It’s the beginning of senior year and Yuki’s psychic awareness of ghostly spirits is threatening to ruin her life. Her ability to sense spirits of the dead isn’t glamorous like the ghost hunting on television.
SHE SMELLS THE DEAD.
The smell impressions are becoming stronger. Yuki is being visited in her dreams, and she suspects that her friend Calvin is involved in something strange. To make matters worse her crush on Garrett is going unrequited, Yuki’s friend Emma is on a rampage against bee oppression, and annoying Calvin Miller mysteriously disappears. Will Yuki be able to focus her powers in time to save the lost soul who is haunting her? Meanwhile, who will save Yuki from following the spirits into the light?She Smells the Dead is the first book in the Spirit Guide young adult paranormal series by E.J. Stevens.
As the second book I’ve read by E J Stevens (see also Shadowsight), She Smells the Dead did not disappoint. I loved this even though I’m 25 and don’t find myself drawn to young adult fiction as much as in the past.
1. Protagonist Yuki is fabulously unique.
Yuki is a vegetarian girl on the fringe of high school. She looks forward to wearing her corset to Homecoming–with whom she doesn’t know. Yuki occasionally hears the dreaded ‘witch’ in the hallways at times even though she’s not. (Wren’s note: seriously teachers need training on this as it’s harassment and scary)
Nope, like it or not Yuki has a pesky problem of smelling ghosts. Luckily they don’t smell like rot, but it can be very unpleasant. In this book Yuki is haunted by a vinegar ghost for a whole month, eww!
2. The use of smell adds a whole level of depth to the book.
The sensory detail really elevates things. Smell is one of the most underrated senses but it’s funny how reading about it draws the memory. And then wow, emotional tones. Brilliant!
3. A great gang of characters sets the foundation for the series.
Really the cast is pretty simple: Yuki, her best friend Emma, and her best guy friend Calvin. Emma is a researcher of herbs and vet clinic volunteer. Yuki and Calvin are in one of those weird grey areas where there are friends but he doesn’t want to hear about the guy she’d like to go to Homecoming with…and he disappears without explanation…
Later on Yuki gets some tips about her ‘gift’ from Simon, a scarred older friend of Calvin’s who is way too flirty!
4. Without mentioning too much about the plot, problems are solved with a mix of magic and old fashioned research.
Books are cool, kids!
5. Everything is nicely wrapped up but I want to know what’s next.
The book ends with hints of scary things to come at Halloween. “She Smells the Dead” ends with a nice conclusion. I feel satisfied, as there isn’t a dramatic cliffhanger.
Also check out EJ Steven’s Guestpost on her inspiration for Unusual Creatures
