Andi's Young Adult Books: 'Food for a Hungry Ghost' Book Tour Review

Thursday, February 28, 2013

'Food for a Hungry Ghost' Book Tour Review

Food for a Hungry Ghost

Life was pleasantly normal for Gala Rhyce—that is, until her mom moved the family to Flagler Beach, Florida. Now—despite the palm trees, ocean breezes, and cute surfer guys—Gala is miserable…until she meets Trista. Trista makes a great friend, except for one thing: she's a ghost.

The girls learn to communicate, and through Gala, Trista finds a way to experience the world again. As Gala’s romance with a heartthrob poet begins to bloom, her unlikely friendship with Trista continues—until the ghost wants more than Gala can give, and things start to go horribly wrong.

Filled with horror, romance, and humor, Food for a Hungry Ghost is about friendship, trust, jealousy, and boundaries that get pushed too far.

How much can Gala endure? Will she survive the clutches of the Hungry Ghost?

**My thoughts**

Food for a Hungry Ghost is a fun read. At about 80 pages, it is also a very quick one.

You feel sorry for Gala, as she is lonely and trying to adjust to life in a completely different environment. She grew up in Wisconsin and has been thrust into life in Florida. Talk about culture shock! All of her friends are back home. Sure, she is starting to meet people in her new town, but it is so hard to do that in the middle of the summer.

Gala's mom professes to be a medium of sorts. It turns out that Gala is able to tune into the spirit world even better, as she is able to channel the ghost of the daughter of their landlords. Trista died in an accident back in the 1980s, but never left her home. Now that she can channel herself through Gala, she feels like she can live again.

I got a kick out of how Trista is so stuck in the 1980s. As she tries to influence Gala's dress and her actions, I was thrown back to my own childhood. Turquoise mascara! But Trista's influence quickly begins to take over. I got annoyed with Gala for not being a stronger person, especially when she still had a choice in her actions. But, that's part of the learning process when growing up!

This story does have a satisfying ending and could stand well on its own. However, it does also leave itself wide open for more similar stories to follow. Even those who don't like cliffhangers should be able to appreciate this book on its own.

It isn't a ghost story that is going to completely creep you out and make the hairs stand up on the back of your neck. To me, it was more of a paranormal romance about friendship and standing up for yourself, with a little humor thrown in. I will be curious to check out future installments!