, Devin’s boss at the café and Emily, a classmate.
Not taking Ramona, who is quite insufferable and deserves a few slaps on her face, into account the other characters are absolutely brilliant. The peculiar Nayra with her more unusual outfits and her correct (or so does she thinks) knowledge of the paranormal, the only thing she does is driving Devin up the wall and is super funny to read their interactions and snarky comments. Rex and Clive are, well, hilarious! All their ideas end up being a disaster but they just don’t see it and think they are great. They are way more excited about the whole ghost hunting than Devin is even though they can’t even see the ghosts! Emily is a classmate who supports Devin when all his classmates start picking on him due to the things Nayra keep posting on her blog. And lastly we have our protagonist, Devin who despite being the only person who can see ghosts is the sanest of them all. And the lovely thing about them is the combination of their different personalities which creates quite a unique atmosphere between them.
One of the most surprising things for me was finding out that since the beginning Devin’s friends knew about his ability. Devin doesn’t go all: ‘hey guys, just so you know I can see ghosts’ because they already know. Before starting the book I thought Devin would have to tell his friends about his weird ability and that would create the conflict of believing/not believing in this kind of stuff but no, the reader is introduced into a story where the whole ghostly stuff is already assumed and they talk about it with normality. Which is really hilarious, to tell you the truth.
Finally, one of the most interesting things for me was the stunning ability of Brian K. Henry to mix moments of tension with some killingly funny dialogues but without getting to ridicule the plot however eccentric the situations, in which the characters became involved, seemed to appear. I had so much fun reading this book and I laughed like crazy.
So, on the whole if you are looking for a quick and funny read but with a spooky atmoshpere, I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is your book. Oh, and also, the ending? So hilariously good.
The book follows the story of Devin, a teenager who can see ghosts, and his two best friends, Rex and Clive, in their ghostly adventures. These three characters are joined by Nayra, an expert in the paranormal and a blogger. But we also have Ramona, Devin’s boss at the café and Emily, a classmate.
Not taking Ramona, who is quite insufferable and deserves a few slaps on her face, into account the other characters are absolutely brilliant. The peculiar Nayra with her more unusual outfits and her correct (or so does she thinks) knowledge of the paranormal, the only thing she does is driving Devin up the wall and is super funny to read their interactions and snarky comments. Rex and Clive are, well, hilarious! All their ideas end up being a disaster but they just don’t see it and think they are great. They are way more excited about the whole ghost hunting than Devin is even though they can’t even see the ghosts! Emily is a classmate who supports Devin when all his classmates start picking on him due to the things Nayra keep posting on her blog. And lastly we have our protagonist, Devin who despite being the only person who can see ghosts is the sanest of them all. And the lovely thing about them is the combination of their different personalities which creates quite a unique atmosphere between them.
One of the most surprising things for me was finding out that since the beginning Devin’s friends knew about his ability. Devin doesn’t go all: ‘hey guys, just so you know I can see ghosts’ because they already know. Before starting the book I thought Devin would have to tell his friends about his weird ability and that would create the conflict of believing/not believing in this kind of stuff but no, the reader is introduced into a story where the whole ghostly stuff is already assumed and they talk about it with normality. Which is really hilarious, to tell you the truth.
Finally, one of the most interesting things for me was the stunning ability of Brian K. Henry to mix moments of tension with some killingly funny dialogues but without getting to ridicule the plot however eccentric the situations, in which the characters became involved, seemed to appear. I had so much fun reading this book and I laughed like crazy.
So, on the whole if you are looking for a quick and funny read but with a spooky atmoshpere, I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is your book. Oh, and also, the ending? So hilariously good.
September 21, 2015
I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter opens straight into a supernatural scene for the main character Devin, a 16 year old high school student. We are then introduced to his eclectic friends – Nayra, a quirky teenage girl interested in spirits and Wicca and with a flamboyant taste in clothing and accessories; Clive, a teenager with a British accent who is a classical music composer who creates pieces with morbid themes; and Rex, a teenage techie who loves technology and gadgets and is excited at the prospect of doing some ghost hunting just like on the tv show he watches.
Through the story, we then follow Devin and his experiences with spirit manifestations happening anytime anywhere, explorations of a haunted house with his friends, their freaky ghostly experiences, and the taunts from the kids at school when they find out through social networks about Devin’s ghostly capers. Throw in a stern and unsympathetic boss at the local café where Devin works, a cute girl from school that takes an interest, and some teenage partying while the parents are out of town, and you’ve got yourself a great ghost story with some hilarious moments.
Mr Henry’s writing style made this book easy to read and the dialogue between all of the characters was very realistic. I loved the banter between Devin and his friends and I could easily imagine people talking like this and reacting in the ways they did to the situations pertained in the story.
I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was such an entertaining book to read, I couldn’t wait to pick it up at every opportunity and continue with the story. It had an intriguing and interesting storyline which kept me engaged all the way through and the eccentric characters make the story even more enjoyable. Rather than being scary or very spooky, I found this book to be a light hearted paranormal read with lots of funny moments making me laugh a lot throughout the book.
If you enjoy reading paranormal stories about ghosts that are not too dark or serious, or if you are interested in ghost hunting, you are sure to enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!
I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter opens straight into a supernatural scene for the main character Devin, a 16 year old high school student. We are then introduced to his eclectic friends – Nayra, a quirky teenage girl interested in spirits and Wicca and with a flamboyant taste in clothing and accessories; Clive, a teenager with a British accent who is a classical music composer who creates pieces with morbid themes; and Rex, a teenage techie who loves technology and gadgets and is excited at the prospect of doing some ghost hunting just like on the tv show he watches.
Through the story, we then follow Devin and his experiences with spirit manifestations happening anytime anywhere, explorations of a haunted house with his friends, their freaky ghostly experiences, and the taunts from the kids at school when they find out through social networks about Devin’s ghostly capers. Throw in a stern and unsympathetic boss at the local café where Devin works, a cute girl from school that takes an interest, and some teenage partying while the parents are out of town, and you’ve got yourself a great ghost story with some hilarious moments.
Mr Henry’s writing style made this book easy to read and the dialogue between all of the characters was very realistic. I loved the banter between Devin and his friends and I could easily imagine people talking like this and reacting in the ways they did to the situations pertained in the story.
I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was such an entertaining book to read, I couldn’t wait to pick it up at every opportunity and continue with the story. It had an intriguing and interesting storyline which kept me engaged all the way through and the eccentric characters make the story even more enjoyable. Rather than being scary or very spooky, I found this book to be a light hearted paranormal read with lots of funny moments making me laugh a lot throughout the book.
If you enjoy reading paranormal stories about ghosts that are not too dark or serious, or if you are interested in ghost hunting, you are sure to enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!
September 26, 2014
I told you earlier this week about the behind the scenes things when you start a blog. Some of it is boring and time consuming, ok lots of it! But there are some cool things that go on and one of the best parts of blogging, is that authors contact you and ask you to read their book! As a reader, I think that is SUPER COOL and it makes my day every time it happens. I recently received a very nice message from author Brian K. Henry and he sent me a copy of his new book: I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter.
The book is really good; great title and the cover is spooky! Devin is your basic slacker teenage boy. He works as a barista in a hotel coffee shop, hangs out with his friends and tries to keep his grades up. Oh, he also sees ghosts! When his visions get worse and another student spreads it all over school, his social life suffers, his grades suffer and his job still sucks. Two of his buddies talk him into gearing up like the Ghost Hunters on TV and going to the creepy old mansion to investigate. You know this is NOT going to end well!
The story is intriguing and there were a couple of twists I wasn't expecting. The characters were interesting and very well written. My only complaints were the number of typos and the story was very detailed so it got bogged down with quite a bit of extra 'stuff' that could have used an editor. These are minor nitpicky things that were very easily ignored. The story moved right along and I enjoyed reading it. The wrap up at the ending was satisfying and made sense, it also left the door open to a sequel, which I would gladly purchase and read! 4 stars As stated above, I received a copy of the book from the author, the review is my own opinion.
EDITED to add: I was contacted by the author regarding typos and he has fixed the Kindle edition. So don't let my nitpicking keep you from reading this great book! It is well worth ignoring some small issues because the plot & characters are a fun twist on the usual ghost hunting teens stories.
The book is really good; great title and the cover is spooky! Devin is your basic slacker teenage boy. He works as a barista in a hotel coffee shop, hangs out with his friends and tries to keep his grades up. Oh, he also sees ghosts! When his visions get worse and another student spreads it all over school, his social life suffers, his grades suffer and his job still sucks. Two of his buddies talk him into gearing up like the Ghost Hunters on TV and going to the creepy old mansion to investigate. You know this is NOT going to end well!
The story is intriguing and there were a couple of twists I wasn't expecting. The characters were interesting and very well written. My only complaints were the number of typos and the story was very detailed so it got bogged down with quite a bit of extra 'stuff' that could have used an editor. These are minor nitpicky things that were very easily ignored. The story moved right along and I enjoyed reading it. The wrap up at the ending was satisfying and made sense, it also left the door open to a sequel, which I would gladly purchase and read! 4 stars As stated above, I received a copy of the book from the author, the review is my own opinion.
EDITED to add: I was contacted by the author regarding typos and he has fixed the Kindle edition. So don't let my nitpicking keep you from reading this great book! It is well worth ignoring some small issues because the plot & characters are a fun twist on the usual ghost hunting teens stories.
