Seven years ago, Charl and his mother fled an abusive husband/father to St. Muckle, a damp and muddy village out of the way. Anyone who lives in the town for a year and a day earns their freedom. Since then, they have built a new life. But when a bully plans revenge on Charl and things go awry, it sets off a chain of events involving a deadly plague, a dragon attack on the town and multiple people searching for them. Charl hides out in the abandoned abbey with a nun and finds out that the place is haunted with ghosts.

This book is set in the world of the Seraphina books (where dragons can take human form) but can easily be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed the characters in this fantasy novel, especially the initial setup with the various townspeople. Charl was a delightful character to follow and I am hoping that the author will make a duology out of his story as well like she did with Seraphina and her sister Tess.

I haven’t read anything else by Rachel Hartman or in the world of Seraphina (although I’ve wanted to!), so this was my introduction to this world. I’m also not the biggest fan of ghost stories, plagues, or bugs. Those things could have easily combined into me not liking this book, but actually I enjoyed the book a lot and will moving the rest of the books in this world up in my reading priority list.

Like I mentioned, I don’t do well with ghost stories, especially spooky ones. There were certainly spooky ghost elements here, but I’m glad I stuck with it. The ghost elements went deeper – and sweeter – than I anticipated, and I was pleasantly surprised with how the ghosts were varied and complex. I enjoyed the resolutions to their individual stories. It’s a slow build-up to a lot of the elements of the book, which almost made me want to reread to catch what I missed the first time that was setting up later parts of the plot or information about the characters.

I loved the characters in this book. Charl has a lot of courage and heart, and I love his sensitivity and determination even when difficult things are happening. His mother is inspiring and lovable. We got to know Sister Agnes and Sir Aris a little less than some other characters, but I still adored them. Mother Trude is complex, but I found her compelling and layered. Even the characters that might only appear for a single scene are interesting and fun. I personally found there were too many POVs, making it a little bit harder to follow or distracting from the main storyline even when I enjoyed the individual chapters.

Some elements of the book are inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic, and as a result, it touches on isolation, fear, polarizing views, blaming people when there aren’t clear answers, and losing empathy for people. The ghost elements and some of the character backgrounds also deal with some difficult topics. The slower build to get to some of these reveals or big topics help add to the overall book and come at the right time for each.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot and think it is ideal for middle grade or younger YA readers who love some elements of spookiness with a lot of heart.

A boy running to safety but was he ever really safe? This adventure had me gasping with every revelation and even yelling at one point

4 stars from me, a mood reader :)
This story follows Charl, a young man striving to find his way at St. Muckles, where being redeemed and free is actually possible. Set in the same world as Seraphina, (though not necessary to be familiar with this work), Hartman illustrates a world where it is possible to rebuild after owing others both labor and favors. After he and his mother have found their place in society at St Muckle' through slowly rebuilding an inn and safe haven for others, havoc begins when a plague is set loose. Charl escapes to an abandoned abbey outside of town with an unreliable character and a band of helpful, sometimes terrifying, ghosts. Set in a world full of dragons and countries built on war, good battles evil.
Themes throughout this story contain found family, good versus evil, and heartwarming character arcs. There is quite a bit of gore, and an easy story line to follow. The story starts off tragic, and the main character is both lovable and fierce.
Hartman is a wonderful writer, with clear descriptions of this world and the characters within. I have read most of Hartman's other work, and it is always enjoyable and fun to read. It is a bit darker themed, with mentions of class discrepancies and a bit of clear prejudice between both species and humans alike. The atmosphere is gothic and muddy.
There is a unique paranormal system that permits the ghosts Charl has connected with to travel with him and vice versa. It was an interesting twist on ghosts that I found engaging. I wanted to know more!
I would recommend this book to people into the gothic young adult genre. It shows so much bravery in the characters, fighting despite their fears, and that makes it a true winner for me.
My favorite quotes that could speak with a fellow reader: What do we do in the face of suffering? "We do what we can."
"Any blunt instrument can break buildings; it takes finesse to break your heart."
"The self is the hardest prison to escape."

A fantasy tale for middle grade readers who like a bit of dangerous adventure, Among Ghosts is a fun read. The characters are endearing and multi-faceted. I enjoyed the storytelling woven throughout, which enhanced the main character Charl’s understanding of the ghosts and the history of the abbey outside his town. The horror elements make this book best for grades 6+.

Charl is a boy living with his mother in St. Muckles, a town known for mud and turnips and nothing else. Well, his mother, a retired knight, and a runaway nun, all of them running an inn and trying to raise Charl right. However, Charl and his mother's past starts to catch up to them: his father's people, a dragon looking for her memories, a sadistic spymaster, and an abbess, have finally figured out where they are, and they're competing to drag the pair back first. Throw in a plague, and things can't get much worse. Charl and Mother Trude, a nun who has suddenly appeared in town, escape to a crumbling monastery outside of town, and that's when the ghosts start appearing. With all that work cut out, Charl has his work cut out for him.
This book was precious. It was serious (there are brutal deaths right in chapter one and there's a plague), but never overly so, and always in a slightly comforting way. I loved the messy characters, especially how messy the villains were (I know Miga did so much wrong but I do sort of love her anyways). I loved how complicated Charl's parents were and how Hartman just let it sit that way and never said anything about possible romances with his mother. I loved Charl, a boy who went through so much and did manage to come out of it with kindness and love in his heart. I loved the crumbling monastery, and I loved all its ghosts, even the bishop (another messy character who did so much wrong but who was also fascinating). This was a really good book.

This fantasy novel is set in a small town in a medieval-ish world. 13 year old Charl and his mother have been living there since he was 6, since his mother ran away from her abusive husband, an earl, and since then she has set out to improve the conditions in the town. But then a bully hatches a plan against Charl, a plague breaks out, just as multiple people converge on the town looking for them - a nun, a mercenary for the earl, and a dragon. And Charl ends up hiding out with the nun at an old monastery outside of town, which he soon realizes is haunted by ghosts, both friendly and not.

I have read and loved all four of Rachel Hartman’s previous books - the Seraphina duology and the Tess of the Road duology, and I’m happy to say I loved this one too. It’s set in the same world as those books - one where dragons can take human form - but it’s set at a different time and with different characters so can definitely be read as a standalone. It combines great characters and a great world with some interesting themes - here including religion and some subtle LGBTQ themes. I highly recommend Hartman’s books to all fantasy fans; this one in particular I think might appeal to those who like VE Schwab.

This was a great return to the world of Goredd, with a compelling protagonist, complex conflict, and multiple well-developed, morally gray characters. The town of St. Muckle is an extremely distinctive setting that I enjoyed exploring, along with the strong influence of medieval history and storytelling. Learning more about the lore of the pagans and saints was also a nice touch, as well as seeing Goredd prior to their peace with the dragons. I do feel like the ending could have had at least one more scene for resolution, but I also like the sense that those scenes should be left up to the reader's imagination. I would recommend this book to anyone who liked Rachel Hartman's other series, or anyone interested in a story filled with dragons, ghosts, pagans, and saints in the setting of a small town with a main character who tries to take care of everyone, while learning what that means.

Set in the backdrop of a frightening plaque, as heart-wrenching as it is magical, Among Ghosts is ultimately a story of redemption.

The world this novel is set in is so lovingly, thoroughly crafted, I could feel it on every page. While I would say there is a relatively large cast, it felt like nearly every character was lovingly devoted page time without once slowing down the flow of the plot. The setting is rich and visual. The magic, established over four previous books, is precise and clear.
Don't let this gorgeously whimsical cover fool you - as sweet as the characters are, there is a good dose of darkness. It also featured one of the most disgusting descriptions of a magical illness I have ever read in my LIFE. As a connoisseur of horror as well as fantasy, I thought it was masterful.

