The Reason

Ghost Huntress #3

by Marley Gibson

It's not everyday you have a premonition of your own demise. But two months after Kendall had a vision of her own death, all is well in her world. Maybe some cosmic wires got crossed. Then Kendall gets a request by the mayor of Radisson to investigate the mayoral manor. Emily and Loreen warn her against it: This spirit is dangerous. But not even they can see just how dangerous. But during the aftermath of her run-in with the spirit Kendall learns a life-shattering secret. Now Kendall has an even bigger problem. Somehow, she's got to pull her life together if she wants to cleanse the mayor's mansion and bring peace to the home and herself.

Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult, Ghosts, Fantasy, Supernatural, Fiction, Romance

230 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Marley Gibson is the author of the hit young adult paranormal fiction series, "Ghost Huntress," from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt’s Graphia line, as well as "Radiate," which is a fictionalized version of the cancer she went through as a teenage cheerleader.

Gibson was featured on the premiere episode of The Biography Channel’s "My Ghost Story," as well as being interviewed by CNN.com for a Halloween feature on ghost hunting in 2008. She appeared on the Travel Channel's "Paranormal Challenge," as we as an episode of "Ghost Adventures."

Her publishing credits include "Ghost Huntress: The Awakening," "Ghost Huntress: The Guidance," and "Ghost Huntress: The Reason," "Ghost Huntress: The Counseling," "Ghost Huntress: The Journey," and soon to come, a Christmas novella, "Ghost Huntress: The Tidings."

She has also co-authored a teen ghost hunting how-to guide entitled “The Other Side: A Teen’s Guide to Ghost Hunting and the Paranormal" with her husband, Patrick Burns, from TruTV's "Haunting Evidence," and Travel Channel's "Paranormal Challenge," and "Ghost Adventures."

Gibson is also the co-author of the wildly successful "Christmas Miracles," and it's sequel, "The Spirit of Christmas," published by St. Martin’s Press and co-written with New York Times bestselling author, Cecil Murphey.

Gibson holds a Bachelors of Arts in Communication with an emphasis in Advertising and a double minor in Political Science and Speech Communications from The University of Alabama. She has worked on several political campaigns, as a United States Congressional intern, and has been a marketing events manager in the medical, higher education, financial, and technology sectors, but is now happy being a full-time author, creating stories and characters for fans to love.

An avid SCUBA diver, closet gourmet chef, and electronic music lover, Marley and her husband, Patrick, live in the Florida Keys with their two rescue kitties, Madison and Boo, in an RV they lovely call, Midge.

She can be found online at www.marleygibson.com and www.radiatebook.com on Facebook at MarleyGibson Author and on Twitter @MarleyGison

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg yet another awesome Ghost Huntress book! I love these. I have gotten them from the library and one of my best friends Lecia found out about these books for me and even has them come to the library branch she works at and everything!

It is just an awesome read and another great step in the series!

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was MUCH better then the second book. It had a great balance between ghost content and character content. Although the realization of Emily was supposed to be a big climatic moment it felt super obvious to me. (So obvious that i guessed it in the first book and was right) however i am super interested to see what happens next and if kendall is able to connect with the new people she discovered. It was nice to see that the 100 pages less did work out in the authors favor! However i wonder if we’ll see any of the girl group again in the series

[Corinne Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The "big reveal" at the end of this book was expected in book 1 -- I almost end up slightly disliking Kendall in this one because she missed the memo that readers figured out two books ago ...kinda slow, with a pickup in the last four chapters. Not sure if I'll continue reading the series, but I am intrigued by the possibility of action occurring at the retreat.

[Joannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full stars even though it's guessed a major plot point long ago. I just find it really easy reading, with no urge to skip. Maybe I'm biased because Kendall and I share birthday and we're both adopted. That's the only spoiler I have.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book sucked because of how authors always seem to think it is okay to break up relationships for no reason whatsoever.

[Savanna Reinhardt]

paranoramal activity is the best type of scary books

[Reading Vacation · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW

What do you get when you mix a group of ghost hunting teens with a ghost out for revenge and a ghost who can’t find her body? You get a thrilling mix of scary and fun with a side of romance.

The characters in The Reason are the ones who were introduced in the first two books. There’s Kendall and her entire ghost-hunting team. Kendall has become more in touch with her abilities and she puts them to good use to solve a ghostly mystery. She also uncovers some secrets from her own past that are very surprising.

In The Counseling, Kendall takes a break from the Southern town of Radisson and heads out to sunny California. She meets an entirely new group of teens at a retreat for ghost hunters with special abilities. There are all sorts of abilities like aura reading, seeing ghosts, and feeling the emotions of others.

Patrick joins the story in The Counseling. He is new to his abilities, and he starts out very annoying. I couldn’t wait to see if he could win over Kendall’s heart. Another favorite character was Kendall’s roommate, Jess. She was an aura-reading surfer with a bubbly personality.

While I enjoyed the first two books in this series, I LOVED books three and four. Maybe it was that Kendall was becoming more proficient with her powers, or maybe it was the new setting and characters. No matter – I recommend this series to all those ghost hunting fans out there.

