Wraith (Wraith, #1)

Apr 09, 2012 Joy (joyous reads) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: in-my-kindle

I'm always downright giddy when I find a self-pubbed book that I truly enjoyed. And considering Wraith was a freebie when I got it, I say it's a shame that this book hasn't really garnered enough attention.

Jane's reputation in school hasn't really been stellar - all thanks to a little freak out in the past that involved her and a certain imaginary friend. What she didn't know at the time was that fact that her imaginary friend, Evan was actually a ghost who was killed by his mother's abusive boy...more I'm always downright giddy when I find a self-pubbed book that I truly enjoyed. And considering Wraith was a freebie when I got it, I say it's a shame that this book hasn't really garnered enough attention.

Jane's reputation in school hasn't really been stellar - all thanks to a little freak out in the past that involved her and a certain imaginary friend. What she didn't know at the time was that fact that her imaginary friend, Evan was actually a ghost who was killed by his mother's abusive boyfriend. After accepting her ability to see spirits, she'd come to appreciate Evan's presence. Who wouldn't? Evan was protective, kind, caring and pretty much her only friend, not to mention, he looks pretty awesome for a ghost. But when the school delinquent made known that he could see Evan too, Jane was determined to deny Evan's existence. It turns out, Connor's stubborn resolve to help Jane face the reality that Evan was stuck for a reason was founded. He helped them, out before.

Jane soon realized that Evan wasn't happy at all and that he needed to do what he needed to do in order to move on.

Wraith has a very simple storyline, but its simplicity was what got me hooked. I read purely for enjoyment, regardless of how basic the plot is and I honestly read this book in a little less than five hours. The writing was non-convoluted, straightforward and very genuine. Angel Lawson's take on the ghost story was something that we've probably heard of before but what I enjoyed the most about this book was her characters. They were simply real and relatable outside of the whole ghost story. While Jane was a bit of a struggle to like at first, I grew to like her once she got past her reluctant revulsion to Connor.

Evan's story really struck deep and his desperation to help his family was palpable though not obvious. The family's struggles were a bit too real for me as it dealt with the vicious cycle of abuse. I always find those stories a bit difficult to get through. I get easily frustrated with the characters' inability to break the cycle. I tend to question everyone's weaknesses and though I know that I can't tell these charactes how to live their lives until I have experienced it first hand, I still get angry.

Verdict: Wraith is a fantastic ghost story from a newbie author. Although her writing is far from perfect, her story was good enough that it would distract you from the slight imperfections. Reading Wraith was a smooth-sailing experience, and though it lacked the goosebumps-inducing ambiance, I'll argue that there were more to this story than just seance and things that go bump in the night. The romance between Jane and Connor was sweet if not a little short. I'm hopeful that the author will write more about these two mediums in the future because I felt like she didn't really end the story. I'm definitely keeping Angel Lawson in my author radar! (less)

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Nov 16, 2012 Tammy Cordeiro (devadasi7) rated it 5 of 5 stars

You can also find this review on my blog, ">Into the Mystic
You will have to go to the blog to see the embedded video.

Initial reaction
This book is crazy good! Why is everyone not reading this book??!!??

Cover story
I liked the cover and title before reading the book. It doesn’t look like some of those really cheesy self-pubs that make me cringe. This one is very professional. Then, after reading it, the cover was even better because it made perfect sense with the story. Very nicely done, Ms. Law...more

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Feb 27, 2013 Jessica rated it 2 of 5 stars

Every so often I finish a book and the last thing I want to do is type up a review. In most cases this feeling is brought on by an extremely mediocre title, a Goldilocks title if you will. Having been not too good and not too bad, 'Wraith' by Angel Lawson falls right onto that fine line and doesn't really give me much to talk about. That said, I'd be shirking my reviewer responsibilities if I left it there, so let's forge on, shall we?

The Good: The love interest, Connor, of our protagonist Jane...more

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Feb 22, 2013 Kimm rated it 4 of 5 stars

I really liked this book. It wasn't as dark as I thought it was going to be(the title almost put me off the book.)I almost "slept" on this book, but as it was a pick in this month's
Books 4 Review , I grabbed it out of my Kindle archives (it very far down my to-read list)and got to it.

I will try and review without giving away too much, as the twists in this book depend on the secrets our characters are keeping.

I really liked the chemistry between Jane and her "guy". The love story was sweet and...more

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Dec 16, 2012 Jim Saddler rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was okay. I think my biggest issue with this book was the way it made me feel uncomfortable. The narration (voice) and the dialogue and the actions, especially of the main character made me think that the main character, Jane, was more like 13 or 14 years old (maybe even younger), rather than seventeen years old.

