Ghost Friends Forever #1 by Monica Gallagher - Book Review
Release: 19/12/2017
Format: Kindle
Publisher: Papercutz / Charmz
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Synopsis: Sophia Campos is only just getting used to her new life with her divorced dad and managing their business of helping ghosts, when she meets a ghost girl who changes everything. Not because she’s a ghost - but because of what it brings out in Sophia.
Soon her brother, her best friend, her old crush Jake, and her parents entangle themselves on solving the case of the dead girl. Because she’s not just any average ghost girl. She also holds a piece of the puzzle to something Sophia cares about very much -what was the paranormal event because of which her parents split up in the first place?
Ghost Friends Forever brings together YALSA-nominated writer Monica Gallagher and rising star Kata Kane. For fans of Nancy Drew and Scooby-Doo
Goodreads
Amazon
About the Author Monica Gallagher: Monica Gallagher is an indie creator with over fifteen years experience making comics and illustrations with a positive, feminist spin. She has worked for Oni Press, Vertigo, Papercutz, and Valiant, and as well as self-published several of her own mini-comics and books.
Her current webcomics are Assassin Roommate and BOO! It's Sex!, updated weekly on Webtoons. Monica recently finished her first scripted podcast with Alex Segura, Lethal Lit, (mentioned by the New York Times as “A Great Podcast of 2018”!) for iHeart Radio.
A BIG Thank You to NetGalley, Papercutz and Charmz for providing me a copy of “Ghost Friends Forever #1” by Monica Gallagher in exchange for my review.
This was a very cute book to read reminding of me the old Scooby Doo mysteries. The main highlight of the book was the relationship between Sophia and Whitney. I admire that this book was lesbian themed and targeted towards a younger audience. What’s really cool about it is that the author didn’t even make it sound like a big deal. The relationship between the two is very fluid and described like a normal relationship between any couple. The story is very light hearted and you immediately build a soft spot for the two.
I also liked the blend of the murder mystery of Whitney while forming the bond between Whitney and Sophia. Honestly, I didn’t expect the killer to be who it turned out to be, so that was a fun surprise. I enjoyed the action packed climax and the positive note that it ended with. Most of the characters are also very likable (except Felix, who was very annoying!). Whitney was my favorite character and I hope she returns in the future installments.
However, there were some minor irritating things while reading this graphic novel. The main problem I found was the pacing. The story immediately jumps into the plot, without providing any introduction to the characters or history to their work. This might work well for some, but I found it confusing.
Secondly, some story-lines are not explained, like the reason for the parents divorce, or what supernatural activities occur in Spectreville. I also don’t get why Felix got angry at Sophia just because their parents divorced. Thirdly, the parents look way too young! It’s hard to believe that parents of two teenage children would look like teenagers themselves. I just couldn’t take anything they said or did seriously because of this aspect.
The book also provided previews of other series such as “Stitched” and “Scarlet Rose”. "Stitched" seems like a fun book with a creepy theme, and I have added that to my list.
Overall, I felt this was a fun book to read, but had the potential for better execution. Perhaps if the illustrations were drawn in a finer way, then it would have made for a memorable read. I give “Ghost Friends Forever #1” 3.5/5 stars.
Ghost Friends Forever #1
by Monica Gallagher
3.5
★★★
★
★
★
3.5 out of 5 stars
Synopsis
"Sophia Campos is only just getting used to her new life with her divorced dad and managing their business of helping ghosts, when she meets a ghost girl who changes everything. Not because she’s a ghost - but because of what it brings out in Sophia.
Soon her brother, her best friend, her old crush Jake, and her parents entangle themselves on solving the case of the dead girl. Because she’s not just any average ghost girl. She also holds a piece of the puzzle to something Sophia cares about very much -what was the paranormal event because of which her parents split up in the first place?
Ghost Friends Forever brings together YALSA-nominated writer Monica Gallagher and rising star Kata Kane. For fans of Nancy Drew and Scooby-Doo"
Release
19/12/2017
Format
Kindle
Publisher
Papercutz / Charmz
Source
NetGalley
About the Author
Monica Gallagher
Monica Gallagher is an indie creator with over fifteen years experience making comics and illustrations with a positive, feminist spin. She has worked for Oni Press, Vertigo, Papercutz, and Valiant, and as well as self-published several of her own mini-comics and books.
Her current webcomics are Assassin Roommate and BOO! It's Sex!, updated weekly on Webtoons. Monica recently finished her first scripted podcast with Alex Segura, Lethal Lit, (mentioned by the New York Times as “A Great Podcast of 2018”!) for iHeart Radio.
My Review
A BIG Thank You to NetGalley, Papercutz and Charmz for providing me a copy of “Ghost Friends Forever #1” by Monica Gallagher in exchange for my review.
This was a very cute book to read reminding of me the old Scooby Doo mysteries. The main highlight of the book was the relationship between Sophia and Whitney. I admire that this book was lesbian themed and targeted towards a younger audience. What’s really cool about it is that the author didn’t even make it sound like a big deal. The relationship between the two is very fluid and described like a normal relationship between any couple. The story is very light hearted and you immediately build a soft spot for the two.
I also liked the blend of the murder mystery of Whitney while forming the bond between Whitney and Sophia. Honestly, I didn’t expect the killer to be who it turned out to be, so that was a fun surprise. I enjoyed the action packed climax and the positive note that it ended with. Most of the characters are also very likable (except Felix, who was very annoying!). Whitney was my favorite character and I hope she returns in the future installments.
However, there were some minor irritating things while reading this graphic novel. The main problem I found was the pacing. The story immediately jumps into the plot, without providing any introduction to the characters or history to their work. This might work well for some, but I found it confusing.
Secondly, some story-lines are not explained, like the reason for the parents divorce, or what supernatural activities occur in Spectreville. I also don’t get why Felix got angry at Sophia just because their parents divorced. Thirdly, the parents look way too young! It’s hard to believe that parents of two teenage children would look like teenagers themselves. I just couldn’t take anything they said or did seriously because of this aspect.
The book also provided previews of other series such as “Stitched” and “Scarlet Rose”. “Stitched” seems like a fun book with a creepy theme, and I have added that to my list.
Overall, I felt this was a fun book to read, but had the potential for better execution. Perhaps if the illustrations were drawn in a finer way, then it would have made for a memorable read. I give “Ghost Friends Forever #1” 3.5/5 stars.
