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The Last Death Poet
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26
'I know about the visions. I have your camera. Call me. Please.'
When Michael is uprooted to his mum’s hometown of Belfast, he isn’t just hoping for a fresh start. He’s determined to discover the truth about his dad’s mysterious absence. But from the moment he arrives, he’s plagued with visions of the city’s troubled past.
Michael begins settling into his new life and even meets a boy who helps erase the painful memories of his ex. But as the visions grow stronger and more intense, the only person he can really confide in is his new friend Meg.
As Meg delves into the supernatural source of the visions, Michael begins to question whether events of the past are linked to his dad’s disappearance.
Can he use his powers to find his dad before he’s gone forever?
When Michael is uprooted to his mum’s hometown of Belfast, he isn’t just hoping for a fresh start. He’s determined to discover the truth about his dad’s mysterious absence. But from the moment he arrives, he’s plagued with visions of the city’s troubled past.
Michael begins settling into his new life and even meets a boy who helps erase the painful memories of his ex. But as the visions grow stronger and more intense, the only person he can really confide in is his new friend Meg.
As Meg delves into the supernatural source of the visions, Michael begins to question whether events of the past are linked to his dad’s disappearance.
Can he use his powers to find his dad before he’s gone forever?
- GenresYoung AdultFantasyLGBT
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
✰ 3.5 stars ✰
I loved the mystery aspect; it was cleverly built up on, ramping up the suspense and intrigue in this really intense way as Michael's visions of the past began upon returning to his hometown in Ireland, and the desperation and tension it incited in him to figure out what he was meant to see in these spot-the-difference puzzles. It was enthralling, and I was gripped. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
17yo Michael was a good craic: considerate and perceptive and brave in the face of danger. His longing to understand what led to his father's mysterious disappearance - an invisible presence that can’t be ignored - was palpable. 😢 I didn't fault him for feeling more connected to his father as he tried to understand the reason behind his newfound talent and the strange phenomena occurring around him.
Michael's scenes with Paul, a hot walking emotional tsunami with wicked dimples, were adorable and cute. 😊 This crush will end me! As much as I would have liked the romance to have walked a different beat, I don't mind that the author kept it as he did. It felt more real, allowing Michael to become more assured of the role he wants in a relationship. 🙂↕️
Cormac wins the award for best cousin ever - good spirits and genuinely happy to have me here. 🫂 I enjoyed Meg and Michael's dynamic - fun and fresh. She was an interesting character, but I'm still a little unclear on certain aspects of her behavior that caught everyone off-guard. 😟
“We’re still here, trying to heal wounds we don’t even know exist.”
The message is an important one. How history should be remembered and retold, for the voices of those who lived it are silenced, buried away, and forgotten. To learn from past experiences so we won't be doomed for it to repeat. 🥺 And for a place rich in its own Troubles, I liked how the author incorporated the dissonance of Belfast's past into Michael's own personal family history.
As much as I liked how Irish folklore and mythology were mixed in with the paranormal horror, how it was conveyed at the end felt a bit confusing. 🤔 A bit info-dump-like, followed by a sudden onslaught of images and visions that made the explanations of the supernatural elements slightly confusing for me.
It's also not always easy to describe action visually. While the start was very strong and easy to follow, the finale lacked clarity in its details. It also felt a little too quickly settled, and I felt that there were some plot points that remained unexplained. 🙍🏻♀️
Still, it was a very engaging YA debut by an author who wrote something unique and different. 👏🏻 The characters and relationships felt believable, and Michael's honest hopefulness really was the strength of the story. That one scene between him and his father—the raw emotions in his words really did almost bring tears to my eyes. 🤧
“We are in all stories as sure as every person has a shadow. The filí báis keep the fire burning in us all.”
I loved the mystery aspect; it was cleverly built up on, ramping up the suspense and intrigue in this really intense way as Michael's visions of the past began upon returning to his hometown in Ireland, and the desperation and tension it incited in him to figure out what he was meant to see in these spot-the-difference puzzles. It was enthralling, and I was gripped. 🤌🏻🤌🏻
17yo Michael was a good craic: considerate and perceptive and brave in the face of danger. His longing to understand what led to his father's mysterious disappearance - an invisible presence that can’t be ignored - was palpable. 😢 I didn't fault him for feeling more connected to his father as he tried to understand the reason behind his newfound talent and the strange phenomena occurring around him.
