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Ghostcloud
A riveting, magical escapade about finding friendship and the courage to set yourself free against all odds.
Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground, in a half-bombed power station, 12-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma keeps his head down and hopes he can earn his freedom from the evil Tabitha Margate. Then one day he discovers he can see things that others can’t. Ghostly things. A ghostly girl named Alma, who can bend the shape of clouds to her will and rides them through the night sky.
With Alma’s help, Luke discovers his own innate powers and uncovers the terrible truth of why Tabatha is kidnapping children and forcing them to shovel coal. Desperate to escape, Luke teams up with Alma, his best friend Ravi, and new girl Jess. Can Luke and his friends get away before they each become victims to a cruel and sinister scheme?
Debut author Michael Mann delivers a wildly imaginative middle grade fantasy set in a smoke-stained world that’s sure to entertain readers who are eager for an adventure with paranormal superpowers.
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underground, in a half-bombed power station, 12-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma keeps his head down and hopes he can earn his freedom from the evil Tabitha Margate. Then one day he discovers he can see things that others can’t. Ghostly things. A ghostly girl named Alma, who can bend the shape of clouds to her will and rides them through the night sky.
With Alma’s help, Luke discovers his own innate powers and uncovers the terrible truth of why Tabatha is kidnapping children and forcing them to shovel coal. Desperate to escape, Luke teams up with Alma, his best friend Ravi, and new girl Jess. Can Luke and his friends get away before they each become victims to a cruel and sinister scheme?
Debut author Michael Mann delivers a wildly imaginative middle grade fantasy set in a smoke-stained world that’s sure to entertain readers who are eager for an adventure with paranormal superpowers.
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
About the author
Michael Mann
2 books30 followersMichael’s first writing success was for a poem about potatoes - in a competition run by a Yorkshire school catering company. As a ‘reward’, he had to shake hands with a giant potato mascot in front of his entire school. It would be many years before he dared write again.
These days, Michael is a teacher by day, dad by night, and mostly writes when he should be sleeping. He owes the idea for his middle grade novel, Ghostcloud, to his coal-mining grandad and a lifelong love of cloudspotting. He’s half-Indian and passionate about diversity in children’s literature, and loves books that keeps kids turning the page.
He has a first-class degree in anthropology, lives in East London with his (very patient) partner and their (less patient) toddler, and can be found playing board games when he’s not busy losing his wallet. Michael was an Undiscovered Voices 2020 finalist, and his debut middle grade novel Ghostcloud will publish with Hachette in October 2021.
These days, Michael is a teacher by day, dad by night, and mostly writes when he should be sleeping. He owes the idea for his middle grade novel, Ghostcloud, to his coal-mining grandad and a lifelong love of cloudspotting. He’s half-Indian and passionate about diversity in children’s literature, and loves books that keeps kids turning the page.
He has a first-class degree in anthropology, lives in East London with his (very patient) partner and their (less patient) toddler, and can be found playing board games when he’s not busy losing his wallet. Michael was an Undiscovered Voices 2020 finalist, and his debut middle grade novel Ghostcloud will publish with Hachette in October 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
September 8, 2022
Twelve-year-old Luke Smith-Sharma shovels coal under Battersea Power station. He keeps his head down, hoping to one day earn his freedom and return to his family, while avoiding the wrath of the evil Tabatha Margate. When he tries to help new girl Jess, Luke is punished and sent to clean the sewers of the haunted East Wing, a place from which few return.
Whilst serving his punishment, Luke realises he can see things others can't in the Power Station: ghostly things. He befriends a ghost-girl called Alma, who can ride clouds through the night sky and bend their shape to her will.
But when Luke discovers the terrible truth of why Tabatha Margate is kidnapping children and forcing them to work in the Power Station, Alma agrees to help him and his friends escape. Will Alma convince the Ghost Council to help their cause? Will Luke's discovery about who he really is threaten their plans for freedom? And can Luke find his voice, while trying to find a way home?
This was a middle grade story that I found fun but also slightly depressing. I really loved the adventure and excitement of the story, waiting to find out if Luke and the gang were going to escape the pits and make it home. But on the other hand it was sad to hear about Alma and her untimely end and also the fear and worry behind what would happen to Luke and the others’ families that were left behind.
The story also had a darker message about child trafficking which was at times a hard read as a secondary school teacher, but I think that Mann dealt with the issue well whilst raising awareness about a very important issue.
Overall an enjoyable read for many reasons.
This was a middle grade story that I found fun but also slightly depressing. I really loved the adventure and excitement of the story, waiting to find out if Luke and the gang were going to escape the pits and make it home. But on the other hand it was sad to hear about Alma and her untimely end and also the fear and worry behind what would happen to Luke and the others’ families that were left behind.
The story also had a darker message about child trafficking which was at times a hard read as a secondary school teacher, but I think that Mann dealt with the issue well whilst raising awareness about a very important issue.
Overall an enjoyable read for many reasons.
December 30, 2021
I absolutely loved this! It was so dark, & yet so heartwarming all at the same time! This is such a creative & unique take on a “ghost story”, & I loved & appreciated that. I was hooked from the start-with so much I wanted to know more about right away. Like, why are these kids shoveling coal? Who is this evil woman? How can she get away with it? And more..This worlds whole backstory was so intriguing. Then the more you learn about Tabitha & what is actually going on in this place-fascinating! Such great characters in here too. Since I’m already talking about her-Tabitha is written perfectly & so vividly that I could almost hear her heels as she walks, & her sharp nails as she taps them. She is so cold & heartless, but also extremely smart & calculating.
Then you have the 4 main kids(1 is a little different to the others so to speak though lol). Luke was such a great MC, & so well fleshed out. You really feel like you know all the characters really, but him especially. He has memory flashbacks of life before being kidnapped, & you get to see the before, the kidnapping, & his current situation so clearly. Plus, you learn about who he is inside. Such a great soul. Ravi is tough around the edges, but is a kind heart that’s had to learn to be tough. Can’t wait to delve into his story some more possibly..Jess is amazing! It’s a tie between her & Alma with who has my heart(oh! & of course Stealth! Love that cat!). Jess is so optimistic & cheery in spite of everything that has happened. She also wants to be a plumber. She’s already a very good one lol & she will just come out with plumber/plumbing facts & it’s just hilarious. Alma is such a complex, guarded in some ways, character. Her whole backstory, or the mystery of it all, is so sad..Her view on life has turned sad, & cynical as well. Meeting Luke really helped her. They helped each other in many different ways. And both of their character growth/development was superb.
So you have all of that, then you add in “Ghostcloud” to it(that includes everything we learn about this..all the detailed & imaginative parts that I am so gripped by & obsessed with)& you have a phenomenal read. I don’t want to say more, because I don’t want to spoil a thing. All soooo good! The ghostclouds, ghouls, council, rain, the location the kids are taken & everything about it, the End Place, the smog..love it! So much danger, suspense, adventure, atmosphere, & more. I finished the last 70% in 1 sitting. Also, full of amazing friendship-friends who do anything for 1 another. Great messages too of course. I was SO excited to see there will be more! This had such an amazing ending, & I’m so excited to see their next adventure. It was set up perfectly for the next 1, & the ending just gave me all the book hugging feels. HIGHLY recommend. Absolutely STUNNING cover front & back, & naked hardback by Chaaya Prabhat as well!💜
Then you have the 4 main kids(1 is a little different to the others so to speak though lol). Luke was such a great MC, & so well fleshed out. You really feel like you know all the characters really, but him especially. He has memory flashbacks of life before being kidnapped, & you get to see the before, the kidnapping, & his current situation so clearly. Plus, you learn about who he is inside. Such a great soul. Ravi is tough around the edges, but is a kind heart that’s had to learn to be tough. Can’t wait to delve into his story some more possibly..Jess is amazing! It’s a tie between her & Alma with who has my heart(oh! & of course Stealth! Love that cat!). Jess is so optimistic & cheery in spite of everything that has happened. She also wants to be a plumber. She’s already a very good one lol & she will just come out with plumber/plumbing facts & it’s just hilarious. Alma is such a complex, guarded in some ways, character. Her whole backstory, or the mystery of it all, is so sad..Her view on life has turned sad, & cynical as well. Meeting Luke really helped her. They helped each other in many different ways. And both of their character growth/development was superb.
So you have all of that, then you add in “Ghostcloud” to it(that includes everything we learn about this..all the detailed & imaginative parts that I am so gripped by & obsessed with)& you have a phenomenal read. I don’t want to say more, because I don’t want to spoil a thing. All soooo good! The ghostclouds, ghouls, council, rain, the location the kids are taken & everything about it, the End Place, the smog..love it! So much danger, suspense, adventure, atmosphere, & more. I finished the last 70% in 1 sitting. Also, full of amazing friendship-friends who do anything for 1 another. Great messages too of course. I was SO excited to see there will be more! This had such an amazing ending, & I’m so excited to see their next adventure. It was set up perfectly for the next 1, & the ending just gave me all the book hugging feels. HIGHLY recommend. Absolutely STUNNING cover front & back, & naked hardback by Chaaya Prabhat as well!💜
August 24, 2021
Ghostcloud is an utterly brilliant debut children’s novel by Michael Mann. The story’s a fast-paced adventure, taking the reader on an exciting journey through a steampunk, dystopian London.
Along with hundreds of other kidnapped children, 12-year-old Luke has been shovelling coal in Battersea Power Station for two years. He is desperate to win a ticket to freedom and to escape the clutches of evil villain, Tabatha Margate.
As the story whizzes along, Mann ramps up the tension and peril. Luke and his friend Jess leap from one crisis to another as they attempt, with the help of ghost-girl Alma, to free themselves and return to their families. Luke is a fabulous main character and his positive attitude and determination help drive the plot.
The dialogue’s sharp and often humorous, and the story has some quieter, thoughtful moments too, involving Luke’s family. The scene in which he sees his Nana Chatterjee standing at the window of his former home, and realises that disaster has befallen his family, is brilliant handled and very emotional.
Reading Ghostcloud is a combination of whizzing along on a rollercoaster and jumping aboard a scary ghost train. It’s a terrific read and I’m already looking forward to the sequel!
Thank you Hachette for sending me a copy in exchange for a honest review.
Along with hundreds of other kidnapped children, 12-year-old Luke has been shovelling coal in Battersea Power Station for two years. He is desperate to win a ticket to freedom and to escape the clutches of evil villain, Tabatha Margate.
As the story whizzes along, Mann ramps up the tension and peril. Luke and his friend Jess leap from one crisis to another as they attempt, with the help of ghost-girl Alma, to free themselves and return to their families. Luke is a fabulous main character and his positive attitude and determination help drive the plot.
The dialogue’s sharp and often humorous, and the story has some quieter, thoughtful moments too, involving Luke’s family. The scene in which he sees his Nana Chatterjee standing at the window of his former home, and realises that disaster has befallen his family, is brilliant handled and very emotional.
Reading Ghostcloud is a combination of whizzing along on a rollercoaster and jumping aboard a scary ghost train. It’s a terrific read and I’m already looking forward to the sequel!
Thank you Hachette for sending me a copy in exchange for a honest review.
August 27, 2022
I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ghostcloud has all the elements I love in a middle-grade fantasy: a mixture of vivid worldbuilding and some darker moments, larger-than-life characters, and both heartwarming and heartwrenching scenes. That said, I felt that this story was less than the sum of its parts. I liked the story enough, but I felt it lacking a solid hook to reel the readers in. I felt that the characters could have been developed more. The magic, while interesting, was not necessarily leave me fascinated. I did love the overall mystery of the story though and how everything was resolved in the end. I think this would be perfect as a light read for Halloween.
Ghostcloud has all the elements I love in a middle-grade fantasy: a mixture of vivid worldbuilding and some darker moments, larger-than-life characters, and both heartwarming and heartwrenching scenes. That said, I felt that this story was less than the sum of its parts. I liked the story enough, but I felt it lacking a solid hook to reel the readers in. I felt that the characters could have been developed more. The magic, while interesting, was not necessarily leave me fascinated. I did love the overall mystery of the story though and how everything was resolved in the end. I think this would be perfect as a light read for Halloween.
July 14, 2022
An interesting premise and loved that a little map was included. Whilst, you could tell that it was a debut, the characters were well realised and the plot was entertaining enough though dragged in some places. Overall, a sold 3 star read but I’m intrigued to see what other books the author writes in the future.
August 21, 2021
Phwoar! What a debut! Ghostcloud brought together two of my favourite ingredients in a book – dystopia to die for with a healthy stormcloud of the supernatural. And a villain so cruel, twisted and evil she’s up there alongside my most-hated middle grade characters.
This is a remarkable story of one boy’s fight for freedom against all odds; a soul that burns brightly in the darkness and through the mysterious smog that has a choke-hold on London.
Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underneath a half-bombed, blackened power station 12-year-old Luke’s life is miserable…
I was absolutely hooked from that first line of the synopsis! Thousands of hidden children shovel coal to the furnaces of Battersea Power Station; instead of luxury appartments, it’s a functioning power plant and it’s overseen by the despicable pipe-smoking tyrant Tabatha Margate.
I absolutely adore how Mann has reimagined the familiar London landscape into a steampunk, alternative reality. After the old war with Europe, only two of the battle-scarred Battersea’s chimneys are operational. The Channel Tunnel stands closed and derelict, the Olympic Stadium dirtied and rotting. East London is flooded and beyond Battersea, lie the slums of South London leading into a toxic wasteland known as The Deadzone.
It’s 2 years since 12 year old Luke became a shoveller; 2 years without any contact with his family; 2 years since he last saw daylight. Hard work is the only way out of the plant and he and fellow inmate Ravi dream of winning an illusive amber ticket to freedom, only awarded to the most efficient of workers. But Margate would give Cruella De Vil a run for her money; her wickedness knows no bounds and torturing children is her favourite pass-time. Without that ticket, the boys’ lives look set to end down there, one way or another.
But in the deserted art-deco corridors of the plant’s eerie East Wing, Luke discovers he can see things others can’t – a ghost girl named Alma. I won’t spoil details of the plot but Alma explains Luke is attuned to the supernatural as he ‘knows death.’ With Alma’s help, Luke learns the terrible truth of why children are being kidnapped and forced to work in the power station and he becomes determined to break out. As the despicable Margate unveils plans to re-open the plant’s third chimney, Luke must race against time to find his freedom.
Sheer desperation drips from every page but Luke is one of those people who sticks at things and his ‘it’s not over ’till it’s over’ attitude’ burns brighter than the coal in the furnaces. He teams up with plumber’s daughter Jess (what she doesn’t know about ventilation shafts isn’t worth knowing!) and as small opportunities present themselves, the plot takes on a thrilling Escape from Alcatraz feel. There’s so many heart in the mouth moments where I was clinging on for dear life with them, willing them to succeed. As supporting characters go, Jess is absolutely bang-on-the-money and there’s a wonderful unlikely feline hero too.
If their plan to stop Margate is to have any chance of success ghostgirl Alma is instrumental, but it transpires she could use some of Luke and Jess’ help along the way too. Alma is roaming London ‘looking for her death’ She explains that when a death is sudden or traumatic, souls often block out what happened and remain trapped. Can they help her find closure?
Luke Smith-Sharma is such a well-drawn protagonist with amazing agency. Half-Indian and now half-ghost, he ‘sometimes he wishes he could be one thing properly’ stemming from Mann’s own childhood experiences which are worked subtly into the story.
Although deliciously dark and dystopian, the ghostcloud scenes above the London skyline and Luke’s memories of life before balance this perfectly, as does Margate’s hapless henchman Terence a constant source of humour throughout.
The plot comes to a blistering climax which I literally read through my fingers with my breath held! But once the coal dust settles, Mann has left a couple of threads conveniently floating like a Ghostcloud on the breeze and I’m keeping everything crossed that the whispers of a possible sequel are true…
Ghostcloud is out on the 7th October, published by Hachette Children’s.
With thanks to Hachette Children’s and Netgalley for approving me to read an advanced e-copy of the book.
This is a remarkable story of one boy’s fight for freedom against all odds; a soul that burns brightly in the darkness and through the mysterious smog that has a choke-hold on London.
Kidnapped and forced to shovel coal underneath a half-bombed, blackened power station 12-year-old Luke’s life is miserable…
I was absolutely hooked from that first line of the synopsis! Thousands of hidden children shovel coal to the furnaces of Battersea Power Station; instead of luxury appartments, it’s a functioning power plant and it’s overseen by the despicable pipe-smoking tyrant Tabatha Margate.
I absolutely adore how Mann has reimagined the familiar London landscape into a steampunk, alternative reality. After the old war with Europe, only two of the battle-scarred Battersea’s chimneys are operational. The Channel Tunnel stands closed and derelict, the Olympic Stadium dirtied and rotting. East London is flooded and beyond Battersea, lie the slums of South London leading into a toxic wasteland known as The Deadzone.
