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Walk #2
Shadow Mirror
Unsettling. There's no better word to describe Miranda Barnes's ability to hear the cries of the dead, feel the wind move her hair when they run by, and - dare she look into a mirror - see the reflection of a ghostly woman behind her. There's only one person to turn to for support: Etienne. As sexy as he is mysterious, Miranda can't help but be drawn to him. He believes her; he wants to help her. But there's a secret in Etienne's past, something Miranda's on the verge of discovering. As paranormal activity escalates, passion grows, and soon Miranda is caught up in both love . . . and tragedy.
352 pages, Paperback
First published March 18, 2010
12 people are currently reading
838 people want to read
About the author
Richie Tankersley Cusick
50 books796 followersRichie Tankersley Cusick is the bestselling young adult author of over 25 titles, including two adult horror titles, Scarecrow and Blood Roots. Her popularity grew at the height of the horror/YA boom in the late '80s/early '90s, particularly with books like Lifeguard , Trick or Treat and Teacher's Pet, just to name a few, allowing her to keep company on the bestseller paperback lists with the likes of R.L. Stine and Christopher Pike. Her fan base expanded about the time she changed publishers to Archway/Pocket Books with titles like Vampire and Someone at the Door.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
October 13, 2011
i LOVE this series and this was a good solid sequel.
I loved this second book in the series. The romance got steamier and the love triangle between Gage, Miranda and Etienne becomes even more apparent as the two vie for her attentions. Personally i am rooting for Etienne even tho Gage is a total sweetie.Cause,Etienne is so HOT. He gives out this smooth mysterious bad boy yet vulnerable deep down vibe that chicks dig. Im pretty sure the author is Miranda lean towards him more than Gage. There's not as much development between Miranda and Gage compared to the bond she has with Etienne. Oh and Parker becomes a very interesting character, i cant wait for the next book to find out more about him. This book was so drama packed i couldn't help but squeal out loud during the very juicy parts. Its the right kind of drama =)!
I have just heard news that penguin will be issue a third book from the author which saddens me because this is a lovely series. please write to Penguin books everyone to ask them to let richie tankersley cusick finish this wonderful series!!
I loved this second book in the series. The romance got steamier and the love triangle between Gage, Miranda and Etienne becomes even more apparent as the two vie for her attentions. Personally i am rooting for Etienne even tho Gage is a total sweetie.Cause,Etienne is so HOT. He gives out this smooth mysterious bad boy yet vulnerable deep down vibe that chicks dig. Im pretty sure the author is Miranda lean towards him more than Gage. There's not as much development between Miranda and Gage compared to the bond she has with Etienne. Oh and Parker becomes a very interesting character, i cant wait for the next book to find out more about him. This book was so drama packed i couldn't help but squeal out loud during the very juicy parts. Its the right kind of drama =)!
I have just heard news that penguin will be issue a third book from the author which saddens me because this is a lovely series. please write to Penguin books everyone to ask them to let richie tankersley cusick finish this wonderful series!!
April 29, 2013
So, back to the grind with these guys! Miranda hits the ground running in this book, there is no easing into this story, she's just thrown right into it immediately. The motley crew is back, which always adds some fun, but this time there is some discord amongst all of them.
Miranda really hasn't grown character wise, she is still greatly annoying and the way she acts with Gage and Etienne is greatly bothersome to me. She can't seem to make her mind up and it just gets tiresome.
The story in general is fast, I just wish there was more depth to gage and Etienne because they are fairly deeper characters. also, more of parker and his abilities. all in all it was a fairly decent read, a lot darker and perhaps even creepier..definitely creeper.
Miranda really hasn't grown character wise, she is still greatly annoying and the way she acts with Gage and Etienne is greatly bothersome to me. She can't seem to make her mind up and it just gets tiresome.
The story in general is fast, I just wish there was more depth to gage and Etienne because they are fairly deeper characters. also, more of parker and his abilities. all in all it was a fairly decent read, a lot darker and perhaps even creepier..definitely creeper.
August 4, 2011
It was a good sequel but there are still some big questions left unanswered.
March 27, 2020
i read shadow mirrior first,and i've yet to read the 1st book in the series, although i really want to!
overall,i really liked this book.it was funny and i wish i had a group of friends like the one in this book!
however,there were some problems with this.
i was sick,so sick,of the way richie tankersley cusick wrote in this book.
it was.like this.sometimes.throughout.the book.
and i got tired of reading these little fragments.
i wanted to scream "just write a whole sentence!!'
and i wasn't all that crazy about the main character.it's like her friends were all funny but miranda was kind of boring.i noticed she usually sat back and didn't say much while the rest of the group was joking around.
and i just expected more when it came to the ghosts in this book.like it turned out to be kids stuck in the mirror who just needed to be placed in their mothers arms.
&then miranda gets stuck in the mirror and i'm just like that isn't possible!
i just think that if you're going to do something with ghosts,you need to think of something better.
&am i the only one who thinks miranda made the wrong choice?!
gage was so sweet and i was disappointed when she got with ettiene.but of course the girl always chooses the guy who's been with a lot of girls.i didn't really believe that ettiene wouldn't break her heart,that he woudldn't dump her like all the other girls he's been with.
with gage,i would have believed that he would always treat her right and love her.
then again..i didn't really think miranda was good enough for gage.
&her grandpa told ettiene to help miranda.but he didnt.at all.
&the whole "you're the only one who can bring miranda back from the mirrior" was stupid. because it wasnt like her and etienne had this great connection or sumthin.
i dint really see a happily ever after between miranda and etienne because of his past and the fact that i didnt think he truly cared for miranda in a way that would last forever.
at some points the way this author wrote was beyond frustrating.it was like it was designed to get on a persons nerves.
the mirror thing was completely impossible and pretty much stupid.the whole ghost thing led to her putting a blanket around the children and handing them to their mother.thats what the book led to.&i swear i thought miranda was gunna get sick from what the children had.because she was touching them and everything.i mean,how is it possible that you wouldnt get sick?
basically,this author had no real grasp on the ghost concept.
(Shelved September 2, 2011. 4 stars).
Rereading for 3rd time(2018):
It starts off like book 1, right into the action, with her feeling ghosts. I wish the book eased us into it. This title didn't go with the first one.
Idr Etienne having shoulder length hair.
All the flirting and sexual jokes between the group doesn't add up. Not everyone can be attracted to everyone else. Etienne appears to like all 3, Parker likes Ashley & Miranda. Gage likes Roo and Miranda. Roo likes Etienne and Gage. Ashley likes Parker and teases about Gage being cute.
Parker starts right out of the gate with the same teasing towards Miranda from book 1. He says she's taking a long time getting ready cause she wants him to come up there to her room. When Miranda said she'd kill herself if she had to spend another moment in bed, he said she must be spending it with the wrong person,& he'd be happy to volunteer, all while Ashley, his gf, is beside him. Who would want a bf who made jokes like that to another girl? Ashley deserves better than that.
Roo wipes her hands on Gage's butt.
I really didn't like Babette LeBlanc writing her bra size and phone # on Gage's cast.
Gage is supposed to be oblivious about the attention and flirting he gets from girls. That doesn't add up with him being amazing in bed.
When Parker said he's got Gage, Roo asks if it's contagious,& Gage says she's not touching him anywhere. I hated it because we know they've had sex.
Ashley tells Miranda Kurt Fuller asked her out. His ex gf brags that he bought her flowers and candy and cards& never forgets special occasions. I wouldn't wanna hear how he's sweet to his ex gf. & if he's like Ashley why was he so dedicated to his ex, who he supposedly dumped for Ashley?
It was very ironic when Miranda said Ashley can always talk to her, because she was barely listening or talking to her.
Roo jokes about Etienne's big hammer, and Ashley says they think they're funny,& Roo says they're not funny, they're passionate about each other.
Parker jokes that Miranda and Etienne were rolling on the ground in the bugs and weeds and Roo says trust me, she didn't notice,& I wondered if she said it from experience, or just that no one would notice anything else with Etienne.
