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.

slow and moving, but at times you feel seperated from the topics of discussion a bit more than I feel would have been better. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

Among Ghost was a great dive into Charl's struggles with being powerless and overcoming supernatural obstacles along the way. He is truly among ghost and needs to find a way back home. I loved seeing the intricate world of the ghost and how they impacted the living.

The beginning was a slower pace and introspective, but I found the ending picked up in a satisfying way. I also appreciated that Charl's identity as a boy was an important factor in the storyline, when he wasn't always seen as a boy.

Spooky, intense, and interesting. If you're looking for a YA with heart, consider this one! There is another series in this world but set later and with no overlap. You can easily read this as a standalone or continue onto the series!

I enjoyed this adventure back into the unique world of Seraphina and Tess! I've enjoyed every book of Rachel Hartman's I've read and this was no exception. She does themes very well, and the ones I appreciated most in this book had to do with choice and agency (and complicity) and memory. Charl builds relationships with people of many ages and backgrounds, which I always enjoy and which middle grade seems to do the best. Rachel Hartman's writing style is also lovely, and I enjoyed the expansion in this familiar world.

I love the concept of the Wise Child, and the stories of the ghosts, and the collection of characters who ended up being Wise Children themselves. My favorite branch of the plot was with the Battle Bishop and how he does not change and he is always a threat; but in the end he is an ally because Charl has the benefit of knowing the part of him that has reason through their mutual connection to the ghosts of the girls, and - and this is the part that intrigued me the most - Charl has *need* of his bloodthirsty qualities that he can never overcome.

St. Muckle may be out of the way, but anyone can earn their freedom by living there for a year and a day. Charl and his mom have been there for seven years when Charl sees a ghost. That event is only the beginning when there is a murder, a plague, and a dragon! Charl gets away from the dragon but ends up at an abandoned abbey with terrors of its own. What truths will Charl learn from his experience? Will he make it out of these events with his life?

Among Ghosts is a stand-alone fantasy novel that is set in the world of Seraphina. Readers do not need to have read the original story to understand the events of this book, yet those that do will find correlations. This story had fantasy and adventure with a young man discovering who he is and who he wants to be. I wanted to love this book because I loved the original series, but this story just couldn’t keep my attention. Among Ghosts will please some, but not all readers.

I fell in love with Rachel Hartman's debut novel Seraphina when I was in middle school, and Among Ghosts is a wonderful revival of the world. While I was sad not to see any familiar characters or overlap with previous installments, I also understood Hartman's desire to explore a fresh perspective of this story. This was just the kind of book I loved when I was 12-14: fiction the perfectly bridged the gap between middle grade and young adult, written with children as protagonist's but engaging frankly with concepts of death, abuse, and heartbreak. I was reminded most vividly of Phillip Pullman's The Golden Compass: Pullman, like Hartman, is another talented writer of children on the cusp of transition between worlds, facing down adult challenges while still indulging in silly crushes and daydreams.

4/5 ⭐️
The perfect book to bridge from middle grade to YA.

Now I haven’t read this authors other books, but I heard great things about her Seraphina and decided to give her newest book a chance. This was amazing! It’s a fun story that simultaneously tackles tough issues in a manner that is digestible for a slightly younger audience while still being engaging for an older one. Just to list some of the topics tackled here: the idea of second chances, ghosts (literal and the past that haunts you), bullying, conformity, domestic abuse, being trans, kindness, and found family.

This is a story I, with my whole heart, recommend this to any lover of fantasy and stories like Ella Enchanted for example. It has a very similar tone to that while also weaving in great messages. I recommend this to anyone who reads middle grades and ya books. This was absolutely adorable and thought provoking. I loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley & Random House Children's for providing an advance reader copy of this book for my honest review.

I will say this book was not what I was expecting and having read Seraphina by this author in the past I was a little disappointed. My rating is probably closer to a 3.5, but I think I may have enjoyed it more if I had been more aware of the premise. It is not a book about seeing ghosts and then having wild adventures that includes dragons, though both dragons and ghosts are in the book. It is much more about character development and learning about the truths of the past no matter how they harm us. Overall it was an interesting book and the mystery and world building came together in a good way. I would probably recommend this book by starting with the fact that it's not for everyone, but for those who would resonate with it I think it would hit hard.
This is more a personal gripe of mine, but I do not enjoy reading about the fading pagan religion especially in a world where they are absolutely correct about what is out in the world and the christian force is killing them off in spades. I know this was framed as evil and bad in the books, but I still did not really enjoy it being a pagan myself.
Overall the characters were very interesting and the way the book came together in the end was really lovely. At times it felt as though the writing was for a younger audience, but then it would deal with very dark subjects so I would not give it to younger readers.

I had such an amazing experience reading this book. The way this author writes is so descriptive and beautiful that it was so easy imagining what she was trying to express without being overly wordy. It was a wild ride that had me hooked from the beginning.

I've enjoyed the overall concept and that it uses the ghost story element and was glad it was so well done in the genre. I was engaged from start to finish and had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed the young adult element to this book. The characters were everything that I wanted and enjoyed the way this was written. Rachel Hartman wrote this perfectly and had that element that I was looking for from previous books from the author.

I have never met a Rachel Hartman book I didn't like... and she continues that trend with her newest book Among Ghosts. Hartman tells a poignant story about grief, loss, change, and growth. She had me quietly contemplating at points and crying at others. This book offered a sort of catharsis when thinking about those we've lost. I was blown away by the way she explores choices and the weight of those choices.

We meet Charl right before all hell breaks loose in the town he resides in with his mother, a dutiful nun, a dragon doctor, and a knight who no longer slays dragons. Charl is dared to meet his nemesis at the old monastery, but while there destruction occurs leaving neither boy the same as they went up. Shortly after this mishap plague settles on Charl's town and the past he and his mother have run from is catching up. A dragon, a nun, and a spymaster are all pursuing Charl and his mother and they have to figure out how to respond. What's left is a story that will linger with you.

I will say that even though she's not a main character, I loved the role Charl's mother played in this story, she is a parent who saw her child's safety and happiness, and ability to be himself threatened and does everything she can to protect him and support him. It was a display of parenthood that resonated and that I wish all children received. Hands down her character is so well written.

I could probably go on for hours about all the pieces of this story that resonated with me or kept me turning pages but I would love you as the reader to find out all those things for yourself. Hands down if you like fantasy you should check this book out. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advanced readers copy via Netgalley in Exchange for an honest review.

This book slayed so hard. Not only was the cover gorgeous, but so was the plot.

I was invested the entire time and wish I had more.

Rachel Hartman is seriously one of my favorite authors. I love her prose and style and was very excited to see her with a new addition to this world. Something about her evokes classic fantasy. It makes me feel like I'm in my childhood again full of wonder.

This book is a beautiful haunting and introspective novella that blends historical fiction with supernatural elements. Everything was painted in a vivid picture of both the horrors of war and the quiet, poignant moments of human connection. The novella explores themes of grief, duty, and the weight of the past with a delicate touch, making it a compelling and emotional read.

I'm going to start off with saying that that cover is absolutely gorgeous. This was my first Rachel Hartman story and I am very happy that it was a breeze to enter the world of Seraphina without an ounce of previous knowledge. This story was not what I expected from the summary though. I expected a bit more of an adventure type story, but despite having less excitement than I expected it was still very good. That opening chapter is memorable and a perfect example of what you will be getting through the book. The title brings to mind the ghosts both physical and mental of our main character and his character development throughout the narrative.

A middle grade novel that has some really deep themes that I adored. At times I got quite emotional reading it. The narrative is very powerful. Will check out from this author.