The second book in the Ghost Roads series returns to the highways of America, where hitchhiking ghost Rose Marshall continues her battle with her killer--the immortal Bobby Cross.
Once and twice and thrice around,
Put your heart into the ground.
Four and five and six tears shed,
Give your love unto the dead.
Seven shadows on the wall,
Eight have come to watch your fall:
One’s for the gargoyle, one’s for the grave,
And the last is for the one you’ll never save.
For Rose Marshall, death has long since become the only life she really knows. She’s been sweet sixteen for more than sixty years, hitchhiking her way along the highways and byways of America, sometimes seen as an avenging angel, sometimes seen as a killer in her own right, but always Rose, the Phantom Prom Date, the Girl in the Green Silk Gown.
The man who killed her is still out there, thanks to a crossroads bargain that won’t let him die, and he’s looking for the one who got away. When Bobby Cross comes back into the picture, there’s going to be hell to pay—possibly literally.
Rose has worked for decades to make a place for herself in the twilight. Can she defend it, when Bobby Cross comes to take her down? Can she find a way to navigate the worlds of the living and the dead, and make it home before her hitchhiker’s luck runs out?
There’s only one way to know for sure.
Nine will let you count the cost:
All you had and all you lost.
Ten is more than time can tell,
Cut the cord and ring the bell.
Count eleven, twelve, and then,
Thirteen takes you home again.
One’s for the shadow, one’s for the tree,
And the last is for the blessing of Persephone.
The first book in the series, Sparrow Hill, originally was told as a serial and followed a non-linear timeline and while interesting it was hard to sink your teeth into the story. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, follows a linear timeline and picks up where Rose's story left off and McGuire delivered an engaging story that held me firmly in its grasp.
Rose Marshall once again finds herself in the crosshairs of Bobby Cross. Bobby has schemed and laid out the perfect trap for Rose. Can she along with her friends and enemies outwit him or has he once again ripped her from her home?
I love urban legends, lores and mythology and McGuire has blended all three in a deliciously dark way. After the mark and blessing Persephone gave Rose she thinks she is safe, but Bobby is ruthless and he wants Rose. He will stop at nothing to have her. Rose finds herself ripped away from Gary and her friends, the Queen offers her aid and we experience the Twilight's version of Halloween. Twists, turns and walking amongst the living await Rose.
Unlike Sparrow Hill this story follows a linear timeline with summoning circles, twists and more. Moments were dark and filled with tests and trials. Rose Marshall has spent sixty years as a hitchhiker helping those about to pass move on and has gained power even she doesn't understand. Umbramancer, routewitches, lore and a deeper understanding of the rules and lands for the unliving were riveting.
I felt this story was stronger than its predecessor and allowed me to become more emotionally connected to the players. I loved all the footnotes to the urban legends surrounding ghosts, crossroads and mythology.
I absolutely loved the lore, the twists, betrayals and heart-pounding moments as we travel the highways, take to the air and visit the gods. Fantastic story from beginning to the end. While this tale wraps up nicely, Bobby still rides, and this story is far from over! This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
Reading updates
-
Started reading
-
24 June, 2018:
Finished reading
-
24 June, 2018:
Reviewed