Author: Leslie Vedder
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Series: The Labyrinth of Souls # 1
Publication: February 11, 2025, 336 pages
Source: ARC, I received a review copy in exchange for an honest review.
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Have you ever heard the saying, "What's beyond the veil?", the barrier between the living and the dead? Well, in that in-between place lies The Labyrinth of Souls. There are three ways to enter: through death, dreams, or intentionally; if you're part of a magical elite team or a rulebreaker, like our heroine, Ix Tatterfall.In the Kingdom of Spinar, there are seven rules for safeguarding your soul from the Sorrows and Nightmare creatures—most importantly: never, ever enter the Labyrinth of Souls.
Ix Tatterfall has always been an outcast with big secrets: She can cross into the Labyrinth, home to the powerful Sorrows, and she can see strange Nightmare beasts when no one else can. Some, like the shadowy Inklings or bothersome Stubbed Toads, are merely a nuisance. Many more—like the Jimber-Jawed Hounds—are dangerous. Even deadly.
But something is very wrong in the Labyrinth. A terrible new Nightmare—a raggedy scarecrow called Jack—has been ravaging the misty maze, gobbling up wraiths and lost souls and allowing Nightmares to seep into the Waking World.
On one forbidden trip, Ix comes face to face with Jack. Worse, she’s apprehended by Candle Corps, an elite magical group that protects the kingdom against Nightmares. Instead of exile, Ix is allowed to enter the mysterious Candle Corps Academy. For the first time, she’s surrounded by others who can see what she sees: Morrigan Bea, a hot-tempered girl who might be a monster; Ollie Pembrooke, a shy boy who loves books and Dreamchaser dogs; and Hanky the Inkling, Ix’s faithful Nightmare companion.
But more and more Nightmares are bleeding into Spinar. Raggedy Jack is on the hunt for something—someone—from the Waking World.
Ix Tatterfall herself.
MY THOUGHTS
Ix has been slipping into the labyrinth all her life, but one night, she’s caught by the Candle Corps, a magical team tasked with protecting the waking world from Nightmares or from those who dare to consort with them. Given two choices, join Candle Corps Academy or face exile; Ix chooses the academy, hoping to protect her family and uncover more about herself.
I really enjoyed The Labyrinth of Souls it reminded me of a cross between Alice in Wonderland and Coraline, two of my favorite stories. I wasn’t expecting an academy setting, which was a pleasant surprise since I love books set in schools. The worldbuilding is straightforward and easy to follow. The story revolves around two main groups: Candle Corps and the Nightmares and Sorrows. Nightmares are small creatures that lurk in the dark, while Sorrows are more powerful, high-level monsters. There are seven Sorrows, most of whom rule over their own domains within the labyrinth.
Readers get an in-depth look at life inside the prestigious Candle Corps Academy, filled with eccentric professors and students. I adored Ix and her two best friends, Ollie and Morrigan. As they explore the labyrinth, we encounter the Sorrows and an array of Nightmares such as Inklings, Mistcats, and Blackout Bats, each more eerie and fascinating than the last. If you’ve seen the stunning cover, you’ve probably already spotted some of these creatures lurking in the background.
The Labyrinth of Souls is a fun, whimsical middle-grade fantasy that will appeal to readers of all ages. At its heart, it’s a story about embracing your uniqueness, self-discovery, and the power of found family and friendships. If you enjoy vivid, immersive tales in the same vein as Alice in Wonderland and Coraline, then you’ll love The Labyrinth of Souls.
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