It’s 2 years since 12 year old Luke became a shoveller; 2 years without any contact with his family; 2 years since he last saw daylight. Hard work is the only way out of the plant and he and fellow inmate Ravi dream of winning an illusive amber ticket to freedom, only awarded to the most efficient of workers. But Margate would give Cruella De Vil a run for her money; her wickedness knows no bounds and torturing children is her favourite pass-time. Without that ticket, the boys’ lives look set to end down there, one way or another.
But in the deserted art-deco corridors of the plant’s eerie East Wing, Luke discovers he can see things others can’t – a ghost girl named Alma. I won’t spoil details of the plot but Alma explains Luke is attuned to the supernatural as he ‘knows death.’ With Alma’s help, Luke learns the terrible truth of why children are being kidnapped and forced to work in the power station and he becomes determined to break out. As the despicable Margate unveils plans to re-open the plant’s third chimney, Luke must race against time to find his freedom.
Sheer desperation drips from every page but Luke is one of those people who sticks at things and his ‘it’s not over ’till it’s over’ attitude’ burns brighter than the coal in the furnaces. He teams up with plumber’s daughter Jess (what she doesn’t know about ventilation shafts isn’t worth knowing!) and as small opportunities present themselves, the plot takes on a thrilling Escape from Alcatraz feel. There’s so many heart in the mouth moments where I was clinging on for dear life with them, willing them to succeed. As supporting characters go, Jess is absolutely bang-on-the-money and there’s a wonderful unlikely feline hero too.
If their plan to stop Margate is to have any chance of success ghostgirl Alma is instrumental, but it transpires she could use some of Luke and Jess’ help along the way too. Alma is roaming London ‘looking for her death’ She explains that when a death is sudden or traumatic, souls often block out what happened and remain trapped. Can they help her find closure?
Luke Smith-Sharma is such a well-drawn protagonist with amazing agency. Half-Indian and now half-ghost, he ‘sometimes he wishes he could be one thing properly’ stemming from Mann’s own childhood experiences which are worked subtly into the story.
Although deliciously dark and dystopian, the ghostcloud scenes above the London skyline and Luke’s memories of life before balance this perfectly, as does Margate’s hapless henchman Terence a constant source of humour throughout.
The plot comes to a blistering climax which I literally read through my fingers with my breath held! But once the coal dust settles, Mann has left a couple of threads conveniently floating like a Ghostcloud on the breeze and I’m keeping everything crossed that the whispers of a possible sequel are true…
Ghostcloud is out on the 7th October, published by Hachette Children’s.
With thanks to Hachette Children’s and Netgalley for approving me to read an advanced e-copy of the book.
November 2, 2021
This is such a brilliant book and amazing debut!
It's sort of middle-grade action, alternate history and dystopia in one. Sounds weird but it really works, believe me.
It has a very interesting premise, it's action packed and a fast read.
I received this book from the publisher in an exchange for an honest review
It's sort of middle-grade action, alternate history and dystopia in one. Sounds weird but it really works, believe me.
It has a very interesting premise, it's action packed and a fast read.
I received this book from the publisher in an exchange for an honest review
August 27, 2022
Luke's journey and friends was full of thrilling dares. Finding his family and a way back home weren't easy. Sometimes it made me shuddered for each step he had to went through.
.
Longing for family, sank in a darkenss of underground, being tormented, job exploitation, no shelter, not enough food and health service were the cruelty of sort thhreatend all children's life.
.
It was an amazing mixing of si-fi fantasy story. Luke and friends wasn't only brought me in an adventure deep down into the underground of a dirty tunnels, factory and chimney but also brought me flying in the sky riding cloud with Alma. And of course e heartwarming moment with family Luke missed it up for years.
Instagram : @edirbooks
.
Longing for family, sank in a darkenss of underground, being tormented, job exploitation, no shelter, not enough food and health service were the cruelty of sort thhreatend all children's life.
.
It was an amazing mixing of si-fi fantasy story. Luke and friends wasn't only brought me in an adventure deep down into the underground of a dirty tunnels, factory and chimney but also brought me flying in the sky riding cloud with Alma. And of course e heartwarming moment with family Luke missed it up for years.
Instagram : @edirbooks
September 28, 2022
3.75 stars!
This middle-grade novel is dark yet whimsical – an excellent choice for Autumn.
Initially, I chose this book due to its stunning cover and synopsis. The novel seemed like a fantastic choice for a fantasy read about ghosts! I always look for captivating reads, and I was pleasantly surprised that each chapter drew me in and kept me wanting to read more. The writing kept me engaged, despite feeling rushed at the book’s beginning. Fortunately, the book just got better as I went.
The novel has several dark themes, including kidnapping and forced child labour. These topics are sometimes challenging to read because child trafficking and child slavery are real world problems and human rights violations. Now, the novel includes these dark themes in a middle-grade fantasy. And while the book is a whimsical novel, the grim and dark atmosphere is reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ novels, though presented in a way that is potentially more accessible to younger readers.
I did enjoy this novel, though the power plant was difficult to visualize. I don’t think this will be an issue for all readers, but the greyscale descriptors made it difficult for me to discern the setting.
Finally, I’d like to touch on some things I thoroughly enjoyed in this novel. Of course, we always love a cat appearance, and Olivia and I were so happy to be introduced to Stealth the cat. I love the bond that Luke and Stealth shared and Stealth’s storyline. I enjoyed most of the characters – my favourite character was Luke’s grandma, Nana Chatterjee. I would have loved to have more of her in the book! It’s so nice to see character growth for several characters. And the concept of embracing parts of us that are unique is excellent to include in the book. I recommend this book (though, please check out the content warnings) and am looking forward to book 2, “Nightspark!”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5...
This middle-grade novel is dark yet whimsical – an excellent choice for Autumn.
Initially, I chose this book due to its stunning cover and synopsis. The novel seemed like a fantastic choice for a fantasy read about ghosts! I always look for captivating reads, and I was pleasantly surprised that each chapter drew me in and kept me wanting to read more. The writing kept me engaged, despite feeling rushed at the book’s beginning. Fortunately, the book just got better as I went.
The novel has several dark themes, including kidnapping and forced child labour. These topics are sometimes challenging to read because child trafficking and child slavery are real world problems and human rights violations. Now, the novel includes these dark themes in a middle-grade fantasy. And while the book is a whimsical novel, the grim and dark atmosphere is reminiscent of Charles Dickens’ novels, though presented in a way that is potentially more accessible to younger readers.
I did enjoy this novel, though the power plant was difficult to visualize. I don’t think this will be an issue for all readers, but the greyscale descriptors made it difficult for me to discern the setting.
Finally, I’d like to touch on some things I thoroughly enjoyed in this novel. Of course, we always love a cat appearance, and Olivia and I were so happy to be introduced to Stealth the cat. I love the bond that Luke and Stealth shared and Stealth’s storyline. I enjoyed most of the characters – my favourite character was Luke’s grandma, Nana Chatterjee. I would have loved to have more of her in the book! It’s so nice to see character growth for several characters. And the concept of embracing parts of us that are unique is excellent to include in the book. I recommend this book (though, please check out the content warnings) and am looking forward to book 2, “Nightspark!”
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings:
https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/5...
September 19, 2021
Really fun read that's fast paced, funny and very engaging. I enjoyed it as an adult while reading it with my child and have bought it for friends with pre-teen children. Would highly recommend for kids who are already readers and also getting those who aren't big readers interested in reading.
October 4, 2021
12-year-old Luke shovels coal deep below Battersea Power Station with all the other stolen children in an alternate version of London—suffocating in smog and grime. But then one day he sees someone no one else can see, a ghost-girl called Alma, and he discovers a world and a part of himself that he didn’t know existed. Alma inspires Luke to look for a way for him and his friends to escape the evil Tabatha Margate, until he realises that her devious plans go way beyond kidnapping children. Can Luke and his friends find a way to stop her before it’s too late?
'Ghostcloud' is a dark and twisty story with a richly imaginative ghost mythology. I loved the use of familiar London landmarks in a gloomy alternative reality—particularly the iconic Battersea Power Station, which seems ideally designed for dystopian landscapes. Luke is a wonderfully relatable character, as he struggles to work out where he belongs and where his loyalties lie, and Tabatha is a chilling Cruella-esque villain. (Watch out Battersea cats and dogs!) I was thoroughly swept away by Luke’s ghostly adventure and will continue to avoid the sinister chimneys of Battersea Power Station. An excellent read!
'Ghostcloud' is a dark and twisty story with a richly imaginative ghost mythology. I loved the use of familiar London landmarks in a gloomy alternative reality—particularly the iconic Battersea Power Station, which seems ideally designed for dystopian landscapes. Luke is a wonderfully relatable character, as he struggles to work out where he belongs and where his loyalties lie, and Tabatha is a chilling Cruella-esque villain. (Watch out Battersea cats and dogs!) I was thoroughly swept away by Luke’s ghostly adventure and will continue to avoid the sinister chimneys of Battersea Power Station. An excellent read!
November 21, 2021
4.5 stars
I’ve spent the past week slowly reading this because I’ve been really enjoying it! I’ve just finished it and it is BRILLIANT. It tells the story of Luke, a young boy from London, who lives in a London where children are mysteriously kidnapped and there’s a smog going around the city! It’s dark, it’s full of hope. There’s friendships, finding yourself, solving problems and a cat - what more could I want? Luke is such a brilliant main character and I loved all of his friends. Tabatha is one of those villains from kids books that will stay with me!
I’ve spent the past week slowly reading this because I’ve been really enjoying it! I’ve just finished it and it is BRILLIANT. It tells the story of Luke, a young boy from London, who lives in a London where children are mysteriously kidnapped and there’s a smog going around the city! It’s dark, it’s full of hope. There’s friendships, finding yourself, solving problems and a cat - what more could I want? Luke is such a brilliant main character and I loved all of his friends. Tabatha is one of those villains from kids books that will stay with me!
July 30, 2022
What worked:
The premise is very creative, as it takes a look at ghosts from a different viewpoint. Some ghosts linger with the living by connecting to objects or places. Ghostcloud refers to ghostly characters in the book who are connected to the air. Alma meets Luke, the main character, and soon realizes he’s also a ghostcloud, and a half-ghost, since his heart stopped beating for a minute at childbirth. Half-ghosts are extremely rare and this opens up many possibilities for this character. His soul is able to travel anywhere air flows so he’s able to explore places outside of his body. He discovers a possible way to escape, but that creates new questions. The author presents ingenious concepts regarding ghosts, their origins, and their abilities.
The setting for this dystopian novel is London sometime in the future. Luke and his friends are slaves and spend most of their time digging coal for a cruel, ruthless woman named Tabatha, but a new girl named Jess has special knowledge of plumbing. She discovers there’s something different about the pipes and the incinerator inside Battersea which creates a mystery as to what’s really going on. Luke has a love and talent for solving mysteries, so figuring out what’s going on and finding a way to escape are within his wheelhouse. The author slowly provides clues allowing readers to discover Tabatha’s evil plans and this problem becomes the focus of the plot. It’s an innovative problem that’s ruthless and malevolent.
Jess is the most interesting character in the book. She always has a positive attitude and doesn’t allow her circumstances to bring her down. It becomes a bit of a joke later in the story. Jess constantly notices inconsistencies inside Battersea that cause the characters to consider new ideas. She trusts Luke completely and is willing to take risks to support him. Physically, she seems very fragile and Luke is worried about her survival as a digger. However, her courage and loyalty to Luke make her an indispensable friend.
What didn’t work as well:
The title doesn’t indicate this book is the start of a series but the resolution leaves unanswered questions that seem to indicate a sequel will be coming. The book is still highly entertaining but the ending may leave readers wanting more.
The Final Verdict:
Bridging the gap between the living and the dead. It’s refreshing and unexpected to come across a book with such original literary thoughts. Luke is an appealing main character with a pure and endearing personality. The story will appeal to lovers of ghosts and underdogs and I highly recommend you give it a shot.
The premise is very creative, as it takes a look at ghosts from a different viewpoint. Some ghosts linger with the living by connecting to objects or places. Ghostcloud refers to ghostly characters in the book who are connected to the air. Alma meets Luke, the main character, and soon realizes he’s also a ghostcloud, and a half-ghost, since his heart stopped beating for a minute at childbirth. Half-ghosts are extremely rare and this opens up many possibilities for this character. His soul is able to travel anywhere air flows so he’s able to explore places outside of his body. He discovers a possible way to escape, but that creates new questions. The author presents ingenious concepts regarding ghosts, their origins, and their abilities.
The setting for this dystopian novel is London sometime in the future. Luke and his friends are slaves and spend most of their time digging coal for a cruel, ruthless woman named Tabatha, but a new girl named Jess has special knowledge of plumbing. She discovers there’s something different about the pipes and the incinerator inside Battersea which creates a mystery as to what’s really going on. Luke has a love and talent for solving mysteries, so figuring out what’s going on and finding a way to escape are within his wheelhouse. The author slowly provides clues allowing readers to discover Tabatha’s evil plans and this problem becomes the focus of the plot. It’s an innovative problem that’s ruthless and malevolent.
Jess is the most interesting character in the book. She always has a positive attitude and doesn’t allow her circumstances to bring her down. It becomes a bit of a joke later in the story. Jess constantly notices inconsistencies inside Battersea that cause the characters to consider new ideas. She trusts Luke completely and is willing to take risks to support him. Physically, she seems very fragile and Luke is worried about her survival as a digger. However, her courage and loyalty to Luke make her an indispensable friend.
What didn’t work as well:
The title doesn’t indicate this book is the start of a series but the resolution leaves unanswered questions that seem to indicate a sequel will be coming. The book is still highly entertaining but the ending may leave readers wanting more.
The Final Verdict:
Bridging the gap between the living and the dead. It’s refreshing and unexpected to come across a book with such original literary thoughts. Luke is an appealing main character with a pure and endearing personality. The story will appeal to lovers of ghosts and underdogs and I highly recommend you give it a shot.
October 28, 2021
A fab little adventure set in a dystopian London landscape; a dark world hidden within Battersea Power Station, where kidnapped children are forced into hard labour in order to survive.
Luke and Ravi are friends. They long for the day they get their amber tickets and do not have to shovel coal dust into the hot furnaces, every single day.
They meet Jess, an optimist and a Plumber who can help them escape. Then, Luke saves a ghost called Alma who shows Luke what it means to be a ghostcloud.
They must defy odds of surviving in the power station and escape from the clutches of the cold-hearted Tabitha who wants to destroy any hope they may have of finding home again.
It isnt going to be an easy mission, but they have each other and hopefully, the Ghost Council will help.
I really liked the concept used here; a dystopian London where children are slaves who maintain the city’s power supply. There is a good amount of detail provided to give the reader a sense of what the inside of the power station is like, how oppressive and dirty it is and how all the characters work together inside.
I found Jess was particularly a strong character type and I also had a strong image of Alma and Tabitha. Luke is a likeable boy and i loved the whole ‘ghostcloud’ thing going on, especially the character of the clouds and how Luke could ‘feel’ things through water.
There is a real feel of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, about this book
Luke and Ravi are friends. They long for the day they get their amber tickets and do not have to shovel coal dust into the hot furnaces, every single day.
They meet Jess, an optimist and a Plumber who can help them escape. Then, Luke saves a ghost called Alma who shows Luke what it means to be a ghostcloud.
They must defy odds of surviving in the power station and escape from the clutches of the cold-hearted Tabitha who wants to destroy any hope they may have of finding home again.
It isnt going to be an easy mission, but they have each other and hopefully, the Ghost Council will help.
I really liked the concept used here; a dystopian London where children are slaves who maintain the city’s power supply. There is a good amount of detail provided to give the reader a sense of what the inside of the power station is like, how oppressive and dirty it is and how all the characters work together inside.
I found Jess was particularly a strong character type and I also had a strong image of Alma and Tabitha. Luke is a likeable boy and i loved the whole ‘ghostcloud’ thing going on, especially the character of the clouds and how Luke could ‘feel’ things through water.
There is a real feel of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, about this book
September 28, 2021
What a brilliant book! I love dystopian stories and London is one of my favourite cities so a dystopian MG book set in London must be a winner.
The story is set in a London similar and yet different to our own. We are in the aftermath of a war with Europe, the Channel Tunnel lies derelict and unused and the eastern side of London is flooded. There is a floating market on the Thames at Waterloo and beneath Battersea Power Station, an army of children who have been kidnapped off the streets, shovel coal to provide power for the city. Because the city is fuelled by coal, smog has returned but the smog is changing and seems to be harming the inhabitants.
