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Hungry Ghosts #1
Esperanza
Tess Livingston met Ian Ritter at a roadside stop high in the Andes, waiting for a bus to the mysterious town of Esperanza.
Tess is an FBI agent who remembers being on the track of a group of international counterfeiters. But she doesn’t remember booking a trip to Esperanza. Ian is a journalist who was planning to vacation to the Galapagos Islands. He, too, isn’t quite sure why he has a ticket to Esperanza.
Their meeting will change their lives forever. For they have been brought together because they hold the key in a mystical war between the kind spirits of the dead who guard humanity, and the hungry ghosts who exist only to possess living human bodies, and return however briefly to life.
In the midst of this war, Tess and Ian will find a love that can transcend time, and a cause that not even death will overcome.
Tess is an FBI agent who remembers being on the track of a group of international counterfeiters. But she doesn’t remember booking a trip to Esperanza. Ian is a journalist who was planning to vacation to the Galapagos Islands. He, too, isn’t quite sure why he has a ticket to Esperanza.
Their meeting will change their lives forever. For they have been brought together because they hold the key in a mystical war between the kind spirits of the dead who guard humanity, and the hungry ghosts who exist only to possess living human bodies, and return however briefly to life.
In the midst of this war, Tess and Ian will find a love that can transcend time, and a cause that not even death will overcome.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 10, 2010
9 people are currently reading
225 people want to read
About the author
Trish MacGregor
228 books26 followersPatricia Janeshutz MacGregor. Also writes under the pseudonyms of Trish Janeshutz, T.J. MacGregor, and Alison Drake.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
December 22, 2010
2.5 stars out of 5
The good-
The beginning of this book was outstanding. If you watched the movie "The Sixth Sense”, this book was like that movie but with more twists and turns. Once you thought you figured it all out, the author twisted the plot again.
The setting for the book is spectacular. The author is very descriptive in her details, and I loved that she brought the people of Esperanza to life.
I really enjoyed the characters. Again, the author has a knack for details. The two main characters, Ian and Tess were likeable, and I really wanted them to find each other (again). I loved Nomad. I cannot say much about him since it would be a big spoiler.
The bad-
The twists in the storyline became difficult to follow and too complex. It seemed that the author had so many ideas for the story and the mass quantity of ideas depleted the quality of the story.
Overall-
I was optimistic for this book based on the strength of the first 150 pages. Sadly, the book lost its appeal near the end.
The good-
The beginning of this book was outstanding. If you watched the movie "The Sixth Sense”, this book was like that movie but with more twists and turns. Once you thought you figured it all out, the author twisted the plot again.
The setting for the book is spectacular. The author is very descriptive in her details, and I loved that she brought the people of Esperanza to life.
I really enjoyed the characters. Again, the author has a knack for details. The two main characters, Ian and Tess were likeable, and I really wanted them to find each other (again). I loved Nomad. I cannot say much about him since it would be a big spoiler.
The bad-
The twists in the storyline became difficult to follow and too complex. It seemed that the author had so many ideas for the story and the mass quantity of ideas depleted the quality of the story.
Overall-
I was optimistic for this book based on the strength of the first 150 pages. Sadly, the book lost its appeal near the end.
October 26, 2012
Ok, the book was interesting but all the action in the end really confused me and I totally didn't understand the reasoning behind it. The enemies weren't even vanquished and there was so much carnage. The storyline was good but then all the action in the end I found unnecessary. Could have been better........ Disappointed it could have went in a better direction. The characters weren't fully developed and the backstory never fully came through for the chasers. The plot could have been further explored.
September 15, 2019
Като цяло е добро, заинтригуващо четиво. Но с разочароващи последни 20 - 30 страници. Или по - точно казано.... липсва някак най - интересното. Липсва развръзката. Просто е претупана. Читателят е въвлечен в един война между доброто и злото, но не вижда най-решаващата битка. Пътуването във времето също някак не ми се върза. Оригинален замисъл, с не толкова добро изпълнение.
December 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Couldn’t wait to pick it up again every day after putting it down. I will now be hunting down the other two books because I definitely need to know how this story plays out!
March 19, 2013
ESPERANZA is the extraordinary tale of two strangers who meet under extraordinary circumstances in an extraordinary setting [a place in the Andes called ESPERANZA which means “hope”] and whose paths lead them on an even greater extraordinary journey - a journey filled with mysticism and adventure and love - love beyond mere physical love - a love that “transcends time and death” and an adventure into the unknown, the unlived and into a life beyond death, where the two of them hold the key to the time-old mystical battle fought among the living and the good and the bad spirit worlds -
In ESPERANZA you will meet and come to know the beautiful native people whose magnificent ancient Incan heritage is alive and well today!
