Where the Veil Thins by Jasmine Sears is a children's fantasy that follows Kenji and his father, Adrian, as they assist souls returning from the afterlife during the veil thinning—a time when spirits manifest as glowing spheres. Kenji guides these souls, like Louis, Cora, Isoken, Kate, and Ichigo, helping them discover their unfinished tasks on earth. For instance, Kenji teaches Louis to swim to complete his purpose, supports Cora in improving stair safety, aids Isoken in documenting local flora, and helps Kate and Ichigo reintegrate. Alongside these duties, Kenji must juggle his own family’s complicated situation, especially the absence of his mother, a returning soul who cannot yet fully come back. Throughout, Kenji’s role in bridging the living and returning souls, balancing practical assistance with personal issues, unfolds within their small town and its surrounding regions.

Where the Veil Thins by Jasmine Sears offers a beautifully hopeful journey. Sears almost immediately wraps us up in Kenji and his family in this unique plot of returning souls from beyond the veil. I love how this story invites readers into a world where memories and connections bridge two realms, and, through kindness, learning, and shared experience, the characters all create a community grounded in mutual support and understanding. Sears does a great job of celebrating the power of cooperation, communication, and discovery, and she leans into how every individual’s contribution matters. Kenji’s evolving relationships and the unfolding events inspire optimism about healing, acceptance, and the ongoing impact of one’s actions in readers. Overall, this thoughtful and uplifting tale encourages all to appreciate the bonds that shape us and the journeys that reveal our true potential. Very highly recommended.

Where the Veil Thins by Jasmine Sears is a well-written novel set in a world where the veil between the living and the dead gets thin occasionally, enabling spirits to communicate with the living or come to the living world. It follows Kenji, a young boy, and his father, who goes to the veil every year to speak to Kenji's late mother and guide returning souls to the living world. Each soul they bring back into the living world shares their story of how they died. They find a new purpose to help inspire or bring solutions to people in the living world so they won't fall victim to the accident that took their life. Kenji helps these returned souls find their purpose and bring peace to them. But he is beginning to get worried. His mother's spirit has refused to come to life, and he is bothered about it. Kenji is dealing with his worries for his mom, who hasn't returned, and other secrets his parents kept from him due to certain concerns.

This is an engaging, slow-paced novel that I feel would be perfect for reading during the holidays or in free time. It explores themes of love, family, magic, and community. I loved how each soul's purpose, like Louis teaching how to swim, or Cora trying to fix the stairs, shows small but important ways we can help our community and environment. It shows how the little things we do can heal big hurts and prevent tragic occurrences in the future. I was able to relate to Kenji's feelings about his missing mom and his later reunion with his twin sister. These emotional scenes added warmth to the adventurous and heartfelt storyline. The writing style and attention to detail are commendable. The characters were well-developed, and I was impressed with their focus on kindness, learning, and emotional growth. The bond between Kenji and his father was strong, sweet, and felt natural. I loved how Where the Veil Thins by Jasmine Sears shows respect for different cultures and teaches important life lessons. I recommend it to readers who enjoy stories about family, emotions, and the link between life and death.

Where the Veil Thins by Jasmine Sears is set in the late 1800s. Every year, Kenji and his father travel to the place where the veil separating the living from the souls of the dead grows thin. If a person dies suddenly, unintentionally, and in a preventable way, their soul can return to prevent similar deaths. Kenji's father has a natural ability to pierce the veil and is dedicated to helping those who need to return to fulfill a purpose. Kenji is excited to be part of this work and assists with various tasks. However, what worries him most is that his mother remains in the veil. When Kenji visits her there, other souls receive the opportunity to be helped. And although the family's purpose is noble, Kenji needs to find out why his mother refuses to return with him.

I found Kenji to be a wonderful character: he is noble, attentive, and altruistic. Even though he is bullied at school or feels disappointed because he cannot help his mother, he always does his best to support others. We see him participating in various activities, such as teaching a man who had drowned how to swim, to help him in his recovery process. He is a sensitive young man who carries a lot of pain, but he never stops learning from everything around him. Jasmine Sears shares a story of family unity, loyalty, and friendship. She was inspired by real cultures to create deep and diverse characters, making the narrative flow naturally. Where the Veil Thins speaks to us of curiosity, learning, and the courage to face the unknown to find purpose.

Where the Veil Thins by Jasmine Sears follows Kenji, a young boy living in the Pacific Northwest in a fantasy version of the late 1800s, where once a year the veil between the living and the dead thins. During this time, families can bring back loved ones, on one condition: the soul must figure out what caused their death and work to prevent others from dying the same way. Kenji grows up helping his father guide these souls through their return and adjustment, learning languages, cultures, and life lessons from each one. Year after year, they speak to Kenji's mother at the veil, but she never comes back. As Kenji grows older, the familiar ritual begins to elicit more questions than answers. When an unexpected return challenges everything Kenji thought he understood, the story turns inward.

Where the Veil Thins by Jasmine Sears is deeply rooted in culture, place, and purpose. Without big battles or villains, the narrative offers emotional honesty, cultural depth, and steady character growth. The title carries weight; it captures both the literal and emotional essence of the story. Sears crafts a soft, reflective world, weaving Indigenous practices into the story in a way that never feels forced. Readers are introduced to bannock, canoe journeys, oral storytelling, and names like "dzidzəlal'ič" and "Amiskwaciwâskahikan" without footnotes or lectures. That's the strength of the book. It respects the reader's intelligence and centers on lived experience over exposition. The writing stays close to Kenji's point of view. That choice keeps things personal and grounded. Readers see Kenji move from a wide-eyed boy to a questioning teen, his voice growing deeper as his understanding does. Cora's late entry into the story is brief but sharp, adding tension and contrast. There's a quiet rhythm to the pacing, echoing seasonal change. The book never stumbles with its tone. It's calm, sad, kind, and honest. A rare mix. Perfect for readers who want a slower, meaningful fantasy that puts emotion over action.