The story line was alright but not really original. It felt like the two main characters in this book were a little uncomfortable in their own skin. Then starts the inappropriate sexu...more

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Oct 26, 2012 Shelley rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had never heard of Wraith or knew anything about it. Then one of the authors I follow had it on their reading list. I have liked several of the same books as this author so I thought why not. Then when I looked it up on Amazon it was either free or only like .99 so I immediately got it. I have to say after reading Wraith, that it was a very smart decision.

This book is about a girl named Jane who is a little different. She is the new girl and school which is hard enough but then she is labeled...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Katelyn Broad rated it 4 of 5 stars

*I received this book from the author but that in no way influenced this review*

Labeled a freak at school-Jane only has one friend to turn to, Evan who happens to be dead. When Jane meets Connor she quickly realizes that he can see Evan too. Jane tries to resist the inevitable friendship with Connor but the more he tries to talk to her, the more she realizes they have in common. But Connor is suspicious of Evan's intentions and believes that there is more to the story of why he is on earth than...more

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May 17, 2012 BookHookup rated it 4 of 5 stars

**note** This book was given to The Book Hookup to read but it did not in any way influence this review.

Christina: Let me start this review by saying that despite what the description stated, when I picked up Wraith, I thought I was reading a ghost story; i.e., a book that would spook me out of my mind and have me cuddling up next to my husband after I was finished. The story that I actually got was something completely unexpected and more heartbreaking than scary.

The Low-Down: Jane is considere...more **note** This book was given to The Book Hookup to read but it did not in any way influence this review.

Christina: Let me start this review by saying that despite what the description stated, when I picked up Wraith, I thought I was reading a ghost story; i.e., a book that would spook me out of my mind and have me cuddling up next to my husband after I was finished. The story that I actually got was something completely unexpected and more heartbreaking than scary.

The Low-Down: Jane is considered a social outcast by her peers, mainly because of a very public fight between her and her best friend, Evan. Normally fighting between besties wouldn’t label you a social pariah, but Jane is the only person who can see and hear him. You see, Evan is dead, a ghost trapped between this world and the next, and for some unknown reason, there’s a strong connection that wires him directly to Jane.

After many months of blending in and shying away from the spotlight, Jane has managed a certain level of anonymity amongst her classmates and has kept her ghostly interactions to a minimum in front of witnesses. However, that all quickly changes when the rumored bad boy returns to school. More shocking than his good looks is the fact that he tells Jane he can see Evan, too, and that, in his experience, ghosts usually want more than just companionship. If this is true, then everything Jane thought she knew is about to turn upside down. Could this juvenile delinquent, Connor, really be trying to help her out or is just using her social vulnerability to get underneath her skin?

Author Ego-booster: The author definitely captures the spirit and temperament of the everyday teenager. Often times in young adult, I find that characters come off as snotty, pretentious adults trapped in a child’s body with teenage hormones thrown in for good measure. Each of Lawson’s characters had a voice unique to them and characteristics and flaws that made them believable. The best way to make me fall in love with your book is to make me fall in love with your characters, and to to do that, they have to feel real.

I really adored Connor and Evan. Connor was a little rough around the edges in the beginning, a bit confrontational. Slowly though, he showed more depth and vulnerability, and his annoyingly persistent efforts to get Jane to befriend him made me quite fond of his charm. As far as Evan goes, you couldn’t have asked for a better friend, even if he is invisible. He was loyal and protective, made Jane laugh and smile when she thought it was impossible, and filled the lonely void in her life. I’d be lying if I didn’t say these two influenced my shelf rating just a tiny amount.

Drawbacks: Yes, Jane has a distinct voice, but it was often her anger toward Connor that I found a little frustrating. At times her hostility seemed a tad irrational, but in the end I was able to write it off because of Jane’s trust issues.

Another small (Seriously, it’s tiny.) hangup that I had with Wraith was a few noticeable editing issues. There was the occasional missing and/or misplaced word and a few punctuation errors, but even major publications with serious-business editors have these, so it wasn’t anything I couldn’t look over.

Special Notes: ***Possibly Spoilerish*** I went into this story mostly blind, not having read any reviews and without any expectations to where this book was headed. In the description, Lawson alludes to Evan’s tragic death and the danger his family remains in, but I guess I’m just not very good at putting two and two together. So, if you have trouble dealing with domestic violence, be warned that there is some in this story. It’s nothing overly graphic, but having been subjected to that type of violence in my childhood, it struck a very personal note for me.

Verdict: Angel Lawson’s debut novel was a good, quick read. She wrote a refreshing take on ghosts and the people they “haunt.” By the end, which was left relatively open, I still wanted more time with Jane and Connor. If she chooses to write more from them, the chances are high that I’ll want to read it.
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May 10, 2012 Jan rated it 4 of 5 stars

I completely enjoyed Wraith. One measure of my enjoyment was the simple fact that I read it in just three days. Not particularly impressive by the standards of many, but I have a serious problem with focus and attention. It's hard for me to STAY engrossed in a book for longer than about 20 pgs at a time, simply because my mind is a bit defective. ;) Hence, it takes me a relatively long time to read an entire novel.

