The Ghost Tracks: Review of a book where terrible things happen AND CANNIBALISM!

 

You know how you have to willingly suspend your disbelief when you read fantasy or horror? I could believe the ghost stories in The Ghost Tracks, the weirdos Erasmo attracted after running an ad for being a paranormal investigator, but I couldn't not believe that he and his friend kept ending up in the hospital and were never once asked for proof of health insurance. Just doesn't happen in real life or in your wildest fantasy. What world are they living in where they weren't visited by the hospital's business office? Seriously, though, I enjoyed this book and the trouble Erasmo and Rat kept getting into. There's a lot a heartbreak and personal growth through the book and the boys come to terms with the life their less-then-desirable parents left to them. Plus, there's cannibalism! Lots of adventure, mystery, ghosts, and cannibalism! Actually, it is gory. Several incidents of people being beaten with a baseball bat, cut with knives, and cannibalism! A dog is hurt. The boys end up in the hospital after several gory incidences and the hospital never informs the police. Just ain't gonna happen in real life. But, I still believe the ghost parts. You know how it is when you see a movie and the audience yells, "Don't go in that house!" This is how Ghost Tracks is. Erasmo just kept getting into cars with the wrong people. I wanted to shout, "Don't get in that car!" Kids. You can't tell them anything. Good twists. Good mystery. Teenage angst but they work on it. If you can get over the flesh-eating and the fact that the hospital didn't call the police when a teenager has had a chunk bitten out of him (and eaten), then you'll enjoy this book. Just don't get into cars with people you barely know. Thanks to Netgalley and Inkshares for supplying me with an eARC of The Ghost Tracks in exchange for an honest review.