Ghoulish Song by William Alexander (Audiobook)

 

Ghoulish Song

by William Alexander

A brave girl flees a ghoul while trying to save her town in this lively, fast-paced companion to Goblin Secrets.Kaile lives in Zombay, an astonishing city where goblins walk the streets and witches work their charms and curses. Kaile wants to be a musician and is delighted when a goblin gives her a flute carved out of bone. But the flute’s single, mournful song has a dangerous consequence: It separates Kaile and her shadow. Anyone without a shadow is considered dead, and despite Kaile’s protests that she’s alive and breathing, her family forces her to leave so she can’t haunt their home.

Kaile and her shadow soon learn that the troublesome flute is tied to a terrifying ghoul made from the bones of those who drowned in the Zombay River. With the ghoul chasing her and the river threatening to flood, Kaile has an important role to play in keeping Zombay safe. Will Kaile and her shadow be able to learn the right tune in time?

Set in the delightful and dangerous world of Goblin Secrets, Ghoulish Song is a gripping adventure laced with humor and mystery.

Audio CD  Published March 5th 2013 by Simon & Schuster Audio

ISBN  1442363061 (ISBN13: 9781442363069)

 

 

This book was way more morbid than the first story in the series. My niece (8yrs)  couldn't handle it after the first couple "verses" aka chapters. It is a pretty dark read, mentions children suicides, bones taken from people and made into musical instruments. Coal is made from human hearts and punishments for doing things "wrong" in this city are also dark/disturbing. I am not sure I would recommend this for sensitive or younger children.

The first book was more enjoyable, even though it also had dark content I do feel this second story took it to a way darker level, that even made me feel uncomfortable. The first book, Goblin Secrets, I felt the humor, I enjoyed the magic and adventure. Yet in this story I just felt heartache and fear.

The main character is told by her family that she is dead because her shadow is no longer attached to her body. Completely ignored, then a funeral performed on her she is eventually locked out of her home. Into the dark streets to find the Goblin who caused her shadow to separate with no help from him, she must venture into this very dark and scary city, alone to find more answers. How can she be dead...when she is alive, breathing and can communicate with others.

Many different encounters throughout the city with very questionable characters ensue and the danger grows as the city is soon to be overtaken by floods.

I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by the author. I think he does a great job narrating the story and giving voice to the characters, making the story feel very dark, brooding and scary.

Although the overall feeling of the novel made me very saddened by the world and what the characters have to go through (even relating back to the first audiobook as well) This particular story made me very sad and broke my heart a little. Even at times when there should have been some humor, I only felt crushed by what Kaile was having to go through in this horrible city with it's horrible occupants.

This is a series that I would label under "emo" if additional genre tags existed. It's a really unique world, Almost Lemony Snicket mixed with Nightmare Before Christmas atmosphere.