I really enjoyed this read and am looking forward to book 2. ( )

When Stars Come Out is a fantastic dark fantasy young adult novel involving ghosts, a new high school, and a mysterious organization that governs the dead. I am a sucker for secretive organizations, so Ms. St. Clair immediately snagged my interest with this one. Add a spooky town and a girl who can see dead people, and I was a goner. While it might not be as spicy as her adult novels, When Stars Come Out delivers in every way. Anora is a great heroine, emotionally fragile but strong in many other ways. I appreciate her fractious relationship with her mother and the desire to improve it, especially as a mother of a teenage daughter. The Gothic tone is also appealing, while the story’s pacing is intense. This is yet another story for which I am excited about the sequel! ( )

Apparently indie books do occasionally get picked up by larger publishers. This book totally deserved it. It was amazing. I can't stop thinking about it. I was even trying to explain the story to my dad earlier today. It's that good.

However, first off, there is (and should be) a trigger warning. If suicide is a trigger for you, you won't want to read this book. There are several suicides and references to suicides. These are tragic events, and seen as such. But they happen. There are also a lot of dead people. A lot, a lot. The thing is, Anora can see dead people.

It started when her Poppy died, and he saw his soul emerged and then turned it into a coin. Really. It happened just like that. But when she tells her mom, her mom threatens to send her to a mental institution, so that's out. Instead, they move to Oklahoma, to a new school, and unfortunately, Anora sees dead people there, too, and things begin to get really strange.

But Anora is determined to make a new start, so she gives herself three rules. 1. Ignore the dead. 2. Absolutely no boys. And 3. Don't capture souls in Oklahoma. I'll let you guess how many chapters it takes for her to break her rules.

This is the perfect "we love each other but can't be together" trope. It also takes the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice to a new level. And in addition to the death-speakers, we get to meet a group of people called Valryns who take on three forms: human, raven, and a hybrid of the two. I mean, who of us hasn't wished we could do that! If you like high school drama with supernatural characters, dark settings, and morally gray characters, you will love this book. It was quite the ride and I eagerly anticipate book 2.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and have reviewed it because it was amazing! ( )

This tale dives into the world of spirits, demons and the afterlife with chills, thrills, and a bit of mystery along the way.

Anora and her mother have moved to a small town. Anora attends a new school with the hopes of leaving the past behind. But even the first day doesn't go as smoothly as she hopes. Despite her attempts to stay off everyone's radar, she, as the new girl, not only draws attention but runs across a unsettled spirit, which won't leave her alone. In panic, Anora accidentally releases a power she doesn't understand, but one that has gotten her in trouble before and turns the spirit into a coin. Soon, it becomes clear that the school and the people in the town are not what they seem. Caught up in the middle of a battle between spirits, demons and hunters, she must not only discover the truth about the others and herself, but find a way to stay alive.

From the first page on, this book grabs. The tension starts the second Anora steps into school. It's clear right away that something isn't right, but the author shrouds the details and information into a nicely layered, paranormal mystery which isn't easy to predict. Every predicament leads to a new revelation and sets Anora against more impossible obstacles. It's hard to guess who she can trust and where many of the characters' true loyalties lie.

Magic mixes with paranormal creatures and spirits, creating a rich and dark fantasy world. While the school is set in reality, the mystical world reaches in more and more as the chapters go on. There's high school drama, teenage romance and the usual teacher troubles too, but most of the concentration flips over to Anora's unexpected powers and a threatening war in a fantastical, paranormal world. It's well balanced and smoothly slides the two realities together.

This is not a tale for sensitive readers. The topic of suicide is hit upon, and there are a few violent, bloody scenes. Since especially the first of these topics can be difficult to address, the author takes special care to offer a few personal words of support and offers some information as to where help can be found for those who might find themselves facing this theme.

Fans of spirits, teen romance, strong woman characters all mixed with action, fight scenes and dark intrigue will enjoy this book. It definitely sets a wonderful basis for the series still to come. ( )