Ghost Wall

Oh man, this book had promise.

How much promise? A blurb on the back said it would grab me by the guts and not let go!

Sometimes, a little gut grabbing is just what you need!

Well, it was a hell of a start, but left my guts wanting more.

It's a compact novella with a hell of a plot. A family takes a two-week "vacation" to far northern England to join an Anthropology class adventure. The dad, who you'll hate instantly, is obsessed with life in the Iron Age. The class is designed to replicate that exact experience, from the tunics to the foraging to the creepy "ghost wall" made out of human heads (back then) or animal heads (in their interpretation) as a way to scare off Roman invaders.

The book is told through Silvie's eyes, the teenage girl forced to live here in her dad's bizarre fantasy land. This is a dad who beats her - both before they come on the trip and during - but, her perspective remains clear and her voice is strong throughout.

Dad, being the real peach that he is, takes the whole thing too far and the next thing you know they're really trying to be authentic by inching towards human sacrifice.

That's where your guts get grabbed.

Yet, as bizarre and fascinating and unique as this story is, the book itself feels somehow formulaic. You can't believe where it's going, yet it's somehow predictable at the same time.

My co-worker read it, too, and she's right: it takes a leap without a middle and leaves you wondering if it would have been better as a 230-page book instead of a 130-page novella.

I didn't hate it. As I said, the characters' voices were interesting and the writing was fantastic. The plot itself is unique. But, it needed more/different/better. I leave with my guts intact.