But not this one!

I enjoyed the clean, easily readable style, and I *really* like...more

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Apr 21, 2012 Peggy(Le BookSquirrel Blogger) Warren rated it 5 of 5 stars

**REVIEW**Possible Spoilers Taken from my Blog http://lebooksquirrel.blogspot.com/

My only complaint with Wraith is that it had to end.This is the first book I have read by Angel Lawson...From what I have found this may be her debut novel..Dont quote me on that though.You first meet Jane and Evan in class with Evan pulling her hair..When Connor actually see's Evan who is a ghost everything goes from there.I feel in love with Jane and Connor and their blossoming relationship.Two people who needed...more

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Apr 20, 2012 Brandi Salazar rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jane is a Junior who has earned the title of freak at her (fairly) new school. Why? Because she sees and talks to ghosts. Or on ghost, rather. But nobody knows that. Now she walks on eggshells, trying to ignore her best friend/ghost/wraith, Evan, as she goes throughout her day, trying to act as normal as possible. Only when they are alone can she really be herself. Even her parents don't want to hear about this difficult situation. Jane feels completely alone, with the exception of Evan, until C...more Jane is a Junior who has earned the title of freak at her (fairly) new school. Why? Because she sees and talks to ghosts. Or on ghost, rather. But nobody knows that. Now she walks on eggshells, trying to ignore her best friend/ghost/wraith, Evan, as she goes throughout her day, trying to act as normal as possible. Only when they are alone can she really be herself. Even her parents don't want to hear about this difficult situation. Jane feels completely alone, with the exception of Evan, until Conner shows up.

Conner is an incredibly good looking guy, cocky and self-assured. To her chagrin, he slips right into the social stratosphere in a way Jane was never able to. She hears rumors about him: he's fresh out of boot camp; the mental hospital, etc. Whatever his story, she is sure he is nothing but trouble. She is left confused and terrified when he confronts her on her personal ghost problem, and determines to keep far away from him to protect herself. Only, Conner has no intention of backing off.

The plot was very simple and straightforward. To be honest, I really liked that. Sometimes you just need something simple. It doesn't always need to be fussy or over the top plotting that makes you feel like a shelp for not having thought of this or that for your own story. It was very sweet and endearing, the connection Jane had with both boys. I will say it was a bit irritating that Jane resisted Conner to the extent that she did. It was obvious that he was a good guy that meant well, and she was acting like a wench that needed a dose of reality. Frankly, she was lucky that another girl didn't scoop him up while she was playing her "Sure, we're cool" "No, I don't want anything to do with you ever again" games. The whole story flowed really well, though, and I could feel the emotions tied to each character, which is a great accomplishment for any writer. The author wove the tough issue of domestic violence into the mix and brought it all together seamlessly.

There were some minor errors, like tense problems and missing words, and there were a few areas that I think the repetitive wording could have been varied a bit more, but nothing that made me want to stop reading or really affected my impression of the story itself. Mistakes happen, even to the best editors. I think for an indie, this author did amazingly well. This wasn't a spin chiller by any means, but more a tender romance full of heart and soul. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good YA and ghostly influence.

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Feb 28, 2013 Caroline Barker rated it 4 of 5 stars

What a story! I absolutely loved 'Wraith' by Angel Lawson. 'Wraith' was received by myself gratefully in return for an honest review. And in all honesty, I found 'Wraith' to be a refreshing read with some dark and emotional areas. Aimed at an audience for young adults, this novel suits it's audience's needs perfectly, but is also quite a nice read for adults alike.

Not too short and not too long, this novel is just right with some great characters. Jane is the main character. At seventeen she is...more What a story! I absolutely loved 'Wraith' by Angel Lawson. 'Wraith' was received by myself gratefully in return for an honest review. And in all honesty, I found 'Wraith' to be a refreshing read with some dark and emotional areas. Aimed at an audience for young adults, this novel suits it's audience's needs perfectly, but is also quite a nice read for adults alike.

Not too short and not too long, this novel is just right with some great characters. Jane is the main character. At seventeen she is outcast as a weirdo, a freak, for talking to herself and behaving in a strange manner both in and around school. Little do people know that she is seeing and interacting with Evan, a ghost and her new best friend. Jane spends most of her time with Evan and they have a very close bond. However, when Connor begins Jane's school she is not the only one who can see Evan. And Connor, having had connections with ghosts himself, is aware that Evan may not only be around Jane for her friendship but also needs her assisatnce to help his spirit move on. Whilst Jane is not ready to accept this, she eventually realises the truth, needing to help Evan's mum and sisters escape from an abusive partner/stepfather-type, John.

