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The Mediator #5
Haunted
Is it possible to be haunted by someone who isn't even dead?
Suze is used to trouble, but this time she's in deep: Ghostly Jesse has her heart, but Paul Slater, a real flesh-and-blood guy, is warm for her form. And mediator Paul knows how to send Jesse to the Great Beyond. For good.
Paul claims he won't do anything to Jesse as long as Suze will go out with him. Fearing she'll lose Jesse forever, Suze agrees. But even if Suze can get Jesse to admit his true feelings for her, what kind of future can she have with a guy who's already dead?
Suze is used to trouble, but this time she's in deep: Ghostly Jesse has her heart, but Paul Slater, a real flesh-and-blood guy, is warm for her form. And mediator Paul knows how to send Jesse to the Great Beyond. For good.
Paul claims he won't do anything to Jesse as long as Suze will go out with him. Fearing she'll lose Jesse forever, Suze agrees. But even if Suze can get Jesse to admit his true feelings for her, what kind of future can she have with a guy who's already dead?
263 pages, Paperback
First published January 21, 2003
About the author
Jenny Carroll
13 books249 followersA pseudonym of Meg Cabot, under which she wrote the first 4 1-800-Where-R-You books (When Lightning Strikes, Code Name Cassandra, Safe House, and Sanctuary) and the first 4 Mediator books (Shadowland, Ninth Key, Reunion, and Darkest Hour). These 8 books have been re-released under her her real name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 896 reviews
August 4, 2016
Hehe. Now I remember why this was my favorite so long ago....that jelly boy fight, though XD
RTC.
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June 1, 2017
Sa-WOOOOOON
February 13, 2018
What can I say? I'm obsessed with rereading this series. I had to physically read this one because only an abridged version of the audiobook exists (seriously, who does that?). I was a little sad that Suze dropped the nicknames for her stepbrothers. I really liked hearing them referred to as Dopey, Sleepy, and Doc. This is the shortest book in the series, but I still feel like important things happened in it. I'm getting a little tired of the "Suze meets boy who is being haunted by a malevolent spirit" plotline - don't girls ever get haunted? I also wish Suze's friend CeeCee played a bigger role in the series; I feel like she could be a cool sidekick. I vaguely remember thinking Paul was kind of dangerous-hot in high school but now I'm like, ew, fuck off you abusive twat.
January 25, 2016
Not as much happened in this one, but I can't wait to see what happens in book 6!
May 8, 2018
These books are wonderful! Our adorable moderator has met a male counterpart, except that he is evil. He lies, cheats, and kills. But worst of all, he wants our moderator. (Him being a good kisser is beside the point)
Our Evil Moderator blackmails our Adorable Moderator into spending time with him by agreeing not to dispense with her ghost boyfriend.
There is also a ghost haunting his brother that Suze is supposed to help to move on. But she spends so much time worrying about her tortured romances that she almost misses the ghost trying to kill his brother.
Good story! 😊
Our Evil Moderator blackmails our Adorable Moderator into spending time with him by agreeing not to dispense with her ghost boyfriend.
There is also a ghost haunting his brother that Suze is supposed to help to move on. But she spends so much time worrying about her tortured romances that she almost misses the ghost trying to kill his brother.
Good story! 😊
July 8, 2018
The characters were kinda annoying in this one. Suze needed to get it togetherrrrr. And Jesse. And her friend was being oddly pushy about the campaign. And Father Dom was being rather unsympathetic. Hhmmm...
So it's my least favorite Mediator book so far. Hope it gets back on track from here.
3 stars
So it's my least favorite Mediator book so far. Hope it gets back on track from here.
3 stars
April 21, 2015
ชอบความสัมพันธ์ของตัวละครเรื่องนี้ที่เข้มข้นซับซ้อนขึ้นเรื่อยๆจากเล่มที่แล้ว แม้ว่าเราจะไม่ค่อยชอบในช่วงแรกๆของหนังสือเท่าไร เพราะตัวของซูซเองนี่แหละที่ทำให้เราอยากจะเดินเข้าไปตบหัวแล้วจับตัวเขย่าๆ ถามว่านี่เธอเป็นอะไรมากมั้ย ? แต่พอผ่านครึ่งเล่มไปแล้ว เนื้อเรื่องก็ถูกดึงให้กลับมาพีคอีกครั้ง ความรู้สึกของเจสซี่ที่มีต่อซูซานน่าห์ก็เริ่มชัดเจนขึ้นมา ไหนจะเรื่องของพอลอีกหละ ที่ตอนแรกเราคิดว่าเขานี่แหละที่เป็นตัวปัญหามากสุด แต่เล่มนี้เขาก็กลับมีบทบาทสำคัญขึ้นมา และทำให้ปมความสัมพันธ์ของตัวละครมันชัดมากยิ่งขึ้น ()
ชอบนะ...ชอบ Continuity ช่วงท้ายๆของหนังสือที่ทำออกมาได้ดีพอๆกับเล่มที่แล้วเลย ด้วยทางด้านความรู้สึกของตัวละครที่มันชัดมากๆ ทำให้เราชอบตรงส่วนนี้มากกว่าเล่มที่แล้วแบบเฉือนชนะไปหน่อยนึง แต่ก็ขอหักคะแนนตอนต้นๆเรื่องที่ทำให้เราหวั่นใจกลัวว่าจะกลับไปเหมือนเล่ม 2-3 ซะแล้ว สรุปเลยให้คะแนนเท่าเล่มก่อนหน้าไปละกัน...
