The Quantum Ghost

The Quantum Worlds #2

by Jonathan Ballagh, Ben J. Adams (Illustrator)

On a cold autumn night, twelve-year-old Remi Cobb makes a startling discovery—a mysterious object floating on the pond in her backyard. With no idea where it came from, or how it got there, Remi is compelled to unravel its secrets. Her quest for answers takes her on a perilous journey across realities, where she finds a crumbling world—and the dark forces behind its ruin. Here she learns the truth about her connection with the strange object, and of those that will stop at nothing to destroy them both. But even if she can find a way to survive, can she find a way home?

Genres: Young Adult

Kindle Edition

Reviews

[Coco.V]

🎁 The Quantum Worlds Series (2 book Series) is FREE on Amazon today (1/27/2020)! 🎁

[Hilary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

When I heard that Ballagh was coming out with another of his middle grade, science fiction books, I couldn't wait to read it. I loved his last book, and had very high hopes when it came to this one. I haven't heard of too many hardcore science fiction books for middle grade aged kids, so it's always great to see more being added to the list.

And I was definitely not disappointed. This book exists in a similar world to that of his previous book, The Quantum Door, but with a brand new protagonist and a whole new story. The boys from the previous book are mentioned in this one, but don't worry if you haven't read that one, because you can read this one on its own. The author explains everything you need to know, and the previous story only has a minor effect on this one.

The Good Points of The Quantum Ghost:

I'd had a few technical issues in the last book with understanding what the time period of the story was, with the changing points of views, and techno-talk that confused the heck out of me. But none of this was an issue in this book, whether it be intentional or just because of a single protagonist or whatever the case may be.

The pacing in this book was perfect. I read all but a couple of chapters of this book in a day because the pacing and twists just keeps you hooked into the story, desperate to know what is going to happen to Remi in the end.

The world building in this book is brilliant. There's only so much you can fit into a relatively short book, so there are always some gaps, but you get a really good picture of the places that Remi and friends visit, as well as the sort of creatures and robot that you find there.

The artwork in this book is great. The images scattered throughout the book add to the world building by giving you a little glimpse of what the world is like, and adds to the science fiction atmosphere.

The Downsides of The Quantum Ghost:

It took me a while to figure out which creature in this book was supposed to be the ghost. I did manage to figure it out, but the word 'ghost' wasn't really in there, and it got confusing for the short term. It is entirely possible that this was just me, though.

I wish the family relationships had been worked on a little more. We didn't get to see Remi interact with her siblings a whole lot, and so I didn't have a solid idea of how they got on, which got confusing when the siblings came up later.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book, and am so glad to have gotten to go back into this world. Ballagh has middle grade writing down so well, and he introduces the genre to that age of kids beautifully. I'm sure it won't be long before I start seeing his books displayed in my local bookstore. If you enjoy science fiction, robots, robot animals, and crazy adventures, you're gonna love this book.

[Kimberly Vanderbloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an early copy in exchange for a honest review and trust me I had to beg to get it.

I fell in love with this author aftering reading his debut novel The Quantum Door. I was thrilled to find out that there was going to be a sequel so I had to get my hands on it. I want to make sure this is clear even though it is a sequel, it can also be read as a standalone. It is helpful to read the first one but not necessary to understand the story. I cracked up the first page and found myself unable to put it down. The story is so well written and flows so smoothly that you don't realize how much you have read. It is a breath of fresh air and I just enjoyed it to it's fullest. I love the character development and the story line. It is fast paced and it has quite a bit of science in it but it is easy to understand.

My favorite character is Remi. I love her sense of adventure and bravery to keep moving forward. It was fun to watch her get in all these adventures. She is such an inspiring character and she is quite a complex and strongly written. I'm going to say that it was also fun to see some old characters come back Archilles and Nova. I have a love for Archilles and his picture is displayed on my wall.

My favorite moment was when Nova and Archilles appeared. I found myself standing up and cheering because I was so happy to see them. I also knew when they showed up it was about to be a big adventure coming.

The artwork and cover on this book was fabulous. I was happy to see that the author kept the same illustrator because he seems to capture the book wonderfully. I look forward to reading more from this author because I'm slightly obsessed with his stories because they are a perfect blend of science and adventure. I am going to recommend this book to anyone who will listen. I plan on shoving it in my friends hands and making them read it. Thank you for giving me a early copy.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Quantum Ghost is the second book in Jonathan Ballagh's excellent Quantum Worlds series aimed towards the middle-grade or young adult reader. Although not necessary to have read book one, The Quantum Door, it would help establish characters who appear in both. Having said that, this book works equally well as a stand-alone novel. I'm in the fortunate position of having read both due to the author approaching me for reviews.

