Sparrow Hill Road

Seanan McGuire

Book 1 in the series:Ghost Roads

Save:

Find on Amazon

hitchhiker ghost

hauntingly beautiful american highway

urban legends

touching melancholic lyrical writing

soul saving adventures

supernatural dimension

interconnected tales

multi dimensional ghost

ghostly tales

uneven pacing

sadness and poignancy

folklore aspect

narrative structure of short stories

'Sparrow Hill Road' by Seanan McGuire follows the adventures of Rose Marshall, a hitchhiker ghost who died on her prom night. The book is a collection of stories about Rose's afterlife, where she tries to save people and outwit the man who killed her. The narrative weaves through different types of ghosts, non-human beings, and the hauntingly beautiful American highway. The writing style is described as touching, melancholic, and lyrical, capturing the essence of ghostly tales with a mix of sadness and poignancy.

Characters:

The characters are diverse, particularly highlighting Rose as a multi-dimensional ghost, while other supporting characters contribute to the folklore aspect but can feel underdeveloped.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by lyrical and evocative prose, presenting an immersive view of the world while maintaining a conversational tone through the protagonist's voice.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot centers on Rose Marshall, a ghost navigating the highways and her experiences trying to save souls while avoiding her killer. It unfolds through interconnected episodes drawn from urban legends.

Setting:

The setting is vividly drawn, capturing American highways and locations steeped in ghost lore, bridging the real world with a supernatural dimension.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, manifesting as a slow and wandering narrative, influenced by its structure as a collection of short stories.

Where do urban legends really come from? Everyone knows the one about the girl who asks for a ride home; the one who turns out to have been dead all along. But where did she come from? Who was she? An...

Notes:

Rose Marshall has been a ghost since 1952 after dying in a car accident on prom night.

She is known as the Phantom Prom Date and a hitchhiking ghost.

Bobby Cross, the man who caused her death, is a sinister figure who has been hunting her for over 60 years.

The book explores various ghost stories and urban legends, drawing from themes of the open road and death.

Rose has unique powers, including the ability to sense death and become human when given a jacket.

The narrative is structured as interconnected short stories rather than a traditional novel.

McGuire combines modern themes with classic Americana and ghost lore, creating a hauntingly beautiful world.

Rose carries the weight of her tragic past while also helping others navigate their deaths.

The book offers a dark yet hopeful exploration of life, death, and freedom.

Seanan McGuire is also known for her other series, including the Toby Daye series and the InCryptid series.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The story includes content warnings for violent and graphic car accidents, and discussions of misogyny associated with hitchhiking.

From The Publisher:

Rose Marshall died in 1952 in Buckley Township, Michigan, run off the road by a man named Bobby Cross-a man who had sold his soul to live forever, and intended to use her death to pay the price of his immortality. Trouble was, he didn't ask Rose what she thought of the idea.

It's been more than sixty years since that night, and she's still sixteen, and she's still running.

They have names for her all over the country: the Girl in the Diner. The Phantom Prom Date. The Girl in the Green Silk Gown. Mostly she just goes by "Rose," a hitchhiking ghost girl with her thumb out and her eyes fixed on the horizon, trying to outrace a man who never sleeps, never stops, and never gives up on the idea of claiming what's his. She's the angel of the overpass, she's the darling of the truck stops, and she's going to figure out a way to win her freedom. After all, it's not like it can kill her.

You can't kill what's already dead.

Ratings (6)

Loved It (4)
Liked It (2)

Reader Stats (13):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (5)
Not Interested (1)

What can you read after
Sparrow Hill Road?

See the list (100 books)

About the Author:

Seanan McGuire lives and works in Washington State, where she shares her somewhat idiosyncratic home with her collection of books, creepy dolls, and enormous blue cats. When not writing-which is fairly rare-she enjoys travel, and can regularly be found any…

Meet New Books is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a way for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to products and services on amazon.com and its subsidiaries.
When you click the Amazon link and make a purchase, we may receive a small commision, at no cost to you.