THE NOWHERE BEAST, by Leslie Vedder and Abigail Larson, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, Feb. 10, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl must face a mysterious monster made of nothing but darkness and shadows in The Nowhere Beast, the sequel to The Labyrinth of Souls, by Leslie Vedder and Abigail Larson.
Ix Tatterfall is no stranger to the odd and the eerie. Her unusual lineage provides unique abilities, such as a strong Darklight power and unencumbered travel into the deadly Labyrinth of Souls. But even Ix is unprepared for the Nowhere Beast, a creature that threatens to consume everything she holds dear.
When the ghosts of Candle Corps past begin to rise from the catacombs, Ix and her friends are called to partake in an ancient magical tradition called the Reckoning, meant to reinforce the seals of protection at their magical school that hold the most dangerous Nightmare creatures from the Labyrinth at bay.
But the Reckoning quickly transforms into more than a test of their courage and skill; it is a race against time to save their world from the monstrous shadow beast created from the hopeless depths of Nothing from a land called Nowhere.
With the help of a mischievous Sorrow, a shadowy Scavenger Prince, and her loyal friends, Ix must navigate the pits of loneliness and confront her deepest fears. But does she know that the darkness inside her heart can be just as treacherous as the monster lurking in the shadows? —Synopsis provided by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
The Nowhere Beast is an exciting fantasy read that does need to be read in order. And if you’ve read it before, but it’s been a while, you should re-read The Labyrinth of Souls first. It will refresh you on the finer details heading into a very strong sequel.
The books take place at a magical school where students are learning to protect the kingdom against the Sorrows and Nightmare creatures that live in the Labyrinth of Souls.
Ix is a girl who can see Nightmare creatures, and while some of them are dangerous, Ix doesn’t see Nightmares the same way most people do. Nor do the Nightmares see her like a normal member of the Candle Corps.
Ix is a character that you can’t help but like. She’s clever, street smart and willing to take risks. Her core group of friends are well developed as are some supporting teachers.
The addition of the Scavenger Prince and Nowhere are what make The Nowhere Beast so enticing. There’s a lot of exploration of hard topics and making difficult choices that feel natural within the story but will make readers think beyond the pages.
Author Leslie Vedder’s writing is comfortable and easy to fall into. Her pacing is sound and her world-building is excellent. Sprinkled throughout, Abigail Larson’s black-and-white illustrations add a little extra something to the overall feel.
The Nowhere Beast is a fun read that moves Vedder’s story forward. This is a good series for kids who enjoy fantasy and stories about friendships.
Copyright © 2026 Cracking the Cover. Unless otherwise noted, all books — digital and physical — have been provided by publishers in exchange for honest and unbiased reviews. All thoughts and opinions are those of the reviewer.
