Prelude for Lost Souls
"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
From acclaimed author Helene Dunbar comes a spellbinding young adult book 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
Praise for Prelude for Lost Souls:
"Dunbar invokes small-town intrigue and plentiful atmosphere with this haunting, romantic tale."--Publishers Weekly
"A quietly compelling story."--Kirkus Reviews
"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
Also by Helene Dunbar:
We Are Lost and Found
BUY THE BOOK
Community Reviews
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
Prelude for Lost Souls centers around the small town of St. Hilaire, a spiritualist community full of mediums. It follows Dec, Annie, and Russ, who are all brought together by a mysterious musical composition.
Splitting between three different perspectives, Prelude for Lost Souls follows these characters as fate brings them together. While interesting, it seems as though the story is two stories instead of one making it just a little distracting on the reader. Dec and Annie have their story about the musical composition. They are working on completing this melody while Russ is trying hard to prove to the council that he should be the next student leader as he enters into his senior year. They are brought together by the piece of music, but Russ does not seem to fit into their narrative as much as one would hope.
Split Stories
The problem is Dec’s story is more about finding an escape from this town, and Annie is his escape; in fact, her music was his escape before she ever landed in their town on a broken train. Their narratives fit in together because they have so much in common, and Russ lingers on the edges of the story, like a third wheel.
Nevertheless, there is something beautiful about the prose. The ghosts and the music tie the story together in such a way that the reader can almost put these two stories together. By the end, it is easy to see how they work together to make one whole story, creating a beautiful piece of work.
The reader is drawn in by the ghosts and by this mysterious and incomplete musical composition. Dunbar’s fantastic detailing allows the reader to hear the haunting music while reading. It is magical how the story unfolds this piece of music, bringing together the characters, drawing the reader in.
The complexities surrounding the characters also engage the reader. Dec is still reeling from the death of his parents, unraveling the mysteries behind it and how he survived. Annie is reeling from the death of her teacher, trying to complete his last work. Then there is Russ who is trying to become a stronger medium while dealing with his feelings for Dec and the ghost of a boy who haunts only him. There is much intrigue in their dynamics and develop so it is interesting to see it unfold in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Prelude for Lost Souls is ultimately an enjoyable read. It haunts the reader just as the music haunts the characters, drawing them into the mystery and fantasy.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
Prelude for Lost Souls centers around the small town of St. Hilaire, a spiritualist community full of mediums. It follows Dec, Annie, and Russ, who are all brought together by a mysterious musical composition.
Splitting between three different perspectives, Prelude for Lost Souls follows these characters as fate brings them together. While interesting, it seems as though the story is two stories instead of one making it just a little distracting on the reader. Dec and Annie have their story about the musical composition. They are working on completing this melody while Russ is trying hard to prove to the council that he should be the next student leader as he enters into his senior year. They are brought together by the piece of music, but Russ does not seem to fit into their narrative as much as one would hope.
Split Stories
The problem is Dec’s story is more about finding an escape from this town, and Annie is his escape; in fact, her music was his escape before she ever landed in their town on a broken train. Their narratives fit in together because they have so much in common, and Russ lingers on the edges of the story, like a third wheel.
Nevertheless, there is something beautiful about the prose. The ghosts and the music tie the story together in such a way that the reader can almost put these two stories together. By the end, it is easy to see how they work together to make one whole story, creating a beautiful piece of work.
The reader is drawn in by the ghosts and by this mysterious and incomplete musical composition. Dunbar’s fantastic detailing allows the reader to hear the haunting music while reading. It is magical how the story unfolds this piece of music, bringing together the characters, drawing the reader in.
The complexities surrounding the characters also engage the reader. Dec is still reeling from the death of his parents, unraveling the mysteries behind it and how he survived. Annie is reeling from the death of her teacher, trying to complete his last work. Then there is Russ who is trying to become a stronger medium while dealing with his feelings for Dec and the ghost of a boy who haunts only him. There is much intrigue in their dynamics and develop so it is interesting to see it unfold in the long run.
Final Thoughts
Prelude for Lost Souls is ultimately an enjoyable read. It haunts the reader just as the music haunts the characters, drawing them into the mystery and fantasy.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
