The Labyrinth of Souls

"Your next favorite book featuring a magical school is here. Get this one for young readers in your life who want their stories full of action, adventure, fantasy, and mystery." --Lora Senf, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of the Blight Harbor books

A darkly inventive fantasy for fans of Tim Burton about a girl who can see Nightmare creatures from the forbidden Labyrinth of Souls.

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.

Author: Leslie Vedder
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Published: 02/11/2025
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.40h x 5.80w x 1.30d
ISBN: 9780593699119
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 01/01/2025
Kirkus Reviews 12/15/2024
Booklist 01/01/2025 pg. 81

About the Author
Leslie Vedder is the author of The Bone Spindle series, who loves girl heroes and adventurers. She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction, and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in creative writing, and currently lives in Colorado with her wife and two spoiled house cats.