Shadowland by Meg Cabot
Book blurb: “I’m sorry, Heather, but everything was not just fine before I got here. You know how I know that? Because you’re dead. Okay? You are dead. Dead people don’t have lockers, or best friends, or boyfriends. You know why? Because they’re dead.”
The Mediator series, I’ve heard a lot about it read a few reviews, and here we are doing my review on it. Getting past the hype was tough, and reading the book without any high expectations. But I shouldn’t have worried. I found myself peaking ahead quite often because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next. I know it’s bad for skipping ahead I’ll admit curiosity got the best of me, but I drew the line at flipping to the end and ruining the surprise.
Susannah was a very relatable character I saw some of myself in her which made me want to invest in her story. I think it was cool she could talk to ghost, which brings us to the beginning. Susannah is introduced as the new kid recently transplanted from New York to Calaforina with her new blended family. Being the new kid sucks what sucks more being haunted by the dead girl you’ve replaced at your new exclusive private school, fun times. For the first time in her life Suze has siblings which is awkward and their relationship is stiff but she’s taking all these changes as well as to be expected. I love the idea behind this series a girl who can talk to ghosts and help them or send them packing into the after life when need too. But the blemish is plot pacing dips often and though the second half of the book is shaky the story was compelling, even with the anticlimactic ending.
A few things made my head scratch a little, first was the whole business of how Susannah got accepted to the prestigious “exclusive” private school. Isn’t really clearly explained I mean wasn’t money tight, and the only reason they could afford the big house they live was because it was haunted, no one wanted to live there, maybe I missed something. Suze’s mother who is sweet but clueless or in denial about what her daughter can do, her attitude forces Suze to lie to her. If it wasn’t for Jesse to talk to I don’t know how she would deal. I think the whole siblings deal feels like an add on to move the story in certain places forward. But maybe as I read the rest of the series that will change. I would recommend this book if you’re a fan of paranormal, fantasy or books with ghosts. I gave it a three and a half out of five the reason its the first book in the series. So most energy seemed to have been spent in establishing the world and its mythology, the characters, which the story suffered a few cracks for that benefit. Hopefully book 2 will be much better.
Disclaimer: I always try to be honest and impartial in my reviews my goal is not to tear down a writers work but to offer my most humble constructive opinions. Be it negative or positive it meant to be taken as such, after all these are just my opinions so please take it with a grain of salt.
Rating: 3.5/5
- Title: Shadowland by Meg Cabot
- Series: The Mediator Series
- Published: December 28, 2004
- Publisher: Harper Teen
- Genre: Paranormal
- Rating: 3.5 / 5
- Recommendations: (Ages 14+) For paranormal/ fantasy fans.
- Format: Paperback
- Pages: 287
- Buy: Amazon
There’s a hot guy in Susannah Simon’s bedroom. Too bad he’s a ghost.
Suze is a mediator-a liaison between the living and the dead. In other words, she sees dead people. And they won’t leave her alone until she helps them resolve their unfinished business with the living. But Jesse, the hot ghost haunting her bedroom, doesn’t seem to need her help. Which is a relief, because Suze has just moved to sunny California and plans to start fresh, with trips to the mall instead of the cemetery, and surfing instead of spectral visitations.
But the very first day at her new school, Suze realizes it’s not that easy. There’s a ghost with revenge on her mind. And Suze happens to be in the way.