The Lantern Keeper

In the quiet temple of Asteris, every farewell begins with a lantern. Yummy has spent her entire life within the temple's weathered halls, where the living come to grieve and the departed are guided toward their final journey. Raised by the gentle Lantern Keeper Velna, she grows up believing that every soul deserves compassion, every memory deserves to be honored, and no one should have to face the unknown alone. As the years pass, childhood wonder gives way to responsibility. Friendships deepen, seasons change, and the rituals that once seemed ordinary begin to reveal the weight they carry. With every soul she helps, Yummy learns that grief is never only for the dead. It belongs just as deeply to those left behind. When loss reaches the temple itself, Yummy must discover whether kindness alone can carry a person through sorrow. In learning to guide others toward peace, she begins to understand the true meaning of remembrance, love, and letting go. Blending gentle fantasy with an intimate coming-of-age journey, The Lantern Keeper is a heartfelt novel about compassion, found family, and the quiet courage to walk beside another soul, even when the road leads toward goodbye.