Thursday, May 7, 2015

Review: Ghost Trapper by J.L. Bryan

Title: Ghost Trapper
Author: J.L. Bryan
Series: Book One in the Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper Series
Published: August 27, 2014
Source: Purchased
Genre: Paranormal
My Rating: 4 Stars!

Book Description:
Ellie Jordan’s job is to catch and remove unwanted ghosts. Part detective, part paranormal exterminator, Ellie operates out of Savannah, Georgia, one of the oldest and most haunted cities in North America.

When a family contacts her to deal with a disturbing presence in the old mansion they’ve recently purchased, Ellie first believes it to be a typical, by-the-book specter, a residual haunting by a restless spirit. Instead, she finds herself confronting an evil older and more powerful than she’d ever expected, rooted in the house’s long and sordid history of luxury, sin, and murder. The dangerous entity seems particularly interested in her clients’ ten-year-old daughter.

Soon her own life is in danger, and Ellie must find a way to exorcise the darkness of the house before it can kill her, her clients, or their frightened young child. 











I went into this read super leery. Ghosts are one of my most favorite paranormal beings to read about because quite simply, what if?

Having read something else by this author in the past and not loving it, I was worried this would turn into another failed read for me and I just didn't want that. I wanted something fun and creepy. Different and lovable. I guess you could say, I wanted a lot but was expecting very little.

With a setting set in Georgia and ghosts galore, I opened this with trepidation but excitement as well. I was so in the mood for a good ghost story.

I have always admired those authors that can write from the point of view of a gender other than their own. It must be hard, challenging even, to be in the head of someone completely different from your own norm and yet, Bryan pulled it off beautifully. Ellie was fierce, strong, brave and tough and you could even say a tomboy at heart but she was still soft heartened and kind as well. In fact, the thing I loved about her most, was that she was so normal. An average every day person doing a very dangerous job that is anything but average or normal. 

There were times while reading this that I had to stop and look around me to make sure no one (i.e. read “ghost” here) was in the room with me. I was so thankful I started this during the bright sunny day. I think if I would have started this at night, I would have been in trouble. I'm not sure I would have been able to sleep at all. Certain scenes in this book were down right creepy (hello scary dark asylum!) and I loved it.

Overall this was a fabulous start to what promises to be a very action packed, creepy series. I loved every single minute of this book and I can't wait to read more. I can finally see what all the fuss is about. 




45 comments:

  1. Great point about the alternative POV, the characters does end up being richer when that happens.

    I love ghost stories too ESP when hey start making me paranoid lol

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    1. I know, nothing like being creeped out every now and then. :)

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  2. Haha! I don't like to read ghosts books because I know that I'll be too scared. And I live alone so the scary factor is a lot higher.
    Anyways, I need to get to this author's books one of these days. And yes, I agree! I'm always impressed when authors have MC of another gender.
    Great review!

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    1. I know, I don't typically read them just because I am a chicken but this just was fabulous and I couldn't put it down.

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  3. "There were times while reading this that I had to stop and look around me to make sure no one (i.e. read “ghost” here) was in the room with me."

    Annnnnnd that means this is not the book for me Ali! I'm such a wuss, I can't deal with things that are too creepy. Nick and I are just going to have to go off and read our sweet romances together and stay far away from ghosts ;-) So glad this worked well for you though, and I hope that continues with book two!

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  4. Hahaha - you chicken! :P I haven't read anything by this author despite having a couple of his books for years now. Sounds like I need to read this one.

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    1. I won't argue that Christy, I really am, it's sad but this was great and I think you would like it.

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  5. Ohh, sounds delightfully creepy! I just got done reading a ghost story and I am really in the mood for another! Great review Ali.

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    1. You'll have to let me know which one you read, I love a good ghost story. ;)

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    2. It's called Shutter :). I enjoyed it my review will hopefully go up in a few days :)

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    3. I've heard good things about that one! I think I'll have to buy it as well.

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  6. I just got it...I used your link and found it is only .99 on Kindle right now! Yay....hehe!

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    1. So glad you got it and thanks for using the link!! I appreciate it!! <3

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  7. His other books haven't appealed to me too much but I love ghosts so I'm definitely very interested in this one. I'm glad you enjoyed!

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    1. They didn't appeal to me either Candace but I did really like this one.

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  8. OOh I love a good start to a new series. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
    xo

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  9. Oh wonderful! A great ghost story? I just love that! It sounds like a good book for me! thanks for the review!

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  10. Yay, ghosts! You seem to have really liked this one, which of course makes me super curious. And I also admire authors who can write the opposite gender well. Thanks, this was a pleasant surprise :)

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    1. Thanks Ramona, I hope you decide to give it a try. :)

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  11. That's awesome that your second go with the author turned out so well.

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  12. I am so excited to see you reading and loving this series. I am currently reading book four. Jeff is churning them out, and I think they get better and better. I read this one while on vacation at a beach house, and I was creeped out by being in an unfamiliar setting.

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  13. It's always a good plan to hope for the best, but expect the worst. I like paranormal mysteries. I'm glad you liked this one. I'll have to remember it. I like fun reads even if I'm not one for creepy.

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    1. It wasn't too creepy but enough to keep me on my toes. ;)

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  14. Yes, I imagine it's very hard to write from the other gender! I mean, every time I have to write a creative piece for school or for anything of that matter - it's always from a girl's POV, so kudos to the author for excelling at it!

    Lovely review, hun <33

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    1. I don't think I would be able to do it. ;)

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  15. Oh I love that this had an eerie feel too it. Wonderful review Ali, I am glad it paid off

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  16. That's great you liked this more than the last book you read by this author. Sometimes you just have to do second chances.

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  17. Hahahah! I do that, too. I scare easily. :D I haven't had much luck with ghost books lately, but this one sounds like a hoot.

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  18. This series is news to me, I love reading books about ghosts so thank you for putting this under my radar :) <3 Benish| Feminist Reflections

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  19. I absolutely love, love, love this series! I am about to start #4!! It really creeps me out more and more as the series continues. Glad you liked it!!

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    1. So happy to hear all of the books so far are wonderful and get creepier! I just bought book two, now I need to read it.

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  20. I had no idea that JL Bryan had a new series coming out. And about ghosts too! Yes please.
    Thanks for putting this one on my radar. I will have to check it out!

    Great Review!

    Michelle @ Book Briefs

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    1. shoot this came out in 2014, so not to new and I still didn't know about it. Shame on me.

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    2. It's okay, there are so many books out there, it is hard to keep track of them all. :P
      I hope you like this one! If your already a fan, I'm sure you will.

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  21. I will definitely have to check this one out. I live really close to Savannah Georgia, so I am really curious now. Thanks for the great review!

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    1. Oh gosh, you need to read this then Ellen. :P

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