Watch for the story to continue in The Discovery, coming out in May, 2011. You can also see my review of books one and two HERE.

RATING

4 Plot

5 Characters

5 Attention Grabbing

5 Girlie Meter

4 Ending


23 TOTAL


5 STARS

[Stacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first two books in the Ghost Huntress series were fun and I was eager to read the third installment "The Reason". I have to say that I expected more of the same type of play we saw in the first two books but "The Reason" surprised me with a nice big twist regarding heroine Kendall that I never saw coming. The book also felt a lot like an ending as something happens regarding Kendall's friends that I also was surprised by. I am trying to write a review without giving away a couple of big plot points and I am finding that really hard. The book isn't large and this installment does not have a lot of filler. I do think the author has done a nice job with plotting out this series and she keeps her characters growing which is great. Kendall's mother especially has grown. She started the series being afraid of Kendall's psychic abilities and she wanted to just wish (or rather medicate) them away. Now she is open to providing Kendall whatever she needs in regards to her gift and I think that was just a great thing to emphasize. I have one problem with the series. The young teen girls call each other 'hon' and rub each other's backs and that just doesn't feel realistic of teenagers today. I have a seventeen year old daughter and never have I heard the girls talk to or treat each other in this manner. Also the book is aimed at ages twelve and up and there is quite a bit of cursing in this story. I personally don't mind (they see worse on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter) and it won't stop me from letting my children read this series, but I do think its worth noting to other parents.

[Robyn Baltazar · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been years since I last read this series and I only have 1-5. I've now ordered 6-7 (pricey because I live in Asia).

What I loved about this was that Kendall was able to explore death. The first two books focused on ghost hunting and possession. In those first two books, we all knew that Kendall would win in the end. This third book also had that element but it was great that something terrible happened to the heroine that made her think of the negatives there were about being psychic. This was a great opportunity for Kendall to get stronger.

[Niharika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up to read a chapter and get started with my other work, but I ended up reading the whole book in one sitting. I expected for her to actually die, and was sort of disappointed that she didn't because I really wanted to read how she maybe somehow turned into a ghost and was trying to talk to her friends and maybe crossover other ghosts while she was one herself. But, the limbo she was in was really cool too. Somehow, I knew all along that Emily was her mother, or someone really really important but it was still a nice twist. It was sad how Jason will always remain as just her first love and nothing more since he moved, but I guess all the readers need a break from his overprotectiveness. I loved how the author used even more creative phrases in this book than the previous books in the series. That being said, this book was pretty good. I would suggest improving the part where Sherry was forgiving herself and asking others for forgiveness. The feeling behind all of it wasn't genuine enough for me. I thought a little deeper understanding was needed for a vengeance ghost like her.

[adrian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a lot higher stakes than the first two, which made for a more interesting investigation. I personally liked the pace in which the information about Sherry was revealed. Realistically, I knew that Kendall would be alright in the end, but I was curious about how her premonition would play out.
That being said, there were two parts of this book that I didn't particularly enjoy. The first being Jason. He's been annoying me since the series started but I think he crossed the line in this one. Despite being portrayed as an overprotective, alpha dude, he's actually quite self-centered and the argument he and Kendall had was difficult to read. He does help her out in the end, but I like to hold grudges so I haven't forgiven him for everything else he's done.
The second thing that bothered me was the outdated view on mental health, more specifically the circumstances of Ms. Tillson. This book was published over 10 years ago and more people have been rejecting the stigma of depression and suicide since then, but I guess that's something to be aware of if you've struggled with mental health and want to pick this book up.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com

Two months ago, Kendall Moorehead had a premonition of her own death. But life seems to be going pretty good. She and Jason are better than ever, and she and her fellow ghost huntresses are getting numerous gigs in and around Radisson.

Their most recent job is at the Mayor's mansion. This just happens to be the most intense hunt they have been on. And this ghost is not a happy one. Kendall and her team have to make her see the light, or Kendall's premonition might become reality.

The third installment in the GHOST HUNTRESS series kept me just as hooked as the first two books. An incident with Jason and Taylor's mother sends her to the hospital, and ends up changing their lives in a major way, as well as Kendall's. Kendall also finds out a huge secret about herself that I didn't see coming, even though the clues were there all along!

I am so excited to see what Kendall will find in the next book!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marley Gibson went beyond what was expected in the third installment to her series Ghost Huntress: The Reason.

I had an inkling about what this book would be about from the synopsis on the back cover but that inkling was nothing compared to what Marley Gibson had in store for us readers. Many of the questions carried through from Ghost Huntress: The Awakening to are answered and a few new questions are asked. Many tears are shed along this journey and when you think you feel a certain way about a matter, your view is completely changed.

Though this book is significantly shorter than the other two in the series, the story doesn't seem any the less satisfying. One adventure has ended for Kendall and her gang, however when one door closes, another opens, no? I can't wait to read the next novel in the series, Ghost Huntress: The Counseling and can only fathom what Marley Gibson has in store for me...

