Book Review Ashes to Ashes by Melissa Walker

Ashes to Ashes
Author: Melissa Walker
Reading Level: Ages 13 and Up
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
Released: December 23, 2013
Review Source: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins

If I Stay meets the movie Ghost in this first book in a teen duology about a teenage-girl-turned-ghost who must cling to the echoes of her former life to save the people she left behind. Ashes to Ashes is author Melissa Walker's sweeping, romantic, and emotionally rich story about the things that torment and tempt us, even from the Great Beyond. This book is perfect for fans of Die for Me and Imaginary Girls, and its breathtaking ending will leave readers anxiously awaiting the series conclusion, Dust to Dust. When Callie's life is cut short by a tragic accident, she expects to find nothingness, or maybe some version of heaven. Instead, her spirit travels to the Prism, an ethereal plane populated by the ghosts she thought were fictional. Here she meets a striking and mysterious ghost named Thatcher, who is meant to guide her as she learns to haunt and bring peace to the loved ones she left behind. However, Callie uncovers a dark secret about the spirit world: The angry souls who always populate ghost stories are real, dangerous, and willing to do whatever it takes to stay on Earth, threatening the existence of everyone she ever cared about. As she fights to save them, Callie will learn that while it may no longer beat, her heart can still love-and break.

Ashes to Ashes felt like something I’ve read before. However, I really couldn’t put my finger on it. The story begins with a smooth introduction to the main character Callie. It is here where the reader begins to learn about her family, her friends, and her social life. Very quickly she is taken from our world and enters another world. The Prism. A world in between two worlds. She is now a ghost fighting against new dilemmas. Learning things she hasn’t learned before. Entering her old world with a new agenda. She’s not alone to help her through this transition, if that is what you can call it. She has Thatcher, her ghostly guide. Who becomes someone more than just a friend. Totally committing himself to Callie.

Melissa Walker offers readers a very quick and easy read into a setting of 3 distinct worlds. Her attention to details and character development truly allows you to live in those worlds as you read. Her descriptive use of words is very specific. Ashes to Ashes receives a 3 tree review for originality. Although, it was smoothly written, the plot did not appear completely original. Something, that I feel is truly a must with so many titles in the Young Adult Genre being introduced daily. This is the first book that I have read by Melissa Walker. I do plan to check out some of her other titles. This book has already been claimed by another OUaT reader. I’m hoping she will give us some feedback as well. As I am just one reader among a sea of many!