Putting myself in the mindset of a much younger 'me', this is exactly the sort of book I would've devoured with immense pleasure had it been available 35+ years ago. The characters are extremely well-written, original and fully fleshed out; Remi being a prime example - she's intelligent, super-loyal, dependable, empathetic and full of spirit.

In this second book we once again meet familiar characters including Nova and mechanical dog Achilles, although they feature less prominently this time around. It's fundamentally a story about Good versus Evil in a failing, parallel universe. Each chapter is action-packed and the pacing is thrilling. I often find a second or third book in a series can be a let-down, but not with this one. I enjoyed it even more than the first. I did have one teeny-weeny gripe though - Remi appeared to complete her adventure without stopping for food even once lol!

If you have kids who love sci-fi, you could do far worse than introduce them to the writings of this capable author. Me? I have my fingers tightly crossed the series continues into book three.

Thanks to author Jonathan Ballagh for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

https://barnseybooks.blogspot.co.uk/2...

[Lauren Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Machines and technology are the way of the future. In this second installment, Ballagh continues the journey with some new characters, but the reader does meet back up with Nova, Achilles, and AJ. This story sheds some light on aspects of the first installment that were deliberately unclear due to character introduction. This author has an entertaining story that encompasses adventure, friendship, and futuristic possibility.

Remi has been diagnosed with something that has made her sick, stuck in the house and unable to go to school like her brother and sister. While outside one night, she sees a brightly lit dome on top of the water in her family's pond, so she goes to investigate. Seeing a robotic hand coming out from under the water to grab the dome and pull it back under, Remi becomes frightened and runs back to the house. Little does she know that her world is about to change forever. Not willing to believe her eyes, she makes one more trip to the pond and this time something happens to her, a bright light blinds her vision and then the next thing she knows, her sister is waking her up because she fell asleep on the ground. Then the adventure begins. She receives strange text messages and a bunch of boxes mysteriously arrive in her driveway. A human girl with a mechanical dog appear after she follows the dome into danger. Remi understands that there are other worlds out there, somewhere that may need her help. Is she willing to put herself in harm's way to save her new friends?

Ballagh has an amazing second installment with superb character development. It is chalked full of originality, entertainment, and adventure. The story flows easily, making it a fast read. There are a few grammatical errors throughout, but this was an advance reader copy that was received; therefore, these may have been cleaned up before publication. If not, this should not hinder the reader's enjoyment of the novel. It is highly recommended that the first installment, The Quantum Door, is read prior to this one since it is a continuance of the adventure. If you are a reader of science fiction, fantasy, and young adult fiction, you may be interested in picking this up for a read.

A copy of this book was provided to Turning Another Page by the author, but this in no way affects our honest opinion of the book or the review that has been written. We provide a five-star rating for The Quantum Ghost by Jonathan Ballagh.

[L. S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Writing sequels and series is tough. Often, they start strong, lose steam about halfway through, and then maybe the ending saves it. Seeing something that could be potentially consistent throughout the series is exciting.

Quantum Ghost is the second novel in the series, and it's as good as the first one. It picks up not long after Quantum Door, with a different main character. A young lady by the name of Remi. While her story is new, Nova's and AJ's continue from where they left off. It feels a bit like when the Doctor switches companions. They're still on a quest, they just get a new teammate. There are some things that won't make much sense if you haven't read the first one. I would almost recommend going back and reading Quantum Door first. Even if you don't, it this will be an excellent read.

Writing style still suits the genre. It reads like a young adult book. The kids feel like kids. They have a different voice than the adults. It also reads a little different than the first novel. It stops the voice of the narrator from sounding like the previous characters. It was nice. The pace of this novel was faster than the last one. Lots of action, but plenty of time to lay out the exposition. Getting to know the characters was a pleasure. They stood out from one another, they were three-dimensional. Everything they did drove the story forward. Interactions were flawless. Dialogue never felt clunky or awkward.

The portrayal of women continues to be a wonderful talent of this author. They have their own identities separate from any romantic subplot. Personalities mesh and they get along; there's no competition between them. Again, the narrative shows that men and women can be friends without the need for something more. Nova and Remi could do things on their own. Sure, they needed help from time to time, but their characters weren't compromised by it.

