Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Natalie C. Parker’s Come Out, Come Out, which is out August 27th 2024.

It’s never been safe for Fern, Jaq, or Mallory to come out to their families. As kids their emerging identities drove them into friendship but also forced them into the woods to hide in an old, abandoned house when they needed safety. But one night when the girls sought refuge, Mallory never made it back home. Fern and Jaq did, but neither survivor remembered what happened or the secrets they were so desperate to keep.

Five years later, Fern and Jaq are seniors on the verge of graduation, seemingly happy in their straight, cisgender lives—until a spirit who looks like Mallory begins to appear, seeking revenge for her death, and the part Fern and Jaq played in it. As they’re haunted, something begins to shift inside them. They remember who they are. Who they want to love. And the truth about the vicious secrets hiding in their woods.

This delightfully dark and pointed novel calls out the systems that erase gay and queer and trans identity, giving space to embrace queerness and to unleash the power of friendship and found family against the real monsters in the world.

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The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Come Out, Come Out’ by Natalie C. Parker appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Your TBR better watch out because there are so many spectacular YA books hitting shelves over the next few months! With new releases from Amie Kaufman, Lexi Ryan, Karen M. McManus, Maureen Johnson, Sarah Henning, Lynn Painter, Danielle Paige, Kalyn Josephson, and Courtney Gould, along with a few debut novels, there’s something for every reader to pick up and enjoy between July and December!

Read on to discover just a few of our picks and also be sure to check out our Most Anticipated and Swoonworthy Romance lists for more releases!

JULY 2024

The Heart of the World by Amie Kaufman

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Magic and sacrifice will collide as lovers and gods, enemies and allies vie for the fate of the world in this heart-pounding sequel to THE ISLES OF THE GODS, which Stephanie Garber called “deliciously diabolical and full of heart.” (Now publishes in September 2024)

Our Wicked Histories by Amy Goldsmith

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A teen girl’s attempt to make amends with her former friend group takes a sinister turn during a weekend getaway at an ancestral Irish estate in this atmospheric, literary horror from the author of Those We Drown.

Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam Sass

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A swoony contemporary romance from Adam Sass following a boy who is cursed to doom any romantic relationship—and the summer that changes everything.

A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman

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The Honeys meets The Secret History in a work of dark academia like no other — a boarding school thriller about a queer teen from Mississippi who finds himself swept into a world of old money, privilege, and the secret society at the heart of it all.

A Magic Fierce and Bright by Hemant Nayak

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A young technomancer teams up with a handsome thief to save her sister in this propulsive, magic-filled young adult fantasy that is perfect for fans of Gearbreakers and Iron Widow.

The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington

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A group of friends fight to choose their own fates in this trope-savvy, self-referential young adult thriller from the acclaimed author of Their Vicious Games, about a demonic force that acts according to horror movie rules in the spirit of the Scream movies.

Beneath These Cursed Stars by Lexi Ryan

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan comes a romantic fantasy in which a human princess armed with death’s kiss and a fae shifter on the run become unlikely allies when a mission to assassinate an evil king collides with a fatal prophecy.

Ready or Not by Andi Porretta

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An anxious teen hopes that a summer of adventure and offbeat dares will keep her friend group together after graduation in this luminous coming-of-age graphic novel with the feel-good vibes of Booksmart and Morgan Matson’s Since You’ve Been Gone.

Such Charming Liars by Karen M. McManus

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The newest mystery from the author One of Us Is Lying, the Queen of thrillers, Karen M. McManus! When mother-daughter grifters set out on their final job, the heist gets deadly and dangerously personal.

Break to You by Neal Shusterman, Debra Young and Michelle Knowlden

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Bestselling author of Scythe and Challenger Deep Neal Shusterman, here with coauthors Debra Young and Michelle Knowlden, tells an intense yet tender story of two teens, trapped in impossible circumstances and unjust systems, willing to risk everything for love—no matter the consequences.

So Witches We Became by Jill Baguchinsky

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A queer, feminist spin on Stephen King’s The Mist, this ode to female-rage is a perfect pick for fans of She Is a Haunting, and a reminder that if “boys will be boys”, girls will fight back.

Hearts Overboard by Becky Dean

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Set sail with this banter-filled rivals-to-lovers romance between a STEM-loving girl and a jock guy that will fill you with wanderlust…and have you rooting for love in the great outdoors!

AUGUST 2024

Ami by S. Jae-Jones

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Filled with adventure, romance and a race against time, Guardians of Dawn: Ami is the next book in the richly imagined Guardians of Dawn series.

The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee

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From Gillian Flynn Books, a lyrical young adult horror by debut author Wen-yi Lee that’s perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting, Stephen King’s IT, and The Haunting of Hill House.

Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

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From the bestselling author of the Truly Devious books, Maureen Johnson, comes a new stand-alone YA about a teen who uncovers a mystery while working as a tour guide on an island and must solve it before history repeats itself.

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

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The first book in a decadent fantasy duology set in Jazz Age Harlem, where at night the dance halls come to life―and death waits in the dark.

A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen

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In this sweet sapphic romance about two foodies in love, Vivi meets Lan while studying abroad in Vietnam and they spend the semester unraveling their families’ histories―and eating all the street food in Sài Gòn.

Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay

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From the author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing comes an emotionally charged, moving novel about four generations of Filipino American boys grappling with identity, masculinity, and their fraught father-son relationships.

The Empire Wars by Akana Phenix

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The Empire Wars is a powerful new YA fantasy in which magic may be a young woman’s only hope for survival.

Wisteria by Adalyn Grace

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Adalyn Grace delivers a sensational conclusion to the deathly and decadent Belladonna trilogy, with dramatic twists and a seductive new romance that will set readers’ hearts ablaze.

Come Out, Come Out by Natalie C. Parker

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A spine-tingling LGBTQIA+ YA horror about queer teens who accidentally invoke a twisted spirit who promises help but delivers something sinister.

Silent Sister by Megan Davidhizar

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The must-read suspense novel of the summer about a mysterious sister’s disappearance, her biggest betrayal and a deadly truth screaming to come out.  

Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham

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From the New York Times bestselling author of My Dearest Darkest comes a sapphic fantasy adventure about a teen witch who must complete her magical training by breaking a powerful family’s curse. But her own affliction—to never find true love—gets in the way when she falls for the girl she’s trying to save.

Under The Surface by Diana Urban

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An epic survival-thriller about four teens who get lost in the Paris catacombs for days—a gripping and propulsive story of love, danger, betrayal, and hope… even when all seems lost.

SEPTEMBER 2024

Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot by Preeti Chhibber

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This laugh-out-loud debut romance introduces perfectly imperfect Payal Mehta, whose plan to get her long-time crush to finally notice her is destined for success, but only if she ignores her budding feelings for her archnemesis…

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

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A queer Appalachian thriller that pulls no punches—following a trans autistic teen who’s drawn into the generational struggle between the rural poor and those who exploit them.

The Lies We Conjure by Sarah Henning

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Knives Out meets The Inheritance Games with magic in this standalone supernatural thriller by Sarah Henning: thirteen witches, a locked-room murder, and two non-magical sisters trapped in a deadly whodunit.

The Thirteenth Child by Erin A. Craig

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From the astonishing mind of Erin A. Craig comes the breathtaking fairy tale retelling readers have been waiting for— what does a life well-lived mean, and how do we justify the impossible choices we make for the ones we love?

Everything Glittered by Robin Talley

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In this queer historical thriller from a New York Times bestselling author, society girls try to find a murderer in a city filled with secrets and stunted by shame. Perfect for fans of Last Night at the Telegraph Club.

When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao

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From the New York Times bestselling author Dustin Thao, We Are Okay meets Wandavision in this novel about loss, and learning to let go.

The Monstrous Kind by Lydia Gregovic

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An atmospheric, haunting, romantasy inspired by Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, set in a Regency England about two sisters fighting to hold on to their manor while deadly monsters prowl along its perimeters—perfect for fans of House of Salt and Sorrows and Anatomy: A Love Story.

The Hysterical Girls of St. Bernadette’s by Hanna Alkaf

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An all-girls school is struck with mysterious cases of screaming hysteria in this chilling dark academia thriller haunted by a deeply buried history clawing to the light.

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter

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In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Better than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student.

To The Bone by Alena Bruzas

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This moving and tragic love story is also a starkly honest look at Colonial America, set during the “Starving Time” in Jamestown.

Spells To Forget Us by Aislinn Brophy

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A witch and a non-magical girl get stuck in an endless cycle of meet-cutes and breakups in this heart-stopping romantic young adult fantasy.

Faeries Never Lie, Edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker

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Faeries Never Lie, the next young adult collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, is filled with fourteen short stories to revel in, that center faeries of varying genders and cultures!

