A Summoning of Souls

Spectral City #3

by Leanna Renee Hieber

At the dawn of the twentieth century, New York City houses both the living and the dead. And when it comes to crimes of an otherworldly nature, it falls to the psychics and spirits of the city’s finest secret agency—The Ghost Precinct—to serve justice beyond the earthly realm . . .

The ethereal denizens of New York owe a great debt to Eve Whitby, the young talented medium who leads the all-female spiritualists in the police department’s Ghost Precinct. Without her team’s efforts on behalf of the incorporeal, many souls would have been lost or damned by both human and inhuman means.

But now Eve faces an enemy determined to exorcise the city’s ghostly population once and for all. Albert Prenze is supposed to be dead. Instead he is very much alive, having assumed the identity of his twin brother Alfred, and taken control of the family’s dubiously made fortune. With unlimited wealth at his disposal, Albert uses experimental technology to banish ghosts to an eternal darkness forever.
To achieve his vicious ends, Albert plots to manipulate Eve and twist her abilities into a psychic weapon—a weapon that not only poses a threat to spirits but to everyone she cares for, including her beloved Detective Horowitz . . .

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Ghosts, Gothic, Fiction, Urban Fantasy

243 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 21, 2020

About the author

Author, actress, artist and playwright, Leanna received a BFA in Theatre, a focus in the Victorian Era and a scholarship to study in London. She adapted 19th Century literature for the stage and her one-act plays have been produced around the country. She is a 4 time Prism Award winner for excellence in Futuristic, Fantasy, or Paranormal Romance. Her debut novel, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, first in the "Strangely Beautiful" saga of Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels (Barnes & Noble Bestseller) won two 2010 Prism Awards (Best Fantasy, Best First Book) has been hailed by Tor Books as a "foundation work of Gaslamp Fantasy" and has been reissued in new, revised editions as STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL. The prequel, PERILOUS PROPHECY and the never before published MISS VIOLET AND THE GREAT WAR finish the quartet (Tor Books). DARKER STILL: A Novel of Magic Most Foul was named an Indie Next title by the American Book Association and a Scholastic book fair "Highly Recommended" title. All books in the Magic Most Foul trilogy are now available as is THE ETERNA FILES trilogy of Gaslamp Fantasy novels (Tor Books). Her new series with Kensington's new Rebel Base imprint, THE SPECTRAL CITY, a Gaslamp Fantasy / Supernatural Suspense became a # 1 Amazon bestseller in Gaslamp Fantasy, Steampunk and Metaphysical Fantasy as well as hitting the top ten across other platforms. The series continues with three novels. Her short fiction has been included in anthologies such as QUEEN VICTORIA'S BOOK OF SPELLS and the MAMMOTH BOOK OF GASLAMP ROMANCE. All her Victorian-set series feature crossover characters. A member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America and the International Thriller Writers, she is a proud co-founder of Lady Jane's Salon Reading Series in New York City. A member of Actors Equity Association and SAG-AFTRA, Leanna works often in film and television on shows like Boardwalk Empire and Mysteries at the Museum, works as a ghost tour guide for Boroughs of the Dead tour company and creates unique neo-Victorian and Steampunk jewelry on Etsy. In 2018 Leanna wrote, developed and now tours a one woman show "By the Light of Tiffany: A Meeting with Clara Driscoll" about the talented 19th century artist. Visit http://leannareneehieber.com for free reads, writers' resources, interviews, videos and more, and follow her on Twitter http://twitter.com/leannarenee and FB http://facebook.com/lrhieber.

Reviews

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

How I read this: Free ebook copy received through NetGalley

This was a wonderful closer to the series (although I retain a hope that there will be more!) The series is filled with such warmth and love, as well as respect for cultures and people’s stories, that it makes for an especially encouraging read in the year 2020.

Reasons I loved this book:
1. It's like a time machine!
2. Super slow burn soft romance
3. A hopeful outlook
4. Characters full of kindness and integrity

If you want to learn more about these reasons, please check out my full review here:
https://avalinahsbooks.space/a-summon...


