Thursday, August 15, 2019

Blog Tour: We are the Ghosts - Vicky Skinner


We Are the Ghosts
Vicky Skinner
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
After her estranged brother suddenly dies, a girl embarks on a road trip to rediscover who her brother really was in this contemporary YA novel.

When Ellie's estranged brother, Luke, dies in a car accident, she's not sure whether to be devastated that she lost the person who was once her best friend or enraged, still, that he left without a word a year ago. Now, the only people who seem to understand what she's going through are Luke's best friend and his ex-girlfriend, who she bonds with over their desire to figure out where Luke went when he walked out of their lives.

As she gets closer to them, and closer to Cade, a boy who seems determined to get to know her better, she realizes that she’s not the only one with reasons to be angry at Luke. And when Ellie makes a discovery that changes everything, she and her new friends hit the road, hoping that following Luke's trail will bring them answers about the life Luke was living away from them.
REVIEW

Ellie never imagined the next time she would see her brother would be at his funeral, and therefore, when she received a map plotting their epic road trip, she went in search of some answers. The road trip was intended to help her gain some closure, but via this trip, she found a way back to herself, while also mending some important relationships.

I will tell you five things I loved about this book:
  1. Skinner did a fantastic job depicting all the different ways we grieve, and during this road trip, I felt like I went through all the stages of grief with Ellie. Flashbacks were used thoughtfully to help give us a better understanding of Ellie's pain, and it really increased the emotional impact for me. 
  2. Ellie had to deal with losing her brother twice, and this was a profound loss for her, because her identity was so closely tied to her relationship with him. She didn't just lose her brother and her best friend, she sort of lost herself, and this road trip was as much about her as it was about him. 
  3. Wow! So many secrets, and they find a HUGE one in Michigan. That was probably the biggest surprise of the book for me. I thought it was rather sad, but also felt it was a ray of hope for Ellie. 
  4. Cade, can we just talk about Cade. He got a gold star for patience and perseverance, and Ellie should count herself lucky to have someone like him on her side. 
  5. Skinner incorporated several themes in this book, such as friendship and forgiveness. Just about every character in the book was flawed, and all warranted forgiveness from someone. I was glad grace was shown to these characters and that they were given the opportunity to redeem themselves. 
Skinner did a wonderful job combining elements of friendship, romance, and mystery into this story of grief and loss, and I was more than happy to take this healing journey with Ellie. 

* ARC received in exchange for an honest review.



GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Born and raised in Texas, I don’t act like much of a Texan. I like cold weather and hate country music. I have a gorgeous husband, two dogs, and a Literature degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. If I’m not at home reading a book or doing laundry, I’m probably at the bookstore, nannying three rambunctious boys, or stuck on the side of the road with car trouble. I’m a reader, a writer, and a bit of a crazy person.











Road Trips - Yay or Nay?
Let us know in the comments!

22 comments:

  1. Great review, Sam! This sounds like an emotional, yet beautiful story! Very well written overall, too! Glad you liked it! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think this sounds like an emotional but an amazing read. I am definitely curious about Cade now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was about a group of grieving people, but there were brighter moments, and overall, it was hopeful. I think every book needs that one character, who never gives up on the MC, and Cade was that character.

      Delete
  3. michigan...made me sit up and pay attention. i love stories that take place in a location i am familiar with
    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am such a fan of that too, be it movies, TV, or books, I love having walked the path the characters are taking.

      Delete
  4. The plot to this just sound so good! I've had my eyes on this book for a while and I'm just so excited for it.

    bookstune.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's an interesting look at how we deal with grief, and being estranged from that loved one affects how you process their death.

      Delete
  5. Now Sam I WANT to know what secret he hid!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That part broke my heart. I have a thing about when things seem to be going well and then the person is robbed of that experience. It makes the death more tragic (if you read Crooked Kingdom, that was how I felt about that death)

      Delete
  6. I don't mind flawed characters but I do like when they get their redemption.

    Is this a road trip book - or more about what happens when they reach their destination?

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are on a road trip, and they do visit several sites, but MI was where it all came out.

      Delete
  7. Lovely review, Sam! Now I want to get to know Ellie and find out what the secrets are!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The idea of thinking that you know someone so well, but then you discover a whole different side of them is what was explored here, and it's sort of sad, because you can never talk to that person and try to fully understand everything.

      Delete
  8. I have recently discovered the road trip kind of narrative isn't actually one for me... but then this one is again tackling the topic of grief and it sounds like it handles it well. So maybe I need to give this one a go regardless? Hmm...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like a good road trip book. I especially like, when the author works the setting in and utilizes the "closed" scenes in the car well.

      Delete
  9. This story sounds like such a tear jerker Sam! Ellie's road trip sounds cathartic. I enjoy when a character can grow and learn about themselves. You have me curious about all of the secrets, especially the big secret in Michigan. Wonderful Review Sam!

    Lindy@ A Bookish Escape

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely a bunch of sad moments, but there were happy moments too, and overall, the book is hopeful.

      Delete
  10. Okay, I'm definitely curious about why the brother took off a year ago and what the big secret was. So sad for Ellie - like you said, she basically lost him twice. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I found out what was keeping him in MI, my heart broke even more. I have problems with people dying, when things seem to be falling into place for them.

      Delete
  11. The blurb on this book really made me think. We only know our relatives as our brother, sister, mom, dad, etc. It's so interesting to think about discovering them in another way. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good point, and a big part of this story. I was there for the grief, but I definitely got a lot more than that, when I read this book.

      Delete