Parker says Miranda has a pretty nice ass.
When Roo jokes that Gage can't overdo it, because of his harem asking to help him carry his books& everything, she sounded jealous. The author totally wrote them as a couple. So Idt Roo would want to pass Gage to Miranda.
Parker tells Roo he guesses she thinks Ashley should go out with him, and Etienne says "with me? Mais, yeah. I definitely think she should go out with me" and I just don't get all the teasing. They can't all be attracted to each other. And if he likes Miranda, why would he say that??
We get to hear Kurt's got humongous balls, according to Delphine. I wouldn't wanna hear that from a guy's ex-gf.
It was cute when Parker said "everybody knows Ashley's hot!"
It's weird how Gage and Etienne are never jealous of each other regarding Miranda. Like when Parker joked Miranda and Etienne were rolling around outside,& everyone ended up cheering and giving whistles& catcalls. & when Miranda said she'd been thinking,& Etienne says uh oh, not Gage, I hope.
I love when Miss Nell says the boys think a lot of her,& about her. And she guesses Miranda likes both of them.
Early in the book, it was creepy how Etienne was parked in his truck outside her house. I mean, they've only known each other a few weeks.
'Unaware when the stealthy figure slipped across the sunporch and through the door...pausing beside her bed...standing there to watch her.' That sounded like the bad guy, not the romantic interest.
Etienne didn't seem concerned that Miranda was gone from a week of school. Then his mom said maybe someone will be easier to get along with now that Miranda's back, which was cute. But he hadn't appeared to be worried or missing her. He didn't even tell her he was working at Belle Chandelle.
When Etienne says they all have different talents to help Miranda with the ghosts, Roo says she likes his talent the best, and she heard he wins first place in every contest.
Parker says "if you want to hold me, I have lots of other parts you'd like better."
Parker jokes Miranda and Gage were touchy feely under the table,& Etienne looks between them. When Miranda leaves she hears Etienne tell Gage to tell him everything, even the touchy feely parts,& says he can't trust him for a few minutes. I didn't know if he was teasing or he was really jealous. It seems like they both know they like her. Also, if you're kissing Etienne, you shouldn't be flirting with Gage, and touching his thigh.
When Roo says nice guys are boring, I realized that's the problem with romance books. And it's just untrue. So we get the womanizing bad boys. Like Miranda said, Gage is nice and he's not boring.
Roo put the keys to the handcuffs down Etienne's pants, said he was ticklish in some really fun places. She wishes she still had the handcuffs. Why say that if you know Miranda likes Etienne?
Roo watches Gage and Etienne from her window, says they're so cute, laughing and goofing like two kids,& it's nice.
She said to Gage they used to hold him down,& still hold him down, and Gage cuts her off. What in the world could that mean?? If it was tickling, like Etienne, she could have just said it.& that's not that embarrassing. She clearly likes Gage, and Etienne.
Miranda asks if Roo's ever tortured Etienne since the handcuffs, & she says "in her deepest, darkest fantasies." When Miranda asks only there? Roo says wouldn't you like to know. What is with that?
Why would you say things like that when you're trying to push Miranda on either guy, cause you know they all like each other?
I thought it was rude when Etienne said "Umm, and I bet she could make it feel all better" about Miranda and Gage's leg. It wasn't respectful about the girl he supposedly likes.
If Etienne really liked Miranda, why would he joke that he thinks Gage is in love, and when Gage says he's the one that comes onto her, thinking he's a stud, Etienne says he's just proud of his heritage. He tells Gage to just tell Miranda, get it off his chest and other places.
It just didn't seem like Etienne really liked her. &Why would Etienne come onto Miranda if he knew Gage liked her?
It was sad when Gage said he's always here for Miranda.
She said she's madly in love with Gage and Etienne, but that didn't fit her feelings for them. Knowing someone a couple months isn't madly in love with them.
I couldn't believe while feeling bad for Parker, she asks if Kurt was a good kisser. How could Ashley kiss him when she's dating Parker? I didn't like Ashley then.
When Etienne sees Gage and Miranda playfully fighting on the curb, she sees his mouth twitch. He should be jealous!
She couldn't stop thinking of Gage before she went to Etienne's & I remembered what happened there. How can you be in madly in love with someone, go to someone else's house,& then have sex with him?
I guess it was a comfort Etienne didn't bring girls home, so Miranda is special in that regard, although his mom invited her.
One of the scenes I remembered was how Etienne finally smiled when they had sex. I remember prob thinking it was sweet and a big moment that he finally smiled. But as I read the first book, I was thinking apparently it takes sex to make him smile. Now I'm wondering if he smiles with everyone he has sex with, or just Miranda.
He quickly helps her get dressed and I hated when she said 'he was very good at it, she noted--he'd obviously done this sort of thing many times before.' I'm so tired of guys like this.
It was odd when he said if her and Gage did it, he'd know, & weird of her to say if Gage were there he'd know. Why would you even think of Gage then?
The first time reading this, that scene with Gage was pretty sad, him knowing the girl he liked had sex with his cousin.
Etienne doesn't call her after,& she thinks Gage would have brought roses. That's just wrong to still think of Gage when you had sex with Etienne. You need to pick one and stick with it.
When Roo said she'd go after Gage I was thinking yeah I bet you will. Roo was just a sneaky character from the start. If she had sex with Gage, why would she want him with Miranda? Or Etienne, who she also likes, with Miranda?
Etienne said it just happened with Miranda, and Gage said "it always just happens" and when Etienne said he could never hurt her Gage says "you'll do it. This one won't be any different" which made Etienne sound awful.
There Parker was kissing her head,& Ashley's dreaming about someone else. That's horrible.
She says she thought she was another--, and doesn't finish the sentence, and he's like another what in amusement, as if it's funny. When she says victory among hundreds, he says he's flattered. He should be immediately denying it, not joking about it.
She says she might be busy, and he says Gage, it's always gonna be Gage? They shouldn't even be joking about that. It should be solid who she chose. How could she have sex with Etienne & then choose Gage??
I didn't like how they had sex only knowing each other two months. And only kissed a few times and haven't dated.
The writing was really dramatic & just bad at times:
-'Some message...some purpose...some connection...except it's not the same--signs, signals, senses all twisted, all different--why isn't it the same--'
-'Aunt Teeta clucked her tongue...rummaged deep in her purse...pulled out a set of keys.'
-The scenes from the past were always crammed together with no commas. 'Silent footsteps on wet grass damp leaves soggy ground running straight at me two small quick busy feet--no, 4 feet!'
'Tiny fingers clutching mine shy curious fingers squeezing mine.'
'Metal and cloth and glass--no, not glass!--the round mosaic of silvery glass--not glass at all!'
'Eyes! Eyes full of horror, desperation--panicky pleading praying but still no one hears--'
'Sweat urine vomit feces blood infection flies oozing sores rotting flesh baking heat festering heat--'
Pg 323-324 was just horrible:
'She was already choking , suffocating, can't breathe, need air can't breathe...little faces--terrified! So terrified! Tear-stained,dark eyes dark hair so much the same, holding hands, soiled nightgowns, sweat-drenched covers--& the eyes of the woman, staring eyes, imploring eyes--black dress black hair black cap w/ lace--back & forth, in and out of flickering candlelight, in &out of shadows creaking, so quiet in her rocking chair, back & forth creaking, back & forth on the floorboards creaking, slower & slower &silent Oh God! bloodshot eyes, yellow skin--the stink of sickness, the stench of decay--'
I loved when her aunt said there were amazing sites at Belle Chandelle, ones Miranda would particularly like, and I remembered it was Etienne.
It's so incredibly repetitive how she'll be picking up on things and zone out,& come to & realizes someone has been talking. Miranda always 'barely listened' or 'scarcely heard.'
They couldn't go to Belle Chandelle without ghosts ruining it, they couldn't go to Ashley's house.
Miranda doesn't really have a personality. who she is without the ghosts? She'd be really bland.
She was only interested in Belle Chandelle once she knows ghosts are there, not just because her mom worked there.
Any conversation, any hangout always turned back to ghosts. Everyone noticed every time Miranda acted different, every time she was scared, distracted, everyone she saw or heard something.
Everyone notices her sensing ghosts, they're worried about her, staring at her, noticing something's wrong. She just comes across as really high maintenance.
Even in class, when their teacher was about to give another assignment, I was thinking good, something else to the plot besides ghosts,& then Miranda of course, can't pay attention, is only thinking of herself,& of course Gage notices. And of course only her friends hear her gasp, even though Peter and Gage aren't even near her,& no one else hears, as if the friends are connected on some wavelength.
This reminded me of Ghost Whisperer, how the ghosts keep coming throughout,& it isn't solved until the end, not because it makes sense, but just for plot's sake, because if it was solved early then there would be no book.
It feels like the Miranda show. It's all about her, all the time, barely about anyone else. To be with her is to constantly be taking care of her. Asking if she's ok, picking up on every mood, & she's always worried about something. & everyone always asks what's wrong and is she ok?
The moving swing was a lil scary. The candle in front if the window was kind of scary too. The ghosts in the first book weren't scary, but those two things were creepy in here.
I'd rather have some site seeing and fun in here, instead of ghosts every time they do something.
Etienne said it himself, breaking a mirror, seeing a reflection in her locker, the distorted plantation house, a hand in the window and kids on the swing was way too much in one day.
I loved the mention of a Halloween Dance, Harvest Festival, volunteer projects. I wish they had done something for Halloween, showed the local culture, done something fun. But the boys had to watch Belle Chandelle and Miranda just brought them food.
I remembered him saying snakes don't fall on his head! And alligators won't get in his boat. I love rereading these forgotten but instantly remembered lines.
Them seeing a nutria was cool. The first time I saw one was on a school wildlife trip.
Going into the mirror and covering it from the other side was ridiculous,& how is that even possible? With no guidance, how would Miranda know how to pass through to the other side. In here, she suddenly knew how to connect, reach out to ghosts. & she's only done it once in the first book.
Parker said Miranda was more scared of being at Ashley's house than ghosts, but that didn't feel true.& she said she's accepted it, but she's always scared of the ghosts. Anytime she sees, senses, or hears something, she's freaking out. She is not comfortable with her gift.
She realizes the children, with dark hair and dark eyes, look familiar. I don't see why it was necessary for them to be boys, and not girls. Unless just to be like Gage and Etienne. It was like this big revelation, but it really wasn't, because she just switch the genders. No big deal.
It's very unlikely that Parker would have the gift too.
I had forgotten Miranda reached out to Parker. I didn't like being in his perspective, how he hoped things were okay with Ashley, that he knew she might be thinking of Streak. Very sad.
Talking with ghosts isn't the same thing as telepathy. Miranda or Parker wouldn't have that gift.
I remembered sometime during this Gage & Etienne were really brothers. I think after finishing the first one so many books ago,& then picking this up, I was surprised to hear they were cousins, cause I remembered they were brothers. & because I read the Vincent Boys, with cousins being brothers, I just had that on the brain. So early in the book, I knew that was coming.
I didn't remember Nell having cancer again. I really hated that. I didn't agree that she wouldn't tell them they were brothers or that her cancer was back. That's just wrong.
Just because she saw Nell with Gage and Etienne and the ghost mother, doesn't mean you realize they're brothers. It was just a crazy way to guess that, when no else has any idea.
She mentions Etienne's secret pact with her grandpa on the last page,& I had forgotten about it. I wanted to hear it!
Of course I remembered some things before,& during reading and knew the general course the book would take, but it felt like reading a new book at times. & I got be surprised by the story all over again.
This could have ended better, on a better note. I wish it had covered the harvest festival in November, and had done something cool and fun with Halloween.
I didn't like the big reveals at the end, that they're brothers or that Nell has cancer.
The chapters were long, hard to find a stopping place at night.
I had this as 4 stars based on memory, but I think 3 is more fitting. The writing ruined it. At times it was just horrible to read those overly dramatic run-on sentences, and so many italicized words.
Many times it didn't even make sense to italicize some words& made it hard to read what a character was saying with this weird emphasis on some of the words.
She never called her old friends, or seemed to miss them. She only made a couple obligatory references to them. Also wondered if Miranda and her mom intended to move back to Florida. She doesn't seem to miss it or her friends.
I wish the story had ended with the renovation complete and them invited to come to the plantation.
Seeing others' reviews how this was supposed to have a 3rd book, it makes sense with the things that weren't resolved in here. I HAVE to know the secret between Etienne and her granddad.
I'd definitely like to read more from this group, they're so funny and close, but I hope she keeps it the way it is, and doesn't do anything crazy with the characters or anything.
overall,i really liked this book.it was funny and i wish i had a group of friends like the one in this book!
however,there were some problems with this.
i was sick,so sick,of the way richie tankersley cusick wrote in this book.
it was.like this.sometimes.throughout.the book.
and i got tired of reading these little fragments.
i wanted to scream "just write a whole sentence!!'
and i wasn't all that crazy about the main character.it's like her friends were all funny but miranda was kind of boring.i noticed she usually sat back and didn't say much while the rest of the group was joking around.
and i just expected more when it came to the ghosts in this book.like it turned out to be kids stuck in the mirror who just needed to be placed in their mothers arms.
&then miranda gets stuck in the mirror and i'm just like that isn't possible!
i just think that if you're going to do something with ghosts,you need to think of something better.
&am i the only one who thinks miranda made the wrong choice?!
gage was so sweet and i was disappointed when she got with ettiene.but of course the girl always chooses the guy who's been with a lot of girls.i didn't really believe that ettiene wouldn't break her heart,that he woudldn't dump her like all the other girls he's been with.
with gage,i would have believed that he would always treat her right and love her.
then again..i didn't really think miranda was good enough for gage.
&her grandpa told ettiene to help miranda.but he didnt.at all.
&the whole "you're the only one who can bring miranda back from the mirrior" was stupid. because it wasnt like her and etienne had this great connection or sumthin.
i dint really see a happily ever after between miranda and etienne because of his past and the fact that i didnt think he truly cared for miranda in a way that would last forever.
at some points the way this author wrote was beyond frustrating.it was like it was designed to get on a persons nerves.
the mirror thing was completely impossible and pretty much stupid.the whole ghost thing led to her putting a blanket around the children and handing them to their mother.thats what the book led to.&i swear i thought miranda was gunna get sick from what the children had.because she was touching them and everything.i mean,how is it possible that you wouldnt get sick?
basically,this author had no real grasp on the ghost concept.
(Shelved September 2, 2011. 4 stars).
Rereading for 3rd time(2018):
It starts off like book 1, right into the action, with her feeling ghosts. I wish the book eased us into it. This title didn't go with the first one.
Idr Etienne having shoulder length hair.
All the flirting and sexual jokes between the group doesn't add up. Not everyone can be attracted to everyone else. Etienne appears to like all 3, Parker likes Ashley & Miranda. Gage likes Roo and Miranda. Roo likes Etienne and Gage. Ashley likes Parker and teases about Gage being cute.
Parker starts right out of the gate with the same teasing towards Miranda from book 1. He says she's taking a long time getting ready cause she wants him to come up there to her room. When Miranda said she'd kill herself if she had to spend another moment in bed, he said she must be spending it with the wrong person,& he'd be happy to volunteer, all while Ashley, his gf, is beside him. Who would want a bf who made jokes like that to another girl? Ashley deserves better than that.
Roo wipes her hands on Gage's butt.
I really didn't like Babette LeBlanc writing her bra size and phone # on Gage's cast.
Gage is supposed to be oblivious about the attention and flirting he gets from girls. That doesn't add up with him being amazing in bed.
When Parker said he's got Gage, Roo asks if it's contagious,& Gage says she's not touching him anywhere. I hated it because we know they've had sex.