Michael's scenes with Paul, a hot walking emotional tsunami with wicked dimples, were adorable and cute. 😊 This crush will end me! As much as I would have liked the romance to have walked a different beat, I don't mind that the author kept it as he did. It felt more real, allowing Michael to become more assured of the role he wants in a relationship. 🙂↕️
Cormac wins the award for best cousin ever - good spirits and genuinely happy to have me here. 🫂 I enjoyed Meg and Michael's dynamic - fun and fresh. She was an interesting character, but I'm still a little unclear on certain aspects of her behavior that caught everyone off-guard. 😟
“We’re still here, trying to heal wounds we don’t even know exist.”
The message is an important one. How history should be remembered and retold, for the voices of those who lived it are silenced, buried away, and forgotten. To learn from past experiences so we won't be doomed for it to repeat. 🥺 And for a place rich in its own Troubles, I liked how the author incorporated the dissonance of Belfast's past into Michael's own personal family history.
As much as I liked how Irish folklore and mythology were mixed in with the paranormal horror, how it was conveyed at the end felt a bit confusing. 🤔 A bit info-dump-like, followed by a sudden onslaught of images and visions that made the explanations of the supernatural elements slightly confusing for me.
It's also not always easy to describe action visually. While the start was very strong and easy to follow, the finale lacked clarity in its details. It also felt a little too quickly settled, and I felt that there were some plot points that remained unexplained. 🙍🏻♀️
Still, it was a very engaging YA debut by an author who wrote something unique and different. 👏🏻 The characters and relationships felt believable, and Michael's honest hopefulness really was the strength of the story. That one scene between him and his father—the raw emotions in his words really did almost bring tears to my eyes. 🤧
March 20, 2026
Michael is fifteen going on sixteen when his mother uproots their family to move back to her hometown: Belfast. Not long ago, Michael's father vanished and no one will tell him anything about why. He misses his friend/sometimes more than friend, Ben, even if Ben wasn't the best and kindest in either role. His mother's family welcomes him in, and he meets Meg, who becomes a fast friend, and Paul, who has gorgeous dimples and a wicked smile. Most dramatically, however, Michael has started having dark visions of the past involving a screaming woman with long, dark hair. He's able to record his visions with a camera, if he's quick, but otherwise the memories fade. He has no idea what's happening to him, but is sure it has something to do with his father's disappearance and the secrets his family—his grandmother in particular—seem determined to keep from him.
The Last Death Poet is a beautiful, emotionally powerful story of grief, rage and discovery: of personal history as it merges with the political and the self. I was incredibly impressed by how well Stephen Daly weaves sophisticated ideas around the ways political rage interacts with morality and mental health, but presents them in ways that are accessible to a YA audience without ever feeling patronising. There are so many wonderful things to experience in this novel.
Michael is an instantly loveable character. He's sweet and brave and emotionally vulnerable and it was hard to see him go through some of the things he had to go through in this story, but wonderful to see him come through and grow in the end. I loved his friendships with Meg and Paul and his cousin Cormac (who are all great characters in their own rights). They felt very believable. I loved feeling embedded in Belfast's culture and history. The setting felt vivd and alive. The supernatural aspects were beautifully written and truly scary at times.
The story kept me hooked the whole way through. I loved seeing they mysteries unravel, I loved learning about Irish mythology. The Last Death Poet is a wonderful book with a whole variety of things to offer and I can't recommend it enough. Give it to the teenage readers in your life. Buy it for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
The Last Death Poet is a beautiful, emotionally powerful story of grief, rage and discovery: of personal history as it merges with the political and the self. I was incredibly impressed by how well Stephen Daly weaves sophisticated ideas around the ways political rage interacts with morality and mental health, but presents them in ways that are accessible to a YA audience without ever feeling patronising. There are so many wonderful things to experience in this novel.
Michael is an instantly loveable character. He's sweet and brave and emotionally vulnerable and it was hard to see him go through some of the things he had to go through in this story, but wonderful to see him come through and grow in the end. I loved his friendships with Meg and Paul and his cousin Cormac (who are all great characters in their own rights). They felt very believable. I loved feeling embedded in Belfast's culture and history. The setting felt vivd and alive. The supernatural aspects were beautifully written and truly scary at times.
The story kept me hooked the whole way through. I loved seeing they mysteries unravel, I loved learning about Irish mythology. The Last Death Poet is a wonderful book with a whole variety of things to offer and I can't recommend it enough. Give it to the teenage readers in your life. Buy it for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
April 5, 2026
I had The Last Death Poet pre-ordered as the combination of cover and title spoke to me!
