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Cover of The Lovely Dark

The Lovely Dark

Matthew Fox

Ages 10–14

256 pages · Released Apr 21, 2026

Content report card

What's inside

Medium confidence

Violence

Language

Sexual content

LGBTQ+ themes

Substance use

What it offers

A note for parents

The Lovely Dark is a middle-grade fantasy novel centered on a journey through the Underworld following a protagonist's accidental death. While the premise is inherently dark and deals with mortality, the tone appears to be contemplative rather than gratuitously scary. The story emphasizes friendship, resilience, and emotional growth as Ellie and Justin navigate their circumstances together. This is appropriate for older middle-grade readers comfortable with mythological underworld settings and themes of loss.

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From the publisher

In this haunting and poignant novel, twelve-year-old Ellie and her best friend Justin must journey through the Underworld to find their way back to the world of the Living after her accidental death. When twelve-year-old Eleanor Newton thinks she sees her deceased grandmother, she misses her chance to speak with her on... In this haunting and poignant novel, twelve-year-old Ellie and her best friend Justin must journey through the Underworld to find their way back to the world of the Living after her accidental death. When twelve-year-old Eleanor Newton thinks she sees her deceased grandmother, she misses her chance to speak with her one last time. Soon after, Ellie finds herself and her best friend Justin lost in the underworld.

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ISBN 9781454965022 · Union Square Kids