I may be a little biased, because this book is set in York, which is my adopted city. That being said, I adored this book far more than I was expecting to going in! Charlie is instantly likeable, I believe the author did an excellent job (to the best of my knowledge) representing disability as well as LGBTQ+ voices in the characters. The magic rules in this urban fantasy are super neat in a way I haven't seen before, and I truly appreciated that the author didn't shy away from injuries and stakes (a personal pet peeve of mine that didn't occur here!). Long story short: ghosts, chosen ones, high stakes, magic, York, history, and m/m with two loveable characters? Count me in.



Knowing what I know now about this book, would I still read it if I went back in time?
Definitely!


 See below for the four criteria I use to decide whether and when to read a book



CHARACTERS: I really felt for Charlie from the very beginning. Not only as a boy trying to navigate being a teenager dealing with painful teenage issues, but also concerns about coming out to his family, missing his friends, embarrassed and horrified by traumatic experiences that all coincided with being so very different in multiple ways. Through it all, he has such a good heart and I was instantly rooting for him. Sam is fascinating too, navigating being trans, in a new city, a seer as well, and the pain of not having the family love he wishes he had. I found the relationship and bonds they forged to be very organic and beautiful, especially juxtaposed with the external conflict. They are both compassionate and learning and growing in their own ways. And they're surrounded by a wonderful bevy of supporting characters and I absolutely adored.



PLOT: A fun blend of action and adventure, Charlie and Sam are fighting to uncover the mystery of what is happening to the ghosts of York and save them, which, in turn, puts them in danger as well. I found it perfectly paced, medium-to-fast paced, with some really wonderful twists and turns. A few of them I personally called from the beginning, but that's ok, because I adored the execution. The romantic subplot is very much a subplot, slow-burn and organic, but so worth it for the bit of romance we do get by the end of the book.



EMOTIONAL INTENSITY: There is no good/bad here. Sometimes I just want a low-investment entertainment read whereas other times a high-stakes 'I need a therapist to recover' is what I need.

3/5:medium. This is my version of a cozy read, apparently. It has the action, the adventure, the magic, and romance, high enough stakes to keep me hooked, but the understanding that everything was going to work out and I could simply enjoy it.


CATHARTIC FULFILLMENT: Is the emotional journey worth it? Do I finish this book feeling that I've crested the wave of the climactic moment and everything has been settled, leaving me settled and fulfilled? 

95%. I truly was so excited by the progression of the plot. The climactic events felt climactic enough in comparison to everything that had been set up. And I felt we had enough of a denouement to actually enjoy the success. Everything is wrapped up while at the same time setting up perfectly for the second book. I will absolutely be reading book two AND I don't need to worry about rushing to get it, because there isn't a cliffhanger.