In ESPERANZA you will walk the “...shadowed, cobbled streets of...this...old town...where your...eyes must adjust to the antiquity, the brilliant colors, the poverty...where your senses...don’t know which cue to follow - the scents or the colors, the touch of the past, the music that energizes the air...or...the taste of the foods...”
In ESPERANZA you will come to know in a familiar way the intriguing characters involved in this magnificent story - them and their families - you will come to think of them outside the covers of this book - you will think of them as you go about your daily routine - you will think of them!
In ESPERANZA you will not only follow Tess and Ian and Dominica and Ben on their own journeys, you will find yourself making your own personal quest into this world, the other world, and into yourSELF!
Above and beyond all, ESPERANZA is a mesmerizing tale of mystery, mysticism, adventure and love - and HOPE - in a setting you will long remember and a tale which will leave you not just wanting more, but needing more - of the work of its author, TRISH MACGREGOR!
Be sure to grab a copy of its sequel, GHOST KEY! another fabulous read!
April 15, 2012
This book is a compelling read even beyond the mysticism and the thriller aspects. It's laced with vibrant and horrible locations; history, legends, and quantum physics, artfully disguised into a great adventure story with a compelling romance. The imagery of the settings evokes emotions and weaves through the actions and horrors on a deeper level yet it always comes back to the present, the potential of personal choices of the characters who are capable of transforming beyond the spooky.
As a writer I have a keeper shelf of good books I will reread. This book goes on the higher shelf, it goes on the treasured shelf. Esperanza by Trish J. MacGregor is full of nuance, exceptional writing, masterful plot layering, and subtle shifts, as the primary characters transform from who they were - sort of floating along - into creators of a new potential.
What I like the most about this story is that it was very present and current internet technology plays a part so it's not just the main characters saving humanity from the hidden nasties, but a whole physical movement of technologically savvy humans in our current world that rise up to make a statement against the status quo. Granted, the story is about Hungry Ghosts in Ecuador, but the thought provoking themes behind the story are really fascinating!
The Hungry Ghosts travel in a cloud of fear, and have for centuries, but it is the cloud of connecting through our current web that is adding to the light. How cool is that! That's why Esperanza by Trish J. MacGregor goes onto my treasured shelf.
And you will have to read the book to understand what I am stating in this review.
Enjoy it! It's really good reading, and a great story that is just beginning.
As a writer I have a keeper shelf of good books I will reread. This book goes on the higher shelf, it goes on the treasured shelf. Esperanza by Trish J. MacGregor is full of nuance, exceptional writing, masterful plot layering, and subtle shifts, as the primary characters transform from who they were - sort of floating along - into creators of a new potential.
What I like the most about this story is that it was very present and current internet technology plays a part so it's not just the main characters saving humanity from the hidden nasties, but a whole physical movement of technologically savvy humans in our current world that rise up to make a statement against the status quo. Granted, the story is about Hungry Ghosts in Ecuador, but the thought provoking themes behind the story are really fascinating!
The Hungry Ghosts travel in a cloud of fear, and have for centuries, but it is the cloud of connecting through our current web that is adding to the light. How cool is that! That's why Esperanza by Trish J. MacGregor goes onto my treasured shelf.
And you will have to read the book to understand what I am stating in this review.
Enjoy it! It's really good reading, and a great story that is just beginning.
December 3, 2012
I came across this book because I read an excerpt from the sequel, Ghost Key. It was compelling enough for me to read Esperanza, and I'm glad I did.
I liked the concept of Esperanza. The two main characters belong to a small group of people who can become instrumental in saving the living world from the ghosts who are stuck between life and afterlife. The protagonists are two people who are chosen to have a special ability, but they get to make a choice about joining the fight. That's how a hero is generally defined in any quest story. At times, the author was juggling quite a few balls in the air in terms of characters and plot points, but I thought she pulled it all together really well. The story didn't get off-track.
What I didn't care for was the swearing on every page for about the first 100 pages or so. Don't get me wrong- I enjoy well-placed cursing. I didn't feel that the way she used it in the beginning of the story added anything. When you use it too much, you lose the power of emphasis. That's exactly what happened here. I actually found it difficult to read because of the liberal swearing, because it bogged down the otherwise well-paced plot. Once the constant swearing ended, when it was used again, it packed more punch in its placement.
The last forty or so pages before the last ten pages dragged a bit, gathering all the elements for the crucial battle at the end. Also the very end wasn't a complete surprise to me, I don't see that it could have ended differently, with the conclusion of the battle, and the fate of Dominica. Because I was expecting the ending that was written, it didn't have as much emotional impact on me as a reader. But I was satisfied with the ending.