OCTOBER 2024

Tangleroot by Kalela Williams

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In this debut novel, chosen by booksellers as an Indies Introduce selection, a girl must face hard truths about blood and family, history and mystery.

Inheritance of Scars by Crystal Seitz

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House of Roots and Ruin meets The Darkest Part of the Forest in this gorgeous dark fantasy debut steeped in Norse mythology that follows a teen who accidentally awakens an imprisoned draugr and must follow him into a deadly magical forest to rescue her grandmother.

Spell of the Sinister by Danielle Paige

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In New York Times bestselling author Danielle Paige’s wickedly fresh take on beloved tales, the fairy godmothers make the rules. Be careful what you wish for . . .

Make My Wish Come True by Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick

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‘Tis the season for holiday hijinks in the newest sapphic rom-com about a rising star and a small town girl going on twelve fake holidates from the New York Times bestselling authors of She Gets the Girl, Rachael Lippincott and Alyson Derrick!

The Wild Huntress by Emily Lloyd-Jones

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Dive into a lush, standalone fantasy, set in the same world as The Drowned Woods and The Bone Houses, about a deadly competition—perfect for fans of Holly Black and Erin A. Craig.

Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds tackles it—you know…it—from the guy’s perspective in this unfiltered and undeniably sweet stream of consciousness story of a teen boy about to experience a huge first.

Eleven Houses by Colleen Oakes

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Midnight Mass meets The Vampire Diaries in this epic romantic tale of a mysterious island and the houses who have stood for centuries to guard against the dreaded nightmare of beings waiting to strike from the ocean’s depths.

For She Is Wrath by Emily Varga

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A sweeping, Pakistani romantic fantasy retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, where one girl seeks revenge against those who betrayed her—including the boy she used to love.

The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew

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Serpent & Dove meets Arcane in this dystopian romance debut that follows a cunning memory merchant who deals a little extra happiness on the side and the handsome rookie officer on her tail!

Fledgling: The Keeper’s Records of Revolution by S. K. Ali

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The first book in a gripping duology from acclaimed author S.K. Ali introduces a fractured world on the brink of either enlightenment or war.

Inferno’s Heir by Tiffany Wang

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Fearing for her life, an outcast princess joins the rebellion against her own kingdom and family. . . but when playing with fire, someone always gets burned. 

The Debutantes by Olivia Worley

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Jessica Goodman meets The Agathas in this taut, twisty YA thriller set in the glittering world of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, where secrets–and bodies–never stay buried.

NOVEMBER 2024

Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis

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The new Gambit takes Ross and her crew into the intoxicating casinos of Monte Carlo and across treacherous snow-covered slopes in Antarctica as Ross competes against Devroe in a fight for her life. Loyalties will be tested, backs stabbed, hearts broken. May the best thief win.

Darkly by Marisha Pessl

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A seemingly ordinary high school student. A mysterious summer internship. And a legendary game designer, now dead, leaving a dark legacy. The New York Times bestselling author of Night Film spins a twisted web in this masterful YA psychological thriller.

I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea

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Jamison Shea’s sharp and unflinching voice will bring readers to terrifying new heights in this vicious sequel to the “relentlessly gory and almost euphoric in its embrace of the horrific” (NPR) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me.

The Whispering Night by Susan Dennard

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The forest is more dangerous than ever in this highly-anticipated, pulse-pounding, and swoon-worthy conclusion to the bestselling Luminaries trilogy.

Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar

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In this sapphic dual POV Young Adult romance by Adiba Jaigirdar, Meghna and Rani (ex-best-friends-turned-rivals) realize they’re dating the same guy, so they team up to beat and expose him at a big science competition!

When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar

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The splintered relationship between two Indian American cousins is at the center of this dark, twisty YA mystery—perfect for fans of Tiffany D. Jackson, Karen McManus, and Angeline Boulley.

Midnights With You by Clare Osongco

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Fans of Susan Lee and Dustin Thao will be enchanted by this soulful YA romance about how we love, how we heal, and how we find the strength to go on.

Our Deadly Designs by Kalyn Josephson

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The Shadows Between Us meets The Scorpio Races in the epic conclusion to NYT bestselling Kalyn Josephson’s This Dark Descent, called “a fierce and darkly magical thrill ride” by acclaimed author Ava Reid.

Perfect Girl by Tracy Banghart

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Jessa has been raised to be the “perfect girl”, but things go south. A killer looking for the perfect girl has targeted Jessa, and she’ll have to reject everything she’s been taught if she wants to keep herself―and her friends―alive until sunrise.

If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner

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The twisty, intricate mystery of I Killed Zoe Spanos meets the whip-smart sleuthing of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder in the newest novel from acclaimed author Faith Gardner, in which a club of misfits must come together to solve a dangerous mystery—and learn to lean on each other all the while.

Dead Girls Don’t Dream by Nino Cipri

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There are rules for Voynich Woods: Always carry a whistle. Never go alone. Always come home before dark. And if anyone calls your name, don’t answer. Because everyone who wanders from the path is never seen again.

Flopping in a Winter Wonderland by Jason June

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Sparks are flying in Winter Wonderland this Christmas in this LGBTQ+ young adult rom-com from Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Out of the Blue, Jay’s Gay Agenda, and Riley Weaver Needs a Date to the Gaybutante Ball!

DECEMBER 2024

A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya

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A fledgling vampire and a headstrong vampire huntress must work together–against their better judgment–to rid the world of monsters in this irresistible romantic fantasy.

Dust by Alison Stine

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In this haunting, speculative coming-of-age novel about finding your place in an unforgiving environment, a partially deaf teen questions everything she knows about family, love, and her future.

Keep It in the Dark by Justin Arnold

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In this unashamedly queer, supernatural romance, Justin Arnold, author of Wicked Little Things, challenges the institutions that have sidelined queer love to the shadows, and brings it into the light.

We Are the Beasts by Gigi Griffis

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Deaths and disappearances pile up as a mysterious beast stalks the French countryside and two girls seize an unlikely opportunity that just might save them all—or serve them up on a platter.

What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould

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Yellowjackets meets Girl, Interrupted when a group of troubled teens in a wilderness therapy program find themselves stranded in a forest full of monsters eager to take their place.

You’re Dead to Me by Amy Christine Parker

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Gossip Girl meets Happy Death Day in this YA horror novel following high school outcast and anonymous social media gossip Ruby, who comes face-to-face with her own ghost dressed in a blood-splattered prom dress. With less than a week until the dance, Ruby must unmask her killer—or die trying.

What YA books are you looking forward to hitting shelves between July and December? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 66 YA Books Hitting Bookshelves Between July and December 2024 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hi, Zoraida and Natalie! Welcome back! How have the last few years been since we last spoke for Vampires Never Get Old?

Z: I can’t believe how long ago it’s actually been! Post Vampires  we got to see one of the stories “First Kill” by V.E. Schwab get adapted into a Netflix show. We sold two more installments featuring two more of our favorite cryptids/magical beings. We’ve kept busy, kept writing, and now we’re ready for more. Plus! Vampires Never Get Old is finally in paperback just in time for Spooky Season.

N: Like Zoraida says, we’ve been busy! Z has branched into writing adult fiction as well as Star Wars, while I’ve been writing middle grade and young adult, and we’ve both been working with our friend and powerhouse human, Dhonielle Clayton, to launch her new business, Electric Postcard Entertainment. In addition to all of that we’ve been working on this collection and the third in the series and are so excited to be launching our mercreatures into the world!

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

N: I grew up in a family of storytellers. My parents, aunts and uncles, and grandparents always had a story to share, about their childhood or a story that had been shared with them or about something spooky that happened once upon a time. And I think I came to associate stories and telling stories with family and connection.

Z: In 9th grade I was given an assignment to write a short story for extra credit. I had fictionalized a friend’s break up and made it extra. There were evil twins and someone dies by getting stabbed with a scissor. It was incredibly dramatic. After that, I was hooked. Though, I stick to fiction.

Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!

N: First book: The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald. We had an old, illustrated copy and I loved that the princess shared my grandmother’s name.

The book that made me want to be an author: I can’t pin this to a single book so…every SFF book I read as a kid.

Book I can’t stop thinking about: Jade City by Fonda Lee! It’s incredible. Please read it.

Z: First book: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

The book that made me want to be an author: So many of the books I read at 13, but mainly In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater Rhodes.

Book I can’t stop thinking about: Natalie stole my answer! So I’d say My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite.

Mermaids Never Drown is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Z: Splashy, romantic, creative, moving, mer-tastic.

N: Scales! Tails! Gales! And sales! (no whales, tho)

What can readers expect?

N: We have such a beautiful collection of stories in Mermaids Never Drown and I hope that readers come ready to sink into the journey. They can expect to see traditional tropes woven through mermaid mythologies in ways that are both unexpected and also familiar. That said, I think the best thing about collections like this is the opportunity to experience new stories and new voices without bringing too many expectations to the table.

