Ghostcloud (Ghostcloud, 1) Paperback – September 5, 2023

Amid a grim setting of kidnapped children forced to labor underground in post-apocalyptic London is the theme that friendship and love really can conquer all. Through a chance encounter with a ghost, 12-year-old Luke discovers his own supernatural abilities. With the help of human, animal and spirit friends, he uncovers the mystery of how his evil captor Tabatha has succeeded in snatching him and thousands of other children to operate her grisly power plant. Written for a young audience, Ghostcloud is equally enjoyable for older readers as well. Its dark and often morbid settings provide unlikely backdrops for an uplifting, captivating and charming story.

I adored this novel, and its tale of a boy in bleak circumstances who strives for freedom. The setting is a dystopian-Victorian-feeling alternative London, rendered in atmospheric detail, and home to hero Luke Smith-Sharma. Except Luke doesn't read like a character, he comes across as a real young man who discovers miraculous abilities in himself. I zoomed to the end and wondered: When is the next Ghostcloud book out?!

My 8 year old daughter got this book and ripped through it in two days, unable to put it down!

I absolutely loved this! It was so dark, & yet so heartwarming all at the same time! This is such a creative & unique take on a “ghost story”, & I loved & appreciated that. I was hooked from the start-with so much I wanted to know more about right away. Like, why are these kids shoveling coal? Who is this evil woman? How can she get away with it? And more..This worlds whole backstory was so intriguing. Then the more you learn about Tabitha & what is actually going on in this place-fascinating! Such great characters in here too. Since I’m already talking about her-Tabitha is written perfectly & so vividly that I could almost hear her heels as she walks, & her sharp nails as she taps them. She is so cold & heartless, but also extremely smart & calculating.Then you have the 4 main kids(1 is a little different to the others so to speak though lol). Luke was such a great MC, & so well fleshed out. You really feel like you know all the characters really, but him especially. He has memory flashbacks of life before being kidnapped, & you get to see the before, the kidnapping, & his current situation so clearly. Plus, you learn about who he is inside. Such a great soul. Ravi is tough around the edges, but is a kind heart that’s had to learn to be tough. Can’t wait to delve into his story some more possibly..Jess is amazing! It’s a tie between her & Alma with who has my heart(oh! & of course Stealth! Love that cat!). Jess is so optimistic & cheery in spite of everything that has happened. She also wants to be a plumber. She’s already a very good one lol & she will just come out with plumber/plumbing facts & it’s just hilarious. Alma is such a complex, guarded in some ways, character. Her whole backstory, or the mystery of it all, is so sad..Her view on life has turned sad, & cynical as well. Meeting Luke really helped her. They helped each other in many different ways. And both of their character growth/development was superb.So you have all of that, then you add in “Ghostcloud” to it(that includes everything we learn about this..all the detailed & imaginative parts that I am so gripped by & obsessed with)& you have a phenomenal read. I don’t want to say more, because I don’t want to spoil a thing. All soooo good! The ghostclouds, ghouls, council, rain, the location the kids are taken & everything about it, the End Place, the smog..love it! So much danger, suspense, adventure, atmosphere, & more. I finished the last 70% in 1 sitting. Also, full of amazing friendship-friends who do anything for 1 another. Great messages too of course. I was SO excited to see there will be more! This had such an amazing ending, & I’m so excited to see their next adventure. It was set up perfectly for the next 1, & the ending just gave me all the book hugging feels. HIGHLY recommend. Absolutely STUNNING cover front & back, & naked hardback by Chaaya Prabhat as well!💜