October 21, 2014
Devin stared through the large plate glass window of the Escamonde Hotel at the dark branches of the walnut tree. In between two of the large, lower branches there was a wispy, white piece of fabric. Or at least, there had been one second before. He blinked, and saw the fabric again. But then he jerked away and yelped…
And this is just the first paragraph…Just in time for Halloween Author Brian K. Henry has gifted me a copy of his book “I WAS A TEENAGE GHOST HUNTER” and let me tell you this book is definitely a book you wanted to slip in your kids Trick or Treat bag for Halloween. I absolutely loved this book.
I… could… not… put this book down until the very end. That’s right I read this book in one sitting…it’s that good. There were a lot of spooky and unexpected twist and turns…but there were moments I could not stop laughing. This is definitely that kind of Halloween book that kids… and adults of all ages… will definitely fall in love with. This book would definitely make a wonderful Halloween cartoon special, which I would definitely curl up in my favorite chair to watch.
{Verdict}
Without giving away too much about the book, I am very pleased with the ending, and when... and if... a sequel comes out I’m all ready. I highly recommend this spooky… but comical book…like I said before…just in time for Halloween.
My Full Review: http://myohosisters.webs.com/apps/blo...-
And this is just the first paragraph…Just in time for Halloween Author Brian K. Henry has gifted me a copy of his book “I WAS A TEENAGE GHOST HUNTER” and let me tell you this book is definitely a book you wanted to slip in your kids Trick or Treat bag for Halloween. I absolutely loved this book.
I… could… not… put this book down until the very end. That’s right I read this book in one sitting…it’s that good. There were a lot of spooky and unexpected twist and turns…but there were moments I could not stop laughing. This is definitely that kind of Halloween book that kids… and adults of all ages… will definitely fall in love with. This book would definitely make a wonderful Halloween cartoon special, which I would definitely curl up in my favorite chair to watch.
{Verdict}
Without giving away too much about the book, I am very pleased with the ending, and when... and if... a sequel comes out I’m all ready. I highly recommend this spooky… but comical book…like I said before…just in time for Halloween.
My Full Review: http://myohosisters.webs.com/apps/blo...-
September 12, 2019
*I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review*
Overall, this book is a great read for younger readers and/or fans of YA. It reminded me a lot of The Goonies and just boys getting together to go on an adventure. The dialogue was natural and I enjoyed the friendships between the characters. I personally love ghost hunting stuff so when the one side character friend, Rex, would rant about different ghost hunting things I couldn't help but laugh and relate. I didn't care too much for the protagonist, Devin aka the one who can see ghosts, in the beginning but by the end he grew on me.
This book has moments that made me nostalgic; reminded me a little bit of Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark. Again, I would recommend this book to people who like kind of spooky ghost stories with a sprinkle of teen boy adventures. 4 stars.
Thank you Brian K. Henry for the opportunity to read your book!
Overall, this book is a great read for younger readers and/or fans of YA. It reminded me a lot of The Goonies and just boys getting together to go on an adventure. The dialogue was natural and I enjoyed the friendships between the characters. I personally love ghost hunting stuff so when the one side character friend, Rex, would rant about different ghost hunting things I couldn't help but laugh and relate. I didn't care too much for the protagonist, Devin aka the one who can see ghosts, in the beginning but by the end he grew on me.
This book has moments that made me nostalgic; reminded me a little bit of Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark. Again, I would recommend this book to people who like kind of spooky ghost stories with a sprinkle of teen boy adventures. 4 stars.
Thank you Brian K. Henry for the opportunity to read your book!
March 18, 2014
Wattpad readers loved I Was a Teenage Ghost Hunter:
“Best ending ever!!! I loved it, you've done a seriously great job and it was such an awesome read. I really love Devin and everything about this book :)“ Bookworm177
“Done reading this last night, and it was awesome! What a spooky story indeed. Clive and Rex's bickering moments were also funny! I'm also glad everything was back to normal, and that Emily kissed Devin. Haha! You have my 30 votes. :) “ - Chemister
"amazing story I enjoyed it very much...and it kept a mystery element till the end :) thank you for uploading it! keep up the good work! :) " - Sriparnaman
"Thanks for the awesome book. I love ghost stories and I count this as one of the best that I read. Please do write another. :D " Robby_Lao
“Best ending ever!!! I loved it, you've done a seriously great job and it was such an awesome read. I really love Devin and everything about this book :)“ Bookworm177
“Done reading this last night, and it was awesome! What a spooky story indeed. Clive and Rex's bickering moments were also funny! I'm also glad everything was back to normal, and that Emily kissed Devin. Haha! You have my 30 votes. :) “ - Chemister
"amazing story I enjoyed it very much...and it kept a mystery element till the end :) thank you for uploading it! keep up the good work! :) " - Sriparnaman
"Thanks for the awesome book. I love ghost stories and I count this as one of the best that I read. Please do write another. :D " Robby_Lao
October 21, 2015
A lot of fun!
This hauntingly fun tale of 16 year old Devin and his two sidekicks, Rex and Clive, had me reminiscing of my teenage years. No, I wasn't a teenage ghost hunter but there is the familiar awkwardness and teenage insecurities that had me going back in time!
As this trio of ghost hunters explore an old mansion where spooky disturbances have reportedly taken place, we join them on a slap stick ride of flying ghosts, flying objects and things that go bump in the night!
This book was a whole lot of creepy fun!
This hauntingly fun tale of 16 year old Devin and his two sidekicks, Rex and Clive, had me reminiscing of my teenage years. No, I wasn't a teenage ghost hunter but there is the familiar awkwardness and teenage insecurities that had me going back in time!
As this trio of ghost hunters explore an old mansion where spooky disturbances have reportedly taken place, we join them on a slap stick ride of flying ghosts, flying objects and things that go bump in the night!
This book was a whole lot of creepy fun!
May 22, 2014
This was an exciting and sometimes comical read that kept me entertained all the way to the last page! The characters were all very likable and Devin was an interesting protagonist to read about. I'm a big fan of anything and everything paranormal and this book didn't disappoint me in that department. Overall, it was a fun read that intrigued me with the mystery of the ghost and entertained me with its lively cast! Awesome read! :)
May 25, 2017
"...Devin could see that, not only was there a figure, but the figure possessed a clearly delineated face." (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
I was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is sure to impress! For fans of Goosebumps and The Haunted Mansion look no further than this delightfully creepy and entertaining read. Henry delivers a fantastic story full of adventure, humor, wacky friendship, and teenage nostalgia.
The Plot: Sixteen year old Devin Mulray has always been a little strange. He never quite fit in with the other teens at school, and has always had a slightly boring life centered around school, home, and his annoying job at the hotel cafe. When the "zone outs" and strange sightings of "whispy, white figures" begin, Devin chalks it up to sleep deprivation and too much studying. But his friends Nayra, Rex, and Clive begin to think its something more. With the not-so-welcome encouragement of his friends, and a little push from Emily, the cute lab partner, Devin begins to delve in to the world of the paranormal. With a not-so-planned out investigation of an abandoned estate, and the strange nightmares haunting Devin's dreams, will the group find out what is really causing the strange manifestations of Rousten Manor, or will they only make things worse?
I enjoyed reading this one. I was a huge fan of Goosebumps as a kid, and I have always loved The Haunted Mansion ride at Disney and the tales and retellings over the years. I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter brought some of that childhood nostalgia back for me. It was a fun, quick, entertaining read that I would recommend to any YA reader!
The characters really came to life as normal, not-normal teenagers. They were the "outcasts" so to speak (kind of like me in high school). Each character had a definite role to play in the story and I truly believed that they were high school students.
Devin was an interesting main character. He was slightly shy, mildly withdrawn, and definitely non-confrontational. Obviously, he has some sort of ability or link involving ghosts, which allows him to see things no one else can. He was very reluctant to fall in to the paranormal world and investigations with his not-so-reluctant friends, and he ends up coming through as a "hero" of sorts.
"I just get distracted sometimes. Zone out, whatever. It's totally normal." (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Clive was the "artistic" teen of the group. He had a dark but creative personality. He got along well with the other characters and added some humor and intrigue to the story. I enjoyed the depth of his character.
"Clive Welter-Manes was perhaps the only student at Grey Bluff High who was not only a devoted pianophile and classical music fanatic, but also a budding avant-garde composer." (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Rex was definitely an imaginative character. He added a lot of humor to the story with his wild story telling, and his fear of rats. He contrasted well to Devin and Clive, kind of completing their little group of pals.
"...Rex and his habits of jumping to conclusions and spreading stories..." (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Nayra was sort of the antagonist of the group. She was pushy and came off as a "know it all". She was the "different" girl in school with her dress style, her interest in the paranormal, and her choice of beliefs and attitude toward others. Though, she was slightly annoying at times, she was necessary to give the story the main push by interfering and, ultimately, being the cause of the initial research and investigation of Rousten Manor.
"Nayra's been telling this to everyone in town?" (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Emily was the cute, curious girl of the bunch. She comes in to the story as the lab partner that has never really taken an interest in the group, until the rumors about the estate and Devin begin. Instead of being a normal "popular" teenage girl and running from Devin, she asserts her curiosity and interest, and becomes an intriguing part of the story.
"Could anyone possibly have a weirder batch of friends?" (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was entertaining, mildly creepy, and pleasantly humorous. Filled with teenage nostalgia, and perfectly written teenage characters, it is sure to draw you in and impress you. I rate this one 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Brian K Henry himself for allowing me access to this free review e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
I was a Teenage Ghost Hunter is sure to impress! For fans of Goosebumps and The Haunted Mansion look no further than this delightfully creepy and entertaining read. Henry delivers a fantastic story full of adventure, humor, wacky friendship, and teenage nostalgia.
The Plot: Sixteen year old Devin Mulray has always been a little strange. He never quite fit in with the other teens at school, and has always had a slightly boring life centered around school, home, and his annoying job at the hotel cafe. When the "zone outs" and strange sightings of "whispy, white figures" begin, Devin chalks it up to sleep deprivation and too much studying. But his friends Nayra, Rex, and Clive begin to think its something more. With the not-so-welcome encouragement of his friends, and a little push from Emily, the cute lab partner, Devin begins to delve in to the world of the paranormal. With a not-so-planned out investigation of an abandoned estate, and the strange nightmares haunting Devin's dreams, will the group find out what is really causing the strange manifestations of Rousten Manor, or will they only make things worse?
I enjoyed reading this one. I was a huge fan of Goosebumps as a kid, and I have always loved The Haunted Mansion ride at Disney and the tales and retellings over the years. I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter brought some of that childhood nostalgia back for me. It was a fun, quick, entertaining read that I would recommend to any YA reader!
The characters really came to life as normal, not-normal teenagers. They were the "outcasts" so to speak (kind of like me in high school). Each character had a definite role to play in the story and I truly believed that they were high school students.
Devin was an interesting main character. He was slightly shy, mildly withdrawn, and definitely non-confrontational. Obviously, he has some sort of ability or link involving ghosts, which allows him to see things no one else can. He was very reluctant to fall in to the paranormal world and investigations with his not-so-reluctant friends, and he ends up coming through as a "hero" of sorts.
"I just get distracted sometimes. Zone out, whatever. It's totally normal." (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Clive was the "artistic" teen of the group. He had a dark but creative personality. He got along well with the other characters and added some humor and intrigue to the story. I enjoyed the depth of his character.
"Clive Welter-Manes was perhaps the only student at Grey Bluff High who was not only a devoted pianophile and classical music fanatic, but also a budding avant-garde composer." (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Rex was definitely an imaginative character. He added a lot of humor to the story with his wild story telling, and his fear of rats. He contrasted well to Devin and Clive, kind of completing their little group of pals.
"...Rex and his habits of jumping to conclusions and spreading stories..." (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Nayra was sort of the antagonist of the group. She was pushy and came off as a "know it all". She was the "different" girl in school with her dress style, her interest in the paranormal, and her choice of beliefs and attitude toward others. Though, she was slightly annoying at times, she was necessary to give the story the main push by interfering and, ultimately, being the cause of the initial research and investigation of Rousten Manor.
"Nayra's been telling this to everyone in town?" (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
Emily was the cute, curious girl of the bunch. She comes in to the story as the lab partner that has never really taken an interest in the group, until the rumors about the estate and Devin begin. Instead of being a normal "popular" teenage girl and running from Devin, she asserts her curiosity and interest, and becomes an intriguing part of the story.
"Could anyone possibly have a weirder batch of friends?" (Henry, I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter).
I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter was entertaining, mildly creepy, and pleasantly humorous. Filled with teenage nostalgia, and perfectly written teenage characters, it is sure to draw you in and impress you. I rate this one 4.5 stars.
Thank you to Brian K Henry himself for allowing me access to this free review e-copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 14, 2020
I Was A Teenage Ghost Hunter by Brian K. Henry
Moody 16 year old barista Devin Mulwray is trying and failing to ignore all of the bizarre manifestations that are happening in her home town the chilling seaside town of Acarta. He is already being teased about his frequent zone outs and the last thing that this teenage needs if to be known as the guy who sees ghost around town. It doesn't help that his state of mind when his boss is a sarcastic slacker, his single dad is always working away from home and a local occult fan girl starts spreading the rumour that he is ghost boy on social media.
When some violent paranormal activity badly spooks the teens of the town involving an abandoned estate. Devin is then pushed into investigating by one of his eccentric friends Clive - a budding composer - and Rex the resident tech head who is excited by ghost hunting gadgets. Reluctantly he gets involved and Devin is further encourage when Emily one of the more empathetic girls at his school is impressed with his daring behaviour.
Together the friends set out to explore the creepy Rousten manor in the local town. Devin being the one and only person who can perceive the manifestations, he find himself going on a one against one battle with a powerful spirit who starts attacking the locals and infiltrates Devin's dreams .... or should we say nightmare. Devin has got to face his fear of confronting the spirit world and get to the bottom of the haunting before the evil spectre unleashed more havoc on his friend and family.
This is the second of Brian Henry's books that i have read and i enjoyed this as much as the first. His way of developing the characters is one of the best i have seen and it is this which draws me into the story. The style of writing helps to show the dynamics of the group of friends and how they interact with each other and solve the puzzles which they are face with. Devin the main character is on the cusp of coming of age and he finds that his focus is taken away from the important things and forced to focus on the supernatural world. If you like young adult and paranormal stories then this is the book for you.
Moody 16 year old barista Devin Mulwray is trying and failing to ignore all of the bizarre manifestations that are happening in her home town the chilling seaside town of Acarta. He is already being teased about his frequent zone outs and the last thing that this teenage needs if to be known as the guy who sees ghost around town. It doesn't help that his state of mind when his boss is a sarcastic slacker, his single dad is always working away from home and a local occult fan girl starts spreading the rumour that he is ghost boy on social media.
