What do you think?
Rate this book
Pokemon Chapter Book #4
Night in the Haunted Tower
In order to defeat the Psychic Pokâemon of Gym leader Sabrina and earn a Marsh badge, Ash and Pikachu must find and tame the Ghost Pokâemon of Pokâemon Tower.
96 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1999
10 people are currently reading
461 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
October 18, 2019
Really quick read written very simplistically, but Pokémon was never meant to be over complicated. My only problem with it is that it combines two episodes and leaves out a lot of scenes. Good for a fun review of my favourite episode!
March 27, 2025
Incrível. Nostálgico. Atemporal.
February 25, 2020
I love classic Pokémon.
I was an avid fan of the franchise in the show's early years, and while I stopped following the franchise around the second generation (which, incidentally, the general consensus is where the anime began a decline in quality), I still have a lot of nostalgia for the classics. I remember coming home to watch the show after school every day when I was in third grade, and I loved it so, so much. Of the original series, the three-parter focusing on Ash's attempts to get the Marsh Badge is probably one of my favorites. So naturally, I love this book, which is an adaptation of it.
Large and by, the book faithfully adapts the three episodes, from Ash's hopelessly one-sided first battle against Sabrina and her Kadabra (who, for the uninformed, belonged to the then nigh-invulnerable Psychic type) to his quest to obtain a Ghost Pokémon so they could properly fight, and then Sabrina's ultimate defeat when Haunter got her to laugh. It's interesting to note that Tracey West (the book's author) leaves out the rather inconsequential scene where Ash first enters Sabrina's gym and finds a bunch of Psychics practicing - instead, it gets straight to the main action. Probably my favorite part is the group's experience in Pokémon Tower, with the Gastly, Haunter and Gengar - every 90's kid's ghostly trio. One scene given a heartwarming rendition is Sabrina's reconciliation with her father, adding to the happy feeling of the ending. Aww.
There's really not a whole lot I can criticize with the book, apart from Misty's name being misspelled as Mindy at one point (though this only applies to the first print edition, which my copy is), and to be nitpicky, some of the pictures involve some photoshop, but neither factor drags the book down significantly. For such a short book - it's only 70-some pages - it's a fun adaptation of a classic episode from the original series.
In conclusion, this is probably one of the better Pokémon chapter books, and an absolute must if you're a fan of the show's early episodes - especially if this particular storyline, or Ghost Pokémon in general, are your specialty.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
I was an avid fan of the franchise in the show's early years, and while I stopped following the franchise around the second generation (which, incidentally, the general consensus is where the anime began a decline in quality), I still have a lot of nostalgia for the classics. I remember coming home to watch the show after school every day when I was in third grade, and I loved it so, so much. Of the original series, the three-parter focusing on Ash's attempts to get the Marsh Badge is probably one of my favorites. So naturally, I love this book, which is an adaptation of it.
Large and by, the book faithfully adapts the three episodes, from Ash's hopelessly one-sided first battle against Sabrina and her Kadabra (who, for the uninformed, belonged to the then nigh-invulnerable Psychic type) to his quest to obtain a Ghost Pokémon so they could properly fight, and then Sabrina's ultimate defeat when Haunter got her to laugh. It's interesting to note that Tracey West (the book's author) leaves out the rather inconsequential scene where Ash first enters Sabrina's gym and finds a bunch of Psychics practicing - instead, it gets straight to the main action. Probably my favorite part is the group's experience in Pokémon Tower, with the Gastly, Haunter and Gengar - every 90's kid's ghostly trio. One scene given a heartwarming rendition is Sabrina's reconciliation with her father, adding to the happy feeling of the ending. Aww.
There's really not a whole lot I can criticize with the book, apart from Misty's name being misspelled as Mindy at one point (though this only applies to the first print edition, which my copy is), and to be nitpicky, some of the pictures involve some photoshop, but neither factor drags the book down significantly. For such a short book - it's only 70-some pages - it's a fun adaptation of a classic episode from the original series.
In conclusion, this is probably one of the better Pokémon chapter books, and an absolute must if you're a fan of the show's early episodes - especially if this particular storyline, or Ghost Pokémon in general, are your specialty.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
November 13, 2011
Yipes! Ghostly story, I hope this isn't funny. I read it & yipes, Gastly, Haunter & Gengar are SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 25, 2024
I feel like this story in particular suffered from trying to shove too much into its allotted 70 pages. Some events, particularly team rocket catching Pikachu at the start, get instantly resolved by a single sentence or by super fast paced stuff that doesn’t really string together well.
