I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

Ghost Roast was a heckin' fun read and I can't wait to get this at my library for a re-read. Going to be recommending this one for a while!

This was great on SO MANY LEVELS. It had such rich history while also having different love stories and was so steeped in New Orleans lore. There was so much to love about this book and it really gave you a lot to think about! Really, really great.

It's a very funny and interesting story about a teen girl with a gift of seeing and talking to ghosts in New Orleans. The normal teen activity of sneaking out gets her grounded into working with her dad for the summer. He runs the Ghost Roast business. The art is fun and cartoons. The were great layout and the story flowed well. My only quibble is that shock is shown on the lead with a simple outline of a figure, which is too simple.

If you know me, you know I love ghosts! The title and cover drew me to this graphic novel and I am so glad I gave it a go. I loved seeing Chelsea's character development throughout the story. The art is beautiful and I especially love the artist's style when it comes to the ghosts. If you want a slightly spooky read with a whole lot of heart and history, read this. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

thank you netgalley for the arc.

this was…. cute? i’m not sure how i feel about it. i wish it was longer - i feel like it could’ve been made into two volumes. i felt a little unsatisfied at the end with the resolution and felt like it could’ve been drawn out a little more. it just seemed to end way too quickly. the font choice for the spirits was also very hard to read, especially when it had large chunks of text (which it did often.) typesetting overall seemed to be a bit wonky in this novel and needs improvement- there were parts where the text was too close to the edge of speech bubbles d whatnot which was hard to ignore as it looked clunky. hopefully that was fixed in the final issue.

also, for some reason the main character’s chibified version would be drawn bald a lot of times which looked odd since this is a color graphic novel so it just made her look fr bald LOL… especially since the other characters weren’t drawn with no hair in their chibi form, so it just stood out a lot to me every time.

other than the visual elements that need some change, overall the art is cute. the story itself was very dull in the beginning and too text heavy. at times i was looking at the dialogue like “ugh this could’ve been cut” because it felt too lengthy.

something felt like it was missing overall. perhaps this could’ve been solved by extending this to another volume, but the abrupt ending was odd. also, *spoilers* but why did she want to just “fight” the main racist evil antagonist by just talking to him…. i know she’s young but that seemed awfully naive…

it got more interesting towards the end but i really was left thinking “huh? that’s it???” maybe i’m expecting too much of a young adult graphic novel but there was way more they could’ve done.

A solid concept here. Ghosts make for an excellent graphic novel subject. You can do so much with them visually. And when we're talking ghosts, what better setting than a plantation. We're going to understand the motivation of angry ghosts well. Plot and visuals go together well.

A super cute graphic novel set in New Orleans for fans of Ghostbusters, but with a modern spin. As a livelong resident of Louisiana, the idea of ghost exterminators in New Orleans was so fun. Even more so when you add in that the history of the city is blended at best and despicable at worst. I really loved that the authors did not shy away from the sordid history of the city and instead choose to embrace it and make a wonderful plot line out of it.

Ghost Roast is an enjoyable YA graphic novel with ghost busters and old New Orleans vibes. Highly recommended for teens looking for something fun and a little different. Family, the paranormal, relationships and social justices are all topics explored in this title.

This stand-alone graphic novel is one for the YA fans. It is packed full of gorgeously illustrated panels, the pains of being a misunderstood teenager, and ghosts. What more can a reader ask for? Chelsea Grant is just trying to fit in at a prep school where everything about her labels her as an "untouchable". But the popular kids have noticed her and at the end-of-year party Chelsea gives into peer pressure. She lands herself in a sticky situation, and her punishment? Working for her ghost-hunting father all summer! This could mean the end of any social life Chelsea has, especially if the fact that she can see the ghosts without her dad's inventions gets out!

I found this graphic novel to be visually stunning. I loved the cooler shades of color used. Each panel was exactly needed to move the story along. The characters where relatable and believable. The overall theme is one of my favorites. Ghost stories are just so much fun to read, and Ghost Roast is one of my new favorites!

"Ghost Roast" by Shawnee Gibbs is a captivating YA graphic novel that delivers a delightful blend of paranormal adventure, first crushes, and the challenges of fitting in when your dad is a professional ghost hunter. From the dynamic storytelling duo of Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs and the talented artist Emily Cannon, this standalone graphic novel is a must-read for fans of supernatural mysteries.

The story follows Chelsea Grant, a teenage girl who has spent her life trying to distance herself from her father's ghost-hunting business and the social stigma it brings. However, when a night out with friends goes awry, Chelsea finds herself working for her dad's Paranormal Removal Services over the summer. Little does she know, she possesses the unique ability to see ghosts—a secret she must keep while navigating her new job.

As Chelsea embarks on her paranormal adventures, she encounters Oliver, a friendly spirit in need of her help. Determined to save Oliver's afterlife, Chelsea must navigate the challenges of her father's profession while balancing her newfound friendships and crushes.

With vibrant artwork and a compelling storyline, "Ghost Roast" is a captivating read from start to finish. Shawnee Gibbs skillfully weaves together themes of friendship, family, and acceptance, creating a heartwarming and engaging graphic novel that will leave readers eagerly awaiting more from this talented team.

Overall, "Ghost Roast" is a delightful paranormal adventure that will appeal to readers of all ages. With its relatable characters, charming illustrations, and thrilling plot twists, it's a must-add to any graphic novel collection.

Ghost Roast was a fun look at teenage life and the strange things that can happen when you end up being able to see spirits! Set in New Orleans, Chelsea is dealing with regular life - friends, school, parents. The twist? Her dad is in business as someone who gets rid of ghosts and his new tagline embarrasses Chelsea! Join them as they get a job that changes their lives and also dives into the past. The writing and illustrations are excellent!

