Review by ShellyGhoulish Song is a companion to Goblin Secrets as the two books run side by side. So if you read my review about Goblin Secrets you could probably understand my trepidation on reading this one. I have to say though that I enjoyed this one a lot more. The story follows Kaile whose problems start when she is given a flute made out of a bone by a Goblin Troupe. When she plays the only tune the flute will allow her shadow goes and separates itself from her. A problem for most people but when you live in Zombay it means you are now dead and so her family hold a funeral for her and cast her out. It is then the adventure starts as she tries to track down the owner of the bone her flute is made from and to try and get her shadow to come back and join her.I thought that the story telling was much better with this book and even though you still don’t really have any references as to why things are as they are in Zombay you get carried away with the tale. I really warmed to Kaile and Shade (her Shadow) as I felt there was enough back story so that you could understand her more. I enjoyed the way music was central to the story and because of that it seemed to flow better as a book.I wish I had read this book first as it may have made more sense reading them this way round but maybe it will make me pick up the next one and I wouldn’t have thought that before Ghoulish Song. It is not necessary to have read Alexander's Goblin Secrets prior to reading Ghoulish Song, but it might help a little. The main characters are independent, though the setting similar with North and South Zombay separated by the Fiddleway Bridge. And the floods are, as always, coming. I would certainly read a third installment of this series. Now, if I could only stop singing "One for the buns that are overdone; two for the glue poured in your shoe..."
Do You like book Ghoulish Song (2013)?
Brief and fairly predictable. Best described as "interesting but not groundbreaking".
—Adam
Clever, though a little "ghoulish" perhaps for a timid child.
—KARTHIKA