This is a debut by Northern Irish writer Stephen Daly.
Belfast is revealed in all its conflicting splendour: there are mammies whose kettles never cool; towns where everyone knows each other (& each other’s business); grand architecture; and industrial heritage. There is also dogma and intergenerational trauma from the violence and division of the recent past.
Michael’s dad’s sudden (but not entirely out of character) disappearance, prompts the family to move to Belfast from England to be nearer relatives.
Before he has even set foot on the ground, Michael has a terrifying vision that seems to be a glimpse into history. The visions continue, tormenting Michael as they seize him in their grip, relaying scenes of violence and suffering from the city’s past.
Meanwhile, Michael is trying to be a normal teenager. He’s making friends and even finding ways to forget about his ex, Ben, & their difficult relationship. Try as he might, he cannot escape the visions, & as he begins to understand what is going on, he realises he must confront, not evade, what is happening to him.
The Last Death Poet has many layers. It’s a queer coming-of-age story. It’s also a celebration of storytelling: I loved the way the mythological and the mundane collide here, bringing folklore and and fantasy into the city centre. It also has some serious points to make about who controls the narrative, and whose histories we learn; about the persistence of intergenerational trauma and the need to bear witness, no matter how painful.
All that said, there are still lots of laughs throughout! Gallows humour and all that!
It’s a fantastic debut & I’m keen to read whatever the author writes next!
This is a debut by Northern Irish writer Stephen Daly.
Belfast is revealed in all its conflicting splendour: there are mammies whose kettles never cool; towns where everyone knows each other (& each other’s business); grand architecture; and industrial heritage. There is also dogma and intergenerational trauma from the violence and division of the recent past.
Michael’s dad’s sudden (but not entirely out of character) disappearance, prompts the family to move to Belfast from England to be nearer relatives.
Before he has even set foot on the ground, Michael has a terrifying vision that seems to be a glimpse into history. The visions continue, tormenting Michael as they seize him in their grip, relaying scenes of violence and suffering from the city’s past.
Meanwhile, Michael is trying to be a normal teenager. He’s making friends and even finding ways to forget about his ex, Ben, & their difficult relationship. Try as he might, he cannot escape the visions, & as he begins to understand what is going on, he realises he must confront, not evade, what is happening to him.
The Last Death Poet has many layers. It’s a queer coming-of-age story. It’s also a celebration of storytelling: I loved the way the mythological and the mundane collide here, bringing folklore and and fantasy into the city centre. It also has some serious points to make about who controls the narrative, and whose histories we learn; about the persistence of intergenerational trauma and the need to bear witness, no matter how painful.
All that said, there are still lots of laughs throughout! Gallows humour and all that!
It’s a fantastic debut & I’m keen to read whatever the author writes next!
January 22, 2026
i was so privileged to have been given a proof copy of this book from my ma after she interviewed stephen and oh my, she knewwwwww id love this. a queer urban fantasy based in belfast???? SIGN ME UP. i absolutely devoured this book & it was so fun reading about my wee hometown with such a fun twist. iv never read anything like it! it really struck me that even though the supernatural elements in this were telling one story, i couldnt help but compare the parallels to the divide we (STILL!!!!) have up north. 😭 it really was so brilliantly done. its so true how we grow up here and the history of our country gets brushed aside, no matter what side ur on. the story needs to be told and its so important!!!!!! i cant fault this book & i can only hope theres maybe more from these fab characters in the future? yeah ima recommend this to everyone when it comes out & im so excited to go to the book launch in april. 🥹🤍 UPPAAAA IRISH! ☘️🇮🇪
'𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭í 𝘣á𝘪𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦
𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵.'
“𝙎𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚, 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣.”
'𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘭í 𝘣á𝘪𝘴. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦
𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵.'
“𝙎𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚, 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣.”
April 10, 2026
I received a review copy from the publisher in preparation for an upcoming UKYASpotlight interview. It has not affected my opinions.
THE LAST DEATH POET is a stunning debut.
This was such an interesting way to explore Irish mythology, specifically The Morrigan. It's not a book where the stories of the past are playing out and the characters find themselves the heroes of this new iteration of the tale - the most common set up for contemporary mythology-based stories. Instead it looks at the import of story telling itself within the mythology. It's a really quite dark dark on it, in an engaging and mesmerising way.
