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The Spiritualists
The Witch Haven meets Divine Rivals in this magical tale of a young clairvoyant who gets dragged into a dangerous game of revenge alongside a mysterious thief in early 1900s New York City.
Stella Bohdan is never alone—never—and yet she is the loneliest person she knows, dead or alive. A gifted psychic who can hear the voices of spirits, all Stella wants is to con enough people to survive on the brutal New York City streets and find a way to deal with the tragic death of her sister.
Performing seances in parlor rooms and tarot readings by candlelight, Stella is barely holding on. Until she meets Pax, a mysterious young man who offers Stella an invitation and a Join a secret group of talented mystics who explore the darker realms of spiritualism, and together they will get revenge on her sister’s killer.
But how can Stella admit she is the reason her sister is dead?
In the hope of righting past wrongs, Stella joins Pax and his team of mystics. It’s soon clear there is more behind their partnership than just vengeance.
They must tread carefully though, because in the world of spiritualism, not everything is what it seems—especially when communing with the unknown.
Stella Bohdan is never alone—never—and yet she is the loneliest person she knows, dead or alive. A gifted psychic who can hear the voices of spirits, all Stella wants is to con enough people to survive on the brutal New York City streets and find a way to deal with the tragic death of her sister.
Performing seances in parlor rooms and tarot readings by candlelight, Stella is barely holding on. Until she meets Pax, a mysterious young man who offers Stella an invitation and a Join a secret group of talented mystics who explore the darker realms of spiritualism, and together they will get revenge on her sister’s killer.
But how can Stella admit she is the reason her sister is dead?
In the hope of righting past wrongs, Stella joins Pax and his team of mystics. It’s soon clear there is more behind their partnership than just vengeance.
They must tread carefully though, because in the world of spiritualism, not everything is what it seems—especially when communing with the unknown.
416 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
There is something deeply funny to me about a book that promises secret societies, vengeance, mystics, and ghosts in 1900s New York, and yet the main vibe sometimes feels like everyone standing in a dimly lit parlor politely waiting for the plot to start. Not in a bad way, just in a “did we all bring snacks while we wait for the séance to really pop off?” kind of way.
The Spiritualists drops us into early 1900s New York City with Stella Bohdan, a teenage clairvoyant who hears the dead whether she likes it or not, which sounds cool until you realize it’s less “glamorous Victorian medium” and more “girl who cannot get five minutes of peace because ghosts are basically yelling in her mental group chat.” Stella survives by running séances and tarot readings, which is honestly entrepreneurial behavior I respect because if you’re going to be haunted, you might as well monetize it.
But Stella is also carrying around a suitcase full of guilt over her sister’s death, and that guilt is basically the emotional engine of the whole story. She’s lonely, prickly, stubborn, and absolutely convinced she has to handle everything herself, which makes sense emotionally but also means she occasionally makes decisions that made me want to gently take her by the shoulders and say, “Girl. Please. Let’s do literally ten seconds of critical thinking here before we summon another ghost.”
Pax enters the story as a mysterious thief who offers Stella an invitation to join a secret group of mystics dabbling in the darker corners of spiritualism. Their pitch is essentially, hey, want to join our paranormal revenge squad and track down your sister’s killer? Stella, understandably fueled by grief and guilt, is like… yeah okay, that sounds emotionally questionable but extremely on brand.
And listen, Pax is easily one of the most intriguing parts of the book. He has that quiet, morally gray energy that screams “I have secrets, a tragic backstory, and probably know how to pick a lock while staring broodingly out a rain-covered window.” The man feels like if Kaz Brekker got dropped into a Victorian séance circle and immediately started stealing silverware, and the dynamic between him and Stella has this slow simmer of tension that works really well because neither of them is exactly thriving emotionally and both of them are carrying baggage the size of a Victorian trunk.
The secret circle of mystics is also a fun concept. You’ve got this little found family of people with different abilities exploring spiritualism while trying to navigate the line between genuine supernatural forces and the very real danger of messing with things that probably should have stayed on the other side of the veil, and the atmosphere here is honestly great. Gaslit streets, séance parlors, tarot cards, whispers from the dead, the whole aesthetic is doing the absolute most in the best way.
Now listen, the pacing and I had a small but meaningful conversation. This is one of those stories where the premise sounds like chaos, revenge, ghosts, secret societies, emotional trauma, romantic tension, possibly some light crime, and sometimes the actual reading experience is a little quieter than that pitch suggests because there are stretches where the momentum drifts like the narrative itself has pulled up a chair at the séance table and is politely waiting for the spirits to knock twice.
