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Wilted Lily #2
Passages
Lily May Holloway can hear the thoughts of the living, and speak to the dead. She's done so since she was little, and been shunned for it.
As a new student at McMillan Hall, a private school with other teens who possess a variety of psychic gifts, she finds she isn't necessarily unique. Or safe.
Acceptance is no longer her only concern.
Staying alive is.
Passages, book 2 of the Wilted Lily series, picks up where Wilted Lilies left off...
As a new student at McMillan Hall, a private school with other teens who possess a variety of psychic gifts, she finds she isn't necessarily unique. Or safe.
Acceptance is no longer her only concern.
Staying alive is.
Passages, book 2 of the Wilted Lily series, picks up where Wilted Lilies left off...
- GenresHorror
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 9, 2019
12 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Kelli Owen
52 books152 followersKelli Owen writes dark fiction, thrillers, and suspense that explore characters, consequences, and the uneasy shadows of everyday life. Her novels dig into psychological tension, while her short fiction has earned her a reputation for sharp, character-driven storytelling in bite-sized doses of dread.
She has been a reviewer, editor, podcaster, and indie film producer, and has spoken at countless conventions and events, including the CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA about the craft and field of writing. Her work has appeared in anthologies and magazines alongside authors such as Stephen King, Robert McCammon, F. Paul Wilson, and Josh Malerman, and in multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated collections.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Kelli now lives in the dark woods of Pennsylvania. For news, updates, and the occasional ramble, visit www.kelliowen.com
She has been a reviewer, editor, podcaster, and indie film producer, and has spoken at countless conventions and events, including the CIA Headquarters in Langley, VA about the craft and field of writing. Her work has appeared in anthologies and magazines alongside authors such as Stephen King, Robert McCammon, F. Paul Wilson, and Josh Malerman, and in multiple Bram Stoker Award-nominated collections.
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Kelli now lives in the dark woods of Pennsylvania. For news, updates, and the occasional ramble, visit www.kelliowen.com
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 30, 2021
Sending in a review to SCREAM Mag. Check it out this summer. In the meantime, watch a reading from Kelli Owen of Book 2 in the Wilted Lily series here:
https://youtu.be/OheFt8chZfs
https://youtu.be/OheFt8chZfs
August 27, 2019
I always praise Kelli Owen’s skill with creating great characters because she never fails in getting me to really root for whom I need to root for. I love Lily May (eh…now just Lily) and I just want to protect her from all the pain in the world, both physical and mental. This poor child has seen and been through so much and to see she is no longer an outcast and is surrounded by peers that have various psychic powers pleases me to no end. Not only that, she has found a real live friend in her class/roommate Caroline. Are things finally turning around for her?
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Steve's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
August 27, 2019
I dig a lot about Passages' main character, Lily, but mostly what I find impressive is Kelli Owen’s ability to tug at your heartstrings with this girl’s history without overdoing it. Lily has dealt with some shit, and Owen expertly guides you through the girl’s life giving you just enough information for a very believable person without going over-the-top in an effort to make you compassionate.
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read my full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
March 26, 2020
Passages picks up right where Wilted Lilies left off; Lily May is being driven far from home, to Pennsylvania, where she will attend a school for children like her.
Other kids who have powers.
Lily soon discovers that not all of the residents of McMillan Hall have the same abilities she does, and not all of them are alive, either.
As Lily gets to know her classmates and her environment, mysteries new and old surface. A student goes missing. Another one dies. And Lily’s ghost friend, Tommy, tells them there are secret passageways in the walls where someone has been eating and sleeping.
Passages shows readers the world through Lily’s eyes, as she’s discovering it. In Wilted Lilies we were not in her POV, which means that this work gives us a chance to know her better and understand her thinking. We also start to get a sense of her fears, and the things in McMillan Hall that even scare Tommy.
The genius of this story is that it builds to a shocking resolution. The details and events are layered in, setting the stage and building the tension. There’s a growing sense of dread as you turn the pages, because you know something bad is coming, but you don’t know what. Approaching the story this way strengthens the connection to Lily as our protagonist, because we have the same sense of shock with each surprise discovery.
While this series may be classified as psychic thriller or ghost thriller, it should be noted that it follows a teenager and has strong YA appeal. It’s a mix of YA, psychic/ghost thriller and horror, with a bit of mystery splashed in for good measure. This is a series that should have wide appeal to a large audience. Come for more of Lily May, stay to explore the world she finds herself in and a stunning array of abilities that pose real threats to the students themselves, as well as anyone they may come in contact with. There are also plenty of seeds planted here that leave room for a continuation, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Lily and her new friends in the wake of the dramatic conclusion to this book.
Other kids who have powers.
Lily soon discovers that not all of the residents of McMillan Hall have the same abilities she does, and not all of them are alive, either.
As Lily gets to know her classmates and her environment, mysteries new and old surface. A student goes missing. Another one dies. And Lily’s ghost friend, Tommy, tells them there are secret passageways in the walls where someone has been eating and sleeping.
Passages shows readers the world through Lily’s eyes, as she’s discovering it. In Wilted Lilies we were not in her POV, which means that this work gives us a chance to know her better and understand her thinking. We also start to get a sense of her fears, and the things in McMillan Hall that even scare Tommy.
The genius of this story is that it builds to a shocking resolution. The details and events are layered in, setting the stage and building the tension. There’s a growing sense of dread as you turn the pages, because you know something bad is coming, but you don’t know what. Approaching the story this way strengthens the connection to Lily as our protagonist, because we have the same sense of shock with each surprise discovery.