Once more the imagery was fabulous. It wasn't flowery and flowing, nor was it jargon-heavy, like some descriptors in sci-fi. It reflected the natural progression of the story, aiding in tone and voice. The landscape was consistent with the first one. Hopping right back into the story was easy.

I'm really enjoying this series. Quantum Ghost particularly. Still young adult, but the narration feels older than Quantum Door. This is a talented author. The young adult genre needs more authors like this.

[Marian Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the same near-future world as Jonathan Ballagh’s The Quantum Door, a young girl called Remi sees a glowing dome in a pond near her house…a glowing dome that is almost immediately snatched by a hand that rises from the water. Shortly afterwards, strange dreams begin; Remi finds herself writing strings of meaningless numbers…and then parcels begin to arrive, parcels containing items that she is compelled to put together.
What Remi builds takes her into the same world of technological wonder and menace that Brady and Felix entered in The Quantum Door. But The Quantum Ghost, while building on events in the previous book, can successfully be read as a separate, stand-alone book. Characters overlap, but they are introduced again, and any previous history relevant to this book is given in a natural way.
The target audience for The Quantum Ghost is middle-grade students. Ballagh’s prose and pacing is perfect for this age group; the science is presented in a comprehensible manner without over-simplifying it or talking down to the reader. The action is rapid, but with enough character development to create empathy and identification with Remi.
As in The Quantum Door, Ballagh manages to take what could be clichéd scenes and turn them into truly frightening images. There are some quite dark scenes (age-appropriate) in the story, so a young person with a vivid visual imagination might find the book a bit difficult in places, but Remi is a heroine who faces dangers with courage and initiative. In both this frightening alternative universe and in her ‘real’ life, she acknowledges her fears and confronts them.
The artwork by Ben J. Adams, both on the cover and the interior illustrations, is brilliant, perfectly complementing the story. Highly recommended for twelve to sixteen, or for less confident, slightly older, readers.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Lisa Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Quantum Door by Jonathan Ballagh in November and really enjoyed it. The Quantum Ghost is the next book in the Quantum Series and it is just as good, if not better, than the first. The author uses the same straight forward, organized writing style. The pace and flow are excellent. Even though the book involves science and technology, the writer makes it easy to understand.
This is a story that feels fresh. I have not read anything quite like it in the past. The author brings the unique worlds he has created to life and the reader can picture the settings, technology, and races easily. Although the focus is on the adventure and mission, and moves along steadily, the characters are developed and likeable (except of course the evil ones). My favorite part is the strong ending, which provides closure to the story, but lets the reader know the adventures will continue.
The books in this series do not have to be read in order. The Quantum Ghost can definitely be read as a stand alone. Some of the characters are the same, but each book is a separate story with different protagonists.
I did not mention this in my review of The Quantum Door, but the illustrations by Ben J. Adams in both stories were awesome and really added to the book. Just look at the fantastic covers!
I recommend this book to anyone 12 and over. My son had such a hard time finding books he wanted to read when he was in 5th-8th grade. These would have been perfect.

[Bobbie Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy cow! I always get a little nervous when I start the second book in a series because it's hard to live up to the first. In this case, though, I liked the second one much more than the first! Maybe it's because I already understood the world the story moved in and out of. Maybe it's because I just liked Remi better than I liked the boys in the first book. Who knows, honestly. Whatever the reason, though, I really connected much better with this book and I couldn't get enough of it! I read through lunch breaks, read when I should've been sleeping... I couldn't get enough! If that's not a testament to the story, I don't know what is!

If you check out my review of the first book in this series, you'll see I had a few minor struggles with the author's writing style. I think it's safe to say that his talent has grown in the time between that story and this one. Aside from a couple of very small errors that could easily be addressed with another round of editing, I found the writing style addictive. Easy to understand, exciting, really all I could ask for. I finished this book desperately wanting more, so I certainly hope that sense of foreshadowing at the end means there's another one on the way!

[Carrie Westmoreland Kurtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Jonathan Ballagh asked me if I would like to read this book I couldn't say yes fast enough! I really enjoyed The Quantum Door so I was really excited to read The Quantum Ghost. Even though both books are geared for middle grade readers, I really enjoyed them both.

