Book Review: Ghost Slayer by Majanka Verstraete

Ghost Slayer by Majanka Verstraete is the first book in a new adult series. Twenty-one-year-old Kaelyn has spent half her life hunting ghosts and killing them. But she's not like the other ghost hunters who have to rely on spells and curses to banish ghosts back to where they came from, hoping that they don't come back. When Kaelyn kills a ghost, they stay dead. But in Mortimer Hall, a behemoth of a house, Kaelyn is about to face the most powerful Twenty-one-year-old Kaelyn has spent half her life hunting ghosts and killing them. But she's not like the other ghost hunters who have to rely on spells and curses to banish ghosts back to where they came from, hoping that they don't come back. When Kaelyn kills a ghost, they stay dead. But in Mortimer Hall, a behemoth of a house, Kaelyn is about to face the most powerful and life-threatening ghost she ever met, and what she doesn't know is that the ghost has been waiting just for her.

Ghost Slayer is an interesting read with a few problems. I liked the idea of the story, and the twists and turns that the story takes. Let's start with the good. I liked the twist on ghost hunting- that while most have to rely on tools and magic Kaelyn has a special level of control with the dead. I liked the role her mother plays and that she is doing her best to get by and get through college while working a less than typical job. I get her loner attitude, and her reluctance to take part in ghostly activities with her class. Now, I did think that there were several contradictions in the story that irked me as I read. I am not sure if this is supposed to be happening in the real world or an alternate world with different rules- as that is never made clear and either could be true. Kaelyn says that she is not a drinker- but downs straight vodka and a whisky and soda with ease and no effect. Also, she is very much a loner and refers to her classmates as people she barely knows but that quickly changes to one of the friendlier girls suddenly being her best friend. As I read bits of the story seemed vaguely familiar- but I think that boils down to having read enough paranormal books that feature ghosts and secrets as major plot points. I did like the book overall, but it did have its issues. I suspect that as the author continues to write this series it will improve- especially since they left themselves plenty of interesting directions to take the story. 

Ghost Slayer is an interesting read, but one that had both good and bad moments. Fans of the paranormal and gothic genres are most likely to enjoy it.