THE LABYRINTH OF SOULS, by Leslie Vedder and Abigail Larson, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Feb. 11, 2025, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl who can see Nightmare creatures is sent to a school that trains kids to fight against them in The Labyrinth of Souls, by Leslie Vedder and illustrated by Abigail Larson.
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. —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
The Labyrinth of Souls is yet another book featuring a magical school, but it stands out for all the right reasons.
The Labyrinth of Souls is a dark fantasy that’s full of adventure, magic, mystery and friendship.
Ix is a girl who can see Nightmare creatures from the forbidden Labyrinth of Souls. And while some of them are dangerous, Ix doesn’t see Nightmares the same way most people do. In fact, there’s something familiar, almost welcoming in the labyrinth.
Ix is a plucky character who’s used to not fitting in. It’s the way her life has always been. It’s not until she’s a student at Candle Corps Academy that she realizes the benefits of friendship.
The Labyrinth of Souls is author Leslie Vedder’s debut middle-grade novel, but you’d never know that. In it, she’s crafted an intricate magical system that not only makes sense but is fun to read about. Vedder’s characters are well developed — especially Ix, Morrigan and Ollie. And her decision to almost make a pet out of Hanky the Inkling adds a layer of warmth. Vedder writes to her audience with feeling, and her text is better for it.
The Labyrinth of Souls is a standalone novel, but there is definitely room in Vedder’s world for more books. I hope there’s more in the works.
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