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Haunted Echoes
Everywhere Abby turns she hears disembodied voices, sees things move as if by unseen hands. Bullies constantly torment her, threatening what remains of her sanity. Her mother is too busy trying to fix her craziness to see what is truly happening. When her life spirals out of control, she is invited to Hildebranch Academy, a school for spirited kids like her.
- GenresYoung Adult
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
July 23, 2015
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All ends well between us eventually, thus the high rating, this book was a great reading experience by my standards, which isn't ceiling high, but it started really, really slow I almost DNF it. The book has a lot of unnecessary events and focused to much on how Abigail Marcelli struggled in life at the first 30% of the book which I can tell will bore a lot of readers along the way. I feel like some of those scenes should have been removed and it wouldn't even make an impact on the overall plot. Like the 5 encounters she had with the bully kids at her school. I knew because after the 2nd encounter I started counting. The pacing almost made me slam my phone out of frustration! of course I didn't, I don't have any spare phone..
You see, when I'm reading, I always try to relate to the characters, and I can't do that to Abby- atleast at the beginning. She's weak, overly dramatic and whiny for my taste. That was why I think she's a perfect target for the bully kids. She wanted somebody else to make her life easier.
But then, I thought maybe I was being hard and unfair to Abby. I mean, I have never been bullied, even though I grew up with no parents, my aunts were there for me, they have been the constant companion I had and they never made me feel alone, and lastly, I don't hear ghostly voices like Abby does, so I probably should give the girl a break. Abby doesn't have a friend or a parents to confide what she's been going through. Her mother doesn't believe her about the voices..
Abby's growth throughout the duration of the book was commendable. Her mother's faith and love to her helped her get past one of the worst chapters in her life. Maybe the worst is not yet done, but atleast she wouldn't have to face it alone. She has friends now in Hildebranch Academy, where she was eventually sent to learn more of her ability.
Sometimes we overlook things, or maybe it was just me. When I was reading the bully encounters Abby had, I saw Meghan as a rich brat girl who bully people who's beneath her just because she can - an immature act. And boy was I so wrong. I liked this book not because I was entertain. No, I liked the book because it made me feel all sorts of feels and it teach me not to judge people just because you could've done things better.
Romance: What the hell is romance? That girl have enough problems like proving her sanity and trying to survive highschool that flirting is not on her highest list... JK.. Actually there's this guy the girl might have a silly little highschool crush on, but it was short lived, because the guy might have serious issues going on too. So yeah, that sums up her romantic experience, which I liked better. Atleast I was saved with the frustration of insta love by a supposedly troubled teen.
Overall: I may have a bit of the problem with the writing but I Highly Recommend this book to everyone.
"She would have given anything to be normal. Her oddities were what made her standout. Maybe they were right. It was entirely possible that Abby was crazy. Why did she have to be born this way? What good could come of the spirited voices which continued to plague her? What did someone even do with this? All it had brought her was pain and delusion."You know you've just read a great book when it has provoked strong feelings from you as a reader.. And I just had a bitter sweet experience with Haunted Echoes.
All ends well between us eventually, thus the high rating, this book was a great reading experience by my standards, which isn't ceiling high, but it started really, really slow I almost DNF it. The book has a lot of unnecessary events and focused to much on how Abigail Marcelli struggled in life at the first 30% of the book which I can tell will bore a lot of readers along the way. I feel like some of those scenes should have been removed and it wouldn't even make an impact on the overall plot. Like the 5 encounters she had with the bully kids at her school. I knew because after the 2nd encounter I started counting. The pacing almost made me slam my phone out of frustration! of course I didn't, I don't have any spare phone..
You see, when I'm reading, I always try to relate to the characters, and I can't do that to Abby- atleast at the beginning. She's weak, overly dramatic and whiny for my taste. That was why I think she's a perfect target for the bully kids. She wanted somebody else to make her life easier.
"Abby couldn't help thinking if she knew about the bullying problem in the school, why didn't she do something about it. She was a teacher after all."I don't like the way she blamed other people to what happened in her life.
"If only my mom had made me feel it was ok to be me.....
If she hadn't treated my like I was making things or acting out all those years ago, it would have been easier to face the horrors of my everyday life..."