While I have been interested in Hartman's Seraphina universe for several years, I have yet had the opportunity to prioritize them. After reading this book, that changes NOW. Reading this book was a wonderful experience and I am so looking forward to reading more in this setting.

Charl and his mother have taken refuge from his father in the town of St. Muckle's, where anyone can stay for a year and a day and be free. Charl longs to be a knight and learn swordplay, but his mother abhors violence. When a plague, his father's spymaster, and a dragon all converge on St. Muckles, Charl and a nun take refuge in the Old Abbey, but trouble follows them. Can Charl help the ghosts move on, and can the ghosts help Charl defeat his enemies?

Among Ghosts is the story of Charl, a young boy who desires to prove he handle himself to not only his bullies but also his mother. Due to an unsettling encounter with noble teenagers from his small town of St. Muckle’s, Charl faces death for the first time. This inciting incident leaves Charl rattled and another boy unhinged, and yet, time goes on. When a plague begins to spread through town, terror follows Charl and his mother everywhere, and he must learn to confront ghosts, both of past and present.

This novel’s medieval-esque setting will appear to all fantasy readers. It is a great bridge between middle grade and YA with its blend of mildly challenging vocabulary and short story style. Hartman’s note at the beginning says she was inspired by The Decameron, and it is a well done version for youth and adults alike.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Review posted on Goodreads and Fable

Truly gripping fantasy with inventive world-building and a strong sense of social commentary. Even in a world with magic and dragons, human beings are the most complicated and fearsome creatures off all. A good read for teens and adults that appreciate the nuances of good and evil.

I tried with this book but after a while I lost interest. it felt like too many elements were added to the mix and the MC in my opinion wasn’t unique enough to stand out. I’m pretty sure many others will disagree with me but I felt my mind wander after a while. I still think others should check it out, it’s just not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc

❤️💜 Among Ghosts ARC Review 💜❤️

Thank you so much to Rachel Hartman and Random House books for the opportunity to read and review this book

Among Ghosts is a standalone YA fantasy. Charl is on the run with his mom from a dangerous dragon. He finds refuge in a haunted abbey for safety, but is he as safe as he thinks he is?? And can he trust anyone around him??

This was an interesting story. I did like Charl and the general plot overall. The concept of the plague was relatable and unique. I enjoyed the world and thought it was interesting, but felt that this was more character driven than plot driven. This book jumped PoVs a lot and it was a little hard for me to know where we were and who we were.

Overall this was a three star read. I enjoyed the world, but felt like there were too many PoV jumps for me to easily keep up with what was happening. This book did have some heavier elements, so please check triggers if you’re sensitive. This book did not have any romantic plot lines, so no ratings will be given for spice

If you’re a fan of YA fantasy with intriguing world building and an interesting story, then absolutely pick this one up.

After escaping his abusive father, Charl and his mother, the Lady Eileen, find refuge in a small town. They try to settle in and find that to be a difficult process. Life becomes even more complicated when a dragon comes into town hunting them, a plague sweeps through the villages, and Charl can suddenly see ghosts.

This was lovely. I was enraptured the whole way through and felt angry when I had to stop reading to go back to work.

I adore Hartman’s world building. And finishing this made me want to immediately return to the world of Seraphina. Charl was a wonderful protagonist. He acts his age getting angry and petulant, but is also unendingly kind. I do wish we could have spent a little more time with the ghosts, and I did feel like it was a little unresolved at the end.

My thanks to both NetGalley and Random House Children's or the opportunity to review this arc!

Rachel Hartman is an author of young adult fantasy. Her books to date are all set in the same fantasy world; some are duologies (Seraphina and Shadow Scale) and most have an occasional, light cross-character references. Among Ghosts is set in this fantasy world and is positioned as a ghost story, but if the reader is picking up this title for the paranormal element, they need to be patient because the ghosts don’t appear in earnest until almost halfway into the book.

The author is attempting to do a lot in this story. There are many complex themes, brief flashbacks, and some interweaving of character back stories. At times the book feels like two books: the first part of the book having many characters and located in town and the second part of the book set in a haunted abbey where the young teenage protagonist, Charl, is essentially trapped by circumstances. Charl at times also feels like two characters. He actually becomes less confident and more conflicted throughout the book, but then reverses in what feels like a quick transformation at the end. The author is ambitious in what she is attempting to weave together, but it does feel somewhat uneven along the way.

That said, there are interesting characters and compelling external and internal conflicts. Plus, there is a dragon–which is always a plus! This book ends a little abruptly and a little sooner than expected in that the fate of many characters is not addressed. Perhaps this is to leave a door open for a sequel or perhaps it is because the author was more focused on the primary events at the abbey.

There was a really cool entity in the first chapter, and it took way too long to get back to that part. Having to read through the rest of the plot line was a slog because it didn't seem to reference the ghost from the first chapter. Also, using the phrase "growth potion" for the gender affirming care was weird. I'm not trans, so can't speak for how well it's represented in this book, but I think overall the story could have used a bit of reframing, maybe? Something that had the ghost around a bit more through the first third to two thirds of the book instead of how it was.

I thought this book would be an interesting read for me. The premise was intriguing but there just was something about it that didn't vibe with me. None of the characters interested me and didn't care what happened to them. The world just didn't feel real to me. I felt like I was slogging through mud trying to read this. The action took forever to arrive and by that point I didn't care. Among Ghosts was not for me but I know others will be pleased with this fantasy adventure.

Thank you to Netgalley and publishers for an EARC of Among Ghosts.

Thirteen-year-old Charl is small for his age, though he dreams of becoming a knight. Having left his abusive father several years before, Charl, his mother, and a select few close companions are hidden away in the isolated town of St. Muckle’s. One day, the town bully, Rafe, pursues Charl, only to have Rafe’s two companions accidentally killed and Rafe’s own mind irrevocably altered. But that is a small worry compared to the plague and dragon that threaten the town soon after. As one calamity after another befalls Charl and St. Muckle’s, each character must embrace the unexpected in order to survive. This dark, early young adult story is placed in the same world as Seraphina (by the same author), although readers need not be familiar with that story before beginning this one. Recounted from several points of view, the third person narrative paints a detailed picture of Charl’s world and the people and creatures residing there. Though slow to begin, the book is nonetheless intriguing, inviting readers to continue through the novel to discover what happens next. A high level of spookiness and peril are worked into the storytelling, some of which are paranormal and others are all too real. These elements, coupled with ample advanced vocabulary, LGBTQIA+ references, and lots of ghosts, make the book best suited to confident young adult readers with a strong disposition. Curious and unique, this book is a dark and spooky addition to library collections for early teen readers.

Among Ghosts has all the ingredients for a dark, atmospheric fantasy—ghosts, dragons, ruined abbeys, and a haunted boy with a mysterious past. Set in the peculiar and mud-soaked town of St. Muckle’s, the book promises a rich medieval setting where even runaway nuns and serfs can reinvent themselves. Unfortunately, despite the intriguing premise and Rachel Hartman’s reputation for layered fantasy, this one didn’t hold my attention, and I ultimately chose not to finish it.

From the start, the worldbuilding is dense and immersive, but it quickly veers into overwhelming territory. The narrative is heavy with exposition and historical detail, which slows the pacing and makes it difficult to emotionally connect with Charl’s journey. While the gothic tone and creeping dread are well-executed, the plot itself felt muddled—ghost sightings, political tension, a plague, and a mercenary dragon all compete for space, leaving the core story feeling unfocused.

I also struggled to engage with Charl as a protagonist. His emotional arc felt distant, and just as the story began introducing some fascinating elements (like the eerie abbey and the “chorus of murdered girls”), I found I no longer had the investment needed to see it through.

Fans of Hartman’s earlier works or readers who enjoy intricate, folklore-heavy fantasy may still find value here. But for me, the slow pacing and narrative sprawl made Among Ghosts a story I was content to leave unfinished.

Did not finish.