While this series may be classified as psychic thriller or ghost thriller, it should be noted that it follows a teenager and has strong YA appeal. It’s a mix of YA, psychic/ghost thriller and horror, with a bit of mystery splashed in for good measure. This is a series that should have wide appeal to a large audience. Come for more of Lily May, stay to explore the world she finds herself in and a stunning array of abilities that pose real threats to the students themselves, as well as anyone they may come in contact with. There are also plenty of seeds planted here that leave room for a continuation, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for Lily and her new friends in the wake of the dramatic conclusion to this book.
April 4, 2020
With this book, Owen has expanded Lily's story, began in Wilted Lilies. While book one was quite short and focused mainly on what happened to Lily and her unique abilities, Passages is a little longer and takes place in a school for gifted children, like Lily. Here we find children with similar abilities, and some with very different abilities. But there is something dangerous in our heroine's midst, and she must join forces with her new friends to solve the mystery before something terrible happens.
It has a certain Harry Potter vibe to it, with a new child in an unusual school surrounding and exploring a new world of possibilities. But I would say it is probably aimed at teenagers and older. And the characters are definitely more believable in Passages.
It did feel like quite an abrupt ending, after spending much of the book setting up this new world. But I imagine it would be explored in book 3 (please, Miss Owen, let there be a book 3 soon!).
It has a certain Harry Potter vibe to it, with a new child in an unusual school surrounding and exploring a new world of possibilities. But I would say it is probably aimed at teenagers and older. And the characters are definitely more believable in Passages.
It did feel like quite an abrupt ending, after spending much of the book setting up this new world. But I imagine it would be explored in book 3 (please, Miss Owen, let there be a book 3 soon!).
November 29, 2025
the first book really set my standards super duper high, this picks off right at the end of the first book but it follows lily as she navigates going to a school with people like her. this was just a bit boring, lot of character introductions and relationship building, i was left wanting so much more. not even a bad book, just not as good as the first one
September 6, 2019
Can't wait for the next one!
Lily just gets better as you read. A wonderful character along with her pal Tommy, she is whisked away from one bad scene to the next with spot on characterization of the school that will become her home until she graduates. Although she is amongst people that have abilities similar to hers, she is still leary of everyone's motives. Excellent story!
Lily just gets better as you read. A wonderful character along with her pal Tommy, she is whisked away from one bad scene to the next with spot on characterization of the school that will become her home until she graduates. Although she is amongst people that have abilities similar to hers, she is still leary of everyone's motives. Excellent story!
January 23, 2021
When Lily May is taken from the police station from book 1, she lands at a school for gifted children. Soon after her arrival, one of the children disappears and Lily May and her new friend Caroline find themselves in a mystery.
There are quite a few characters in this short book, which is my only complaint. It was hard to remember who was who among the secondary sometimes. However, the main characters were lively and the single viewpoint - Lily May - kept the mystery and the plot moving right along.
There are quite a few characters in this short book, which is my only complaint. It was hard to remember who was who among the secondary sometimes. However, the main characters were lively and the single viewpoint - Lily May - kept the mystery and the plot moving right along.
February 16, 2021
While I enjoyed this book, it felt incomplete and a piece of a bigger story. Passages picks up right where Wilted Lily left off as Lily starts her first day at a school where all the kids have some kind of special ability. Kelli Owen creates some great characters here, but the story abruptly end with no explanation or insight into a couple of things. I hope this is setting up for Book 3 in the series, but overall, it left too much hanging open. 3 stars, but if the book sets up a stellar Book 3, I could bump it up to 4 stars.
December 18, 2025
It was great to continue the journey with Lilly as she has now been taken to a school that houses kids like her that have special abilities (and some ghosts). Her unalived friend ,Tommy, has followed her there and both are enjoying the people and atmosphere. Even some of the teachers have special talents so everyone is free to talk about them. When strange things start happening Lilly is determined to get to the bottom of it. I love the way this author writes and these stories are fun to read. The first book was Wilted Lillies but I like this one even better! Passages by Kelli Owen. 4 stars
December 30, 2025
This was a great follow up to the short thriller Wilted Lilies. I’m shocked this writer isn’t more well known. The writing is excellent, with well developed characters. The pacing felt a bit off to me, and the ending seemed rushed and unresolved. Honestly, the climax fell at the very end of the story. It definitely felt like there should have been another book in the series. There are so many QTNA and characters I want to know more about.
December 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. I liked the world building of different talents and how the students support each other with a few exceptions. It ended a little abruptly, and I hope Ms. Kelli Owen plans, if she hasn't already, to continue Lily's story.
December 31, 2025
SPOILERS!!!
Why would we end on that note?!?! I mean I loved the book.... but WHY??? Tommy was finally happy. Lily was finally happy. Both were accepted! I'm so sad. Especially for Lily, but also for Tommy, Caroline, and Miko.
Why would we end on that note?!?! I mean I loved the book.... but WHY??? Tommy was finally happy. Lily was finally happy. Both were accepted! I'm so sad. Especially for Lily, but also for Tommy, Caroline, and Miko.
January 8, 2026
This is second book in a series and was also a very interesting fast read with paranormal twists. It just also finished abruptly with no true ending. I really hope the author finishes this series one day. There’s so many more stories that can come of this.
June 1, 2021
What happens now
Well it started off really good then it seemed as if the book needed to end so left slot undone
Maybe the next book will bring it together
Well it started off really good then it seemed as if the book needed to end so left slot undone
Maybe the next book will bring it together
January 8, 2026
Very fast and I liked it a lot, but I don’t get the ending. It feels abrupt and unfinished. I’m hoping this is because there will be a book 3???
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews