Sixteen Souls

Talbot employs complex mythology to deliver a captivating supernatural thriller debut about queer teens who can speak to the dead. Ever since closeted 16-year-old Charlie Frith—who lost his legs to meningitis and uses prosthetics—was resuscitated after dying from a horrific ghost attack, he has been able to see and converse with the dead souls of York, England. After pushing away his two closest friends, he’s also withdrawn emotionally and confides only in his constant spirit companions. But he’s soon approached by Sam Harrow, a living transgender teenage seer who claims that local ghosts have been disappearing. Though Charlie has been wary of his hidden abilities, he hesitantly agrees to investigate with the help of his spectral best friends Heather and Ollie. When the group finds their first suspect murdered, Charlie worries that this investigation might be harder—and more dangerous—than he originally feared. While the worldbuilding can be a bit dense, labyrinthine twists and Charlie’s emotionally resonant evolution from timid and uncertain seer to fiercely determined sleuth drive this paranormal escapade to its dynamic—and romantic—resolution. Main characters read as white. Ages 12–up. (Aug.)