I spent last week and part of my weekend devouring both of these books. I've had a copy of Queen of the Dead that was provided to me by the publisher for a few months and it wasn't until I started hearing so much buzz about it that I decided to give it a shot. I didn't realize, however, that it's a sequel. So first, I had to dive into The Ghost and the Goth. 
 Alona Dare is one of those girls who, on the outside, look perfect. But on the inside--and at home--things aren't as they seem. She has a father who's abandoned her for a new, younger model wife. And a mother who's drowning her sorrows in bottles of alcohol. It's because of this that Alona finds herself in the middle of the street facing down a bus. 
 When we next see her, Alona is no longer the popular beautiful girl she once was. Because now nobody can see her. Except for Will Killian. The quiet, weird kid in school who everyone assumes is a 'Goth' because of his dark clothing and otherwise antisocial attitude. 
 The truth is, Will isn't a Goth... He can see dead people. 
 He's tormented by ghosts, talking in his ear or distracting him from real people (the ones who breathe). He lives his life with music blasting in his ears to drown out the sounds and tries to pretend they don't exist. It's been working (for the most part) until the principal of their school decides Killian's iPod (whom he's lovingly named Marcie) should be taken away as punishment for him being late. 
 Forced to endure a day without his music sends Will into a spiral that--of all people--Alona Dare just might be able to help him out of. When she pushes her way to the front of the ghostly line to get his help, she unknowingly designates herself as his Spirit Guide. It forces these two into an unlikely friendship and perhaps even more as time passes. 
 These two have great chemistry, and a lovely dynamic. I definitely enjoyed spending some time in their world throughout both of these books. If you're looking for something that's a quick, simple read with little angst and some fun, this series is for you.