Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Format Read: Paperback
Number of pages: 302 pages
Published: July 23rd, 2024
Source: Purchased
Opening Line: "I don't know the cat's name, but this much I did know: If she was snuggling up to me, there was a ghost with us."
At seven years old, Gus saw is sixth ghost, a white-haired former ballerina in a house his parents were restoring. He helped her to move on by listening to her story and returning her lost locket. Now, at twelve, Gus and his mom are moving again for her latest renovation project on the mysterious and remote Nameless Island. But this time, Gus is worried because he can't find the protector items that keep ghosts from hurting him, like the lucky penny that his dad gave him before he disappeared.
At seven years old, Gus saw is sixth ghost, a white-haired former ballerina in a house his parents were restoring. He helped her to move on by listening to her story and returning her lost locket. Now, at twelve, Gus and his mom are moving again for her latest renovation project on the mysterious and remote Nameless Island. But this time, Gus is worried because he can't find the protector items that keep ghosts from hurting him, like the lucky penny that his dad gave him before he disappeared.
Once Gus and his mom arrive at the historic Rotham Manor, they discover the eerie Nameless Island cemetery at the edge of the property, filled with unmarked graves. Gus even catches a glimpse of a ghostly boy at the gate. Rotham Manor has been abandoned for years, and though his mom knew the project would be an undertaking, she never expected the devastation waiting inside. The manor is a disaster zone, riddled with holes, busted plumbing, and missing half of the staircase leading to the second floor. Gus's mom poured everything into restoring the manor, even embellishing her skills to secure the job. What are they to do now? And what of the mysterious ghost lurking in the cemetery?
The Ghost of Nameless Island is the first book in a new trilogy from Carly Anne West. The illustrations by Teo Skaffa add to the creepy vibes of the story and I adore that cover. I also love stories set in old houses or mansions-they conjure images of ivy creeping up the walls, rooms with hidden closets and endless opportunities for exploration. Gus is a very responsible young man, and I love how supportive he is of his mom. He plays a crucial role in helping her regain control of her breath when she suffers a panic attack after seeing the manors interior. He constantly tries to make her smile and is deeply concerned about keeping her stress level down, or at least not adding to it. That's why he never tells her about the ghost in the cemetery. His dad was the one who believed in paranormal encounters, while his mom would likely dismiss his experience and take him back to his therapist.
The Ghost of Nameless Island is the first book in a new trilogy from Carly Anne West. The illustrations by Teo Skaffa add to the creepy vibes of the story and I adore that cover. I also love stories set in old houses or mansions-they conjure images of ivy creeping up the walls, rooms with hidden closets and endless opportunities for exploration. Gus is a very responsible young man, and I love how supportive he is of his mom. He plays a crucial role in helping her regain control of her breath when she suffers a panic attack after seeing the manors interior. He constantly tries to make her smile and is deeply concerned about keeping her stress level down, or at least not adding to it. That's why he never tells her about the ghost in the cemetery. His dad was the one who believed in paranormal encounters, while his mom would likely dismiss his experience and take him back to his therapist.
Nameless Island makes for a wonderfully spooky setting. With the manor, cemetery, lighthouse, rainstorms, and the need to take a boat to reach it, the island exudes eerie and isolated. Along the way, Gus gets help from two local children, Miles and Tavi. They run the Nameless Fameless vlog and are looking for intel on the Manor's previous owner, Karl Rotham- a suspected bootlegger. Together they hunt for answers about the manor's mysterious owners and search for clues to the identity of the broken ghost boy. I love how these two mysteries provide twists and turns, creating just the right amount of tension in the story-especially when the broken boy ghost is able to injure Gus, something that never happened when he had his dad's penny. While some answers about the manors past emerge, the story ends on a cliffhanger. Luckily, The Boy Who Could Fly releases in September!
I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE
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