The Haunted by Jessica Verday

Rating:
Characters: 16/20
Plot: 17/20
Originality: 18/20
Writing: 17/20
Recommendation: 17/20
Overall: 85/100 or B
Source: Publisher
After a summer spent reclaiming her sanity and trying to forget the boy she fell in love with by the bridge where her best friend drowned - the boy who must not exist, cannot exist, because she knows that he is dead - Abbey returns to Sleepy Hollow, determined to leave the ghosts of her past behind. She throws herself into schoolwork, perfume-making and her friendship with Ben, her cute and funny lab partner, who just might be able to help her get over Caspian once and for all. But Abbey is never going to truly be able to move on from Caspian and Caspian has no choice but to return to her side: for Caspian is a Shade and Abbey is his destiny. The two are tied not only to each other, but also to the town of Sleepy Hollow and the famous legend that binds their fates - a legend whose true ending and dark truths they are only just beginning to guess...
I found that Abbey to have matured a lot, since where we left her in The Hollow. Her store ideas are more developed and she seems to know what she wants more. Her kind nature and sweetness was easy to relate to. You learn more about Caspain. You also figure out why Abbey can see him and that was rather interesting. Also, new characters are introduced, but their part in the story is unknown. I found the story to be interesting after page 200. A lot of the questions from the last book are answered and others created more mystery. The ending left me wanting more. I found The Haunted to be very original. Veraday created a new world that seems like it could be developed. The scenery in the story felt so realistic and interesting to read. Verday's writing style has developed a lot, since The Hollow. I found that there was more depth in this story and that it was more interesting. I am sure that you will like The Haunted, if you like The Hollow.

Interview with Jessica Verday

A life-long book lover, and avid reader, Jessica Verday wrote her first story when she was much younger. Titled "Bobby's Bazillion Bananas" it was about a boy named Bobby who planted a banana in his backyard and it sprouted into a banana tree overnight. There were - you guessed it - a bazillion bananas.
If she could have any superpower, she'd want to have X-Ray vision and the ability to make no-calorie cupcakes appear out of thin air. When not daydreaming about moving into a library of her own, she can be found working on her next story, taking a nap, or buying vintage furniture. She likes: rainy nights, warm blankets, old postcards, baby animals, cemeteries, Johnny Cash, handmade jewelry, zombie movies, L.J. Smith books, abandoned buildings, trains and snow.

1. How do you think that The Legend of Sleepy Hollow inspired The Hollow and The Haunted?

I've always loved the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, but the town was the real inspiration. Being able to walk where Washington Irving walked was amazing.

2. On your blog, you talk about how music inspires you. What songs are currently helping you write more?
Good question! I've been listening to She Moved Through the Fair by Skully, White Houses by Vanessa Carleton, If You Could Read My Mind by Johnny Cash, Cat and Mouse by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Endlessly, She Said by AFI and The Ghost of You by Good Charlotte.

3. Abbey makes perfume and you also have a perfume line for the book. What compelled you to do that?

I thought it would be really neat to have the chance to bring Abbey's fictional hobby to life, and when I started doing research on perfume making I found several people who made perfume exactly like how I pictured Abbey making perfume. I found the whole process so fascinating (And addicting! I make my own perfume now too), that I wanted to share that experience with my readers.

4. What is your favorite and least favorite thing about writing?

Favorite thing is finishing, my least favorite thing is getting started.

5. Is there anything that you would like to add?

Thanks for having me! I hope you enjoy THE HAUNTED!