Fast forward a few weeks, and the two of them are still working together to send the lingering ghosts into the light when their mission is unexpectedly interrupted by another ghost-talker. The second installment of the G&G series is, in my opinion, even better than the first! So when we last left Alona and Will, Alona had been sent back from the light and they had tentatively begun a romantic relationship of sorts. Stacey Kade, however, tosses disillusioned YA readers like me a lifeline. It's as if the author doesn't know where to go from there, and descends into a bunch of moan-y, groan-y relationship troubles to keep the series afloat. This tends to happen with a LOT of other YA PNRs where the MCs have been established as a couple in the first book. Remember Crescendo? No, I haven't read it, but I've read enough and more about it, and from what I can tell, it is one large angst-fest between Nora and Patch. Thankfully, Queen of the Dead, far from suffering from the Middle-Child Syndrome, rocked my socks right off! Middle books are sometimes such HUGE disappointments, especially when they revolve around an established romantic couple from the first book. I really enjoyed The Ghost and the Goth, so I was a little apprehensive about ruining the magic with Queen of the Dead. But if there's one thing I should have learned by now, it's not to ignore Alona. Plus, she might know stuff about my dad that even my mum doesn't. I always thought Alona and I were doing the right thing helping those other ghosts, but mina has me thinking otherwise. Things get confusing when I meet Mina, who's the first ghost-talker I've ever encountered (other than my dad). And sure, she had to die before she'd talk to me - but I don't know, I kind of like having her around.

Yes, I've had a crush on her since sixth grade, but I also kind of hated her. I'm still totally amazed that Alona Dare is my spirit guide and that it works. But there are some things - like saving my parents from a couple of horrible mistakes - that would be easier with his assistance. Now he's all distracted by this frizzy-aired girl who can - big deal - communicate with the dead, too. Even though he drives me crazy, and he could seriously do with a tan - Hello! It's summer! - I'm glad he's here to help me.

It's a good thing Will Killian is still around. But a girl's got to what a girl's got to do. I mean, seriously, who is running things up there? Now I have to spend the summer after my senior year working - and on behalf of a bunch of whiny spirits, no less. Second, I got sent back from the Great Beyond. I'm not perfect, no matter what you've heard.

Stacey kade books