I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Summoning of Souls by Leanna Renee Hieber is the third installment of the Spectral City series and I enjoyed seeing these characters again. The series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine and I'm so lucky to have been approved for them. I have a soft spot for historical fantasy and this novel, and the series as a whole, hits almost all the right notes. I love the ghostly and creepy elements as well as the notes of real life history that are interspersed throughout. The level of detail that Hieber puts into her work makes the world of early 1900s NYC feel incredibly real. The same goes for the cast of characters. Eve and all of the members of the Ghost Precinct are quite unique and have their own key strengths to bring to the table. As with each previous installment, it was always delightful to get to see Detective Horowitz. The budding relationship between the detective and Eve is so sweet. Overall, I highly recommend this entire series especially to fans of historical fantasy, paranormal ghost stories, just a dash of romance, and turn of the last century New York City. I need to read more of Hieber's work, and I'm really hoping that we get to see more of Eve, Detective Horowitz, and the Ghost Precinct in the future.

[Louisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, loved all the developments, and how it ended! Really enjoyed how it ended the series!

[Luminea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the conclusion to this trilogy, but I can't help wanting more of these endearing characters! I hope there are more books to come in the series.

[Sue Plant · Rating 3 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

ghosts, mediums all of these are in this book

it was nice to visit again this group of characters and to see how they have progressed...the fight against evil is still ongoing with albert trying his best to get rid of ghosts

does he prevail well you have to read to find out

[Caffeinated Covers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the entire series over the course of a few weeks. The final book (A Summoning of Souls) was the best book out of the series, but it still was a disappointing read to me. I usually love urban fantasy and historical fantasy so I thought I would love this book, but it didn't excite me the way I thought it would.

First of all, the characters are very flat. The diversity in this book seems to just flesh out the supporting characters' backstories and adds little to the overall story beyond having Eve's precinct and the Detective bond over how badly most people treat them. The side characters could have made a bigger impact or brought their traditions into the story in a more meaningful way. In some ways, their biggest contribution was to have conversations with Eve about how much they respect each other and value their friendship. This was my second biggest pet peeve with this book. It was like reading a children's book where love and friendship save the day, except it was supposed to be a dark fantasy book written for adults. These conversations or notions in Eve's head derailed the pacing a lot and detracted from the overall plot. This book did a much better job than the two predecessors of keeping the story moving, but it still fell into the same bad habits of the previous books.

It was really hard for me to care about the characters or the story. The sensitives in this book were too sensitive and it felt like the story was mostly brooding and situations that were supposed to seem dark and dangerous but were really just kind of ok. Several times I had to put the book down because I was tired of Eve getting emotional and insecure the entire time. The book didn't get under my skin (in a creepy, but intimate way) or really make me connect with anyone in the story. It was hard for me to continue on, but I wanted to give it an honest shot. I just don't think I'm the audience for this book.

[Cornerofmadness · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Summoning of Spirits finishes off the Spectral City trilogy (though not necessarily these characters who really seem to have a lot more story to tell.) Needless to say this one isn’t really a stand alone type of series and this picks up almost immediately after the proceeding book.

Eve, Jacob and their team both living and dead, have to stop Prenze who has made it his mission to rid NYC of ghosts. He is actively ‘haunting’ Eve and her family with his astral projection and has designs on Eve and her paranormal abilities to help him reach his goal.

Like the other books it definitely has that gothic horror feel in both plot and writing style. Prenze is an interesting villain, certainly not a sympathetic one but you can see how he was created. Eve tries to pull the cutting everyone off to ‘save’ them from the villain thing, one of my least favorite tropes but this one gets stood on its head by the reactions of literally everyone else so I enjoyed that.

There is definitely a lot of slow burn romance in this book and for fans of the fake dating trope you’ll be well fed here. It’s hard to review the end of a trilogy without spoiling things so I think I’ll leave it with there is a lot of found family stuff in this and the plot wraps up very well and what more can you ask for?

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a lovely premise to A Summoning of Souls, and a well observed and chosen setting in vintage New York. Social conventions, innovations, nicely observed, There's a kick to modernity and changing times, and how they impact of the spirit world around us. This is neat urban fantasy - much of it identifiable with our own world (love, pain, loss, hardship), but that twist in reality that brings us the supernatural with an interesting crime element. The Ghost Precinct idea is brilliant.

I'm a little long of tooth for teenage romance, and this book oozes it. I can see how it would appeal to a different audience, and don't criticise it for that, it's just not to my personal taste and for me it diverts away a little from the central themes of strong women in an unequal world.

Eve is a gutsy protagonist, fiercely loyal to those around her while dealing with quite extraordinary mental and physical hardship. She's well drawn and believable. This is an excellent series, engrossing and well worth seeking out for a nice slice of YA urban fantasy.

Many thanks to Netgalley & Kensington Books for the ARC.

#ASummoningofSouls #NetGalley

[Lisa Kidder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Summoning of Souls, the third installment in the Spectral City series, by award-winning author Leanna Renee Hieber will be released on July 21, 2020.

Continuing the story of Eve Whitby and her all-female Ghost Precinct colleagues, A Summoning of Souls finds readers once again immersed in the gas lamp version of late 19th century New York City where ghosts go about their business alongside the living, assisting Eve and her fellow mediums in solving crimes committed against both the living and the dead. Eve uses the supernatural gifts at her disposal to battle a formidable enemy with his own paranormal abilities bent on the destruction of all ghosts and willing to sacrifice the living in order to achieve his aim.

This latest book in the series followed the dark thread that began to unravel in deeper detail in the second book, A Santuary of Spirits, using the dead for the purpose of art. Despite being a little unnerving, it was utterly unique and compelling, as far dark deeds are concerned. The antagonist and his cohorts took the concept of Arte Uber Alles (“art above everything”) to disturbing depths.

I appreciated the creative premise of the story, along with Hieber’s diverse characters. Each character is uniquely strong and interesting in and of herself, to the point where I would gladly read spin-off series about each of their backstories. I particularly enjoyed the gothic Victorian-like world created by Hieber. Teens and young adult fans of paranormal romance will likely enjoy the romantic tension and evolving love story between Eve and Detective Horowitz.

My one criticism would be that some details of the writing was a bit repetitive. For example, the concept of the cost of paranormal gifts is reiterated and spelled out for the reader multiple times in each book of the series thus far. However, it was a small distraction to the otherwise fantastic world created, and the overall pace of the story still had me eagerly turning pages.

"Eve had grown up quickly due to necessity. Her nineteen years of life were entirely haunted. But that didn’t mean she was inured to spectral chill or the threats brought on by certain paranormal experiences. There were things even seasoned minds and old souls should fear. The whispered phrase that distinctly emanated from the stone arch directly before her was one such thing; a recurring warning of late, from the spirit world to hers."

“Don’t let anything in!”

– From Chapter One of A Summoning of Souls by Leanna Renee Hieber

This third book in the series continues the storyline with its preexisting antagonist and leader of the group Arte Uber Alles, whose identity we discovered towards the end of the second book, A Santuary of Spirits. While it brings this story arc to a satisfying close, it leaves room for future Spectral City adventures.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for sending me this advance reader copy (along with the entire Spectral City series) for the purpose of an impartial review.

This review was first published on the Damian Daily blog.

[AnnaReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m thinking 5 trillion stars and then 5 trillion more because wow...Leanna Renee Hieber is one of my favourite writers. Her books are absolutely amazing.
A summoning of Souls is one of my favourites.

First of all, if you haven’t read the previous two books don’t start with this one, you won’t understand what’s happening.

A Summoning of Souls picks up where A Sanctuary of Spirits left off. Eve, Jacob and the Ghost Precinct is still after those people who caused the happenings in the previous books. As the relationship between Eve and Jacob intensifies so does Eve’s waking nightmares. She and her team faces an enemy that wants the ghosts gone. All of them. Albert Prenze is a rich man, a powerful man, a true evil. And he will stop at nothing until he achieves his goal. He wants to use Eve as a psychic weapon and if he succeeds, spirits will be gone but not just them - human lives could be in danger too...Jacob among them.

Where to start...do you know the feeling when you read a book and it’s stuck in your head? How the story, the characters made you feel included somehow, like you were part of their lives. When you want more. When you are sad that the book ends but also feel exhilarated because you fell in love with the book. This is where I am. Sad but happy at the same time. Weird feeling.

I adore Eve and Jacob. I so loved watching as they fall in love, as they try to keep their distance - it’s the 19th century, it’s not proper to show their affection - but fail miserably. They are sweet together. Eve despite being only 19 years old, acts more adult, more responsible than lots of people I know. It’s commendable how she relates to her family and friends. She has a strained relationship with her mother but there is a scene where that changes and I must confess I cried with them.
The other characters have also grown on me. Gran, Cora, Antonia and little Jenny are all sweet, caring, brave and amazing people. And Maggie...she is a devious one. I love her because despite being a ghost, she still tries to have a life. She helps Eve and her team wherever she can, she has ideas of her own and she has her fun too.