Ashley tells Miranda Kurt Fuller asked her out. His ex gf brags that he bought her flowers and candy and cards& never forgets special occasions. I wouldn't wanna hear how he's sweet to his ex gf. & if he's like Ashley why was he so dedicated to his ex, who he supposedly dumped for Ashley?
It was very ironic when Miranda said Ashley can always talk to her, because she was barely listening or talking to her.
Roo jokes about Etienne's big hammer, and Ashley says they think they're funny,& Roo says they're not funny, they're passionate about each other.
Parker jokes that Miranda and Etienne were rolling on the ground in the bugs and weeds and Roo says trust me, she didn't notice,& I wondered if she said it from experience, or just that no one would notice anything else with Etienne.
Parker says Miranda has a pretty nice ass.
When Roo jokes that Gage can't overdo it, because of his harem asking to help him carry his books& everything, she sounded jealous. The author totally wrote them as a couple. So Idt Roo would want to pass Gage to Miranda.
Parker tells Roo he guesses she thinks Ashley should go out with him, and Etienne says "with me? Mais, yeah. I definitely think she should go out with me" and I just don't get all the teasing. They can't all be attracted to each other. And if he likes Miranda, why would he say that??
We get to hear Kurt's got humongous balls, according to Delphine. I wouldn't wanna hear that from a guy's ex-gf.
It was cute when Parker said "everybody knows Ashley's hot!"
It's weird how Gage and Etienne are never jealous of each other regarding Miranda. Like when Parker joked Miranda and Etienne were rolling around outside,& everyone ended up cheering and giving whistles& catcalls. & when Miranda said she'd been thinking,& Etienne says uh oh, not Gage, I hope.
I love when Miss Nell says the boys think a lot of her,& about her. And she guesses Miranda likes both of them.
Early in the book, it was creepy how Etienne was parked in his truck outside her house. I mean, they've only known each other a few weeks.
'Unaware when the stealthy figure slipped across the sunporch and through the door...pausing beside her bed...standing there to watch her.' That sounded like the bad guy, not the romantic interest.
Etienne didn't seem concerned that Miranda was gone from a week of school. Then his mom said maybe someone will be easier to get along with now that Miranda's back, which was cute. But he hadn't appeared to be worried or missing her. He didn't even tell her he was working at Belle Chandelle.
When Etienne says they all have different talents to help Miranda with the ghosts, Roo says she likes his talent the best, and she heard he wins first place in every contest.
Parker says "if you want to hold me, I have lots of other parts you'd like better."
Parker jokes Miranda and Gage were touchy feely under the table,& Etienne looks between them. When Miranda leaves she hears Etienne tell Gage to tell him everything, even the touchy feely parts,& says he can't trust him for a few minutes. I didn't know if he was teasing or he was really jealous. It seems like they both know they like her. Also, if you're kissing Etienne, you shouldn't be flirting with Gage, and touching his thigh.
When Roo says nice guys are boring, I realized that's the problem with romance books. And it's just untrue. So we get the womanizing bad boys. Like Miranda said, Gage is nice and he's not boring.
Roo put the keys to the handcuffs down Etienne's pants, said he was ticklish in some really fun places. She wishes she still had the handcuffs. Why say that if you know Miranda likes Etienne?
Roo watches Gage and Etienne from her window, says they're so cute, laughing and goofing like two kids,& it's nice.
She said to Gage they used to hold him down,& still hold him down, and Gage cuts her off. What in the world could that mean?? If it was tickling, like Etienne, she could have just said it.& that's not that embarrassing. She clearly likes Gage, and Etienne.
Miranda asks if Roo's ever tortured Etienne since the handcuffs, & she says "in her deepest, darkest fantasies." When Miranda asks only there? Roo says wouldn't you like to know. What is with that?
Why would you say things like that when you're trying to push Miranda on either guy, cause you know they all like each other?
I thought it was rude when Etienne said "Umm, and I bet she could make it feel all better" about Miranda and Gage's leg. It wasn't respectful about the girl he supposedly likes.
If Etienne really liked Miranda, why would he joke that he thinks Gage is in love, and when Gage says he's the one that comes onto her, thinking he's a stud, Etienne says he's just proud of his heritage. He tells Gage to just tell Miranda, get it off his chest and other places.
It just didn't seem like Etienne really liked her. &Why would Etienne come onto Miranda if he knew Gage liked her?
It was sad when Gage said he's always here for Miranda.
She said she's madly in love with Gage and Etienne, but that didn't fit her feelings for them. Knowing someone a couple months isn't madly in love with them.
I couldn't believe while feeling bad for Parker, she asks if Kurt was a good kisser. How could Ashley kiss him when she's dating Parker? I didn't like Ashley then.
When Etienne sees Gage and Miranda playfully fighting on the curb, she sees his mouth twitch. He should be jealous!
She couldn't stop thinking of Gage before she went to Etienne's & I remembered what happened there. How can you be in madly in love with someone, go to someone else's house,& then have sex with him?
I guess it was a comfort Etienne didn't bring girls home, so Miranda is special in that regard, although his mom invited her.
One of the scenes I remembered was how Etienne finally smiled when they had sex. I remember prob thinking it was sweet and a big moment that he finally smiled. But as I read the first book, I was thinking apparently it takes sex to make him smile. Now I'm wondering if he smiles with everyone he has sex with, or just Miranda.
He quickly helps her get dressed and I hated when she said 'he was very good at it, she noted--he'd obviously done this sort of thing many times before.' I'm so tired of guys like this.
It was odd when he said if her and Gage did it, he'd know, & weird of her to say if Gage were there he'd know. Why would you even think of Gage then?
The first time reading this, that scene with Gage was pretty sad, him knowing the girl he liked had sex with his cousin.
Etienne doesn't call her after,& she thinks Gage would have brought roses. That's just wrong to still think of Gage when you had sex with Etienne. You need to pick one and stick with it.
When Roo said she'd go after Gage I was thinking yeah I bet you will. Roo was just a sneaky character from the start. If she had sex with Gage, why would she want him with Miranda? Or Etienne, who she also likes, with Miranda?
Etienne said it just happened with Miranda, and Gage said "it always just happens" and when Etienne said he could never hurt her Gage says "you'll do it. This one won't be any different" which made Etienne sound awful.
There Parker was kissing her head,& Ashley's dreaming about someone else. That's horrible.
She says she thought she was another--, and doesn't finish the sentence, and he's like another what in amusement, as if it's funny. When she says victory among hundreds, he says he's flattered. He should be immediately denying it, not joking about it.
She says she might be busy, and he says Gage, it's always gonna be Gage? They shouldn't even be joking about that. It should be solid who she chose. How could she have sex with Etienne & then choose Gage??
I didn't like how they had sex only knowing each other two months. And only kissed a few times and haven't dated.
The writing was really dramatic & just bad at times:
-'Some message...some purpose...some connection...except it's not the same--signs, signals, senses all twisted, all different--why isn't it the same--'
-'Aunt Teeta clucked her tongue...rummaged deep in her purse...pulled out a set of keys.'
-The scenes from the past were always crammed together with no commas. 'Silent footsteps on wet grass damp leaves soggy ground running straight at me two small quick busy feet--no, 4 feet!'
'Tiny fingers clutching mine shy curious fingers squeezing mine.'
'Metal and cloth and glass--no, not glass!--the round mosaic of silvery glass--not glass at all!'
'Eyes! Eyes full of horror, desperation--panicky pleading praying but still no one hears--'
'Sweat urine vomit feces blood infection flies oozing sores rotting flesh baking heat festering heat--'
Pg 323-324 was just horrible:
'She was already choking , suffocating, can't breathe, need air can't breathe...little faces--terrified! So terrified! Tear-stained,dark eyes dark hair so much the same, holding hands, soiled nightgowns, sweat-drenched covers--& the eyes of the woman, staring eyes, imploring eyes--black dress black hair black cap w/ lace--back & forth, in and out of flickering candlelight, in &out of shadows creaking, so quiet in her rocking chair, back & forth creaking, back & forth on the floorboards creaking, slower & slower &silent Oh God! bloodshot eyes, yellow skin--the stink of sickness, the stench of decay--'
I loved when her aunt said there were amazing sites at Belle Chandelle, ones Miranda would particularly like, and I remembered it was Etienne.
