CHILDREN OF THE NIGHT

Mysterious happenings plague the small town of New Whitby, and one teen reporter is on the case.

Introverted teen photographer Mina finds herself in the wrong place at the right time when, during a bike ride, she witnesses a shipwreck. Running to help (and snapping some photos, naturally), she encounters wolves bursting from a crack in the hull. On board there are wooden crates filled with dirt, and horrifyingly, a single human—the ship’s captain, who’s dead, with strange marks on his neck. Mina, who was recently pushed into joining the school newspaper, is determined to pursue the story. Meanwhile, a mesmerizing transfer student arrives from Romania. He holds the other students in his thrall, including Mina’s effervescent best friend, Lucy, who reads Black in a largely white-presenting cast. After one person goes missing and another is hospitalized, it’s clear there are monsters in their midst, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can Mina and her friends get to the bottom of things before they meet their own doom? Setian’s debut is well-paced and fun. The character development is light; Mina’s backstory is teased, and readers will anticipate learning more in the next series entry. The story realistically portrays high school crushes and drama, delightfully updating Bram Stoker’s characters as modern teens. Ganucheau’s moody artwork is visceral and evocative, making strong use of the natural setting.

A compelling and atmospheric modern take on a classic horror story.