The Other Side of Dark by Sarah Smith

Published: November 2010

Publisher: Atheneum

Pages: 309

Copy provided by: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Since losing both of her parents, fifteen-year-old Katie can see and talk to ghosts, which makes her a loner until fellow student Law sees her drawing of a historic house and together they seek a treasure rumored to be hidden there by illegal slave-traders.

Law Walker knew Katie Mullens before she was crazy. Before her mother died. Law knows Katie’s crazy now, but she’s always been talented. And she keeps filling sketch pads even though her drawings have gone a little crazy as well—dark, bloody. What Law doesn’t know is that these drawings are real. Or were real. Katie draws what she sees—and Katie sees dead people. People who have died—recently, and not so recently—in accidents, from suicide, even a boy who was trapped in a house that burned down more than 100 years ago. And it’s this boy who makes Law want to get to know Katie all over again. So what if his dad doesn’t want him dating a white girl? So what if people think Katie is dangerous? The ghost boy is hiding a secret that Law needs to know—and it’s much bigger, much more shocking than anyone ever expected.

How to describe this book? Here's what I came up with - thrillingly mysterious, historically ghostly, coming of age story - I think that just about covers it. Katy and Law are just wonderful characters, 3 dimensional, flawed, scared, real. My heart just went out to Katy - she is trying so hard to convince herself she's not seeing ghosts, that she's not crazy - and Law, well I just wanted to hug him.

There is so much history in this book it's astounding, but it was interesting history, about a dark time that should not be forgotten. The beauty of it is, the history itself is almost a character in the story, which was so well written. There is a treasure hunt that will have your pulse pounding, some really scary ghosts and a beautiful romance that will leave you smiling. Written in the two voices of Law and Katy in alternating chapters, the story is beautifully represented from both points of view. I just loved it and I'm sure you will too.

One thing I just noticed as I finished the book and I was lovingly rubbing my hand over the cover - there are faces on the cover! Am I the only one who didn't see them originally? I was so busy enjoying the colours in the flames that I didn't see the faces!