It's so incredibly repetitive how she'll be picking up on things and zone out,& come to & realizes someone has been talking. Miranda always 'barely listened' or 'scarcely heard.'
They couldn't go to Belle Chandelle without ghosts ruining it, they couldn't go to Ashley's house.
Miranda doesn't really have a personality. who she is without the ghosts? She'd be really bland.
She was only interested in Belle Chandelle once she knows ghosts are there, not just because her mom worked there.
Any conversation, any hangout always turned back to ghosts. Everyone noticed every time Miranda acted different, every time she was scared, distracted, everyone she saw or heard something.
Everyone notices her sensing ghosts, they're worried about her, staring at her, noticing something's wrong. She just comes across as really high maintenance.
Even in class, when their teacher was about to give another assignment, I was thinking good, something else to the plot besides ghosts,& then Miranda of course, can't pay attention, is only thinking of herself,& of course Gage notices. And of course only her friends hear her gasp, even though Peter and Gage aren't even near her,& no one else hears, as if the friends are connected on some wavelength.
This reminded me of Ghost Whisperer, how the ghosts keep coming throughout,& it isn't solved until the end, not because it makes sense, but just for plot's sake, because if it was solved early then there would be no book.
It feels like the Miranda show. It's all about her, all the time, barely about anyone else. To be with her is to constantly be taking care of her. Asking if she's ok, picking up on every mood, & she's always worried about something. & everyone always asks what's wrong and is she ok?
The moving swing was a lil scary. The candle in front if the window was kind of scary too. The ghosts in the first book weren't scary, but those two things were creepy in here.
I'd rather have some site seeing and fun in here, instead of ghosts every time they do something.
Etienne said it himself, breaking a mirror, seeing a reflection in her locker, the distorted plantation house, a hand in the window and kids on the swing was way too much in one day.
I loved the mention of a Halloween Dance, Harvest Festival, volunteer projects. I wish they had done something for Halloween, showed the local culture, done something fun. But the boys had to watch Belle Chandelle and Miranda just brought them food.
I remembered him saying snakes don't fall on his head! And alligators won't get in his boat. I love rereading these forgotten but instantly remembered lines.
Them seeing a nutria was cool. The first time I saw one was on a school wildlife trip.
Going into the mirror and covering it from the other side was ridiculous,& how is that even possible? With no guidance, how would Miranda know how to pass through to the other side. In here, she suddenly knew how to connect, reach out to ghosts. & she's only done it once in the first book.
Parker said Miranda was more scared of being at Ashley's house than ghosts, but that didn't feel true.& she said she's accepted it, but she's always scared of the ghosts. Anytime she sees, senses, or hears something, she's freaking out. She is not comfortable with her gift.
She realizes the children, with dark hair and dark eyes, look familiar. I don't see why it was necessary for them to be boys, and not girls. Unless just to be like Gage and Etienne. It was like this big revelation, but it really wasn't, because she just switch the genders. No big deal.
It's very unlikely that Parker would have the gift too.
I had forgotten Miranda reached out to Parker. I didn't like being in his perspective, how he hoped things were okay with Ashley, that he knew she might be thinking of Streak. Very sad.
Talking with ghosts isn't the same thing as telepathy. Miranda or Parker wouldn't have that gift.
I remembered sometime during this Gage & Etienne were really brothers. I think after finishing the first one so many books ago,& then picking this up, I was surprised to hear they were cousins, cause I remembered they were brothers. & because I read the Vincent Boys, with cousins being brothers, I just had that on the brain. So early in the book, I knew that was coming.
I didn't remember Nell having cancer again. I really hated that. I didn't agree that she wouldn't tell them they were brothers or that her cancer was back. That's just wrong.
Just because she saw Nell with Gage and Etienne and the ghost mother, doesn't mean you realize they're brothers. It was just a crazy way to guess that, when no else has any idea.
She mentions Etienne's secret pact with her grandpa on the last page,& I had forgotten about it. I wanted to hear it!
Of course I remembered some things before,& during reading and knew the general course the book would take, but it felt like reading a new book at times. & I got be surprised by the story all over again.
This could have ended better, on a better note. I wish it had covered the harvest festival in November, and had done something cool and fun with Halloween.
I didn't like the big reveals at the end, that they're brothers or that Nell has cancer.
The chapters were long, hard to find a stopping place at night.
I had this as 4 stars based on memory, but I think 3 is more fitting. The writing ruined it. At times it was just horrible to read those overly dramatic run-on sentences, and so many italicized words.
Many times it didn't even make sense to italicize some words& made it hard to read what a character was saying with this weird emphasis on some of the words.
She never called her old friends, or seemed to miss them. She only made a couple obligatory references to them. Also wondered if Miranda and her mom intended to move back to Florida. She doesn't seem to miss it or her friends.
I wish the story had ended with the renovation complete and them invited to come to the plantation.
Seeing others' reviews how this was supposed to have a 3rd book, it makes sense with the things that weren't resolved in here. I HAVE to know the secret between Etienne and her granddad.
I'd definitely like to read more from this group, they're so funny and close, but I hope she keeps it the way it is, and doesn't do anything crazy with the characters or anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2013
Unsettling isn't what I'll call this book. Boring, dull, and dry are better words for describing this book. Because it truly is boring. Shadow Mirror fails where Walk of the Spirits passed.
And why does the sequel suck? No excitement. That's the easiest answer I can give. And it's probably the very same reason why there's no sequel to this book.
Shadow Mirror's plot is slow. That's a good way of putting it. Slow as a snail. Slow as a turtle. Slow as Internet Explorer. The book starts picking up speed towards the end, because Miranda couldn't figure out the sad story of the ghost lady and her kids. (No, that's not a spoiler. I think). And then, when it was the ending, it was over.
Shadow Mirror is more like a social book than the paranormal book it was in the first book. Social, in ways of Miranda and her friends. The relationships are more developed, but I guess Miranda should had spend more time on solving mysteries of the past than the craziness of the future. Her friends and her drama. Oh, Ashley has drama...yawn. Etienne and his 'cousin' are fighting over Miranda...yawn. Maybe if it was a life or death situation, the book could had been more interesting. Like Peeves (or a ghost like Peeves from Harry Potter) being in the book.
Ghosts can make a book quite interesting.
The ghost story. The tragedy of the ghost lady and her children is totally yawn, yawn, yawn. (And it's nighttime at this moment. Well, I'm writing this review at night. That's better). (I'm a bit sleepy). Okay, yellow fever. Very tragic. I'm sorry that I'm emotionless, but I'm not sorry to say that this ghost story is nothing compared to the last one. (Because the last book was totally awesome. So Romeo and Juliet).
(It's nighttime so I'm going to zoom by with the characters). All the characters progressed in some way. Annoyingly and slowly, depending on which character you are asking. Peter probably had the best chance of being expanded upon along with Etienne. Ashley is still a bit blond; her sister is still gothic and vampireish.
Rating: One out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
And why does the sequel suck? No excitement. That's the easiest answer I can give. And it's probably the very same reason why there's no sequel to this book.
Shadow Mirror's plot is slow. That's a good way of putting it. Slow as a snail. Slow as a turtle. Slow as Internet Explorer. The book starts picking up speed towards the end, because Miranda couldn't figure out the sad story of the ghost lady and her kids. (No, that's not a spoiler. I think). And then, when it was the ending, it was over.
Shadow Mirror is more like a social book than the paranormal book it was in the first book. Social, in ways of Miranda and her friends. The relationships are more developed, but I guess Miranda should had spend more time on solving mysteries of the past than the craziness of the future. Her friends and her drama. Oh, Ashley has drama...yawn. Etienne and his 'cousin' are fighting over Miranda...yawn. Maybe if it was a life or death situation, the book could had been more interesting. Like Peeves (or a ghost like Peeves from Harry Potter) being in the book.