It’s not boring, I want to be clear about that, but there were moments where I felt like both me and the ghosts were just patiently waiting for the plot to kick the door open.
Stella herself can also be a tricky character to fully latch onto because her grief and guilt absolutely make sense and drive many of her decisions, but they also make her very quick to jump to conclusions and shut people out. Which again is emotionally valid because trauma does that, but there were moments where I felt like I was watching her speedrun misunderstandings that could have been solved with one extremely uncomfortable but necessary conversation.
That said, the emotional core actually works when the book slows down and lets it breathe. Stella’s loneliness is real in a way that kind of sneaks up on you because imagine hearing voices constantly and still feeling like the most isolated person in every room. The ghosts never leave her, but the one person she actually wants to hear from, her sister, is the one voice she can’t find, and when the story leans into that grief and guilt it hits harder than you expect.
I also have to give credit where it’s due because the historical spiritualism angle is genuinely fascinating. That early 1900s obsession with séances and communicating with the dead is such a perfect backdrop for a story about truth versus illusion, asking whether the spirits are real, whether the mediums are frauds, or whether people are simply desperate enough to believe anything if it means hearing a lost loved one’s voice one more time.
By the time the story wraps up, I found myself appreciating the emotional core more than the mechanics of the plot. The concept is genuinely cool, the atmosphere is doing incredible work, and the characters have sparks of tension that keep things interesting, but I kept wishing the story pushed everything just a little further with more depth, more urgency, and a little more time letting this haunted little crew of mystics fully come alive.
I did have complaints, but I still enjoyed wandering around haunted New York with this emotionally complicated ghost squad.
Three stars, for a moody, ghost-filled revenge story with excellent vibes, intriguing characters, and pacing that occasionally wanders off like a ghost that forgot why it entered the room.
Whodunity Award: Most Likely to Convince Me I Could Totally Join a Victorian Séance Cult and Immediately Make Questionable Life Choices
Huge thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, which allowed me to spend several evenings lurking around haunted parlors with emotionally complicated teenagers and at least one suspiciously charming thief. Always happy to risk mild spiritual possession in the name of a good book.
The Spiritualists drops us into early 1900s New York City with Stella Bohdan, a teenage clairvoyant who hears the dead whether she likes it or not, which sounds cool until you realize it’s less “glamorous Victorian medium” and more “girl who cannot get five minutes of peace because ghosts are basically yelling in her mental group chat.” Stella survives by running séances and tarot readings, which is honestly entrepreneurial behavior I respect because if you’re going to be haunted, you might as well monetize it.
But Stella is also carrying around a suitcase full of guilt over her sister’s death, and that guilt is basically the emotional engine of the whole story. She’s lonely, prickly, stubborn, and absolutely convinced she has to handle everything herself, which makes sense emotionally but also means she occasionally makes decisions that made me want to gently take her by the shoulders and say, “Girl. Please. Let’s do literally ten seconds of critical thinking here before we summon another ghost.”
Pax enters the story as a mysterious thief who offers Stella an invitation to join a secret group of mystics dabbling in the darker corners of spiritualism. Their pitch is essentially, hey, want to join our paranormal revenge squad and track down your sister’s killer? Stella, understandably fueled by grief and guilt, is like… yeah okay, that sounds emotionally questionable but extremely on brand.
And listen, Pax is easily one of the most intriguing parts of the book. He has that quiet, morally gray energy that screams “I have secrets, a tragic backstory, and probably know how to pick a lock while staring broodingly out a rain-covered window.” The man feels like if Kaz Brekker got dropped into a Victorian séance circle and immediately started stealing silverware, and the dynamic between him and Stella has this slow simmer of tension that works really well because neither of them is exactly thriving emotionally and both of them are carrying baggage the size of a Victorian trunk.
The secret circle of mystics is also a fun concept. You’ve got this little found family of people with different abilities exploring spiritualism while trying to navigate the line between genuine supernatural forces and the very real danger of messing with things that probably should have stayed on the other side of the veil, and the atmosphere here is honestly great. Gaslit streets, séance parlors, tarot cards, whispers from the dead, the whole aesthetic is doing the absolute most in the best way.
Now listen, the pacing and I had a small but meaningful conversation. This is one of those stories where the premise sounds like chaos, revenge, ghosts, secret societies, emotional trauma, romantic tension, possibly some light crime, and sometimes the actual reading experience is a little quieter than that pitch suggests because there are stretches where the momentum drifts like the narrative itself has pulled up a chair at the séance table and is politely waiting for the spirits to knock twice.