The reader really feels sympathy towards Jane as it must be difficult for a young person trying to make new friends in a new town, at the same time as having to get used to a new school, leaving her old friends behind and being laughed at by her new classmates. Jane is very brave and holds her own reasonably well.

Connor, on the other hand, is familiar with the school as he used to attend it before. He has friends and is quite popular as some would prefer not to say a bad word against him due to rumours of his previous delinquent behaviour. He is seen as the bad boy at school, but a stunner and a charmer all the same. He can be quite sweet and he understands the situation that Jane is in with Evan.

Throughout the novel the reader experiences a great deal of doubt from Jane and mistrust for Connor. These feelings twist from one way to the other. The reader is constantly kept on their toes in regard to Connor. But as he's so hot you want to trust him and hope that he means well.

Evan is a troubled spirit who is trapped as he hasn't moved on in the spiritual world. He uses his time looking out for Jane and being a close friend to her. Thus, making company for both of them. However, Evan is worried about the well-being of his mother and sisters. He is a character that needs to be mothered and the reader just wants to wrap him up in cotton wool - if that is at all possible - and show him some affection.

My favourite character is Jeannie, Jane's aunt. She is an artist and a hippy-type character. She seems very flighty and free. When she sees Jane she notices her aura and is aware that 'death' is following her around. Jeannie is definitely a character that could grow with this series and play more of a crucial role in Jane's life by allowing Jane to confide in her. Jeannie is very spiritual with an elderly mother who shares Jane's gift. I would love these characters to develop more and possibly add more humour and support for Jane.

There are some dark action scenes in this novel, nothing too graphic or terrifying, as Angel Lawson writes these scenes very carefully to target her attended audience. These scenes were great and intense as the reader can do nothing but hope for a great outcome. John, the abusive partner to Evan's mum is an awful character as you could imagine an abusive man to be. Without spoiling the story too much, there are a couple of times he follows Jane. I would have liked more detail at these points to confirm how he knew about where and when Jane would be. Maybe I missed this but I felt that these scenes, even though very exciting and tense, come upon the reader very quickly without too much explanation.

I think that 'Wraith' is quite original, written well and easy to read. There is one scene, involving a key, that reminded me of the film 'Ghost' where Patrick Swayze's spirit character, Sam Wheat, is able to pick up a penny and balance it on his finger towards his living wife, played by Demi Moore. It is really quite an emotional read in both sad and happy ways. I would like to read the sequel 'Shadow Bound' which is available now. So until then "later"!(less)

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Jan 26, 2013 Lori Reed rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, fiction, ya

Wraith by indie-author Angel Lawson is a character-driven, YA mystery/paranormal romance. I picked this up as a free Amazon ebook--intrigued by the title, cover art, and premise. Iced in with my family for the weekend, I wanted something different to read. From page one I could not put this book down, well my iPhone down. I loved characters and especially loved the strong, female lead of Jane Watts. Though she wants to fit in, she's not willing to be fake to do it. After getting hooked by the ch...more

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Jan 21, 2013 Rachael rated it 5 of 5 stars

When reading the synopsis of this book, it reminded me of the first season of american horror story. With a girl and her best friend who is a ghost, I was instantly drawn to see where this story would lead. I became hooked from the very first page. The story picks up right away and really never slows down the entire book. Jane goes from school freak to the envy of all girls, she learns about her ability, and even finds love along the way (in the form of friends, family and one hot boy! ) Jane's...more

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May 11, 2012 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

Okay, first thing I want to say is that the plot of this author's debut novel had a great premise. Most of the time, ghost stories are scary, and driven by mean spirits that have a score to settle regarding the end of their life. However, this ghost truly cared for Jane, and it was nice to see a "human" side to a ghost.

My main problem with this was Jane Watts. Just like every other YA novel, the female protagonist is hard to like. Maybe I have selective memory, but my 17-year old self, while sti...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Christina Rodriguez rated it 5 of 5 stars

I have to start off by saying that I adored this book!

I wasn't sure what to expect at first but once I started reading I could not stop.

Wraith starts off with Jane and Evan. Jane is the "freak" of the school and is treated as such because of her behavior and friendship with Evan. Why is their a problem with there friendship? Simple answer. Evan is not alive, he is a wraith or a ghost. Jane doesn't mind what goes on around her because Evan is there for her and comforts her whenever she is upset....more

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Mar 22, 2012 Rochelle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Clear, concise writing style. I appreciate this. Believable dialogue and interactions. Despite the fact she sometimes frustrated me, i had such a soft spot for Jane... and I found Conner to be rather irresistible. Evan remained ghostly in both truth and his character status: he played such a huge part in the plot but wasn't always around. especially liked the way the writer fleshed out some of the other characters, like Ava. As secondaries, they never took over, but they weren't random either. S...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Tammy rated it 4 of 5 stars

For a debut self pubbed book I found this extremely well written and intriguing. The book is very easy to follow and gets into great detail of the world in which Jane lives and shares with Evan and Connor. The characters that are introduced through the book including subtle characters like her Aunt Jeannine and her parents are fleshed out enough that they are present and accounted for in every scene but not overpowering. They are an add to the story as a whole.

