Review: Ghost Time

Ghost Time
by Courtney Eldridge
Expected publication: June 11th 2013 by Amazon Childrens Publishing

Thea Denny hates the tenth grade, and her home life isn't easy. But she's passionate about making art — and about her math-genius boyfriend, Cam, a recent transfer to her upstate New York high school from California. One day Cam mysteriously vanishes — and then things really get weird. The stars on the school flag go missing, eerily cut out. Intimate videos of Cam and Thea start going viral online — videos they never took. The FBI gets involved. And Thea can hear the voice of Melody, a beautiful, disabled girl her age, whose illness has left her mute since birth. Cam once claimed to be the world's foremost hacker. . . . Is he trying to reach her, send her a sign — or is Thea losing her mind?

Synopsis from Goodreads

This book blew me away. Plain and Simple. Any expectations I may have had could not be compared to what I experienced reading this. It's one of those books that you love so much that you feel the need to recommend it to absolutely everyone you know, and maybe even some people you don't. So, why am I not calling every one of my second cousins (twice removed) to tell them about it? This book is not going to be one that everyone will love.
Not like I did.

I have tried and tried to put words together in a way that I can describe the book. I want people to get a good idea what they can expect from Ghost Time. So here goes...

First off, it's like someone is telling you a story; there are no quotations, there are mannerisms. It can come across as awkward to read, but I promise you get used to it. It's not exactly a journal, but you feel like you're getting a very intimate look into someone's life. If you've ever read The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, you will understand what I mean. Personally, I felt that this brought me closer to the main character. I felt like I knew Thea by the end of it, and now that I'm finished the book, I feel like I'm missing my best friend!

Second, it has a timeline a little like Memento (the movie with Guy Pearce), although it is simultaneously moving forward AND back, in alternating scenes. We learn about Thea and Cam in the past, watching their budding relationship in reverse, to figure out what happens in the future. And it all hinges on one moment in time, when Cam disappears. When I'm reading the past scenes, I lose myself in Thea and Cam's relationship, their chemistry. And then I come to the future scenes, and I have to remind myself that he's gone. I'll admit that I kind of miss him too...

It's a good thing there's a sequel in the making; I won't have to miss them for long! I had been under the impression that this book was a stand alone, but when I got the end, I was downright heartsick!  I immediately went online, and breathed a small sigh of relief. The story is NOT at an end. There may not be an expected publication date yet, but I know that I can at least hold on to hope.

The two halves of the story, past and future, have very different vibes to them. It's like, sweet love story vs. paranormal conspiracy theory. And I LOVE the way they collide! I was instantly fascinated, constantly enthralled, and covered with goosebumps from beginning to end!

I feel the need to tack on a warning for language and mature themes. Though this is being published by Amazon Children, and the protagonist is 15, it doesn't necessarily mean that this book is for your kids. I recommend parents giving it a read first.

A copy of this book was provided by Netgalley.