Review: Excellent start to a series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 29, 2013
*I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*Emma and Lana are adopted and on their 16th birthdays, strange things happen to them-dying bodies, new found powers, tattoos appearing overnight, talking ghosts and the chance to visit London for work experience. Now they discover that they are part of a secret crime-fighting group with superpowers, and the girls are tasked with helping a ghost to cross over.I really like the way that the author blends a good plot with characters that you can't help but like. Lana is the impulsive and loud sister and Emma is the quiet and serious sister and they blend well together. Josiah, the ghost, is a sweet and kind boy who gradually requires more help to solve his problems as the book progresses and you feel so sorry for his situation. The characters that come in during the story are good-best friend Scott, the love interests, Eleanor and Wilbur who run the society so well, the mentors and the other crime-fighting teenagers who help Josiah. And we meet Daisy who features in the novella between books one and two, which I have also read and liked. There wasn't anyone that I didn't like in this book. Even the creepy Skull gang, their enemy, added lots of interest to the book plot. The writing style is simple and effective, taking you along for the ride and keeping you interested in learning what is happening alongside the girls. It is uncomplicated and not over descriptive. The characters are nicely developed and you care what happens to them all which can leave you a bit emotional for them at times!The book is not all action ninja crime-fighters, despite the girls new powers. It is more of an introduction to the society and to the girls and their family history. Despite the lack of lots of all out action scenes, the book does not seem slow or boring at any time. You are learning a lot about the girls and their powers and watching them building relationships with their new friends. I also like the British setting for the book, reading about places that I have actually visited myself! I could see the London skyline and the places they visited quite easily in my head. I think it helped to add a bit of realism to the story for me, seeing how excited the girls were to get to try life in the big city.I don't really have any negatives about the book. It is very enjoyable and easy to read. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys a character driven YA paranormal plot. There is a slight touch of innocent romance, no bad language or sexual content and suitable for all ages.It will be interesting to see what direction the next book in the series takes, and I will certainly want to see what happens next.