I tend to highlight a book quite a...more

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Jun 20, 2012 Audrey Wilkerson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-books-read, books-reviewed

Choice #1: Messy dark hair. Piercing blue eyes. Broad shoulders. Recovering delinquent. Choice #2: Curly blond hair. Dimpled chin. Boyish grin. Dead.

Jane Watts’ parents have given it all up - the suburbs, working as lawyers. They don’t even wait for Jane’s school year to finish, all three of them landing in the city so they can open up their antique store. It’s hard enough for Jane to make new friends, but when she starts seeing Evan, it is both a blessing and a curse. At least she has someone t...more Choice #1: Messy dark hair. Piercing blue eyes. Broad shoulders. Recovering delinquent. Choice #2: Curly blond hair. Dimpled chin. Boyish grin. Dead.

Jane Watts’ parents have given it all up - the suburbs, working as lawyers. They don’t even wait for Jane’s school year to finish, all three of them landing in the city so they can open up their antique store. It’s hard enough for Jane to make new friends, but when she starts seeing Evan, it is both a blessing and a curse. At least she has someone to talk to, right? Despite the fact that he’s a ghost, and no one else can see him? Eventually she crosses over to official “freak” when she has a huge argument with Evan. At school. In the middle of a crowded hallway. After trying to explain what she is seeing to her parents and they take her to a psychologist, she realizes that it is safest to keep it all to herself.

There’s a boy at school, though he looks more man than boy. Returning to school after being gone for a year, Jane hears the rumors about Connor and his stint in a hospital after trying to burn his house down. Unlike her, he seems to get a free pass, though; people are either scared of him or drawn to his good looks. One day Jane sees Connor staring at her - well, not her, exactly...behind her. At Evan.

Connor tries to talk to Jane about Evan, but she assumes he is making fun of her and her “freak” status at school. Eventually, he shares his own experiences with ghosts and talks about how they seek him out to help them. When Jane tells him that Evan doesn’t want anything, that they are friends, Connor tells her that Evan has to want something; he’s stuck between worlds. This revelation leaves Jane determined to find out the truth about Evan’s death and to help those he left behind, whether he wants her to or not. Jane finds a strength she didn’t know she had to start righting the wrongs that she can, being herself with her parents and trusting someone who loves her.

Wraith is a ghost story with strength, love, trust and determination. The characters were all three-dimensional and real. Jane’s outcast status due to something she couldn’t control or understand was wrenching. Just enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, but not enough to make one’s head pop off. I have said this about other books, and it is true here as well: I forgot I was reading, I was so into the story. I highly recommend this read.

Will there be more Jane and Connor? It seems like every book is a series these days. I remember reading a great book when I was a kid and wishing I knew what happened next. Other than Nancy Drew and Little House on the Prairie, seems like most kids books were one-offs. Sometimes it’s best to leave a story because all of the secrets have been told and the second volume would not be able to hold up its own weight. I have no idea if Ms. Lawson will write any more with these characters, but I think encounters with other ghosts could be very interesting. I do know one thing for sure: Kristen Stewart will NOT be playing Jane in the movie.

4 of 5 Stars

Ages: 14 and up
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Paranormal

Wraith by Angel Lawson was published February 6, 2012 by CreateSpace.

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Jun 12, 2012 Tara rated it 4 of 5 stars

First off, the title is perfect. I didn't know the exact definition, only that it had to do with ghosts, so I had to look it up.

Jane is a quintessential teenage girl. If anyone is confused by how teenage girls think, look no farther than this book. When girls have crushes, they get completely goofy and over-analytical, which is what happens to Jane. She has a best friend, Evan, who is unfortunately dead, and the new guy, Connor, is the only other person who can see him. Everyone (her family and...more

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Jun 10, 2012 Caroline McMaster rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Jane's best friend is a boy named Evan. She's the only one that can see him; he died in a car "accident" and visits her as a ghost. Being the only one that can see him often earns her whispered remarks and stares when she talks aloud to him. Everything changes when a Connor, a boy who previously attended the school until he tried to set his family home on fire, returns and is able to see Evan. He tells Jane that she can see Evan for a reason, that she's supposed to help him in order for him to b...more

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May 10, 2012 Christina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: paranormal, has-a-companion-book, own-on-nook-kindle, 2012-publication

Rounded up from a 3.5 rating because I really loved Connor and Evan.

This review was also posted here at The Book Hookup: http://thebookhookup.com/2012/05/10/w...

Let me start this review by saying that despite what the description stated, when I picked up Wraith, I thought I was reading a ghost story; i.e., a book that would spook me out of my mind and have me cuddling up next to my husband after I was finished. The story that I actually got was something completely unexpected and more heartbreak...more Rounded up from a 3.5 rating because I really loved Connor and Evan.

This review was also posted here at The Book Hookup: http://thebookhookup.com/2012/05/10/w...

Let me start this review by saying that despite what the description stated, when I picked up Wraith, I thought I was reading a ghost story; i.e., a book that would spook me out of my mind and have me cuddling up next to my husband after I was finished. The story that I actually got was something completely unexpected and more heartbreaking than scary.

The Low-Down: Jane is considered a social outcast by her peers, mainly because of a very public fight between her and her best friend, Evan. Normally fighting between besties wouldn’t label you a social pariah, but Jane is the only person who can see and hear him. You see, Evan is dead, a ghost trapped between this world and the next, and for some unknown reason, there’s a strong connection that wires him directly to Jane.

After many months of blending in and shying away from the spotlight, Jane has managed a certain level of anonymity amongst her classmates and has kept her ghostly interactions to a minimum in front of witnesses. However, that all quickly changes when the rumored bad boy returns to school. More shocking than his good looks is the fact that he tells Jane he can see Evan, too, and that, in his experience, ghosts usually want more than just companionship. If this is true, then everything Jane thought she knew is about to turn upside down. Could this juvenile delinquent, Connor, really be trying to help her out or is just using her social vulnerability to get underneath her skin?

Author Ego-booster: The author definitely captures the spirit and temperament of the everyday teenager. Often times in young adult, I find that characters come off as snotty, pretentious adults trapped in a child’s body with teenage hormones thrown in for good measure. Each of Lawson’s characters had a voice unique to them and characteristics and flaws that made them believable. The best way to make me fall in love with your book is to make me fall in love with your characters, and to to do that, they have to feel real.

I really adored Connor and Evan. Connor was a little rough around the edges in the beginning, a bit confrontational. Slowly though, he showed more depth and vulnerability, and his annoyingly persistent efforts to get Jane to befriend him made me quite fond of his charm. As far as Evan goes, you couldn’t have asked for a better friend, even if he is invisible. He was loyal and protective, made Jane laugh and smile when she thought it was impossible, and filled the lonely void in her life. I’d be lying if I didn’t say these two influenced my shelf rating just a tiny amount.

Drawbacks: Yes, Jane has a distinct voice, but it was often her anger toward Connor that I found a little frustrating. At times her hostility seemed a tad irrational, but in the end I was able to write it off because of Jane’s trust issues.

Another small (Seriously, it’s tiny.) hangup that I had with Wraith was a few noticeable editing issues. There was the occasional missing and/or misplaced word and a few punctuation errors, but even major publications with serious-business editors have these, so it wasn’t anything I couldn’t look over.

Special Notes: ***Possibly Spoilerish*** I went into this story mostly blind, not having read any reviews and without any expectations to where this book was headed. In the description, Lawson alludes to Evan’s tragic death and the danger his family remains in, but I guess I’m just not very good at putting two and two together. So, if you have trouble dealing with domestic violence, be warned that there is some in this story. It’s nothing overly graphic, but having been subjected to that type of violence in my childhood, it struck a very personal note for me.

Verdict: Angel Lawson’s debut novel was a good, quick read. She wrote a refreshing take on ghosts and the people they “haunt.” By the end, which was left relatively open, I still wanted more time with Jane and Connor. If she chooses to write more from them, the chances are high that I’ll want to read it.(less)

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Apr 29, 2012 Krisi Keley rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fans of YA paranormal

Shelves: paranormal, ya

3 ½ stars

Seventeen year old Jane Watts is struggling to fit in at school, a challenge for any teenager, but a bit of a nightmare when one’s best friend is a ghost. Jane is alone and confused, unable to understand why the spirit of this gentle boy, Evan, has chosen to make itself known to her, until Connor, a handsome and charming, but possibly dangerous, student, rumored to be returned from a stint in juvie, asks her about her otherworldly friend whom he, too, can apparently see. As Jane’s relat...more 3 ½ stars

Seventeen year old Jane Watts is struggling to fit in at school, a challenge for any teenager, but a bit of a nightmare when one’s best friend is a ghost. Jane is alone and confused, unable to understand why the spirit of this gentle boy, Evan, has chosen to make itself known to her, until Connor, a handsome and charming, but possibly dangerous, student, rumored to be returned from a stint in juvie, asks her about her otherworldly friend whom he, too, can apparently see. As Jane’s relationship with Connor develops in light of the secret they both share, the two become entangled in the danger that stole Evan’s life.

