Canticle of Lost Souls

This dark exploration of identity and responsibility in the face of evil is an engrossing journey for fans of young adult fantasy! Originally published in Italy, this debut English edition features a translation by the original writer, Michele Monteleone, and a new, exclusive illustration by artist Freddie Tanto!

Teenage orphan Leah lives in a small village a few miles away from the deadly swamp. According to local legend, in ancient times the swamp was a lake with an imposing castle at the center, until someone awoke something behind those walls that needed to be kept asleep, and the castle collapsed as the swamp took over. Now people live precariously on its borders, as the swamp spawns “things” that the Church calls Demons.

When her village’s greatest hero is killed fighting off one of these monsters, leaving the shriveled, weak remnant of its evil contained in a lantern, Leah is chosen to carry the demon to the center of the swamp and cast it into the black pit. But as she journeys she’ll encounter greater threats than that held tightly in her hand, and the demon raises questions about why Leah would risk her life for the village that would send her on this perilous task in the first place.

What will Leah find in the ruins of the collapsed castle and the black pit? How far do we have to travel to know ourselves? | Michele Monteleone (Rome, 1987) has been active as a comics scriptwriter for more than ten years. He has worked with all the major publishing houses in the sector, writing on historical titles such as Dylan Dog and Orfani.

Freddie Tanto was born on the Day of the Dead, as in the best prophecies. He has published illustrated books for Franco Cosimo Panini and Fabbri Editore.