I look forward to reading Ghost Key after this.
I liked the concept of Esperanza. The two main characters belong to a small group of people who can become instrumental in saving the living world from the ghosts who are stuck between life and afterlife. The protagonists are two people who are chosen to have a special ability, but they get to make a choice about joining the fight. That's how a hero is generally defined in any quest story. At times, the author was juggling quite a few balls in the air in terms of characters and plot points, but I thought she pulled it all together really well. The story didn't get off-track.
What I didn't care for was the swearing on every page for about the first 100 pages or so. Don't get me wrong- I enjoy well-placed cursing. I didn't feel that the way she used it in the beginning of the story added anything. When you use it too much, you lose the power of emphasis. That's exactly what happened here. I actually found it difficult to read because of the liberal swearing, because it bogged down the otherwise well-paced plot. Once the constant swearing ended, when it was used again, it packed more punch in its placement.
The last forty or so pages before the last ten pages dragged a bit, gathering all the elements for the crucial battle at the end. Also the very end wasn't a complete surprise to me, I don't see that it could have ended differently, with the conclusion of the battle, and the fate of Dominica. Because I was expecting the ending that was written, it didn't have as much emotional impact on me as a reader. But I was satisfied with the ending.
I look forward to reading Ghost Key after this.
March 9, 2013
About three weeks ago, I read the book Esperanza by Trish J. MacGregor. Writing this review has been difficult due to spoiler avoidance!
Tess Livingston, an FBI agent, exits a bus at a bodega high in the Andes mountains of Ecuador. Tess has a huge problem because she does not remember getting on the bus! At the Bodega, she meets a handsome journalist named Ian Ritter. He is on route to the Galapagos Islands, and he does not remember getting on Bus Number 13, either.
While at the bodega, Tess witnesses the scary death of a man who had been possessed by a brujo, an angry spirit who uses humans to feel and experience the physical world. I think it is genius the way MacGregor depicts the movements and lifestyles of the brujos. Their world is like nothing I have ever read. Coincidentally, Bus Number 13 is headed for Esperanza, Ecuador, where one of the largest brujo tribes in the world preys on tourists (because the locals know how to protect themselves from the hungry brujos).
There is plenty of action, suspense, and even time travel in this novel. Ian and Tess seem to fall in love a bit too quickly given their unusual circumstances. And as much as I want to root for Ian and Tess, their characters are not as developed as I would have liked, and I found I did not care what happened to them as much as I should have. As a matter of fact, I am actually more sympathetic to the brujo tribal leader, Dominica. I really liked her character in spite of her selfish and violent nature.
Esperanza is the first book in a planned series of "The Hungry Ghosts." I will definitely read the next book, and (hopefully) Tess and Ian will be more developed. I recommend Esperanza due to its uniqueness.
Tess Livingston, an FBI agent, exits a bus at a bodega high in the Andes mountains of Ecuador. Tess has a huge problem because she does not remember getting on the bus! At the Bodega, she meets a handsome journalist named Ian Ritter. He is on route to the Galapagos Islands, and he does not remember getting on Bus Number 13, either.
While at the bodega, Tess witnesses the scary death of a man who had been possessed by a brujo, an angry spirit who uses humans to feel and experience the physical world. I think it is genius the way MacGregor depicts the movements and lifestyles of the brujos. Their world is like nothing I have ever read. Coincidentally, Bus Number 13 is headed for Esperanza, Ecuador, where one of the largest brujo tribes in the world preys on tourists (because the locals know how to protect themselves from the hungry brujos).
There is plenty of action, suspense, and even time travel in this novel. Ian and Tess seem to fall in love a bit too quickly given their unusual circumstances. And as much as I want to root for Ian and Tess, their characters are not as developed as I would have liked, and I found I did not care what happened to them as much as I should have. As a matter of fact, I am actually more sympathetic to the brujo tribal leader, Dominica. I really liked her character in spite of her selfish and violent nature.
Esperanza is the first book in a planned series of "The Hungry Ghosts." I will definitely read the next book, and (hopefully) Tess and Ian will be more developed. I recommend Esperanza due to its uniqueness.
June 2, 2012
Two people, Tess and Ian, find themselves on a bus to Esperanza, Ecuador, a town in the mountains that neither has heard of, nor to do they understand why or how they've been rerouted there. The mystery gets weirder from there - both are in a 'transitional' state, neither dead nor alive. They are pawns in an ancient deadly fight between the human population of Esperanza and the brujos - spirits who have not yet passed from the earthly world. The brujos must take possession of humans in order to have a physical existence, a practices that inevitably ends with the human's death.
