Dark Souls: A Novelby Paula Morris

Welcome to York, England.Mist lingers in the streets.Narrow buildings cast long shadows.This is the most haunted city in the world. . . .Miranda Tennant arrives in York with a terrible, tragic secret. She is eager to lose herself amid the quaint cobblestones, hoping she won’t run into the countless ghosts who supposedly roam the city. . . .Then she meets Nick, an intense, dark-eyed boy who knows all of York’s hidden places and histories. Miranda wonders if Nick is falling for her, but she is distracted by another boy — one even more handsome and mysterious than Nick. He lives in the house across from Miranda and seems desperate to send her some sort of message. Could this boy be one of York’s haunted souls?Soon, Miranda realizes that something dangerous — and deadly — is being planned. And she may have to face the darkest part of herself in order to unravel the mystery — and find redemption. (goodreads.com)

People! Did you know this isn't a sequel to Ruined? Well, I didn't! When I received a copy of this book at the Montreal Book Blogger meet-up, I went out and ordered Ruined because I thought it was a sequel. Turns out I didn't have to (although since Ruined) had been on my wishlist for a while I am still happy I did!) It's the book covers that fool you!This ghost story takes place in York, England, which is a much different animal that New Orleans. I wasn't quite as captivated by the atmosphere in Dark Souls as I was with Ruined. The story reads the same way though, more like a flash back to YA from the 80s and early 90s. I was thinking of the revamped Nancy Drew Files that came out in the early 90s while reading this book. I liked that a lot about both books. I wasn't worried about stupid love triangles or pining over boys to get in the way, although this time around there was slightly more pining for Nick than I would have liked. Not that I know much about Miranda, but I felt like her actions while in York for a week were very out of character for her and that bothered me.I know I keep saying this, but I honestly really enjoyed the old-school ghost mystery feel about the story. If Paula Morris writes more stories like this I will certainly read them! The only reason these books are likely classified as paranormal is because they deal with ghosts, which is what paranormal meant to me when I was growing up. Now paranormal is a new way of classifying urban fantasy for teens. This is the former - the ghost story mystery story. Think Scooby-Doo and gang! (only with real ghosts and not Mr. Jenkins from Down the Road in a costume.)I also like that the character in these books have normal, every day names. What is with YA these days that the names of the characters have to be so ridiculous and strange? It's like soap opera names times a billion. Miranda, Nick, Rob.. all normal names. I like that, it makes the stories sound a little more real.Although I liked Ruined more than Dark Souls,  I found both books to be nice, light paranormal mysteries. I also still think I should have read them in October, but either way, enjoyable all the same!