With the help of the newly formed Ghoul Gang, self-proclaimed ghost hunter Simon Woo soon learns that his new town of Ravenswood, North Carolina, is riddled with ghouls. But something even more nightmarish is lurking within the woods. And it has its eyes on Simon. After moving with his family, Simon discovers that his new town is better fitting for a survivor in a horror movie rather than a junior in high school. He quickly befriends two other outsiders—Miles, the equally horror obsessed new kid from New York City, and Riley, the resident goth girl with a secret. As the brutal murders continue, the Ghoul Gang must discover the truth behind the ghoul in the woods in order to save Simon from becoming the entity's new host.
J. M. Failde spent just over one hundred fortnights rigorously studying the complexities of the English language at Florida International University in her vivacious hometown, Miami. While she is not conjuring up stories, she can be found searching for el chupacabra, befriending the ghost in her house, or dying her hair a new shade of blue. Failde currently resides in her gothic manor on the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia, with her partner, Mike, and her familiar—the round but feisty calico cat, Maki. Follow her on Instagram @jmfailde.
Wow. This book moves so quickly and smoothly. It gets into things basically immediately. The creepy feeling of the book was set up so well! And it was maintained throughout the book. The book is broken into three parts. The first part is one-pov and really sets up the friend group. Parts two and three have multiple perspectives. There are werewolves, ghosts, and banshees! I would continue reading this series. I'm interested to see how they interact with other types of supernaturals and if their problem is really over.
I love YA Horror that everyone can read. Where Did The Wind Go? Is an all inclusive story of supernatural ghouls and a group of teens that hunt them. But it doesn’t read like a book for early teens, it’s not a Goosebumps. It’s well written, to the point where my 42 year old mind couldn’t stop reading it and felt like the main characters were almost ageless. Yeah I was reading about teens, but they felt like old souls. The Ghoul Gang is made up of a diverse group of teens, an unlikely group, that become friends. Simon is Korean, and brings so much culture to the book. It’s really great seeing more Asian American representation in Young Adult books. Miles is black, and queer, a tough combo in real life. In this book he is a strong, intelligent character who is open about who he is. He is a role model for teens. Austin is queer as well, but his parents don’t accept him. While everyone in the book is accepting, and loving, this is the reminder that not everyone gets a rosey welcoming. It’s real, relevant and needed in Young Adult. This is YA Horror so there is body gore and some gross scenes. Most of the book is a slow stalk of all things terrifying, so expect to be scared. I’d say the book is appropriate for 14 years old and up, or for really advanced middle graders who are already reading Stephen King, lol. I would have loved this book at 11, so I know there are other demented preteens out there. This is book one, so I’m expecting more crazy supernatural shenanigans in the future. I’m interested in seeing what dark ghouls are focused on in the next book, since this one covered some of the most well known.
I devoured this book mmmm yummy tasty book lmao you’d get it u read the book. Fun and easy reading felt like I wasn’t actually reading but seeing the people in my brain as I looked at paper. Really spooky in some moments, really spicy in others, and a lil bit of both throughout most of it tbh. Cool book u should read it.
I was introduced to the author via Hanna and Haley from Twins and Talent and gifted the ebook from the author, J.M. Failde; but the review is my own honest opinion.
I think I just found my new favorite book of the year. J.M. Failde is an amazing writer that has weaved a story that is both cozy spooky vibes and dreaded horror all rolled into one. A lovable cast of teens fit right there among gangs like Scooby Doo and Teen Wolf as they discover the paranormal isn't just fake stuff cooked up by the entertainment industry - of which there are several pop culture references. It made me giddy every time one was mentioned that I knew the reference to.
There's rep for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC; there's romance; there's paranormal; there's autumn, halloween, and witchy vibes. I literally can not list everything without spoiling things. Just pick up the book and give it a read! Perfect for the spooky month! And just look at that book cover.
