Review for Ghosters by Diana M. Corbitt

Ghosters by Diana Corbitt

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Series: Ghosters, Book 1

Publication: Bedazzled Ink Publishing

Publication Date: May 1st, 2017

Format: Mobi

Price: $ 7.99

Pages: 182

Amazon Link: Click Here

Rating:

• Trigger Warning and Disturbances: 2/10
• Erotic / Sexual Content: Nil
• Gore and Dismemberment: Nil

Do you believe in Ghosts?  The supernatural? Do you believe in the ideology of unfinished business? When things don’t seem the way as they appear, will you flinch or dive within?

 

Theresa Martinez was on a rude awakening when she had to move on in her life. The change was inevitable that she found herself wound up on her grandparents' ancestral house with her brother and father. Things seemed to go at a slow-pace until rumors shot into their ears about the unrest ghosts that roamed on their lands. With a post-depressed father and a brother suffering from conditions related to Asperger Syndrome, Theresa had to embrace her fears when she explored the unknown. Nevertheless, little did she expect to find all these mysteries link to her. 

Diana M. Corbitt didn’t fail to give you more than what you bargained for in her read Ghosters. It might seem like an ordinary ghost story for children, based on its cover and style, but I could assure you that even grown-ups had their fair share on the complex, standard topics expressed in a way that catered her audience, in the age group of 10-to-14-year-old.

As a light read, Ghosters was the first installment for its stand-alone trilogy series, which consisted of 34 chapters. Written in the present tense, first-person perspective, it was fast-paced and had an excellent content flow with minimal to no hindrances at all. Throughout the plot, you might find the writing style amateurish, but its simplicity was what made a mature topic lucidly comprehensible to her middle grade audience. Corbitt's need to explore cultural diversity was evident: her comparison between the British and the American’s cultural use of the language and formal address, and Spanish used to give out a Hispanic or a Latino vibe to her protagonist’s background. Igniting the flames of paranormal and mysticism in this children's read, it explored beyond the call of duty to express human emotions very well.  

In this short 180-pager, Corbitt was very realistic when she expressed the paranormal experience: the sensing of a familiar smell, the change of temperature, and the apparitions were spot on. You might feel goosebumps and an intense adrenaline rush as you read along. Parents can stand back to let their kids experience this exciting advantage with Corbitt's intriguing, yet insightful characters. What would etch in your mind was the way Corbitt expressed her thoughts and emotions using her characters. You could feel their trepidation, bafflement, shock, and immense grief, which were lifelike and perfect, as you move along and experience with them. The characters' reaction to different situations based on its calamity was exquisite. She used a very mature topic related to a parent’s death and how the family was dealing with their loss. Isolation and the feeling of abandonment were what lurked in this excitingly suspenseful short read. 

What stood out the most was the showdown performance from her vivid and realistic characters, even the simplest not-so-important character had something to offer. As a character-driven read, our star protagonist, Theresa, was a 12-year-old who shouldered a huge responsibility beyond her years. She demonstrated her strength, both physically and mentally, her fears, and her emotions sharply, which signified Corbitt's eloquent hand. Theresa had her ways to invoke emotions in you: from being annoyed to feeling bad for her. Her British friend, Kerry, had a lively nature suitable to a 14-year-old. Her unflinching, vivacious nature was what pushed Theresa to explore beyond her comfort zone. She was an excellent yet patient friend and an exciting support character to our protagonist. Joe, also known as Jojo, defined Corbitt's dexterity as an author: his Asperger Syndrome showed the differences he faces as a person and how the people around him had to adjust their lives accordingly. As a lovable 8-year-old, he was a dotting brother who would stand by his sister when she needed him the most this trait of his was the exact characteristic that would make you love him above all. The most mystifying character was Mr. Martinez, also known as Dad, he had so much going on: the constant hiding which would arouse your inhibition, the withdrawn personality of a person suffering from post-depression, and the favoritism among siblings would ignite a flame in you. He would remind any of you the showdown personality of the mother of Susan Salmon from The Lovely Bones.

Ending on a heart-rending note, Ghosters dived in the emotions of loss, love, hope, and realization, which paved the way to the process of healing between a strained father-daughter relationship. 

***

“I died in a car crash because it was meant to be, Theresa. I don’t want you blaming your self.” I watch as she kisses my cheek. She moves aside and Grandma Carmen bends down and kisses me. “Your mother forgives me now, and now that everything has been set right, it’s time for us to go. But remember… we'll always be watching over you.” Mom holds out Little Isabel, who says, “Bye-bye, Tessa.” She pats my cheek and gives me a wet, baby kiss. “We love you.” And they are gone…