Though he is Irish, Michael has never lived in Ireland, making him somewhat of an outsider. It was a really interesting perspective to have in the book as Michael has this disconnect with the country's history and his own family's history. It makes the visions more jarring and overwhelming as they're so tied to both.
It is not a book about The Troubles but it does touch on them, and the intergenerational trauma from the centuries of English colonial rule. The family impacts is the focus of the narrative, not the exact events of the past. It really honed in on the human cost of the conflict.
For all that it is quite a dark story at times, there is also a lot of light, primarily through family. Michael is staying with his mum's family and I loved their relationships. It's not the easiest of things, and no one is perfect, but there was such a sense of love and support in that house, which I loved. It was a particularly nice counterpoint to the very difficult relationships on Michael's dad's side.
It's also a queer story. It doesn't all resolve with a nice little romance, but is a more complex story of working out a bit more about who you are and what you want from relationships. I liked that Michael hasn't come to the end of that journey at the end - he's still a teen, he's still going to learn a lot more about himself in the coming decades. I think it's unrealistic of fiction to imply we do know all that by the time we hit 18!
Meg is such a complex character. She's Michael's closest friend made in Ireland - and I loved seeing a m/f friendship without a single romantic element (though naturally several people around them assume there must be.) She also is so flawed. She is a great friend but also pushes him - and often too much.
THE LAST DEATH POET is a stunning debut.
This was such an interesting way to explore Irish mythology, specifically The Morrigan. It's not a book where the stories of the past are playing out and the characters find themselves the heroes of this new iteration of the tale - the most common set up for contemporary mythology-based stories. Instead it looks at the import of story telling itself within the mythology. It's a really quite dark dark on it, in an engaging and mesmerising way.
Though he is Irish, Michael has never lived in Ireland, making him somewhat of an outsider. It was a really interesting perspective to have in the book as Michael has this disconnect with the country's history and his own family's history. It makes the visions more jarring and overwhelming as they're so tied to both.
It is not a book about The Troubles but it does touch on them, and the intergenerational trauma from the centuries of English colonial rule. The family impacts is the focus of the narrative, not the exact events of the past. It really honed in on the human cost of the conflict.
For all that it is quite a dark story at times, there is also a lot of light, primarily through family. Michael is staying with his mum's family and I loved their relationships. It's not the easiest of things, and no one is perfect, but there was such a sense of love and support in that house, which I loved. It was a particularly nice counterpoint to the very difficult relationships on Michael's dad's side.
It's also a queer story. It doesn't all resolve with a nice little romance, but is a more complex story of working out a bit more about who you are and what you want from relationships. I liked that Michael hasn't come to the end of that journey at the end - he's still a teen, he's still going to learn a lot more about himself in the coming decades. I think it's unrealistic of fiction to imply we do know all that by the time we hit 18!
Meg is such a complex character. She's Michael's closest friend made in Ireland - and I loved seeing a m/f friendship without a single romantic element (though naturally several people around them assume there must be.) She also is so flawed. She is a great friend but also pushes him - and often too much.
May 6, 2026
This book is amazing! It’s so absorbing that while I was doing coursework I told myself I’d take a break and just read one chapter of ‘The Last Death Poet’ then get back to work….. I ended up finishing the entire novel instead.
I love how realistic and three dimensional the characters are, and how they act and sound like they’re actually from NI. Cormac is my favourite character (I love this dramatic+genuinely kind guy) but Fiona is a close contender. I would be nervous being in the presence of that sassy all-knowing child. She is so wonderful.
The twist with Meg was eerily cool… it was especially horrifying realising that she (MAJOR SPOILERS. Do NOT keep reading this review if you haven’t finished the book yet) ate raw crow mean for the ritual, even though she’s vegan. That detail was so telling…. I have So Many Thoughts about Meg. (And that’s another great thing about this book!! It gives telling details about characters but it doesn’t tell you the full story, it gives the story room to breathe, it trusts you to put the pieces together yourself.)
Anyway, the fact that Meg was willing to compromise one of her core beliefs in the hopes of becoming special, becoming WORTHWHILE, is devastating (I mean this in a positive way. I loveeee when books break my heart) especially considering other details about her. Like how her parents don’t care what she does with her room as long as she keeps it tidy (which!!! Could be read as them not caring about her interests or personality as long as she maintains appearances. I may be stretching here. But in my defence there’s alsooo no evidence to say my interpretation is wrong.) Also, she can disappear to hang around outside Nanny Bet’s house yet her parents never call or ask her where she is.