Stranger yet, Tess and Ian are from different periods of time - Ian is in a coma in 1968 while Tess is in the same state in 2008. Dominica, leader of the Esperanza tribe of brujos, knows what they are and rightly suspects that they are part of a plan to eliminate her and the rest of her kind. She is determined to foil the plan by scaring the two transitionals back into their physical bodes in order to kill them. Her attempts are fruitless and both are able to return to Esperanza for the final showdown.
I liked this book, The premise was interesting although I found the chapters dealing with Tess's and Ian's experiences back in the 'real world' to be a little tedious. I would have been happier if the author had chosen to leave all the action in Ecuador. The ending was not really much of a surprise - we pretty much know that the brujos will be defeated. Even the twist at the end was fairly predictable. Overall, it was a fun novel.
Stranger yet, Tess and Ian are from different periods of time - Ian is in a coma in 1968 while Tess is in the same state in 2008. Dominica, leader of the Esperanza tribe of brujos, knows what they are and rightly suspects that they are part of a plan to eliminate her and the rest of her kind. She is determined to foil the plan by scaring the two transitionals back into their physical bodes in order to kill them. Her attempts are fruitless and both are able to return to Esperanza for the final showdown.
I liked this book, The premise was interesting although I found the chapters dealing with Tess's and Ian's experiences back in the 'real world' to be a little tedious. I would have been happier if the author had chosen to leave all the action in Ecuador. The ending was not really much of a surprise - we pretty much know that the brujos will be defeated. Even the twist at the end was fairly predictable. Overall, it was a fun novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 13, 2014
I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but a lot of times the covers that interest me tend to be books that I enjoy -- not always, but frequently enough that I pay attention.
I picked up this book because the second book in this series caught my eye. I wanted to read the series from the beginning so I grabbed this one first. It looked promising but unfortunately it isn't following through.
There is simultaneously too much information and not enough. I feel like I'm being bombarded by info yet there is so much I don't understand, so much that doesn't make sense. It almost feels like I've started a series with a second book, like I've missed a whole beginning story.
Ian and Tess seem like they would be very interesting characters, but they are all information and not enough emotion. Their actions and responses to what's going on around them don't make sense to me at all.
I'm having to force myself to keep reading. I really would like to know what is going to happen, but I'm not enjoying the story at all.
So on page 80, I'm finally giving up on it. I simply can't make myself read any more. I'm quite disappointed because the second book looks more interesting than the first. Oh well, there are many more books in the world to read!
I picked up this book because the second book in this series caught my eye. I wanted to read the series from the beginning so I grabbed this one first. It looked promising but unfortunately it isn't following through.
There is simultaneously too much information and not enough. I feel like I'm being bombarded by info yet there is so much I don't understand, so much that doesn't make sense. It almost feels like I've started a series with a second book, like I've missed a whole beginning story.
Ian and Tess seem like they would be very interesting characters, but they are all information and not enough emotion. Their actions and responses to what's going on around them don't make sense to me at all.
I'm having to force myself to keep reading. I really would like to know what is going to happen, but I'm not enjoying the story at all.
So on page 80, I'm finally giving up on it. I simply can't make myself read any more. I'm quite disappointed because the second book looks more interesting than the first. Oh well, there are many more books in the world to read!
April 15, 2016
Оценка - 3,5
Светът, който Триш Макгрегър създава, въплъщава едно доста интересно разбиране за живота след смъртта. Ала описанието му е някак незавършено и те оставя с доста въпроси.
Стилът на авторката е лек и приятен, а картината на Еквадор, която рисува - зашеметяваща. Има любов, която, за радост, не е лигава и сладникава, както и доста екшън, интриги и дори пътуване във времето.
Въпреки това историята е доста объркваща и на моменти звучи сякаш Макгрегър е имала много идеи и, опитвайки се да ги включи всичките, се е получил хаос. За жалост не мога да кажа и нищо хубаво за края. Той беше разочароващ -стори ми се претупан, с много изрязани сцени и липсващи обяснения.
Светът, който Триш Макгрегър създава, въплъщава едно доста интересно разбиране за живота след смъртта. Ала описанието му е някак незавършено и те оставя с доста въпроси.
Стилът на авторката е лек и приятен, а картината на Еквадор, която рисува - зашеметяваща. Има любов, която, за радост, не е лигава и сладникава, както и доста екшън, интриги и дори пътуване във времето.
