Ghost Book; Remy Lai

Remy Lai delivers again with another excellent graphic novel as supernatural meets reality.

Despite her dad telling her that ghosts aren’t real, July Chen knows differently. She sees them, and right now she is seeing lots of them. It’s Hungry Ghost Month; the gates of the underworld are open and spirits are roaming freely among the living. When July saves William, a lost soul trapped between life and death, he becomes her first real friend. Fate has a funny way of bringing people together and, connected by a tragedy twelve years earlier, a grim truth awaits the pair. William needs July’s help. But to do what William wants, July will have to pay the ultimate price…

Boy meeting girl has surprising consequences in an adventure that has a dash of dark and a sprinkle of spookiness. Featuring spectacular artwork that manages to be eerie, scary and humorous (often all within the same panel) and packed with Chinese culture and cultural references, Ghost Book is a quirky, sweet and funny fantasy graphic novel that uses the Hungry Ghost Festival as the catalyst for a touching exploration of grief, friendship and moving on after family tragedy.

Life and death, truth and lies, ghosts and ghouls, magic and mischief, and a lot of dumplings all feature in a rollicking journey through the underworld as Remy deals with big topics, striking the perfect balance of lighthearted and poignant moments. William and July will pull on the heartstrings one moment and have you laughing out loud the next.

An excellent choice for readers who are after something a little different and with a slightly darker side, Ghost Book is one to curl up with during spooky season and is perfect to get those ghostly celebrations in full swing.

Recommended for 8+.

With huge thanks to Allen & Unwin for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.