A Skinful of Shadows

By Frances Hardinge,

Book cover of A Skinful of Shadows

Book description

A Skinful of Shadows is a dark YA historical fantasy set in the early part of the English Civil War. Makepeace is an illegitimate daughter of the aristocratic Fellmotte family, and as such, she shares their unique hereditary gift: the capacity to be possessed by ghosts. Reluctant to accept her…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep the lights on. Or join the rebellion as a member.

Why read it?

1 author picked A Skinful of Shadows as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I’ve spent much of my adult life searching for media that gives me the same feeling as sitting down to my favourite Halloween movies as a kid. The gorgeous, autumnal crunch of Hocus Pocus, the spooky-but-not-scary atmosphere of Tim Burton’s 90’s offerings, the magic and adventure of Willow and The Dark Crystal. It was a big, specific ask, and yet I found it so perfectly in Frances Hardinge. 

My favourite of her books (so far) is A Skinful of Shadows. A twisting, turning, spooky adventure about a girl harboring the spirit of an abused circus bear who…

Want books like A Skinful of Shadows?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like A Skinful of Shadows.

Browse books like A Skinful of Shadows

Book cover of Howl's Moving Castle
Book cover of The Bone Houses
Book cover of Legends & Lattes

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,117

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in ghost story, spirit possession, and inheritances?

Ghost Story 176 books
Inheritances 90 books