Luke Smith-Sharma has been shovelling coal for 2 years. He has worked as hard as he possibly can in order to earn an amber ticket which will give him his freedom and allow him to return to his family. One day, he helps a new girl, Jess, and is punished by being sent to clean the sewers in the mysterious East Wing of the station. There he meets Alma, a ghost cloud who can ride the winds and see what is happening in the city. He discovers that he is actually part ghost and can also become a ghost cloud. He also discovers more about the evil Tabatha Margate and her plan for a new third chimney at Battersea, what the smog is and why it is changing.
This is a briiliantly told, inventive story. I loved all the details about the city and its landmarks and the characters of Luke, Alma, Jess and Ravi are really well written and are well balanced by the deliciously nasty Tabatha and her henchman Terence. The story zips along as the children plot their escape from their power station and discover what is really happening. The conclusion is completely satisfying while leaving enough space for a sequel which I really hope Michael Mann will write.
This a great Middle Grade read and I am grateful to Net Galley and Hodder Children’s books for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
The story is set in a London similar and yet different to our own. We are in the aftermath of a war with Europe, the Channel Tunnel lies derelict and unused and the eastern side of London is flooded. There is a floating market on the Thames at Waterloo and beneath Battersea Power Station, an army of children who have been kidnapped off the streets, shovel coal to provide power for the city. Because the city is fuelled by coal, smog has returned but the smog is changing and seems to be harming the inhabitants.
Luke Smith-Sharma has been shovelling coal for 2 years. He has worked as hard as he possibly can in order to earn an amber ticket which will give him his freedom and allow him to return to his family. One day, he helps a new girl, Jess, and is punished by being sent to clean the sewers in the mysterious East Wing of the station. There he meets Alma, a ghost cloud who can ride the winds and see what is happening in the city. He discovers that he is actually part ghost and can also become a ghost cloud. He also discovers more about the evil Tabatha Margate and her plan for a new third chimney at Battersea, what the smog is and why it is changing.
This is a briiliantly told, inventive story. I loved all the details about the city and its landmarks and the characters of Luke, Alma, Jess and Ravi are really well written and are well balanced by the deliciously nasty Tabatha and her henchman Terence. The story zips along as the children plot their escape from their power station and discover what is really happening. The conclusion is completely satisfying while leaving enough space for a sequel which I really hope Michael Mann will write.
This a great Middle Grade read and I am grateful to Net Galley and Hodder Children’s books for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for this honest review.
October 22, 2021
Ghostcloud has a lovely premise to it, and it's quite a surprise for the reader to find the hero shovelling coal in the bottom of a dystopian Battersea Power Station at the start of the book. Dickensian with a futuristic note. And right from the start I was suspicious of the Golden Tickets awarded for the 'best' kids of the week. After twitching a few times at future London's ruins that would not have existed in the past, I settled into going with the flow of an alternative world.
As with many books I've read this year, I found it enjoyable, but easy to put down. I even left it for a while and came back to it: it's easy to pick up and the characters stay with you. That's very good, if even my overworked brain is remembering them! And like many of those others, when I got back to it a third time (before 50%), I couldn't put it down and read straight through to the exciting finish.
This is a really well imagined world, even if Tabitha Margate does tend towards the Cruella DeVille. Michael Mann brings forward some truly innovate ghosts and ghost mechanisms, some that even Neil Gaiman would be proud of, I'm sure.
All in all, Ghostcloud is a thoroughly enjoyable book, a worthy first publication from the author, and I look forward to seeing what Michael Mann comes up with in the future.
As with many books I've read this year, I found it enjoyable, but easy to put down. I even left it for a while and came back to it: it's easy to pick up and the characters stay with you. That's very good, if even my overworked brain is remembering them! And like many of those others, when I got back to it a third time (before 50%), I couldn't put it down and read straight through to the exciting finish.
This is a really well imagined world, even if Tabitha Margate does tend towards the Cruella DeVille. Michael Mann brings forward some truly innovate ghosts and ghost mechanisms, some that even Neil Gaiman would be proud of, I'm sure.
All in all, Ghostcloud is a thoroughly enjoyable book, a worthy first publication from the author, and I look forward to seeing what Michael Mann comes up with in the future.
March 29, 2023
Very good middle-grade debut novel by an author who is 'half' Yorkshire, 'half' Indian - just like my niblings. I enjoyed Luke Smith-Sharma's (the MC) navigation of what it means to have mixed identities, and his journey to finding himself. It does have dark themes of child labour, trafficking, and climate events caused by fossil fuel usage, but I feel that Gen Alpha readers (like our MCs Luke, Jess, Ravi and Alma) are aware and ready to fight the good fight for the collective good of humanity. I immediately added the second book to my TBR.
May 14, 2022
Ghostcloud is a thrilling adventure set in a Neo-Dickensian future London – a city of filthy smog, and kidnapped children, and temperamental ghosts. It’s fast, scary, and richly atmospheric; it’s also breath-takingly inventive: watch out for Luke and Alma’s night-time cloud flights over what’s left of London. And while there’s enough material here for five books, it doesn't feel rushed: the plot is flawless, and the themes are resonant; it’s very much a book for our times.
December 29, 2022
A fun story of a dystopian future fully of miserable kidnapped children forced to slave for a madwoman, lots of ghosts, and two brave kids/ghosts work to solve the mystery of what's really going on and putting a stop to it. A very good middle grade fantasy read, full of lots of details, great characters, and heart.
April 22, 2024
I loved that this book has got lots of different parts and characters with very different personalities, and as this book went on, I got more and more interested. I read it a lot and would tell my family what had happened previously whenever I got the chance.
October 4, 2021
I really enjoyed the concept of this book! I loved the dystopian feel to it and found the characters likeable and fun! I loved the idea of Ghostclouds and that a person could be half ghost and enjoyed watching the friendships develop, both old and new. I did predict a few of the twists but Michael's writing made it enjoyable and interesting and made me want to keep reading. I thought it was a great middle grade read!
August 24, 2021
This was a really original and compelling read that I read in one sitting. It was such a clever and unique idea for a story and is a book that both adults and children can enjoy reading.
September 23, 2021
This is a wonderfully told story that comprises excitement, action, suspense and a cruel and heartless villain who must be stopped. The characters are ones that are totally believable and I found myself willing the children to escape and really imagined myself on that journey too. The action is fast-paced and the description is hugely effective in getting the desperation of the situation and of the escape across. The dialogue between the characters is well written and appropriate. Sharp exchanges with characters lead to touching moments when Luke realises what has happened to his family.
The story is set in dystopian London so for those who know the area the landmarks will be familiar. The Olympic Park is abandoned, the Channel Tunnel is closed, East London is flooded and South London is a slum leading to a toxic wasteland.
This is a unique story but one which is so well written. Many thanks to the publisher for sending us an early copy for review. This book is featured on our Autumn 2021 Ones to Watch selection: https://www.booksfortopics.com/post/o...
The story is set in dystopian London so for those who know the area the landmarks will be familiar. The Olympic Park is abandoned, the Channel Tunnel is closed, East London is flooded and South London is a slum leading to a toxic wasteland.
This is a unique story but one which is so well written. Many thanks to the publisher for sending us an early copy for review. This book is featured on our Autumn 2021 Ones to Watch selection: https://www.booksfortopics.com/post/o...
September 30, 2021
Wow! Adventure, excitement, dramatic twists and turns; clever storytelling with a good helping of steampunk and supernatural wonder blend together to create a book that is original, offbeat and thoroughly gripping from start to finish. The pacing is brilliant, with thrilling action matched by quieter moments of memory and reflection giving a well-rounded quality to the story. The sense of time and place, the witty, often funny dialogue and rich, well-considered characterisation…it’s fabulous! And oh my; what a sinister, tyrannical villain! You will truly despise Tabatha Margate and with good reason. Lukes’ fight for freedom seems impossible, completely unworkable; but with revelation after revelation about his circumstances unfolds, he becomes a hero that has no other choice. The book builds to its’ climax, it pulls the reader on an unstoppable, incredible roller-coaster ride. A story of friendship, family, determination, freedom ; unique, compelling, vibrant…just amazing!
February 16, 2023
This is London, but not as we know it. 12 year old Luke spends his days shovelling coal in the half ruined Battersea Power Station. He dreams of getting back to his family, but the only way out is with a sacred Amber ticket. Just as Luke is nearing selection for a ticket he gets caught trying to help a new girl, Jess, and both are sent for punishment. With all hope of a ticket gone, Luke is shocked when he meets Alma and realises she is a ghost, but that quickly turns to excitement when he realises she might be able to help him escape.
