Passages takes place almost immediately after Wilted Lilies. At the end of that first book, a mysterious man took Lily May from the interview room. Turns out, the guy is a teacher at an exclusive boarding school for folks who are special like the young girl. Think Professor X’s school in X-Men or Hogwarts from the Harry Potter series. But instead of mutants or magicians, McMillan Hall is filled with kids who can do things like talk to ghosts, astral project, see blood from the past, make people do their bidding with nothing but a suggestion, and more. Oh, and it also has secret tunnels because no good school is complete without them.

I always praise Kelli Owen’s skill with creating great characters because she never fails in getting me to really root for whom I need to root for. I love Lily May (eh…now just Lily) and I just want to protect her from all the pain in the world, both physical and mental. This poor child has seen and been through so much and to see she is no longer an outcast and is surrounded by peers that have various psychic powers pleases me to no end. Not only that, she has found a real live friend in her class/roommate Caroline. Are things finally turning around for her?

I dig a lot about Lily, but mostly what I find impressive is Owen’s ability to tug at your heartstrings with this girl’s history without overdoing it. Lily has dealt with some shit, and Owen expertly guides you through the girl’s life giving you just enough information for a very believable person without going over-the-top in an effort to make you compassionate.

Passages is the part of the story that’s clearly putting the pieces on the board for what’s to come. For much of the book nothing major happens other than you meeting characters, learning their skills, finding out who the antagonists are (maybe), and getting the layout of this massive school. That’s not to say any of it is boring. Laws no. M-O-O-N, that spells setup. Everyone knows that. Because towards the end of Passages, a character is introduced with the subtly of the Kool Aid Man entering a room, and you perk up and take notice. Oh, it’s going to be like this. Okay.

As I mentioned in my Wilted Lilies review, this series is currently set to be at least five books. With the first, Owen got us hooked into the character. Passages gets you invested more in Lily, as well as her friends, and perhaps establishes location. I’m not too sure exactly where this is going yet, but that doesn’t change that I eagerly await to see what part three brings.