If you haven't read The Quantum Door yet, no worries! You can still read The Quantum Ghost and not be lost! Remi is a whole new protagonist, and I love her btw, and the story is different as well. Brady and Felix, boys from the previous book, are mentioned and explained a bit but you won't necessarily feel the loss of the first book if you don't read it first. Although, you really should read The Quantum Door anyways!

I actually read the first book right at a year ago while on vacation and I read this book while vacationing as well! They seem to be great vacation reads for me. Not too long and not too short. Just the right amount for good world and character building. Especially good for middle grade readers who tend to shy away from somewhat lengthier books.

Thank you, Jonathan Ballagh, for another great book!

*Note: I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Karen Berriman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't think that I could care about a robot but I did. I can't wait to see what happens next.

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Quantum Ghost is kind of a sequel to The Quantum Door, but not really. It's more of a standalone that can be read without having read the first one. However, I would suggest reading The Quantum Door, just so things make more sense.

In The Quantum Ghost, you follow Remi Cobb as she discovers something strange in her pond. As soon as she picks it up, a whole new world opens up for her, but it's not one she's going to want to visit for long.

Two characters from the first book — Nova and Achilles — return in the second book. There is also the return of another character, but I don't want to spoil anything. The brothers — Brady and Felix — are mentioned, but not by name. If you're looking for them in this book, you may be disappointed.

The plot is steady and full of surprises. There are some interesting twists and turns, and you'll find yourself flipping eagerly through the pages to find out what, exactly, is going on. Who is the mysterious figure following Remi around? What is the Quantum Ghost? How is Remi going to get back to her own world when evil is out to destroy her, no matter the cost?

I rather enjoyed The Quantum Ghost. It wasn't as technical as the first book was, which I think is a good thing, especially for younger readers. I would have liked a little more with Remi and her family, but overall, it's a fantastic story for middle grade readers, and lovers of fantasy/sci-fi, no matter their age. I highly recommend it!

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review also available on my blog The Shameful Narcissist Speaks.

Mr. Ballagh not only does it again with this second foray into his Quantum Worlds, but he manages to do it better. Any of the minor issues I had with The Quantum Door (which I've also reviewed on this site and on my blog) were utterly absent from novel. The author doesn't waste any time with the narrative. He jumps right into the action of the book, and it's instantly engaging.

Remi was an interesting character in her own right even without being a parallel universe explorer. She has some sort of ailment that keeps her home from school and perfectly explains why she was so susceptible and available for, er, quantum entanglement (too good to pass up). I liked that the illness wasn't really explained, leaving the reader to speculate on its nature, and since this world clearly takes place in the (near) future, it obfuscates it even more. There's also the question of whether or not Brady and Felix's (the brother main characters from the prior book) actions might have had something to do with it. They are mentioned in a way that firmly places Ghost as a sequel to Door.

There were some old characters brought back with new motivations and explanations for some of their behaviors in the first book, and there were also some characters that had been more antagonistic in Door that were far more sympathetic in Ghost. The true villain was menacing nor was their identity given away that easily even when Remi first runs into them, and new and prior antagonists were shown to have more than one layer.

Like the prior book, there are clever references hidden in names like Alethea, which means "truth," and this individual is an integral fount of that. There's another person named Naveah, which is "Heaven" spelled backwards. I don't want to say too much about these characters as their identities wade into spoiler territory.

The author has a gift of describing a scene without over-describing it (something I'm guilty of and need to learn to balance), and Ghost (and Door, too) would honestly be perfect for film. I hope one day that comes to fruition (if it's something the author so desires), because I could see many a Matrix fan adding this to their sci-fi collection.

[Eamon Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb sequel to Jonathan Ballagh's debut The Quantum Door. Can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading part one also.
A fun, fast-paced scifi actioner that keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout.

[Dragontrap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was okay, but I didn't really find myself getting lost in the story (mostly a pacing issue that kept bugging me), the characters were more 2 dimensional in their personalities that could have really used with a lot more fleshing out, and really felt like there were some parts that could have used further development of story elements that would have made this a much more memorable read.

To sum it up: It was passable on a first read, but not really a book I would find myself wanting to re-read later.

[Ernie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a bone to pick with Jonathan Ballagh. I wish he would write more!!!! The Quantum Ghost is part of the Quantum series, but a stand-alone book, so you don't have to start with the Quantum Door. Which is another great story I might add. Remi is a very well written character. The story is tight and entertaining. What I have come to expect from My Ballagh, one of my favorite authors. - Ernie Howard