I'm loving my middle grade fiction at the moment, there's some fantastic books that I'm discovering, and this one certainly fits the bill.
Being set in London, but not quite as we would know it, is great for me. I'm only vaguely familiar with London being a Northerner, but it's enough that landmarks like the Battersea Power Station conjure up images. Picturing that in ruins immediately sets the scene for me.
I loved all the characters here, even Tabatha! I mean obviously she's hateful and horrid but she is such a good villain! I really appreciated having a female baddie, and especially one so ruthless too.
Luke is instantly likeable as a protagonist, as is Jess. They make a great pair, and though their friendship is forged quickly it's easy to see why it's a strong one.
The plot is great: there's kidnappings, friendly ghosts, unfriendly ghouls, a despicable boss lady, and just enough magic to make it all work. I particularly like the theory behind why Luke can see and travel with Alma when other people can't.
All in all a great fun read. If you're an older reader who enjoys middle grade books give it ago. If you're a younger reader (or reading with younger readers) don't worry it isn't too scary!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I'm loving my middle grade fiction at the moment, there's some fantastic books that I'm discovering, and this one certainly fits the bill.
Being set in London, but not quite as we would know it, is great for me. I'm only vaguely familiar with London being a Northerner, but it's enough that landmarks like the Battersea Power Station conjure up images. Picturing that in ruins immediately sets the scene for me.
I loved all the characters here, even Tabatha! I mean obviously she's hateful and horrid but she is such a good villain! I really appreciated having a female baddie, and especially one so ruthless too.
Luke is instantly likeable as a protagonist, as is Jess. They make a great pair, and though their friendship is forged quickly it's easy to see why it's a strong one.
The plot is great: there's kidnappings, friendly ghosts, unfriendly ghouls, a despicable boss lady, and just enough magic to make it all work. I particularly like the theory behind why Luke can see and travel with Alma when other people can't.
All in all a great fun read. If you're an older reader who enjoys middle grade books give it ago. If you're a younger reader (or reading with younger readers) don't worry it isn't too scary!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 21, 2022
I was immediately drawn to this book because of the cover. It’s so fun, vibrant, cute and sparked my imagination before I’d even read a single word!
Though, I could never have imagined the story that unfolded.
Michael Mann has brought together a fantastic mix of genres that blend effortlessly into a stunning story of friendship, family and unwavering hope in the darkest of times.
Set in a dystopian London, it conjures up images of the Victorian era combined with the future. Giving off a very steampunk vibe.
The descriptions transported me, as if I were a Ghostcloud myself, to the dark depths of the Power Station, where Luke & the other kidnapped children worked, shovelling coal (and other horrendous jobs) to earn the one thing that could set them free, the amber ticket! But Luke starts to discover not only can he see ghosts, in particular a girl called Alma, but things in the Power Station might be even more sinister than they first thought!
With the help of Alma, his friends and a cat, Luke begins to unravel the truth about the deadly smog and the evil Tabatha Margate.
This is a wonderful story that children and adults alike can read and really enjoy.
A crazy, creative world/story, loveable characters, an evil villain & the beauty that love, friendship & hope brings.
An adorable story. Thank you so much, NetGalley for an ARC ebook in return for an honest review.
Though, I could never have imagined the story that unfolded.
Michael Mann has brought together a fantastic mix of genres that blend effortlessly into a stunning story of friendship, family and unwavering hope in the darkest of times.
Set in a dystopian London, it conjures up images of the Victorian era combined with the future. Giving off a very steampunk vibe.
The descriptions transported me, as if I were a Ghostcloud myself, to the dark depths of the Power Station, where Luke & the other kidnapped children worked, shovelling coal (and other horrendous jobs) to earn the one thing that could set them free, the amber ticket! But Luke starts to discover not only can he see ghosts, in particular a girl called Alma, but things in the Power Station might be even more sinister than they first thought!
With the help of Alma, his friends and a cat, Luke begins to unravel the truth about the deadly smog and the evil Tabatha Margate.
This is a wonderful story that children and adults alike can read and really enjoy.
A crazy, creative world/story, loveable characters, an evil villain & the beauty that love, friendship & hope brings.
An adorable story. Thank you so much, NetGalley for an ARC ebook in return for an honest review.
December 28, 2022
You can read my full review on my blog, The Bookwyrm's Den, here.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
This cover is colorful and sinister, uplifting but spooky, and I was immediately intrigued by these seemingly conflicting atmospheres. Plus, to be fair, it’s fall, and I plan on reading aaaall the books that include paranormal elements or give me spooky vibes. Obviously, a book about ghosts qualifies here.
Ghostcloud is a fantasy ghost story set in a dystopian London, where kids are kidnapped and forced into manual labor underground, and something sinister haunts the streets aboveground.
As it turns out, the cover very nicely reflects the atmosphere that Mann creates in his book. It’s dark and dreary, but filled with beautiful scenery and uplifting moments at the same time. It’s a very careful balance that Mann manages to maintain. While the ending felt a bit sudden, I enjoyed the ride and the world that’s established throughout the book. This is definitely one I’d love to visit . . . sort of.
My Thoughts
- Ghostcloud is set in a dystopian London, where kids are being taken and forced into manual labor. Which is, of course, where we find our protagonist, Luke. While they’re underground, these kids have no idea what’s going on aboveground, which means Luke has no news of his father and his sister. All he knows is the shoveling he’s forced to do day in and day out, all in the hope of earning his freedom through getting a ticket. Meanwhile, the only thing keeping these kids going is the thought that one day, eventually, they’ll be reunited with their loved ones. The biggest mystery (for the kids, at least) is what exactly is going on underground. Of course, mostly, they’re just trying to get by. Keep your head down, do your work, earn your freedom. It’s a way of life. Underneath all that, though, even the kids can tell that something isn’t quite right. Aside from the obvious wrongdoing of kidnapping kids and forcing them to perform dangerous manual labor, the woman in charge of the entire operation is extremely suspicious and definitely has ulterior motives. Motives that are rather dangerous to question or investigate.
- While Ghostcloud is technically (obviously) a ghost book, Mann spins the ghostly aspect into something fresh and unique. I really liked the way Mann approached the paranormal aspect! Yes, there are ghosts, but ghosts exist in different forms. They’re not quite like humans. In Mann’s world, for example, ghosts can hook to whatever most calls their spirit . . . like clouds! Hence, ghostclouds, which have the ability to soar high over the world. There are many different forms of ghosts, depending on what their spirit bonds with, which I thought was really unique! More than just that, death in general changes a person. Whether you’ve seen death or you’ve been touched by it, it marks you in a way that lets you interact in different ways with the spiritual world. It’s a pretty high price to pay to get into an exclusive club, and none of the characters have chosen it for themselves, but it’s still a really interesting premise.
- Mann somehow manages to balance a dark, sinister world with beautiful scenes and uplifting hope. I mean . . . this is a dystopian world, no doubt about that. However, it doesn’t mean everything is bleak and hopeless. Far from it! Mann includes some really breathtaking scenes of characters soaring above it all (both literally and figuratively). There’s beauty in the darkness, basically, especially in the way the characters refuse to let it destroy their hope. I don’t want to talk too much about these scenes, because they include minor spoilers, but needless to say, even though this book sounds dark, it’s really well-balanced in that aspect and not overwhelmingly so.
- The writing in this is so lovely and quotable! It’s easy enough for middle grade readers, of course, but still a pleasant read for older readers, as well. You know, in case you couldn’t tell by the quotes that I chose to share in this review. But in case you weren’t paying attention, this book is very quotable and enjoyable. There are lots of little introspective moments as characters are dealing with their lives and deciding which parts of them they actually have autonomy over. I mean, when you’re kidnapped and threatened, it may seem like there’s not a whole lot that’s in your power, but there actually is, as Luke is quickly realizing. Mann’s writing is definitely enjoyable, regardless of your age!
Sticking Points
- The ending is a little bit too clean, easy, and happily ever after for me, especially given the tone and content of the rest of the story. On one hand, I get it. The message was always an uplifting one about hope, and middle grade is notorious for its happy endings, regardless of where the book starts. It’s just a facet of the age category. That being said, though, it felt like a really weird juxtaposition to end this on a happily ever after note, especially considering the way all the bad things that happened in the other 300 pages were sort of just swept under the rug. There is no fallout or aftermath and no repercussions of kidnapping thousands of kids (nor any repercussions for accomplices and no mention of the impacts on society as a whole). This is obviously personal preference (which, to be fair, is what all reviews are anyway). However, I just felt like this book would be perfect for an almost-happy ending that implied there was still more work and healing to be done.
I received a copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Overall
This cover is colorful and sinister, uplifting but spooky, and I was immediately intrigued by these seemingly conflicting atmospheres. Plus, to be fair, it’s fall, and I plan on reading aaaall the books that include paranormal elements or give me spooky vibes. Obviously, a book about ghosts qualifies here.
Ghostcloud is a fantasy ghost story set in a dystopian London, where kids are kidnapped and forced into manual labor underground, and something sinister haunts the streets aboveground.
As it turns out, the cover very nicely reflects the atmosphere that Mann creates in his book. It’s dark and dreary, but filled with beautiful scenery and uplifting moments at the same time. It’s a very careful balance that Mann manages to maintain. While the ending felt a bit sudden, I enjoyed the ride and the world that’s established throughout the book. This is definitely one I’d love to visit . . . sort of.
My Thoughts
- Ghostcloud is set in a dystopian London, where kids are being taken and forced into manual labor. Which is, of course, where we find our protagonist, Luke. While they’re underground, these kids have no idea what’s going on aboveground, which means Luke has no news of his father and his sister. All he knows is the shoveling he’s forced to do day in and day out, all in the hope of earning his freedom through getting a ticket. Meanwhile, the only thing keeping these kids going is the thought that one day, eventually, they’ll be reunited with their loved ones. The biggest mystery (for the kids, at least) is what exactly is going on underground. Of course, mostly, they’re just trying to get by. Keep your head down, do your work, earn your freedom. It’s a way of life. Underneath all that, though, even the kids can tell that something isn’t quite right. Aside from the obvious wrongdoing of kidnapping kids and forcing them to perform dangerous manual labor, the woman in charge of the entire operation is extremely suspicious and definitely has ulterior motives. Motives that are rather dangerous to question or investigate.
- While Ghostcloud is technically (obviously) a ghost book, Mann spins the ghostly aspect into something fresh and unique. I really liked the way Mann approached the paranormal aspect! Yes, there are ghosts, but ghosts exist in different forms. They’re not quite like humans. In Mann’s world, for example, ghosts can hook to whatever most calls their spirit . . . like clouds! Hence, ghostclouds, which have the ability to soar high over the world. There are many different forms of ghosts, depending on what their spirit bonds with, which I thought was really unique! More than just that, death in general changes a person. Whether you’ve seen death or you’ve been touched by it, it marks you in a way that lets you interact in different ways with the spiritual world. It’s a pretty high price to pay to get into an exclusive club, and none of the characters have chosen it for themselves, but it’s still a really interesting premise.
- Mann somehow manages to balance a dark, sinister world with beautiful scenes and uplifting hope. I mean . . . this is a dystopian world, no doubt about that. However, it doesn’t mean everything is bleak and hopeless. Far from it! Mann includes some really breathtaking scenes of characters soaring above it all (both literally and figuratively). There’s beauty in the darkness, basically, especially in the way the characters refuse to let it destroy their hope. I don’t want to talk too much about these scenes, because they include minor spoilers, but needless to say, even though this book sounds dark, it’s really well-balanced in that aspect and not overwhelmingly so.
- The writing in this is so lovely and quotable! It’s easy enough for middle grade readers, of course, but still a pleasant read for older readers, as well. You know, in case you couldn’t tell by the quotes that I chose to share in this review. But in case you weren’t paying attention, this book is very quotable and enjoyable. There are lots of little introspective moments as characters are dealing with their lives and deciding which parts of them they actually have autonomy over. I mean, when you’re kidnapped and threatened, it may seem like there’s not a whole lot that’s in your power, but there actually is, as Luke is quickly realizing. Mann’s writing is definitely enjoyable, regardless of your age!
Sticking Points
- The ending is a little bit too clean, easy, and happily ever after for me, especially given the tone and content of the rest of the story. On one hand, I get it. The message was always an uplifting one about hope, and middle grade is notorious for its happy endings, regardless of where the book starts. It’s just a facet of the age category. That being said, though, it felt like a really weird juxtaposition to end this on a happily ever after note, especially considering the way all the bad things that happened in the other 300 pages were sort of just swept under the rug. There is no fallout or aftermath and no repercussions of kidnapping thousands of kids (nor any repercussions for accomplices and no mention of the impacts on society as a whole). This is obviously personal preference (which, to be fair, is what all reviews are anyway). However, I just felt like this book would be perfect for an almost-happy ending that implied there was still more work and healing to be done.
September 18, 2022
RATING:
4 STARS
Michael Mann’s debut novel Ghostcloud is an action-packed new science fiction fantasy read for middle-grade audiences. Set in a far-off dystopian version of London unlike the one we know now, children are kidnapped off the streets and forced to shovel coal. Luke Smith-Sharma is one such child, kidnapped two years ago (and unable to see the sun since). When the cruel overseer punishes him, he is sent to the sewers (a fate few return from) and encounters a ghost girl named Alma. Together, they must fight to free the other children and save the day before it’s too late.
The action starts from the very first page. Readers are brought into a scene with hundreds of children shoveling coal, not knowing why or exactly what’s happening. We are also introduced to the villainous Tabatha Margate - not much else is known about her character except that she hates children and runs the operation. Still, everyone fears her and dreads her visits. In particular, she reminded me of Mrs. Trunchbull’s character from Roald Dahl’s Matilda.
I loved the worldbuilding for Ghostcloud. Mr. Mann blends the past and the present well, describing how Luke and Alma’s world has been devastated by climate change. More modern landmarks like the London Olympic Stadium are referenced, and seemingly in ruins. Gas masks are the norm, buildings are sealed against smog, they preach the “coexistence” of people and pollution, and a point of pride for the government was the lack of smog-related deaths for the last hundred years. It sounds like an awful place to live, and I don’t envy anyone there. While this is undoubtedly a dystopian world (with some science fiction hints here and there), there is also an element of fantasy and paranormal blended in.
As the name of the book might suggest, Ghostcloud features a ghost at the center of the story. Luke meets Alma in the power plant, and she reveals some hidden secrets about his history. I can’t say much more without risking spoilers, but I loved all the ghostly aspects of the story (and it makes the book a perfect read for the autumn season as we head toward Halloween).
While the plot is undoubtedly action-packed and exciting, the author touches on a notably less fun topic in the book. Child exploitation and trafficking is a real thing, and it deserves more attention. A lot of the story revolves around the kidnapping and forced imprisonment of children, and how Luke is fighting for his freedom (and a chance to see the sun and his family again). There was a lot of care put into this aspect of the book - it educates without lecturing the readers. I imagine that comes from the author’s position as a primary school teacher. As a reader myself, it was horrifying to envision the conditions the children were working in, and I was rooting for Luke, Ravi, Jess, and the other children to break free from the start.
Ghostcloud had a fantastic ending, and I’m excited to read what comes next in the series. If you like lighthearted fantasy stories with elements of science fiction, dystopia, and the paranormal, then this would be a great choice to add to your to-be-read (TBR) list.
Thank you to the author Michael Mann, the publisher Peachtree, Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours, and Edelweiss for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in this tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Ghostcloud immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
Michael Mann’s debut novel Ghostcloud is an action-packed new science fiction fantasy read for middle-grade audiences. Set in a far-off dystopian version of London unlike the one we know now, children are kidnapped off the streets and forced to shovel coal. Luke Smith-Sharma is one such child, kidnapped two years ago (and unable to see the sun since). When the cruel overseer punishes him, he is sent to the sewers (a fate few return from) and encounters a ghost girl named Alma. Together, they must fight to free the other children and save the day before it’s too late.
The action starts from the very first page. Readers are brought into a scene with hundreds of children shoveling coal, not knowing why or exactly what’s happening. We are also introduced to the villainous Tabatha Margate - not much else is known about her character except that she hates children and runs the operation. Still, everyone fears her and dreads her visits. In particular, she reminded me of Mrs. Trunchbull’s character from Roald Dahl’s Matilda.
I loved the worldbuilding for Ghostcloud. Mr. Mann blends the past and the present well, describing how Luke and Alma’s world has been devastated by climate change. More modern landmarks like the London Olympic Stadium are referenced, and seemingly in ruins. Gas masks are the norm, buildings are sealed against smog, they preach the “coexistence” of people and pollution, and a point of pride for the government was the lack of smog-related deaths for the last hundred years. It sounds like an awful place to live, and I don’t envy anyone there. While this is undoubtedly a dystopian world (with some science fiction hints here and there), there is also an element of fantasy and paranormal blended in.
