Book

The Ghost Squad

📖 Overview

The Ghost Squad follows 16-year-old Polly after she awakens from a coma to discover she can see and interact with ghosts. Set in a world where a mysterious virus has caused numerous deaths, Polly joins a secret organization that works with ghost operatives. The story combines elements of supernatural thriller and science fiction as Polly navigates her new reality and abilities. She must solve a series of interconnected mysteries while working alongside both the living and the dead. Through teen protagonist Polly's perspective, the novel explores themes of mortality, grief, and the bonds that persist beyond death. The narrative raises questions about the nature of consciousness and the price of power.

👀 Reviews

Readers describe The Ghost Squad as a fast-paced YA supernatural thriller that holds attention throughout its 400 pages. Positives from reviews: - Strong character development of protagonist Polly - Detailed world-building without being overwhelming - Blend of science fiction with ghost story elements - Complex moral questions that avoid easy answers Common criticisms: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few readers wanted more backstory on secondary characters - Occasional confusion about the technology/supernatural rules Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 from 89 ratings Amazon AU: 4.6/5 from 12 ratings Reader quotes: "The tech elements feel realistic while the ghost aspects maintain their mystery" - Goodreads reviewer "Polly's grief and choices feel authentic but there are parts where the plot drags" - Amazon review "Good balance of action and character moments though some side characters needed more development" - Goodreads review

📚 Similar books

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The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson A Louisiana teen enrolls in a London boarding school and discovers she can see ghosts just as a Jack the Ripper copycat killer begins terrorizing the city.

City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab A girl who survived a near-death experience gains the ability to see ghosts and must use her power to protect others when she travels to Edinburgh with her ghost-hunting parents.

The Archived by Victoria Schwab A keeper of the Archive, where the dead rest on shelves like books, must track down violent Histories escaping into the world while uncovering dark secrets about her role.

Lockwood & Co: The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud In an alternate London where ghost-hunting agencies employ psychically gifted children, three young operatives run their own agency and tackle dangerous hauntings without adult supervision.

🤔 Interesting facts

🌟 Sophie Masson, born in Indonesia to French parents, weaves her multicultural background into many of her stories, including elements in The Ghost Squad 🌟 The book explores themes of quantum physics and parallel universes alongside its supernatural elements, blending science fiction with ghost story traditions 🌟 The Ghost Squad was partly inspired by the author's fascination with urban legends and ghost stories from different cultures around the world 🌟 The novel features a unique take on digital technology's intersection with the supernatural, incorporating elements of both traditional ghost stories and modern tech concerns 🌟 The book's setting in the fictional city of Catholic Hill draws from various real-world locations in Australia, where Masson has lived most of her life