I found Wraith to be an extremely enjoyable YA paranormal romance with a very likable hero – Connor, the “bad boy” who isn’t really bad at all. The heroine, at times, seemed a little overly-hostile to Connor’s wish to help her and to his obvious caring for her, but it was understandable for the most part, considering why she had such trust issues, and I loved Jane’s unique voice and personality – she was smart, funny and realistically-portrayed. The pacing of the story was great and the character development very well done; both the mystery and the relationship between Jane and Connor evolved naturally over time. I also really liked the mix of light humor with the more serious, emotional story, as well as the art aspect and descriptions of graffiti art. The only difficulty I had with the story, and the thing that keeps me from giving it a higher rating (although I upped my star rating to four because I did enjoy the story so much), is that there were a number of noticeable editing issues, like missing words and/or punctuation and the like. This didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the story, but there were a few more mistakes beyond the typo here or there. I still recommend it to fans of YA ghost stories because it is an easy and good read that smoothly combines the paranormal and romance elements and, although I think another copyedit of Wraith would be beneficial, I believe Angel Lawson is a talented author with an original voice and I look forward to reading more from her.
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Mar 02, 2012 Bmango rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya, paranormal, romance

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes YA supernatural stories.

First of all, I love the premise of this story - ghosts and preternatural stories are a big win for me. And I love that Jane's ghost is benevolent but in stark contrast to the ghosts that haunted Connor. I also really got into the characters and was yelling at Jane (in my head mostly) to do some thing or another. And I think that's the only problem I had with the book. The main character is a very believable teenager - and I...more

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Jan 30, 2013 Marta rated it 3 of 5 stars

It's kind of hard for me to rate this book or review it. I feel way different now than I did when I started it or was halfway through the book. When I started reading, it felt like a typical ghost story. It actually reminded me of the 6th sense a lot. Jane and Connor see dead people and they need to help them move on. On a superficial level I guess that's all there was to it, but I can't deny that on a deeper level it was so much more. I felt really sad and emotional at the end, and that counts...more It's kind of hard for me to rate this book or review it. I feel way different now than I did when I started it or was halfway through the book. When I started reading, it felt like a typical ghost story. It actually reminded me of the 6th sense a lot. Jane and Connor see dead people and they need to help them move on. On a superficial level I guess that's all there was to it, but I can't deny that on a deeper level it was so much more. I felt really sad and emotional at the end, and that counts for something.

Jane has a best friend named Evan. And when I say best friend, I really mean best friend. He's always there for her, protects her, comforts her, makes her smile, supports her and even argues with her from time to time. They're so attached to each other, I found myself wishing I had someone like that too. There's just one problem: Evan's dead and she's the only one who can see him. Or so they thought. When Connor comes in the picture and they realize he can see Evan too, things start to change. Jane realizes that her best friend needs help to move on to the other side. Connor is more than willing to help her with that task. The friendship between Jane and Evan is so strong that, at first, neither one of them wanted Evan to move on. Jane wanted to keep her best friend and Evan wanted to protect Jane. It was so touching to see how Jane unselfishly put Evan's needs first and decided to help him move on, even though it'd mean that she would lose her best friend.

For about 75% of the book, Jane annoyed me to no end. I wanted to smack her. She kept pushing Connor away, kept doing stupid things and her monologues almost made me yell at her. However, she came to her senses eventually and proved to be stronger and wiser than I thought. It was a long time coming, but better late than never. Another reason why I didn't give it more stars is because the story was kind of predictable. But I get it, because this is the first book in the series and the author can't jump into a really complicated story right away. For introduction's sake, I can tolerate predictable.

I loved Connor and how supportive he was. He was an amazing guy and the perfect boyfriend. He's drawn to Jane because they have the same ability to see dead people, but he finds himself really falling for her. He takes such good care of her, it breaks my heart. That's why I was so pissed at Jane for pushing him away in the beginning. Fortunately she redeemed herself and I found them to be really cute together. Kind of like puppy love, but obviously deep enough because of their shared ability. Can't wait to read what's in store for them next!(less)

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Apr 15, 2012 Trinity rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

3.5 stars (please, Goodreads, get on the half star ratings!) from me. I liked the story and most of the characters. It was altogether intriguing, and the details of the back story came out just the way I like them - in snippets from the character whose story it was to tell.

(view spoiler)...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Isa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, paranormal, romance, urban-fantasy, young-adult, read-2012

Originally posted at Bookmarks.

This would be a 3.5, but I rounded it up to a 4.