It’s not boring, I want to be clear about that, but there were moments where I felt like both me and the ghosts were just patiently waiting for the plot to kick the door open.
Stella herself can also be a tricky character to fully latch onto because her grief and guilt absolutely make sense and drive many of her decisions, but they also make her very quick to jump to conclusions and shut people out. Which again is emotionally valid because trauma does that, but there were moments where I felt like I was watching her speedrun misunderstandings that could have been solved with one extremely uncomfortable but necessary conversation.
That said, the emotional core actually works when the book slows down and lets it breathe. Stella’s loneliness is real in a way that kind of sneaks up on you because imagine hearing voices constantly and still feeling like the most isolated person in every room. The ghosts never leave her, but the one person she actually wants to hear from, her sister, is the one voice she can’t find, and when the story leans into that grief and guilt it hits harder than you expect.
I also have to give credit where it’s due because the historical spiritualism angle is genuinely fascinating. That early 1900s obsession with séances and communicating with the dead is such a perfect backdrop for a story about truth versus illusion, asking whether the spirits are real, whether the mediums are frauds, or whether people are simply desperate enough to believe anything if it means hearing a lost loved one’s voice one more time.
By the time the story wraps up, I found myself appreciating the emotional core more than the mechanics of the plot. The concept is genuinely cool, the atmosphere is doing incredible work, and the characters have sparks of tension that keep things interesting, but I kept wishing the story pushed everything just a little further with more depth, more urgency, and a little more time letting this haunted little crew of mystics fully come alive.
I did have complaints, but I still enjoyed wandering around haunted New York with this emotionally complicated ghost squad.
Three stars, for a moody, ghost-filled revenge story with excellent vibes, intriguing characters, and pacing that occasionally wanders off like a ghost that forgot why it entered the room.
Whodunity Award: Most Likely to Convince Me I Could Totally Join a Victorian Séance Cult and Immediately Make Questionable Life Choices
Huge thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, which allowed me to spend several evenings lurking around haunted parlors with emotionally complicated teenagers and at least one suspiciously charming thief. Always happy to risk mild spiritual possession in the name of a good book.
Read
March 17, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Spiritualists is a YA historical fantasy mystery full of séances, spirits, secrets, and revenge. And honestly, early 1900s New York City was such a good choice for this story. It already has that gritty, shadowy feel, and then you add candlelit readings, ghosts, and a group of young mystics? Yes, please.
Stella was easily my favorite part. She can hear spirits, which sounds fascinating, but the book shows how lonely that would actually be. She is surrounded by voices all the time, but still feels completely alone. That hit harder than I expected. She is grieving her sister, carrying guilt, and trying to survive however she can, so I understood why she would be pulled into Pax’s offer, even when it clearly had danger written all over it in giant glowing letters.
I loved the characters in general. They are layered and flawed in a way that made them feel real, not like they were just there to move the mystery along. I especially enjoyed watching the group work together to avenge Stella’s sister’s death and figure out what was really going on. The friendship piece gave the story a lot of heart, and it helped balance out the darker mystical parts.
The pacing was a little slower than I usually have patience for. If I had been reading this during a busy week at home, I might have struggled more with that. But I read it while traveling, so I had nothing but time to settle in, and that worked in the book’s favor. It’s more of a slow-burn mystery than a race-to-the-finish kind of read.
I also think this is a great pick for a wide range of YA readers. The mystical elements are interesting and atmospheric without being too much, and the themes of friendship, grief, guilt, and trust give the story some emotional weight.
Overall, The Spiritualists is an atmospheric and character-focused YA mystery with ghosts, revenge, friendship, and a setting that does a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. A little slow for me at times, but still a really enjoyable read.
Stella was easily my favorite part. She can hear spirits, which sounds fascinating, but the book shows how lonely that would actually be. She is surrounded by voices all the time, but still feels completely alone. That hit harder than I expected. She is grieving her sister, carrying guilt, and trying to survive however she can, so I understood why she would be pulled into Pax’s offer, even when it clearly had danger written all over it in giant glowing letters.
I loved the characters in general. They are layered and flawed in a way that made them feel real, not like they were just there to move the mystery along. I especially enjoyed watching the group work together to avenge Stella’s sister’s death and figure out what was really going on. The friendship piece gave the story a lot of heart, and it helped balance out the darker mystical parts.
