Book Review: House of Korba The Ghost Bird Series by C. L. Stone

house of korba2Book 7 of “The Ghost Bird” series, “House of Korba” begins with Sang’s impending move to Nathan’s house because her sister Marie does not want Sang and the Academy boys hanging out in their house.

But, while her situation at home was not ideal at best, things were worst in school. Ashley Waters kept on getting bomb threats and it was not letting up though it was Homecoming Week.

For those who are picking up “The Ghost Bird” series for the first time, “House of Korba” can still be enjoyed as a standalone novel though you have not read the previous 6 books. The main focus is the relationship between Sang Sorenson, a 16-year old girl transplanted from Illinois to South Carolina and Silas Korba, a 16-year old Greek immigrant who surprisingly is good in playing American football.

5

Because chances are you will fall in love with Sang and The Academy boys, the first four books are being sold as a bundle for $0.99 as of October 29, 2014 (Ghost Bird: The Academy Omnibus Part 1: Books One – Four) and the Kindle edition of the first book, “Introductions (The Academy) (Volume 1)” is free.

For fans of the series, “House of Korba” is where things heat up, literally! All the boys make an appearance – Kota, Nathan, North, Luke, Gabriel, Viktor, Dr. Green, Mr. Blackbourne and of course, Silas.But, there has been a change in the dynamics. With North, Viktor and Nathan opening up with their feelings, and Dr. Green doing the unexpected, the boys’ interaction with each other has reached a different facet.

Sang continues to be the center of their universe, but the bonds of the Academy family remains strong. And that strength is being tested because of their biological family.

Sang is also coming out of her shell as she becomes more comfortable in her own skin though she still feels conflicted most of the time.

Because this is the 7th book, as a reader, I already have feelings invested with the characters. But, the #7 is also a magic number, be it in a book series or a television series.

On TV, the 7th year means that the characters have matured and it’s time for the producers and writers to either start winding it down or raising the bar. The same holds true with a book series.

For The Ghost Bird Series, C. L. Stone decided to raise the bar. (Thank goodness! I don’t want the series to end yet.) Hence, “House of Korba” is more intense. The situation can change on the drop of a hat. Sang and the boys have to make split-second decisions. They are growing up fast and we cannot stop the clock!

With this book, the Ghost Bird Series remains to be Teens and YA, but I am rating this book M for Mature due to subject matter. There are no sex scenes in this book though it got steamy a few times.

Description

It’s homecoming week at Ashley Waters, but Sang Sorenson has a lot more on her mind than dresses and crowns. Silas’s troubled past—full of secrets he and his team thought they’d buried—comes back to haunt him, threatening to ruin everything.

Silas tries to deal, but guilt weighs heavily on him and Sang realizes she might be the only one who can help him keep it together.

Bomb threats have increased. They are followed at every turn. The principal is resorting to drastic measures to make sure they’re all going to be kicked out. Pushed to their limits, Kota, Victor, Silas, Nathan, Gabriel, Luke and North, along with other members of the Academy, have finally had enough. This time, more Academy members are brought in to help hunt down the culprit, and keep everyone safe. It’ll cost the boys, but in the end, even a bittersweet victory is better than disaster.

This time, they’re getting what they need. All it takes is learning the line of when to let go, and when to never give up

The Academy, Together