Beyond

Beyond: A Ghost Story by Graham McNamee
4/5 stars
Wendy Lamb Books, 2012
226 pages
YA Horror

Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not entirely sure why I requested this as horror freaks me out but I do like ghost stories and I am trying to be braver. From the start, I found myself intrigued immediately connecting with the writing style.

I can't share too much about the plot as that is so integral to enjoying the story for yourself. Basically Jane has a shadow that is trying to kill herself. But I can also say that everything builds on itself, making for a more multi-layered story and increasing the stakes. As a horror story, it starts out deceptively calm with passages increasingly taking a turn for the creepy as we go to the big climax and conclusion.

One of the elements that I really appreciated was Jane's friendship with Lexi. Lexi unquestioningly accepts Jane and her weirdness and the two provide vital support to each other during the difficult teenage years in addition to the bizarre things that are affecting Jane. I loved that friendship played such a prominent role with just a sprinkle of romance in appropriate places.

Another part I loved was the inclusion of ghosts; I don't want to get too specific but I loved some of the imagery around there. I also really appreciated that this was a standalone with good resolution. Loose ends were wrapped up and we know where people are. Those who survive to the end can look optimistically to the future, which is how I like my books to end.

Overall: A twisty intense emotional thrill-ride with a compelling main character and an awesome best friend.

Cover: Very scary-I actually feel like a more subtle cover would have been appropriate because of the way that the story rises.