Ghosts can make a book quite interesting.
The ghost story. The tragedy of the ghost lady and her children is totally yawn, yawn, yawn. (And it's nighttime at this moment. Well, I'm writing this review at night. That's better). (I'm a bit sleepy). Okay, yellow fever. Very tragic. I'm sorry that I'm emotionless, but I'm not sorry to say that this ghost story is nothing compared to the last one. (Because the last book was totally awesome. So Romeo and Juliet).
(It's nighttime so I'm going to zoom by with the characters). All the characters progressed in some way. Annoyingly and slowly, depending on which character you are asking. Peter probably had the best chance of being expanded upon along with Etienne. Ashley is still a bit blond; her sister is still gothic and vampireish.
Rating: One out of Five
-ofpaperandwords.blogspot.com
April 28, 2015
I thought the first book was bad, but this one was worse, even though the ghost mystery was more intriguing. I guess I'll start with what I didn't like in this book, which is almost everything. I hate all the characters. I think they're all pitiful, especially Miranda. She is in the middle of a love triangle, and she can't choose between Gage and Etienne. What is her problem? And now Ashley is in the middle of a love triangle too with her boyfriend and another guy on the football team? Too much. Also, there were too many loose ends like what happened with Ashley and her new love interest? Where does that leave her with Parker? What about Parker? What is his supernatural ability that he doesn't want anyone knowing about? How is possible that Miranda even went to the other side to help the spirits? None of it makes sense because Cusick didn't tie up all the loose ends. It just ends stupid like Etienne's mom is also Gage's mom. I'm sorry, but this makes no sense at all. In addition to all this nonsense, Miranda's grandfather contacts her to help solve this ghostly mystery and help the spirits. I understand that there are supernatural elements happening in the story, but this is ludicrous. It's too much and stupid. I can't stand how hard authors try by adding all these depth aspects and end up making the book suck because they don't tie up loose ends. The only positive part about the book is the ghost story and the relation to the plantation house, Belle Chandelle. The story is sad that the mother died from yellow fever, unable to take care of her two young sons. The story is depressing, but Cusick kind of ruined the story by repeating the same details over and over. It got boring after a while, so instead of being captivated, I became bored. That is not something an author wants his or her reader to experience. All I know is that this is the worst book that I have read by Cusick. This scarred me from reading her Unseen series. It is just not worth the effort.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2017
This series was a great one. This book would have got 5 stars but the news that there was not a third one saddens me... It was a good ending don't get me wrong but there wasn't many conclusions and once again we are left with unanswered questions. I hate making my own conclusions!
I do love Gage and part of the book I was really hoping something would happen but Etienne was the obvious choice really :)
Amy x
I do love Gage and part of the book I was really hoping something would happen but Etienne was the obvious choice really :)
Amy x
December 30, 2012
I want more.... you cannot just end it this way. And then to bring out books 1 & 2... in one book is just a tease. I want more Miranda. I want more Etienne. I want more Gage. I want to know MORE. :) Bring out Book 3 of Walk!
July 31, 2013
I enjoyed this book better than the first book, but I have to rate it lower, as even the things I did enjoy wasn't really enjoyable because they weren't fully developed enough for me to... enjoy them
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The supernatural in this series is... juvenile. Or, at least the development of it is. Granted, this ghost story was better than the first one, and a little bit creepy, but it was still blah. Just when it was getting good, it seemed to rush to the end, as if the author had a limit of pages and/or words/characters she were to write.
Parker
Which brings me to the ending. I was so disappointed in that ending. Only because Miranda has all these secrets that she has to keep, yet we don't get to see if she can keep them. We don't even learn what Etienne's secret with Jonas is! I don't think I'm upset with this book ending as much as I'm upset with the ending of the series. Too many questions left unanswered that cannot be left up to speculations by the reader. I NEED COLD, HARD FACTS! EVIDENCE!
EVERYTIME Miranda would get around Etienne, she would describe it, and then say, "I was annoyed with myself for feeling this way." EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. She was annoyed. Shut up, Miranda.
WHAT I DID LIKE
It was kind of an equal balance of Miranda's ghost life and her normal life. But not really, as I was more interested in the drama going on in all their lives apart from their Scooby Gang shenanigans - what's going to happen with Ash and Parker? Will Roo and Gage hook up again? Does Etienne really like MIranda. And this Kurt boy, what goes on with him?
The ghost story was a bit creepy, but it had me wishing for an unhappy ending. Which could have been resolved in book 3...
I finally got to see the romance between Miranda and Etienne blossom! And I guess to Gage as well. But even this wasn't satisfying! Because it happened and then she felt bad about her choice - which was so obvious and cliche (nice guys finish last, good girls like bad guys....) And... and.... and...
And there were just too many loose ends that I am very unhappy with, which is why I have to give it 3 stars. I wish Richie Tankersley Cusick would consider writing a third book. These books work well as stand-alones so I think it would be a good idea to come up with more!
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE
The supernatural in this series is... juvenile. Or, at least the development of it is. Granted, this ghost story was better than the first one, and a little bit creepy, but it was still blah. Just when it was getting good, it seemed to rush to the end, as if the author had a limit of pages and/or words/characters she were to write.
Parker
Which brings me to the ending. I was so disappointed in that ending. Only because Miranda has all these secrets that she has to keep, yet we don't get to see if she can keep them. We don't even learn what Etienne's secret with Jonas is! I don't think I'm upset with this book ending as much as I'm upset with the ending of the series. Too many questions left unanswered that cannot be left up to speculations by the reader. I NEED COLD, HARD FACTS! EVIDENCE!
EVERYTIME Miranda would get around Etienne, she would describe it, and then say, "I was annoyed with myself for feeling this way." EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. She was annoyed. Shut up, Miranda.
It was kind of an equal balance of Miranda's ghost life and her normal life. But not really, as I was more interested in the drama going on in all their lives apart from their Scooby Gang shenanigans - what's going to happen with Ash and Parker? Will Roo and Gage hook up again? Does Etienne really like MIranda. And this Kurt boy, what goes on with him?
The ghost story was a bit creepy, but it had me wishing for an unhappy ending. Which could have been resolved in book 3...
I finally got to see the romance between Miranda and Etienne blossom! And I guess to Gage as well. But even this wasn't satisfying! Because it happened and then she felt bad about her choice - which was so obvious and cliche (nice guys finish last, good girls like bad guys....) And... and.... and...
And there were just too many loose ends that I am very unhappy with, which is why I have to give it 3 stars. I wish Richie Tankersley Cusick would consider writing a third book. These books work well as stand-alones so I think it would be a good idea to come up with more!
May 8, 2010
I give this one 3.5 stars.
I first saw this book mentioned on The Story Siren's blog and it grabbed my attention so I was happy when I just happen to wander into the YA section of my library and there it was. I did not realize this was the second book in what I guess will be a series following Miranda. So I may be missing some nuances in the character interactions that developed in the first book. Still I really enjoyed it and didn't have much trouble following the story. Miranda's ability was fascinating and although I never actually watched the show it reminded me of the glimpses I've seen of The Ghost Whisperer. Ghosts who need help seek Miranda out but this is a new ability that she hasn't quite figured out how to control. The only people who know about her ability is a small group of friends including two handsome cousins, Etienne and Gage. I'm always a sucker for romance and I was wondering which cousin she would end up with at the end of the story. I loved both Etienne and Gage but Etienne definitely had an edge in my opinion due to his Cajun drawl. The way he spoke reminded me of the X-Man, Gambit, my all time favorite X-Men character. The story of the ghosts Miranda needed to help really broke my heart and I have to admit at one point I actually shed some tears. If you are into ghost stories mixed in with a little romantic tension this is a good one to pick up.