When some violent paranormal activity badly spooks the teens of the town involving an abandoned estate. Devin is then pushed into investigating by one of his eccentric friends Clive - a budding composer - and Rex the resident tech head who is excited by ghost hunting gadgets. Reluctantly he gets involved and Devin is further encourage when Emily one of the more empathetic girls at his school is impressed with his daring behaviour.
Together the friends set out to explore the creepy Rousten manor in the local town. Devin being the one and only person who can perceive the manifestations, he find himself going on a one against one battle with a powerful spirit who starts attacking the locals and infiltrates Devin's dreams .... or should we say nightmare. Devin has got to face his fear of confronting the spirit world and get to the bottom of the haunting before the evil spectre unleashed more havoc on his friend and family.
This is the second of Brian Henry's books that i have read and i enjoyed this as much as the first. His way of developing the characters is one of the best i have seen and it is this which draws me into the story. The style of writing helps to show the dynamics of the group of friends and how they interact with each other and solve the puzzles which they are face with. Devin the main character is on the cusp of coming of age and he finds that his focus is taken away from the important things and forced to focus on the supernatural world. If you like young adult and paranormal stories then this is the book for you.
December 21, 2019
Devin has been phasing out and seeing odd things out of the corner of his eye. Nayra seems convinced he's seeing ghosts, but Devin refuses to believe her. When she decides to post online about Devin seeing ghosts his whole school catches on and the teasing begins. To make matters worse, Devin's friends are determined to draw out his ghost powers. When the three visit an abandoned house by the marsh, Devin will come to realize, maybe what everyone was saying is true.
I think this is a great book for early teens. The writing style is simple and to the point. Devin is a character I think many teenage boys can connect to. His antics and way of thinking are in line with the age group. I also appreciate a young adult book that remains appropriate for the age group without detailed sex scenes that seem to be the running trend now.
When Devin begins being bullied at school, some may view it as over the top, but let's be honest, this type of bullying is happening. Devin's attitude and withdrawal are right in line with the amount of teasing he undergoes.
I would have liked to see more time with Devin's father. It was a bit odd he was referenced by his first name instead of by father, or dad. It made me believe they didn't have a great relationship, but there wasn't enough story between the two to confirm this. Devin's father was away for most of the story on a work trip. If this was something frequent, then I could see their relationship being stretched thin. But if this is the case Devin should have been commenting on it and letting the reader feel the emotions behind it.
Around page 49 it seems like an old chapter draft was kept in the story. The writing abruptly started repeating itself, and the turn of events changed a bit. There were also cases of font changing in the eBook. Unfortunately, I did have to take a star out for not having proper formatting and proofreading throughout the novel. I think if this had another round of editing, it would be a much stronger story.
I think this is a great book for early teens. The writing style is simple and to the point. Devin is a character I think many teenage boys can connect to. His antics and way of thinking are in line with the age group. I also appreciate a young adult book that remains appropriate for the age group without detailed sex scenes that seem to be the running trend now.
When Devin begins being bullied at school, some may view it as over the top, but let's be honest, this type of bullying is happening. Devin's attitude and withdrawal are right in line with the amount of teasing he undergoes.
I would have liked to see more time with Devin's father. It was a bit odd he was referenced by his first name instead of by father, or dad. It made me believe they didn't have a great relationship, but there wasn't enough story between the two to confirm this. Devin's father was away for most of the story on a work trip. If this was something frequent, then I could see their relationship being stretched thin. But if this is the case Devin should have been commenting on it and letting the reader feel the emotions behind it.
Around page 49 it seems like an old chapter draft was kept in the story. The writing abruptly started repeating itself, and the turn of events changed a bit. There were also cases of font changing in the eBook. Unfortunately, I did have to take a star out for not having proper formatting and proofreading throughout the novel. I think if this had another round of editing, it would be a much stronger story.
October 7, 2020
Huge Thanks to The Author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Here's my review for this book.
The story is about Devin, a 16-year-old, who holds a unique power of communicating with ghosts. The story begins with Devin having one of his ghostly manifestations in an old walnut tree. He keeps ignoring it until his friends push him to confront it.
There on another side of the town, strange incidents, which can be life-threatening, onsets around an old manor which belonged to Rutherford Rousten. Feeling that Devin's unearthly manifestations and Rousten mansion's strange happenings may be connected, Devin and his friends led to launch a ghost hunting operation.
His friends, Clive and Rex came to be his partners in this operation. Their adventure during this operation covers the rest of the book, as they comprehend Rousten's past, aiming to save their borough.
The book is very realistically written. Horror elements are not exaggerated. Instead, they are believable that you may doubt your own sighting in real life. It is realistic in other ways too that how others make fun of people who deal with such problems as Devin was. They taunt and bully them and don't believe them.