Z: You  know how people say “there’s plenty of fish in the sea”? That’s what we’ve got. Something for everyone.

You mentioned Vampires came to be after a writing retreat. What led to mermaids being the next creature to explore?

N: Oh, that’s easy. It’s because Zoraida is actually a mermaid and she demanded it.

Z: It’s true. The instant we had a casual conversation of what we’d do next, the titles plopped into my brain noodles. We started our dream author list that day.

What a stellar list of contributors! Can you tell us a bit about how these authors came aboard?

N: Pulling together a list of contributors is sometimes the most exciting and difficult part of the anthology process. We always start by asking ourselves what voices are missing from mermaid retellings/ stories and we build from that point. Once we have a list of names, things get really exciting–asking authors to join your latest venture can be daunting and tense–but Zoraida and I have been exceptionally lucky.

Z: I often read books and keep a running list of authors I think could write a killer short story, especially if they haven’t published one before. I’m always happy to be right.

What was your favourite part of the entire process around the anthology? And what was the hardest?

Z: I love diving into the edits and really see the story take shape.

N: My favorite part is always reading the stories for the first time. I never know what to expect and I love that feeling. It reminds me that stories are limitless and a single prompt can inspire wildly different and robust creations. It’s a kind of magic.

N: The hardest is deciding what order they should go in! Seriously, we agonize over placement. Every. Single. Time.

Z: Agreed!

Is there a story featured that you wish had read something like it when you were younger?

N: I’m definitely going to cheat and say ALL OF THEM. There are stories about intergenerational struggle like Julie Dao’s Six Thousand Miles and Gretchen Schreiber’s The Story of a Knife, stories about legacy and self-discovery like Maggie Tokuda-Hall’s Shark Week, Rebecca Coffindaffer’s Storm Song, and Julie Murphy’s The First and Last Kiss, and intimate, magical tales like June Hur’s Jinju’s Pearls and Darcie Little Badger’s Deepwater Vandal. Ah! Zoraida, help!

Z: I’ve got you. We also have stories that are epic and filled with adventure like Kerri Maniscalco’s The Nightingale’s Lament and Adrianna Herrera’s Sea Wolf in Prince’s Clothing, stories about taking risks and trying something new like Katherine Locke’s Nor-Easter and Preeti Chhibbr’s The Dark Calls, and stories about identity and love like Julian Winters’s We’ll Always Have June, Kalynn Bayron’s Return to the Sea, and our story The Merrow. It’s full of stories we wish we’d had when we were younger.

What’s next for you both?

Z: I’m working on my next adult book. It’s tentatively titled The Fall of Rebel Angels and is a love story between a woman suspected of murdering her former lover and a fallen angel who is cursed to search for his wings on Earth every one hundred years.

N: I am just about to announce two new projects that will be released in 2024 and 2025. The first is my first young adult horror novel, which has been a dream of mine for ten million years, and the second is a project I pitched as John Wick meets Adventures in Babysitting. Full details, titles, and covers will be released VERY soon.

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

N: I love recommending books! For something sweeping and glorious, I highly recommend Chloe Gong’s These Violent Delights duology, which I just finished and adored. For something dark and tantalizing, I urge you to read Ryan La Sala’s The Honeys or Tiffany Jackson’s The Weight of Blood. For something thrilling, you can’t beat Gretchen McNeil’s Three Drops of Blood. Or, if magic and monsters are your jam, go for Chaos & Flame by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland.

Z: I think all of our authors have incredible novels that everyone should read ASAP!

Will you be picking up Mermaids Never Drown? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Zoraida Córdova & Natalie C. Parker, Co-Editors of ‘Mermaids Never Drown’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any!

The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White
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New York Times bestselling author Andrew Joseph White returns with the transgressive gothic horror of our time! A blood-soaked and nauseating triumph that cuts like a scalpel and reads like your darkest nightmare.

This Dark Descent by Kalyn Josephson
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The Shadows Between Us meets Six of Crows in this spellbinding new fantasy full of intrigue, romance, and pulse-pounding action, where the eldest daughter of a renowned family on the verge of ruin joins forces with a mysterious, rogue enchanter and a handsome, ambitious heir to win a deadly race.

Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong
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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends comes the second book in the captivating Foul Lady Fortune duology following an immortal assassin in 1930s Shanghai as she races to save her country and her love.

Into the Bright Open: A Secret Garden Remix by Cherie Dimaline
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This queer YA reimagining of The Secret Garden subverts the cishet and white status quo of the original in a tale of family secrets wonderful and horrifying.

Monstrous by Jessica Lewis
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Forced to spend her summer in her aunt’s strange small town, a teen girl discovers dark secrets hidden in the woods. From the author of Bad Witch Burning comes another pulse-pounding novel perfect for fans of Supernatural and Lovecraft Country.

Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass
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Scream meets Clueless in this YA horror from Adam Sass in which two gay teen BFFs find their friendship tested when a serial killer starts targeting their school’s Queer Club.

A Prayer For Vengeance by Leanne Schwartz
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An orphan out to find the truth within a warped religion turns his poetry into prayer―a prayer that awakens a cursed girl hungry for revenge.

The Library of Shadows by Rachel Moore
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Funny, moving, and heart-achingly real, this romantic romp and paranormal romcom debut—through a haunted library with trapdoors, ghosts, and memories—is full of great love that triumphs over even death, perfect for fans of Ninth House and Cemetery Boys.

For Girls Who Walk Through Fire by Kim DeRose
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The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin
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A dark and thrilling vampire romance set in the world of the New York Times bestselling Serpent & Dove series.

If I Have to Be Haunted by Miranda Sun
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Cemetery Boys meets Legendborn in this thrillingly romantic, irresistibly fun YA contemporary fantasy debut following a teenage Chinese American ghost speaker who (reluctantly) makes a deal to raise her nemesis from the dead.

When a Brown Girl Flees by Aamna Qureshi
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In this searing contemporary YA novel from new voice Aamna Qureshi, a Muslim teen runs away from home only to find herself on a breathtaking journey of healing, self-love, and hope.​

Nightbreaker by Coco Ma
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Fifteen years ago, The Vanishing thrust Manhattan into darkness, forever changing the City That Never Sleeps. By day, resilient New Yorkers have adapted, clinging to the vestiges of their cosmopolitan lives. By night—well, you never go out at night unless you have a death wish.

A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
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Bestselling author Ava Reidmakes her YA debut in this dark academic fantasy perfect for fans of Melissa Albert and Elana K. Arnold.

How to Find a Missing Girl by Victoria Wlosok
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For fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and Veronica Mars, this whip-smart thriller follows a sapphic detective agency as they seek the truth behind a growing trail of missing girls in small-town Louisiana. 

Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For
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14 Young Adult short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors make a splash in Mermaids Never Drown – the second collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker – exploring mermaids like we’ve never seen them before!

A Hundred Vicious Turns by Lee Paige O’Brien
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The heir to an arcane bloodline must outwit their ambitious rival to stop a ruthless magical adversary in Lee Paige O’Brien’s A Hundred Vicious Turns, a YA fantasy debut—first in The Broken Tower series—perfect for fans of A Lesson in Vengeance and Hell Followed With Us.

All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr
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In the vein of Grown and The Poet X, Hannah V. Sawyerr’s All the Fighting Parts is a searing and defiant young adult novel in verse about reclaiming agency after a sexual assault within the church community.

Everyone’s Thinking It by Aleema Omotoni
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Mean Girls meets Dear White People in this big-hearted, sharp-witted UK boarding school story about family, friendship, and belonging—with a propulsive mystery at its heart.

A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak by Laura Taylor Namey
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In this highly anticipated companion to the New York Times bestseller and Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club YA Pick A Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea and Tomorrow, Flora Maxwell heads to Miami to find a path for her future…and finds her heart along the way.

The Society For Soulless Girls by Laura Steven
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A sapphic enemies-to-lovers retelling of Jekyll & Hyde, this dark academia thriller follows two roommates who must solve an infamous cold case of serial murders on their campus after an arcane ritual gone wrong prompts another death.

There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer
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A spine-tingling contemporary horror-comedy novel that follows a scary-movie buff as she hosts an elaborate Halloween bash but soon finds the festivities upended when she and her guests are forced to test their survival skills in a deadly game, from debut author Lisa Springer.

Cage of Dreams by Rebecca Schaeffer
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In this thrilling sequel and conclusion to the City of Nightmares duology, Ness is forced to make a twisted deal with the Nightmare Phantom—only to find herself embroiled in the explosive fallout of the agreement when a botched assassination attempt unleashes chaos into the City of Newham.

Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis
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The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven in this cinematic heist thriller where a cutthroat competition brings together the world’s best thieves and one thief is playing for the highest stakes of all: her mother’s life.

What YA books are you looking forward to picking up this month? Tell us in the comments below!

The post 24 YA Books Releasing In September 2023 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Hello second half of 2023 and hello to all the incredible upcoming book releases we can look forward to!

In this round up, we take a look at some of the most exciting titles to be released between the months of July and December with releases from the likes of Rachel Lynn Solomon, Temi Oh, Chuck Wendig, VE Schwab, Cassandra Clare, Rebecca Yarros, Christina Henry, and many more, along with delightful debuts from new authors you should keep on your radar!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite July to December 2023 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! Looking for our January to June releases? Check them out here.

JULY

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
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A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
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Inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Immortal Longings is a fiery collision of power plays, spilled blood, and romance amidst a set of deadly games.

Dead of Winter by Darcy Coates
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From bestselling author Darcy Coates comes Dead of Winter, a remote cabin in the snowy wilderness thriller that will teach you to trust no one. There are eight strangers. One killer. Nowhere left to run.

Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
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Jenny Han meets CODA in this big-hearted YA debut about first love and Deaf pride at a summer camp.

Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
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A searing and earnest horror debut about the demons the queer community faces in America, the price of keeping secrets, and finding the courage to burn it all down.

Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
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Gideon the Ninth meets the Game of Thrones White Walkers in this dark young adult fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince.

Light Bringer by Pierce Brown
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Darrow returns as Pierce Brown’s New York Times bestselling Red Rising series continues in the thrilling sequel to Dark Age.

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey
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Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
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An exhilarating and expansive new novel about fathers and sons, faith and friendship from Caleb Azumah Nelson, the no.1 bestselling, award-winning author of Open Water.

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
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From New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center comes Hello, Stranger, a novel about finding love, confronting a haunting past, and figuring out what, and who, really matters…

The Air Raid Book Club by Annie Lyons
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From the USA Today bestselling author of The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett comes a heartwarming story of found family, love, and making connections through books set against the bombing of London during WWII.

The Jasad Heir by Sara Hashem
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A fugitive queen strikes a bargain with her greatest enemy that could resurrect her scorched kingdom or leave it in ashes forever in this unmissable Egyptian-inspired epic fantasy debut. 

AUGUST

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt
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A teen girl looking for the truth about her missing mother forms a reluctant alliance with her former best friend…in exchange for hiding him from his cult-leading family.

I’m Not Done With You Yet by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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Some friends–and friendships–are worth killing for in this dark, twisty suspense novel by national bestselling author Jesse Q. Sutanto.

The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
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Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang’s The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history—or tear it apart.

Accidentally in Love by Danielle Jackson
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A delightful rom-com where grumpy-meets-sunshine collides with enemies-to-lovers in this perfect summer novel, written for fans of Kate Stayman-London, Olivia Dade, and Denise Williams.

Guardians of the Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae-Jones
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Sailor Moon meets Cinder in Guardians of Dawn: Zhara, the start of a new, richly imagined fantasy series from S. Jae-Jones, the New York Times bestselling author of Wintersong.

The Blonde Identity by Ally Carter
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The New York Times bestselling YA author of the beloved Gallagher Girls series bursts onto the adult scene with a fast-paced, hilarious road trip rom-com about a woman with amnesia who discovers she’s the identical twin sister of a rogue spy… and must team up with a rugged, grumpy operative to stay alive.

More Perfect by Temi Oh
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A reimagining of the Greek myth of Eurydice and Orpheus, for fans of Becky Chambers and William Gibson by Alex Award–winning author Temi Oh.

Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
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The Push meets The Silent Patient in a gripping thriller that follows a woman convinced a sinister figure is going to great lengths to make sure her pregnancy never happens—while the men in her life refuse to believe a word she says.

Actually Super by Adi Alsaid
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A globetrotting novel that takes a determined teen from Japan to Australia and to Argentina and Mexico on a quest to prove that humanity is more good than bad from the author of Let’s Get Lost and Before Takeoff.

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman
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From the beloved New York Times bestselling author of The Marriage of Opposites and the Practical Magic series comes an enchanting novel about love, heartbreak, self-discovery, and the enduring magic of books.

Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher
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From USA Today bestselling author T. Kingfisher, Thornhedge is the tale of a kind-hearted, toad-shaped heroine, a gentle knight, and a mission gone completely sideways.

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
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Lisa Jewell returns with a scintillating new psychological thriller about a woman who finds herself the subject of her own popular true crime podcast.

SEPTEMBER

This Spells Disaster by Tori Anne Martin
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Fake dating gets a magical twist in this enchanting queer romantic comedy where a witch worries that the real feelings brewing between her and her crush were sparked by an accidental love potion, and the only way out of the disastrous spell is a healthy dose of the truth–drink up, witches.

The Fragile Threads of Power by V. E. Schwab
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V. E. Schwab, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, opens another door to a new fantasy series set in the dazzling world of Shades of Magic.

Dreambound by Dan Frey
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In this thrilling contemporary fantasy novel, a father must uncover the secret magical underbelly of Los Angeles to find his daughter, who has seemingly disappeared into the fictional universe of her favorite fantasy series.

The September House by Carissa Orlando
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A woman is determined to stay in her dream home even after it becomes a haunted nightmare in this compulsively readable, twisty, and layered debut novel.

The Salvation Gambit by Emily Skrutskie
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A hotheaded hacker must outwit the AI at the heart of a rogue warship–turned–penal colony if she and her crew of con women want to escape with their lives in this electrifying sci-fi thriller from the acclaimed author of Bonds of Brass.

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig
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A small town is transformed by dark magic when a strange tree begins bearing magical apples in this new masterpiece of horror from the bestselling author of Wanderers and The Book of Accidents.

The Forest Grimm by Kathryn Purdie
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A spellbinding YA fantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Kathryn Purdie, where fairy tales come to life with dark, deadly twists.

The Long Game by Elena Armas
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A disgraced soccer exec reluctantly enlists the help of a retired soccer star in coaching a children’s team in this smalltown love story in the vein of Ted Lasso and It Happened One Summer —from the New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception.

The Pomegranate Gate by Ariel Kaplan
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The first adventure in the Mirror Realm Cycle, a Spanish Inquisition-era fantasy trilogy inspired by Jewish folklore, with echoes of Naomi Novik and Katherine Arden.

Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For
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14 Young Adult short stories from bestselling and award-winning authors make a splash in Mermaids Never Drown – the second collection in the Untold Legends series edited by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker – exploring mermaids like we’ve never seen them before!

Fly With Me by Andie Burke
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A sparkling and steamy opposites-attract romance, Fly with Me by Andie Burke is filled with sharp banter and that sweet, swooping feeling of finding “the one” when and where you least expect it.

Champion of Fate by Kendare Blake
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#1 New York Times bestselling author Kendare Blake is back with an epic duology starter that follows a young woman training to join a fabled order as she attempts to lead a hero to his critical first victory. A must-read for fans of Alexandra Bracken and Victoria Aveyard.

OCTOBER

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender
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The National Book Award-winning author of  Felix Ever After  delivers a beautifully tender story of two grumpy/sunshine, fake-dating actors navigating their love story both on and offscreen—perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston and Alexis Hall.

Making It So: A Memoir by Patrick Stewart
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A revealing portrait of an artist whose astonishing life—from his humble beginnings in Yorkshire, England, to the heights of Hollywood and worldwide acclaim—proves a story as exuberant, definitive, and enduring as the author himself

Unholy Terrors by Lyndall Clipstone
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Midnight Is The Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead
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From the critically acclaimed author of In My Dreams I Hold A Knife and The Last Housewife comes a gothic Southern thriller about a killer haunting a small Louisiana town, where two outcasts—the preacher’s daughter and the boy from the wrong side of the tracks—hold the key to uncovering the truth.

Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
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The adult debut of #1 New York Times bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco, Throne of the Fallen is a seductive new standalone novel set within her fan-favorite Kingdom of the Wicked world, perfect for readers of fantasy, romance, and mystery alike.

Sword Catcher by Cassandra Clare
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Two outcasts find themselves caught in a web of forbidden love, dangerous magic, and dark secrets that could change the world forever in the start of a riveting epic fantasy series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Shadowhunter Chronicles.

Wildfire by Hannah Grace
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The latest in the TikTok sensation and deliciously “swoonworthy” (Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author) Maple Hills series follows two summer camp counselors who reconnect after a sizzling one-night stand.

The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker
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New from the author of The Keeper of Night comes a YA fantasy duology set in an alternate Tang Dynasty China, where a poor biracial girl with the ability to raise the dead gets caught up in the dangerous political games of the royal family.

The Dead Take the A Train by Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey
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Bestselling authors Cassandra Khaw and Richard Kadrey have teamed up to deliver a dark new story with magic, monsters, and mayhem, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Joe Hill.

Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros
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Frankenstein meets Inglourious Basterds in this stunning Jewish historical horror novel from the award-winning author of The City Beautiful.

The Intern by Michele Campbell
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A young Harvard law student falls under the spell of a charismatic judge in this timely and thrilling novel about class, ambition, family and murder.

Juniper’s Christmas by Eoin Colfer
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From acclaimed, mega-bestselling author Eoin Colfer comes a Christmas classic-in-the-making–a beautifully illustrated novel about an eleven-year-old girl’s wild adventure to find her mother, protect a public park, and save Christmas.

NOVEMBER

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
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In this clever and swoonworthy YA debut from the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis, life’s moving pieces bring rival chess players together in a match for the heart.

Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
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Amara’s journey has taken her far; from a slave in Pompeii’s wolf den to a high-powered courtesan in Rome… though her story is not over yet. While Amara plays for power in Rome’s imperial palace, those dearest to her remain in Pompeii. But it is AD 79, and mighty Mount Vesuvius is about to make itself known…

Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
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A sharp-edged, supremely twisty thriller about three women who find themselves trapped inside stories they know aren’t their own, from the author of Alice and Near the Bone.

The Future by Naomi Alderman
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From the award-winning, bestselling author of The Power comes a white-knuckle tour de force and dazzling exploration of the world we have made and where we are going.

Sun of Blood and Ruin by Mariely Lares – Publication has now changed to February 20, 2024
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Rumor has it on the streets of sixteenth-century New Spain, there’s a new vigilante in town serving justice. This reimagining of Zorro–featuring a heroic warrior sorceress–weaves Mesoamerican mythology and Mexican history two decades after the Spanish conquest into a swashbuckling, historical debut fantasy with magic, intrigue, treachery, and romance.

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
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Murtagh by Christopher Paolini
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Master storyteller and internationally bestselling author Christopher Paolini returns to the World of Eragon in this stunning epic fantasy set a year after the events of the Inheritance Cycle. Join Dragon Rider—and fan favorite—Murtagh and his dragon as they confront a perilous new enemy!

Didn’t See That Coming by Jesse Q. Sutanto
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A hilariously fresh and romantic send-up to You’ve Got Mail about a gamer girl with a secret identity and the online bestie she’s never met IRL until she unwittingly transfers to his school, from the bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties, The Obsession, and Well, That Was Unexpected.

What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
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The Mummy meets Death on the Nile in What the River Knows, Isabel Ibañez’s lush, immersive historical fantasy set in Egypt and filled with adventure, a rivals-to-lovers romance, and a dangerous race.

Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng
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Yellowjackets meets She Is a Haunting in this debut speculative thriller that follows a disgraced teen idol who comes face-to-face with the demons of her past in a glittering, cutthroat K-pop competition.

The Fascination by Essie Fox
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The estranged grandson of a wealthy collector of human curiosities becomes fascinated with teenaged twin sisters, leading them into a web of dark obsessions. A dazzlingly dark gothic novel from the bestselling author of  The Somnambulist.

Emmett by L. C. Rosen
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A modern-day gay YA Emma, with the spikey social critique of Austen plus the lush over-the-top romance of Bridgerton.

DECEMBER

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
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Rival archaeologists must team up on a secret Aztec expedition, or it could leave their careers—and hearts—in ruins.

The Ruined by Renée Ahdieh
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The stunning conclusion to the instant New York Times bestselling quartet that began with The Beautiful.

A River of Golden Bones by A.K. Mulford
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From bestselling author and TikTok sensation A.K. Mulford comes the first riveting, enchanting book in the all-new Golden Court romantasy trilogy–A River of Golden Bones begins a journey of self-discovery, romance, and adventure for a young heir as she/they comes out of hiding to save her sister from a malicious, powerful sorceress and her dangerous sleeping curse.

Perfect Little Lives: A Novel by Amber and Danielle Brown
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Every Time You Go Away by Abigail Johnson
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Perfect for fans of Jennifer Niven, Abigail Johnson draws a searing and lyrical portrait of grief, forgiveness, and the kind of love that blooms in the aftermath.

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by T.J. Alexander
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A trans man returns to his Florida hometown for Christmas after his career goes up in flames, only to cross paths with his high school ex in this charming rom-com about family and second chances from the author of the “delectable” (Time) Chef’s Kiss.

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
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Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this steamy paranormal romantic comedy by Lana Ferguson.

The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra
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A woman learns to follow her own road in this heartwarming novel inspired by The Wizard of Oz by New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra.

What July to December book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Get Your Hands On These Anticipated July To December 2023 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Little wolf, little wolf, here I come.

They say that the Devouring Wolf isn’t real, just an old legend, a giant creature who consumes the magic inside young werewolves. The elders tell the tale to scare young pups into obedience. It’s a spooky campfire story for fledging wolves. Or is it?

It’s the eve of the first full moon of summer, and twelve-year-old Riley Callahan is ready. This is the year she will finally turn into a wolf. She has to—no one transforms after twelve.

Nothing can ruin her mood: not her little brother Milo’s teasing, not mama N’s smothering, and not even her other mom C’s absence from their pack’s ceremony. But then the unthinkable happens—something that violates every rule of wolf magic: Riley doesn’t shift.

Along with the four other kids who somehow didn’t transform, Riley is left with questions that even the pack leaders don’t have answers to. And to make matters far worse, it appears something was awoken in the woods that same night. A creature with an insatiable hunger . . . has the Devouring Wolf been awakened?

PROLOGUE

The South Wood

The air was eerily silent as a wolf cut a silky path through the thick summertime growth of the woods. She moved as if on a mission, sweeping her gaze across old oak trees and silver maples, eyes and ears alert. A rabbit froze beneath a coil of honeysuckle vines. Its small body went still as the wolf came near. The wolf felt its little muscles tense. But she passed the rabbit without a second glance, senses trained on what lay just ahead.

Something was wrong, something was very wrong, but the wolf didn’t know what. It was a feeling in her chest, drawing her forward like magic. But she knew magic, and she did not know this feeling.

The wolf should have been the most dangerous thing in the woods that day. But she wasn’t.

In the distance, she could sense the other four members of her prime pack. They were spread out through the South Wood, their minds linked just enough to sense one another as they searched for anything that shouldn’t be there.

That tugging sensation pulled again, this time strong enough to make the wolf stumble into a quiet grove surrounded by thorny honey locust trees. It was a place she had never seen before. In the center of the grove stood a large stone. It was stormy gray, much darker than the flinty stones peppered throughout the Kansas prairie, and it glittered in the sunlight as though webbed with crystals. It was old and heavy, but completely unfamiliar to the wolf, which in itself was cause for alarm.

The pack had lived on these lands for generations. How could something like this go unnoticed for so long?

The wolf tipped her head to consider the stone. Then she came forward slowly. The fur along her spine roseand her snout tickled in the way it always did when danger was near. She sniffed at the air, but there was no sign of hunters or witches. At least, none that she recognized. She crept closer, but before she reached the stone, she paused.

She lowered her head and closed her eyes, drawing a deep breath into her lungs. A shiver moved from the crown of her head all the way down to her toes. She followed the feeling, reaching her forelegs out in front and pushing her hips up high as the transformation rippled through her body. Her paws stretched into long fingers, her snout shortened into a nose that bent slightly to the left, her fur faded against her skin, until it wasn’t a wolf standing in the clearing anymore. It was a woman.

Loose pants hung from her hips, and the green shirt she wore was battered along the hem. She pressed one hand against her chest, rubbing over the place where she still felt that strange, uncomfortable tugging. Then she stepped toward the stone on bare feet.

In all her years patrolling the South Wood, she had never seen anything like this stone. It radiated energy, sending out magical probes like fishing hooks. Like the one lodged in her chest. And it had hooked her when she was nearly a quarter mile away.

She decided to push back, just a little, to see what it would do. Squaring her shoulders, she began to howl. She chose a note that would push gently at the stone’s exterior, the same note she’d use to nudge the refrigerator door shut when someone in her house inevitably left it open. A small test, so she was surprised when her howl snapped back toward her as though it had encountered something electric.

Whatever this stone was, it was powerful. It was wolf magic.

She should leave and return with her prime pack. She could still feel them. All four were close enough that she could reach them quickly. Crow was the closest, paused along the southern bend of Blood Creek. But the hook in her chest tugged a little harder, drew her a few steps nearer.

Before she knew what she was doing, the woman had raised a hand and pressed it flat against the stone. She could not resist. She felt the rough warmth of it against her palm. And suddenly, she had the sense that she had made a grave mistake.

She tried to pull her hand back, but it was stuck. It was as if her skin had fused with the stone. She pulled again but with no luck. On her third tug, the stone pulled back and her hand began sinking inside it, fingers disappearing under the surface, becoming heavy and still as they vanished inside the rock. Panic shot through her lungs.

“Help!” she called. Then, thinking of her pack, she began to howl. Crow was near enough to help. She only had to reach him. But the sound was cut off, muffled and muted by the magic encasing the stone.

She cried out again, but her voice faded as she heard a growl like the lowest rumble of thunder. It was a warning from a stranger, and it sent a shiver of fear down her spine.

“Your wolf is mine,” the thunderous voice said.

She spun around, as best she could with her arm sinking into the rock, but saw no one. No wolf. No movement.

She couldn’t even sense her pack anymore. She was completely cut off. Completely alone.

She tugged again. This time, she braced a foot against the stone and pulled as hard as she could, hard enough that she thought she might tear her own skin. But it was no use. No matter how hard she fought, the stone kept pulling.

And pulling.

Until the woman could move only her eyes, her mouth, and nothing else. She was surrounded by stone, sinking inside it as though it were an ocean and she were nothing more than a shell.

“Please—­” she gasped as the stone filled her mouth.

There were tears in her eyes now. She blinked them away, still fighting, still furious and afraid. Someone would find her. Someone would come looking for her when she didn’t return. Her pack, her family would come for her.

As the stone closed over her face and eyes, she caught a final glimpse of the world beyond. Someone was there. Standing in front of the stone. Looking at her with a smile on their familiar face, and she realized with a cold kind of certainty that just as the stone had drawn her inside, it had let someone else out.

My friends,

We don’t know each other, but if this diary has found you, then the unthinkable has happened and he has returned. I have enspelled this diary to reveal itself only to you. It is the only way I know to help. I wish I could do more.

Be vigilant. Be strong. And most of all, stay together. You will need each other more than you can imagine.

With greatest love,

Grace Barley

CHAPTER ONE

Rock, Paper, Squishers

All her life, Riley Callahan had been looking forward   to becoming a real wolf.

Both of her moms were werewolves, and that meant that sometime between the ages of nine and twelve, on the night of the first full moon of summer, Riley would also become one. And she’d been counting down the days, nights, and in-­between times for years.

Her older sister, Darcy, had turned when she was ten. She’d been a werewolf six whole years already, running with her prime pack out at Wax & Wayne, the hills and valleys and forests just outside Lawrence, Kansas, where wolves could run safely. Riley had hoped she would also turn when she was ten, but it hadn’t happened.

It also hadn’t happened last year when her best friend, Stacey, turned at age eleven. Riley had been so sure they would turn together. They did everything else together—­it only made sense that they would become wolves at the same time. But Stacey had turned and Riley had not, which officially made Riley the last one of their small group of friends who was still trapped in her bipedal form. But that was about to change, because this year she was twelve years old, and tonight was the first full moon of summer. In a few torturously long hours, she would finally, finally become a werewolf.

In the meantime, she was in the backyard with her little brother, Milo, trying to hide grapes inside of rocks. It required a combination of two of the three forms of wolf magic: alchemy, or the magic of transformation, and lithomancy, the magic of stones. It also required practice.

“Is this really the kind of stuff they teach at Tenderfoot Camp?” Milo asked as another grape made a small popping noise before disintegrating in his hands. He groaned, letting the pulp slip off his fingers into an already-­gushy pile of mashed fruit. “I thought we’d be doing cool stuff like playing hide-­and-­call or learning how to turn sticks into fire or something. Why would I ever need to put grapes inside rocks?”

Riley glared at the mess before her. Instead of a mountainous, gloopy mush, like Milo, Riley had a sticky pile of rocks. No matter what she did, the stones kept crushing the grapes.

“You don’t turn sticks into fire, you ignite them with alchemy. And they don’t teach this exactly,” Riley explained. Having attended Tenderfoot Camp for the past three summers, she knew the curriculum inside and out. “This is just extra practice.”

The real reason was that magic like this, blending one kind with another, was advanced. It was hard to master, and Riley wanted to be very good at doing difficultmagic. Like her mom, Cecelia Callahan.

Mama C had started blending magic before her first transformation, and the way Mama N told it, the entire pack had been impressed. They knew from that moment on that Cecelia Callahan was destined to become a pack alpha. Riley loved that story. She loved the way Mama N’s face lit up when she told it and the way Mama C blushed. It was part of what made her special.

Riley wanted people to talk about her that way one day. She wanted to make her moms proud of her and become an alpha. She wanted to be so important to her pack that they would never think about leaving her. But Milo didn’t need to know all that.

“Just think, if you get good at it, then you can hide better things inside them, like chocolates or jelly beans or maybe even cookies.”

“Why would I want to put any of those things inside rocks? Why wouldn’t I just eat them? Wait.” Milo screwed up his mouth and tilted his head, hazel eyes peering out from beneath a mop of curly brown hair. “Do you have cookies?”

In many ways, Milo was Riley’s mirror. They both had wintery-­white skin and dark brown hair, with eyes Mama N called mosaic green, and they both had a major weakness for cookies.

Even though they were seated in the shade of the big oak tree in their backyard, the Kansas sun drew heat around them like a heavy cloak. Riley wiped at the sweat on her forehead.

“No, I don’t have cookies. But think about it. You could hide candy in your bedroom in plain sight.”

“Oooh!” Milo swiped a handful of grapes and melted onto his back. “I wish the sun would hurry up and set already. Why does all the cool magic stuff have to happen at night?!”

Ignoring her brother, Riley selected a dusty piece of sandstone and held it next to a purple grape. She took a deep breath and concentrated, letting her magic unfurl inside of her the way she’d been taught. The stone shivered and warmed against her skin. The grape began to slide through the stone, but just as it was about to disappear inside it, juice dribbled out of the stone.

“Rock, paper, squishers.” Riley threw her wet rock onto the growing pile with disappointment.

“Still working on the stone case?” Darcy called, emerging from the house through the sliding glass door.

“And failing,” Milo called, tossing a grape at Riley’s head.

Darcy laughed, crossing the yard toward them. She’d grown several inches since winter, and her body had slimmed down and sprouted new angles all at once. Her white skin was already honeyed by the summer sun and her features were petite like Mama N’s, all except for her eyes, which were big and brown. Today she wore a trans pride T-­shirt and cutoff jean shorts.

“It’s like this.” Darcy knelt on the ground between them, reaching for a stone and a grape. She held them in her open palm and smiled. “Remember to imagine the room inside the stone before you draw them together.”

That was exactly how Mama C described it, too. Like it was just that easy.

Riley nodded and watched as Darcy’s grape moved seamlessly inside the stone. Not a drop of pulp or juice was left behind. She tossed it to Riley.

“Why don’t you try separating them again? Sometimes that’s easier.”

The stone was still warm from the magic. Other than that, it was several layers of tan and brown all squished together just like any other piece of Kansas sandstone. There was no sign of the fruit it now concealed.

Riley cupped it in her hand and pictured the room inside the stone with a grape in it. Then she started to draw the fruit out. Magic tingled against her skin. She thought it was working until—­squish. Juice coated her palm.

“Why can’t I get this? I don’t understand!” Riley threw the rock down in frustration and slapped her palms to her forehead before she remembered the sticky juice all over them. “Oh, great.”

She peeled her fingers away, but it was too late. She’d painted her face with bits of grape pulp.

“Hey, hey, Lilee,” Darcy said, using the name Milo had given her when he was too young to pronounce hisr’s. “You’re always taking these things too seriously. There’s no rush. Learning wolf magic isn’t a race, it’s—­”

“A journey we take at our own speed,” the three of them sang together. It was something Mama N said nearly every day. Most often to Riley.

But even though Riley knew it was true, she worried that she was too slow.

“Right, and some things just get easier when you’re a wolf,” Darcy added.

When you’re a wolf.

The words stirred something uncomfortable and excited in Riley at the same time. For the past three years, she’d waited and hoped that it would be her turn, that she would finally be a real wolf, and every year, she’d struggled to hide her disappointment when it didn’t happen. It had been especially hard last year when Stacey turned and Riley spent most of the summer trying not to die of jealousy. It was hard to watch everyone else growing up so much faster, finding their prime packs and doing things only real wolves could do. Things Riley couldn’t.

After tonight, no one would say things like “when you’re a wolf” to her ever again. She just had to be patient.

Riley forced a smile and nodded. “I know you’re right.”

“I’m about to go join my prime, but I’ll be out there tonight. Me and Mama C and Aunt Alexis, we’ll all be there, ready to run with you.” Darcy put a hand on Riley’s shoulder and gave a light squeeze. “I just wanted to wish you both good luck and swift feet before I left.”

Warmth spread through Riley’s cheeks and down into her chest. Tonight she would run with her family as the daughter of Great Pack Leader Callahan. She was so eager to stand next to Mama C as a wolf, she almost couldn’t speak.

“Thanks,” Riley managed.

Milo, however, threw a grape a Darcy’s head and howled in delighted surprise when Darcy expertly caught it in her mouth and chewed gleefully.