But then, I thought maybe I was being hard and unfair to Abby. I mean, I have never been bullied, even though I grew up with no parents, my aunts were there for me, they have been the constant companion I had and they never made me feel alone, and lastly, I don't hear ghostly voices like Abby does, so I probably should give the girl a break. Abby doesn't have a friend or a parents to confide what she's been going through. Her mother doesn't believe her about the voices..
"Abby still remembered her words. "Stop playing with your imaginary friends, Abigail. It's time to grow up already."It's kinda hard to confide to a person who doesn't believe you. The bully kids torment her life in every way possible it made me angry. I wanted to yell and shook Abby on the shoulder and slap her to make her realize that no one will be bullied if no one will allow it! Meghan is creepy and a bully. The things she do to Abby are not something a sane teenager girl would've been able to do. I thought it was disturbing and insane - turns out she was.
Abby's growth throughout the duration of the book was commendable. Her mother's faith and love to her helped her get past one of the worst chapters in her life. Maybe the worst is not yet done, but atleast she wouldn't have to face it alone. She has friends now in Hildebranch Academy, where she was eventually sent to learn more of her ability.
Sometimes we overlook things, or maybe it was just me. When I was reading the bully encounters Abby had, I saw Meghan as a rich brat girl who bully people who's beneath her just because she can - an immature act. And boy was I so wrong. I liked this book not because I was entertain. No, I liked the book because it made me feel all sorts of feels and it teach me not to judge people just because you could've done things better.
Romance: What the hell is romance? That girl have enough problems like proving her sanity and trying to survive highschool that flirting is not on her highest list... JK.. Actually there's this guy the girl might have a silly little highschool crush on, but it was short lived, because the guy might have serious issues going on too. So yeah, that sums up her romantic experience, which I liked better. Atleast I was saved with the frustration of insta love by a supposedly troubled teen.
Overall: I may have a bit of the problem with the writing but I Highly Recommend this book to everyone.
June 14, 2015
(I received a copy from Netgalley, In exchange for an honest review.)
I felt really sorry for Abby in this. Being bullied is awful, and it was made even worse by her mother keep asking her what she did to make them treat her that way every time something happened to her! She also had the added complication of hearing the voices, so the poor girl really didn't have a great time of it.
This was an okay read, but it took forever to really get going. It wasn't until 40% that something other than the bullying happened, so I started to lose interest a bit.
When things did start happening, there was still a few times where I felt a bit bored, but as it was a pretty quick read, it wasn't too bad.
Overall, An okay read, but had a slow first half.
I felt really sorry for Abby in this. Being bullied is awful, and it was made even worse by her mother keep asking her what she did to make them treat her that way every time something happened to her! She also had the added complication of hearing the voices, so the poor girl really didn't have a great time of it.
This was an okay read, but it took forever to really get going. It wasn't until 40% that something other than the bullying happened, so I started to lose interest a bit.
When things did start happening, there was still a few times where I felt a bit bored, but as it was a pretty quick read, it wasn't too bad.
Overall, An okay read, but had a slow first half.
July 23, 2015
4 and 1/2 Stars
I received an ARC when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
Abby is a high school student who just doesn't have to deal with her tormenting bullies but also with the voices she hears. No, she isn't schizophrenic; she hears the voices of the spirits of those who have passed on.
After an unfortunate incident, she ends up in the hospital and then moved into the psych ward. Little does she know how much her life is about to change. A new school, new friendships and a deeper bonding with her mother is all she needs to begin to grow and stand up for herself.
This well paced story line with well developed characters draws you in emotionally. The author's writing abilities left me craving for more of her stories and I eagerly await the release of the second book.
I received an ARC when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
Abby is a high school student who just doesn't have to deal with her tormenting bullies but also with the voices she hears. No, she isn't schizophrenic; she hears the voices of the spirits of those who have passed on.
After an unfortunate incident, she ends up in the hospital and then moved into the psych ward. Little does she know how much her life is about to change. A new school, new friendships and a deeper bonding with her mother is all she needs to begin to grow and stand up for herself.
This well paced story line with well developed characters draws you in emotionally. The author's writing abilities left me craving for more of her stories and I eagerly await the release of the second book.
