The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding

The Haunting of Alaizabel Cray by Chris Wooding is about Thaniel and Cathaline, two wych-hunters living in a futuristic London. During one night of wych-hunting, Thaniel finds Alaizabel, a young girl who is possessed by an ancient and evil spirit. The rest of the story revolves around Thaniel and Cathaline trying to help Alaizabel find out who she ism who is taking possession of her body, and why. Also, there is a serial killer stalking the streets of London, called Stitch-face because of his gruesome appearance. He is furious with someone for "killing in his name". Someone else is killing people on the streets of London in a very particular pattern. Two detectives are trying to solve these murders. All of these seemingly unrelated things come together by the end of the story, where Thaniel, Cathaline, one of the detectives, a Beggar King, and a blind Devil boy try to defeat the "Fraternity" and all of the wych-kin forever.

This was an excellent book! I read some of Chris Wooding's other books last summer (Poison and The Storm Thief), and liked this one just as much. The fantasy worlds the author creates seem so realistic - right down to the strange and scary creatures that inhabit them. Like The Storm Thief, this book left me really thinking about humanity and human traits/characteristics.