Ghost Roast is a multi-layered graphic novel about confronting the past and standing up for the truth. Chelsea is balancing her feelings about her parent's divorce as well as trying to fit in at school. She feels abandoned by her dad's 'hobbies' all while also trying to have her popular friends not see behind the illusions she's created. The color scheme of this graphic novel is soft and you can feel this whimsical magical atmosphere created.

Rating: 5
Genre: Paranormal

Synopsis: In the heart of New Orleans, Chelsea is just trying to be normal by making friends, going to parties, and, most importantly, fitting in. What is not helping is her dad’s obsession with vanquishing lingering spirits and his business, “Paranormal Removal Services.” She’s tried to distance herself, becoming part of the cool crowd and finally having close, fancy friends, all while avoiding her father’s splashy advertisements. But when she and her group are busted trespassing in a cemetery, her parents force Chelsea to work for her dad’s company as punishment all summer, much to her dismay. The ghost-hunting team - comprised of Chelsea, her dad, and her classmate Russell - head out to Harrington Manor, where they are tasked to rid the historical sight of any supernatural entities before they transform the building into a museum. And while her dad is determined to exorcise the spirits with his DY tech, Chelsea soon discovers a disastrous secret: She can see ghosts. From aloof cats, silent maids, and a mysterious boy named Oliver, all of whom are friendly, contrary to what her dad says. Chelsea decides to find a way to save Oliver’s afterlife by figuring out his hidden history, but can she betray her dad in the process?

What I Liked:
Ghost Roast is a fun paranormal graphic novel about a high school girl just trying to fit in and failing miserably, learning throughout the story that maybe it’s okay to be different. Chelsea is a dynamic character with expressive art and compassion, wanting to help Oliver, her parents, Russell, and even old Anges, the matriarch of Harrington Manor. She is relatable, both in her dilemna of fitting in, in her reactions to embarrassing or complicated feelings, and in her relationships. Her excitable, fair, and loving parents, the shy yet loyal Russell, the charming Oliver, and even her new friends Jasmine and Alexis - who, instead of going the popular “mean girl” route, stick by Chelsea’s side throughout - all have unique yet wholesome relationships with the protagonist, and no side character is unlikeable. The art is joyful, bubbly, and colorful, drawn in a vibrant style that is borderline cartoon, but realistic enough to feel grounded. The facial expressions especially can be bold and hilarious, using exaggerated effects to portray stark emotions. The dynamic colors and soft/curvy line art creates a comfortable and light-hearted atmosphere that helps the comic feel like a charming, paranormal slice-of-life. Overall, Ghost Roast is a great read for teens who want a fun, not-so-serious story with realistic characters and storytelling.

Anything you didn’t like about it? No!

To whom would you recommend this book? Teens who like mystery, slight horror, and realistic stories about family and history in colorful graphic novels. The Dire Days of Willowweep Manor by Shaenon K. Garrity, Bunt! by Ngozi Ukazu, Fly by Night by Tara O’Connor, Batter Royale by Leisl Adams, and Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu are good read-alikes.

Date of review: February 6, 2024

Me & this book just didn't quite work for some reason. I adore graphic novels, and I thought this one sounded very intriguing but sadly it just wasn't for me. The pace felt incredibly slow, and graphic novels are quick reads! It also felt a bit anticlimactic, after building and building not much actually happened. The story seemed to lose it's focus and then just ended. Not a bad book, just not a good one either.

This was such a fun and unique read! This book follows Chelsea as shes struggling to fit in in high school. After a bit of trouble and embarrassment she ends up working for her dad's ghost removal company. She faces a few problems normal teens have and a few they dont, like seeing ghosts. As she deals with the ghosts she keeps running into and her personal life we learn more about New Orleans history and what life was like in the early 1900's. I absolutely loved the art style and the characters were too cute! I'm glad Chelsea worked things out and learned to embrace her differences.

This was delightful! Chelsea was dang adorable and I loved following her journey. I especially liked the complexities of the characters: in most other books, her friends would’ve been mean bullies so it was nice that they genuinely cared about her and didn’t ditch her when they found out about her dad’s business. And I really liked Russ! Such a nerd.

I do wonder how folks like Chelsea’s dad maintain such a business. Obviously in this world, ghosts DO exist. But they’re not believed in enough en masse. I’d love to read more of the family’s adventures!

Thanks to Netgalley for the digital arc!

Chelsea Grant doesn't want to be seen with her dad- the town's ghost hunter. When she gets in trouble her parents decide she needs to learn some responsibility and help out her dad's business for the summer. Her embarrassment turns to intrigue when she realizes she can see the ghosts in the New Orleans manor that no one else can. Instead of "removing" the ghosts with her dad's contraption what they really need is to be put to rest.

Can Chelsea settle the historical mystery before more harm comes to those in the house? Or her? This is a fun graphic novel adventure perfect for middle grades.

I read this graphic novel to see if it may be a perfect purchase for our library’s YA collection, and, as aside from the brief showing of drinking and smoking marajuana, I think it is a wonderful graphic novel that perfectly mixes teen life and history.

After a party with pals leads to trouble, Chelsea is sentenced to spend the summer working with her ghost-busting father. The catch? Chelsea can actually see ghosts, and there's a few of them she'd rather NOT have . . . busted.

This was great fun, and I hope it's the start of a series; I'd love to visit with these characters again. I only wish Chelsea had not kept her abilities from her dad, AND that she had dropped the "mean girls" as her friends.