“I’m super glad that wasn’t a rock.” Darcy climbed to her feet and waved. “See ya, pups!”

“It didn’t even occur to me to throw a rock!” Milo threw his hands into the air as though this were a great tragedy. “Next time,” he promised. “Wanna try again?”

Riley tugged her phone from her pocket and tapped the screen. It had been exactly forty-­three minutes since Riley sent the text, and there was still no response from Stacey. Not thatEeeeeee! really demanded a response, but ever since Stacey had found her own prime pack, she’d been a little more distant.

With a sigh, Riley looked back at the piles of rocks and grapes. Maybe things would get easier when she was a real wolf. Maybe they wouldn’t. Maybe all she needed was a little more practice.

“Yeah,” she said, taking a fresh grape in hand.

This time when she reached for her magic, she was patient. She imagined that the room inside the stone was shaped exactly like the fruit. When she was sure she was ready, she pictured the grape inside the room. A perfect fit meant only for that specific gra—­

A subtle chill landed on her shoulders and a low, ominous growl sounded in her ears.

She froze. Shivers skittered down her spine. Then she felt it. Hot breath on her neck as the growl rumbled again.

She struggled to swallow, too terrified to move. She was aware that Milo was right in front of her, all his attention focused on his rock. Didn’t he see whoever was behind her?

Little wolf, little wolf, here I come.

Riley snapped around. The words had been a whisper in her ear. The voice strange and threatening.

But the yard behind her was empty. Nothing, no one, was there.

“Uuugh,” Milo groaned.

Feeling uncertain, Riley turned to face her brother.

“Squishers,” he said, holding up his hand as evidence.

“Did you hear that?” Riley asked in a thin voice.

“Hear what? Hey! Did you do it?!”

“What?” Riley looked down to find the stone in her hand was perfectly dry, the grape safely inside it. “I—­I guess.”

“That’s so cool!” Milo crowed. “Can I have it? Wait, I’m gonna show Mama N.”

Stone in hand, Milo hopped up and ran toward the house as though nothing strange had happened.

Whatever had spoken in Riley’s ear, Milo hadn’t seen a thing.

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We chat with author Natalie C. Parker about Stormfire, which is the epic conclusion in her Seafire trilogy! Natalie chats about the series coming to an end, book recommendations, writing, and much more!

Hi, Natalie! Thank you for taking to the time to chat with us! First off, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself!

Thank you so much for having me! I am an a slightly ridiculous Sagittarius which means I’m great at getting lost and maybe better at finding my way again. I love coffee and snow and studying languages. I’m also a recent convert to the school of Kpop.

After the chaos that was 2020, have you set any goals for this year?

I’m goal oriented to a fault so try not to set year-long goals unless they’re a little vague like “see how many books you can read!” I’ve got a lot of those for this year. Watch more C-dramas. Plant an herb garden. Just go ahead already and study Korean. Maybe my goal is just to indulge my curiosities whenever possible.

When did you first discover your love for writing?

I grew up in a family of storytellers. There were stories about my parents growing up, stories about every hat on my grandfather’s wall, stories about the house, stories about the little jar my mother used to store bacon fat. Everything in my life was woven into a broad fabric that wrapped around me and my sister as well as around aunts and uncles and cousins. Some of whom we’d never met. Telling stories was just a part of how I lived.

But as I grew up, creating stories became a part of how I understood myself, others, and the world. I turned to writing in high school not because I loved it, but because I needed it. I didn’t know how else to understand what I was going through, so I started writing about it. I planted myself into every story because at that point, I was only writing them for me. And maybe that’s the answer to your question. I discovered my love of writing as I discovered myself through it.

Stormbreak is the epic conclusion to your Seafire trilogy, and it released on February 9th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

WHAT. HAVE. I. DONE. LOL.

Now tell us a little more! What can readers expect?

Intense battles! Big wins! Tragic losses! At least one moment that made me physically uncomfortable to write (sorry, *character name redacted*). And, of course, a resolution.

What was it like wrapping up the trilogy? Did you always have in mind how it would come to an end?

From the moment I started writing this series, I knew exactly how it would end. I knew Caledonia’s final note with such perfect clarity that sometimes I was afraid I would never quite get there. It’s hard to really express how cathartic it was to get to that moment of writing. I was so sad to let these characters go, but the story is exactly what I wanted it to be.

What challenges did you face while writing and how did you overcome them?

Every book in this series came with its own challenges. I’d never written a trilogy before and that, in itself, was daunting. I was constantly asking myself how to make each book feel like its own thing while also being a crucial piece of the whole. In some ways, Stormbreak was the easiest piece of that puzzle and also the hardest.

I knew how Stormbreak was going to start and how it was going to end, but everything in the middle was a giant, floppy mess and I had more than a few moments of sheer panic over that. One thing that helped me unlock that troubling middle was actually a conversation with my wife. I brought the pieces of the book to her (probably in a sincerely inglorious state) and complained that something was wrong. She listened and then asked me a single question: “Why are you assuming that war has only two sides?”

My brain exploded around that question and a key piece of the story clicked into place. That piece is Tassos.

What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?

I think the best writing advice I’ve ever heard is to figure out what writing advice works for you, then do it on purpose. The worse advice is any advice that’s presented as though it is capital ‘t’ Truth.

What’s next for you?

I’m switching gears just a bit and am so excited to be releasing my debut Middle Grade novel soon. It’s called The Devouring Wolf and is a queer take on werewolf mythology about a kid who is distraught when she doesn’t transform into a wolf when she should.

But first, I was thrilled to be the head writer for Wonder Woman: Heartless which will be released by Serial Box Publishing on March 25^th.

Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?

Oh, I do. For some of the best SFF adventure out there, you must read The MurderBot Diaries by Martha Wells. For exquisite, queer fairy tales that will tug your heart and make you think, please read anything by Tessa Gratton but specifically Strange Grace and Night Shine. For something a little closer to our world with magic that slips in almost unnoticed, you need Tochi Onyebuchi’s Riot Baby.

Will you be picking up Stormbreak? Tell us in the comments below!

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Hi Zoraida and Natalie! Thank you so much for joining us! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourselves?

Zoraida: Thank you for having us! We love talking about our favorite creatures of the night!

ncp: Zoraida actually IS a creature of the night. Ha! But like she said, thank you for having us! The two of us met at a writing conference about five years ago and we’ve been friends ever since. Getting to work on a project together was probably inevitable, and the fact that it’s a vampire project just sort of raises the stakes.

Let’s do a lightning round to get things started. What is the first book, movie, TV show, or song you associate the words vampire, coffin, and supernatural?

Zoraida: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the glass coffin from Holly Black’s Darkest Part of the Forest, and DEAN WINCHESTER

ncp: Slayer; Snow White; Zoraida

And a little this or that….

• Would you rather be born an immortal or get to choose the immortal life yourselves?
  ncp: Choose
  Zoraida: Born
• Would you either want to be allergic to garlic or never be able to look into a mirror again?
  Zoraida: I’m Ecuadorian, I couldn’t do that to my taste buds. I’d rather never look into a mirror.
  ncp: No contest.
• Would you rather be able to turn into a bat or be able to hypnotize people with your gaze?
  ncp: I’m going with bat.
  Zoraida: Hypnotize

What types of (fictional) vampires did you grow up with and who was your favorite?

Zoraida: I grew up with Buffy the Vampires Slayer. I was ten and obsessed with everything she did and wore and said. It made me see out more supernatural fiction in the forms of books. That’s how I found the book that inspired me to become a writer which is In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

ncp: I hit my teens right as vampires were having a huge cultural moment. There was Interview with a Vampire and Buffy and From Dusk til Dawn and Kindred: the Embraced. I was into all of it. Vampires were both monstrous and beautiful and I found that tension incredibly fascinating. I don’t think I had a favorite until I was a little older and discovered Caroline Forbes in The Vampire Diaries TV show. She was this vibrant girl who was constantly dismissed and villainized for caring about things and her transformation is still one of the most elegant explorations of the vampire trope I’ve ever seen.

Now about Vampires Never Get Old! How did you two come up with the idea of giving vampires a do-over, anthology style? And how did you go about finding authors for it?

ncp: The genesis of this idea is almost unbelievably simple. Zoraida and I were on a writing retreat and one day she sighed and said, “You know what I miss? Vampires.” I agreed and moments later we’d designed a project that took familiar vampire myths and tropes and recast them through a variety of experiences and ways of being. Once the idea was there, we collaborated on a list of authors who were both expected and unexpected, and who we thought could do something exciting and fresh with vampires.

What was your favorite part of the entire process around the anthology? And what was the hardest?

