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The Hungry Ghost
Book Review
Don’t be misled by the word ghost, as it isn’t particularly scary
At the start, I didn’t know whether I would like this book as I thought it might be scary and I don’t really enjoy scary or spooky books. However it wasn’t scary and I ended up really enjoying the book. The way the book is written makes you want to constantly read it as it is so packed with mystery, adventure and action; you don’t want to put it down because you want to know what happens next.
There were also lots of twists and turns in the plot: How are Ling and Freja related? Will they succeed before the end of the month of the hungry ghost? Not only does the story reveal Ling’s past but it also reveals the tragedy that befell Freja‘s family and the reason her and her parents were no longer a happy family. Each story is linked and at the end it leads to two remembered pasts.
My favourite character is Freja as she is so determined and resilient to help Ling, the hungry ghost, remember her past, even though her dad doesn’t believe her and her step-mum, Clementine, took her possessions she would need on her adventure.
This is the first book I have read that is set in China. I like reading books set in other countries because it gives you an idea of what those countries are like. In this book you get introduced to some Chinese culture and traditions like the month of the hungry ghost. Throughout the book you are introduced to more and more Chinese tradition. Having a lot of factual elements as well as a story makes it more believable and I also liked that I was learning something.
I would recommend this book to anyone (including adults) from the age of 10. I think it would be a very enjoyable read for anyone and it is still full of mystery and adventure no matter how old or young you are. Don’t be misled by the word ghost, as it isn’t particularly scary despite the title maybe implying so.
About the Book
The Hungry Ghost explores themes of families under stress, grief and acceptance through the story of two brilliant girls and as you will hear from our young reviewer it is not as scary or ghostly as the title perhaps implies.
Freja arrives in Singapore during the month of the hungry ghost, when old spirits are said to roam the streets. She’s struggling to settle into her dad’s new, ‘happy’ family, and dreams only of escaping home and leaving this hot, unfamiliar city. Then one night, a mysterious girl in a white dress appears in the garden.
Freja follows this figure to lush, secretive corners of the city, seeking to understand the girl’s identity. Her search will lead her to an old family mystery – one that must be unravelled before the month is over, to allow both girls to be freed from the secrets of the past.
Reviewer Profile
Isabelle, 11
- Reviews: 11
- Likes: football, art and writing
- Dislikes: mushroom and Star Wars
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