The pacing was a little slower than I usually have patience for. If I had been reading this during a busy week at home, I might have struggled more with that. But I read it while traveling, so I had nothing but time to settle in, and that worked in the book’s favor. It’s more of a slow-burn mystery than a race-to-the-finish kind of read.
I also think this is a great pick for a wide range of YA readers. The mystical elements are interesting and atmospheric without being too much, and the themes of friendship, grief, guilt, and trust give the story some emotional weight.
Overall, The Spiritualists is an atmospheric and character-focused YA mystery with ghosts, revenge, friendship, and a setting that does a lot of heavy lifting in the best way. A little slow for me at times, but still a really enjoyable read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5/5
Okay first things first…have you SEEN this cover?? GAH, she sure is purty.😍✨
The second I saw comparisons to Divine Rivals I was immediately excited to read this bad boy!
✨ Quick overview of what the book is about:
This story mixes magic, mystery, spiritualism and witchy elements together. The characters become tangled in secrets in a world where supernatural vibes are vibin. I am ALWAYS a sucker for witchy vibes!
What I really enjoyed most about this one was the concept. I liked that it had an eerie atmosphere. I also really loved the overall IDEA of this story. The spiritualism, the magic and the eerie vibes were right on par with my mood! Kristin totally nailed that atmosphere for me. It had this spooky, mystical feeling throughout the book that honestly made me think, “Yep…this would be perfect for spooky season”
✨ what worked for me and what were the highlights:
🔮 witchy/spiritualist vibes
🖤 mysterious tone
✨ unique magical concepts
📚 intriguing premise
😍 absolutely stunning aesthetic/cover
All that said though, this one was not a perfect fit for me. There were times I felt confused and it wasn't just one set part. There were a few times I had to page back some to see if I missed something. I am not sure if it was a "me thing" or if it was the writing. I'd be curious to hear what others think once they read this book!
I also just wanted a teeny bit more from the characters. I really feel like there was a lot of potential between them BUT the chemistry for me was just lacking a bit. It's not that I didn't like them...I did! I just kept wishing for a little extra oompf to really make me obsessed with them.
That being said, I still genuinely enjoyed this book...but it was more of a "like not love" vibe. It’s one of those books where the atmosphere and ideas absolutely shine though so I think readers who love some witchy fantasy will have a really good time with it.
This would be good for any reader who loves:
🔮 witchy/paranormal vibes
✨ atmospheric fantasy
📚 stories with spiritualism and secrets
Okay first things first…have you SEEN this cover?? GAH, she sure is purty.😍✨
The second I saw comparisons to Divine Rivals I was immediately excited to read this bad boy!
✨ Quick overview of what the book is about:
This story mixes magic, mystery, spiritualism and witchy elements together. The characters become tangled in secrets in a world where supernatural vibes are vibin. I am ALWAYS a sucker for witchy vibes!
What I really enjoyed most about this one was the concept. I liked that it had an eerie atmosphere. I also really loved the overall IDEA of this story. The spiritualism, the magic and the eerie vibes were right on par with my mood! Kristin totally nailed that atmosphere for me. It had this spooky, mystical feeling throughout the book that honestly made me think, “Yep…this would be perfect for spooky season”
✨ what worked for me and what were the highlights:
🔮 witchy/spiritualist vibes
🖤 mysterious tone
✨ unique magical concepts
📚 intriguing premise
😍 absolutely stunning aesthetic/cover
All that said though, this one was not a perfect fit for me. There were times I felt confused and it wasn't just one set part. There were a few times I had to page back some to see if I missed something. I am not sure if it was a "me thing" or if it was the writing. I'd be curious to hear what others think once they read this book!
I also just wanted a teeny bit more from the characters. I really feel like there was a lot of potential between them BUT the chemistry for me was just lacking a bit. It's not that I didn't like them...I did! I just kept wishing for a little extra oompf to really make me obsessed with them.
That being said, I still genuinely enjoyed this book...but it was more of a "like not love" vibe. It’s one of those books where the atmosphere and ideas absolutely shine though so I think readers who love some witchy fantasy will have a really good time with it.
This would be good for any reader who loves:
🔮 witchy/paranormal vibes
✨ atmospheric fantasy
📚 stories with spiritualism and secrets
May 29, 2026
Thank you to the publisher for a free physical ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a bit of a hard one to follow. It’s supposed to be a heist and I guess it is but it felt rather lackluster. I think my favorite part about any heist book is actually how they do it all, though, and I think this book does a her job explaining that. I did enjoy the found family, and that Stella and Pax found each other when they did and when they needed to the most, united by a cause.