I first saw this book mentioned on The Story Siren's blog and it grabbed my attention so I was happy when I just happen to wander into the YA section of my library and there it was. I did not realize this was the second book in what I guess will be a series following Miranda. So I may be missing some nuances in the character interactions that developed in the first book. Still I really enjoyed it and didn't have much trouble following the story. Miranda's ability was fascinating and although I never actually watched the show it reminded me of the glimpses I've seen of The Ghost Whisperer. Ghosts who need help seek Miranda out but this is a new ability that she hasn't quite figured out how to control. The only people who know about her ability is a small group of friends including two handsome cousins, Etienne and Gage. I'm always a sucker for romance and I was wondering which cousin she would end up with at the end of the story. I loved both Etienne and Gage but Etienne definitely had an edge in my opinion due to his Cajun drawl. The way he spoke reminded me of the X-Man, Gambit, my all time favorite X-Men character. The story of the ghosts Miranda needed to help really broke my heart and I have to admit at one point I actually shed some tears. If you are into ghost stories mixed in with a little romantic tension this is a good one to pick up.
November 17, 2015
Miranda and the gang are back for more ghosts, mysteries, romance and trouble. Miranda's mother and Aunt Teeta are renovating the old haunted house, Belle Chandelle. As soon as Miranda gets near the house, her senses are assaulted by the present and the past. When Miranda is inside the house, she hears children, and when she looks into mirrors, she does not see herself but some other woman.
The whole book centers around the mystery of who the children and woman are, and how Miranda is supposed to help them. Besides the ghostly aspects, the readers see the struggle over Miranda's feelings for Etienne and Gage (personally, I like Etienne better, and Miranda and Etienne have so much chemistry together) and her struggle with her new "gift". The readers also learn a shocking secret about Etienne's mother. Shadow Mirror is even better than the previous book, Walk of the Spirits!
One negative thing I have to say about this book is that Miranda seems to "violently shiver/shake" a lot, it is actually kind of ridiculous. It's like- "She saw a green car and began to shake violently." or "A bee flew by her face, and she began to shiver violently." LOL! The author may have infused a bit more drama in the book than I like, but it was still a great book. I read it in one night. I couldn't stop turning the pages! If romance, humor and ghosts are your things, you should read this book.
The whole book centers around the mystery of who the children and woman are, and how Miranda is supposed to help them. Besides the ghostly aspects, the readers see the struggle over Miranda's feelings for Etienne and Gage (personally, I like Etienne better, and Miranda and Etienne have so much chemistry together) and her struggle with her new "gift". The readers also learn a shocking secret about Etienne's mother. Shadow Mirror is even better than the previous book, Walk of the Spirits!
One negative thing I have to say about this book is that Miranda seems to "violently shiver/shake" a lot, it is actually kind of ridiculous. It's like- "She saw a green car and began to shake violently." or "A bee flew by her face, and she began to shiver violently." LOL! The author may have infused a bit more drama in the book than I like, but it was still a great book. I read it in one night. I couldn't stop turning the pages! If romance, humor and ghosts are your things, you should read this book.
March 5, 2016
Not to sound like a small child, but I never get my way! In the first book, there were the beginnings of a love triangle brewing and in this book that triangle was a pretty central part of the storyline. It was one of those situations where I struggled to "pick a favorite" and of course, as soon as I did, it all fell apart and I was on the losing side yet again. It's like being Team Jacob and Team Gale all over again... ;) Actually, I really liked both Etienne and Gage, and while my ultimate favorite maybe did not get the girl, there was really no bad option here.
All in all, I felt that Shadow Mirror was leagues above Walk of the Spirits in pretty well every aspect. I felt that the writing was much more detailed and atmospheric. I loved that the setting of this book was a haunted old plantation house named Belle Chandelle and I felt that it was a much more well-developed setting than the one in the previous book. Even the haunting was way better in this book... This haunting had its chilling moments, but was also very emotional and tragic as well. I really think that when this book was written, Cusick had every intention of writing a third one, and I REALLY hope she will some day. I'd totally read it.
☆☆☆☆
Four stars for a good ghost story with likable characters, set in the history-rich Louisiana bayou. This was fun!
All in all, I felt that Shadow Mirror was leagues above Walk of the Spirits in pretty well every aspect. I felt that the writing was much more detailed and atmospheric. I loved that the setting of this book was a haunted old plantation house named Belle Chandelle and I felt that it was a much more well-developed setting than the one in the previous book. Even the haunting was way better in this book... This haunting had its chilling moments, but was also very emotional and tragic as well. I really think that when this book was written, Cusick had every intention of writing a third one, and I REALLY hope she will some day. I'd totally read it.
☆☆☆☆
Four stars for a good ghost story with likable characters, set in the history-rich Louisiana bayou. This was fun!
March 15, 2017
Alrighty..before I talk about all the wonderful aspects of this book, let's talk about the elephant in the book. I gave this book four stars because it's not done. The BOOK is complete - wonderful adventure - but Miranda's story is not. Just know, if you decide to read this book, you'll have to get over the fact that a lot of new things will come up and stay up, things that have already been in the air will be left there, and there is nothing to be done about it....
Now, as for the book - it was fun and funny! There is a brand new ghost trail for Miranda and her friends to follow and even though the mystery runs high, the character development, humor, drama, and sass is just as prevalent! New faces, new situations, new places, new terrors - but don't worry all the people and places you fell in love with are part of the adventure too. A few things were upsetting or deflating about the book but, again, most of that is due to the fact that the book is obviously building up towards a series that never happened.
Ms. Cusick, if you ever decide to come back to finish Miranda's story please know - your fans will be there waiting at the finish line!!
Now, as for the book - it was fun and funny! There is a brand new ghost trail for Miranda and her friends to follow and even though the mystery runs high, the character development, humor, drama, and sass is just as prevalent! New faces, new situations, new places, new terrors - but don't worry all the people and places you fell in love with are part of the adventure too. A few things were upsetting or deflating about the book but, again, most of that is due to the fact that the book is obviously building up towards a series that never happened.
Ms. Cusick, if you ever decide to come back to finish Miranda's story please know - your fans will be there waiting at the finish line!!
March 28, 2010
I enjoyed Shadow Mirror as much as Walk of the Spirits! First, I gotta quickly mention the romance. There is sort of a love-triangle. If you read the other book, then you know who it involves. I can understand why it's such a hard decision for Miranda! *sigh*
Anyway, like in the other book, we learn more history about St. Yvette. This time the Belle Chandelle plantation. Miranda has to figure out how to help three spirits trapped within a mirror. Her friends are there to help as well, and there even is an interesting twist with one of her friends that Miranda promised to keep secret. It was surprising, but it does explain a lot. We only learn a little bit about it though. And we find out some important family secrets involving two other friends of Miranda's. I think we seriously need to know more about both secrets, so hopefully there is another book!
(Btw, in the previous book, I thought Parker and Roo were equally hilarious. However, I think Parker had her beat in this one!)
Anyway, like in the other book, we learn more history about St. Yvette. This time the Belle Chandelle plantation. Miranda has to figure out how to help three spirits trapped within a mirror. Her friends are there to help as well, and there even is an interesting twist with one of her friends that Miranda promised to keep secret. It was surprising, but it does explain a lot. We only learn a little bit about it though. And we find out some important family secrets involving two other friends of Miranda's. I think we seriously need to know more about both secrets, so hopefully there is another book!
(Btw, in the previous book, I thought Parker and Roo were equally hilarious. However, I think Parker had her beat in this one!)
July 26, 2010
Definitely a good read. I found it a lot more enjoyable than the first book, "Walk of the Spirits," since the characters are more developed.
Cusick did a great job at showing typical high school problems without it getting tedious. And I love the dialogue among the characters. It was just simply hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times.
The plot was intriguing yet actually pretty simple, and I liked the twist. It sent a chill down my back.
I liked the bond between Etienne and Miranda. And I really felt Gage's pain when he found out....about what happened between them, though I was also thrilled by the new stronger bond between Etienne and Miranda.
I really want to find out more about the love triangle with Ashley, Parker, and Kurt. Hopefully a third book is coming out.
I got scared at a few parts, partly due to the author's detailed description and my wild imagination.
A must read.
Cusick did a great job at showing typical high school problems without it getting tedious. And I love the dialogue among the characters. It was just simply hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud a couple of times.
The plot was intriguing yet actually pretty simple, and I liked the twist. It sent a chill down my back.
I liked the bond between Etienne and Miranda. And I really felt Gage's pain when he found out....about what happened between them, though I was also thrilled by the new stronger bond between Etienne and Miranda.
I really want to find out more about the love triangle with Ashley, Parker, and Kurt. Hopefully a third book is coming out.
I got scared at a few parts, partly due to the author's detailed description and my wild imagination.
A must read.
September 6, 2011
Love , love , loved this book! I want to be in this book! I hope she writes more of these. This one and it's prequel need to be made into movies. the characters are so tangible, I really felt like they were real people , like I could bump into them on the street. It was suspenseful and heartbreaking and funny all at the same time. I laughed out loud several times and teared up as well. That doesn't happen often for me over a teen read. Also beautiful rich imagery. I felt like I was watching a movie in my head. Everything was described so well but not overdone. A definate must read. Start with walk of the spirits .
January 24, 2013
You know screaming while in te hospital waiting area is extremely frowned upon, but I couldn't help myself!!! This book was amazing!!! With Etienne and Miranda and the boat, OMG! I have no idea if there is a third one but if there s she better not end up with Gage. Oh and what about Gage and Etienne, totally did not see that coming. Over all awesome read.
November 4, 2016
Richie Tankersley Cusick is a great story teller. Not only do I love the mystery in her books, but the relationships between the featured group of friends are stunning, and her ability to pull you into the pages of her supernatural story will keep you flipping the pages through the end.
September 4, 2024
3.5 stars
This was good, but there was one thing that was a bit dodgy 😂
This was good, but there was one thing that was a bit dodgy 😂
February 28, 2022
After all the non-sense, filler pages, the ending was rushed and everything was left in the air.
Miranda finds out the cousins are actually brothers in the last 3 pages, Gage and her don't clarify anything, Parker and Ashley are left hanging about their relationship AND parkers abilities, Miranda and Etienne are what? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Just too many loose ends for me. Roo...absolutely nothing about her.
There were some cute parts, but I felt like the author was trying too hard to appeal to the YA readers. The joking aspect was too much and borderline inappropriate.
Perhaps this was meant to be more than a duology? It certainly ended that way to me.
Miranda finds out the cousins are actually brothers in the last 3 pages, Gage and her don't clarify anything, Parker and Ashley are left hanging about their relationship AND parkers abilities, Miranda and Etienne are what? Boyfriend and girlfriend? Just too many loose ends for me. Roo...absolutely nothing about her.
There were some cute parts, but I felt like the author was trying too hard to appeal to the YA readers. The joking aspect was too much and borderline inappropriate.
Perhaps this was meant to be more than a duology? It certainly ended that way to me.
May 15, 2021
The characters in this series are written so perfectly. They all feel so real. I was sucked into this book just as I was sucked into the first one. I absolutely love the way the author describes Miranda's abilities and the encounters she faces. The imagery throughout the book is beautifully written. I highly recommend!
May 13, 2018
A lot of build up, but not much actually happened. It seems like a third book would be possible with how much character development there was.
October 24, 2022
Cute conclusion to duology. Definitely more YA romance in this one.
May 27, 2023
It is an excellent story about youth and spirits. How a group of friends help Miranda face her gift. And how close a bond they form.
May 12, 2022
Just as good as the first!
January 5, 2015
FANTASTIC!
Richie Cusick didn't disappoint! I loved the whole book. Miranda finished her first paranormal incident, and now is in another that involves Belle Chandelle Plantation, well not really involved because she doesn't really know yet. Anyway, this book is really more about her romances with Etienne and Gage. Preferably, i liked it BECAUSE of the romance, but that's me. Anyway, she goes through all the drama that usually happends to teenagers, some scenes in the book is just soo sweet and some sad. Near the end she "does it" with Etienne and tries to hide it from Gage, but he can totally see it all over her face. Heart-broken, he says, "you can screw whoever you want", OUCH. Well anyway, she goes off cry, Etienne and Gage are hostile, well Gage anyway. They solve the mystery involving Belle Plantaion, and she chooses Etienne, BOOO! i just love Gage in the book, TEAM GAGE!
Richie Cusick didn't disappoint! I loved the whole book. Miranda finished her first paranormal incident, and now is in another that involves Belle Chandelle Plantation, well not really involved because she doesn't really know yet. Anyway, this book is really more about her romances with Etienne and Gage. Preferably, i liked it BECAUSE of the romance, but that's me. Anyway, she goes through all the drama that usually happends to teenagers, some scenes in the book is just soo sweet and some sad. Near the end she "does it" with Etienne and tries to hide it from Gage, but he can totally see it all over her face. Heart-broken, he says, "you can screw whoever you want", OUCH. Well anyway, she goes off cry, Etienne and Gage are hostile, well Gage anyway. They solve the mystery involving Belle Plantaion, and she chooses Etienne, BOOO! i just love Gage in the book, TEAM GAGE!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2011
Really loved this story, which follows Miranda Barnes and her friends once more as Miranda's "gift" to help spirits springs a new challenge for her. I loved the characters and how in this (the 2nd book) we get to see more of their faults and issues, plus more romance.
The dynamics between the characters is awesome and all I can say is I wish I had friends like these.
In this installment, Miranda keeps getting visions of something gruesome after she visits an old plantation. And the spirits keep trying to tug her back/get her attention. The creepy backdrop of the decaying plantation is perfect.
Also enjoyed seeing the other side of both Etienne and Gage and the secrets surrounding each of them.
The dynamics between the characters is awesome and all I can say is I wish I had friends like these.
In this installment, Miranda keeps getting visions of something gruesome after she visits an old plantation. And the spirits keep trying to tug her back/get her attention. The creepy backdrop of the decaying plantation is perfect.
Also enjoyed seeing the other side of both Etienne and Gage and the secrets surrounding each of them.
December 4, 2015
Even better than the first.
I still like the mystery storyline, eerie southern setting, and amazing characters.
The relationship between Miranda, Eitienne, and Gage deepened and became more complicated, so I liked that. It's sad there won't be a book 3 so we can see that triangle evolve.
NOTE TO CUSICK: You could always self-publish. A lot of authors make money publishing books far less interesting and well written as the "Walk" series. Should you decide to write additional "Walk" books, I feel confident you would have enough of a following to make it worth your while. I'd buy them.
I still like the mystery storyline, eerie southern setting, and amazing characters.
The relationship between Miranda, Eitienne, and Gage deepened and became more complicated, so I liked that. It's sad there won't be a book 3 so we can see that triangle evolve.
NOTE TO CUSICK: You could always self-publish. A lot of authors make money publishing books far less interesting and well written as the "Walk" series. Should you decide to write additional "Walk" books, I feel confident you would have enough of a following to make it worth your while. I'd buy them.
March 28, 2010
This book was a the perfect sequal to Walk of the sprits. It was very mystrious and you did see alot of things coming but sometings were predictable. I love that fact that we see Miranda's and Etienne's realationship grow and that he does trully care about her. She's theonly one that can get under his bad boy extery and see what he trully feels. I have a feeling that we havent seen evaerything and that somethings were left unfinished, so cross you fingers for the 3rd book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2010
I had forgotten just how much I loved Walk of the Spirits until I started reading Shadow Mirror. The charecters are funny and relatable, And there is a suprise twist that no one will see coming. I really hope that there is going to be a third book!
Aw man, I just found out that there are no plans right now for a third book. How is that even possible, with all the things left to find out about, and it ended in a cliff-hanger! Someone needs to put together a petition demanding more! ;)
Aw man, I just found out that there are no plans right now for a third book. How is that even possible, with all the things left to find out about, and it ended in a cliff-hanger! Someone needs to put together a petition demanding more! ;)
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