This book was not my favorite. I could tell it was really well written but the book made me uncomfortable so anyone who doesn't mind occult definitely read it!

This book evoked all the Gothic vibes with its windswept coastal setting, a missing sister, and a very mysterious artist colony where strange rituals of communing with lost souls are performed (can you say cult).

Initially, knowing this was about the close bond between sisters drew me into the story. However, I was surprised by how it delved deep into the occult, strange beliefs about grief, the afterlife, and obsessions. Sisters May and June may be the focus, but there is a strong presence of unhinged characters, such as the colony’s charismatic leader, which added a chilling layer to the narrative.

While I enjoyed the sisters, May started to wear on me as she made poor or rash decisions repeatedly. Perhaps it was out of jealousy or a desire to emulate June, but I never really deciphered that dynamic. Regardless, her actions added to the drama and suspense.

This book is not just intriguing, it's haunting and unsettling. I was eager to find out how this would turn out, and once again, I was surprised.

🎧 I did struggle a bit with the audiobook format - the narration seemed a little too robotic with very little fluctuation and voice accentuation.

3.5🌟

Thank you @highbridgeaudio for the gifted audiobook via #NetGalley narrated by Sarah Welborn.

Overall, I enjoyed this story. It was a fascinating premise. The allure of Rex and the Colony kept me engaged throughout the story. My main issue was with the main female character, May. I could not connect with her. I also found some of the elements of the story to be a bit odd. The supporting characters were very well written, and the narrator for the audiobook was great! This book had a nice ending that wraps up loose ends and left over questions. If you’re interested in historical fiction with elements of mystery and some romance, I recommend checking this book out! Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for providing me with this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

It was a historical gothic fast pace story with a twist of mystery thriller. It was a good story and I enjoy listening to it.
The narrators did an excellent job telling the story.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Highbridge Audio for the ARC-audio.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. When I read the premise I thought, wow, a California mansion, the 1930's, a cult and a missing sister, what more could we ask for? I will say though that it took awhile for me to get into it, and the main character, May is very naive. Overall still a decent story and can't wait to see what the author comes up with next.

What a ride! It started a little slow for me but once May was in Colony and all the weird stuff started happening, I was hooked!

Thank you Netgalley & Uplit reads for a gifted physical and audio copy.

How many times do you you need to roll your eyes at an apparently stupid main character before a book was a “ do not finish? I dont know but I only made it to the 20% when I gave up on this book. The main characters May is a young woman in the 1930s who married for security to her father’s business partner- a man her father’s age. She finds her self trapped in a loveless marriage and dearly missing dear sister June, and grieving the loss of a still born daughter. . It would seem that June was also in a bad marriage a couple years ago, when her husband met with a suspicious end. She high tailed it put of town and has been missing for two years. One morning May gets cryptic letter from her sister, inviting her to come to a “ art colony” on the Southern California coast. May sees this as her chance at freedom, and takes off.
However when she arrived at the renaissance revival mansion, June is away on “business”, but she is welcomed in as a guest. Everyone there is creepy, with the head of this cult Rex especially creepy- the definition of a “charismatic “ leader. She meets his wife who is she descbes in great detail as old and ugly. They give her refreshments that make her woozy, and lose track of timebut she keeps pounding them down, not even a tiny bit suspicious. She is too busy gushing about the opulent decor, and a gorgeous room - all her own- wtf???
At this point i was like ..ok- its 1930- she has never heard of a cult. Soon incredibly handsome and charming Rex soon has May captivated and talks about reincarnation. It seems that he has powers to give her back the child she lost. When he lures her to his bedroom ( he is married to an old woman that May describes as ugly) gets her drunk. He begins to undress her, and she justifies it to herself because he is so handsome and she is desperate for his touch. After they do the deed, she finds his wife had been watching. The whole thing giving me the icks. I just couldn’t go on any further, Sorry this was a DNF for me. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a chance to read it, just not my cup of tea. I prefer strong and smart female characters.

Thank you to @uplitreads & @kensingtonbooks for this atmospheric historical fiction set in 1930's California, out now!

May is following clues to find her lost sister and it leads her to a mysterious group of people hidden away in a Spanish Revival mansion. The clear leader, Rex, quickly has May spellbound, making her mission cloudy. She is feeling the pull of belonging and community, despite the growing unease.

I have to admit I struggled with this one. The premise was atmospheric and I was excited to see what would happen, expecting the unexpected. Instead, I got the expected with a lead character that did not have a strong sense of anything. She started off a bit stronger and then succumbed so easily, I was disappointed. She does find herself again, but by then I was apathetic.

Was it too hot outside for me to engage this one? This is now a question I must ask myself. I think it had more to do with a rough start with the narrator. I added the audio, graciously #gifted to me by @highbridgeaudio via @netgalley and the beginning felt very stiff and overly enunciated. It didn't flow at first, but it did get better. I probably should have just switched to physical copy only.

If you adore historical mysteries, give this a look. I wasn't in the right frame to read this one, I think, and it made me extra critical. Be sure to see what others thought.

I do really appreciate the opportunity to read and listen so many books, even if they weren't the right for me, so thank you again to the publishers & Uplit Reads!

Review of The Colony of Lost Souls by Kelsey James

Kelsey James's The Colony of Lost Souls delivers a moody, atmospheric plunge into 1930s California, weaving historical fiction with gothic suspense and cult psychology. Glamorous yet foreboding, this novel keeps you enthralled with its blend of mystery, sisterhood, and the occult.

The Colony of Lost Souls is a gripping gothic thriller steeped in historical atmosphere and psychological unease. With razor-sharp writing and an immersive cult milieu, it’s ideal for fans of Sarah Penner–style historical mysteries or Simone St. James–esque supernatural suspense. The dual strength of its setting and sisterly bond carries the story even as the heroine’s voice occasionally falters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions are my own.

If you like an historical fiction novel with mystery, intrigue, romance, cults, and all the vines of California during the early 30s, then this is the book for you. The characters were compelling and the story was well done. Although the mystery aspect was obvious, it was still well worth the read.

I listened to this book on my iPhone
Liked the storyline
It was well written and informative
First book I have read by this author and I certainly will look out for other books
Y first experience of an audio book and my feelings here are it will be the last
The narration was not to my taste
I really struggled to keep listening. The narrator’s American accent was shrill and screechy
Have made a note to avoid another audiobook using this narrator
It really spoiled my enjoyment

I was lucky enough to receive the audiobook version of this title through NetGalley, and I have to say—the narration was a highlight. The narrator had a clear, pleasant tone, and I appreciated how she shifted her voice to match different characters, adding depth and personality to the story.

The plot was engaging enough to keep me listening, and I really enjoyed the ending—it tied up many of the conflicts in a satisfying way. One of the strongest aspects of the book was the bond between May and her sister, June. Their relationship felt so authentic, I wouldn’t be surprised if the author has a sister of her own. It was definitely a standout part of the story for me.

That said, the reason I’m giving this one three stars comes down to the FMC. She often came across as whiny and repetitive, and at times her behavior felt more like a teenager’s than that of a grown woman. Her reactions to conflict really pulled me out of the story at points.

This was my first read by this author. While I’m not in a rush to pick up another one of her books, I wouldn’t rule it out entirely—especially if the premise caught my interest.

Synopsis: 1930’s California: a young woman leaves her unhappy marriage and travels to Southern California to search for her missing sister, leading to her entrenchment in a mysterious artist colony.

Thoughts: If you find cult: as fascinating as I do, you need to read this book! A fast-paced, compelling journey into the heart of an artist colony turned cult in the 1930s, this book kept me on the edge of my seat. The vivid coastal California setting, interesting characters, and gothic vibes made for a unique reading experience. I can’t say I’ve read anything quite like this before. If you like your historical fiction with a little added supernatural vibes (similar to Sarah Penner!) definitely check this one out. A note on the audio: Sarah Welborn is a great narrator! I thought she really captured the personality of the FMC and brought her to life.

Read this if you like:
🌊 California setting
🌊 historical fiction
🌊 cults
🌊 mystery

Kelsey James’ gothic The Colony of Lost Souls takes place in the grim shadow of the Great Depression. The novel follows May, who’s haunted by the disappearance of her beloved sister June. When May finally gets word from June, it’s a letter inviting her to visit a mysterious artists' colony in a mansion perched on the Pacific cliffs.
She leaves her loveless marriage to seek out her sister — and a better life in this place seemingly untouched by the country’s economic upheavals. But though the colony is welcoming, serene, and beautiful, it’s really a cult led by a charismatic leader who preys on the grieving by promising to bring back the souls of missing loved ones. By the time May realizes that she’s in a gilded cage, it may already be too late.
Narrator Sarah Welborn elevates the audiobook. Her measured, emotionally nuanced performance captures May’s practical voice as her uncertainty grows, the colony’s façade fades away, and the danger mounts.
The Colony of Lost Souls is a sumptuous yet sinister story that really shows the underbelly of the grift and how easy it is to be taken in.

Thank you Netgalley and HighBridge audio for this book in exchange for an honest review. This is a solid mystery book. Not a thriller. You most likely won’t be surprised at the ending. May goes off to find her sister June. June’s always been on the more adventuresome side. May writes her husband a note, takes some money, and off she goes. May and her husband Fred are not happily married. They lost a baby a few months ago and May is upset that Fred is running the grocery store business that May inherited. She thought they would run it together and when that doesn’t happen, she is upset. Soon May meets the charismatic leader, Rex and his more austere wife, Ruth. Rex soon convinces May that she needs to reach heaven’s light, sex. She is a willing participant until the next morning, when she has regrets. While walking near the ocean, May meets Vito, a man who claims to work with the DA of Orange County. He’s trying to get another member out before the Society takes all his money. May still hasn’t found June but after some curious things happen, she discovers theres more to this colony than meets the eye. You will of course see the end coming. You will not be surprised. You will not be on the edge of your seat. It’s an ok book. The narrator is ok. May is so wishy washy you will want to slap her through your ear buds. The book is set in 1930 which doesn’t explain May just leaving her husband or her sleeping with Rex. If you have something else in your TBR pile, go read that. I think this book would be too annoying for book club. Strong skip on this one. Thank me later

This was an ‘OK’ read. I might feel differently about it if I’d read the ebook or a hard copy, as the narration didn’t really work for me. It was a little too breathy and high-pitched, especially at the start.
May is a naive, frustrated, prohibition-era housewife with a husband who keeps her downtrodden.
She receives a letter from her glamorous older sister, June, which gives her a way out of her marriage in the form of an invitation to join her at ‘the colony’. May jumps at the chance, only to find that her sister is absent when she arrives, but is persuaded by the charismatic colony leader to stay while they await June’s return.
May gets sucked into the spell created by the leader and his disciples. However, when its effects begin to wear off, she discovers too late, that she’s already in too deep.
The plot is solid and trots along at a good pace. May’s character develops nicely throughout the story.
If you like a bit of light historical fiction, a reincarnation cult with a charismatic but unhinged leader and a side of kaftans with your thrillers, then you’ll probably enjoy this.
It kept me entertained and so I’m giving it a solid four stars, with thanks to @NetGalley and @HighBridgeAudio for the chance to listen to an ARC. Kelsey James’ The Colony of Lost Souls is out now.

Interesting read for sure. Not huge on historical fiction typically, but I did enjoy this one. Mysterious, gothic vibes. You can’t help but hope and pray May can get herself and June out. The narrator wasn’t my favorite; it almost felt too cheerful.

I’m equally fascinated by and freaked out by cults. Although the colony isn’t technically a cult, it seems to run like one with Rex at the helm. I absolutely devoured this book and it had me on the edge of my seat multiple times. The writing was so descriptive that I could clearly picture the location and all the happenings. May was such a likable character and I was rooting for her as she searched for her beloved sister June. I definitely recommend this twisty story for historical fiction fans.

I enjoyed the historical era and the gothic horror storyline (who knew the two could play well together?). However, I felt that our girl May was lacking in the intelligence department. For someone who grew up skeptical, she was incredibly gullible. I appreciated the opportunity to read this ARC copy from Netgalley.

This was a heartbreaking yet also a soul searching story of two sisters with a strong bond, May and June, in the times where women have fewer rights and choices but both are strong in their own way when they find what is most important to them. It is also about the insidiousness of cults and how they prey on the vulnerable for power, money, and the chance to experiment or create "miracles".

May's search for June and her discoveries at the Colony in Southern California were fascinating (with how the miracles and cures were portrayed) as it seemed at first like a haven for artists and freethinkers. The slow reveal of the rotten core made this so heartbreaking as May finds out the truth and must make the hard choice of what to do. That and the viewpoint of June in the previous months before May arrives at the Colony weave a wonderfully tragic yet with hope in the end story.

The narrator did a wonderful job in bringing the characters, the time period, and the Colony to life and the audiobook was well done.