Zoraida: The moment we started reading the stories from our contributors was really special. I still remember being overcome with emotion when I read Tessa Gratton’s “Seven Nights for Dying” and the chills I got from Rebecca Roanhorse’s “Boys From Blood River.” There are so many moments of light and humor as well as a dash of romance. This brings me to the hardest part of the anthology, which was deciding the order these would go in. At the end of the day, we couldn’t go wrong.

I loved how the anthology took such fresh spins on ancient myths that have survived ages surrounding vampires! There are so many topics, from mirror reflections to vampirism curing everything that get a new take in these short stories and I loved the prompts that started it all. What ancient myths around vampires have baffled you over the years? And which ones do you think are the most plausible?

ncp: The mirror thing MAKES NO SENSE. Why do vampires cast no reflection? They aren’t ghosts. They die and transform, but keep their earthly bodies. Modern mirrors aren’t even made out of silver so…*gestures wildly* It certainly doesn’t make sense that they cast no reflection yet show up in pictures or on video, but it does make for a nice metaphor.

As for most plausible, for  me, that’s the blood. It is at once entirely human and entirely monstrous and it makes complete sense that a monster who started off as human would need to consume life in order to live.

The two of you also got to collaborate on one of the short stories in the anthology, “Vampires Never Say Die” (which was so addictive and I want more from Brittany and Theolinda). How did the process of writing this story together look like?

Zoraida: We love Brittany and Theolinda so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Our process was very seamless. We let the idea of this ancient vampire and baby vamp brewing for a little while. All we needed was the right entry way into the story of these two friends. We wrote an outline and then alternated between our characters. Their voices flowed so naturally it was eerie. But it was so refreshing to be able to write about an eternal friendship. It certainly puts a new meaning to Best Friends Forever.

Besides Vampires Never Get Old, what are the two of you working on at the moment and can you share a few tidbits with us about those projects?

ncp: I’m wrapping up my high seas, solar punk Seafire trilogy this fall with Stormbreak, which releases Nov 10th. Then, next fall, I’m very excited to be publishing my middle grade debut, The Devouring Wolf. It’s about a community of werewolves where kids all transform for the first time on the same night of the year, but this year, something goes wrong and a bunch of kids don’t change. I’m so excited to be in new supernatural territory with this one!

Zoraida: I had a few releases this year. There’s my new high fantasy series inspired by 15th century Spain, Incendiary, which came out in the spring of this year. It’s about a memory thief who tries to bring down a cruel kingdom. It’s the first in a duology that ends next year. I’m currently wrapping up edits on the sequel.

I’m also saying goodbye to the Brooklyn Brujas series. This trilogy started with Labyrinth Lost and is now culminating with Wayward Witch on September 1st of this year. It’s always hard to say goodbye, but these witch sisters will always be in my mind.

I have two secret projects for 2021 and 2022 but I can’t talk about them yet. Hopefully soon!

Last but not least, do you have any bookish recommendations for us?

Many of our contributors have books coming out this fall! If you loved their short stories, you might love their full length work, out this fall: Night Shine by Tessa Gratton, Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, Each of Us a Desert by Mark Oshiro, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Will you be picking up Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Zoraida Córdova & Natalie C. Parker, Editors of ‘Vampires Never Get Old’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Miss Meteor by Tehlor Kay Mejia and Anna-Marie McLemore
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Witty and heartfelt with characters that leap off the page, Miss Meteor is acclaimed authors Anna-Marie McLemore and Tehlor Kay Mejia’s first book together.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
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A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.

These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin
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A thrilling novel about a secret society and the dangers that lie in wait for anyone brave enough to join—perfect for fans of Karen M. McManus, Kara Thomas, and Maureen Johnson.

Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe
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From the award-winning author of The Field Guide to the North American Teenager comes a whip-smart and layered romantic comedy. Perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Jenny Han. 
(Note: Charming As A Verb has now been pushed back to October 13th 2020)

Not Your #LoveStory by Sonia Hartl
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#PlaneBae meets Gilmore Girls in this hilarious and heartfelt story about the addictiveness of Internet fame and the harsh realities of going viral.

Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker
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In this delicious new collection, you’ll find stories about lurking vampires of social media, rebellious vampires hungry for more than just blood, eager vampires coming out―and going out for their first kill―and other bold, breathtaking, dangerous, dreamy, eerie, iconic, powerful creatures of the night.

Fable by Adrienne Young
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Filled with all of the action, emotion, and lyrical writing that brought readers to Sky in the Deep, New York Times bestselling author Adrienne Young returns with Fable, the first book in this new captivating duology.

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson
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Award-winning author Tiffany D. Jackson delivers another riveting, ripped-from-the-headlines mystery that exposes horrific secrets hiding behind the limelight and embraces the power of a young woman’s voice.

The Scapegracers by Hannah Abigail Clarke
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An outcast teenage lesbian witch finds her coven hidden amongst the popular girls in her school, and performs some seriously badass magic in the process.

Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds
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Justin A. Reynolds, author of Opposite of Always, delivers another smart, funny, and powerful stand-alone YA contemporary novel, with a speculative twist in which Jamal’s best friend is brought back to life after a freak accident . . . but they only have a short time together before he will die again.

Shine by Jessica Jung
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Crazy Rich Asians meets Gossip Girl by way of Jenny Han in this knock-out debut about a Korean American teen who is thrust into the competitive, technicolor world of K-pop, from Jessica Jung, K-pop legend and former lead singer of one of the most influential K-pop girl groups of all time, Girls Generation.

Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour
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Nina LaCour delivers another emotional knockout with Watch Over Me, the eagerly anticipated follow-up to the Printz Award-winning We Are Okay.

What September YA releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post September 2020 Book Releases: YA appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Vampires Never Get Old is a curated short story selection featuring some of the crème de la crème of fiction writing. From Julie Murphy to Victoria Schwab, Samira Ahmed to Mark Oshiro, and Tessa Gratton to Dhonielle Clayton, chances are you will recognise a few, if not all of the names flipping through this collection of eleven short stories that ponder age-old questions surrounding vampires in new tales.

The fun thing in this short collection is that, despite all the twists the authors take on their given topic, you can tell they’re all just fans like us, drooling over vampires because they are just so dang entertaining. Each of the authors takes one topic related to vampirism and puts their own spin on it – a much-needed queer, diverse, and inclusive spin, nonetheless!

This just shows how much more space there is to talk about vampires in new contexts. What does the transition to become a vampire look like when the person is disabled? Is it a “cure-for-all” or are there disabled vampires? How long does a transition take? An hour, a day, a week? What’s it like being a new vampire as a Desi woman? What might one look out for? What happens when you summon a group of vampires you’ve only heard about in ghost stories with a song? Or how about what happens to a trans boy who digs up a vampire in a graveyard who’s a major bully?

Though I loved all the stories and could gush about all of them, In Kind by Kayla Whaley was one of those that just blew me away. It is a story dealing with a single father caring for his disabled teenage daughter and eventually deciding to put her out of her misery with a lethal dose of morphine only for her to turn into a vampire and making his life hell. It basically ticked all my boxes without me knowing I wanted those boxes to be ticked! It discussed ableism and caregiving responsibilities (and the lack of funding for that) in real terms with a nice spin on how that attempted murder was portrayed in the media as an act of mercy with a dash of revenge for the more bloodthirsty readers of this collection. Compelling and thought-provoking, that story was one of my highlights.

A queer, star-crossed lovers romance between a vampire and a vampire hunter; a vampire who can communicate with the animals at the zoo she works a;, a gay Hispanic boy who was born as a vampire rather than bitten, isolated and hidden by his parents finds an outlet and support through a blog; a sapphic, trained vampire slayer finds herself conflicted when she encounters a teenage vampire she does not want to kill; and a family of black vampires who moves around the world and lands in New Orleans to find all sorts of trouble. All of these stories bring a breath of fresh air (not that the vampires need it) to catapult vampires back into our reading lives.

Proving that vampires never go out of style and that revered yet ancient topics can be bold and cheeky with the right voice behind it, Vampires Never Get Old is perfect for any and all lovers of vampires, be it Twilight stans or Dracula fans!

Vampires Never Get Old is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of September 22nd 2020.

Will you be picking up Vampires Never Get Old? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

Eleven fresh vampire stories from young adult fiction’s leading voices!

In this delicious new collection, you’ll find stories about lurking vampires of social media, rebellious vampires hungry for more than just blood, eager vampires coming out―and going out for their first kill―and other bold, breathtaking, dangerous, dreamy, eerie, iconic, powerful creatures of the night.

Welcome to the evolution of the vampire―and a revolution on the page.

Vampires Never Get Old includes stories by authors both bestselling and acclaimed, including Samira Ahmed, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova and Natalie C. Parker, Tessa Gratton, Heidi Heilig, Julie Murphy, Mark Oshiro, Rebecca Roanhorse, Laura Ruby, Victoria “V. E.” Schwab, and Kayla Whaley.

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