Book Description:

Publisher: Create Space  (April 16, 2014)
ISBN: 978-1497532731
Category: Fantasy, Magic, Fairytale
Tour Date: October, 2014
Available in: Print & ebook, 180 Pages

“When you die, your spirit wakes in the north, in the City of the Dead. There, you wander the cold until one of your living loved ones finds you, says “Goodbye,” and Sends you to the next world.

After her parents die, 12-year-old Sophie refuses to release their spirits. Instead, she resolves to travel to the City of the Dead to bring her mother and father’s spirits back home with her.

Taking the long pilgrimage north with her gruff & distant grandmother—by train, by foot, by boat; over ruined mountains and plains and oceans—Sophie struggles to return what death stole from her. Yet the journey offers her many hard, unexpected lessons—what to hold on to, when to let go, and who she must truly bring back to life.”

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read many fairytales in my adult life however, when I read the description of this book, something told me I should give it a try.  I am so glad I did!

Sophie is a 12 year old girl whose parents died and is now living with her grandmother.   Her grandmother is quite cold towards her and does little for her.  She knows that she needs to somehow make her way to the “City of the Dead”.  However, instead of  saying “Goodbye” to send her parents to the next world, she plans to bring them back to life.

Sophie’s grandmother also need to make her trip to the “City of the Dead” to say goodbye to her husband.  However, she told Sophie that she could come with only if she could pay her own way.  So Sophie finds a job at the same bakery her Grandmother works at.

Sophie and her grandmother finally start on the long, dangerous journey and face many challenges along the way.  Do they make it to the ‘City of the Dead” and does Sophie bring her parents back to life?  You will have to read the book to find out.

‘The Girl That Came Back to Life’ has an early 1900’s feel to me, though the time is not know.  However, there were motor vehicles in it, buses and trucks.  I loved how Staufenberg describes the vast landscape from the small village to the City of the Dead. 

At times the story takes a dark tone but I loved following Sophie through her journey and seeing her grow as a human being.   You could also call this book a come of age story.

I found the plot to be unique and the characters fresh and well fleshed out.  This is a book aimed at middle grade to young adult but I think it is great for adults as well.  I highly recommend ‘The Girl Who Comes Back to Life’!

5/5

I received the ebook for my honest review.

About Craig Staufenberg:

Craig Staufenberg is a writer and filmmaker living in NYC.

Website: http://craigstaufenberg.com/

Twitter:https://twitter.com/YouMakeArtDumb
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Buy ‘The Girl Who Came Back to Life’:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Book Depository

Would you like to try to win a print or ebook copy of the book?  I still have a giveaway open here: https://theteddyrosebookreviewsplusmore.com/2014/09/giveaway-the-girl-who-came-back-to-life-by-craig-staufenberg.html

Hurry, this giveaway ends at 12 midnight on November 22, 2014.