August 10, 2015
Haunted Echoes by Emma Bloom is the first in the Spirited Series. Abby Marcelli is a fourteen year old teenager still dealing with the death of her father and the heartache of continuously being bullied in school by a clique of mean girls. They take bullying to new levels and are relentless in their destruction of her. Worse yet, everyone seems to blame her, like it’s her fault. “Mom’s attitude was the same as always, and Abby’s face started to feel hot. Wasn’t it bad enough that she had to deal with the brat pack all day long? This was worse. Mom should be on her side, not defending the cretins who were always harassing her.”
Abby feels that she is an outcast not just because of the bullying but because of her biggest struggle which is the spirit voices she has heard since she was a young girl and that follow her everywhere she goes. “The world that surrounded Abby was one which rejected everything she was, leaving her unwilling to come to terms with the ghosts which haunted her.” “Why did she have to be born this way? What good could come of the spirited voices which continued to plague her? What did someone even do with this? All it had brought her was pain and delusion.”
She has always heard voices but lately there seems to be one that is non-stop. Why is this particular voice nagging Abby over and over as well as warning her whenever she may be in trouble? When Abby without meaning to makes a terrible mistake her mother is forced to take drastic measures and Abby once again feels betrayed by the person who is supposed to love her. “Abby felt like her mom had turned her back on her, given up when she needed someone to fight. When the people you love couldn’t even stand up for you, what else was there?”
When Abby suddenly shares something with a nurse she would have no way of knowing about, the tides begin to turn and what comes next is the beginning of a journey that travels an unexpected road with twists and turns. Abby wonders, “Could she learn to control the powerful struggle between the land of the living and the dead?” Can Abby find peace at last? Can she accept her gift and learn to embrace it? Where will the mystery lead her and is she strong enough to survive it? You’ll have to read the book to find out all the answers you are longing for.
Emma Blooms writing was detailed, strong, and portrayed amazing characteristics of each character. When I first began the book I wasn’t sure that I would like it but soon found myself completely engrossed and longing for the next book.
Abby feels that she is an outcast not just because of the bullying but because of her biggest struggle which is the spirit voices she has heard since she was a young girl and that follow her everywhere she goes. “The world that surrounded Abby was one which rejected everything she was, leaving her unwilling to come to terms with the ghosts which haunted her.” “Why did she have to be born this way? What good could come of the spirited voices which continued to plague her? What did someone even do with this? All it had brought her was pain and delusion.”
She has always heard voices but lately there seems to be one that is non-stop. Why is this particular voice nagging Abby over and over as well as warning her whenever she may be in trouble? When Abby without meaning to makes a terrible mistake her mother is forced to take drastic measures and Abby once again feels betrayed by the person who is supposed to love her. “Abby felt like her mom had turned her back on her, given up when she needed someone to fight. When the people you love couldn’t even stand up for you, what else was there?”
When Abby suddenly shares something with a nurse she would have no way of knowing about, the tides begin to turn and what comes next is the beginning of a journey that travels an unexpected road with twists and turns. Abby wonders, “Could she learn to control the powerful struggle between the land of the living and the dead?” Can Abby find peace at last? Can she accept her gift and learn to embrace it? Where will the mystery lead her and is she strong enough to survive it? You’ll have to read the book to find out all the answers you are longing for.
Emma Blooms writing was detailed, strong, and portrayed amazing characteristics of each character. When I first began the book I wasn’t sure that I would like it but soon found myself completely engrossed and longing for the next book.
July 13, 2015
Growing up Abby knew she was different , she just thought it was imaginary friends she was talking to. When she was little , she didn't realise that they were in fact ghosts -not till her dad died and passed on a message for her family. From then on she knew that she wasn't crazy but that didn't stop her school life from being any better. Abby was beaten and bullied, called names and tormented from the Queen B and her musketeers. Some of the bullying that this trio did , made me feel sick reading the book as I was like -how can someone like that get away with it all. During this novel, things get pretty tough for Abby especially after her Grandma passes away, she was the only one whom Abby thought got her and completely understood the way she was. Abby decides one night, that she just wants peace and quiet and takes a few of her mother's pills which leads to Abby waking up in a hospital bed and eventually the psych ward. Later Abby finds that she is not alone in the world of hearing ghosts and that she is gifted and special, her doctor refers her to a ranch academy where they take on special cases like herself and teach them to accept, harness and control their gifts that they have been born with. In doing so, Abby heads back home while on break to help solve the mystery surrounding Denise - a girl who was also bullied badly by the Queen B and her girls who disappeared a few months ago. I loved the ending as the mean girls got what they deserved.