As the name of the book might suggest, Ghostcloud features a ghost at the center of the story. Luke meets Alma in the power plant, and she reveals some hidden secrets about his history. I can’t say much more without risking spoilers, but I loved all the ghostly aspects of the story (and it makes the book a perfect read for the autumn season as we head toward Halloween).
While the plot is undoubtedly action-packed and exciting, the author touches on a notably less fun topic in the book. Child exploitation and trafficking is a real thing, and it deserves more attention. A lot of the story revolves around the kidnapping and forced imprisonment of children, and how Luke is fighting for his freedom (and a chance to see the sun and his family again). There was a lot of care put into this aspect of the book - it educates without lecturing the readers. I imagine that comes from the author’s position as a primary school teacher. As a reader myself, it was horrifying to envision the conditions the children were working in, and I was rooting for Luke, Ravi, Jess, and the other children to break free from the start.
Ghostcloud had a fantastic ending, and I’m excited to read what comes next in the series. If you like lighthearted fantasy stories with elements of science fiction, dystopia, and the paranormal, then this would be a great choice to add to your to-be-read (TBR) list.
Thank you to the author Michael Mann, the publisher Peachtree, Jaime at Rockstar Book Tours, and Edelweiss for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in this tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Ghostcloud immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way.
November 6, 2022
I don't know what it is about middle grade books that involve adults being absolute trash that I just inevitability love them, but here we are again with that same trope and I loved it.
Ghostcloud follows Luke a boy who was kidnapped and forced to work in this underground location in London, shoveling coal into furnaces. Immediately my mind was like "excuse me. why are these children doing this, are they hostages what is even going on??!" It doesn't take long for the story to devolve what is going on and why he is there and its the weirdest string of events, and immediately I was like "yes all the adults are trash in this". Again I don't know why I love this trope but I do.
The story involves 4 characters with Luke being the main and his string of friends who each bring their own element to the story. My favorite was by far Jess, I loved everything about this girl, she was OBSESSED with plumbing and wants to be a plumber like her uncle, and I love this. It's not every day you get a girl who is interested in plumbing and pipes so I genuinely loved this approach to her, it made her so much more lovable. Paring her up with Luke who wasn't knowledgeable on such topics really helped give her a solid reason for being included, while also giving up insight into the type of person Luke is. He spends a lot of this book being worried for Jess because she isn't that great at shoveling and will probably spend her life in the underground if he can't find a way to help her. Not once did it ever cross his mind to leave her behind, he always took her into consideration, even if it meant fighting with his other two friends.
Ravi is another friend and while I don't think he particularly stood out, I do feel like a second book to needs to happen because uh I am concerned for this boy! I enjoyed the seeing the struggle he went through with Luke, and how they fought and butted heads through the story but came back together and where still friends, only to crushingly be torn apart.
One of the interesting bits about this book was the inclusion of ghostly elements. I really liked how the story centered around not only this evil woman Tabatha kidnapping children but around ghosts. At first I was little concerned about how Mann was going to connect this two plot points but he managed to do it really well. His ideas of how the ghostcloud worked was really fascinating and I enjoyed it every time it popped up in the story, although sometimes it felt like he forgot he was writing about ghosts because I don't think a ghost can tiptoe, but I'm going to let that slide. There was some slightly darker themes through the story, such as Alama's backstory and I mean honestly children being kidnapped is pretty dark, but finding out what was happening to the parents after and how certain adults where involved who the kids thought where trustworthy, its a lot to take in, but in the end it was all executed very well.
All in all this was fun, spooky, adventureous and little heartbreaking. I am serious though, I'd like there to be a follow up, I have concerns!
Ghostcloud follows Luke a boy who was kidnapped and forced to work in this underground location in London, shoveling coal into furnaces. Immediately my mind was like "excuse me. why are these children doing this, are they hostages what is even going on??!" It doesn't take long for the story to devolve what is going on and why he is there and its the weirdest string of events, and immediately I was like "yes all the adults are trash in this". Again I don't know why I love this trope but I do.
The story involves 4 characters with Luke being the main and his string of friends who each bring their own element to the story. My favorite was by far Jess, I loved everything about this girl, she was OBSESSED with plumbing and wants to be a plumber like her uncle, and I love this. It's not every day you get a girl who is interested in plumbing and pipes so I genuinely loved this approach to her, it made her so much more lovable. Paring her up with Luke who wasn't knowledgeable on such topics really helped give her a solid reason for being included, while also giving up insight into the type of person Luke is. He spends a lot of this book being worried for Jess because she isn't that great at shoveling and will probably spend her life in the underground if he can't find a way to help her. Not once did it ever cross his mind to leave her behind, he always took her into consideration, even if it meant fighting with his other two friends.
Ravi is another friend and while I don't think he particularly stood out, I do feel like a second book to needs to happen because uh I am concerned for this boy! I enjoyed the seeing the struggle he went through with Luke, and how they fought and butted heads through the story but came back together and where still friends, only to crushingly be torn apart.
One of the interesting bits about this book was the inclusion of ghostly elements. I really liked how the story centered around not only this evil woman Tabatha kidnapping children but around ghosts. At first I was little concerned about how Mann was going to connect this two plot points but he managed to do it really well. His ideas of how the ghostcloud worked was really fascinating and I enjoyed it every time it popped up in the story, although sometimes it felt like he forgot he was writing about ghosts because I don't think a ghost can tiptoe, but I'm going to let that slide. There was some slightly darker themes through the story, such as Alama's backstory and I mean honestly children being kidnapped is pretty dark, but finding out what was happening to the parents after and how certain adults where involved who the kids thought where trustworthy, its a lot to take in, but in the end it was all executed very well.
All in all this was fun, spooky, adventureous and little heartbreaking. I am serious though, I'd like there to be a follow up, I have concerns!
March 5, 2022
Ghostcloud is a magical and adventurous middle-grade story about a group of pre-teens who have been kidnapped and forced to shovel coal in a gruelling underground power station. Luke, Ravi, and Jess form a fast friendship despite their differences - where Ravi is determined to keep his head down for the much-anticipated amber ticket, Jess and Luke want to find another way to escape. An encounter with Alma, a ghost who travels on clouds, reveals that Luke is a half-ghost who can use his powers to not only escape, but bring down the entire power station operation. But it's a dangerous mission with boss Tabatha hot on Luke's heels.. and she will do anything to stop him.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the word-building and scene-setting - I could practically feel the heat from the coal, picture the squashed, hard bunks in the dorm and taste the bland gruel. It was an adventure from start to finish that I felt fully immersed in. The characters were diverse and interesting - I particularly liked Luke as the MC who was kind, thoughtful, and selfless, risking his freedom to help his friends and others trapped in the power station. There were also some darker themes that gave the story a gritty edge - there was plenty of tension and combat (though perhaps a little too much for the intended audience).
My main dislikes were probably around the length and pace - it felt a bit too dragged out in parts and lost my attention. I also felt like the story-building was a little amateur with a lot of 'and then this happened' 'and then out of nowhere' type sentences that felt a bit too blatant.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story and thought there was plenty of imagination and excitement to keep the reader engaged and wondering what would happen next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Children's Group & Hodder Children's Books for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 3.5
Writing style/readability - 3.6
Characters - 3.6
Diverse themes - 3.5
Ending - 3.5
Overall - 3.5
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the word-building and scene-setting - I could practically feel the heat from the coal, picture the squashed, hard bunks in the dorm and taste the bland gruel. It was an adventure from start to finish that I felt fully immersed in. The characters were diverse and interesting - I particularly liked Luke as the MC who was kind, thoughtful, and selfless, risking his freedom to help his friends and others trapped in the power station. There were also some darker themes that gave the story a gritty edge - there was plenty of tension and combat (though perhaps a little too much for the intended audience).
My main dislikes were probably around the length and pace - it felt a bit too dragged out in parts and lost my attention. I also felt like the story-building was a little amateur with a lot of 'and then this happened' 'and then out of nowhere' type sentences that felt a bit too blatant.
Other than that, I enjoyed the story and thought there was plenty of imagination and excitement to keep the reader engaged and wondering what would happen next.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hachette Children's Group & Hodder Children's Books for sending me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating breakdown
Plot/narrative - 3.5
Writing style/readability - 3.6
Characters - 3.6
Diverse themes - 3.5
Ending - 3.5
Overall - 3.5
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