Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Overall

When I saw that the protagonist, Karma Moon, had anxiety, I knew I had to read this book! I am so in love with all these books coming out normalizing all the different challenges people have and the unique things that form their character. Many people I love have anxiety, and I have anxiety. I feel like it’s so important for characters like this to exist, and I was not disappointed!

Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter is a hilariously relatable paranormal mystery about a girl with anxiety taking on one of the biggest challenges of her life: ghost hunting. That’s assuming her what-ifs don’t get her first.

I absolutely loved this book. I laughed so hard through the whole thing. As it turns out, anxiety can be funny when you’re not suffering through it yourself. You know, when you’re sitting on your couch like a perfectly rational person. Plus, the characters in this are just so darn much fun, with very unique personalities and plenty of hilarious banter!

My Thoughts

- Karma struggles with anxiety, and her experience is so entirely relatable! I have anxiety myself, and anyone else who has it will recognize and likely commiserate with Karma’s plight. She calls it a case of the “what-ifs,” and the book is absolutely filled with them. For anyone who doesn’t have anxiety, it may be an eye-opening experience to understand what goes on in the mind of anxious people. For readers with anxiety, there’s a chance you may recognize some of these thoughts!

What I loved most about Karma’s what-ifs is that they run the range from perfectly logical thoughts to completely absurd ideas that made me laugh, yet it all rang so very true, as someone who experiences anxiety. I mean, to be fair, when I’m stuck in my own what-ifs, they tend not to be particularly funny, nor does Karma find her own all that funny, either. As a reader, though, some of Karma’s what-ifs cracked me up, because not only were they incredibly ridiculous and so far-fetched and unlikely, they were also what-ifs that I’d had at some point myself. Which just made them all the funnier to me.

- As it turns out, anxiety can be funny. Not in the laugh at someone and make fun of them sort of way, of course. But funny nevertheless. Mostly because I have this thought at least once a month, followed by the notion that I am obviously just unlucky enough to have a high probability of being in that statistic. I mean, it hasn’t happened yet, but wait for it.

Fun fact: when I moved into my house, it had been empty for almost a year prior to that, so even though it was sprayed for bugs, I ended up finding a rather large brown recluse in one of my shirts in my closet. I still religiously check my clothes before putting them on ten years later because ZOMG WHAT IF I GET BITTEN AND DIE?! Or worse, what if I get bitten and don’t die and suffer horribly, surgery after surgery, until a limb finally has to come off due to necrotic rot?! What I’m trying to say is that anxiety can totally be funny, and I related to Karma so well here that I just absolutely found myself cracking up.

- Fans of ghost hunting TV shows, rejoice! Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter takes that idea and condenses it down into an engaging, paranormal romp. I am an absolute sucker for ghost hunting shows. Ghost Hunters was actually one of my favorite things to watch as a teenager, and that title pretty much says it all, doesn’t it? So obviously, I was thrilled. The story doesn’t bog down so much from the day-to-day minutia of attempting to record a spirit and not finding one, though. Instead, Karma and Mags set off to find a ghost in their own.

I thought the author did a brilliant job of capturing the more exciting aspects of ghost hunting while also providing an interesting sort of behind-the-scenes look at how difficult the job can be and how high the stakes are.

- The characters in this make such a quirky group, and when they get together, their banter is just fantastic! First up, of course, there’s Mags, who is Karma’s best friend. At first blush, they’re totally different, but maybe that’s what makes them work so well. I couldn’t help but laugh at some of their exchanges, which reminded me so fondly of my own friends at that age! Gosh, there was just so much nostalgia in the way they interacted. I imagine it’s the sort of carefree, inside-joke-laden that kids will immediately recognize and relate to.

Then add a boy into the mix, just to complicate things a little. You know, because that’s what boys are especially good at. It’s like their superpower. Nyx seems a little odd at first, but hey, who among us isn’t? I really enjoyed the trio they become, and I’d love to read more books with these three working together!

- There are some really touching family moments in this, particularly between Karma and her father, and oof, they just struck me right in the feels every time. Having anxiety is hard. Being the parent of someone with anxiety is also hard … I imagine. Add to that the fact that Karma’s mother left (and obviously needs a good talking to … with a fist … upside her head …) and things become all the more fraught and complicated. But Karma and her father are doing their best.

