Cathedral of Bones - by A J Steiger

About the Book

Fourteen-year-old Simon, with mediocre magical powers, and Alice, a young girl transformed into a monster, work together to discover a cure to her enchantment and uncover secrets of their pasts.

Book Synopsis

A stunningly imagined world, page-turning thrills, and a
pair of unlikely heroes on an epic quest make this unique and immersive dark
fantasy--from acclaimed author A. J. Steiger--perfect for fans of Holly Black and Kelly
Barnhill.

Simon Frost lives in a curious place, where magic is used by
the very best Animists to do wondrous things--like call upon imps, wraiths, and
all manner of monsters to right wrongs, deliver justice, and accomplish feats
no human could achieve.

Simon Frost is not one of those Animists, though he's been
trying to become one for years.

When a plea arrives from a distant hamlet, preyed upon by an
abominable monster, Simon sees the opportunity to finally prove his worth.

But upon arriving in the tiny village, Simon finds not just
a monster but a key to his past--and a pathway into an unbelievable future.

Review Quotes

Praise for When My Heart Joins the Thousand: "A gorgeous love story of depth and raw emotion that beautifully dismantles the ugly perceptions of autism."
- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"[Alvie's] meltdowns and behavioral quirks add dimension to what is a fully realized portrayal of a person living with Asperger's... This is a love story that could also appeal to adult readers. Their love is hard-fought and deservedly earned." - School Library Journal (starred review)
"At last! A.J. Steiger's When My Heart Joins the Thousand offers a love story between two atypical characters with breathtaking honesty about all the messy aspects of real love--sex, compatibility, trust, and most of all, honesty." - Cammie McGovern, author of Say What You Will
"Beautifully imagined and vividly described...a prevailing tone of earnestness and hope balances the decay and dread to create an ideal first experience of a horror standby." - Publishers Weekly
"Although there is some delicious gore and thrilling discovery, Simon's family is the heart of the novel... Dark fantasy and even some horror buffs will appreciate the scares." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Strong worldbuilding is matched with breathtaking adventure, a touch of romance, and compelling characters... Thought-provoking and entertaining in equal measure, here's hoping this isn't the last we see of Simon and Alice." - School Library Journal (starred review)