The book also suffered from a lack of decent proofing, as there’s one part where Misty is called “Mindy” and another part where half a sentence is printed behind one of the images, making it hard to tell what was typed there.
The book also suffered from a lack of decent proofing, as there’s one part where Misty is called “Mindy” and another part where half a sentence is printed behind one of the images, making it hard to tell what was typed there.
August 24, 2018
I liked this book, the introduction to the three ghost Pokemon is great.
For some reason I find it weird that Sabrina and her Dad have psychic powers. There are a lot of crazy powers that the Pokemon have and obviously there are psychic Pokemon, but for some reason it seems weird that there are humans with powers too.
For some reason I find it weird that Sabrina and her Dad have psychic powers. There are a lot of crazy powers that the Pokemon have and obviously there are psychic Pokemon, but for some reason it seems weird that there are humans with powers too.
May 19, 2024
This, along with a few others from the series, were very important to me as a kid. I utterly adored Pokémon. It made reading more interesting, too. I even chose particular words in these books as spelling lessons. I'll always remember you, early 2000s Scholastic Pokémon books.
Sabrina was so weird.
Reading dates are very general and vague, but chosen specifically just for my organisation.
Sabrina was so weird.
Reading dates are very general and vague, but chosen specifically just for my organisation.
April 14, 2018
Marsh Badge Assignment
Ash goes above and beyond to attain his Marsh Badge in Saffron City, he journeys to and fro Saffron City and catches a Pokemon at the haunted tower in Lavender City ^_^
I loved this Pokemon Chapter Book!
Ash goes above and beyond to attain his Marsh Badge in Saffron City, he journeys to and fro Saffron City and catches a Pokemon at the haunted tower in Lavender City ^_^
I loved this Pokemon Chapter Book!
February 28, 2024
This is one of my favourite stories from the show, the ending is a little too goofy...it would be nice if the heroes could accomplish anything the conventional way. Otherwise a good creepy Pokemon entry.
November 10, 2020
I mean, it’s Pokémon. What more can I say. Good book to help kids get into reading
December 2, 2020
so cool gastly haunter and gangar are my fav pokemon
October 19, 2025
GENGAR!!!!!
July 28, 2012
Ash has no chance of beating Sabrina to get a badge without capturing a ghost Pokemon. So, it's off to The Haunted Tower in Lavender Town, after his first loss against her, to do so. But, it won't be as easy as he likes to think.
At The Haunted Tower, his companions (Brock and Misty), refuse to enter. So, it's only Ash and his Pokemon on this adventure. But, will he be able to catch a ghost Pokemon? Chances seem dismal at first, as the ghost Pokemon seem to only want to put on a comedy act, and Ash is not laughing. His failure to laugh cause them to be sad, but he still wants to battle them, so he calls on Pikachu to attack them.
During his battle with the ghost Pokemon, Ash has an experience he will never forget, an out-of-body experience! He looks down from the ceiling to see both his and Pikachu's bodies still lying there lifelessly. Although he is not ready to be a ghost, yet, he does come to realize that all the ghost Pokemon really want is just some companions to play around with. But, while Ash has no time to play around, he does realize that some silly people are being left there to play with them....Team Rocket!
When Ash and Pikachu come to, a Haunter is hanging around, as if begging to go with him on his journey. That's exactly what Ash needs, or so he thinks.
Ash returns to Sabrina's gym to do battle with her, but Haunter refuses to mind him, and does not come out when call. Only when Sabrina's father returns to the gym does Haunter come out to play. And, instead of going to Ash, Haunter goes over to Sabrina, and makes silly faces, causing her to laugh. Since Sabrina's Pokemon, Kadabra, is connected to her telepathically, it also starts laughing. The laughing Pokemon is then deemed unable to battle by Sabrina's father, and he awards Ash the badge.
Also, Sabrina comes to, from her laughing spell, and is normal again. She is no longer under the magic of her psychic powers, and is a loving little girl. So, everyone gets a happy ending in this book.
****************************
The mere mention of Sabrina makes me remember hours spent beating her on *Pokemon Puzzle League* on the N64, and makes me remember how her creepy voice saying *Play with me!* creeped me out back then. She's a character that you can both love AND hate at the SAME time.
At The Haunted Tower, his companions (Brock and Misty), refuse to enter. So, it's only Ash and his Pokemon on this adventure. But, will he be able to catch a ghost Pokemon? Chances seem dismal at first, as the ghost Pokemon seem to only want to put on a comedy act, and Ash is not laughing. His failure to laugh cause them to be sad, but he still wants to battle them, so he calls on Pikachu to attack them.
During his battle with the ghost Pokemon, Ash has an experience he will never forget, an out-of-body experience! He looks down from the ceiling to see both his and Pikachu's bodies still lying there lifelessly. Although he is not ready to be a ghost, yet, he does come to realize that all the ghost Pokemon really want is just some companions to play around with. But, while Ash has no time to play around, he does realize that some silly people are being left there to play with them....Team Rocket!
When Ash and Pikachu come to, a Haunter is hanging around, as if begging to go with him on his journey. That's exactly what Ash needs, or so he thinks.
Ash returns to Sabrina's gym to do battle with her, but Haunter refuses to mind him, and does not come out when call. Only when Sabrina's father returns to the gym does Haunter come out to play. And, instead of going to Ash, Haunter goes over to Sabrina, and makes silly faces, causing her to laugh. Since Sabrina's Pokemon, Kadabra, is connected to her telepathically, it also starts laughing. The laughing Pokemon is then deemed unable to battle by Sabrina's father, and he awards Ash the badge.
Also, Sabrina comes to, from her laughing spell, and is normal again. She is no longer under the magic of her psychic powers, and is a loving little girl. So, everyone gets a happy ending in this book.
****************************
The mere mention of Sabrina makes me remember hours spent beating her on *Pokemon Puzzle League* on the N64, and makes me remember how her creepy voice saying *Play with me!* creeped me out back then. She's a character that you can both love AND hate at the SAME time.
February 10, 2016
A novelisation of episodes 22 Abra and the Psychic Showdown, 23 The Tower of Terror, and 24 Haunter vs Kadabra. Obviously cutting down an hour of anime into 68 pages means it's greatly abridged. But to do so, and do it well, is a great feat. This means some of my favourite parts of the episodes (Charmander frying Jari-boy's face - "Light the candle, not me!"), and Sabrina's dollhouse have been cut. Still, the main parts of the story are there, enough to keep it engaging, but not so much to overload a young reader with descriptions.
September 24, 2011
The spookiest pokemon story ever Ash has to spend the night at the haunted tower in order to catch a ghost pokemon so he could win at the Saffron city gym. He chooses haunter together they beat sabrina at the saffron city gym and get their marsh badge.
December 10, 2015
When I saw this at Goodwill I immediately grabbed it as I've always been a pretty big Pokémon fan. The book is a fun little novelization of an episode from the first season of Pokémon, so as a nostalgic read I give this a 4/5.
July 28, 2016
Pokemon novellas were the among the first books that I read when I was younger, mostly the ones written by Tracey West. I was always keen in following Ash, Misty, and Brock's adventure as pokemon trainers. What a way to relive & cherish childhood memory.
Read
December 14, 2018Doesn't closely follow the anime episode, but it's okay. Page 23 has a typo where Misty is called Mindy instead- I thought another book had the same name typo in one part, but maybe it was this book.
Decent book for an early chapter book even with those 2 minor things.
Decent book for an early chapter book even with those 2 minor things.
December 20, 2007
Pokemon was my favorite cartoon.
September 28, 2009
It was so boring,they did not even challenge Sabrina the gym leader
July 30, 2015
I also read this one long ago so I think I liked it.
April 29, 2011
I like this book becuse i like the karuprs pikachu and Ash.
May 11, 2011
Loved this when I was younger
Read
September 21, 2012I think my book is good. ash is annoying though. he wants to be a good Pok'emon trainer.
December 22, 2014
It was a good book yet there were some parts of it that seemed kind of spooky.
September 7, 2016
It was a good book
January 29, 2020
Read to Riley, he loved this one.
October 23, 2017
it was okay but it wasn't like the episodes. I'm not sure if I liked this or not
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews