Title: Belltower
Author: SmokeAndOranges 
Prompt(s): 71, 22

Blurb: Fear preys on people's minds when the living no longer outnumber the dead.

The city of Old Saint Boniface has a ghost problem. The word "problem" is, perhaps, misleading - the ghosts have never harmed anyone - but that has not stopped a succession of mayors from getting elected on promises to control the spread.

Janine lives in a part of town more abandoned than inhabited, and has worked a waitressing job at a derelict restaurant for the better part of a decade. Her will to reach for more is gone; each day is reduced to a blur broken only by the fresh air of the street, the old woman who dances beneath the bell tower, and the silent company of the ghosts that walk to and fro, just as they did when living. Janine is not the only one who can see them. But she is one of the few who doesn't care.

Janine is there the day the police take the dancing old woman away. But that night, that same woman shows up at her door. She claims to know things about the town's ghosts, and why no one can stop their spread. She asks Janine for shelter and a listening ear - and a hand, perhaps, in figuring out why Old Saint Boniface's wandering dead can't seem to find rest. 

Short Review: If you are interested in flowing, detailed descriptions of a fascinating town where the dead still walk among the living, have I got the book for you! Right from the jump, this book sets a mood you can feel. I really loved following the woman who seems to know too much as I learn little bits of information about the world at just the right time. August weaves the details of the world into the story in a way that makes sense and really makes you feel the details must be significant, even if you can't tell why just yet. 

The story has an air of mystery that makes you want to keep reading and a character who feels very real. When you get to her opinions about waking up for an icky job, you'll know what I mean. You also get to meet the Belltower in the second chapter which feels immediately worth it, but if the title is any indication, there will likely be more to discover as the narrative unfolds. If you are into fantasy and love world building that makes sense, you should go give Belltower by SmokeandOranges a try! 

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Have you read this story? Is there anything I missed as to why someone might enjoy it? Please keep your comments positive here as not all authors are comfortable with criticism at this stage.