Apparently I like to torture myself, because I decided to listen to the audiobook for this, and it uses the same narrator from the previous one and its just as terrible. I'm sorry this narrator has no clue how children sound, every child screams their lines, especially Harper, every line this girl has is executed as if she just scream talks. I had my volume set to the lowest audio level I could to deal with this. There is also the issue of the voices she chose to give each character, they were not good, and grandma and the demon sounded the same lol. But Kelly the oldest sister who is 17, sounded like she was a 12 year old who thought she was 17, so many issues. Pronunciation was spot on, and her reading was very clear but the yelling of each dialogue line was the worst issue.

The plot this go around was to put it simply, boring. I loved the first book, the stakes where so much darker and the spooky atmosphere was so much more present. The 2nd book kind of had the same vibes but overall it just didn't hit like the first did. And now the third and final book (maybe not since it seems its left open for more) has none of those atmospheric vibes that the first had.

The story involves a witch who is trying to steal the youth of every one around her so she can continue to live forever. The story focuses more on giving more training to Harper who now has new powers, but as usual listens to nobody and does whatever she wants till she almost hurts herself. The possession of Kelly was lackluster especially in comparisons to the first book. She basically just ran around being mean and yelling at people, and hitting Harper once. There was also a subplot of Leo being picked on at school and I'm not exactly sure I like the solution of Harper using her gifts to scare the bully to get it to stop.

Another big issue I had was the dialogue, so much of it just made me cringe. And I get it, they are kids, but I have read plenty of MG books where the dialogue didn't make me go "that's not how 8th graders talk" or "that's not how 17 year olds sound" these are thoughts I had all through this book. I will say it is possible the narrators execution of the dialogue might have played into my issues with a lot of it as well.

Overall this series has just simmered out for me. What the first book had never seemed to present itself in later installments, and if there are plans for more, I'm willing to bow out now and call my journey with this series over.

4.75

Please, don't say it's over.

Y'all, I love SPIRIT HUNTERS so much! And SOMETHING WICKED was an epic conclusion. But conclusion! Why does it have to end?

If you like mid-grade spooky I cannot recommend this series enough. It involves not only a diverse cast of characters but also great story lines about children having power to make the future better, but that they don't have to do it alone. They should work together and ask for help from adults when needed.

It's super cute and I love it and it made me cry.

Cover 5; characters 4; plot 4; pace 4; writing 5; enjoyment 5; Cry *