This was a wild ride through and through. Rosie Talbot has created a magical world with her wonderful writing and amazingly well fleshed out characters. I had no idea what to expect from the ending, but this absolutely blew me away. You studied on our six-month Writing Your Novel course in 2019. How did your time studying with us impact your approach to writing? Sixteen Souls is filled with character, whimsy, high stakes, and a spooky vibe all throughout. Not going to lie, my heart almost leapt out of my throat a few times because it’s impossible to not immerse yourself in the story so completely that it feels like you’re there with the characters. There was so much about the book that was really close to my heart - the gorgeous queerness and fantastic disability representation at the top of the list - and something else I was particularly happy to see was the sheer Britishness - and specifically northernness. It feels like a real triumph for UKYA to read all those Yorkshire colloquialisms and descriptions of narrow ginnels and trip-hazardous cobblestones in a book that feels so accessible and well-placed within the mainstream. Learning so much about York and all the rich history that goes along with it will be fascinating for the uninitiated, and give northern readers a rare chance to see something approaching their lives spotlighted.

The writing is rich; the characters sharply drawn.” - K.D Edwards, author of The Tarot Sequence Series I loved how EVERY character had a purpose. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, their own parts to play in the plot, and their own experiences with the Seer gift. Every minor character is a part of Charlie's history, and they all help in some way, with their own limits and different experiences to add to his. No one is a perfect know-it-all, who just happens to be in the right place at the right time, or who just happens to know things they shouldn't. Together, they made a team, and supported each other through every struggle and ordeal.These are the children of Zelpha whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and she bore these sixteen souls to Yaquuv. The plot is consistently engaging, unique, and engaging, with a steady flow that allows for plenty of twists and turns without feeling clogged by too many ideas. By combining a newbie Seer with an old pro, we get to see the gift through new eyes, with the benefit of experience to clarify the dangers and reality of such a gift. Incredibly emotive and visceral characters help pave the way for a story that grips you from the start and doesn't let go.

A lover of dark and tightly woven stories, Rosie is inspired by creepy things in junk shops, haunted houses and strange magic. She is a graduate of Curtis Brown Creative and Write Mentor. OH MY GOD I CAN’T BELIEVE I CAN FINALLY RATE THIS BOOK ON GOODREADS AND GIVE IT THE FIVE STARS IT SO DESPERATELY DESERVES 😭😭 It was fundamental to the novel’s conception. The world is a diverse place and I’ve always wanted my storytelling to reflect that, but it was very important for me to include representation in a way that doesn’t take up space that isn’t mine to occupy. As well as being gay, my protagonist Charlie is an amputee. Disabled rep is something I would love to see more of in fiction, so it just seemed natural to include it in mine. But Sixteen Souls isn’t a story about being an amputee, in the same way it’s not a book about what it’s like to be a gay teenager. Those are just aspects of Charlie’s bodymind and personal circumstances that affect his day to day life. These were the children born to Jacob by Zilpah, whom Laban had given to his daughter Leah—sixteen in all.When another seer by the name of Sam takes up residence in York, Charlie can't continue keeping to himself and his ghost friends. Ghosts around York are disappearing, all signs pointing to it being against their will. Many thanks to the author, Rosie Talbot, for sending this early copy for review! All opinions my own. These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah his daughter, and these she bore unto Jacob, even sixteen souls. I also loved the dialogue, and the use of British colloquialisms, which made all of the characters’ interactions feel waay more realistic —it was almost as if Talbot had eavesdropped on actual ghostly conversations, making for an incredibly immersive and entertaining reading experience. These were the sons of Zilpah—whom Laban gave to his daughter Leah—that she bore to Jacob: 16 persons.

On a personal level, Sixteen Souls is the book I desperately needed as a queer teen who, at the time, really wanted to be straight. Reading about LGBTQIA+ characters being the heroes, having adventures and getting to be happy, would have really helped teenage me understand and accept myself. As a book with casual gay, bi, pan, lesbian and trans rep, I’m hoping that Sixteen Souls can be that story for someone else. Charlie is a seer. This means quite simply that he can see ghosts. He can not really talk to anyone about it until he meets Sam. Sixteen Souls transported me so entirely, I feel as if I have walked the streets of York and seen the ghosts myself. An outstanding debut, this thrilling adventure perfectly mixes spookiness with mystery, sadness with love, and is filled with gorgeous characters you won't want to say goodbye to!' These are the sons of Zilpah, whom Laban gave to Leah, his daughter, and these she bore to Jacob, even sixteen souls. Sixteen Souls will be published this October, this fantasy YA love story follows 16-year-old seer, Charlie Firth, as he realises that ghosts are going missing in York. Can you tell us a bit more about the novel and the inspiration behind it?This was incredible - so incredible in fact, that I finished it all in one sitting. I simply could not put it down. It has some really interesting concepts. I really liked the blending of ghosts and magic with something more mechanical, industrial even. And mathemagics is just a really cool term summing a lot of that up. The core idea of seers who can interact with the dead works really well, and I loved the conflicts there, with Charlie seeing some of the ghosts around him as his closest (maybe only?) friends, others as nuisances best avoided and some as very genuine threats. His uneasiness with his abilities comes across really strongly and adds a really interesting tone to his actions. A delightfully spooky, humorous and marvellously plot twisty romp that hooked with the promise of ghost-filled antics, that I’m happy to report did NOT disappoint! These are the sons of Zelpha, which Laban gave to his daughter Lea, who bore these to Jacob, sixteen souls.