ชอบนะ...ชอบ Continuity ช่วงท้ายๆของหนังสือที่ทำออกมาได้ดีพอๆกับเล่มที่แล้วเลย ด้วยทางด้านความรู้สึกของตัวละครที่มันชัดมากๆ ทำให้เราชอบตรงส่วนนี้มากกว่าเล่มที่แล้วแบบเฉือนชนะไปหน่อยนึง แต่ก็ขอหักคะแนนตอนต้นๆเรื่องที่ทำให้เราหวั่นใจกลัวว่าจะกลับไปเหมือนเล่ม 2-3 ซะแล้ว สรุปเลยให้คะแนนเท่าเล่มก่อนหน้าไปละกัน...
July 6, 2008
Mediator 5, Grave Doubts starts with Suze's dream about Paul Slater in purgatory. In chapter one we find out that Paul has joined Suze's school. She tries to persuade Father Dominic that Paul should be kicked out, but he isn't convinced. Meanwhile Dopey (Suze’s stepbrother Brad) is planning a hot tub party and Sleepy (Suze’s other stepbrother Jake) brings home a haunted guest called Neil. Suze's life is going mad as she tries to stop Neil's dead brother killing him, keep Paul away from her and get Jesse, the gorgeous ghost that lives in her bedroom, to go out with her.
My favourite part is the hot tub party near the end. Paul arrives uninvited and provokes Jesse. Paul tumbles down the stairs pushed by Jesse. Jesse holds Paul’s head in the hot tub. All the partygoers think Paul has gone either gone mad, got really drunk or he is high. Because Suze and Paul are mediators only they can see the invisble force holding Paul underwater.
At the end, Jesse finally admits that he loves Suze and they are officially dating, if you can call it dating since Jesse is already dead. But at the end of the book, Suze is the happiest girl in Carmel.
My favourite part is the hot tub party near the end. Paul arrives uninvited and provokes Jesse. Paul tumbles down the stairs pushed by Jesse. Jesse holds Paul’s head in the hot tub. All the partygoers think Paul has gone either gone mad, got really drunk or he is high. Because Suze and Paul are mediators only they can see the invisble force holding Paul underwater.
At the end, Jesse finally admits that he loves Suze and they are officially dating, if you can call it dating since Jesse is already dead. But at the end of the book, Suze is the happiest girl in Carmel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2008
The best book in the series as far as relasionships go, and I am torn between Paul and Jesse. I mean, Jesse rocks, but Paul has this part of him that I just want to kiss him myself, you feel so sorry for him. Overall, very good book, though I hate how Jesse moves out for Suzes' "own good".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2016
This is another solid installment in the Mediator Series! This time there wasn't much of ghosts trying to kill Suze, as much as the love-triangle really flourishing. But I had no problem with this because I spent the whole book trying to figure why I loved Paul Slater so much? I came to the conclusion that it's the same reason I love Malfoy, Peter, and Sebastian. They are rotten and not particularly charming (Paul on the other hand tends to be pretty darn charming). But I think I have this hope that they will redeem themselves along the way, and I'm rooting for them. What can I say? I have a thing for the under dogs!
THANK GOODNESS someone (not going to spoil with who) finally got clued in on the whole mediator deal. Suze needs someone other than Father Dom and Jesse to confide in about this major part of her life. If you couldn't tell, I was more than excited about this improvement.
There is also a lot of progress in the story telling going on. I can't wait to read Twilight and see the different dimensions to Size's Mediating skills. As much as I love the first few books, I forgot how much I enjoyed these later books because it's not just a stubborn ghost that refuses to move on. There is so many more storylines intertwined. This is the point where I wish Goodreads had half (or even quarter stars) to give. Because this book is definitely much closer to a five than the other books but not quite there. We'll see if Twilight makes that jump for me. I remember the big stuff but not the little things in between!
THANK GOODNESS someone (not going to spoil with who) finally got clued in on the whole mediator deal. Suze needs someone other than Father Dom and Jesse to confide in about this major part of her life. If you couldn't tell, I was more than excited about this improvement.
There is also a lot of progress in the story telling going on. I can't wait to read Twilight and see the different dimensions to Size's Mediating skills. As much as I love the first few books, I forgot how much I enjoyed these later books because it's not just a stubborn ghost that refuses to move on. There is so many more storylines intertwined. This is the point where I wish Goodreads had half (or even quarter stars) to give. Because this book is definitely much closer to a five than the other books but not quite there. We'll see if Twilight makes that jump for me. I remember the big stuff but not the little things in between!
April 16, 2016
This is the book when Paul Slater just managed to push himself onto Suze (even if its's unrequited) and inserts himself between her and Jesse. Talk about a psychopath. Not a whole lot happened, plot-wise. Just Suze moaning about her love life really and finding out things about her spiritual powers.
August 10, 2018
I really, really, really don't like Paul.
February 25, 2011
I wanted to like this book more than the prequels, because I liked the series less and less with each book. Sadly the process continued with Haunted.
Paul turns out to be even crazier than I thought and we get more of the whole Jesse-drama-llama. Haunted was thinly disguised as a paranormal story when all it was is a love story between Susannah and Jesse.
Suze is more dense and stupid than I ever thought possible. I laughed out loud when she said she isn't stupid. Didn't all that happened before prove to her that she is very, very stupid?
I've become so frustrated with her, I don't even know what to say anymore.
She's become even lamer in this book than she already was. All she's concerned about is Jesse, Jesse, Jesse. Oh and fashion, wheee! All her rambling about clothes annoyed me. I simply didn't care about it. It seemed like bought advertisement for Jimmy Choo shoes.
The only one who was able to coax something else out of Suze and make her think of something else was Paul. But OF COURSE Paul had to turn out even crazier than he was portrayed as before.
And am I the only one who thought Jesse completely overreacted when he went at Paul with the goal of killing him? That turned me off Jesse so fast you wouldn't believe it. Beating someone up/trying to kill that person, just because they're being an a-hole? How about no.
I laughed out loud maybe four times during it and only two times was because of something that was supposed to be funny. The other two times was more of sad laugh or a laugh of how ridiculous it turned out to be.
I just can't with this series anymore. I'm glad when I'm finally done with it.
Paul turns out to be even crazier than I thought and we get more of the whole Jesse-drama-llama. Haunted was thinly disguised as a paranormal story when all it was is a love story between Susannah and Jesse.
Suze is more dense and stupid than I ever thought possible. I laughed out loud when she said she isn't stupid. Didn't all that happened before prove to her that she is very, very stupid?
I've become so frustrated with her, I don't even know what to say anymore.
She's become even lamer in this book than she already was. All she's concerned about is Jesse, Jesse, Jesse. Oh and fashion, wheee! All her rambling about clothes annoyed me. I simply didn't care about it. It seemed like bought advertisement for Jimmy Choo shoes.
The only one who was able to coax something else out of Suze and make her think of something else was Paul. But OF COURSE Paul had to turn out even crazier than he was portrayed as before.
And am I the only one who thought Jesse completely overreacted when he went at Paul with the goal of killing him? That turned me off Jesse so fast you wouldn't believe it. Beating someone up/trying to kill that person, just because they're being an a-hole? How about no.
I laughed out loud maybe four times during it and only two times was because of something that was supposed to be funny. The other two times was more of sad laugh or a laugh of how ridiculous it turned out to be.
I just can't with this series anymore. I'm glad when I'm finally done with it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2011
I have really enjoyed this series and I have every intention of finishing the last book, however, this book just didn't do it for me. I know a lot was revealed about 'what' Suze is and what all she can do that she was unaware of, that part was great. I just got sick of hearing about Jesse. Good gracious me, that was ALL she thought, talked, whined, moped and pondered over. Jesse, Jesse, Jesse, ect. Why doesn't he like me? What did I do? How could I kiss someone else and like it when I love Jesse? And on and on and on ....... SHUT UP!!!! I did scream this at the book and then went into a tirade of WHY he shouldn't like her, annoying was at the top of the list. I calmed down, did some Yoga breathing and finished the book. It may not sound like it, but I actually do like Suze. She just annoyed the holy hell out of me in this book with her nonstop obsession over a flipping ghost and she is only 17! And they have nothing in common! Ugh.
What saved the book for me, at least a little, were the new things that we learned about Suze thanks to Mr. Hot & Slightly Psychotic, Paul. This intrigues me to hurry on to the next book and finish up the series because it sounds like he will be in the next one and possibly showing her more stuff she is capable off. If he can get her off of Jesse, that is.
What saved the book for me, at least a little, were the new things that we learned about Suze thanks to Mr. Hot & Slightly Psychotic, Paul. This intrigues me to hurry on to the next book and finish up the series because it sounds like he will be in the next one and possibly showing her more stuff she is capable off. If he can get her off of Jesse, that is.
December 6, 2007
I loved this one!! I was heartbroken when Jesse went to the rectory, but oh did my heart flutter at the end - woooo!!! Nice twist too with "Grandpa Slater".
I agree, the fight chapter was hillarious!!! I love that CeeCee realized finally who Jesse is. And I love how she is willing to let Suze explain it all in time. What a great friend!!
I agree, the fight chapter was hillarious!!! I love that CeeCee realized finally who Jesse is. And I love how she is willing to let Suze explain it all in time. What a great friend!!
February 23, 2019
2.75
Not as good as the previous one (book 4), nor as the first two books in the series, but had better plot than book three. The main characters was sometimes annoying here. Well, ok we all know SUze can be annoying always, that's just how she is, but here more so than normal. And even Jesse and Father Dom were kind of... having a bad day in book five, I guess.
Not as good as the previous one (book 4), nor as the first two books in the series, but had better plot than book three. The main characters was sometimes annoying here. Well, ok we all know SUze can be annoying always, that's just how she is, but here more so than normal. And even Jesse and Father Dom were kind of... having a bad day in book five, I guess.
December 28, 2010
I'm a BIG fan of The Mediator series, no that there's this fifth book to the collection, I really needed to read this.
The realtionship between Suze and Jesse is one of a kind, mainly because he's a ghost. But, she thinks he doesn't feel the same way. He rarely speaks to her, nobody can see him except her and paul.
Paul's a mediator too (someone who can see and communicate with ghosts). He's one of the bad guys and yeah he likes Suze too! When he kisses her, she actually kisses him back! I was thinking... What about Jesse?!
There's a whole lotta events and madness and this really keeps the story going. Especially the party-like scene where Jesse and Paul are at each other's necks in Suze's bedroom, fighting away. Totally histerical and entertaining. I was literally shouting 'Go Jesse,Go!'(as you can see I quite dislike Paul. Too cocky, urghh.)So, it really consumes you making you carry on reading one page after another until you come yo the end...
... which is a very good end I must say.
Jesse and Suze. Suze and Jesse :D
The realtionship between Suze and Jesse is one of a kind, mainly because he's a ghost. But, she thinks he doesn't feel the same way. He rarely speaks to her, nobody can see him except her and paul.
Paul's a mediator too (someone who can see and communicate with ghosts). He's one of the bad guys and yeah he likes Suze too! When he kisses her, she actually kisses him back! I was thinking... What about Jesse?!
There's a whole lotta events and madness and this really keeps the story going. Especially the party-like scene where Jesse and Paul are at each other's necks in Suze's bedroom, fighting away. Totally histerical and entertaining. I was literally shouting 'Go Jesse,Go!'(as you can see I quite dislike Paul. Too cocky, urghh.)So, it really consumes you making you carry on reading one page after another until you come yo the end...
... which is a very good end I must say.
Jesse and Suze. Suze and Jesse :D
September 9, 2013
Since when did Sleepy, Dopey and Doc become permanently Jake, Brad and David? I liked how each book solved a different mystery/dealt with a different ghost, so I was disappointed when this book was basically all just about Paul being a creep/evil and Suze crying about Jesse. Paul is aggressive and annoying and there is no development whatsoever, so this was probably my least favourite book of the series so far.
November 25, 2021
@netflix pls make this into an animated show, thanks
May 14, 2019
Suze's story continues, and this time ghosts are not the ones causing her problems, but Paul, the arrogant, manipulative mediator she met in the previous book.
Paul is back in town and is now enrolled in Suze's school, and seems to have an agenda that involves her. Suze, who still hasn't forgiven him for his part in their previous encounter, wants nothing to do with him, but the lure of knowledge he offers her is irresistible.
Her relationship with Jesse is also on the rocks, and Paul's interference isn't helping on that front, and eventually the two end up .
I didn't love this one, especially since Suze started getting on my nerves with her avoidance tactics. I am curious to see how things develop, however, so on to Twilight we go.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Darkest Hour (The Mediator, #4)
✦ Every Girl's Dream (The Mediator, #3.5)
✦ Reunion (The Mediator, #3)
Paul is back in town and is now enrolled in Suze's school, and seems to have an agenda that involves her. Suze, who still hasn't forgiven him for his part in their previous encounter, wants nothing to do with him, but the lure of knowledge he offers her is irresistible.
Her relationship with Jesse is also on the rocks, and Paul's interference isn't helping on that front, and eventually the two end up .
I didn't love this one, especially since Suze started getting on my nerves with her avoidance tactics. I am curious to see how things develop, however, so on to Twilight we go.
Previous book reviews:
✦ Darkest Hour (The Mediator, #4)
✦ Every Girl's Dream (The Mediator, #3.5)
✦ Reunion (The Mediator, #3)
March 15, 2023
Bro… Paul is the worst. And Suze’s reactions to his antics were painful to read. Also nobody respecting her boundaries or letting her get a sentence out.
I liked the plot of this one minus all that.
I liked the plot of this one minus all that.
November 16, 2017
Well...this is gonna be on my list for one of the worst books of 2017. I'll probably do a series review after the next book (which is the last book of the series) which will explain everything.
May 15, 2021
A última página valeu pelo livro inteiro.
August 1, 2018
This book is pointless.
Least favourite from the series
Least favourite from the series
July 28, 2020
Original review: 5 stars
7/2020 reread: 3.5 stars
--
How to rate such a favorite from my adolescence? I mean, I got this bitch signed. As stated in my review of Shadowland, I read Haunted first. I knew nothing about the beginning of Suze and Jesse's relationship. I never knew a time before Paul Slater. I didn't even know about Sleepy, Dopey, and Doc because this was the book Cabot (kind of inexplicably and abruptly) stopped using those nicknames to refer to Suze's stepbrothers.
Yet it was arresting enough for me to become obsessed with getting my hands on the previous installments. It completely captivated me. It had just the perfect mix of sass, drama, frivolity, and mystery. I found Suze to be a wickedly cool, stylish protagonist; I loved that she didn't disparage feminine things like makeup, hair, or clothing. That she, in fact, celebrated these things, which didn't interfere at all with her being a badass. I loved how enigmatic and gentle Jesse was . . . not to mention how wickedly persistent Paul Slater was in pursuing Suze.
I was also, like, twelve at the time. Which I think says a lot about the YA genre as a whole, perhaps not entirely good things. Because while I applaud the steps the genre and its authors have taken to become more diverse and inclusive, I can't help but feel that we're forgetting that the audience of these books should be, primarily . . . teenagers. Not adult women in their twenties, thirties, etc. When I was twelve or thirteen and reading these novels, I looked up to Suze. She seemed so complex, so impossibly cool. I wanted to emulate her at the same time I felt it impossible that I would ever be anything like her.
That seems silly now because Suze is never more like a teenager than in Haunted, with its focus centered not on a mystery involving a ghost (there is a ghost requiring mediation, but his storyline is weak compared to the previous four installments) but firmly around the two guys vying for Suze's affections: Jesse de Silva and newcomer Paul Slater.
Realistically, I can admit that this shift in focus did the books few favors. Paul especially hasn't aged well. As mentioned in previous reviews, his character may have felt titillatingly bad back in the early 2000s, when YA was very different and I myself was squarely within its target demographic, but the game has changed since then. Plus, I'm older now. I can recognize a one-dimensional creep when I read him.
In fact, I would argue that Paul Slater is actually the worst thing about The Mediator series. Not because his character conception wasn't really good. Actually, the idea of a male mediator Suze's own age, one who wants to date her and represents a viable romantic rival to Jesse, who cannot realistically offer her a future, is fantastic. It's just that he's handled so poorly. I can recognize now how flimsy his motivations are, how unsatisfying and convoluted all his plots end up being, and how stagnant his character development remains throughout the life of the series. He, quite honestly, dropped this noxious, stifling shroud over an otherwise vivacious, complex story, and all the plots surrounding him inestimably dumb down the books.
It would be more appropriate to give Haunted three stars, but it's just too tied up with fond memories from my past. And really, it was what kickstarted me to read the series, so how can I slam it now? I still had a good time reading it. Even that incredibly dated and overblown fight between Jesse and Paul made me smile. It'll always be special to me.
7/2020 reread: 3.5 stars
--
How to rate such a favorite from my adolescence? I mean, I got this bitch signed. As stated in my review of Shadowland, I read Haunted first. I knew nothing about the beginning of Suze and Jesse's relationship. I never knew a time before Paul Slater. I didn't even know about Sleepy, Dopey, and Doc because this was the book Cabot (kind of inexplicably and abruptly) stopped using those nicknames to refer to Suze's stepbrothers.
Yet it was arresting enough for me to become obsessed with getting my hands on the previous installments. It completely captivated me. It had just the perfect mix of sass, drama, frivolity, and mystery. I found Suze to be a wickedly cool, stylish protagonist; I loved that she didn't disparage feminine things like makeup, hair, or clothing. That she, in fact, celebrated these things, which didn't interfere at all with her being a badass. I loved how enigmatic and gentle Jesse was . . . not to mention how wickedly persistent Paul Slater was in pursuing Suze.
I was also, like, twelve at the time. Which I think says a lot about the YA genre as a whole, perhaps not entirely good things. Because while I applaud the steps the genre and its authors have taken to become more diverse and inclusive, I can't help but feel that we're forgetting that the audience of these books should be, primarily . . . teenagers. Not adult women in their twenties, thirties, etc. When I was twelve or thirteen and reading these novels, I looked up to Suze. She seemed so complex, so impossibly cool. I wanted to emulate her at the same time I felt it impossible that I would ever be anything like her.
That seems silly now because Suze is never more like a teenager than in Haunted, with its focus centered not on a mystery involving a ghost (there is a ghost requiring mediation, but his storyline is weak compared to the previous four installments) but firmly around the two guys vying for Suze's affections: Jesse de Silva and newcomer Paul Slater.
Realistically, I can admit that this shift in focus did the books few favors. Paul especially hasn't aged well. As mentioned in previous reviews, his character may have felt titillatingly bad back in the early 2000s, when YA was very different and I myself was squarely within its target demographic, but the game has changed since then. Plus, I'm older now. I can recognize a one-dimensional creep when I read him.
In fact, I would argue that Paul Slater is actually the worst thing about The Mediator series. Not because his character conception wasn't really good. Actually, the idea of a male mediator Suze's own age, one who wants to date her and represents a viable romantic rival to Jesse, who cannot realistically offer her a future, is fantastic. It's just that he's handled so poorly. I can recognize now how flimsy his motivations are, how unsatisfying and convoluted all his plots end up being, and how stagnant his character development remains throughout the life of the series. He, quite honestly, dropped this noxious, stifling shroud over an otherwise vivacious, complex story, and all the plots surrounding him inestimably dumb down the books.
It would be more appropriate to give Haunted three stars, but it's just too tied up with fond memories from my past. And really, it was what kickstarted me to read the series, so how can I slam it now? I still had a good time reading it. Even that incredibly dated and overblown fight between Jesse and Paul made me smile. It'll always be special to me.
September 29, 2017
What is this fuckery, Meg Cabot? Everything that mildly irked me over the last few books blossomed into a full-blown catastrophe in this installment, which spins its wheels and presents absolutely toxic messages.
Suze, our oh-so-intrepid mediator, is nigh on insufferable.
She immediately assumes that Jesse doesn’t care about her when LITERALLY ALL SIGNS SAY HE DOES. He kisses her. Looks out for her. Calls her romantic Spanish nicknames. Is violently jealous of other guys. And yet she is firmly convinced he doesn’t love her, and acts out accordingly. This kinda made sense with Mia Thermopolis, who was younger with lots of self-esteem issues. Suze is presented as a confident badass, regularly comments that she looks good and knows it… there is zero reason for her to be this dense.
In the last four books, Suze has repelled the advances of perfectly suitable attractive young men because she was pining for her ghostly boyfriend. Now, she can’t keep it in her pants regarding Paul Slater even after Paul (1) sorta kinda leaves her for dead; (2) is stalkery and doesn’t take no for an answer; (3) SEXUALLY ASSAULTS HER. He lures her to his bedroom, kisses her, and then physically restrains her from pulling away… and then has a bodyguard try to stop her from leaving. This is not romantic. This is not acceptable. This is not forgivable just because the intended victim sorta kinda maybe enjoyed the kiss.
I understand these books were written in a less sensitive time. But dear god, how was it ever okay to have Paul as a potential love interest after all that? And how are we supposed to believe that Suze is all torn up about whether to hook up with Paul or not after he tries to sexually harass her? I don’t care how warm she is for his form, it just made me lose so much respect for Meg Cabot as a writer, because this is so wildly out of character and so completely unacceptable.
While that was the hill I’m going to die on regarding this book, there was just so much miserably wrong with it. First of all, remember CeeCee and Adam, the intrepid Willow and Xander to Suze’s Buffy? Yeah, well, they’re pretty much props in this book. CeeCee is completely ignored and brushed off by Suze, then decides Suze is gonna run for class VP again and manages the whole campaign (which Cabot completely cribbed later for her Princess Diaries books, but with the foresight to actually develop Lilly’s character). As for Adam, I’m unsure whether he speaks at all in this book, he just exists on the periphery. Suze’s family is also wholly underdeveloped, as is pretty much everything except for the Jesse-Suze-Paul love triangle.
Also, this book was wholly unnecessary for the series – it leaves us in the EXACT SAME PLACE as the last one did. Jesse just finally showed Suze he loves her (which will doubtless be forgotten the next day)? Check. Paul is kinda violent and very mysterious, possibly the main antagonist, and made Suze aware of there being more to her mediator powers? Check. All other characters wholly ignored? Check. There wasn’t even a memorable “monster of the week” – the ghost and his living brother are more of an inconvenience than a subplot.
I just… don’t understand how Meg Cabot could have fucked this up so spectacularly. Sure, the Princess Diaries had their ups and downs. But dear god, there was never a book this bad. I’ll keep going with the series because I’ve made it this far, and they’re fast reads, but I am shocked and appalled by this installment.
Suze, our oh-so-intrepid mediator, is nigh on insufferable.
She immediately assumes that Jesse doesn’t care about her when LITERALLY ALL SIGNS SAY HE DOES. He kisses her. Looks out for her. Calls her romantic Spanish nicknames. Is violently jealous of other guys. And yet she is firmly convinced he doesn’t love her, and acts out accordingly. This kinda made sense with Mia Thermopolis, who was younger with lots of self-esteem issues. Suze is presented as a confident badass, regularly comments that she looks good and knows it… there is zero reason for her to be this dense.
In the last four books, Suze has repelled the advances of perfectly suitable attractive young men because she was pining for her ghostly boyfriend. Now, she can’t keep it in her pants regarding Paul Slater even after Paul (1) sorta kinda leaves her for dead; (2) is stalkery and doesn’t take no for an answer; (3) SEXUALLY ASSAULTS HER. He lures her to his bedroom, kisses her, and then physically restrains her from pulling away… and then has a bodyguard try to stop her from leaving. This is not romantic. This is not acceptable. This is not forgivable just because the intended victim sorta kinda maybe enjoyed the kiss.
I understand these books were written in a less sensitive time. But dear god, how was it ever okay to have Paul as a potential love interest after all that? And how are we supposed to believe that Suze is all torn up about whether to hook up with Paul or not after he tries to sexually harass her? I don’t care how warm she is for his form, it just made me lose so much respect for Meg Cabot as a writer, because this is so wildly out of character and so completely unacceptable.
While that was the hill I’m going to die on regarding this book, there was just so much miserably wrong with it. First of all, remember CeeCee and Adam, the intrepid Willow and Xander to Suze’s Buffy? Yeah, well, they’re pretty much props in this book. CeeCee is completely ignored and brushed off by Suze, then decides Suze is gonna run for class VP again and manages the whole campaign (which Cabot completely cribbed later for her Princess Diaries books, but with the foresight to actually develop Lilly’s character). As for Adam, I’m unsure whether he speaks at all in this book, he just exists on the periphery. Suze’s family is also wholly underdeveloped, as is pretty much everything except for the Jesse-Suze-Paul love triangle.
Also, this book was wholly unnecessary for the series – it leaves us in the EXACT SAME PLACE as the last one did. Jesse just finally showed Suze he loves her (which will doubtless be forgotten the next day)? Check. Paul is kinda violent and very mysterious, possibly the main antagonist, and made Suze aware of there being more to her mediator powers? Check. All other characters wholly ignored? Check. There wasn’t even a memorable “monster of the week” – the ghost and his living brother are more of an inconvenience than a subplot.
I just… don’t understand how Meg Cabot could have fucked this up so spectacularly. Sure, the Princess Diaries had their ups and downs. But dear god, there was never a book this bad. I’ll keep going with the series because I’ve made it this far, and they’re fast reads, but I am shocked and appalled by this installment.
January 21, 2016
Grave Doubts is still highly enjoyable, but I couldn’t help feeling as if it was a bit of a ‘filler’ book – one that explains some need-to-know things between Young Blood and Heaven Sent, particularly about the role that Paul Slater plays as antagonist.
After Suze’s emotional outpouring in Young Blood, it’s great to see her back in action and back to her old tricks. Of course, things may have ended EXTREMELY well in the last book, but that doesn’t mean they’re staying that way. Suze has to figure out why despite kissing her – finally!- Jesse seems distant. Suze, overreacting as usual, jumps to the wrong conclusions and some stuff goes down in true Mediator fashion.
Add to this the re-appearance of villain, Paul, and you have quite the mix for a page turner. Grave Doubts was a quick and breezy read just like the rest of the series, but I noticed something was quite absent from this book – the focus of a ghostly haunting. Sure, there’s Craig who’s haunting his brother out of resentment, but it didn’t take as much of a part in this book as previous ghost hauntings have in the series. Grave Doubts hinged entirely on the relationship between Suze, Paul and Jesse – and the dynamic between the three.
There was plenty of action this time around, as well as some really cute scenes between Suze and Jesse. I’ve always remembered Grave Doubts as the book where ‘Suze has to walk home with blistered feet’. Seriously, it’s a HUGE PLOT POINT, and enjoyably so. I can’t tell you how much I could relate to Suze in this scenario. Her dramatic exit from Paul Slater’s home was great, and the visual of her walking along the scenic route in the boiling sun all the while clutching her prized Jimmy Choos in an act of defiance is so, so memorable. I just adore Suze as a character and it’s moments like these that remind me why.
Suze and Jesse’s relationship is all MAKE OR BREAK this book. Should they pursue something that’s a lost cause? Is Jesse really interested in Suze as more than a friend? Should she give up on the whole thing entirely? I feel that this book really solidified them as a couple, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out from here. Re-reading this series has been like experiencing it for the first time all over again.
Now that we’re almost at the end of the series (for now), it’s great to see that some new twists and turns are being thrown into the pot. We find out that Suze isn’t just a plain old mediator, and that Paul is keeping secrets – no surprises there. What his motive is, for being so interested in Suze, is unclear, but it makes for great reading. I can’t wait to revisit what happens in the final instalment, Heaven Sent.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2021
Releitura
Amei demais 4,5
Amei demais 4,5
April 23, 2015
In Grave Doubt the fifth book of the Mediator series Suzie is drawn to Paul, a fellow mediator who is a new student at her school. In the previous book Paul spent his time trying to win Suzie over but he has made it clear he has no interest in helping the recently deceased despite her protests. Suzie is weary of him but she can't help admire his good looks. Not only that but Paul has information Suzie needs and with his knowledge she might find out she isn't just your average mediator. Throw in Jake bringing home a haunted friend for dinner, a massive party and a jealous Jesse and you have a whole load of chaos waiting for you!
I loved this book, it was full of angst. That's the only way of describing it! This was definitely a addictive read, not educational or intellectual in the slightest but great nevertheless.
Suzie didn't annoy me at all in this book which is a rarity. I actually related to her and felt sorry for her. I mean she's in love with someone who is dead, that must mess you up a little!
I understood why Suzie let her guard down with Paul, her loneliness really shone through. I thought it was so funny that she had such bad blisters from walking home from Paul's in her new shoes and it was cute when Jesse bandaged her up!
I loved the Party setting towards the end of the book and I could visualize everybody watching the fight between Jesse and Paul, it was pretty amusing to be honest. I'm glad Jesse finally stood up for what was rightfully his and I hope he doesn't back away from Suzie in the next book.
I loved that Ceecee made that little comment about Jesse and I'm glad she figured out Suzie's boyfriend is a ghost. Hopefully Suzie will confine in her because I think she's a pretty good friend for putting up with her madness. Overall, loved this book and this series gets better with every instalment!
I loved this book, it was full of angst. That's the only way of describing it! This was definitely a addictive read, not educational or intellectual in the slightest but great nevertheless.
Suzie didn't annoy me at all in this book which is a rarity. I actually related to her and felt sorry for her. I mean she's in love with someone who is dead, that must mess you up a little!
I understood why Suzie let her guard down with Paul, her loneliness really shone through. I thought it was so funny that she had such bad blisters from walking home from Paul's in her new shoes and it was cute when Jesse bandaged her up!
I loved the Party setting towards the end of the book and I could visualize everybody watching the fight between Jesse and Paul, it was pretty amusing to be honest. I'm glad Jesse finally stood up for what was rightfully his and I hope he doesn't back away from Suzie in the next book.
I loved that Ceecee made that little comment about Jesse and I'm glad she figured out Suzie's boyfriend is a ghost. Hopefully Suzie will confine in her because I think she's a pretty good friend for putting up with her madness. Overall, loved this book and this series gets better with every instalment!
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