The Gift by Andrea J Buchanan

Published: March 27th, 2012

Publisher: Open Road Media

Pages: 155

Copy: Publisher and Netgalley

Summary: Goodreads

High school sophomore Daisy Jones is just trying to get by unnoticed. It doesn’t help that she’s the new girl at school, lives in a trailer park, and doesn’t even own a cell phone. But there’s a good reason for all that: Daisy has a secret, unpredictable power—one only her best friend, Danielle, knows about.

Despite her “gift” (or is it a curse?), Daisy’s doing a good job of fitting in—and a cute senior named Kevin even seems interested in her! But when Daisy tries to help Vivi, a mysterious classmate in a crisis, she soon discovers that her new friend has a secret of her own. Now Daisy and her friends must deal with chilling dreams and messages from the beyond. Can Daisy channel the power she’s always tried to hide—before it’s too late?

Gift took me somewhat by surprise, in a good way that is.  It was so much more than I had expected. For some reason I was expecting a somewhat light-weight ghost story and what I got was a growing sense of dread that continued throughout the entire book.  There was a malevolence about Patrick that seemed totally unfounded but was impossible to ignore.  This was heightened by the fact that the reader knows what is happening, but the characters don't.  Several times while reading I wanted to warn the characters, tell them to be careful.  It was really creepy.

Ms Buchanan has put together an interesting group of characters that mesh into a cohesive group throughout the story.  Daisy, Danielle, Vivi and Kevin were all well written and believable -  each with their own cross to bear.  Danielle was wonderful as the bouncy best friend and Kevin was just lovely - not a jock, not a geek, just an all around nice guy.  Vivi was convincingly troubled and Daisy's struggle with her gift was compelling.  There is one part where I wanted to cheer for Daisy and smack her at the same time - could she not see she was being manipulated?

Gift was well written and full of ghostly possession, passion and spirit - I loved it. Recommended for those who like their ghosts with a side of nastiness.