In E. K. Larson-Burnett's A Madness Unmade, eighteen-year-old Laurel Rumbroom takes command of the Underhallow, the last sanctuary for the dead, where hundreds of ghosts depend on her family’s death magic to remain safe within its walls. When death moths begin appearing at the gates, and her father Ignatius returns only in brief, unstable manifestations that vanish before he can explain his death, Laurel follows the signs he leaves behind through the house. At the same time, the inherited power forced into her mind after his death begins to fracture her memory and blur the boundary between perception and the arcane world, making every clue harder to trust. As the strain on the Underhallow grows, Laurel must hold onto her own mind long enough to uncover what happened to her father and protect the last refuge for the dead.

E. K. Larson-Burnett’s A Madness Unmade is a fantastic and wholly unique novel, with a brilliant female lead and a great mystery. Laurel is so easy to root for, even as her mind starts to bend into a blurry haze. The power of death magic is hers, like it or not, and her perseverance in trying to master the puzzle box and her pursuit of agency solidify her strength to a reader. The ghosts are amazing! I love Maud, a former dancer whose life ended with illness, and no longer moved by joy. Elder Gideon is also a standout, with perfect memory and a scented pocket. Larson-Burnett is a master of description, with prose that paints visuals, from the Underhallow’s orangery in flames and its firelit glass, to gooseberries and nuts in the larder. Well written and 100% absorbing, this novel ticks all the boxes for readers who adore gothic, haunted house fiction, ghost lore, and female-led supernatural mysteries centered on family secrets.

Laurel could not be more different than other eighteen-year-old girls. After her father’s untimely and mysterious death, she becomes not only the sole heir of the Underhallow mansion but also the guardian of Underhallow’s phantom residents. Reluctant to set foot outside the manor, Laurel spent her teenage years in the company of ghosts. As she approaches adulthood and the time to manifest her powers nears, strange things begin to happen all around her. Packages containing death moths appear on her doorstep while a particularly angry spirit rampages through her household. Can Laurel uncover the mysteries in time to protect Underhallow? Find out in A Madness Unmade, the first installment of the Deathly Inheritance duology by E. K. Larson-Burnett.

I loved the gothic vibes and the somewhat dark undertone of the novel. The ghosts with their unique fixations and antics contributed to the otherworldly aspects of the story. The author created refreshing humor through Laurel’s interactions with the ghosts that bore just a twinge of sadness, creating a bittersweet tone. Laurel’s character was utterly realistic with all her flaws, doubts, and insecurities in plain view. Far from being a typical gothic heroine, she shone in her own light. Her brave attempts to overcome her shortcomings so she could save her beloved spectral companions established her as a true warrior. The confounding mysteries will intrigue readers to the very end. The vaguely unsettling nature of the plot thrilled me. I recommend A Madness Unmade by E. K. Larson-Burnett to anyone who loves gothic stories with a whimsical narrative and beautiful illustrations.

A Madness Unmade is the first installment in the Deathly Inheritance Duology by E.K. Larson-Burnett. Specters do not have freedom of movement under the Revenant Accords, leading them to seek refuge in the Underhallow, where the Rumbrooms have always granted them sanctuary. It's been five years since eighteen-year-old Laurel Rumbroom's father passed away, and as the only living inhabitant of Underhallow, she spends her days learning from the ghosts staying at her place. But for weeks, dead moths have been arriving in packages at the gates, and Laurel is determined to solve the mystery. However, she stumbles upon a deeper conspiracy that has links to her father's death. Meanwhile, she may be going mad, and someone close to her has betrayed her to the machinations of the League.

Full of humor and magic, A Madness Unmade is a fantastical mystery with plenty of charm and heart. The first thing you notice about this book is the whimsical atmosphere the author has brought into this magical world. E.K. Larson-Burnett excels in making the narrative immersive. Moving the plot at a brisk pace with shocking reveals, the author ensures there's not a dull moment in the entire book. The Laurel we meet at the beginning of the story is a very different individual from the one she becomes toward the end. The rest of the characters, being specters, bring different relationship dynamics to the narrative with their distinct personalities. The book ends on a cliffhanger, which only makes you more eager to read the sequel. Highly recommended.

For five years now, Laurel Persephone Rumbroom has been living at Underhallow Manor, the sole remaining resident after her father's death. She has been raised and kept company by the ghosts in the manor, also the last remaining sanctum for the dead. Laurel has her own routine, studying dead moths that keep arriving mysteriously in parcels at the manor. However, her routine is disrupted when strange things begin to happen, like the ghosts regaining their sense of taste and smell. But this is after Laurel spots a figure she believes is her father, who she soon learns is his relictora, or a spirit yet to cross over, near the manor. Determined to make sense of the events, Laurel finds herself uncovering the dark truth behind her father’s death and learning and embracing the nature of her power and her destiny. Find out more in A Madness Unmade by E.K. Larson-Burnett.

If you are looking for a gothic, young adult fantasy that blends paranormal and psychological mystery with a touch of horror and suspense, Madness Unmade by E.K. Larson-Burnett is a worthy pick. The author introduces readers to a paranormal world featuring a diverse cast of ghosts and a living protagonist who exists on the fringes of normality. The evocative depictions dropped me in the middle of the mystery and drama at Underhallow Manor. I could see the talking portraits, the dusty hallways, and the decaying, neglected exterior. I could also see the grumpy patriarchs of the Rumbroom family, the manor’s workers, and intellectuals, among other residents. The storyline unfolds at a deliberate pace, accompanied by dry, whimsical humor. The story addresses themes of grief, death, mental health, family legacy, betrayal, deception, and more. Very enjoyable.