The mindset of Devin is very well captured by the author. The psychology that a person has, is drawn wonderfully and also creepily.
One more thing that I liked about this book is that despite the way it is descriptive, the book is very concise as you expect a horror fiction to be.
Talking about the characters, they are good. Devin is heroic and did some very daring things that you will understand when you will read the book. His "ghost hunches" partners Clive and Rex are also great friends. I especially loved that friendly chats between them. It seemed very profound, just how buddies talk.
Other characters too have an important role to play. They are all different, weird and drives the story forward.
The climax is also well written. Of course, I won't give away what happens, but you will certainly enjoy it.
Though the ending of this book was quite unexpected. I was expecting something much more sinister and disturbing. Rather it was very smooth which is also appreciative.
All in all a great read. A spooky one too. A book that you can read with lights out, curling up in your bed. (Because I did so too and loved it)
The story is about Devin, a 16-year-old, who holds a unique power of communicating with ghosts. The story begins with Devin having one of his ghostly manifestations in an old walnut tree. He keeps ignoring it until his friends push him to confront it.
There on another side of the town, strange incidents, which can be life-threatening, onsets around an old manor which belonged to Rutherford Rousten. Feeling that Devin's unearthly manifestations and Rousten mansion's strange happenings may be connected, Devin and his friends led to launch a ghost hunting operation.
His friends, Clive and Rex came to be his partners in this operation. Their adventure during this operation covers the rest of the book, as they comprehend Rousten's past, aiming to save their borough.
The book is very realistically written. Horror elements are not exaggerated. Instead, they are believable that you may doubt your own sighting in real life. It is realistic in other ways too that how others make fun of people who deal with such problems as Devin was. They taunt and bully them and don't believe them.
The mindset of Devin is very well captured by the author. The psychology that a person has, is drawn wonderfully and also creepily.
One more thing that I liked about this book is that despite the way it is descriptive, the book is very concise as you expect a horror fiction to be.
Talking about the characters, they are good. Devin is heroic and did some very daring things that you will understand when you will read the book. His "ghost hunches" partners Clive and Rex are also great friends. I especially loved that friendly chats between them. It seemed very profound, just how buddies talk.
Other characters too have an important role to play. They are all different, weird and drives the story forward.
The climax is also well written. Of course, I won't give away what happens, but you will certainly enjoy it.
Though the ending of this book was quite unexpected. I was expecting something much more sinister and disturbing. Rather it was very smooth which is also appreciative.
All in all a great read. A spooky one too. A book that you can read with lights out, curling up in your bed. (Because I did so too and loved it)
September 1, 2019
I'd like to thank the author for the copy in return for an honest review and commend said author for having enough conviction in his book to do so. Commendably the author has created a central character relatable to readers. Equipped with all the insecurities and inconsistencies applicable to the common teenager, Devin, and all his relatable fumbles and bumbles through everyday life becomes a likeable character worthy of empathy from the outset. With a very enigmatic opening, instantly drawing in readers, I was eager to delve into the story. The incorporation of digital age and authentic reliance upon it orientates the teenage reader and is an additional point of parallel with contemporary readers. As well as this, the author's incredible capacity for descriptive writing and creative imagery is almost immersive and inclusive in its realistic detail.
The effectiveness, however, of the cliffhanger is all the in the timing of the reveal and in this case I think the burn was a tad too slow, with perhaps one fruitless trip to the manor too many as the wait to unfold the mystery of the disgruntled ghost is perhaps prolonged too far. The plot could have benefitted from more substantial hints dropped incrementally and strategically throughout so as to make the conclusion appear less out of nowhere and more cohesive with the trajectory of the story. Also, there is room for greater elaboration on the relationships between certain characters; Clive and Devin, Devin and his dad, Devin and Emily.
All in all - Suspenseful in the right doses, a healthy smattering of unexpected comic elements and excellently crafted characterisation, Henry has created a refreshingly easy read and done a fantastic job overall.
For more on this book or others check out my blog - getthelowdown.wixsite.com/mysite
Or follow me on twitter - @getthelowdown1
The effectiveness, however, of the cliffhanger is all the in the timing of the reveal and in this case I think the burn was a tad too slow, with perhaps one fruitless trip to the manor too many as the wait to unfold the mystery of the disgruntled ghost is perhaps prolonged too far. The plot could have benefitted from more substantial hints dropped incrementally and strategically throughout so as to make the conclusion appear less out of nowhere and more cohesive with the trajectory of the story. Also, there is room for greater elaboration on the relationships between certain characters; Clive and Devin, Devin and his dad, Devin and Emily.
All in all - Suspenseful in the right doses, a healthy smattering of unexpected comic elements and excellently crafted characterisation, Henry has created a refreshingly easy read and done a fantastic job overall.
For more on this book or others check out my blog - getthelowdown.wixsite.com/mysite
Or follow me on twitter - @getthelowdown1
January 4, 2019
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair review.
