Ghostgirl: Homecoming by Tonya Hurley

Charlotte Usher is still dead, but has yet to move onto the great paradise that awaits. Now she must complete her "deaducation" by answering phones and advising teenagers who are stuck when making important decisions. But Scarlet's sister and Charlotte's role model Petula is sick - so sick that Scarlet must cross over to the Afterlife and find Charlotte to help her save Petula. Will Charlotte be able to help both Scarlet and Petula return to the living?

The first Ghostgirl book I didn't really like. It wasn't bad, but I just couldn't get into the story. I liked this book a lot more because the story flows better now that everything is already set up. We've all been introduced to the characters and understand the setting, so now it's time for some story-telling. What I really liked about the second Ghostgirl book was the dialogue. These books are supposed to be satires, and I could definitely see that from the way the characters conversed. Everything they said was sarcastic, ironic, or just plain funny. Tonya Hurley makes use of a lot of figures of speech, like puns, which makes the book more interesting. It also make the book less serious, but otherwise we'd all be depressed since we're reading a book about a girl who's dead. The one thing I had a problem with in both books is Charlotte. I never really feel a connection to her and I feel like the author is trying to keep us at a distance from her. I don't know if that's because she's writing a satire, or if I just can't relate to Charlotte. But either way, it makes me like the book a little less. Besides the story, I love the cover and how it's not one-dimensional. I also really like the page after every chapter that talks about an important topic that will be discussed in some way in the coming pages. They are very insighful (moreso than the book itself) and add something extra to the Ghostgirl series.

7 out of 10.

Release Date: July 1, 2009