The Cathedral of Lost Souls by Paula Brackston

 Hereford, England 1881.

The adventure continues! After the fire and the tumultuous events in the cathedral library, Hecate is determined never again to come so close to losing the beloved mappa mundi. She has shown herself to be the greatest threat to the Essedenes and their plans and they will stop at nothing to be rid of her. With the help of herarcheologist father, and the support of the redoubtable and loyal Inspector Winter, she must take the fight to her enemies.

But the numbers of Embodied Spirits are growing with terrifying speed, and an atmosphere of violence and danger has taken hold of the ancient city of Hereford. Hecate dare not trust anyone beyond her inner circle, no matter how benevolent they might seem. Nor will she risk the lives of those she loves ever again. The goddess Hekate has called her to action. She must draw upon all her gifts, and the assistance of her family of ghostly allies, if the city is not to be lost to darkness forever.

 The Cathedral of Lost Souls by Paula Brackston returns readers to her familiar world of historical fantasy, rich with atmosphere and lyrical prose. The setting—shadowed cathedrals, secret magic, and whispered histories—remains the novel’s strongest asset, and Brackston’s language once again evokes a haunting, almost tactile sense of place.

Yet the novel falters in its treatment of character and emotional development. The central arc—discovering latent magic and quickly mastering it—unfolds too smoothly, lacking the struggle, doubt, or transformation that might have given the story greater weight. The narrative progression often feels linear and predictable, as though revelation automatically equals resolution.

Readers seeking lush scenery and a gentle return to Brackston’s magical world may be satisfied, but those hoping for deeper character insight and a more layered emotional and structural journey may find the novel curiously flat.

Overall, I rate this novel 3.5 out of 5 stars.