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Spindlewood
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Expected 21 Jul 26Born skeptic Lilac Black does not believe in ghosts – until she is thrust into the secret world of seers and spirits at the Spindlewood School. Perfect for fans of The Clackity and The Swifts.
Lilac Black knows the séances her uncle runs for a living aren’t real. So when she pretends to talk to a spirit to get him out of a tight spot, she expects a scolding, not a celebration. She certainly doesn’t expect an invitation to her uncles’ alma mater, the top-secret Spindlewood School of Seeing.
Irresistibly curious, Lilac decides to attend. But as the only Unseeing student at a boarding school full of Seers, she has to bluff her way through classes and act afraid of spirits everyone else can See. Making new friends, like the intriguing Emmanuelle, only complicates Lilac’s web of lies. And as if her big deception weren’t enough, something is very wrong on campus. if her big deception wasn’t enough, something is very wrong on campus.
Spirits send cryptic messages warning of danger, and every ghost on the island seems drawn to a hidden door deep in the library basement. A being is waiting down there…something none of the adults dare to talk about. Lilac and her friend Emmanuelle must use all their powers—or at least their wits and courage—to save Spindlewood from a terrifying fate.
Lilac Black knows the séances her uncle runs for a living aren’t real. So when she pretends to talk to a spirit to get him out of a tight spot, she expects a scolding, not a celebration. She certainly doesn’t expect an invitation to her uncles’ alma mater, the top-secret Spindlewood School of Seeing.
Irresistibly curious, Lilac decides to attend. But as the only Unseeing student at a boarding school full of Seers, she has to bluff her way through classes and act afraid of spirits everyone else can See. Making new friends, like the intriguing Emmanuelle, only complicates Lilac’s web of lies. And as if her big deception weren’t enough, something is very wrong on campus. if her big deception wasn’t enough, something is very wrong on campus.
Spirits send cryptic messages warning of danger, and every ghost on the island seems drawn to a hidden door deep in the library basement. A being is waiting down there…something none of the adults dare to talk about. Lilac and her friend Emmanuelle must use all their powers—or at least their wits and courage—to save Spindlewood from a terrifying fate.
- GenresMiddle Grade
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 21, 2026
3 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 30, 2025
What worked:
The synopsis shares the overall conflict, but the author introduces more immediate problems for Lilac. She pretends to see a ghost to save her uncle’s séance, and the family assumes her abilities have surfaced. She learns her mother was a Seer, as are her uncles and grandmother today. They immediately assume Lilac will attend Spindlewood, but she can’t find a good opportunity to tell the truth. As a chronic skeptic, she’s curious about going to a school where everyone thinks they can see spirits. Lilac figures she can fake her way through classes until she encounters a bombshell complication. How can she fake her way through an aptitude test that will reveal the strength of her Seer powers?
Lilac is roommates with three other students, and they welcome her into their Pretty Posse. Lilac immediately feels conflicted, because the Posse is jealous of Em, the first girl she meets. Em is a True Seer, which means she can see ghosts without performing the ritual that all others must do. This makes her a target for her schoolmates, since she is studying independently from everyone else and seems to receive special treatment. However, Lilac takes the time to talk with Em and realizes True Seers live hard, lonely lives. Spindlewood has the highest concentration of ghosts in the world, so Em sees and hears them everywhere. It’s overwhelming. Isn’t it ironic that a skeptic and non-believer like Lilac becomes friends with a True Seer? Lilac’s struggle to keep her secret from Em continues throughout the book. Her school adventure leads to hidden secrets and a trip into the Beyond.
The author establishes the groundwork for future events when the instructors go over safety requirements for all seers. Seers open doorways to see into the spirit world, but that opening also lets ghosts see into the world of the living. The greatest danger for seers is becoming possessed by a spirit, so students are taught four general safety rules. Most of the early chapters present reminders to readers that possession is extremely threatening, so it’s reasonable to assume it will happen to at least one character. The possibility will always be in the back of readers’ minds, and Lilac’s roommate, Chloe, is highly susceptible to possession. As they gain more knowledge, some readers may recall the strange behavior from one of Lilac’s uncles.
What didn’t work as well:
The entire story is narrated by a spirit, and this strategy works. However, it periodically feels the need to share word meanings using Oxford definitions. It’s an amusing strategy early on, but many times, it’s not necessary. Perhaps it’s safe to make sure all readers are aware of the definitions, but more capable readers won’t need reminders.
The final verdict:
It’s a creative twist to give all of the characters spiritual abilities, while the main character is the only one without. The author saves twists and surprises, as Lilac and Em connect cryptic clues that will lead them into a dangerous world. Lilac’s lack of seer ability creates tension that will continue throughout the whole book. I recommend this book for readers who enjoy ghostly mysteries and school drama.
The synopsis shares the overall conflict, but the author introduces more immediate problems for Lilac. She pretends to see a ghost to save her uncle’s séance, and the family assumes her abilities have surfaced. She learns her mother was a Seer, as are her uncles and grandmother today. They immediately assume Lilac will attend Spindlewood, but she can’t find a good opportunity to tell the truth. As a chronic skeptic, she’s curious about going to a school where everyone thinks they can see spirits. Lilac figures she can fake her way through classes until she encounters a bombshell complication. How can she fake her way through an aptitude test that will reveal the strength of her Seer powers?
Lilac is roommates with three other students, and they welcome her into their Pretty Posse. Lilac immediately feels conflicted, because the Posse is jealous of Em, the first girl she meets. Em is a True Seer, which means she can see ghosts without performing the ritual that all others must do. This makes her a target for her schoolmates, since she is studying independently from everyone else and seems to receive special treatment. However, Lilac takes the time to talk with Em and realizes True Seers live hard, lonely lives. Spindlewood has the highest concentration of ghosts in the world, so Em sees and hears them everywhere. It’s overwhelming. Isn’t it ironic that a skeptic and non-believer like Lilac becomes friends with a True Seer? Lilac’s struggle to keep her secret from Em continues throughout the book. Her school adventure leads to hidden secrets and a trip into the Beyond.
The author establishes the groundwork for future events when the instructors go over safety requirements for all seers. Seers open doorways to see into the spirit world, but that opening also lets ghosts see into the world of the living. The greatest danger for seers is becoming possessed by a spirit, so students are taught four general safety rules. Most of the early chapters present reminders to readers that possession is extremely threatening, so it’s reasonable to assume it will happen to at least one character. The possibility will always be in the back of readers’ minds, and Lilac’s roommate, Chloe, is highly susceptible to possession. As they gain more knowledge, some readers may recall the strange behavior from one of Lilac’s uncles.
What didn’t work as well:
The entire story is narrated by a spirit, and this strategy works. However, it periodically feels the need to share word meanings using Oxford definitions. It’s an amusing strategy early on, but many times, it’s not necessary. Perhaps it’s safe to make sure all readers are aware of the definitions, but more capable readers won’t need reminders.
The final verdict:
It’s a creative twist to give all of the characters spiritual abilities, while the main character is the only one without. The author saves twists and surprises, as Lilac and Em connect cryptic clues that will lead them into a dangerous world. Lilac’s lack of seer ability creates tension that will continue throughout the whole book. I recommend this book for readers who enjoy ghostly mysteries and school drama.
December 6, 2025
Spindlewood is a wonderful first book for Freddie Kölsch's new middle-grade series.
Born skeptic Lilac Black doesn't believe in ghosts, so when she pretends to talk to a spirit during a séance to get her uncle out of a tight spot, she is suddenly thrust into the secret world of seers and spirits at the top-secret Spindlewood School of Seeing. As the only Unseeing student at a boarding school full of Seers, Lilac must now bluff her way through classes and act afraid of the spirits everyone else can see. And as if her big deception weren't enough, something is very wrong on campus. Lilac and her friend Emmanuelle must use all their wits and courage to save Spindlewood from a terrifying fate.
Featuring strong themes of the love of family, the acceptance of friends, and the weight of deception, among others, Spindlewood is an excellent book for its middle grade audience. Lilac is a smart girl whose love of reading and seemingly random facts help her navigate an experience in a place where she doesn't belong. Ultimately, alongside Emmanuelle and the spirits of Spindlewood, Lilac will see things she never would have believed in.
The book has a lot of suspense, mystery, and is genuinely spooky at times. I look forward to reading the next installments of the series and learning more about the adventures of the students and faculty at Spindlewood.
Born skeptic Lilac Black doesn't believe in ghosts, so when she pretends to talk to a spirit during a séance to get her uncle out of a tight spot, she is suddenly thrust into the secret world of seers and spirits at the top-secret Spindlewood School of Seeing. As the only Unseeing student at a boarding school full of Seers, Lilac must now bluff her way through classes and act afraid of the spirits everyone else can see. And as if her big deception weren't enough, something is very wrong on campus. Lilac and her friend Emmanuelle must use all their wits and courage to save Spindlewood from a terrifying fate.
Featuring strong themes of the love of family, the acceptance of friends, and the weight of deception, among others, Spindlewood is an excellent book for its middle grade audience. Lilac is a smart girl whose love of reading and seemingly random facts help her navigate an experience in a place where she doesn't belong. Ultimately, alongside Emmanuelle and the spirits of Spindlewood, Lilac will see things she never would have believed in.
The book has a lot of suspense, mystery, and is genuinely spooky at times. I look forward to reading the next installments of the series and learning more about the adventures of the students and faculty at Spindlewood.
November 11, 2025
A very solid middle grade/YA spooky book!
It has all the elements of a great story to capture audiences and alike: mystery, suspense, paranormal, family values, school issues and self identity. This story is great for spooky season but also for anytime. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new sense of adventure with a touch of paranormal spooky vibes.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
It has all the elements of a great story to capture audiences and alike: mystery, suspense, paranormal, family values, school issues and self identity. This story is great for spooky season but also for anytime. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a new sense of adventure with a touch of paranormal spooky vibes.
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
November 28, 2025
· · ─ ·ʚSpindlewoodɞ· ─ · ·
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC! This was a cute book, it just wasn't for me. I requested this book because I am a middle school ELA educator, and I'm always looking for middle grade and YAL books to give my students. This one did not click with me, but I would recommend it to any of my students into fantasy and ghosts! There was great representation within the book, including LGBTQ, disability, speech impediment, and neurodivergent identities. I think this book will be great upon further editing, and I'll be excited to see it on shelves.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC! This was a cute book, it just wasn't for me. I requested this book because I am a middle school ELA educator, and I'm always looking for middle grade and YAL books to give my students. This one did not click with me, but I would recommend it to any of my students into fantasy and ghosts! There was great representation within the book, including LGBTQ, disability, speech impediment, and neurodivergent identities. I think this book will be great upon further editing, and I'll be excited to see it on shelves.
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September 29, 2025"The first book in a gripping, eerie and unputdownable new series, perfect for fans of The Swifts, Murder Most Unladylike, Lockwood and Co and Wednesday."
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews