Spirit Hunters (Spirit Hunters, 1)

My son is a very picky reader. He’s about to turn 12 and I’ve tried everything from classics to humor to adventure to horror. This was the only book he would not put down! He read it in a day! I was amazed! Definitely worth a read!

My son said he would give this 10 stars. Best book he ever read. Quick and easy to shop from home via Amazon.

My daughter loved this book. Normally, she is easily distracted from reading, but she brought this book everywhere with her. When she was getting close to the end, she begged for the second one, The Island of Monsters.

Too mature themes for age of reader.

This is a book you have to read with the lights on! This is easily one of the scariest, most intense Mg books I've read. But it's also full of food and friendship and family. Fair warning, it may also give you a craving for cookies!

Damage to the book

Wow. Talk about scary. This book is like Poltergeist for kids. Harper moves to an old house that is rumored to be haunted. Her little brother becomes possessed by a spirit and only Harper can help. Little does she know that she has more help and more power than meets the eye! Great book but pretty scary!! I recommend for ages 11 and up and for kids who do not get nightmares easily.

Great book! Fresh, funny, scary but not too scary. I loved it.

I was really hankering for some middle-grade and Spirit Hunters really hit the spot! It’s dark, genuinely creepy and touching, plus it’s written by an own voices author – everything I love in my MG!

Harper is Korean American and some old family traditions play a part throughout the story (the details of which I’ll let you discover on your own). Oh also touches on that dreaded question that anyone who doesn’t “look American” has heard probably a million times: “Where are you from?” You know, the type that’s followed up by “No, where are you really from?” after you list your birth city/state. -sigh- Racism is not a major player in this book, but it’s touched on in a way that genuinely fits into the story.

Harper is a realistic, likable teen (I think she’s 13?) She loves paper, she gets along with her little brother and just wants to find some good food in her new city. On top of hating her new home and city – people in DC are smiley and friendly and Harper much prefers the NY attitude of minding your own business – Harper is also dealing with migraines and panic attacks after an accident she suffered before the move. Tension is high between Harper and her older sister and she just wants to feel normal again. And really, can you blame her?

The story is told from the third person POV, following Harper, but readers also get snippets from her journal, which her therapist suggested she start after the move. I enjoyed the dual perspectives from the same character. Harper is an interesting character – she’s doing her best to be a good older sister, but is struggling with the new home and the damage caused by the accident she can’t remember. Her relationship with her mother is somewhat strained too, as Harper tries to regain her lost memories.

This is a ghost story grounded with realistic characters and I loved it. Harper and her family aren’t perfect. Harper isn’t a genius, she isn’t the perfect sister or daughter and she doesn’t believe in ghosts. Harper’s mother has a strained relationship with her own mother, which affects the whole family. Harper’s father is doing his best to play the nice guy and keep everyone happy. With the help of her neighbor-turned-friend, Dayo (who loves to watch Antiques Roadshow!), Harper begins to realize ghosts are real and they’re trying to hurt her family.

Spirit Hunters is intriguing, meaningful and dark. There were scenes where I was genuinely creeped out and I loved it! I also loved how Oh blended Korean traditions into the ghost theme. Harper is a great character and even her brother avoided being a clichéd annoying little kid (except when he couldn’t help it.) I can’t wait to read more in this series! I need that paperback to come out ASAP so my editions can match. If you’re looking for a spooky read for fall or a book for younger readers with a protagonist who has memory issues and suffers migraines, definitely pick this up!

I got this book for my son to read and I was surprised when he said "I think I finally know what kind of books I like!" He doesn't really enjoy reading that much. It takes him long time to finish a book, but he went through this book very quickly. He actually said he likes reading this book. AMAZING!!!