Book Review: The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss

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The Escape Game  by Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss  opens on the set of a reality television show called "The Escape Room" where one of the season four contestants, Alicia Angelos, is found in a coffin on set ... dead. Fast forward to season five where Sierra Angelos, the murder victim's younger sister and suspected killer, has been brought back to the show and paired up with Beck, Adi, and Carter. Sierra wants to find justice for her sister, but when Sierra and her teammates start uncovering clues about the true killer, they must figure out how to survive the game. A huge thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for approving my request and providing me with a digital copy of The Escape Game  for free in exchange for my honest review. I was immediately drawn to the title and cover of the young adult novel. Throw in the plot being about an escape room, and I was completely sold on the story before even reading it. The story is told from the perspective of fou...
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Book Review: The Little Scottish Ghost by Franz Hohler

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NetGalley ARC of The Little Scottish Ghost by Franz Hohler
The Little Scottish Ghost by Franz Hohler is a children's picture book that is being re-released in the United States by NorthSouth Books on July 18, 2023.  This humorous and not so scary book is about a little ghost that is learning to haunt the house she lives in with her parents, but her lessons don't go as planned as she ends up making the residents laugh instead tremble in fear.  Because of this, she is sent off to a castle to learn how to haunt properly.

I'd like to thank NetGalley and NorthSouth Books for approving my request to read The Little Scottish Ghost.  Originally published in 1980, I had never heard of this book growing up, and it sounded intriguing.  I knew I had to read it and was happy that I received the ebook for free in exchange for my honest review.

This is absolutely the kind of book I would have loved reading as a child. I have always been drawn to stories about ghosts, witches, and other magical or spooky, but friendly characters, and this book captures that playful spirit perfectly. Despite being about ghosts, the story is not frightening at all, making it an ideal picture book for young readers who may be curious about spooky themes but aren’t ready for anything truly scary. Instead, the story focuses on positive and reassuring messages. The Little Scottish Ghost teaches children that things don’t always go according to plan, but sometimes those unexpected outcomes can lead to something even better. It also shows that everyone has their own unique strengths, and being different doesn’t mean being wrong.

At the same time, the story offers a gentle reminder that things and people aren’t always what they seem at first glance, and young readers will likely relate to the little ghost’s desire to succeed and make her parents proud. While I enjoyed the overall story, I did feel at times that something may have been slightly lost in translation, which made certain moments feel less impactful than they could have been. However, this did not take away from the book’s charm.

The illustrations were absolutely wonderful and added so much personality and warmth to the story. The artwork helps bring the little ghost and her world to life, making the reading experience even more enjoyable. The expressive characters and detailed settings make this a visually engaging children’s book that young readers will love revisiting.

Overall, The Little Scottish Ghost by Franz Hohler is a delightful, humorous, and meaningful children’s picture book that combines gentle life lessons with entertaining storytelling. Its timeless message, lovable main character, and beautiful illustrations make it a strong addition to any child’s bookshelf, especially for readers who enjoy ghost stories that are more funny than frightening. I gave The Little Scottish Ghost four out of five stars.

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