I can’t wait to read the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my copy. All opinions are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

See other reviews on my website.

It has been such a pleasure, and a privilege, to watch this author develop her talent and her voice. Since the very beginning, I knew that she was something special.

I haven’t been able to keep up with every release, and my new release reading has shrunk during epidemic anxiety. There is plenty to read, but I find myself retreating to old, predictable favorites. The thought of falling in with new characters while I watch them struggle, not knowing how things will end, is too much to bear right now.

Eve and Jacob and all the rest, though, are old friends. Their slow-build romance while they took care of such trifles as saving the world is finally culminated (in a late 19th-century sort of way), and it was worth the wait. They don’t do too badly saving the world, either.

Don’t let anyone get away with saying that they can’t write diversity due to “historical accuracy”, because this series does it truly and well. Here we have a full cast of women (of all ages and varied backgrounds!) who get to be heroes and fighters without falling into any “kick ass women” tropes, as well as a full range of men who run the gamut from stalwart companion to privileged asshole.

It’s a relief to read a book with high stakes (saving the world) without being dredged through a bunch of violence and despair for “realism”‘s sake. Grimdark isn’t my cup of tea, and A Summoning of Souls, in contrast, brims with hope and love.

[Julia O'Connell · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Spectral City, Eve Whitby and her team start out looking for a missing child and a missing ghost, but soon find themselves embroiled in something much bigger. In the sequel, A Sanctuary of Spirits, the girls uncover a secret society bent on harnessing the souls of the dead through macabre works of art. Now, in A Summoning of Souls, Eve must finally confront the mastermind behind both the organization and the disappearances. Albert Prenze, half of the Prenze family duo that made a fortune selling tonics, has been presumed dead for several years. In truth, he has spent this time honing his mesmeric powers and plotting out a Great Experiment: with the use of electricity and new technology, Prenze believes he can completely rid the world of ghosts forever. Eve will have to gather all of her allies to keep Prenze from destroying her beloved spirit world—without becoming a pawn in his plan, herself.

See my full review here: https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/a-su...

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eve and her precinct do all they can to protect the spirits around them. With the help of Jacob, the police detective search for the culprit responsible for the "deaths" of several spirits. After many attempts to locate this evil person they think they have him in their sights. How will they stop him? Will they be able to get to him before any more spirits are injured?

I so much enjoy the writing of Leanna Renee Hieber! The stories come to life, the characters become friend you want to check in with and I hate to put down the books! Then I am sad when the book is finished and I have to wait for more.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy of this book. I am leaving my honest review.

This is a cleverly written, paranormal mystery. The author evokes the Victorian era remarkably well. The world building is excellent and the characters well defined.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series never disappoints and this was an excellent addition.
Great characters and world building, a plot that kept me hooked and a solid mystery.
I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

[Kyra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book received for free through NetGalley for an honest review.

Book was written well from what I saw BUT I didn’t read too far in as the book wasn’t my cup of tea. No complaints about how it was written or anything.

[Catherine Siemann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Spectral City series gets a satisfying resolution, with loose ends tied up and the Big Evil vanquished. There's still a great deal of potential in the setup, and I'd love to see a series of more conventional mysteries (where the plot is resolved in one book) with this set of characters.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this series.

[Cecilia Rodriguez · Rating 3 out of 5]

As the new century begins, Eve Whitby and other members of the Ghost Precinct are preparing for Albert Prenze’s next move.
Some of the action reminded me of the 80’s version of Ghostbusters.

[Fab · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Summoning of Souls by Leanna Renee Hieber is the last in her Spectral City trilogy. It is a solid last installment, wrapping up many of the story threads from previous books nicely. I breezed through this supernatural mystery about a medium in NYC, and her coven of girls who help the police with crimes including ghosts. I love Eve, the main character, and her budding relationship with Detective Jacob Horowitz is a big draw of these books. They are fast paced and entertaining, full of loveable protagonists. If you’re looking for supernatural detective stories with a romance element, I suggest you check this series out!

[Marianne K. Benvenuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fitting ending to the series.

At last, some peace that the villains behind the atrocities of the first two novels are brought to justice. Not without cost, however. Still this author has laid the groundwork for more ghost stories, if she chooses. I find it interesting that I find myself in the 19th century with this book and the TV series The Alienist both set in the same time, but with different points of view. I enjoyed both.