BLOOD MOON

A new college student discovers that there may be some truth to her hometown’s werewolf legends.

All her life, Mirabella “Mira” Owens has heard the strange tales about Timber Plains, Kansas: Years ago, werewolves came to the small town to defend humans from a horde of vampires. Now 18-year-old Mira, who’s still coping with the mysterious disappearance of her mother five years prior, is beginning her first year of college at a local university. There, she meets Julian Santos, an attractive classmate who harbors an unexplained animosity toward her. Despite his initial coldness, a bond grows between them after Julian miraculously saves Mira from a steep fall in the nearby forest. As the two draw closer, Mira discovers that there’s more to the local stories than she realized—and that she’s stumbled into a magical war that’s brewing with which her own family history is intricately entwined. Though many elements of the story will feel familiar to experienced paranormal romance readers, unexpected twists and complex lore keep the narrative fresh. The pace meanders for much of the book, but the momentum eventually builds to a riveting conclusion that will leave readers invested in the next installment. Mira is Black, Julian is Latine, and there’s additional racial diversity among the supporting cast.

A thrilling series opener that readers will be eager to sink their teeth into.