Book Review: Ghost Crown by J. Gabriel Gates & Charlene Keel

Ghost Crown
by J. Gabriel Gates & Charlene Keel
Publisher: HCI Teens
Publication Date: June 5, 2012
Pages: 480
Age Demographic: Young Adult
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A priceless mystical treasure, a dark secret order, and a vengeful fallen angel forces collide as the battle for Middleburg continues . . .

For gang members Raphael and Ignacio, plans for the homecoming dance are almost as harrowing as their recent victory against the demonic forces that threaten their town. Despite their tentative alliance, a fight breaks out between the preppie Toppers and the goth Flatliners when Topper girl Aimee shows up at the dance with Raphael, the rival gang's leader. In the midst of an all-out rumble, the homecoming queen discovers a supernatural power that causes a potentially deadly catastrophe. Meanwhile, a charismatic half-angel, half-human arrives in Middleburg with plans to steal Aimee from Raphael.

To add to the bizarre circumstances surrounding the town, real-estate moguls begin buying up most of the Flats and evicting the tenants. These mysterious men seek a priceless treasure prophesied in ancient Chinese writings and will stop at nothing to find it. But Raphael and his friends vow to get to it first and use it to reclaim their homes.

As Raphael and the Flatliners and Zhai and the Toppers hone their supernatural abilities and search for the treasure, Aimee begins kung fu training, intent on using her new skills to locate and rescue her mother. When she discovers that the elusive treasure may be the key, the race to find it intensifies.

But there are others who seek the treasure too, and they have the power to reduce all of Middleburg, and perhaps the world, to ashes.

* Summary taken from Goodreads.

My Review for
Ghost Crown
by J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel

J. Gabriel Gates and Charlene Keel have returned to the young adult scene, with an intriguing sequel to Dark Territory. Full of thrilling excitement, daring action, mystery, forbidden romance, and a hint of the paranormal; Ghost Crown delivers a rollercoaster ride of epic adventure and amusement. All the main character's are back and the threat of danger and ancient mystery steeped in Chinese mythology and lore, works well to give this story more of an edge. If reader's are seeking fast paced action, drama, and unexpected twists, then they need look any further. Ghost Crown does a superb job of delivering all of that and so much more.

The character's are wonderfully engaging and so full of life, as they each battle their own demons in their own ways. Realistically flawed and likable, they spark to life on the page. The intricate story woven together with the fabric of the martial arts gives incredible depth to Ghost Crown. It's stunning and captivating, full of so many intriguing entanglements sure to wow reader's as they find themselves getting lost within the pages and soaking up everything this bright and interestingly vivid world has to offer. Author's Gates and Keel have so cleverly crafted a stunning world of imagery filled with Chiese myth and legend, based in martial arts, and have ultimately spun together a phenomenally kick-ass paranormal story of epic proportions sure to entice reader's.

Gates and Keel do a marvelous job of blending more than one individual story into the main arc in a unique and originally dimensional story that is full of dark beguiling twists and turns, unexpected at every turn around. There are triumphs and tragedy, heart pounding romance that will leave reader's gasping for their breath, and sorrow skirting the edges of their hearts. There is so much thrilling aspects to this book, that will have reader's on the edge of their seats. There is danger and peril around every corner, it seems like, and the thrills just keep coming left and right. It's enough to hook reader's and keep them rooted to their seats.

It is probably one of the best written and interesting books written, with wonderful originality, heart, and the right amount of paranormal flavor to add that little extra oomph it needs to be amazing!

Want to purchase a copy of Ghost Crown?

You can do so by visiting my Amazon Store and adding them to your shopping cart. While you're there, feel free to look around, you might find something else that entices your appetite. I hope you enjoyed reading my review of Dark Territory. If you haven't read it yet, feel free to pick up a copy for yourself or even one for someone else, if you think they'll like it.

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Author J. Gabriel Gates is a native of Marshall, Michigan. The son of an English teacher, his passion for the written word began at a young age. During college, another passion – for performing – led him to get his B.A. degree in theater from Florida State University.

During his years in Los Angeles, he appeared in a dozen national TV commercials and penned several screenplays while laying the groundwork for his career as a novelist.

His first two novels are "Dark Territory: The Tracks, book 1," and "The Sleepwalkers," both published by HCI Books.

He currently lives in Southwest Michigan.

Author information taken from her Goodreads.

{ This book was provided by HCI Books and J. Gabriel Gates, in exchange for an honest review which I have provided in this post. No money has exchanged hands, as I review books for fun simply because I love to read and share my thoughts on them with other's. I am not interested in receiving any monetary gain at all for my thoughts.}