Among Ghosts is one of those books where, early on, you'll look back at the book cover, read the author's name and wonder why you haven't read anything from Rachel Hartman before. And if you have read a Hartman novel before, then you likely understand what I'm saying.

The story effortlessly draws us into the village of St. Muckle and its immensely interesting cast of characters. Technically, we are first drawn into the nearby "crumbling Abbey of St. Ogdo's-on-the-Mountain," but it's St. Muckle-adjacent and provides a fueling start to this novel. The world grows as the narrative progresses, with intriguing glimpses of warring kingdoms and lands with dragons that can take on human form. Add in plagues, family dysfunction, mercenaries, religious zealots and -- just for good measure -- ghosts.

Sure, this sounds like a busy, bustling and complex world -- but what world isn't? What makes this world so comfortable is how it's not really introduced so much as presented in a matter-of-fact manner. This is completely logical for these characters, as that is the world they inhabit. It's also logical for the reader, as we aren't as an ignorant newbie, but a visitor that could have come from two villages over.

While the narrative and setting are great, writing an ensemble is where Hartman truly excels. Charl may be the central figure, but it is clearly conveyed how he is surrounded by many compelling characters. There's his kindly-yet-stubborn mother, Eileen; valiant Aris; tough and smart Sister Agnes; mysterious Dr. Caramus, and so many others in St. Muckle. As if there weren't enough in that batch, it gets really interesting when we get Mother Trude, Miga, the ghost girls, the Battle Bishop and Jarlbrus.

Yes, I just rattled off a bunch of names, but the great thing about Hartman's writing style is that each of those characters are easily distinguished and distinctive. A cast of characters might be a nicety in future novels, but honestly, it's not needed. Hopefully Hartman proves to be a prolific writer, as this cast is presented in such an intriguing manner that nearly any character could merit their own novel. Yes, even Gorlich Smith or the Vasterich family. Or past stories about The Fiddle.

For those interested in world-building fantasy lore, Among Ghosts is set in the same world as Seraphina, Tess of the Road and In the Serpent's Wake, but takes place 100 years sooner. This reviewer has not read any of those books, but that deficiency will certainly be remedied. In fact, it was delightful to discover that other stories had been told, yet not reading those hadn't hindered enjoyment of this story. This book does not read like a prequel to other books (and I mean that in the most positive way); however, this book certainly whets the appetite for more stories from Rachel Hartman.