The Girl in the Green Silk Gown by Seanan McGuire

July 17th, 2018 Kimberly Review 30 Comments

17th Jul
The Girl in the Green Silk Gown by Seanan McGuire
The Girl in the Green Silk Gown
by Seanan McGuire
Series: Ghost Roads #2
Genres: Urban Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

For Rose Marshall, death has long since become the only life she really knows. She’s been sweet sixteen for more than sixty years, hitchhiking her way along the highways and byways of America, sometimes seen as an avenging angel, sometimes seen as a killer in her own right, but always Rose, the Phantom Prom Date, the Girl in the Green Silk Gown.

The man who killed her is still out there, thanks to a crossroads bargain that won’t let him die, and he’s looking for the one who got away. When Bobby Cross comes back into the picture, there’s going to be hell to pay—possibly literally.

Rose has worked for decades to make a place for herself in the twilight. Can she defend it, when Bobby Cross comes to take her down? Can she find a way to navigate the worlds of the living and the dead, and make it home before her hitchhiker’s luck runs out?

There’s only one way to know for sure.

urban fantasy magical Mythology

The Girl in the Green Silk Gown is the second novel in the Ghost Roads series by Seanan McGuire. Once again we are back with Rose Marshall, the phantom hitchhiker who lives in the twilight. Fans of urban legends, ghosts and the world between, will want to sink their teeth into this.

Once and twice and thrice around,
Put your heart into the ground.
Four and five and six tears shed,
Give your love unto the dead.
Seven shadows on the wall,
Eight have come to watch your fall:
One’s for the gargoyle, one’s for the grave,
And the last is for the one you’ll never save.

The first book in the series, Sparrow Hill, originally was told as a serial and followed a non-linear timeline and while interesting it was hard to sink your teeth into the story. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown, follows a linear timeline and picks up where Rose’s story left off and McGuire delivered an engaging story that held me firmly in its grasp.

Rose Marshall once again finds herself in the crosshairs of Bobby Cross. Bobby has schemed and laid out the perfect trap for Rose. Can she along with her friends and enemies outwit him or has he once again ripped her from her home?

I love urban legends, lores and mythology and McGuire has blended all three in a deliciously dark way. After the mark and blessing Persephone gave Rose she thinks she is safe, but Bobby is ruthless and he wants Rose. He will stop at nothing to have her. Rose finds herself ripped away from Gary and her friends, the Queen offers her aid and we experience the Twilight’s version of Halloween. Twists, turns and walking amongst the living await Rose.

Unlike Sparrow Hill this story follows a linear timeline with summoning circles, twists and more. Moments were dark and filled with tests and trials. Rose Marshall has spent sixty years as a hitchhiker helping those about to pass move on and has gained power even she doesn’t understand. Umbramancer, routewitches, lore and a deeper understanding of the rules and lands for the unliving were riveting.

I felt this story was stronger than its predecessor and allowed me to become more emotionally connected to the players. I loved all the footnotes to the urban legends surrounding ghosts, crossroads and mythology.

I absolutely loved the lore, the twists, betrayals and heart-pounding moments as we travel the highways, take to the air and visit the gods. Fantastic story from beginning to the end. While this tale wraps up nicely, Bobby still rides, and this story is far from over!

Nine will let you count the cost:
All you had and all you lost.
Ten is more than time can tell,
Cut the cord and ring the bell.
Count eleven, twelve, and then,
Thirteen takes you home again.
One’s for the shadow, one’s for the tree,
And the last is for the blessing of Persephone.

Come along with Rose Marshall, the phantom hitchhiker as she battles EVIL. in The Girl in the Green Silk Gown by Sean McGuire #NewRelease #Urban #legends Click To Tweet
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

30 Responses to “The Girl in the Green Silk Gown by Seanan McGuire”

  1. kindlemom1

    I’m reading the first book right now and having a hard time getting into it but I’ll stick with it and hopefully like it more.

    • Kimberly

      I found reading it in bits like an anthology worked better for book one. This however reads more like a story.

    • Kimberly

      Yes. The first told different stories about Rose and I imagine it worked wonderfully as a serial.

  2. Heidi

    I liked the first book, I listened to it, but I remember struggling with the non linear time line I am happy to hear that this one follows a linear time line. I will add it to my list.

  3. Lorna

    Another good read from this author for you! I have always enjoyed the legend of the hitchhiking girl. Not sure this would be for me though since it takes place in the “beyond”. Not really my thing. I’m glad you enjoyed it though.

    • Kimberly

      The first book did not, so I think you would enjoy it. Some of this is among the living, and I cannot say more because…spoilers darling!

  4. Angie Elle

    I read the first book and really enjoyed it, and I’m reading the second now. Now that I know she is separate from Gary, clearly I need to speed my reading up! LOL

    Great review. I’m glad this one stepped up the series for you.

  5. sjhigbee

    She is an amazingly inventive, prolific author – I have only read a fraction of her work and this one definitely sounds intriguing – thank you for an excellent review, Kimberly.

  6. Sophia Rose

    Between the blurb and your review description of both the first book and this latest story about Rose, I’m definitely intrigued. It’s such a different premise in this genre.

  7. ShootingStarsMag

    This sounds like a really intriguing book, and I’m glad to hear that it was stronger for you than the first. Good to know!

    -Lauren