I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Appearance of Annie Van Sinderen by Katherine Howe Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on September 15, 2015
Genres: YA
Pages: 400
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher
It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Annie is a ghost. Wes is a little slow on the uptake, however, not fully comprehending what Annie is until she makes it glaringly obvious. In his defense, she wasn’t your typically ghost. She had a physical body…just not one that everyone else could see.
Annie, as a spirit, has the ability to move between present and the past, physically shifting from current New York City to her own time in the late 1820s. Aided by Wes and a few of his friends, the group puts together the pieces that form the circumstances around Annie’s death. The results are chilling, yet give Annie the ability put her spirit to rest for good.
This is certainly an interesting and unique spin on the traditional ghost story. Gone are the rattling of chains and moaning voices, replaced with a transfixing young woman. Though the cover alludes to a dark and terrifying tale, I found it to be quite the opposite, a hopeful and uplifting tale of facing one’s fate, given the power to control it. The dark and terrifying aspects are hinted at with the circumstances around Annie’s death, but these are more alluded to than presented directly.
My only complaint? Wes’ instalove with Annie’s character. Sure, at the time he doesn’t know she’s a ghost, but once he does, it still takes him a bit to reign in his feelings. He has an incredibly attractive young (alive!) woman begging for his attention. He pushes her away when Annie walks into his life, only returning when he realizes their love isn’t mean to be.
Complaints aside, though this wasn’t as dark and chilling as Howe’s previous book, Conversion, I found it to be a beautifully written, incredibly engaging gothic tale. Highly, highly recommended.