Over all the story was entertaining and enjoyable. The cover is amazing let me add.
From the way the cover looks, I went into this book with the impression that it would be a middle grade paranormal mystery, and maybe indeed that is what category it should be in.
The characters in the story are likable, especially our protagonist Devin, the typical outcast kid who gets teased by everyone. The story revolves around Devon and a few friends trying to solve the mystery of the so called Haunted, Rousten Manor.
There is some funny situations throughout the book, especially the relationship between Devon and his boss at the local coffee shop.
Now some things that were annoying about the book.
1. There were some technical problems with the e-book version, I found some duplicated text in one of the chapters. I thought I was having a Déjà vu moment.
2. The next thing and probably most annoying was the inclusion of these huge words that just felt out of place in this type of book. I have never encountered this before and it was just annoying enough to bother me. Example:
"An ignominious end" when disgraceful or shameful could have been used.
"She wanted to get as far as possible from her recalcitrant barista" Uncooperative or just bad attitude could have been used instead.
"He walked lugubriously to the other end of the room" sadly or glumly could have been used.
There were many examples of these kind of words being used that just felt out of place in a middle grade paranormal story of kids.
Over all like I previously mentioned, I enjoyed the book and appreciate the chance to read it. I recommend it for light reading and also a chance to add some new words to your vocabulary ;)
Over all the story was entertaining and enjoyable. The cover is amazing let me add.
From the way the cover looks, I went into this book with the impression that it would be a middle grade paranormal mystery, and maybe indeed that is what category it should be in.
The characters in the story are likable, especially our protagonist Devin, the typical outcast kid who gets teased by everyone. The story revolves around Devon and a few friends trying to solve the mystery of the so called Haunted, Rousten Manor.
There is some funny situations throughout the book, especially the relationship between Devon and his boss at the local coffee shop.
Now some things that were annoying about the book.
1. There were some technical problems with the e-book version, I found some duplicated text in one of the chapters. I thought I was having a Déjà vu moment.
2. The next thing and probably most annoying was the inclusion of these huge words that just felt out of place in this type of book. I have never encountered this before and it was just annoying enough to bother me. Example:
"An ignominious end" when disgraceful or shameful could have been used.
"She wanted to get as far as possible from her recalcitrant barista" Uncooperative or just bad attitude could have been used instead.
"He walked lugubriously to the other end of the room" sadly or glumly could have been used.
There were many examples of these kind of words being used that just felt out of place in a middle grade paranormal story of kids.
Over all like I previously mentioned, I enjoyed the book and appreciate the chance to read it. I recommend it for light reading and also a chance to add some new words to your vocabulary ;)
June 19, 2017
16 year old barista, Devin Mulwray is a gifted teenager as he can see apparitions and ghosts. The story is based in a small town called Arcata in Northern California. Initially Devin dismisses his ability to see non-human entities as he is called a freak by his school mates but with the support of his unique friends he finally makes use of his ability to go out for ghost hunting. Their hunt starts when a couple from Devin's school sneaks into the old Rousten House in the town for a rendezvous and hears some pounding. Devin and his group of friends, Nayra, Rex and Clive links Devin's phase-outs in which he sees white movements outside the window of the café in which he works with the haunting at the Rousten mansion. Thus, begins the adventures of Devin and company.
Writing style:
Brian K. Henry writes a picturesque book. Each and every details are spread out in front of your eyes. From the description of the ghosts to the sounds Devin makes while he stealthily climbs up a creaky wooden staircase, everything is perfectly detailed. Every trip to the Rousten house leads to different misadventures.
About the book:
Each and every time Devin and Co enters the mansion I eagerly wait for the final showdown, and when the final showdown actually occurs I am not disappointed. It is both spooky and hilarious. In fact, the whole book is spooky and filled with fun antics of Rex and Clive. Here's one of my favourite moments from the book:
"Rex nodded.
“Yeah, you’re not the only one ghosts toss stuff at.”
“I didn’t know it was a contest,” Devin responded sourly"
If you want a laugh a riot with a slice of spookiness then go grab this book
Writing style:
Brian K. Henry writes a picturesque book. Each and every details are spread out in front of your eyes. From the description of the ghosts to the sounds Devin makes while he stealthily climbs up a creaky wooden staircase, everything is perfectly detailed. Every trip to the Rousten house leads to different misadventures.
About the book:
Each and every time Devin and Co enters the mansion I eagerly wait for the final showdown, and when the final showdown actually occurs I am not disappointed. It is both spooky and hilarious. In fact, the whole book is spooky and filled with fun antics of Rex and Clive. Here's one of my favourite moments from the book:
"Rex nodded.
“Yeah, you’re not the only one ghosts toss stuff at.”
“I didn’t know it was a contest,” Devin responded sourly"
If you want a laugh a riot with a slice of spookiness then go grab this book
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