Ghost Huntress Book 2: The Guidance [Paperback]

The good news is that the author continues to realistically portray teenagers, their experiences, attitudes and particularly their zany and metaphoric way of using language. This makes for a humorous and entertaining reading experience. The story, like the previous novel (Ghost Huntress I the Awakening), is a page turner. The characters quickly come to life and are convincing. Their emotions are effectively communicated in the story, and I felt those emotions right along with the characters. There are frequent exciting scenes, and moments of genuine warmth and caring.

The bad news is that I have three areas of concern, rather perplexing to me after liking the author's first Ghost Huntress novel so much.

The author no doubt wants to be accurate with her paranormal details, so much so that, if I recall correctly, she has participated in actual ghost hunter investigations. But in this novel the author has a teenager possessed/oppressed by a civil war soldier's ghost. Now, I have never heard of any alleged ghost supposedly having the power to possess or oppress to the extent the fictional ghost does in this story. Theologically speaking and also in the arena of paranormal research, possession/oppression is only accomplished by demons/evil spirits. Oppression, by the way, is more than spooking, scaring, and minor harassment, when it allegedly occurs.

Now it may be that the author knows this but sought to lighten-up things by having a ghost do the possessing/oppressing rather than a scarier demon/evil spirit.

Second, in the story Kendall (the heroine) seeks to reassure her mother about her psychic powers and activities by sharing a list of Bible references, provided to Kendall by her Episcopal priest. Objection: there is no way a competent Episcopal priest would have used those verses. They are surprisingly lame. I will permit myself just three examples:

One example on Kendall's list is Mathew 14:26 where Jesus catches up with his disciples in their boat by walking on water, a rather famous incident. They mistake Him for a ghost. Kendall's conclusion: "Right! So if Jesus was a ghost, maybe they are real?" That's a rather dumb conclusion by a gal that has a fictional IQ of 152! Just because, in the story in the Bible, Jesus was walking on water at night and looked like a ghost to his disciples doesn't mean the story portrayed Him as an actual ghost! This verse certainly in no way comes anywhere near proving that ghosts actually do exist.

The author cites Psalm 91 and Luke 4:10 and writes: "there are references to angel and spirit guides" (page 184). The verse says that angels guarded Christ, meaning in a protective way. Spirit guides are not mentioned. (Luke 4:10 quotes a verse in Psalm 91.)

I mention one more. Regarding, John 16:12-23, the author writes that "Jesus talks of future truths that will be revealed to the world through mediums." That's pure garbage. Read the verses. There's nothing there about mediums. Jesus mentioned that "the Spirit of Truth" (which most sensible Bible interpreters take to mean the Holy Spirit) will come and lead His disciples into all truth.

Why these inept "proof-texts"? The author is obviously intelligent enough to avoid mistakes like these. Was she in a hurry? There are, after all, much better verses to support to existence of paranormal things (for example Matthew 17: 2-3 at Christ's Transfiguration and 1 Samuel 28, the medium of Endor).

I need to comment on one more issue: This novel's reading level is designated as appropriate for "young adults," meaning ages 12-18. There is a scene in it in which a teenage cheerleader, who is in the story possessed/oppressed, "feels herself up" (page 199) in front of a football-game-watching crowd and includes a few explicit details. The author even has one unnamed character comment, "This is totally rental porn" (also page 199). My own feeling is that this certainly is not appropriate content for younger readers.

The author is a talented weaver of tales. She writes good stories. I looked forward to this second installment of her Ghost Huntress trilogy. But I was disappointed, especially by the careless use of Bible verses and the highly questionable content for young readers. Personally, these aspects to an extent dampened my reading enthusiasm.

Recommended, with reservations, only to older teens (better young adults) and adults interested in paranormal stories.

It may be a tad lame for a woman in her mid 40's to be reading a YA book but do I care? No! Was it a good book? Heck frickin' YES!! I'm no writer (not fiction, anyway) but if one wants to appeal to the yound adult crowd, one has to speak their language...and Marley Gibson definitely does! I have an 18 yr. old son and some of the texts he sends me (on my BlackBerry, of course) look very similar to the ones in this book. I especially like Marley's/Kendall's description of the "oh s**t!" handle above the passenger door Kendall grabs when she and her mother drive into ATL to the para-shrink. Too funny! (btw, that decription is accurate...think about it). I'm a total book nerd and usually have 4 or 5 books on my nightstand at any given time. This one, I had to read completely through and did so in 5-1/2 hrs., which is a new personal best. As for the Episcopal priest's dialogue at the critical moment in the story...it's entertainment folks. It's not meant to be verbatim since this is not a "based on a true story" kind of book. Don't be so theological, mmmkay? Kids don't give a rip about things like that, they just want a good story with characters they can relate to. Period. I think Marley balances everything quite nicely but that's just my opinion. I'll be reading #3 and 4 today (yes, both in one day) and can't wait. I'll read anything Marley Gibson writes because I think she's that good. p.s. LOVE your sense of humor Marley! U so crazy! LOL

ATTENTION ALL BELIEVERS AND NON- BELIEVERS ALIKE!

This is the second book in the Ghost Huntress series by Marley Gibson.

I have already written a review for the first book, and I am now on to the second. This book is a PERFECT sequel to the first one, and I really am amazed. This book is as captivating as the first one, if not more! There is action, suspense, mystery, and just so much more!!!

PLEASE read this series, trust me, you won't regret it!

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