July 26, 2015
Great Story, Great Characters **I received an ARC of this story in exchange for an honest review**Abby was 14. Her dad died when she was 10. Voices seek Abby out a lot, especially at night. Abby was always tired. Abby also occasionally saw ghosts. There was a brat pack at her school that loved to abuse Abby. They were Meghan, Laural, and Kristen. They were in the 11th grade and Abby was in the 9th. Abby was so tired from hearing voices and lack of sleep, she took her mom's sleeping pills. She just wanted to sleep and she ended up in the psych ward. Abby had two tormenters, the brat pack and the voices. She tried to be strong but couldn't. She was afraid. She had only person to turn to, which was her grandmother, and she passed away. This is a girl's journey to learning about herself and her gift. Fantastic characters, plot and overall plot. I highly recommend it.
August 3, 2015
What a great read!!
Abby was a bullied kid in middle and high school. No one ever took her side with any of it, who would go against the brat pack? The brat pack consisted of three girls, the leader being Meghan, who comes from money. Money seems to buy the town. With all that, Abby also has to deal with hearing voices that no one else hears.
My heart went out to Abby. I was bullied as a child, but nothing like her. I am so proud of her for staying strong and taking a big leap of faith in trusting someone to listen!! Abby is such a strong girl and this book should be shared with bullied children and those who bully. More importantly with everyone so the get a look in the inside of the problem!!
Abby was a bullied kid in middle and high school. No one ever took her side with any of it, who would go against the brat pack? The brat pack consisted of three girls, the leader being Meghan, who comes from money. Money seems to buy the town. With all that, Abby also has to deal with hearing voices that no one else hears.
My heart went out to Abby. I was bullied as a child, but nothing like her. I am so proud of her for staying strong and taking a big leap of faith in trusting someone to listen!! Abby is such a strong girl and this book should be shared with bullied children and those who bully. More importantly with everyone so the get a look in the inside of the problem!!
November 12, 2015
Haunted Echoes is a book that made me cry, made me cheer for the main character, and brought out my anger and wrath over school yard injustices. This may or may not have been influenced by the fact that I was PMSing and having flashbacks to middle school (a time when I felt as alone and isolated as Abby, though I did not go through the extent of bullying she did). In lieu of a rapidly advancing plot, Bloom offered a heartfelt and realistic view into Abby’s experience, one that not only covered Abby’s daily strife at the hands of her peers but also how impotent one can feel when no one takes you seriously.
Read the rest of my review at BibliobibuliYA.com
Read the rest of my review at BibliobibuliYA.com
July 6, 2015
I received Haunted Echoes off NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you.
Haunted Echoes started off really slow, not a lot happening although I did feel sorry for Abby.
Abby has a lot to deal with. Constant bullying. Throw spirits into the mix, the poor girl wasn't having an easy time. Abby feels has though she's alone and nobody understands her until a doctor comes trough and sends her to an academy, where their are others like her. Abby starts to gain more confidence while at the academy. Which was good to see.
I felt the storyline was lacking. I kept putting the book down then coming back to try again.
Haunted Echoes started off really slow, not a lot happening although I did feel sorry for Abby.
Abby has a lot to deal with. Constant bullying. Throw spirits into the mix, the poor girl wasn't having an easy time. Abby feels has though she's alone and nobody understands her until a doctor comes trough and sends her to an academy, where their are others like her. Abby starts to gain more confidence while at the academy. Which was good to see.
I felt the storyline was lacking. I kept putting the book down then coming back to try again.
July 21, 2015
Reading this book you are actually in a situation that you can feel you heart break for the character. In this case, it was Abby. This book is so well written and touches on the whole bullying aspect. The author did a great job with the story plot! Highly a recommend book in my eyes!
*Received for an honest review*
*Received for an honest review*
July 29, 2015
Great story
I love how Abby's story is written. Bloom capture the story and emotions of a bullied teen and the journey of life. I can't wait to read more about Abby and how her life's journey continues.
I love how Abby's story is written. Bloom capture the story and emotions of a bullied teen and the journey of life. I can't wait to read more about Abby and how her life's journey continues.
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