Paranormal

School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1 by RED

/ paulkopulos / Leave a comment

Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Horror
Pages: 272 pages
Published Date: June 30, 2026
Publisher: Ink Pop
Series: Yes
Rating: 4 out of 5

School Bus Graveyard immediately pulled me in with its creepy premise and kept me turning the pages until the very end. What starts as a simple school field trip quickly turns into something much darker as six teenagers find themselves trapped in a terrifying supernatural nightmare they can’t escape—even when they wake up.

The biggest strength of this first volume is its atmosphere. The phantom world is genuinely unsettling, and the creatures are creepy without relying on excessive gore. The artwork does an excellent job of shifting between everyday high school life and the creepy nightmare dimension, creating a constant awareness that something isn’t quite right.

I also enjoyed the cast more than I expected. Each member of the group has a distinct personality, and while we only scratch the surface of who they are, their interactions already feel natural. Ashlyn is an especially strong lead. She’s quiet and guarded, but she’s also resourceful and quickly becomes someone the others can rely on when things fall apart.

The mystery is what really kept me hooked. The book gives readers just enough information to understand what’s happening while leaving plenty of unanswered questions about the phantom world, the monsters, and why these six students have become connected. Instead of feeling frustrating, it made me excited to pick up the next volume.

My only real complaint is that this first installment feels very much like the beginning of a larger story. There are moments where I wish we’d spent a little more time exploring the supernatural elements instead of setting up future plotlines, and the ending arrives just as everything is really starting to escalate.

Overall, School Bus Graveyard is an excellent start to what looks like an exciting horror series. It blends suspense, mystery, humor, and strong character dynamics into a fast-paced read that never overstays its welcome. If you enjoy supernatural thrillers with a likable cast and just the right amount of creepy, this is definitely worth checking out. I’ll be picking up Volume 2 as soon as it’s available.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ink Pop for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#SchoolBusGraveyardVolume1 #NetGalley

Ghost Roast by Shawne Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs

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Genre: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 224 pages
Published Date: January 2, 2024
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books, Versify
Series: N/A
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Age: 12+

Chelsea Grant, a seventeen-year-old, gets accepted to the popular group in her new prestigious school. But one night, when the group decides to break into a cemetery, Chelsea and her friends get arrested and thrown in jail. Unlike like her new friends (who amazingly don’t toss her aside), her parents decide to ground her for the whole summer. Part of her punishment is to help her father in his paranormal business – to help rid New Orleans of all its ghosts. While out at the Harrington Manor (which used to be Plantation). Chelsea finds out that she can see and even speak to spirits. Does she tell her father, whose grandmother, he believed, was killed by ghosts, or keep it to herself and try not to fall in love with a dashing young spirit who may not be who he says he is?

“Ghost Roast” is a captivating young adult graphic novel that breaks away from traditional ghost stories and love tales. The narrative is cozy and charming, blending unique elements to create an engaging experience. The illustrations are vibrant and lively, adding to the visual delight. I felt the story begins slowly; it becomes more interesting when the ghosts appear. The novel skillfully weaves historical insights, particularly about enslaved individuals in New Orleans, providing a deeper understanding of the past. The story handles sensitive topics like race and slavery gracefully, with a historical context that adds depth. The characters are magnetic and endearing, especially Chelsea and her friends, whose heartwarming camaraderie is a highlight, which is usually left out of books with characters/friends of different class levels. And I enjoyed that. Chelsea’s relationship with the mysterious Oliver adds a layer of paranormal romance.

“Ghost Roast” is an enjoyable read with a unique blend of cozy charm, historical insights, and distinctive characters. It stands out for its creativity and the author’s ability to address complex themes with finesse. This novel promises to deeply resonate with those seeking thought-provoking and heartwarming stories.

The book will be released on January 2, 2024, and I had the privilege of reading an early copy through #NetGalley. #GhostRoast

Content warnings: Death, slavery, war, racism, teasing/bullying