Въпреки това историята е доста объркваща и на моменти звучи сякаш Макгрегър е имала много идеи и, опитвайки се да ги включи всичките, се е получил хаос. За жалост не мога да кажа и нищо хубаво за края. Той беше разочароващ -стори ми се претупан, с много изрязани сцени и липсващи обяснения.
October 29, 2012
What a fascinating story so far! Completely sucked me in and I'm not very far into the book! Love the intrigue and mystery that is already developing 50 pages in. The idea of brujos is captivating. I have always enjoyed reading books about different legends and the fables and stories of different cultures. The main characters Tess and Ian are very likable, enough so, that I look forward to reading more about them, their past, their future tie to one another - especially as "transitionals". Really enjoyable read so far!
January 15, 2015
I love this book!
Esperanza is one of my new favorite books. I write few reviews but had to comment on this one. This book is so inventive and Mrs. McGRegor has written well developed characters and took me to a part of the world I knew little about. The descriptions of the landscape made me want to visit but didn't hold up the story. It was a perfect mix. The book will leave you hanging and wanting more and I can't wait to read the next.
Esperanza is one of my new favorite books. I write few reviews but had to comment on this one. This book is so inventive and Mrs. McGRegor has written well developed characters and took me to a part of the world I knew little about. The descriptions of the landscape made me want to visit but didn't hold up the story. It was a perfect mix. The book will leave you hanging and wanting more and I can't wait to read the next.
February 8, 2012
I was very ready to read another story by Trish J MacGregor!! I love that she uses different paranormal aspects. When I started this book I could it put it down. However or some reason after more than 1/2 way through it u seemed to lose a bit of interest with the story line... I attribute it to the fact that I'm becoming immersed in non-fiction. This was a very interesting read :-)
July 30, 2012
I could not get into this book!! The premise was good... But then witches (brujos) started coming into the picture... Taking over bodies, searching for souls, etc. it was just a bit too sci-fi for me. It's a bummer b/c this book sounded (from the synopsis) like it was going to be really good!!!
August 1, 2012
This was a good read. I liked the backdrop of Ecuador and the myth of the brujos. I like how the author followed the characters and connected the stories. I wasn't so sure about the battle at the end... there wasn't a real conclusion to the battle and it left you hanging a bit. Overall I enjoyed it-it kept my interest, allowed me to get lost in it, and the characters were good.
November 19, 2012
This was a good book until the end. The book builds up to this great battle that is to happen, and you don't even get to read the battle, you read what the happens at the end of the battle. What a disappointment that was! Then you have to read the next book to find out what is going to happen next. Needless to say I probably won't read the next one since I'll probably be disappointed.
February 12, 2014
I was disappointed with this one. The premise sounded interesting. It's about a city in the mountains of Ecuador that is full of ghosts who take over bodies and the people who resist them. I had a lot of issues with this book. It seemed like the author was over-explaining everything and backtracking to cover up things that didn't make sense. I really wanted to like this one but did not.
September 11, 2014
It was pretty good, actually. A witchy sci-fi novel is what I called it in my review that I posted on my blog on Newsvine. Witches are trying to regain control of an obscure small town in South America, when two time-travelers somehow converge there and upset the witches' applecart. You gotta check this out!
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November 30, 2015This was a DNF for me. I just couldn't connect to the characters and felt for a book where the sex was so central to the plot, the sex needed to be sexier.
Full DNF explanation available at http://thebookpushers.com/2010/10/14/...
Full DNF explanation available at http://thebookpushers.com/2010/10/14/...
February 8, 2013
Yeah this was okay while I was reading it- entertaining enough, but I didn't love it. It was all just a little too much to digest at once for me to have really truly enjoyed it. Didn't totally fall for the characters either.
November 4, 2010
Not as scary as I had anticipated. Plot was a little confusing. Just OK.
March 26, 2012
havent started yet....
February 25, 2012
Early into this, I am digging the concept mightily & the prose is better than average.
April 22, 2012
The writing was good. Characters were not as well developed as they could have been. Interesting plot kept me engaged. Ending was disappointing. Overall good read.
August 20, 2012
I liked the beginning, but the ending felt rushed and that really took away from the story.
August 6, 2012
Different take on a supernatural story. Liked it. Would like to read more by Ms. MacGregor.
September 13, 2012
Not for me. The first 20 pages grated on me so bad I had to put it down.
February 4, 2014
I really enjoyed this book! It had different things in it that I had not heard of and I enjoyed the suspense.
August 1, 2014
Simply amazing. Can't wait to read the sequel since this book has a clift hanger. I would recommend this book to those like myself that are first readers to a work by the author Trish J. Macgregor.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews