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The Ghost of Gold Creek
More than anything, fifteen-year-old Misty wants life to go back to the way it was before. Before her mom took the one wrong step that changed all their lives. Before Misty was left with only her dad, who never understood her and probably never will. Before her best friend Lou stopped making sense. Before buried treasure and ghost legends and all her tangled feelings left her in danger of losing her mind and her life. But then comes this horse, a wild miracle of a stallion, and a boy named Ford. There is no going back to before, only forward into now. But how can she, when it’s impossible to know what the next step should be, when all she knows for sure is that one wrong step can change everything? A coming of age novel reviewers are saying is "...a sleuthing adventure that delights the senses...beautiful, romantic, and suspenseful, a memorable YA debut readers are sure to love," and "...young adult readers as well as the young at heart will sink deep into Misty’s world and not come up for air until the final word." Includes options to view "what's coming up..." video scenes throughout the novel.
379 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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May 19, 2019It was such a privilege to be allowed to read an advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it, but life took off at a crazy pace the moment I finished it. I’ll have a better review soon...because you know I’m so good at writing them. 😂 In the meantime if you are looking for a YA story with a retro Trixie Belden//Nancy Drew meets Misty of Chincoteague vibe (while maintaining a more modern sensibility) this book is for you. Romance is an element but not the focus, as it takes a back seat to other relationships in the story and to the personal, spiritual healing and growth of the main character. As a faith based story it’s refreshingly authentic, and knowing the author as I do, comes straight from the heart of one of the most genuine, deep-thinking, compassionate Christians I know.
June 6, 2020
I finished GOGC a couple days ago. I have so many thoughts; overwhelmingly so, it’s fantastic. The ending is totally unexpected and thrilling! The Misty/Ford relationship is romantic and subtle, but modest and beautiful. This story has made me excited about reading all over again! ❤️
May 6, 2019
This book was such a delight to read. There's enough mystery here to keep you guessing, and the ending is just enough of a twist to be surprising without giving you whiplash. The setting gives the story a great starting point, and the bits of history here are so well-researched and well thought out. All to the story's credit, but I think my favorite thing about this was the characters and their relationships, which are so grounded in reality, and it's beautiful.
Misty is such a great protagonist, real and interesting and singularly herself, and Lou is the perfect compliment, Misty's opposite in so many ways, but bound together in all the ways that matter. I loved that the "best friend" relationship had some bumps and bruises along the way, but that those scrapes were always worked through and covered with plenty of love. Plus, the struggles of young adulthood and growing up are so spot on, thanks in huge part to this relationship. This is the book I could have used when I was trying to navigate young adult friendships.
The romance in the story took its time and didn't feel forced or trite, and it wasn't the main vein of the story, which is so great in a YA book. Most especially, though, Misty's relationship with her dad, while they both navigate their grief...so gorgeous.
In spite of some of the heavy subject matters of this book, it didn't ever feel heavy, if that makes sense. It doesn't get bogged down in those subjects, but the story keeps moving, true to real life, I think, and in a way that keeps things engaging.
Lastly, Lookout...so cool to have a "girl and wild horse bond" story that doesn't feel utterly fantastical. Lookout is wild enough to make it feel magical, but he's firmly rooted in legitimate equine psychology that gives it a heavy dose of reality, which was so satisfying for a horse lover. Seriously, she doesn't ride off on the wild stallion at the end of the story, and personally, I loved that. Striking the chord of magical connection while still being grounded in reality...well, that's possibly the most impressive feat of the novel, but seriously, everything about this is great.
Misty is such a great protagonist, real and interesting and singularly herself, and Lou is the perfect compliment, Misty's opposite in so many ways, but bound together in all the ways that matter. I loved that the "best friend" relationship had some bumps and bruises along the way, but that those scrapes were always worked through and covered with plenty of love. Plus, the struggles of young adulthood and growing up are so spot on, thanks in huge part to this relationship. This is the book I could have used when I was trying to navigate young adult friendships.
The romance in the story took its time and didn't feel forced or trite, and it wasn't the main vein of the story, which is so great in a YA book. Most especially, though, Misty's relationship with her dad, while they both navigate their grief...so gorgeous.
In spite of some of the heavy subject matters of this book, it didn't ever feel heavy, if that makes sense. It doesn't get bogged down in those subjects, but the story keeps moving, true to real life, I think, and in a way that keeps things engaging.
Lastly, Lookout...so cool to have a "girl and wild horse bond" story that doesn't feel utterly fantastical. Lookout is wild enough to make it feel magical, but he's firmly rooted in legitimate equine psychology that gives it a heavy dose of reality, which was so satisfying for a horse lover. Seriously, she doesn't ride off on the wild stallion at the end of the story, and personally, I loved that. Striking the chord of magical connection while still being grounded in reality...well, that's possibly the most impressive feat of the novel, but seriously, everything about this is great.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews