Sal lives in a small town in a house that everybody knows is haunted - it has quite the reputation and has even appeared in the press before. Sal is somebody who hates to stand out and simply wants to keep his head down and get on with things. He has a small group of friends (Dirk and Elsie) and has no interest in expanding that part of his life. And then Pax, a new boy, arrives in the village and he seems determined to befriend Sal, despite his usual surliness.
With very distinctive autumn vibes, The Other Ones drew me in with the lure of spookiness combined with romance - perfect as the nights draw in. And whilst there is a definite ghost element to the book, I really enjoyed the fact that this was not the primary focus. Instead it is Sal and his friendships that take centre stage, with the ghost story woven in between. The house in which Sal lives sets the scene perfectly with its reputation, the atmosphere and the descriptions. Combined with Pax's love of graveyards and his home being on the edge of the church grounds, you get a real feel of wanting to curl up under a blanket whilst you read.
There are four very different main characters within the book: Sal is clearly a loner; he doesn't seem to care what others think outside of his immediate friends but he obviously cares deeply for his sister (& coffee which he seems to drink in copious amounts). Dirk is his best friend and quite the opposite of Sal: he loves to be the centre of attention and seems to be popular in school; however, his loyalty is with his best friend (& his best friend's sister with whom he has the biggest crush!). Elsie is the female of the group and used to love heading out and about but, after her recent break-up, she is happier being with Sal and Dirk. And then Pax comes along, and I think I love him the most: he seems completely comfortable in his own skin and doesn't appear to be bothered about what anybody else thinks of him. He is quirky, especially in the way he dresses, and very quickly declares himself a self-taught ghost hunter who believes he can help Sal vanquish the ghosts haunting Sal's house.
The friendship and eventual relationship that develops between Sal and Pax is the main thread of the book and one I loved. An unlikely pair, it was lovely to read their friendship grown and blossom into more, and the more it develops, the more I found myself rooting for them. I love the differences between them and the fact that the relationship isn't forced. I often find that relationships in YA books that I read quickly become sexual and I loved that this one took its time, doesn't go too far and feels more natural, making it perfect for those who are just starting to dip their toes into the YA market.
The Other Ones is a cosy read, it's a book that wraps you in a warm hug and leaves you with a glow inside and a smile on your face. It's a perfect read for October when the leaves are crunchy, so grab a blanket to curl up under, a mug of hot chocolate (or coffee if you're like Sal) and enjoy - this is a book I couldn't put down and one I will definitely be reading again.
The Other Ones is out on the 13th October.
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