Helpful Score: 3
My daughter was reading this and I pulled it out of the beach bag one day when I forgot my book. This was such a good story - a great read for YA and adults. Great ghost story and great story about New Orleans.
Helpful Score: 2
A well-written ghost story. Spooky in parts and suspenseful twists in a historic New Orleans atmosphere. Likable characters. Coming of age situations young adults would relate to, but a good enough story for all ages.
Helpful Score: 2
Reviewed by Andrea for TeensReadToo.com
In RUINED by Paula Morris, Rebecca feels out of place and homesick when she is suddenly shipped off to stay with an "aunt" in New Orleans while her dad travels to China. She doesn't make friends at school, but she does make a friend in the most unexpected place- the cemetery that her aunt has forbidden her to go to.
The only catch is that her friend, Lisette, is a ghost. Once Rebecca finds out why Lisette is still haunting the city, she's determined to figure out her murder. But she soon finds out that her own past is one of secrets and that her life may be in danger.
I think my favorite part of the story was reading all about New Orleans. I loved reading some of the history of the city and of Mardi Gras. I went there last spring so it was neat to read about things I have learned.
This was a fun ghost story. There were several big twists at the end. Two of them were complete surprises and one I saw coming. I really liked the characters of Rebecca and Aurelia. I found them both believable and Aurelia seemed so cute. This is a fun paranormal read.
In RUINED by Paula Morris, Rebecca feels out of place and homesick when she is suddenly shipped off to stay with an "aunt" in New Orleans while her dad travels to China. She doesn't make friends at school, but she does make a friend in the most unexpected place- the cemetery that her aunt has forbidden her to go to.
The only catch is that her friend, Lisette, is a ghost. Once Rebecca finds out why Lisette is still haunting the city, she's determined to figure out her murder. But she soon finds out that her own past is one of secrets and that her life may be in danger.
I think my favorite part of the story was reading all about New Orleans. I loved reading some of the history of the city and of Mardi Gras. I went there last spring so it was neat to read about things I have learned.
This was a fun ghost story. There were several big twists at the end. Two of them were complete surprises and one I saw coming. I really liked the characters of Rebecca and Aurelia. I found them both believable and Aurelia seemed so cute. This is a fun paranormal read.
Helpful Score: 2
This was an awesome YA ghost story! New Orleans, a curse, past stories intertwining with the present, an old cemetary, a mardi gras parade.... I enjoyed it. Simple and easy to read. The cover art makes no sense with the ghost woman in her nightie, though. lol This story makes me want to go visit an actual New Orleans cemetery.
This book held my attention till the very last page.
My favorite thing about this book was the New Orleans history behind the story and the hurricane. The rituals and closeness the people still fell into even after hurricane Katrina.
Very good book and I recommend it :)
My favorite thing about this book was the New Orleans history behind the story and the hurricane. The rituals and closeness the people still fell into even after hurricane Katrina.
Very good book and I recommend it :)
Helpful Score: 2
I couldn't put this book down, it was a great story that combines the current conditions of post-Katrina New Orleans with its rich history, all wrapped up in a mysterious ghost story and experiences of a teenage girl in a new and unfamiliar city. Both my 16 year old and I loved this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Wow! I expected this to be just another teen novel that was mildly entertaining but I was very surprised to find that it was not only an excellent book but very thought provoking.
Loved the insightful details on New Orleans society and Mardi Gras. In fact, I pretty much loved everything about this book. I was going to keep it to read again but decided that others needed to share in this great book! So here you go and hope you enjoy.
Loved the insightful details on New Orleans society and Mardi Gras. In fact, I pretty much loved everything about this book. I was going to keep it to read again but decided that others needed to share in this great book! So here you go and hope you enjoy.
Helpful Score: 1
My daughter was reading this and I pulled it out of the beach bag one day when I forgot my book. This was such a good story - a great read for YA and adults. Great ghost story and great story about New Orleans.
Helpful Score: 1
I took this book with me when I went to New Orleans for vacation. This book is 100% accurate on the locations, the rules, the history, the names, etc. A must read for anyone going to New Orleans to brush up on the town history and what it's like before you go. Even the closing of the grave yard is accurate. I loved this story and could not put it down, especially while being there and being able to walk along and go, yep that's there, yep that's right, etc. Loved it!
Reviewed for www.chicklitclub.com - if you love chick lit, join the club!
Being sent to New Orleans to live with her eccentric aunt Claudia is not how Rebecca Brown wants to spend six months of her life. She's only met Claudia once and doesn't want to go live with her in New Orleans, a place so foreign to her it might as well be another country. But Rebecca's father is going to China on business, so she's enrolled at a prestigious new school, where most of the girls are unwelcoming (because you're either one of "Them" or you're not) and the only ones who talk to her do it because they are told to do so. Particularly unfriendly are Marianne Sutton and Helena Bowman, who are the descendants of some of the richest families in the city and have prestige written all over their faces. One night, Rebecca wanders into the Lafayette Cemetery across the street from her aunt's house, curious to see what a group of people from school - including Marianne and Helena - are doing there after midnight. It's dark and with Rebecca not knowing her way around, she stumbles on the way out and is shown the entrance by a black girl who is around her age. After pondering who this girl could be, Rebecca goes back to look for her again another night, only to find her sitting by the Bowman family grave. Once she starts talking to this girl, Rebecca finds out that her name is Lisette and she is a ghost who was murdered more than 150 years ago. At first Rebecca doesn't believe it but Lisette proves her ghostly presence in various ways. Neither girl knows why Rebecca is able to see Lisette while no one else can. In the process of developing a friendship with Lisette, Rebecca is also befriended by the gorgeous Anton Grey, who is one of Them - the families with money and power in New Orleans. Anton seems like he can be trusted but Rebecca isn't too sure about his true intentions. Soon enough, she learns some heart-stopping secrets about her family, her own life and Lisette that will turn her world upside down. The line between whom she can and can't trust starts to blend and Rebecca begins to wonder if it's too late to save herself and her family. With so much suspense and mystery, Ruined is a fast-paced and fun read that you won't want to put down until the very end. (AS)
Being sent to New Orleans to live with her eccentric aunt Claudia is not how Rebecca Brown wants to spend six months of her life. She's only met Claudia once and doesn't want to go live with her in New Orleans, a place so foreign to her it might as well be another country. But Rebecca's father is going to China on business, so she's enrolled at a prestigious new school, where most of the girls are unwelcoming (because you're either one of "Them" or you're not) and the only ones who talk to her do it because they are told to do so. Particularly unfriendly are Marianne Sutton and Helena Bowman, who are the descendants of some of the richest families in the city and have prestige written all over their faces. One night, Rebecca wanders into the Lafayette Cemetery across the street from her aunt's house, curious to see what a group of people from school - including Marianne and Helena - are doing there after midnight. It's dark and with Rebecca not knowing her way around, she stumbles on the way out and is shown the entrance by a black girl who is around her age. After pondering who this girl could be, Rebecca goes back to look for her again another night, only to find her sitting by the Bowman family grave. Once she starts talking to this girl, Rebecca finds out that her name is Lisette and she is a ghost who was murdered more than 150 years ago. At first Rebecca doesn't believe it but Lisette proves her ghostly presence in various ways. Neither girl knows why Rebecca is able to see Lisette while no one else can. In the process of developing a friendship with Lisette, Rebecca is also befriended by the gorgeous Anton Grey, who is one of Them - the families with money and power in New Orleans. Anton seems like he can be trusted but Rebecca isn't too sure about his true intentions. Soon enough, she learns some heart-stopping secrets about her family, her own life and Lisette that will turn her world upside down. The line between whom she can and can't trust starts to blend and Rebecca begins to wonder if it's too late to save herself and her family. With so much suspense and mystery, Ruined is a fast-paced and fun read that you won't want to put down until the very end. (AS)
This was an excellent read!! It left me wanting more by the author!! I was on the edge of my seat and surprised at unexpected twists near the end! EXCELLENT read!
LOVED this book. New Orleans, ghosts, celebrations, finding out who you really are.... lots of classic, good stuff. Well written, I wish this one had a sequel!
It was a fun ghost story. New Orleans has always seemed like such a foreign and mystical place to me full of history and lore, so I was thrilled that this ghost story took place in New Orleans. I feel like if ghosts do exist, then New Orleans is the ghost mecca!!
I enjoyed how cleverly Ruined was written. I felt like I learned about New Orleans' past and culture, yet Paula Morris kept the story moving and didn't give everything a way in the beginning. Morris wrote Ruined in such a way, that you had sudden "aha!" moments, yet you still didn't know everything. She kept you guessing as to who was really good and bad up until the very end! I really appreciated that.
I enjoyed how cleverly Ruined was written. I felt like I learned about New Orleans' past and culture, yet Paula Morris kept the story moving and didn't give everything a way in the beginning. Morris wrote Ruined in such a way, that you had sudden "aha!" moments, yet you still didn't know everything. She kept you guessing as to who was really good and bad up until the very end! I really appreciated that.
Pretty sure this may be meant for young adults. I'm a sucker for a ghost story, so I ordered it, but the writing seems geared to young people. It's a pretty good mystery with a little supernatural thrown in, and if you are also a sucker for News Orleans lore, it's a good read.
Amazing! Grabs you from the first page and keeps you turning the pages till the very end. Lots of twists,turns and mysteries throughout the story. Well developed characters, relatable and likable.
Great quick read.
Great quick read.
