Title: Queen of the Dead (Ghost and the Goth #2)

Author: Stacey Kade

Publisher: Hyperion 2011

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pages: 267

Rating:  4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: YA/MG Fantasy; Women Authors; Library; Book Bingo -- 5 from series

How I Got It: Library Loan

After being sent back from the light, Alona Dare - former homecoming queen, current Queen of the Dead - finds herself doing something she never expected: working. Instead of spending days perfecting her tan by the pool (her typical summer routine when she was, you know, alive), Alona must now cater to the needs of other lost spirits. By her side for all of this, ugh, “helping of others” is Will Killian: social outcast, seer of the dead, and someone Alona cares about more than she’d like.

Before Alona can make a final ruling on Will’s “friend” or “more than friend” status, though, she discovers trouble at home. Her mom is tossing out Alona’s most valuable possessions, and her dad is expecting a new daughter with his wicked wife. Is it possible her family is already moving on? She’s only been dead for two months! Thankfully, Alona knows just the guy who can put a stop to this mess.

Not quite as good as the first book.  I still love the characters.  I still love the main premise of the books.  But this one's addition of the Order, Mina, and the body of Lily just didn't do it for me.  It all seemed to be a bit contrived.   I would have liked to see more of Alona and Will's relationship (romantic and working) develop.  I hope that the next one gets back to the story of Will and Alona.  I still want to read the last of the trilogy, but I'm going to have to wait.  The library doesn't have the third one yet...

Ghost and the Goth

• #1 The Ghost and the Goth
• #2 Queen of the Dead
• #3 Body and Soul