Ghosts

A satisfying end (beginning?) to one of the most exciting, funny, thrilling and powerful trilogies I have ever read. Sure Harry Potter was and still is captivating and the Hunger Games was thrilling but The Reckoner Trilogy goes way beyond the simple. It is layered and addresses so many themes absent in children’s literature until now.

If you haven’t read the series from the beginning stop right now and go grab Strangers and get started. I promise you will be hungry for more and more. If you have and you have been anticipating the conclusion to this series as I have, please join me on this journey. After how author David A. Robertson left us hanging at the end of Monsters, we all have been eager to discover how Cole’s story will end and how he will save Wounded Sky First Nation given that he is dead. Hold on to your books, because Ghosts takes you on twists and turns you never expected.

Wounded Sky First Nation is still under the threat of two monsters, Upayokwitigo, a mythical beast and Mihko, a modern day pharmaceutical beast experimenting on the people of Wounded Sky to create a biological weapon. Cole must finish what he started but this time he cannot go it alone. This time he needs his friends and a few unexpected allies to help him free Wounded Sky so they can heal.

When reading you get the sense Ghosts was fun for David A. Robertson to write. There are so many pop culture references, references to favourite movies, comics, music, you can really get a sense of him in the story. Smart ass Choch is along for the ride again, along with the loveable, kind, fiery Jayne who round out the story, keep it moving and add light hearted moments to an intense and thought provoking story. Ghosts has a little bit of everything. There is an underlying love story, action, adventure, fantasy and humour. In reading further about The Reckoner Trilogy, I know The Reckoner doesn’t end with the end of Ghosts, the story will continue as a graphic novel and be sure to look for The Reckoner: Breakdown in 2020. Not only will young people have the opportunity to see themselves reflected in prose, but also in graphic form, opening up the story to a whole new audience and reminding educators/parents that graphic novels are real books!

David A. Robertson purposefully takes time to address the representation of Indigenous People in comics and stories from the past, how stereotypical and false representations shaped societal views and perceptions of Indigenous people. He uses Cole’s story to address the very real and prevalent topic of mental health, specifically anxiety. There are so many young people today who are experiencing mental health problems. To have a story written for them address the topic honestly and without judgement is so important. Also, to ensure First Nations are being represented accurately so we as colonizers can gain a better understanding of those who were here first and so that the next generation of indigenous youth can see themselves reflected in the pages of these books and know they too can envision themselves as superheroes, as people who have space in the world today and can make change happen. David A. Robertson puts it so beautifully at the end of his acknowledgements stating:

“The Reckoner Trilogy has always been about one thing: representation. Accurate portrayals of Indigenous People and those living with mental health problems. It is empowering to see yourself reflected in literature. It is vitally important that others are exposed to stories of truth, through lived experiences.” - David A. Robertson, Ghosts

A great series and this is the final book, I was so happy with the way the series ends and I recommend this and the entire series, great representation and a great story.

The final installment, Ghosts definitely does not disappoint. The characters are well written and the book is engrossing enough to keep you anxiously awaiting the end. For those that have read the first two books will finally get an answer on what really is going on at Wounded Sky.

I was provided this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion. I highly recommend this book.

I have not read any of the other book in this series, so I was a bit lost.  But I did enjoy the book. Wounded Sky First Nation is threatened by two monsters. This was very exciting and kept me on the edge of my seat.  I may have to go back and read the first two books in this series.  For the final book, it seemed to wrap things up well at the end. *This book was given to me for free at my request from NetGalley and I provided this voluntary review.*

I received a copy of this in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley.

Ghosts is the final book is the "Reckoning Trilogy". It was a GREAt ending to a great series. I'd highly recommend reading the other books in the series so you can follow this book easily. Strangers is the first book, start there.

While I"m disappointed the series is over, I'm so glad i found this series!