Prelude for Lost Souls

(Hardback)

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Description

The Raven Boys meets The Astonishing Color of After in this story of two boys in a special town where everyone can talk to the dead. Some see it as a blessing; others see it as a curse. From acclaimed author Helene Dunbar comes the start of a spellbinding young adult series about a small town filled with spiritualists and one boy who wants out, perfect for readers who want teen ghost books and fans of Maggie Stiefvater, Maureen Johnson, and Nova Ren Suma. In the town of St. Hilaire, most make their living by talking to the dead. In the summer, the town gates open to tourists seeking answers while all activity is controlled by The Guild, a sinister ruling body that sees everything. Dec Hampton has lived there his entire life, but ever since his parents died, he's been done with it. He knows he has to leave before anyone has a chance to stop him. His best friend Russ won't be surprised when Dec leaves-but he will be heartbroken. Russ is a good medium, maybe even a great one. He's made sacrifices for his gift and will do whatever he can to gain entry to The Guild, even embracing dark forces and contacting the most elusive ghost in town. But when the train of Annie Krylova, the piano prodigy whose music has been Dec's main source of solace, breaks down outside of town, it sets off an unexpected chain of events. And in St. Hilaire, there are no such things as coincidences. Perfect for readers looking for- ghost town books young adult lgbt books atmospheric stories gifts for teen girls 16-18

Reviews

"Ghost story, love story, and mystery in equal measure, Helene Dunbar's Prelude for Lost Souls is filled with unforgettable characters who reveal the many ways a life can be haunted. Perfect for fans of The Raven Boys. " - Lisa Maxwell, New York Times bestselling author of The Last Magician series
"Working to unravel the mysteries that drew them together, three teenagers find unexpected answers in a town where not only the dead are haunted." - Foreword
"A quietly compelling story. " - Kirkus Reviews
"Dunbar invokes small-town intrigue and plentiful atmosphere with this haunting, romantic tale." - Publishers Weekly
"Mesmerizing and haunting, Dunbar invites readers into a world of family secrets, anxious ghosts and a society's ruthless grasp for power that will leave you wanting more." - The Nerd Daily
"[A] charming novel perfect for a lazy weekend. It's moody and melodramatic, the kind of story that makes you think of falling leaves and cozy sweaters and waning friendships and new lovers and finally learning to let go." - Tor.com
"Fans of Lauren Myracle's darker novels will appreciate Dunbar's balance of the extraordinary and the typical." - School Library Journal
"Fans of ghost stories and mysteries alike will enjoy following the unlikely threads Dunbar weaves into spooky surprises in this dark novel, upending many traditional tropes along the way. In St. Hilaire, it's the living you have to watch out for, not the abundant dead." - Tina Chambers, Chapter16
"Dunbar [manages] to capture grief and loss in a way that turned a paranormal book into a novel centered on human experience and struggle." - The Young Folks

Author Bio

HELENE DUNBAR is the author of several novels for young adults, including We Are Lost and Found. She currently lives in Nashville with her family. Visit her at www.helenedunbar.com.