Despite that, I wasn’t convinced of their romance at all. I thought this book would take a darker turn, especially with a lot of mentions of the “Dark Trio” but there really wasn’t a lot of explanation at all. Did I just completely miss the part about why Stella can hear the dead? I feel like it wasn’t mentioned at all, and that left me feeling a little miffed at the end.
Truthfully, the only reason this received a full 3 stars are the last couple of chapters and how everything wrapped up. I feel like Stella and Pax finally found their version of peace, and it was definitely something Stella desperately needed.
This was a bit of a hard one to follow. It’s supposed to be a heist and I guess it is but it felt rather lackluster. I think my favorite part about any heist book is actually how they do it all, though, and I think this book does a her job explaining that. I did enjoy the found family, and that Stella and Pax found each other when they did and when they needed to the most, united by a cause.
Despite that, I wasn’t convinced of their romance at all. I thought this book would take a darker turn, especially with a lot of mentions of the “Dark Trio” but there really wasn’t a lot of explanation at all. Did I just completely miss the part about why Stella can hear the dead? I feel like it wasn’t mentioned at all, and that left me feeling a little miffed at the end.
Truthfully, the only reason this received a full 3 stars are the last couple of chapters and how everything wrapped up. I feel like Stella and Pax finally found their version of peace, and it was definitely something Stella desperately needed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A heart-felt heist built on found family and gilded with ghostly magic.
Is revenge worth staining your soul for? That's the question Stella has to answer as she follows Pax and searches desperately for her sister's voice among the dead who will not leave her alone.
This book is wonderful and heart-felt. Stella's ability to hear the dead allows her to make a living giving seances and readings in New York City in 1912. The setting is a character in its own right, and Stella and Pax's story is one of budding romance alongside the planning of a heist and a struggle for revenge and justice. The side characters are delightful (including the cat!), and the bonds built between the members of this crew are the perfect balance to the ghostly darkness following Stella and Pax at every turn.
Is revenge worth staining your soul for? That's the question Stella has to answer as she follows Pax and searches desperately for her sister's voice among the dead who will not leave her alone.
This book is wonderful and heart-felt. Stella's ability to hear the dead allows her to make a living giving seances and readings in New York City in 1912. The setting is a character in its own right, and Stella and Pax's story is one of budding romance alongside the planning of a heist and a struggle for revenge and justice. The side characters are delightful (including the cat!), and the bonds built between the members of this crew are the perfect balance to the ghostly darkness following Stella and Pax at every turn.
March 18, 2026
This had cool witchy vibes, specifically the readings of the future and spirits talking through the main character at the beginning. The authors note at the end of the book is definitely worth reading.
I did enjoy this book but at times I thought some of the writing was a little confusing. It might just be a me thing but some of the chemistry between the characters just felt underdeveloped. I liked the premise of this story a lot but the more historical aspects weren’t my cup of tea.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person (some parts in third person)
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Maybe
Favorite Character(s): Pax
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🧿🔮🪬
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Minor: Death, Violence, Grief, Classism
I did enjoy this book but at times I thought some of the writing was a little confusing. It might just be a me thing but some of the chemistry between the characters just felt underdeveloped. I liked the premise of this story a lot but the more historical aspects weren’t my cup of tea.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person (some parts in third person)
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Maybe
Favorite Character(s): Pax
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🧿🔮🪬
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Minor: Death, Violence, Grief, Classism
Read
April 30, 2026Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.
I absolutely adore Tubb’s writing style. She is fanciful, deliberate and so precise with her words. With each of her books that I read, I fall more in love with her books.
Her characters also are flawed but flawless. None of them are perfect, but all of them are lovable and real. Stella is no exception. She joins this merry band of bandits out of love for her sister, who died in the Shirtwaist Factory fire. She joins Pax, Nirav, Kiyoko, William, and Clarice to avenge her sister’s death, while the others each have their own reasons. Madcap heist hijinks ensue.
Tubb’s books are always filled with heart. This a great book to move readers from middle grade to young adult. Reader will lii on be the mystical aspect and the tender romance as well as the friendship that forms among the characters. I highly recommend for a mystical murder mystery.
I absolutely adore Tubb’s writing style. She is fanciful, deliberate and so precise with her words. With each of her books that I read, I fall more in love with her books.