Fantastic read. 10/10!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💜
I love how realistic and three dimensional the characters are, and how they act and sound like they’re actually from NI. Cormac is my favourite character (I love this dramatic+genuinely kind guy) but Fiona is a close contender. I would be nervous being in the presence of that sassy all-knowing child. She is so wonderful.
The twist with Meg was eerily cool… it was especially horrifying realising that she (MAJOR SPOILERS. Do NOT keep reading this review if you haven’t finished the book yet) ate raw crow mean for the ritual, even though she’s vegan. That detail was so telling…. I have So Many Thoughts about Meg. (And that’s another great thing about this book!! It gives telling details about characters but it doesn’t tell you the full story, it gives the story room to breathe, it trusts you to put the pieces together yourself.)
Anyway, the fact that Meg was willing to compromise one of her core beliefs in the hopes of becoming special, becoming WORTHWHILE, is devastating (I mean this in a positive way. I loveeee when books break my heart) especially considering other details about her. Like how her parents don’t care what she does with her room as long as she keeps it tidy (which!!! Could be read as them not caring about her interests or personality as long as she maintains appearances. I may be stretching here. But in my defence there’s alsooo no evidence to say my interpretation is wrong.) Also, she can disappear to hang around outside Nanny Bet’s house yet her parents never call or ask her where she is.
Fantastic read. 10/10!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟💜
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 14, 2026
The Last Death Poet is one of those books that grabs you and leads you confidently and precisely where it needs you to go. From the first page it's propulsive and lyrical, it's modern and immediate, and it's filled with a beautifully drawn and fully three-dimensional cast of characters led by the kind but unconfident MIchael, who's missing his home in London and his emotionally unavailable part-time boyfriend, Ben. There's cousin Connor – who brings the craic; new friend Meg, who encourages Michael to be himself by embracing art; and handsome Paul, to whom Michael is irresistibly drawn.
Belfast is so present in this story it also stands as a character, albeit one with many facets. There's the modern Belfast, asserting its dynamic and creative identity amid cultural progression and xenophobic riots. There's the traditional Belfast, filled with folklore and myth, peopled by sprawling, bantering, multi-generational families. There's the historic Belfast, still home to the Titanic, still deeply scarred by the troubles.
Against this backdrop, and through Michael's visions, we bear witness to the wounds we carry personally, those borne by family, and those suffered by a whole generation. But through a joyous celebration of Michael's creative expression, we see how art can help us understand trauma and even heal it.
Like the beauty and the energy of Belfast itself, The Last Death Poet will stay with you long after you've read it.
Belfast is so present in this story it also stands as a character, albeit one with many facets. There's the modern Belfast, asserting its dynamic and creative identity amid cultural progression and xenophobic riots. There's the traditional Belfast, filled with folklore and myth, peopled by sprawling, bantering, multi-generational families. There's the historic Belfast, still home to the Titanic, still deeply scarred by the troubles.
Against this backdrop, and through Michael's visions, we bear witness to the wounds we carry personally, those borne by family, and those suffered by a whole generation. But through a joyous celebration of Michael's creative expression, we see how art can help us understand trauma and even heal it.
Like the beauty and the energy of Belfast itself, The Last Death Poet will stay with you long after you've read it.
April 15, 2026
Some books feel like stories. Others feel like stepping into a city filled with secrets. The Last Death Poet by Stephen Daly is definitely the second kind.
Set in Belfast, this YA novel blends supernatural mystery, Irish mythology, and a deeply personal coming-of-age story. At the center is Michael, a teenager trying to figure out who he is while dealing with strange visions and a connection to something ancient and unsettling lurking beneath the city’s history. The story explores identity, belonging, grief, and the idea that the past never really disappears - it just waits to be remembered.
What makes this book stand out is its atmosphere. The city feels alive: dark streets, hidden stories, and whispers of folklore woven into modern life. The supernatural elements add an eerie edge, but the heart of the story is Michael’s journey of self-discovery and learning to accept himself.
If you enjoy YA that mixes mystery, mythology, and emotional depth, this is a great one to add to your TBR. It’s haunting, poetic, and thought-provoking; one of those books that stays with you even after the last page.
Set in Belfast, this YA novel blends supernatural mystery, Irish mythology, and a deeply personal coming-of-age story. At the center is Michael, a teenager trying to figure out who he is while dealing with strange visions and a connection to something ancient and unsettling lurking beneath the city’s history. The story explores identity, belonging, grief, and the idea that the past never really disappears - it just waits to be remembered.
What makes this book stand out is its atmosphere. The city feels alive: dark streets, hidden stories, and whispers of folklore woven into modern life. The supernatural elements add an eerie edge, but the heart of the story is Michael’s journey of self-discovery and learning to accept himself.
If you enjoy YA that mixes mystery, mythology, and emotional depth, this is a great one to add to your TBR. It’s haunting, poetic, and thought-provoking; one of those books that stays with you even after the last page.
April 9, 2026
3.5 🌟 I feel like this started off really well, it was quite engrossing, but, as it went on it kinda lost that. The ending seemed pretty abrupt and short.
I loved the setting, and the characters all had a really great dynamic. But, Meg really switched up. She was all friendly then became obsessed and like super dark, like a page later.
I liked Michael's independence and his ability to really define what he wanted in a relationship, it was honestly really brave. Paul just annoyed me.
Overall, I enjoyed this and would def recommend!
I loved the setting, and the characters all had a really great dynamic. But, Meg really switched up. She was all friendly then became obsessed and like super dark, like a page later.
I liked Michael's independence and his ability to really define what he wanted in a relationship, it was honestly really brave. Paul just annoyed me.
Overall, I enjoyed this and would def recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 27, 2026
You’ll be hearing a lot more about this book in the months to come. It’s a masterful blend: a sensitively-written LGBTQ+ contemporary coming-of-age which embraces Irish folklore, the horror of war and the supernatural.
I loved it for the big themes, but also the small stuff — the really, really, really small stuff: tiny delicious apposite images like: ‘I focus on the food in front of me, cutting up my egg like I’m diffusing a bomb.’
I loved it for the big themes, but also the small stuff — the really, really, really small stuff: tiny delicious apposite images like: ‘I focus on the food in front of me, cutting up my egg like I’m diffusing a bomb.’
November 19, 2025
This contemporary coming-of-age YA explores the legacy of the Troubles in Belfast with sensitivity and a supernatural slant. I especially enjoyed the fascinating (albeit terrifying!) nod to Irish folklore.
A wonderful must-read debut from a fabulous new talent.
A wonderful must-read debut from a fabulous new talent.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
such an incredible mix of contemporary with supernatural horror elements, all the while mixing Irish folklore and mythology with the troubled past of Belfast and the current very relevant issues in the world today
Review of advance copy
This had me hooked! I have never read anything quite like it, the dark fantasy, the witty humour, the romantic tension, the complex family dynamics - this book had it all. The ending had me ugly crying, but in the best way possible. My only criticism is that it's not a series as I want more 😭
April 8, 2026
The first half of the book was confusing, as I couldn't grasp the tone of the story.
I think maybe an urban fantasy tag would have prepared me more for what was to come. I loved the horror elements and the last 5 chapters more than the first part of the book.
I think maybe an urban fantasy tag would have prepared me more for what was to come. I loved the horror elements and the last 5 chapters more than the first part of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I can't think of a single other book this is like. Bit of contemporary, bit of paranormal horror, bit of history. Really well done and engaging all the way through.
April 7, 2026
Highly original, strong voice, an unputdownable novel.
April 29, 2026
3.5 stars, brilliant storytelling
April 13, 2026
Loved it. Very original. And a very very satisfying ending - I love books that have their main character go on a big character journey.
October 26, 2025
Got an early proof and I’ve been raving about this to everyone, I haven’t enjoyed a book so much in ages. It’s a queer urban fantasy about a West Belfast boy who starts having visions of Belfast’s troubled past and photographing them with his missing dad’s camera. It’s so cleverly constructed, weaving together distant and modern Irish history, Irish mythology, and the recent race riots without ever becoming grim or losing the sense of adventure. It covers so much important ground but treads so lightly - perfectly pitched for teens. I’d have loved it even if I wasn’t from here, but it feels very special and I think it’s going to resonate with so many local people. The history is handled beautifully and respectfully, the writing is utterly charming, the mythology is fricking terrifying, the romance and friendships are a perfect balance for the serious stuff, and the tension escalates relentlessly as the twists just keep coming. It’s such a fun read and heartbreaking at the same time. I can’t say enough good things about this book, I really couldn’t put it down and I’m predicting big things for it.
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