Soul Mirror

by Edmund Stone

The World is what you make of it Until you turn it Upside Down

Jessica lives in an upside-down world. What’s worse is she can say nothing about it. The fact she’s nonverbal and has autism doesn’t make the situation any better.

Her family is no help either—a foster child who’s been in multiple homes with people more interested in their problems than hers.

The girl has developed strategies to help her deal with her reality. One is a fascination with mirrors. She longs for a world away from hers and something inside notices. A dark entity bent on capturing her soul and those of others. How far will Jessica go to keep the thing at bay and who will help her?

Soul Mirror is a thrilling story, that takes you to a place of strange encounters and incomplete truths. The world is what you make of it until you turn it upside down.

Genres: Horror, Horror Thriller, Supernatural, Paranormal

193 pages, Paperback

Published February 20, 2025

About the author

Edmund Stone is an author and a part time boat captain, living on the Ohio River. When he's not on the water, he spins nightmarish tales of horrific proportions.

Reviews

[Brooke]

DNF 77%

I give up on trying to understand this book. The premise was interesting, but the plot is entirely too convoluted to make sense. It was a lot of info-dumping and random shadow encounters meant to be spooky. Too fast-paced.
Bonus points for autistic rep, but not compelling enough to finish it.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

CWs (spoilers):
- Murder
- Suicide
- Miscarriage
- Autistic MC
- Verbal & physical abuse of a minor
- Depictions of drug use
- Kidnapping

[Maddy Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Soul Mirror" is an immersive and emotional story that takes the reader on a journey through one’s individuality and the complexities of the human experience. The story revolves around a young woman named Jessica who is autistic and nonverbal, who discovers a mysterious mirror which reflects not just her physical appearance but also her deepest fears, desires, and secrets.

As someone who is autistic myself, one of the standout elements of the book for was its accurate depictions of autism and the way in which it fits into one’s identity. It was so refreshing to see an autistic main character that didn’t just serve as a way to move the plot forward, especially in horror where this is even less common than in other genres. There is strong character development that I loved experiencing; I felt a deep connection to Jessica as she struggled to navigate both her inner turmoil and the external conflicts that arose from the mirror's revelations.

Edmund Stone's writing is full of vivid descriptions and imagery, making it easy to bring this world to life. He regularly mentions sensory difficulties and stimming habits, and clearly somewhat knows about the autistic experience. The pacing is well-balanced, with some nail bitingly tense moments, interspersed with reflective passages that allowed me to slow down, take it in and contemplate. I am a huge fan of Stone’s writing style and cannot wait to read more from him!

Overall, I found Soul Mirror to be a thrilling read that combines suspense with stunning prose, writing that is sophisticated without coming across as pretentious, and provides readers with profound insights into the human experience. It prompts us to question what lies beneath the surface, and the influence our past has on shaping who we become.

If stories that challenge your perceptions and keep you guessing are something you enjoy, this book is definitely worth picking up! I found it hard to put down and know that it will stay with me for a long time.

Please check content warnings before reading; Edmund Stone was gracious enough to leave a list at the end of the book.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for my completely honest opinions and review!

[Paul Preston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nonverbal autistic girl named Jessica escapes her horrific life by slipping away into the world inside her mirrors. Now this isn’t a reflection of the real world but a dark place where things are quite different.
This is a good story that should be expanded upon. There were several side plots that I wanted more from and it left the overall experience felling like it was rushed.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up. Interesting idea, and audio narration excellent, but the writing not quite to my tastes.

[Trisha Tropiano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this one really stabs you in the heart! It follows Jessica, who is autistic and non-verbal, as she navigates life in a terrible foster home. She has discovered a world within her mirror where she can escape reality and actually speak. Her visits become darker and more disturbing, as she brings her occupational therapist Renay into the mirror world with her. The story is absolutely gripping, and the world within the mirror is truly terrifying. It’s easy to become attached to Jessica and Renay’s characters and become invested in what happens to them. This one will stick with me for awhile!

[Sharron Joy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica is in the foster system with a couple who have no time to care about a nonverbal autistic girl and what she needs. Her reality is what she has made it and she is fascinated by mirrors and the world on the other side of the glass. As she explores the mirror world voices call for her and something darker wants her soul.

A haunting horror that has Alice vibes but here the world of the looking glass stares back and reaches out. Images twist and change as reality is subverted. Jessica is horribly mistreated and neglected by her foster parents, her escape to the other place inside the mirror a solace to her. Renay is a therapist who has her own horrific back story and is drawn to Jessica.

Check the content warnings if you need them as aside from the darkness in the mirror the real world is brutal and violent for Jessica and her inability to express what is happening is heartbreaking. Drawing on folklore and legends this is a not only a thrilling horror story but a glimpse into the frustrating and terrifying reality for autistic children.

[Ali O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soul Mirror by Edmund Stone
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a fantastic and creepy horror story!
The story is so entertaining and has a good amount of mystery, thrills and scariness!
Jessica, a young autistic girl, who can’t speak, is fascinated with another world which lies within the mirrors. Renee, an occupational therapist finds herself sucked into this different world and finds Jessica there.
This book contains darkness within the mirrors and outside of the mirrors.
It’s very well written and super intense and emotional!

Thank you to Edmund Stone for an arc of this amazing story!
*It comes out December 3rd and you won’t want to miss this one!*

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should have voted for this cover when I had the chance. It is very fitting for this amazing story. I couldn't put this one down. It is a great story about an autistic lead role female who just wants to belong. This one also tugged at the heartstrings! Highly recommend!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved, loved, loved this one 😀 It was creepy, thrilling, and addicting. I'll never look at mirrors the same again. I'm ashamed to admit that this was my first read by this author, but I definitely want more.

[Dawn Schock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that sticks with you. I find myself thinking about it all the time. It's emotional and visceral and tense and horrific. I love the character of Jessica, and Stone does an amazing job of capturing the complexities of her mind.

[Abbie Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise but thought the dialogue felt unnatural and I wish the plot had been fleshed out more, this was more of a short story than a novel.

If the author actually reads this... please edit the book description to use person-first language! Jessica is autistic, not Jessica has autism.

Thank you to NetGalley/Victory Editing for the ARC.

[Jessica Gleason · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the autistic representation here. It's nice to see an important neurodiverse character in a book.

That being said, I am not convinced this was Jessica's story or her book. The story was equally if not more about Renay.

I liked the odd through the looking glass vibes but would have liked if the lore itself had been built up a little more.

TW: Abuse

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Alysha Schooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not sure how to feel about that ending but also WTAF. TIMMY?!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book from netgalley.

I guess the best way to start is by telling you that this book definitely had me waking up after weird dreams.

Soul Mirror by Edmund Stone is a fast paced quick read. And super creepy. I didn't want to put it down when I had to deal with real life happenings.

I'm still not sure what was behind the events that happend, but that's not a bad thing for me. Keeps the creepy mystery alive.

I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Edmund Stone.

[Samantha Woodall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soul Mirror is a fast paced horror book. It’s the tale of Jessica who has autism and lives in the foster care system. She’s busy escaping reality into the mirror world to avoid her real life that is full of mental and physical abuse. This other world changes Jessica’s life as she is non-verbal but this world gives her the ability to speak and fell different emotions than what she is used to. Her and her new therapist run into issues together when Renay gets sucked into the soul mirror with Jessica and they have to face evil in and outside the mirror together.

At first I thought I wasn’t going to finish this book as I more of a realistic fiction reader. But Jessica’s background and story kept me wanting to see how she preservers through the story. At first I didn’t really understand Renays connection to the soul mirror and it was confusing to me how they ended up connecting her son to it. It was just harder for me to follow. Still a great read for those who like physiological horror and a quick read you could finish in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be absolutely captivating, creepy. Although this was my first time reading this author, I was thoroughly engaged. Jessica, the main character, resides with foster parents who demonstrate a lack of concern for her well-being. She faces challenges due to her autism and limited verbal abilities. Nevertheless, she discovers joy in entering the mirror, where her topsy-turvy world is corrected. If you enjoy horror or exploring alternate dimensions, I think you'll appreciate this book. The rapid-fire descriptions were especially eerie.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimberly Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was beautifully done and unlike anything else I’ve ever read. Stone absolutely nailed the perspective and successfully sent chills down my spine multiple times. I can’t express enough how beautifully written this story was. Stone has a way of elegantly stringing words together and I honestly can’t get enough of it.

Highly recommend!

[Alison Faichney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my second read by Stone and Soul Mirror hit that mark for me more than Tent Revival did. Soul Mirror is a fast paced horror thriller involving an adolescent neurodiverse girl named Jessica. She’s bounced around a bit in life and is non verbal which results in her mistreatment by too many people. When she discovers some type of world contained within her mirror where she is able to verbalize speech she is thrilled. Unfortunately we have some real life villains in addition to the supernatural one which threaten Jessica’s safety both at hand me and in her mirrored world.

The Burns’ were awful but the majority of the main cast (Jessica and Renay) were well written and felt dimensional. The relationship between Trevor and his mother is a bit off within the story and I couldn’t totally rationalize some of her parental decisions. Her bond with Jessica also intensified in a cinematic way throughout the story.

This is definitely a fast paced tale and some of the hows and whys are never really explained. Still, if you like fast paced filmic horror with a unique plot and atypical characters I would give this one a go.

[Lauren Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fast paced read that forced me to keep flipping pages! Also loved the character Jessica.

[Gina Hosein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a ARC from Netgally for my honest review.

This gripping story follows Jessica, a nonverbal autistic girl trapped in a terrible foster home. Her bedroom mirror becomes her escape, transporting her to a world where she can speak and is free from the overwhelming sensations of touch and sound. However, something about this world—and the children in the upside-down house—is deeply unsettling.

As Jessica forms a bond with her occupational therapist, Renay, they work together to uncover the mirror’s true purpose and the chilling mystery it holds. An engaging and thought-provoking read!

[Rhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ~

I don't even know how to describe this book.
It was sad, but heart-warming. It was both chilling and sweet at times.

I haven't really read anything like this before, but I quite enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC of this book, in return for an honest review.

[Morgan B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this story. Jessica’s character was fascinating. I felt like her having autism and not being able to communicate in the real world added additional dimension to the story. If you enjoy horror, you should check out this dark suspenseful tale. The characters are intriguing, and the writing is engaging. Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I look forward to reading more work by Edmund Stone.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

Jessica has a difficult life. Not because of her autism and from being non verbal - if she had loving, caring parents who cared for her well being and gave her all of the help she needs, things may be different. But she doesn't. She lives with abusive foster parents who don't even give her the bare necessities to live, and they only take her to her therapies on threat of a visit from CPS.

Somehow, Jessica has found a temporary escape from the hell she lives in. She's able to go into the mirror world, a strange place with darkness and an upside down house. But it's filled with mute children who want to play, and she's able to speak and be her true self. This place is so much better than the real world.

At one of her therapy appointments, she finds herself in the mirror world. Things don't go like they normally do, and one of her therapists is dragged in with her. Her therapist is amazed by this place, terrified yet excited that she's able to actually speak to Jessica. But something else is lurking in this world, and they're both going to realize that more than just their lives are in danger.

This is a harrowing read, and my heart was absolutely breaking for Jessica. I truly admired her strength through everything she experienced and how she grows throughout the book. The characters were strong, either in how you root for them or how much hatred you have for them. And there are plenty of stressful and heart pounding moments, both in the mirror world and in the real world.

This is my favorite of Edmund's books so far!

[Sarah Corwin · Rating 2 out of 5]

The only reason I’m giving this any stars is for Jessica. I loved her as a character but that was the only aspect I enjoyed. The writing didn’t flow very well and seemed very disjointed. The dialogue wasn’t believable and there were moments where I was pulled out of the story. Just seemed random, the monster wasn’t scary, and there was a lot of pages where things had to be explained in obvious ways instead of leaving it up to the reader to just enjoy the story for what it was. Not a fan. This is the second book I’ve read from Stone and I have yet to be impressed.

[Paige Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an AMAZING story! Wow. It takes a lot to creep me out but Edmund Stone succeeded in doing so with this Horror Novella.

Soul Mirror follows Jessica, a young, nonverbal autistic child. She escapes her horrible home life by traveling through the mirrors. Through the mirrors she escapes reality and is inside what is known as “the upside down.” The title speaks for itself as that’s very much how things appear when inside the mirrors.

Meanwhile, we have Renay, a child case worker who has a young son of her own. She’s been assigned Jessica’s case and one day she is transported into the upside down with Jessica. Renay is completely dumbfounded and doesn’t know what to make of the situation. However, she does know that whatever is lurking inside this world isn’t good; not one bit.

This story was such a unique concept and I was sucked in from the first page. This can easily be read in one sitting and there’s plenty of action as well as some pretty horrific imagery. Are you a fan of Cryptid Horror? Psychological Horror? Then this book is perfect for you and you need to check it out ASAP.

I can’t wait to check out more work from this author! Highly Recommend!

[Svea Neitzke · Rating 5 out of 5]

It makes me happy that Edmund Stone has a main character who is neurodivergent and shows Jessica as a complex character. She is non-verbal, but we know from her thoughts and actions that she is a courageous girl who has been dealt a bad hand. She lives with abusive foster parents and then also has to handle what really lies in the soul mirror. I was so captured by this novel that I didn’t realize how much I read until I looked down. It flows so well, and the idea of the mirror world fascinates me. The mirror world is mysterious and hypnotizing. I wasn’t surprised that Jessica viewed it as an escape. Soul Mirror will suck you in as it did with Jessica and Renay (Jessica’s occupational therapist). I really loved this emotionally suspenseful book!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soul Mirror provides an interesting take on alternative realities. It follows Jessica, a foster child trying to escape from her circumstances. She feels safe and happy inside her mirror…at first. A quick, fun read, showcasing that things aren’t always what they seem and that sometimes the monsters aren’t always what they seem either. The author did a phenomenal job, and this is one of my favorites of his.

[Kayla Frederick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jessica, a nonverbal autistic girl, lives in an abusive household that seems to only get worse by the day. Her foster parents hardly notice she exists, and it’s worse when they do. She feels isolated in her trauma until she discovers the power of mirrors. And the world inside them.

This book was beautiful and heartbreaking all at the same time. Jessica’s character is so strong, and I loved the way she was written. It was easy to root for her and hope she would finally find that place where she would be loved.

[Rhonda Bobbitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will probably never look into a mirror the same way. This story was absolutely phenomenal, I read it in about five hours. Yes, it's that intriguing and thrilling. The character development is outstanding. You will love them and some you will hate. Our main character, Jessica, is desperate to find a place she feels safe. Will the mirrors be her safety place, or will they be filled with tragedy and terror? This is a creepy little read and will leave you on the edge of your seat.