The Ghost and the Goth (The Ghost and the Goth, #1) in The Not-So Austen Bookclub

May 31, 2012 Keertana rated it really liked it

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I'll admit I liked this book against my better judgement. The Ghost and the Goth is one of those books you can't really analyze, can't really dissect, and can't help but find fault with. Is the story predictable? Hell, yes! Are the characters unique and different? Not really. So what was so great about this book? Why the 3.5 Star rating? I have one word to tell you: enjoyment. Sometimes a book comes your way that isn't particularly unique, isn't particularly edge-of-your-seat Rating: 3.5 Stars

I'll admit I liked this book against my better judgement. The Ghost and the Goth is one of those books you can't really analyze, can't really dissect, and can't help but find fault with. Is the story predictable? Hell, yes! Are the characters unique and different? Not really. So what was so great about this book? Why the 3.5 Star rating? I have one word to tell you: enjoyment. Sometimes a book comes your way that isn't particularly unique, isn't particularly edge-of-your-seat-gripping, isn't particularly anything new; yet, it manages to make you laugh-out-loud, fall in love with its characters, and grin like an idiot while reading it. The Ghost and the Goth was a light, quick, and funny read that I found to be utterly adorable!

Alona is your typical high school cheerleader: tall, blonde, popular, and seems to have the school wrapped around her finger. So, imagine her surprise when she finds out that she really wasn't as popular or loved as she once thought she was! When Alona is hit by a bus and instantly killed, she returns as a ghost only to find that her boyfriend was cheating on her with her best friend, everyone she thought she knew liked her really didn't, and the only person who can see her is Will Killian - the freak. Killian has spent his life trying to avoid ghosts, but he can see them everywhere. The real trouble starts when they find out that he can see them since that's when they begin to flood him with request after request. So, when Will finds himself face-to-face with Alona's ghost, all he wants to do is get rid of her. But, if there's one thing he learns about Alona it's that it's next-to-impossible to make her leave. Thus, the two find themselves striking an unlikely companionship: Alona will help Killian deal with his ghosts if he helps her understand about her life as a ghost and helps her to hopefully leave. Yet, what neither of them bargain for is a strange attraction to one another and a mysterious (and terrifying) ghost on their hands...

I know what you're thinking - Alona and Killian sound like every single typical high school character we've read about! What's so great about them? I thought the same thing when I started this book, but I soon found out how wrong I was. Yes, Alona is petulant and can be a bitch, but she's also a girl with very real issues. Life for Alona is far from black and white and I think that Kade does a remarkable job of introducing some depth into this otherwise light tale. The Ghost and the Goth was told in alternating perspectives between Alona and Killian and I loved both their POVs. Alona, despite seeming to have an irritating voice, was actually really funny and I found myself admiring her strength and independence. Killian too was an interesting character who had to deal with a plethora of problems of his own, from his evil teacher, his psychiatrist who is bent on proving that he is insane, and his father who has committed suicide three years ago and seems to be haunting him. I think what struck me the most about Killian's perspective was how male he was. Authors usually fail to truly make me realize that I'm reading a guy's POV, but Kade was spot-on with Killian. I absolutely adored the interaction between Killian and Alona and thought that the pacing from their unlikely companionship to friendship to something a little more than that was perfect. The manner in which their relationship progressed was remarkably realistic and more than a little fun to read!(:

I don't usually like ghost stories, especially ghost love stories since I always think that they're going to end in heartache, but I found myself falling for this couple - hard. In addition to the incredible friendship between Killian and Alona, I thought that the plot of The Ghost and the Goth was rather well written. Yes, it was juvenile and strange, but it also kept me guessing till the very end. Was it a little out there and unbelievable? Yes, it was, but only slightly. For the most part I found myself admiring Kade's ingenuity at thinking up a story line like the one she did. Honestly, I only have a few qualms with this book and even they weren't big enough to make me not like this book. I think The Ghost and the Goth would have benefited from a little more information about Alona and Killian's lives, giving these characters more of a fleshed-out and defined feel. I also think that some of the situations were a bit too predictable and the high school setting was beyond typical, which very nearly made me give up on this story in the beginning; yet, the characters managed to make everything worth it. I'm hoping that Kade will step up her game in the sequel as I'd love to see the more vulnerable side of Alona that we only got a glimpse of in this story. Perhaps what I like the most about this book is that the characters know that they're imperfect and have flaws and they like each other despite those flaws. It's not everyday that you see a relationship like that and that truly made me fall in love with this book.

Should you pick up The Ghost and the Goth ? Definitely! I read this book at a time when I really needed a light and fun read, so it fit together perfectly with my mood and managed to cheer me up and make me laugh almost instantly. So, if you're looking for something adorable, cute, and interesting, look no further! This ghost and goth will keep you plenty satisfied! ;) ...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Ishanaz rated it liked it

It was different from any books I've ever read - from a perspective from the girl anyone hates but admires at school. The fact that she is a ghost was, I think, a good idea, and I'm glad she became less obnoxious at the end. But through all the bitchy-ness she had all along, there was still a part of her that I couldn't help but feel connected with, and empathized with. Overall I totally recommend it for any chick-lit fantasy readers, and I hope to read the next one! ...more

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