Karma’s relationship with her parents is complicated. With her mother, it’s toxic, and with her father, there’s miscommunication galore. Yet, I loved the representation of both and the impacts they have on Karma. Toxic relationships are hard, but especially for kids, and Karma needs to decide how she’s going to handle her self-centered, emotionally unavailable mother. My words, not hers. She’s not quite old enough to realize that yet, but she’s getting there. It takes a lot of courage to realize when someone just can’t or shouldn’t be a part of your life, and this is where I thought Karma’s personal journey had so much power.

Plus, miscommunication? Always a hard thing at that age. Karma has to navigate her way through utterly, painfully relatable feelings such as thinking she’s a burden or that her father doesn’t want her or wishes she were different. I loved this, because these are such normal feelings, so it’s extra nice to see them handled so well in middle grade fiction.

A solid read. Savage keeps a careful balance between the supernatural and Karma's personal issues - her anxiety, her relationship with her parents, the potential loss of everything she knows. The plot is a bit loose, though the pacing is strong.

this was a super cute middle grade ghost story, however it also felt pretty average. love the representation though!

*Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Karma Moon is a big believer in what she calls "woo-woo" - all the stuff that goes bump in the night, the forces that make the world go 'round, and all of the unexplainable things in the world, especially the Crystal Mystic (think Magic 8-ball) that helps her make all of life's decisions. She also has anxiety - "a bad case of the what-ifs," as she explains it. So she's not so sure she wants to spend a week at a haunted hotel in Colorado, even with her best friend Mags by her side, but her Dad's film company has been hired by Netflix (NETFLIX!!!) to film a ghost show, and they are going to do it. This could be their big break! How can she say no? She is the company's head researcher, after all.

The hotel itself is super creepy, and Karma and Mags, along with new friend Nyx, do their best to help figure out the mysteries of the place and maybe even get a real-life ghost on camera. It has to be possible... right?

Reader's Notes: I really loved Karma's character, and the close relationship she has with her father. There are a lot of twists and turns here, and you'll find yourself wondering - are there really ghosts here, or is this a Scooby Doo situation?

I loved this! Karma is fun and unique and I really enjoyed her relationship with her dad. She gets a great arc throughout the book. This book feel very current and fresh and it was written to appeal to today's kids, what with the Netflix references and all. It will appeal to kids who like spooky, quirky mysteries.

Karma Moon- Ghost Hunter is a brilliant new novel from Melissa Savage. This is a standalone novel that delivers a beautiful take on magic and blends a number of magical literary elements into a fascinating puzzle, fitting together with every chapter. I would tag this as a magic, gothic adventure to read under the stars!

I love this book so much! I couldn’t put it down and read the whole thing in a day It's well written, well plotted, atmospheric, and nicely balanced between action bits and periods of calm. But the real star here is our heroine. Cheering on Karma and trying to keep one step ahead of the secrets (impossible). I hope Karma has more adventures in the future. Definitely a perfect read for Fall/Halloween.

Another day, another fun middle grade read! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Middle Grade ghost stories are top tier. If you grew up watching Scooby-Doo or reading the Goosebumps books, then you would probably enjoy this one.
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Karma Moon is such a fun character who has amazing development throughout the story. Always worried about a list of “what if” situations, she learns that life’s twists and turns can actually make you a stronger person. Many children need to hear this message!
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Charming, spooky, funny, nostalgic, eerie, wholesome.... the list of descriptions could go on and on. Gift this one to your young reader ASAP!
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Thank you NetGally and Crown Books for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. Book is already published!
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I really enjoyed this book! Karma has always struggled with anxiety, but it's gotten a lot worse since her mother walked out on her and her father. Her attempts to cope/creature-of-habit ways are disrupted by a call from Netflix, offering a series order to her father and his documentary-making team, ghost hunting at the hotel that inspired The Shining. Karma has no choice but to face her fears on this adventure; luckily her best friend tags along, and she makes a new friend in the town they're filming (probably my favorite side character, an illusionist who knows everything about spirits and loves Houdini).

I felt like Karma's anxieties and fears and her sadness and anger toward her mother, who seems to no longer have an interest in being a mother to Karma, were incredibly relatable, as was her difficulty handling and accepting change. These issues are great for middle grade reading. The only parts I felt faltered were an abundance of '80's horror movie references--which were great fun for me to read but may alienate young readers--and the dismissal of therapy. In the end, Karma decides to put the work into therapy and really give it a try, but for much of the book she disparages the therapist, saying how fruitless the sessions are, and she gets no pushback on this. Plus, the therapist tells her before the trip to "leave her fears in New York," which is just highly dumb and I truly doubt any therapist worth their salt would ever say that.

Karma Moon was a great read! I enjoyed the story very much, and the narrative in Karma's head is engaging - it starts out amusing as you see how anxiety has arranged her thoughts, but slowly becomes sympathizing as you see WHY her anxiety is so powerful. I feel Karma Moon is a great book choice especially for kids going through a turbulent divorce to see that they're not alone in how they feel and how they can take control back. It also normalizes kids seeing a therapist for their problems.

And that's not even touching on the story element of ghosts! Karma's approach to ghost sightings and huntings is very reminiscent of 90s kid films where the adults are all bumbling background characters while the kids Get Stuff Done, but slightly more useful.

Great read for those ghost hunters and lovers out there without being scary or a horror story. While Karma is anxious and afraid, she steps up and takes control.

Karma Moon - Ghost Hunter is an interesting middle grade book. A girl with her ghost hunting father and other crew members investigate the Stanley Hotel looking to get a ghost on camera for a Netflix show. The story takes place in the same hotel from Stephen King's The Shining. So, if you liked that book you will most likely enjoy this story. The story has twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

I absolutely loved this fun middle grade book! My favorite thing about these characters was their relationship to each other. Karma and Mags are the perfect sassy and hilarious duo to take on this mystery. I loved how sweet Karma's relationship with her dad was in light of her mother's absence. Brining in Nyx was a fun twist and gave the story some new dimension. Would have loved to learn a bit more about the supporting characters at the hotel and have them play a bigger part throughout the book and not just at the end. Such a cute book!

Twelve-year-old Karma and her dad live together in New York City, her mom having packed up and left them. Karma’s dad has a dream of buying a house with a yard and a barbecue and that then Karma’s mom will come home. Dad gets his big chance to achieve his dream when he is hired for a Netflix docuseries on ghost hunting. So, off to a haunted hotel in Colorado go Karma, her dad, their dog Alfred Hitchcock, Karma’s best friend Mags and dad’s film crew. Once there Karma fights her anxiety over pretty much everything to track down a ghost and make sure dad gets a season two out of Netflix.

Karma is not your typical heroine in a book aimed at tweens, She worries about pretty much everything, realistic or not - from will they be able to pay rent this month to is there a serial killer among the hotel staff or body parts hidden in their hotel room closet - while Mags is more grounded and helps Karma keep on track.

This is a quick read for adults and a recommended read for kids Karma’s age as it shows there is nothing to be ashamed of when one is having trouble coping with the things in life one cannot control.

Karma and her father have been waiting for their big break. According to the magic eight ball, it will happen.
When Karma answers the phone for Totally Rad Productions and Netflix is on the line, she knows it has finally happened. Netflix wants them to investigate a haunted hotel and get footage of the ghosts.
Hopefully they will succeed and make it big because then maybe Karma's mom will want to come back home.

I loved the spooky atmosphere, but I found the rest to be just ok. The writing was fine, I just wasn't blown away.

Karma Moon -Ghost Hunter was such a fun read. It was fast paced with characters that you are rooting for from the very beginning. The themes of friendship and family are wonderfully written.

Karma Moon’s life changes with one phone call. A phone call from Netflix. For 11 days, her dad’s team of ghost hunters will explore the Stanley Hotel (yep, that one!) and if they capture actual paranormal evidence, there will be a docuseries with their name written all over it. Though she’s a firm believer in everything woo-woo, even going so far as to consult her trusty Magic Eight-Ball when things look grim, her dad’s a bit more of a skeptic, but as the time begins to run out on their Netflix deal, everyone’s hoping for those hauntings.

I’m a big fan of Middle Grade reads and Karma Moon was a quick-paced, intriguing story – definitely up my alley with the paranormal angle! I can see this working as a read-along with a parent: there are references for younger readers (Scooby Doo, the Jonas Brothers) while plenty of sneaky catches for adults (The Shining/Stephen King, Poltergeist, Harry Houdini). It’s also not all fun and games as Karma is dealing with real-life heartbreak: her mother recently packed several suitcases and took off, happily running around on a beach with her new boyfriend. The not-so-paranormal ending will ensure younger readers can sleep with the lights off but still provide heavier topics for discussion.

In the past year or so, I’ve read a number of middle grade ghost stories—everything from The Forgotten Girl by India Hill Bown to Ghost Squad by Clairbel A. Ortega. So, I was more than thrilled to get an ARC of Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter. This one turned out to be just okay. It was less of a ghost story and more about the characters—which gave it a more contemporary feel—and the paranormal aspects were kind of sparse and didn’t happen until much later.

The book spent a lot of time on movie references rather than building up its own ghostly-lore and spooky atmosphere. Even the subjects of the ghost hunt took a backseat to the analysis of movies like Poltergeist and The Shining. The last one I kind of get, since the setting of this book was the Stanley Hotel, which is the same one from the Shining. However, there were some interesting ideas here, and I wish they had taken up a little more of the focus in the story.

Where Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter excelled was in its messaging. A lot of the story dealt with an absent parent and how it directly affected Karma, who was twelve. I did like how the author chose to handle the main character—i.e. the detail about her therapy sessions just being a part of her life. That was great. It was excellent. Savage nailed it.

Overall, Karma Moon: Ghost Hunter was fine. If you go in expecting a story that shines a light on its characters—rather than ghosts and other paranormal happenings—you’ll like this one a lot. I also think the book’s target audience would enjoy this one, particularly for readers who don’t like a lot of scary occurrences. So I do recommend it.

Disclaimer: this copy of the book for this review was provided by the publisher (Crown Books For Young Reads) via Netgalley, thank you!

Karma Moon has a lot of "what ifs." What if her mom comes back? What if her dad leaves? What if the Stanley Hotel really is haunted?

"Karma Moon - Ghost Hunter," by Melissa Savage, is a tween mystery set in New York and at the Stanley Hotel. Karma relies on her trusty Magic-8 Ball to help her navigate her anxieties. She and her dad run a video production company out of their East Village apartment. One day, they get a call from Netflix, offering the opportunity of a lifetime - the chance to produce a ghost-hunting documentary series. First stop, the Stanley Hotel in Colorado.

Filled with a peculiar cast of characters, the hotel does indeed appear to be haunted. Much of the action is a la Scooby Doo, which is referenced in the book. "The Shining" and "Poltergeist" are also mentioned frequently. I'm not sure those would be widely-known among this age group, however.

Karma, her best friend Mags, and a local boy named Nyx investigate the spooky happenings at the hotel. Will Karma solve the case and maybe, just maybe, learn about her unique "woo-woo" talents?

Karma is a charming character, with relatable anxieties, which have gotten worse since her mom left, carrying five suitcases, to live in Florida. Tweens will relate to her and her friends.

Recommended.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Random House in return for my honest opinion.

Karma Moon is a bit of a reluctant ghost hunter. When Karma's dad and his friends get hired by Netflix to film at the Stanley Hotel (yes THAT Stanley Hotel), Karma absolutely does not want to go. Her dad might not believe in "woo" but she definitely does, and the idea of filming a ghost hunting docuseries is not on Karma's list of things she plans to do. But, after a bit of prodding, and a promise that her best friend can join them, Karma reluctantly agrees to help on the ghost hunting mission.

This book is amazing! So much more than a ghost hunting adventure. Karma speaks openly about her worries, concerns, and fears, and more than that she speaks openly about seeing a therapist for them. So much of the story is centered on Karma's anxiety and how she uses coping mechanisms to get through the day. Savage provides an expertly crafted portrayal of anxiety and trauma and how one event can send shattering repercussions through a child's life. There were a few times in the book I so badly wanted Karma to voice her concerns and to understand that the things that parents do are not a reflection on their children.

This book is perfectly spooky for young readers, with tons of fun, and bits of real-life issues realistically handled throughout.

5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Crown Books for Young Readers for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 star!

In this phenomenal middle grade novel we follow Karma Moon and her adventurous group. Living with her dad in West Village, Karma is full of what if’s and moo goo from her favorite Chinese place. Her dad has a movie production “company” and one day they get a call from Netflix asking to shoot a docu-series for them. The series however is to find ghosts in the infamous Stanley Hotel! Full of twists and turns, Karma, her friend Mags, and her dog Alfred Hitchcock must find and capture footage of these ghosts.

I enjoyed this story so much. Karma was such an amazing character. I enjoyed how spooked she was about everything because that would be how I would react. I think this is a great middle grade for readers. It was spooky, adventurous, talked about real things young kids could be going through in their personal life. The ONLY thing I was not in love with was the pop culture references. The horror movie and Stephen king reference were find because it went with the story. But off the top of my head, towards the end there were talks about The Avengers Endgame and I feel like in 3-4 plus years that will not be something young readers can recall or maybe care about, I might be wrong, but it was something the book could be without.