Persephone Green doesn’t have a heartbeat. In a country where the dead has eerily lurked among the living for nearly two decades, even she knows its absence is not normal.
In place of her heart, something inhuman stirs, an ancient ocean she discovers twinned in the chest of Sebastian, the charmingly bizarre new student. When they’re together, they attract ghosts like a beacon, and when they kiss, white flowers bloom in the dead, autumn ground.
To exhume the truth, Persephone and Bas travel across the Midwest to the deserted facility where it all began. Pursued across state lines by writhing swarms of ghosts, militant government agents, and—maybe worst of all—her mother, they unspool a tangled web of conspiracies. At its a divine and devastating truth.
Forced to choose between an imperfect life that’s wholly hers or an otherworldly responsibility older than time, the echoes of Persephone's decision will alter the fates of all souls—living and dead—forever.
Thrumming to a mythic beat, Cynthia Prith conjures a genre-bending vision where half the world are ghosts, war is a conspiracy, the weather's out of balance, and the dead kids gotta stick together. A romantic, exhilarating careen to the heart of necro country--Hadestown, meet Lockwood & Co. Welcome to the dying season.
I don’t usually read paranormal books, but this one sounded promising, so I gave it a try. BIG MISTAKE.
By ten percent in, I already couldn’t stand it.
I had absolutely no idea what was going on. Everything felt rushed and confusing, like the book expected me to magically understand the plot without actually explaining anything.
The main girl doesn’t have a heartbeat (she’s a ghost) but somehow lives in a world of humans, and then she randomly meets a boy just like her, also without a heartbeat (surprise surprise!). That could’ve been interesting, but I didn't even get what deal was between them. Her relationship with her mom is super strained too, and instead of being emotional, it was just irritating.
And then around the 70% mark, the government suddenly starts chasing her?? At that point, I didn't even care anymore. I skimmed through the last 30% just to be done with it.
Overall, this book was rushed, messy, and seriously disappointing. Definitely not for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for providing a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
I love Cynthia Prith's mind. The way she crafts stories, wields words, and sets the scene is downright masterful. If you've ever loved the writings of Kelly Andrew and C.G. Drews then you will absolutely love the flowing metaphors and the deep understanding of emotions that will have all those pretty words pulling at your heartstrings. The plot is foreboding, heartbreaking, and still manages to be beautiful even as the horrors close in on the finale. Persephone's spunk and teenage angst in the first part of the book is charming and endearing. I immediately knew that I would love her. All that initial fire in her personality at the beginning really allows the shift in her to be highlighted as the horrors and upset of the last act unfolds. If she didn't have Bas there with her, weathering the storm alongside her, she'd likely never have made it to the end. Their relationship is so precious. I can easily say that I wish there was more of them being as happy as 'dead kids' can be but I think there's a great skill in an author withholding an excess of fluff when 'just enough' does the job just fine. It's better to be left wanting more than to be wishing that the plot would come back into focus. And in All Her Ghosts the plot is never out of sight. There's the dread of decision and the fear of the end that looms over the romance subplot in a way that compels you to guard your heart as the story races towards the finale. I loved this book and I will ENDLESSLY recommend it to anyone who loves Hades and Persephone retellings, to anyone who loves masterfully crafted settings, and those who are a sucker beautiful prose. I am so grateful to have been given an ARC copy. I consumed this book in a single day. I just couldn't put it down.
All Her Ghosts is a haunting and emotionally resonant read that lingers long after the last page. Cynthia Prith weaves a story that balances psychological tension with deep emotional exploration, creating a narrative that feels both intimate and unsettling.
One of the book’s standout qualities is its atmosphere. The writing is immersive, often quiet and eerie, pulling the reader into a world where the past and present intertwine. The sense of place is strong — whether through physical settings or the emotional landscapes of the characters — and it perfectly complements the story’s ghostly, suspenseful elements.
The characters are complicated and believable, with emotional arcs that feel real and relatable. The protagonist, in particular, is a compelling presence, grappling with grief, memory, and secrets in ways that are both heartbreaking and compelling. The way Prith explores family dynamics, trauma, and the lingering effects of past mistakes is thoughtful and nuanced, making the story resonate on a deeper level.
