Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

 

Ratings Explanation

Language:  The word “Hell” was used, but only in reference to a place. There was mention of a few instances of someone swearing or using profanity, but there were no actual words used in the book. There were a few crude words used such as crap, sucks, and slutty.

Violence:  Yara threw a textbook at Brent’s head. She also slaps his face. An evil spirit attacks a girl and causes her drowning. This same evil spirit is the cause of the deaths of some students. There is fighting between good and evil spirits.

Sexual Content: There are a few kisses and the mention of a boy and girl making out. Two ghosts fall asleep in each other’s arms.

Adult Themes:  A few of the characters have the ability to see and speak to ghosts. A tragic fire took the lives of some teenage boys sixty years ago. Some of the characters had siblings die in tragic ways. It is assumed that some students have committed suicide. Some students had been murdered. Some characters have the ability of “astral projection” which means they can separate their spirit from their body. An evil black mist harms people. There is a good ghost and a bad ghost that battle. A girl is given a drink that causes her harm. A girl drowns in a pool. A boy drinks alcohol.

Synopsis

Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has been sent to prep school in Southern California where she hopes she won’t develop the family trait of being able to see and speak with ghosts. However, her ability manifests itself as she witnesses an evil black mist overcoming a handsome fellow student named Brent. In her efforts to save him she gets caught up in a sixty-year-old curse that can literally mean the difference between life and death for her and her friends.

A friend of mine shared this book with me. I wasn’t sure it would be something I would like because I don’t usually read ghost stories, and of course a few parts scared me a little, but I have to say that I liked it. The inner strength possessed by Yara and Brent was touching. Each was willing to make great sacrifices for the other. I love seeing that kind of strength of character! The triumph of good versus evil always wins points with me. I would recommend this book for ages 14 and up.