First Second Anya's Ghost

I liked this book well enough. It just wasn't a favorite, and I'm not sure it's memorable either. Feels like a been there, done that kind of book. A story that's been told in different ways a million other times, but with less substance.It was a fast read. I loved the graphics and illustrations, and I did like Anya's journey and her growth in the book, but I just felt like I wanted more. I don't know. I guess my biggest thing with this one is that I wasn't sure whether I liked it or not. I was in-between, hence the 3 stars.Anya wasn't very nice, she's a mean character, but she does change her ways and I appreciate that much. That being said, Emily's plot was interesting. A little spooky in fact.I think this is a book for a much younger age group, that's for sure. I found myself finishing the book and closing it with a "meh".

I bought this book because it popped up in my Amazon recommendations, the ‘see inside’ preview looked interesting and it has a Neil Gaiman quote on the cover.I say all this only to justify myself and mitigate my review because I’m not really the target audience for this.Anya is a high school girl in an American private school. She comes from a Russian immigrant family and is painfully aware of her differences and wants to fit in. She also has the usual teenage hopes and dreams such as whether the cute boy in her class likes her.Then one day she meets a ghost, a girl of a similar age who died nearly 90 years ago. She befriends the ghost and together they navigate some of the trials of high school. Only maybe her new best friend is not quite all she seems…As I said above, I am really not the target for this book. So when I say that whilst I thought it was well-drawn and competently told the story was a little too straightforward and predictable, and the issues it dealt with (self-acceptance, peer pressure etc) a little cliche, then I am aware that I’m being unfair. On its own terms and for the market it’s aimed at it works well. For me it was enjoyable but just ok.

I bought two of these. The first was direct from Amazon, but they are putting sticky labels on the back with the pricing details etc which is a BAD move because peeling the sticker off leaves a tacky residue. I hate the Amazon labels. They seem to be putting them on a lot of their graphic novels. The second was from a different supplier, minus label, thank you.The graphic novel itself is a classic. I bought this for my 12 year old daughter. She hasn't read it yet but I'm certain that she will love it.

My daughter (11) found this very disturbing and scary, not at all funny or sardonic as it is presented. I would have liked more warning of the type of content than was given -- it appears to appeal mostly to adults.

For the most part, I enjoyed this. But it isn’t perfect or mind blowing in any way. I felt this had plenty of potential, but fell a little short in a number of areas. But, for what it is, it’s a fun little read. The artwork is beautiful and I was able to spend a couple of hours enjoying the time spent reading it.