I normally don't read YA, but I'm so very glad I was introduced to this amazing author and this amazing book. It also looks like it'll be a series, which I'm eager to dive into once more comes out! I need more of these characters, this town, and all the good paranormal mysteries the teens might uncover.
This was an easy five star read for me!! The characters, the setting, the humor, the romance, the gore, the ghouls, literally everything about this book had me absolutely enthralled! The story was paced incredibly well and I was bummed to put it down each night, if I had the time I think I could have blasted through this comfy cozy read in a day! I really enjoyed the overall plot and the main antagonist was so freaking cool and played a great villain. Their actions hung heavy over the town in the book and I really felt for the characters affected by them. Continuing with characters, the main characters that made up the Ghoul Gang were so lovable, I instantly liked them and became invested in what was going on in their lives and I wanted things to turn out well for them. I loved this book so much and honestly can’t wait to read it again!!!
I really wanted to review this book for its cover photo. As the spooky season is here this has been a perfect read for me while drinking some coffee. It was such a fun read. It is a beautiful blend of YA, fantasy, and horror fiction.
I loved the writing skills of the author. He has created wonderful characters and it was great to read their development throughout the story. I found the interactions between the characters were also funny and cute at times Haha. There were twists in the plot which will give you the perfect chills.
Overall it has been an enjoyable read for me. I will definitely recommend this book to people who are lovers of YA horror fiction. Grab your copy. You will definitely love it.
I'm not usually a YA reader but this was so good. I really loved the inclusivity, it felt natural and the ghoul gang was so fun. The descriptions were well written and I felt like I was with them. I appreciated that this was both cozy spooky but also had some gore and gross situations, so the horror aspect felt well balanced. Perfect for the spooky season!
Where Did The Wind Go is such a fun read with a diverse cast and spooky, paranormal atmosphere that doesn’t take itself too seriously while being expertly well written. While I’m long past my teenage years, it weaves in those high school struggles with a compelling plot and diverse characters who all get their own arcs. I especially loved Riley’s ability, which is what kickstarts the story when Miles and Simon discover her in an allegedly haunted cabin. Their adventure takes them all from meeting their first “real” ghost, a kind, elderly man who had passed, to creatures more sinister. The Ghoul Gang are kids you can root for, but who aren’t perfect, and Where Did The Wind Go is a great paranormal, light horror story that will especially appeal to teens in late middle school to high school.
This was SO much fun to read! Thanks to the author for sending me a copy. 🖤
I loved the Ghoul Gang and their adventures. Definite Buffy vibes between the friend group and the extra-supernatural town. I wish I’d had this to read when I was a young teen! Maybe I wouldn’t have watched Buffy in secret while talking about Dawson’s Creek publicly. I hope we get to return to Ravenswood soon!
Synopsis: With the help of the newly formed Ghoul Gang, self-proclaimed ghost hunter Simon Woo soon learns that his new town of Ravenswood, North Carolina, is riddled with ghouls. But something even more nightmarish is lurking within the woods. And it has its eyes on Simon. After moving with his family, Simon discovers that his new town is better fitting for a survivor in a horror movie rather than a junior in high school. He quickly befriends two other outsiders—Miles, the equally horror obsessed new kid from New York City, and Riley, the resident goth girl with a secret. As the brutal murders continue, the Ghoul Gang must discover the truth behind the ghoul in the woods in order to save Simon from becoming the entity's new host.
Review: This book was so much fun! This book reminded me of Scooby Doo but better because there was a real paranormal creature unlike Scooby Doo where you know someone was under the mask! The characters were so real and I loved how different they were but they all supported one another! I didn’t want to put this book down! There was always something going on! I purposely took longer to read the book because I didn’t want it to be over! I love the spooky vibes it had and it is perfect for Halloween and would highly recommend it! I hope there is a book two because I’m highly anticipating it! Pleasure write more books for this!
TLDR: Adorable relationship building between nerdy MCs; blood, guts, gore; psychological and physical terror; plethora of pop culture references
This book reminds me of a reverse Sour Patch kid. Instead of being sour-then-sweet, this book is sweet-then-borderline disturbing in all the good ways. Don’t let that cover fool you like it did me. This book has its share of blood, guts, and nail-biting suspense. But, first, the sweet. The characters in this book are some of the most endearing teenage characters you will ever read about. The group that makes up the Ghoul Gang are Simon, Miles, Riley, and Austin.
We are first introduced to Simon Woo. Simon has just moved from Miami to Ravenswood, North Carolina at the start of his senior year. Of course, he hates it. Who wouldn’t? Changing schools in the middle of your high school year can be brutal. Eventually, however, Simon attempts to make the best of it. During his first day and very first class, he meets Miles Allen, and the two have nerd connection unbeknownst to the muggle world. They immediately hit it off and start talking about everything from video games and Miles Morales to movies and the paranormal. Their relationship reminded me of the movie Step Brothers. They did in fact become best friends. Fast forward to lunch, we meet Riley Silverstein, the strange Goth girl in this one-horse (or one Wal-Mart town in more modern terms). Later in the week, after Miles and Simon geek out beyond all imagination, they decide to go ghost hunting in the local woods. And, wouldn’ you know it, they see Riley go through some sort of magical transformation. And, Boom! Now, we have a three member Ghoul Gang because what right-minded paranormal nerd can pass up on the opportunity to get involved with actual paranormal activity? Fast forward even farther and we meet Austin Rhodes, Miles’s apparent bully. But, Austin is more than he appears and bullies Miles for a reason beyond the simple one we all assume from the first introduction of his character. Eventually, we wind up with a four member Ghoul Gang ready to take on any ghost, werewolf, or other supernatural creature any time of the day, any day of the week except of course when they are in school or have homework due. These are still children after all. Watching their relationships flourish was honestly some of the most genuinely adorable dialogue I have ever read. I wanted to carve a heart in a tree and place SW & MA BFFs forever in the middle.
Now, for the sour, there is a monster afoot. And, this monster in particular wants our Simon. When a couple of teenage girls come up murdered in an absolutely disturbing way, Simon begins to have very vivid, almost prophetic dreams about the murders. Not only that but he also hears a voice persuading him to eat human flesh. This monster is gross, the murders are gross, and the bodies left over after the murders are gross. Simon is in trouble. He feels like he’s losing his mind, and his friends feel useless because they don’t know how to help him. This story levels up real quick. One minute I'm enjoying laughing and smiling secondary to geeking out. The next minute I'm imagining dead bodies and fretting over the Gang’s physical and psychological welfare. I was hooked. Nothing better happen to my kids!
This book has a crazy ton of pop culture and horror references. As a pop culture nerd myself, I appreciated the references so much that I highlighted the name drop every time one occurred. There are at least 27. These are just the ones that I noticed, and I only counted Spiderman once. The geek out sessions made this nerd truly happy. We don’t read enough about happy nerds in books.
The pacing of this book grabs you from the start. There is absolutely no lull period. There’s the smallest bit of romance and the tiniest yet spiciest of spice for this age group. Usually, I mind romance. I’m also not a spicy person if it’s not on food. This book, however, made these teens endearing, so it was hard not to root for all the positive things to happen to them. Simon and Miles are still my favorite couple though!
Also, I feel like the author is playing with us in reference to the name of this book. It’s a ginormous clue to the main menace trying to mess with our Simon. I see what you did there Ms Failde.
The Ghoul Gang was a diverse and adorable group of outcasts who worked so well together. They were all adorable. I especially loved Riley and all her strengths. I don’t miss the awkwardness of high school but it was fun to read about it!
YA Horror isn’t my typical genre but I really enjoyed this book! It was full of adventure and Ghostbuster vibes. I also appreciated the LGBTQ representation. It was spooky but didn’t take itself too seriously. I mean, where else will you see Scooby Doo and Junji Ito references in the same book?
As far as YA horror goes, this was a lot of fun and one of the best I’ve read. It was a nice change of pace! I hope there’s a part two because I can’t get enough of these characters. It would be fun to read along as they navigate more of high school and ghost hunting in the quirky, supernatural town of Ravenswood.
This novel is a delightful read! A little eerie urban fantasy with paranormal elements that is perfect for YA readers. It’s very reminiscent of Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Scooby Gang feels in terms of group dynamics. I love how each character gets a chance at character development although there is a main character focus. There is great diversity and chemistry among the characters. The story line moves along quickly and it is a very enjoyable read. This is a great debut novel for the series and I am looking forward to more adventures with the self-proclaimed Ghoul Gang.
SPOILER - kind of! How would you feel if your friend told you that they were a "Viber"? Someone who transitions into ghosts and other ghouls and creatures when in close proximity to those. What about getting targeted by a ghoul that's trying to do harm to other people? That is exactly what's happening to Simon, His friend and the girl that he likes can turn into ghosts and he's been targeted. After Simon moves to the small town of ravenswood, he finds his little group of friends and they're all into ghosts. So they go ghost hunting one night and things take a while turn. Will they survive Halloween night? Or will the ghosts prevail. This is definitely a more creepier young adult I will say it does have stalk about death and dying and murder/killed. It is a really interesting read for sure! I would recommend for the older ages too.
This was such a fun young adult horror book! I loved the diverse cast of characters and the interactions between them. I really enjoyed reading Where Did The Wind Go? and the author’s writing style. This was a quick, spooky read and is perfect for the fall season. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Ghoul Gang series. I recommend picking this one up if you are looking for a ya horror.
Such a fun yet dark and smart story! I love the Ghoul Gang and felt connected to each one :) There were so many cool and well thought out elements that made this a great spooky read.
This YA paranormal horror is very unique! It was refreshing to read a newer concept for horror and one that had modern tropes meshed in with it. Simon moves to the town of Ravenswood and things are not what they seem...murders keep happening. Quickly making friends with Miles and the goth girl Riley, Simon forms a bond with them becoming the Ghoul Gang. Together they try to investigate what is happening in town. However, Riley has a bond with other things as well and it seems Simon might too. Will they be able to figure out who or what is killing people in their town?
I enjoyed reading the book. The writing had a more realistic jargon for the teens and there was pop culture references as well. I really liked that this has a fresh take on horror and creatures. Different abilities are shown in this book that I don't believe I have ever come across before. I enjoyed that the big bad was also something that is rarely in horror although I grew up on stories about it from my grandpa. Overall had a good time reading and I'm excited to read what will happen next!
Thank you to Twinsandtalent and the author J.M. Failde for sending me an eArc of this book in exchange for a honest review.
The YA genre never ceases to amaze me, and this book is no exception! It’s spooky, kooky, funny, and heartwarming . I fell hard for these lovable, charismatic, and diverse cast that is the Ghoul Gang. I was sad for this one to end and I’m looking forward to future adventures with this gang!
📚Book Review ☕️: Rating:5 stars!
Thank you, @breysbooktours and @jmfailde for the opportunity to read this amazing book! I absolutely loved it and I cannot wait to read more from this series.
(big thank you to J.M. Failde and Twins&Talent for sending me a copy of this book to review <3)
Lovers of YA Horror rejoice as we have a new glorious book to obsess over! I've seen a lot of readers comment on the Buffy and Scooby Doo vibes of this book, and it's honestly so accurate as it's perfect for anyone who loves badass characters that get together to fight the supernatural.
As someone who is a incredibly slow reader, I sometimes struggle to keep my interest in a story alive, but this is did not happen with WDTWG as I was captivated by the story and the diverse range of characters.
A fun, spooky read with a lot of heart and scares that cannot be missed.
This was a really fun read with a lot of spooky vibes. A group of friends who are fascinated by the supernatural but also includes a shape shifter and a medium it's no wonder they are called the Ghoul Gang. I loved the author's imagination and the spookiness that she brought into the storyline.
This book made me feel like I was in a living nightmare... but in the BEST WAY possible!! This book was absolutely amazing. It was terrifying, but beautiful at the same time! I was very sad to not find another book by J.M. Failde so I hope she writes other books soon!! I feel inlove with all the characters, and loved being able to read from each of their points of view. Such a thrilling ride this book was!!
That’s it. I’m officially a member of the Ghoul Gang. Or I want to be, anyways.
I loved this story. It’s a fantastic paranormal YA read. The characters are all so colorful, it was hard to pick a favorite because they all have their own quirks (although I think I like Miles the most). I’d highly recommend if you enjoy a good, spooky YA read!
Also, I really enjoy this cover. I can’t wait to read book two when it comes out! I need more from the Ghoul Gang.
There was only silence in the forest, not even the wind moved.
Wowzers. I really, REALLY enjoyed J.M.Failde's "Where Did the Wind Go? (The Ghoul Gang Book 1)" for a variety of reasons. Which I guess I should be relating to you now, huh? First of all, this is an outstandingly constructed book from start to finish. I loved how the author gave us different 'styles' in various parts and that the POV was not always centered on just one player, all while maintaining a very good level of editing and pace. And the characters themselves just had the most wonderful introductions and development as well. To put it bluntly: the Ghoul Gang was fun to get to know! Plus, it was lighter - but not too light, he blurted - than some of the hardcore cryptid stuff I've been devouring (pun intended) as part of a reader challenge, so I was very thankful for that! You cannot kill a feeling, a thought of malice. You cannot kill hunger.
I'd be remiss though if I didn't point out that this Young Adult story that I would judge to be suitable for ages 12 to 90 (I'm 60, so I'm right in the "middle" there!) was absolutely spot on in terms of doing right by this genre. Yes, this is a bit of a 'thing' for me, as all too often the YA offers of the world go too far one way or the other without actually reflecting the true age of their cast. But these were legitimate High School kids, full stop. Not Scooby and the Gang, no (though having one of them with 'vibing' powers would be awesome) but actual HS'ers. Full of worries about school, making friends, fitting in, learning to drive, turning into werewolves at the wrong time, and all the things many of us went through in those fraught years! Hang on… But seriously, how often do we see a book in this genre populate its story with what pass actually for 20- (or 30-)somethings and dash back every now and then to make the tale seem more hep than it needs to be? Not here, which I thought was just a tremendous plus! Vampires, cryptids, sirens... When they’re close enough, I not only feel them, I become them too.
I also have to give a shout out to J.M. for placing this tale in the middle of an area of the North Carolina mountains that I know and love so well. Now whereas there is no actual Ravenswood, NC that I could find - I imagined it being located somewhere between Gooch Gap or near to Little Switzerland (you know, nice areas just outside of Boone that have sky-rocketed in price the past 20-30 years!) - but I think it is required now that every larger city have at least one neighborhood with that name. OK, all kidding aside, if you can't relate to the "allure" that spooky things feel to that region, well, all I can say is that you need to spend some time hiking on the Appalachian Trail! Again then, just another part of this story that made the actual prose feel like it was more fulfilling than it would have been otherwise! I was facing a demon Freddy Krueger who made me eat people.
But don't get me wrong, creature-feature and horror fans! This story had some delicious spooky bits that were handled very deftly and often with no punches pulled! And by that I mean there are some legitimately scary sections (so if your 12+ year-old readers are nightmare prone, well…). I particularly liked the links with the more Irish legends and, of course, the descriptive for the you-know-who was perfect, especially the entire lore behind this beast! Plus literally having a resident werewolf - and apparently also such beasties as vampires, ghosties and leprechauns (those nasty creatures he added) - on stand-by was a real thrill! I looked down at her. She was so small. Defenseless. Delicious.
Add to all that the plethora (yes, I counted) of modern cultural references that even an old fart like me could understand and, well, the smile pretty much stayed on my face throughout! My only concern now is hoping that we can eventually get a release date for "The Ghoul Gang Book 2", because there's a lot of potential for this team, especially with the foreshadowing included about flashing beams of goodness, um, flashing about! Again, I thought this was outstanding stuff, definitely a recommended read from moi! Enjoy!
"A little fun fact about me: I'm obsessed with the supernatural - everything from ghosts and demons to Romero's zombies." Well, that quote sums me up as well. YA paranormal horror with ghosts, werewolves, witches and some delicious monsters! Asian main character, black friend and sidekick, strange and unusual goth love interest! This book is packed! I loved the Scooby gang and Supernatural vibes, it's also queer and the Halloween period added extra chill and spook to the story. There's a cannibalistic monster lurking around, new friends, ghoul gang are trying to find out who or what it is, how can they defeat the monster and survive themselves while also protecting others around them. The title is a sneaky and smart alliteration in a way, I'm not sure what the term is, but it's a clever one. Simon's mom is vet who teaches him that all animals are precious. I was hoping that would also mean that she would turn out vegan, because vegan veterinarian is the most logical thing to me, but maybe hopefully in the next book.(I'll have fingers crossed) I'm looking forward to new adventures in the sequel, that ending definitely promises something wicked coming this way.
* Rated this a 4.5 but rounded it up for goodreads
This was such a fun read filled with lgbtq representation, diverse set of characters, and spooky vibes (which is perfect for this season). I haven't picked up a YA book in almost a year but I'm so glad I read this. I loved all the pop culture references sprinkled in the story along with the mentions of different supernatural creatures being drawn to Ravenswood it really opens up the possibilities for more books which is great because this is book 1 in the Ghoul Gang series. This reminded me of Scooby Doo mixed with Teen Wolf (minus everyone constantly taking off their shirts lol). The main creature who causes all the trouble in the story is one that I hardly ever see talked about, except for Teen Wolf where its briefly mentioned, so it was refreshing to read and learn a little more about it. I also became really fond of the characters and can't wait to see what they run into next !!
Where Did the Wind Go? is a YA horror centered around Simon Woo. He uncovers that his town is a secret zone for ghouls and along with fellow outcasts Miles and Riley, forms the Ghoul Ghang. Buy can Simon survive the town's string of brutal murders along with the nightmare sizing him up from the shadows?
This book is the perfect creepy opening to the series. It is atmospheric, the characters are fun, and the pacing is quick. The book is broken into three parts: the first from Simon 's POV, and the others in multiple POV. While ghouls are the only creatures advertised in the synopsis, more made appearances! I enjoyed the diversity of the cast, both humans and monsters. I look forward to the next book in the series!
Thank you to R&R Book Tours & the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.
I enjoyed reading the interaction between the characters in the story. I also like how it was in parts, that made it even better. With the three parts that were given, I had a better understanding.
Not only is something trying to get to Simon, but his whole crew is there with him. They go through a crazy experience that involved all sorts of supernaturals.
I loved how it was fast paced and enjoyed the story overall. It did have some scary parts but it wasn’t that bad. It was believable. It reminded me a few books when I was younger reading them at night. I couldn’t put this book down until i was completely done with it.
I can hardly wait for more on this author. I can only imagine what the next book will be about
J.M. Failde’s, “Where Did the Wind Go?”, is as atmospheric as Twilight and as creepy as Supernatural. 👻 I couldn't put this book down. I loved the Ghoul Gang, the pop culture references, and the queer love interest. Failde brilliantly introduces even the most seasoned horror fans to new scares and demons while also telling a story of friendship. Where Did the Wind Go is the perfect spooky season read!
If you enjoyed The Taking of Jake Livingston and My Best Friend’s exorcism, Where Did the Wind Go Is for you! 💀💀