Dead Voices by Katherine Arden

Our library finally got in the first two books from Katherine Arden's new middle grade series after my recommendation from the Small Spaces ARC last year. I had wanted these in time for my Halloween display--as they are decidedly spooky books--but a clerical error had them ship now.

While I'd consider this more of a fall read, it was a completely different pace from my current fantasy binge to give my mind a little rest from all the philosophically heavy lifting. Plus with all the recent snow fall, it wasn't too out of place.

I wouldn't say the mystery is a dead giveaway, but the bigger points are pretty obvious. Surprisingly this did not detract from the storytelling or my interest to keep reading, however. I found the narrative gripping and just had to finish it. Whenever I put it down, I looked forward to coming back to the story. The characters are not super in-depth, but this is middle grade level so I don't expect much, yet they are compelling and dynamic enough to keep me invested. 

Katherine Arden has managed to write for both adults and kids. Impressed. Just absolutely impressed. Can't wait to put these and Dark Waters, once it publishes, on the Halloween display this year.