Where the book loses a little momentum is in its pacing. Some sections are slow and introspective, which can momentarily pull the tension away from the central mystery. While these moments add depth to character development, they slightly disrupted the narrative flow for me.
Overall, All Her Ghosts is a well-crafted, emotionally charged read with a lingering sense of melancholy and mystery. The writing is evocative, the characters memorable, and the story compelling, making it a strong four-star recommendation for anyone who enjoys psychological suspense with emotional depth.
Persephone Green is like any other teenager. She rebels against her Mother; she has been to six schools in six different states over the last couple of years, and she loves listening to music. Oh, and she doesn't have a heartbeat. In a world where Ghosts roam where they died, and they can kill you if they touch you. They also ignore those around them, except they watch Persephone as she passes, though her Mother refuses to believe her. She is lonely, and sees little point in making new friends, as she assumes her Mother will move them again soon. She always does.
But then she meets Bas. He is new, and though they have never met before, Persephone feels like she knows him, deep in her soul. And he also doesn't have a heartbeat.
With the two of them together, great and powerful things start to happen, which puts them on the radar of those they have been kept hidden from their entire lives. But is it their entire lives, really?
This was a fun book, dark and beautiful, with that soul-crushing, deep love you can have for another person.
The story starts off very grounded in teenage emotion—angst, grief, and a difficult mother–daughter dynamic—which made it a slower start for me. But once the plot opens up, everything shifts. The growth in this book is intense and beautifully handled, and I quickly found myself completely invested.
Persephone and Sebastian’s relationship is strange, soft, and haunting. Their connection feels otherworldly without losing its emotional realism, and the supernatural elements add such a unique atmosphere to the story. I loved the way ghosts were used not just as horror, but as a symbol of unresolved grief and history.
Bonus points for being a standalone that actually feels complete. The ending wrapped everything up in a way that felt thoughtful, emotional, and satisfying.
If you like moody, genre-bending stories with heart, grief, and just a touch of cosmic horror, I’d definitely recommend this one.
Cynthia Prith’s debut, All Her Ghosts, is a hauntingly original YA fantasy that masterfully blends a "Hadestown" vibe with "Lockwood & Co." mystery. Set in a world where half the population are spirits, the story follows Persephone Green—a girl without a heartbeat—and the enigmatic Sebastian as they race to fix the mechanics of death before the government or her mother stops them.
The world-building is exceptional; the concept of "necro-country" feels vivid, eerie, and immersive. Prith’s prose is lyrical and mythic, perfectly capturing the "dying season" atmosphere. While the romance is exhilarating and high-stakes, I’m giving it four stars because the dense mythology occasionally requires a second read to fully grasp the rules of the world. Overall, it's a genre-bending standout for anyone who loves their supernatural tales with a dark, romantic edge.
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was excitingly different!
Imagine a world somewhat like Lockwood & Co. with the ghosts and spooky vibes, but also kind of 2007 USA vibes with the iPod, but instead of those a$$h0le love-interests, you have Sebastian and he is soooo adorably squeee! It was just so fun and refreshing! I just wish I'd read it during Halloween! It's such a spooky-vibes and autumn leaves kind of book! That first day of school kind of book. That let's run away together and save the world kind of book. That when we kiss asphodels bloom kind of book. It's such a mood.
Can't wait for Autumn, I'm gonna buy the hardback and read it again under warm cozy blankets with a caramel latte in my hand!
This book was such a ride! Eventful, full of love, grief, and ghosts. The writing was delightful. I've been looking for books with the theme this book explored through the romance for a VERY long time and it reminded me how much I love the dynamic and the familiarity between Jenny and Bas this theme brought. I only wish I had gotten more of the main characters, but that’s just me being greedy. The only reason it didn’t reach five stars is that I would’ve liked more focus on the romance near the end of the book, which is simply my personal preference and something most of my favorite books have in common. I really loved the ending; it felt perfect and wrapped the story up with a cute ribbon. Thank you Netgalley and Union Square & Co. for the e-ARC!
As per usual, Cynthia knocks it out of the park. Persephone Greene is another strong girl here to take you on a trip & help you learn about yourself. On top of it being an amazing story, the writing is full of yearning. She paints pictures with her words and knows how to capture emotion.