The Last Death Poet: 'A refreshing new voice in YA' Patrick Ness

When Michael is uprooted to his mum’s hometown of Belfast, he isn’t just hoping for a fresh start. He’s determined to discover the truth about his dad’s mysterious absence. But from the moment he arrives, he’s plagued with visions of the city’s troubled past.


Reunited with his extended family, Michael begins settling into his new life and even meets a boy who helps erase the painful memories of his ex. But as the visions grow stronger and more intense, the only person he can really confide in is his new friend Meg.


As Meg delves into the supernatural source of the visions, Michael begins to question whether events of the past are linked to his dad’s disappearance. Can he use his powers to find his dad before he’s gone forever?

'A refreshing new voice in YA, Stephen Daly daringly mixes northern Irish history, a tender coming out story, and dark magic to produce something big-hearted, clear-eyed and deeply touching. You’ll fall in love with The Last Death Poet.' Patrick Ness

'The Last Death Poet is a soaring, searing exploration of sexuality, identity and destiny, mirrored in a Belfast caught between past, present and future. Daly has written a story that will resonate with any young person whose sense of self has been subsumed by who and what they’re supposed to be. Combining myth, magic and modernity, The Last Death Poet marks the launch of a sparkling and necessary new voice in queer fantasy writing.' Melinda Salisbury, author of Her Dark Wings

'a deft and propulsive exploration of identity, myth and legacy.' Deirdre Sullivan, author of Wise Creatures

'Irish myth blends thrillingly with an empowering tale of affirming identity.' Financial Times best summer books of 2026

'The Last Death Poet executes the paranormal in my favourite way. With a voice so easy to connect with that the characters felt like old friends. Funny, original, page-turning, and utterly, beautifully, Belfast.' Jenny Ireland, author of The First Move

‘a very special story about what on earth we do with our particular tangle of history in Northern Ireland.’ Shirley-Anne McMillan

'Daly shines the otherworldly light of fantasy and mythology onto thorny questions of truth, memory and the legacy of the Troubles. The result is beautiful, unique and utterly unforgettable.' Máire Zepf

'A welcome new voice bringing diversity to YA writing from the north of Ireland. The Last Death Poet blends Irish myth, paranormal and contemporary Belfast. And crows. Lots of crows.' Sue Divin, author of Guard Your Heart and Truth Be Told

'This book is the perfect blend of teen drama, great ensemble cast, and supernatural imagery, along with a fascinating dive into Northern Irish history.' Nathanael Lessore

'Electric, strange in all the best ways, and full of heart - The Last Death Poet captures the ache of growing up and the ghosts that never quite leave us. Stephen Daly’s voice is fierce, poetic, and utterly original. I fell into this book and didn’t want to leave it.' Josh Silver

'Heartfelt, tender and quietly beautiful, this story haunts you in the best possible way, reminding us how the past is inexorably linked to our present and the importance of keeping those stories alive. A stunning debut which I very much loved.' Simon James Green, author of Boy Like Me

'This deft, heartfelt exploration of how the past acts on the present was a joy to read.' Dave Rudden

'The Last Death Poet is a brilliant debut that blends family turmoil, personal history, and self-discovery into a witty and uplifting story. Warm, funny, and threaded with Irish mythology, Stephen Daly’s vivid take on a paranormal Belfast pulled me in from the first page. A striking new voice—Stephen is definitely one to watch!' Alison Weatherby

'The Last Death Poet is a triumph. A fast paced YA novel that seamlessly blends Irish mythology with a contemporary urban setting, TLDP examines complex topics with sensitivity and humour. With a cast of charming, nuanced characters, intriguing magic and chilling horror alongside romance and friendship, this book is not to be missed.' Amy Clarkin

'The Last Death Poet shows life, death, art and memory in vivid detail. Stephen Daly superimposes a past and present Belfast in double exposure; a compelling and engrossing story about how the here-and-now is never far from history.' Clara Kumagai

'A stunning coming-of-age novel exploring Belfast's rich history through a clever supernatural twist - this one has something for every reader! And the heartbreaking family mystery kept me guessing until the very end. Loved it.' Melissa Welliver

'A poignant exploration of identity and history, cleverly wrapped in mystery with dark mythological nods. I enjoyed it immensely!' Ashley Thorpe

'A completely original, fiercely witty and genuinely chilling debut - a major new storytelling voice has arrived.' Piers Torday

‘A deft, tender, poignant, utterly captivating novel. I cannot say enough about The Last Death Poet. One of the most assured debuts I have ever read.’ William Hussey

'The history is handled beautifully and respectfully, the writing is utterly charming, the mythology is fricking terrifying, the romance and friendships are a perfect balance for the serious stuff, and the tension escalates relentlessly as the twists just keep coming. It’s such a fun read and heartbreaking at the same time. I can’t say enough good things about this book.' Kelly McCaughrain

'A compelling and compulsive read. Readers are going to dive into this striking page-turner of a coming of age book. The poetic parallels between Michael exploring his identity amongst the backdrop of a country finding its are artfully woven through this triumph of a book. Michael might be the last of the death poets, but I think this is the first in a long line of books that we will see from Stephen Daly whose writing is sleek, immediate and powerful.' Annaliese Avery

'I loved this book so much, I read it in two sittings. The second sitting was 300 pages long because I wouldn’t go to bed until I finished it.' Patrice Lawrence

‘A wonderfully propulsive and addictive coming of age mystery that examines our history and our heritage, how these things shape and define us and how we can honour them.’ Margaret McDonald

'A timely and poignant novel that explores history and identity, The Last Death Poet brings together a young queer teen's struggle to accept himself with a fractured city's inability to reckon with its past... Daly manages to delve into heavy, emotive themes with sensitivity and compassion... Deftly weaving serious subjects with a riveting mystery and complex characters, this novel will have mature readers laughing one moment and gasping the next.' Inis Magazine (Children's Books Ireland)

'This is a smart, sophisticated exploration of the legacy of the Troubles... storytelling is how we make sense of the world, Daly tells us; it is how we stay human.' Irish Times

'A gripping, supernatural coming-of-age story set against the shadows of Belfast’s past... Atmospheric, emotional and full of intrigue, The Last Death Poet blends queer love, family secrets and the supernatural into a story about confronting the past before it consumes you.' Queerly Radio Book of the Week