The Spirit Collection of Thorne Hall

Thomas’s shaky gothic romantasy debut gets off to a slow start, introducing Elegy Thorne, the heir to a strange estate haunted by centuries-old spirits that were bound to the building by her ancestors. Her father, Thaddeus, is nearing the end of his life, and Elegy is preparing to inherit both Thorne Hall and command of the spirits who live there. Unfortunately, the building is in need of repairs. Enter Atticus Hart, who, oblivious to the supernatural threat, is eager to do a full renovation. As Atticus and Elegy strike up a slow-burning forbidden romance, Elegy considers the possibility of a normal life, freed from the responsibility of caring for the ghosts, for the first time. But when the malevolent leader of the ghosts discovers the affair, he’s unlikely to let her get away. The pace finally picks up once these stakes become clear, but the threat never feels particularly dire. Meanwhile, the huge cast of spirits proves difficult to track. The highlight is the romance itself, which feels balanced and believable. Readers shouldn’t expect thrills from this love story with mildly supernatural trappings. (Feb.)