Thursday, August 23, 2018

Review: The Girl in the Green Silk Gown by Seanan McGuire

While book one in the Ghost Roads series was good, The Girl in the Green Silk Gown surpasses it. It continues the story of Rose who has been 16 now for 60 some odd years. She's the phantom prom date, the girl in the green silk gown. She travels the highways and byways in the lands of the living and the dead.

But Bobby Cross, the one responsible for her death, is out to get her now more than ever. He struck a bargain with the Crossroads for eternal life and youth, but he needs to feed souls to his car. And he's aching to feed Rose to it. Bobby finds a way to toy with Rose, bringing her back to life. She is more vulnerable as a living human being than she was as a ghost. And she is whinier in a funny way.

Rose needs help and fast. She needs to be able to traverse the roads of the living and the dead in order to get back to the death she's come to know.

This book is smoother reading than the first book, less jumping around, more coherent. It's also pretty suspenseful. Many times it seems just when things can't get worse, they do. It works well keeping your attention. And it makes it something of a page-turner.

On the cover, there are symbols for both Rose and Persephone whose blessing she has on her back as a tattoo; now she must seek more. The mythology in the book is complex, well thought out, and easy to follow. It's a nice blend of urban legend, Greek mythology, and the unique lore of the world Rose lives in.

I found I really disliked Bobby Cross. I don't feel any sympathy for him. That might change if he is ever remorseful, but that's for book 3 to see. He makes an excellent villain.

I give this book 4 stars out of 5. Book two in the Ghost Road series definitely surpasses book one even though both are good. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown by Seanan McGuire was published July 17th, 2018 from DAW.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. This in no way affects my review. All opinions herein are my own and freely given.

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