[Madelyn B · Rating 5 out of 5]

two months after Kendall Moorehead had a dream or a vision that showed her DEATH!something bad happens!then Kendall was asked to investigate the mayor of Radisson Georgia's manor! Emily Loreen (her two best friends)try to warn her about this spirit!THIS SPIRIT IS DANGEROUS!but how dangerous is it? you will have to read more to find out about Kendall and that spirit!



Alesson i learned from this book is to never be around things that are dangerous.like when she is going to investigate the mayors manor and they said that the spirit was really dangerous for anyone to be around.she actually saw the spirit in the mayors window in the basement!THAT IS CRAZY!but i love the book!


I would recommend this book to any sixth grade girl who loves to read about ghost,the sounds of the ghost,or what it looks like!to learn more you have to read the book to find out about kindall and how her frinds warn her about the ghost. THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book in the series really puts Kendall through the wringer. There's this vision of her being killed that she has to contend with, along with an investigation into a haunting in the town mayor's house. The ghost seems to be venegeful, ultra-nasty, and possibly capable of killing living people.


There's also the attempted suicide of her boyfriend's mother along with Kendall's attempt to find out more about Emily and who she really is. (The result is something that is pretty obvious very early on.) There's also a question about whether or not Kendall actually wants to continue doing ghost hunting.


All of that is a heavy load to deal with, but there is a secret that becomes revealed to Kendall, and some people are going to be leaving her life, all of this adding even more pressure to her.


Still, Kendall is made of stern stuff and she faces the challenges pretty much straight-on. This is a very good addition to the series, possibly even better than the last book.

[Thomas N · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Ghost Huntress The Reason" is a thriller based on a psychic teenager, Kendall that faces challenges with relationships and a ghost haunting the mayor's house.With Kendall and her ghost hunting team face their most challenging ghost hunt so far.Will the ghost prevail at scaring out the people or will the team set the ghost's soul free?

Why i like "Ghost Huntress The Reason" is because it's like a mystery and a thriller combined and there are incredible surprises and real life problems such as relationships and unaccepted because of unusual abilities.
i recommend this book to anyone that likes mystery,thriller,a chic flick I'm guessing, and realistic fiction for young women with psychic abilities.

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

These were all three very quick reads and I read them very close together. The reason I read these books is that Marley is going to be at Dragon*Con and I am glad I read these, but I don't plan on reading any more in this series.

There wasn't enough Celia in this one, although I did like the scene with her dog. I thought the whole near-death experience was unneeded. The ghost told Kendall she was going to push her next, so what was she doing near the top of the stairs? Even without her vision that would have been pretty stupid and she wonders why people worry about her and try to protect her.

[Carmen Li · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the third trilogy in the Ghost Huntress series and it is a really good book too! It's about a girl who uses her powers; she is able to see the dead. She helps the spirits around her and endures whatever comes her way and eventually overcomes it. On top of that, she has a love life she struggles to maintain like many other high schoolers nowadays. The illustrations to each book of the series is really something-- they give the reader a hint about what to expect. Overall, I recommend this book to readers of all ages.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reason (Ghost Huntress, Book 3) by Marley Gibson is just like it predecessors with its romance, action, and all around amazing-ness. I read this over-200-pages pageturner in under two hours. I was trying to save it, so it would be closer to the release date of the 4th, but i just couldn't. These books have me addicted.
I await with baited breath for the next one.

[Doris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good. No surprises. Well - the reason the ghost soldier was still around was a little bit of one, but not too much. The only surprise was in the way that he acted before / after death.

Note - one gripe I did have has to do with grammar:
When dealing with a group of people called "Nichols" the proper possessive is not "NICHOLSES'S". It would be either "Nichols's" or "Nichols'".

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

An even better book that the first two in the series although it's rather brief in comparison. A terrific book series!! :)

(Reading all these teen/young adult paranormal mysteries are research for my current novel in which one of the main characters is a ghost. The intended audience is teen/young adult) :)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I am a bit disappointed that Jason and Taylor moved. Not sure how book 4 will be without these major characters. I was happy to see that Kendall finally figured out who Emily was and how they are connected. I am kind of hoping that the next book focuses on Kendall's plans for Spring Break. Sounds like it would make a great setting for an investigation.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

her life goes uh muck, she finds out she's adopted and no she is getting a vaction to florida, in the next book we'll find out wht happens. if u've read the first and second one this iz the book u should read.

[Tiffani]

A awesome read as always. The book started out with a bang by Kendall seeing her own death. In her words WTF? Throughout the book I did find several mistypes but nothing seriously noticeable or major. Still I look foward to the fourth one.

[Desiree Scovil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love all these books but i have only read 2 of them and those are the first ones and i have not been able to find someplace to actually find more and read them and i think marley should make a movie out of these i would definitely whatch them it will be awsome :)

[Vivian Hartwig]

In the third book in the Ghost Huntress series, the Mayor of Radisson, Kendall's home town, is having back pains. After a talk with the mayor Kendall and the team decide to do an investigation, but know one knows just how dangerous it will be.

[Wendi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is good coming of age story for teens with love and loss along with the acceptance of her growing powers.

[Mjoy]

i learned many things about paranormal activities...

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was the best installment yet in the series!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING