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GHOST SUNS

  • Apr 17
  • 4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Hélyos doesn't realize how deadly his 16th summer will be.

Large Format Novel for Teens/Young Adults – Nathan Publishing

June 18, 2026 - Paperback, 250 pages, and digitally

Audio version on Lizzie :


Publisher's presentation:

A LUMINOUS THRILLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF FOREVER 17

Spending time with his family on a small island in the Atlantic, Hélyos doesn't realize how deadly the summer of his sixteenth year will be.

Despite the hostility they inspire in him, Hélyos mingles with other teenagers on vacation, attracted by the seductive Manon and the mysterious Lucas.

But how could Solal, his 5-year-old little brother, know the house with the red shutters where his new friends live so well? And what if he was telling the truth, if he had already been to this island?

Because Solal keeps repeating it: that's where he died.




AWARDS AND SELECTIONS

PRESS REVIEW (excerpts)

IN THE PRESS

Gaël Aymon, an established writer of young adult fiction, draws us into the mind of this bewildered teenager. His subtle, tender prose allows us to experience the torments of adolescence… Whilst this novel has one foot in the realm of fantasy, it is also the story of a transformative summer. Gaël Aymon masterfully maintains the sense of mystery and does not shy away from drama, but what makes this novel more than just a thriller is the deep empathy we feel for Hélyos, a deeply moving teenager !FRANCE INTER - Dans la bibliothèque des ados (Mahaut de Butler)
Gaël Aymon plays brilliantly with narrative to better mislead the reader. Starting with the conventions of the psychological thriller—with a thoroughly successful build-up of tension—the final scenes are particularly harrowing, dramatic and eerie. Then there is the romance, and Gaël Aymon is infinitely more demanding of his readers than the authors of generic, trendy romance novels. An extremely unsettling read, thanks to all these delightful games of literary manipulation. CNLj / LA REVUE DES LIVRES POUR ENFANTS (Fabrice Barcq)
As always, whatever the genre, Gaël Aymon has a way of drawing the reader in. This fantasy thriller is THE novel to give you the chills this summer. CORSE MATIN (Gaële Valéry)
The tension builds with formidable effectiveness! Beyond the mystery, the story is firmly rooted in reality: first stirrings of love, sibling bonds, personal development… All these themes lend the novel its depth! JE BOUQUINE (Mathilde Allavène)

AT BOOKSTORES

A brilliant novel, crafted with the finesse of a couturier, in which Gaël Aymon never sacrifices the intimate for the sake of the grandeur of his narrative. I haven’t finished telling you about it yet! LIBRAIRIE DE PARIS (Michaël Mathieu)
A gut-wrenching dénouement! LIBRAIRIE LE BARON PERCHE, Courbevoie (Élise Lemoine)
A gripping thriller that you’ll devour in one go! LIBRAIRIE THUARD (Lou-Anne)
Brrr....Thrilling! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ LIBRAIRIE MOTS ET IMAGES (Laetitia T.)
A relentless thriller, a touch of the supernatural and, above all, unbearable tension that builds over the final 50 pages. You can’t help but be swept away by this addictive read. LIBRAIRIE LA GALERNE (Delphine)
A marvellous new novel from the author of FOREVER 17. Suspense, the beach, friendship – all the right ingredients for a summer read! LIBRAIRIE LE 5ème ART
This gripping, understated thriller keeps you hooked from start to finish thanks to the author’s spellbinding writing and the strength of his characters. THE must-read thriller of the summer! LIBRAIRIE JEUX LIS LÀ

ON THE INTERNET

The author plays with the conventions of the psychological thriller, gradually building the tension right up to the final climax, which is worthy of a thriller for adults. He handles themes such as adolescence, memory, family, sibling bonds, grief, death and first loves with great sensitivity. A moving and vibrant story. Steffdepikiti
Gaël Aymon has written a superbly crafted novel that is at once topical, incisive and sensitive. The relationship between the young characters unfolds with delicacy, whilst the upheavals of adolescence strike the reader with their realism. Without ever losing its balance, the novel weaves together family ties, differences in social background, first loves and insights into the bonds between people. The abrupt and violent ending is handled with consummate skill. An immersive read, rich in suspense and emotion. LES NOTES (M.R. et J.H.)
A novel that confirms Gaël Aymon’s talent for exploring the darker sides of adolescence. Nathalie Journet professeure documentaliste
What a novel!! SOLEILS FANTÔMES kept me on the edge of my seat right up to the very last line. A gripping story, a breathless ending… you’ll be glued to the pages – you’ve been warned… MG BOOKS
A triumph from start to finish! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Café noir et polars gourmands

The perfect read to savour this summer, without moderation. Highly addictive – a wonderful discovery!😃🌞 SodeboBooks
Combining self-discovery with encounters with others and their differences, this mysterious, entertaining novel with a touch of fantasy will have your teenagers (or you) hooked, especially if you’re heading to the seaside and there’s a house with red shutters… Romain Gaillard – Ministry of Culture

 
 
 

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