As Rain is starting to dive deeper into the world of ghosts and mysterious zemi she first encountered in Rain of Ghosts, she realizes how big the mystery she is trying to solve is. In addition to the ghosts, she now finds an intriguing and sorrowful manatee that is part woman and a pack of mosquitos that seem out for life. With the help of some new friends, Rain will have to continue on her journey as the Searcher and Healer while trying to discover what that really means.

Where I liked the first book in this series, I had a ridiculously hard time putting this second installment, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM down. Greg Weisman takes all the action, mystery, paranormal figures, and mythology he put into the first book and explodes them in the sequel. The new adventures Rain faces are heart-stopping, dark, occasionally humorous, and more than occasionally deep. I love how this world is examined through a somewhat objective eye, but it holds a connection to the characters rarely seen outside of a first person narration.

In addition to the new ghostly and supernatural faces, readers also see a new classmate of Rain's come into the story named Miranda. The balance of upheaval and excitement in the zemi-world is met superbly with that of the 'real life' world Rain faces every day in her family and friend relationship. Miranda is a bit shy and uncertain, but she brings an interesting strength to Rain and Charlie's small circle that makes her the perfect addition to the story.

For lovers of middle grade and young adult stories with an original premise and non-stop action, SPIRITS OF ASH AND FOAM would make an excellent next read. Greg Weisman shows off his continuously growing writer's voice and delivers a well-crafted plot that will make you beyond eager for the next installment in Rain's journey.

Book Summary

Welcome to the Prospero Keys (or as the locals call them: the Ghost Keys), the beautiful chain of tropical islands on the edge of the Bermuda Triangle where Rain Cacique lives. When Rain's maternal grandfather passed away, he left her his special armband: two gold snakes intertwined, clasping each other’s tails in their mouths. Rain soon discovers that the armband is actually a zemi – a very powerful talisman created by the island’s native Arawak Taino Indians – and that it allows Rain to see ghosts, including her own grandfather who is determined to help her uncover the Ghost Keys’ hidden world of mystery and mysticism, intrigue and adventure.

Now, Rain Cacique’s looking for a few answers — and the second zemi, a Taino relic that allows her to see dead people. But it’s the first week of school, so she’s pretty busy juggling teachers, homework, baby-sitting duties, new friends, missing tourist kids… and a vampire with a tribal twist.

Spirits of Ash and Foam is the second installment in Greg Weisman's Rain of the Ghosts series.