by
- Alex McKenna and The Geranium Deaths
- Alex McKenna and The Academy of Souls
Size: 6.00 x 9.00 in
Pages: 236
Pages: 229
The highly anticipated second installment in the award-winning Alex McKenna Series, this LGBTQ teen paranormal is perfect for fans of the series Stranger Things, and Goosebumps!
No dark entities shall pass through this shield, as I will it ... so shall it be.
Alex McKenna's plans for a couple of supernatural-free days are interrupted by an ominous visit from the ghost of seven-year-old Haven.
The little girl needs his help and he's willing to risk his life to save her after-life. Despite his great-grandmother's warning, he choose to cross the bridge between the living and the dead to assist her. The trip lands Alex and his girlfriend at a high school known as the Academy of Souls. The ghostly campus for dead teens is a safe place for those who are unable to complete their after-life journey. There they meet Ophelia, Haven's older sister, who has been searching for her for more than a century.
To reunite the sisters, Alex must cross the teacherous terrain of the in-between realm known as the Underworld, and rescue Haven from the clutches of the Soul Gatherer. A demonic spirit that feeds off of the souls of children.
Could this be Alex's last case or will he keep his promise to Haven and save her soul before it's too late?
Publisher: Creative James Media
Cover Artists:
Narrators:
Genres:
Tropes: Band of Misfits, Beyond the Grave Communication, Book of Spells, Born Hero, Chosen One, Dark Enemy, Evolving Powers, Found Family, I See Dead People, Modern Human in Fantasy World, Portals, Ultimate Evil, Vengeful Spirit
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Continuous / Same Characters
Tropes: Band of Misfits, Beyond the Grave Communication, Book of Spells, Born Hero, Chosen One, Dark Enemy, Evolving Powers, Found Family, I See Dead People, Modern Human in Fantasy World, Portals, Ultimate Evil, Vengeful Spirit
Languages Available: English
Series Type: Continuous / Same Characters
The streetlamps illuminated the black empty sea of asphalt. A quiet calm laced the row of sleepy houses. Alex reveled in the tranquility. So much noise constantly filling his head, any semblance of stillness wrapped around his mind like a child's favorite blanket.
In the center of the glass, a small sphere of light caught his attention. At first, he thought it was in the yard. Leaning forward and squinting, he realized it was a reflection coming from directly behind him.
Jumping up, he spun around. Growing in diameter, it was beginning to spin.
"Hey, whatcha doin?" Margaret said groggily.
"Stop. Babe, slowly move to your left and come over here by me."
"Why? What's going on?"
Margaret gingerly slid to the left as Alex instructed, and then quickly scurried by his side. "What do you see?"
"It's the vortex opening, the gateway to that girl, Ophelia.”
READ MORE"Alex, please be careful. Remember what your Gram said. Don't get too close," Margaret pleaded.
"She's there, it looks like a bedroom."
"What's she doing?"
"Sitting on the bed, she's covering her ears."
The wind whipped around the vortex howling like a wolf speaking to the full moon.
"I don't hear anything?" Margaret turned to Alex.
"It's like a high-pitched howl. It's deafening. Wait. It's quieting down. She sees me."
"What's she doing now?"
"She's coming closer."
Alex leaned closer to the anomaly.
"Alex, back up." Margaret tugged at his t-shirt.
"Babe. I gotta do this. Please. Let go of my shirt."
Margaret reluctantly let the fabric fall from her fingertips.
Alex inched closer.
"You are Alex McKenna, right?" Ophelia asked.
The anxious teen widened her eyes in anticipation.
"Yes. I've seen Haven. Who is she?"
"She is my sister."
"I think she's in trouble," said Alex.
Ophelia floated off the bed and stood directly in front of the entrance to the living.
"I've been searching for her for years. She was taken by a man, a Soul Gatherer. I think she is counting on you to help."
"I think she is, too."
"Can you?" Ophelia's eyes widened.
"I can try. Where are you? Is it The Academy of Souls?"
Ophelia’s chin dropped.
"Yes. You know about my school?"
"I do."
"Oh no."
"What is it?'
"The gateway. It's closing!" Ophelia shouted.
Alex heard the desperation in her voice as he helplessly watched the circle shrink. The wind cried out once again, as it violently thrashed around the outer edges of the bridge between the dimensions.
"I have to go." Alex tasted Margaret's lips. "I'll be back soon."
"What the hell? No. Alex. You can't," Margaret shrieked.
"I love you," his voice trailed.
Alex stepped into the center of the storm. The vision of Ophelia rippled, traveling to the rim of the circle, and splashing into the void. "This shield is my power to protect against evil, this shield keeps out harm. No dark entities shall pass through this shield. As I will it, so shall it be."
Sawing to fill his lungs with air, he pushed forward and landed on the floor of the dorm room. Gazing up, Ophelia stood in front of him, her mouth wide open.
"Ugh. My head hurts. Where are we?" a voice echoed.
Alex winced. His heart punching the walls of his chest. Whipping his head around in a frenzy, Margaret was lying on the floor beside him.
"No, no, no, no. What the fuck, il mio amore." Alex scrambled to her side.
Ophelia moved closer. With her pointer finger, she quickly poked his shoulder and retracted.
Alex didn't respond. His focus was Margaret.
"How could you do this? Why did you do this?" his voice strained.
"I couldn't let you go without me."
Alex kissed away the saltiness from her cheeks. With the back of his sleeve, he gently patted dry her eyes.
"Alex?" Ophelia murmured.
COLLAPSE
The Academy of Souls is children who have died that aren't quite ready yet to move on, for a variety of reasons. Ophelia is stuck there because she's trying to find her sister, who also passed away on the same day but was stolen by the Soul Seeker. Alex McKenna and his girlfriend find themselves in this Academy and are determined to help Ophelia find her sister.
The whole premise of this story is really unique and perfect for spooky season! Ophelia is such a great character and I couldn't wait to keep reading about her and her search for her sister. I love how the two storylines collide into one. Alex and Margaret also make a great detective team duo. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Alex McKenna and his family remain constant throughout the series, however each book has a new story and new characters.