Jane and Evan are good friends, in fact, while the rest of her classmates avoid her and label her as a freak, Evan has always stood by her and talked her through her problems. Which, in itself, is a problem, since Evan is a ghost and no one can see him but Jane. ...Until Connor, a fellow student who has just returned from a stay at a juvenile detention centre, makes it clear he can see Evan, too. And unlike Jane, Conn...more

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Jun 18, 2012 Dawn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: own-kindle

I've never really been a fan of ghost stories. Something about them just doesn't jive with me. I pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed Wraith.

Poor Jane. She's been labeled as a freak outcast by everyone at her new school. She has the amazing capability to see a ghost and no one believes her. Evan, the ghost, has become Jane's best friend. He's seemed to help her cope with her rough time at school and life in general. She is the only person that can see him, that is until Connor steps in the p...more

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Dec 26, 2012 Autumn rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, own, paranormal, ya

I stumbled upon this ebook after I read a review that caused a mainly Big 6 reader to read a self published book.. I love to read books that turn people while im not sure this reader was turned but I like to hope.. (FYI I was turned by The Conduit By Stacey Rourke) Indie Reads have ruled my world for about 8 months now and im not sorry.. Theres something about an independently written book that calls to me.. Perhaps its the accessibility of the Authors although with the Social Media BOOM its not...more
I stumbled upon this ebook after I read a review that caused a mainly Big 6 reader to read a self published book.. I love to read books that turn people while im not sure this reader was turned but I like to hope.. (FYI I was turned by The Conduit By Stacey Rourke) Indie Reads have ruled my world for about 8 months now and im not sorry.. Theres something about an independently written book that calls to me.. Perhaps its the accessibility of the Authors although with the Social Media BOOM its not uncommon to have a twitter conversation with an Author.. Ive had the pleasure of speaking with Angel Lawson and I played it cool. I think im pretty sure I professed my undying love for her.. if I hadnt then im pretty sure im doing it now.. but still I was cool I didnt go fangirl at least that she could tell on this end of the keyboard I was a giddy little school girl.. One of these days ill put my big girl panties on and ask her all her typical questions im sure and I could totally see her being cool about it.. Perhaps I should stop gushing about her and start gushing about this amazing book she wrote, yes?

Jane's a freak at least to all the kids in her new school.. But honestly what would teenage you think if you saw this girl freak out at nothing in the middle of school.. youd think shes a freak.. truth is ugly isnt it.. Jane really isnt a freak she just sees ghost.. well one ghost.. her best friend Evan is a ghost and hes pretty much her savior.. After moving to a small town so her parents can open a gallery.. He appeared to her.. He was also the reason that she freaked out at school.. Jane has pretty much mastered having a ghost for a best friend.. That is until the even newer kid Connor shows signs that he can see Evan as well.. Out of no where Jane makes friends with some girls and from them she learns that Connor isnt as new as he seems.. Last year Connor had some pretty serious issues including trying to burn his house down.. This makes Jane even more skittish about Connor.. Slowly but surely he lets him in.. and the guy is pretty damn persistent.. and I cant completely put my finger on it but Connor that makes me SWOON! Hes the obvious school bad boy.. but well hes not.. hes like a hooker with a heart of gold.. only hes not a hooker.. lol I think I might be enjoying myself too much here..

As Jane opens up to Connor he opens up to her.. The incident last year had to do with his own ghost.. He has had a few ghosts in his lifetime which isnt very long.. But hes definitely learned a few things about how to deal.. For one.. Evan isnt around to be Janes best friend.. he has unfinished business that needs taking care of.. It takes a minute for Jane to understand what Evans business is but when she does Evan completely discourages it.. She needs to get to his family and make sure theyre okay..

As a character to me Jane was your typical teenage heroine in a YA novel.. Guarded and strong.. sometimes I wish for a gullible fool just to switch things up.. I may slightly be annoyed by her because of my affection for Connor so take that with a grain of salt.. As a whole I greatly enjoyed Wraith.. Theres soo much more that I havent outlined and expressed my opinion on.. Only because I feel the great urgency and desire for you to pick it up and try it for yourself.. I had the most difficult time putting the kindle down and functioning in society.. Luckily I didnt walk into anything :D (less)

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Feb 05, 2013 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bought-2012, b4r, why-buy-the-cow, tbr-challenge-2013, r2r-complete, read-2013

(Source: Downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk.)
Jane can see ghosts. Well, she can see one ghost – Evan

Evan died before Jane even moved to his home town, so she’s only ever seen him as a ghost, this doesn’t bother her though. Since she had an argument with him in the middle of school, everybody thinks she’s crazy, so Evan is the only friend she has.

One day there is a new boy in class though – Connor. He’s gorgeous, but the most surprising thing is that it seems like he can also see Evan. This is...more

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