Rumored to be descended from Persephone, Goddess of the Underworld, the white Farthing sisters think of Henry, the ghost of a 17-year-old boy who died in their home decades prior, like a brother. Winnie, 16, is the only sister who can sometimes see other ghosts, too, although this is hardly a gift on par with those of her sisters. Bernadette, 20, is a prolific writer; Evie,18, a talented pianist; and Clara, 14, a gifted artist whose paintings are sometimes prophetic. After realizing Evie is in love with Henry, Winnie takes drastic action so her sister will not limit her future to their brownstone, where Henry is bound. Henry disappears. Shortly thereafter, Evie disappears, too, and a black smudge appears in the sky above their house, exuding coldness and foreboding. Winnie feels horrible for banishing Henry, desperate for Evie’s safe return, and worried about the ominous mark in the sky, which was foretold in Clara’s latest painting. She tries to fix things, but it will take all four Farthing sisters working together to unravel the meaning and power of their gifts. The sisters’ bond is sometimes snarky, occasionally fraught, and always lively, loving, and deep in this spellbinding story weaving the extraordinary into real-world joys (e.g., Winnie’s burgeoning romance with a young woman named Maybe) and challenges (Bernadette’s recent diagnosis of bipolar disorder). The vibrant New York City setting, masterful plotting, spirited dialogue, and finely drawn cast of main and supporting characters make for a richly rewarding read.

The Hazel Wood meets Laini Taylor in this gorgeous urban fantasy of sisterhood, ghosts, and old family curses.

Are the four Farthing sisters really descended from Persephone? This is what their aunt has always told them: that the women in their family can trace their lineage right back to the Goddess of the Dead. And maybe she's right, because the Farthing girls do have a ghost in the attic of their New York City brownstone —a kind and gentle ghost named Henry, who only they can see.

When one of the sisters falls in love with the ghost, and another banishes him to the Underworld, the sisters are faced with even bigger questions about who they are. If they really are related to Persephone, and they really are a bit magic, then perhaps it’s up to them to save Henry, to save the world, and to save each other.