The Time of the Ghost

Rating:
Summary: Not confusing, only a tiny bit predictable
Review: I think the story behind this book is unique -- the main character starts off confused, only to discover she is bodiless and has no idea why, except an overwhelming panic of "There's been an accident!". She turns out to be a ghost and it takes several chapters for her to figure out which of four sisters she is a ghost of -- and yet, all four are still alive and healthy. There is some jumping back and forth in time but it is not meretricious, and it is clear when it happens, except maybe the first time when it is not clear to the character and so cannot be clear to the reader if the whole confusion thing is to be pulled off. Once it is discovered what has gone on and what will soon go on that is, well, rather deadly, the ghost has to figure out how to stop the bad things from happening. The way the bad thing is stopped is rather cheesy and predictable, if you're in the "feel good" kiddie novel mindset, but that is the only fault of the book. Otherwise, the characters are excellently portrayed and very unique, and the book has a lot more depth to it than you'd think.

Rating:
Summary: Not confusing, only a tiny bit predictable
Review: I think the story behind this book is unique -- the main character starts off confused, only to discover she is bodiless and has no idea why, except an overwhelming panic of "There's been an accident!". She turns out to be a ghost and it takes several chapters for her to figure out which of four sisters she is a ghost of -- and yet, all four are still alive and healthy. There is some jumping back and forth in time but it is not meretricious, and it is clear when it happens, except maybe the first time when it is not clear to the character and so cannot be clear to the reader if the whole confusion thing is to be pulled off. Once it is discovered what has gone on and what will soon go on that is, well, rather deadly, the ghost has to figure out how to stop the bad things from happening. The way the bad thing is stopped is rather cheesy and predictable, if you're in the "feel good" kiddie novel mindset, but that is the only fault of the book. Otherwise, the characters are excellently portrayed and very unique, and the book has a lot more depth to it than you'd think.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but Confusing!!!!
Review: I think this book is really god, but extrmemley confusing. At first I couldn't figure out what was going on, but I got it eventually (by the middle of the book)It is entertaining, but some parts are not for the squeamish. A little graphic detail, but the story is all the richer for it. I would recommend it to people who like ghost stories. I would also reccommend you read Diana Wynne Jones other books.

Rating:
Summary: Meandering Plot... *Yawn*
Review: I thought the idea of this story was truly original. I did not, however, enjoy the writing skills of Diana Wynne Jones or the slowness of the storyline at times. Diana is able to portray characters very well with description, but she doesn't make the characters feel like "real" people. Also, her writing style is very confusing at times. At some points in the story you don't know who the person narrating is. It switches off from person to person without really notifying you. Overall, I found the book to have an original concept but a dragging and complicated storyline.

Rating:
Summary: Definitely Creepy
Review: I'm a big fan of DWJ and have read most all of her books. At first, I was hesitant to buy and read this one becuase the cover didn't look like the typical DWJ fantasy novel, but I am glad I took the chance! This book was definitely creepy and hard to put down. The plot is well formulated and DWJ's experiments with time/time displacement, similar to "A Tale of Time City," is very well utilized here. A fantastic novel that definitely leaves a creepy impression, even when it is finished.

Rating:
Summary: My Favourite DWJ Book!
Review: I've read many books by Diana Wynne Jones, and this is definitely my favourite. Unlike some of her other books, the story makes complete sense once all the pieces come together in the end. The ending itself is very satisfying. The characters and situations in the book are quirky and original. Very nice, a great read!

Rating:
Summary: Warning: Caused intense thinking
Review: I, on the whole, loved this book. If you look at Arthurian legend, there is a huge black bird which washed the bodies of knights before they died- rather like a fate sealer or something- called a 'Morrigan'. I, even though the author might not have intended this connection, made a connection between the Morrigan and Monnigan, the doll. Monnigan was not just a doll. She was a complete goddess from Pagan times. Maybe she was fictional, but there was a Queen Mab of the Fairies, whom I think, also demanded sacrifices. I thought the book was much darker than several of her other novels. It was very different. It was also much more complicated, and confusing in the beginning, but it was very good. I liked the difference. I know in several of other fantasy novels the clear cut plot makes them repetitive, and sometimes life is confusing and all loose ends do not tie up. It only took me one read to get the book. You do have to take it rather slow, and pay attention to detail. In my opinion there was lots of symbolism, and it made you think. Which was awesome. It was one of those novels that hangs on your dreams forever. Once you get into it, you can't put it down. Maybe it was just me, but I couldn't.

Rating:
Summary: Warning: Caused intense thinking
Review: I, on the whole, loved this book. If you look at Arthurian legend, there is a huge black bird which washed the bodies of knights before they died- rather like a fate sealer or something- called a 'Morrigan'. I, even though the author might not have intended this connection, made a connection between the Morrigan and Monnigan, the doll. Monnigan was not just a doll. She was a complete goddess from Pagan times. Maybe she was fictional, but there was a Queen Mab of the Fairies, whom I think, also demanded sacrifices. I thought the book was much darker than several of her other novels. It was very different. It was also much more complicated, and confusing in the beginning, but it was very good. I liked the difference. I know in several of other fantasy novels the clear cut plot makes them repetitive, and sometimes life is confusing and all loose ends do not tie up. It only took me one read to get the book. You do have to take it rather slow, and pay attention to detail. In my opinion there was lots of symbolism, and it made you think. Which was awesome. It was one of those novels that hangs on your dreams forever. Once you get into it, you can't put it down. Maybe it was just me, but I couldn't.

Rating:
Summary: love pure love!!!
Review: love i say love i love . it changed my life,when i found it in a gutter i was a blonde bimbo with bad marks.now i study hard and have a place reserved for me at harvard and cambridge. i want to be a brain surgeon,a lawyer and a computer scientist. i have done a leval maths,physics,english and biology! my iq is 205.
i am only 12!! a year ago i was a nothing and wanted to be a vouge supermodel.i picked up this book and went on a journy of discovory.love,love,love!!!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent children's fantasy thriller
Review: The book opens with an un-named (female) protagonist becoming aware that she is a ghost, who appears to be haunting her three sisters who are the terribly neglected children of a couple operating an English private school (possibly in the 1950s). Much tension is developed by the ghost trying to find out exactly who she is, and why she is condemned to haunt this family. At the same time the characters and the lifestyles of the children are fascinating in themselves. But as the book evolves we learn about the evil that has been evoked and what the consequences are. Needs a mature reader (I'm 45!) but appealed very well to my 15 year-old, who is fond of all of this author's books