Her characters also are flawed but flawless. None of them are perfect, but all of them are lovable and real. Stella is no exception. She joins this merry band of bandits out of love for her sister, who died in the Shirtwaist Factory fire. She joins Pax, Nirav, Kiyoko, William, and Clarice to avenge her sister’s death, while the others each have their own reasons. Madcap heist hijinks ensue.
Tubb’s books are always filled with heart. This a great book to move readers from middle grade to young adult. Reader will lii on be the mystical aspect and the tender romance as well as the friendship that forms among the characters. I highly recommend for a mystical murder mystery.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This story just wasn't for me. The original premise had me but I found myself confused by where the story was heading more than a few times and the historical elements did not spark the story movement forward as I they should've. There were many things that were likable about it including the beautiful cover art. I enjoyed the concept of having Spirit speaking to our MC but it stopped being interesting and started to slow the story about halfway through. I would've loved more scene-work from the character Pax. That said, I feel like there are readers out there who would love this story. The writer has great potential and I look forward to reading more from Tubb in the future.
#TheSpiritualists #NetGalley #Simon&Schuster
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheSpiritualists #NetGalley #Simon&Schuster
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thoroughly enjoyed this one even though at times it was a tad confusing. Well developed characters and good pacing. I mean I am a sucker for this kinda thing and thought author took a unique twist on the genre. Good historical accuracy and liked how she brought it into the story. Took a bit to get into and the multiple POV's I think could have been edited better but what the hell do I know I cannot even write an intelligent review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was a book that I thought I was going to love but it just did not grip me the way that I expected. The premise was great but there were a lot of missed opportunities around character development, plot consistency, and historical elements.
I found the way the story was printed to be confusing and I did not buy the chemistry from any of the characters.
I found the way the story was printed to be confusing and I did not buy the chemistry from any of the characters.
April 25, 2026
While I liked the vibes, the future telling, and the spirits throughout the book; I feel like the chemistry wasn’t there and was being forced.
This was easy to read and it flowed and I really liked the FMC; I just think she was better off single or with someone else. I loved the found family and the mystery though. I think others with enjoy this book too.
This was easy to read and it flowed and I really liked the FMC; I just think she was better off single or with someone else. I loved the found family and the mystery though. I think others with enjoy this book too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Really enjoyed this one and quickly grew to adore the characters who were initially individuals with gifts that were lovers and probably considered misfits by society. Then Pax brings them together and they end up forming a family.
This book is aimed at Teens & YA but honestly the GF Adlt market is missing out if they don't read this one. I'm well past being a teen and loved it!
This book is aimed at Teens & YA but honestly the GF Adlt market is missing out if they don't read this one. I'm well past being a teen and loved it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Spiritualists by Tubb had an intriguing premise and a setting I wanted to love. The dark, mystical streets of early 1900s New York felt atmospheric and rich. Stella is a compelling character, and her psychic abilities added some genuinely interesting tension to the story. That said, I felt the plot sometimes dragged and the pacing made it hard to stay fully invested, especially as the mystery unfolded. The romance and revenge arcs were uneven, and some twists didn’t land as strongly as they could have. Overall, an okay read with potential, but it didn’t fully captivate me.
Thank you for the gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you for the gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 20, 2026
Thank you to Kristin O’Donnell Tubb and NetGalley for the ARC. This story was super unique, and I really liked that it was YA—I honestly haven’t read anything quite like it before. Stella’s abilities play a big role in the story, and at first it took a bit of getting used to because I wasn’t sure if it was referring to a specific spirit or the Spirit they were talking about.
Stella is a stubborn character who tends to jump to conclusions a bit too quickly, which can be frustrating at times since she overlooks the fact that others can have their own struggles as well. She does have a tragic past, though, which helps explain some of her behavior.
I immediately liked Pax, the MMC, honestly, more than Stella, lol. However, Pax is driven by revenge, which adds tension their dynamic. In contrast, Stella does have strong morals and often relies on the guidance of the spirits.
Overall, it was an interesting read with a very unique concept, but I do wish there had been more world-building and deeper character development for Stella to make the story feel more immersive.
Stella is a stubborn character who tends to jump to conclusions a bit too quickly, which can be frustrating at times since she overlooks the fact that others can have their own struggles as well. She does have a tragic past, though, which helps explain some of her behavior.
I immediately liked Pax, the MMC, honestly, more than Stella, lol. However, Pax is driven by revenge, which adds tension their dynamic. In contrast, Stella does have strong morals and often relies on the guidance of the spirits.
Overall, it was an interesting read with a very unique concept, but I do wish there had been more world-building and deeper character development for Stella to make the story feel more immersive.
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