The Nowhere Beast

The Labyrinth of Souls #2

by Leslie Vedder

Ix Tatterfall and the crew are headed back for their second year at Candle Corps Academy. Ix is delighted to leave tiny Brittlewick behind and return to life among her friends and the castle’s friendly Nightmares. But strange things are happening at Covenant Keep: ghosts have begun to rise from the castle, and the Reckoning—a deadly competition that could mean the end of Candle Corps—is upon them all.

Ix, Ollie, and Morrigan are determined to win and save Candle Corps. But a mysterious, shadowy beast has begun stalking Ix, and the Nightmares of the castle are disappearing. Ix's only hope may be a dangerous journey to the mysterious land of Nowhere, home of the elusive Scavenger Prince.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy

304 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2026

About the author

Leslie Vedder (she/her) is a queer ace author who loves girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She currently lives in Colorado with her wife and her cat Fox Mulder, who believes the treats are out there.

When she's not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they're enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts.

Her debut YA THE BONE SPINDLE was an ABA indie bestseller.

Reviews

[Michelle Dotter · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was nothing I loved more, as a young reader, than picking up new adventures with characters I loved in Book 1. This is a sequel I wouldn't have been able to put down. Ix, Morrigan, and Ollie are just as lovable as last time, and I can never get enough of Smiles, the gigantic grinning cat who lives to make mischief. Plus a whole host of new Nightmares, beginning with the Hoodwinkler, who's just as much trouble as it sounds.

My personal favorite part of this one is a new character, though: the Scavenger Prince, a being from the mysterious land of Nowhere who ends up in the middle of the Candle Corps adventure. By turns funny and terrifying, the Scavenger Prince has all the great ally-or-enemy tension of the Seven Sorrows, hands down the best part of the series. He pushes Ix to make some very hard choices, and I love that she fights to choose empathy and kindness, even in the hardest circumstances.

A great spooky read for anyone who loves creatures, Halloween, magic school, and lovable oddballs.

[Kyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love following Ix and her friends through their adventures! This books is a mix of fun and spooky, perfect for fans of Wednesday! Leslie Vedder paints such a fun a creative world, filled with mischievous and spunky mystical creatures and a cast of heroes that are impossible not to love. I can genuinely say I miss these books when I finish the last page.