11 must-read new YA book releases to snuggle up with in February
By Lacy Baugher
A Dark and Hollow Star -Ashley Shuttleworth
In a book described as The Cruel Prince meets City of Bones, dark magic, intrigue, and murder draw four young rebels together to stop a serial killer that the leaders of the magical community seem very determined to ignore, even though his crimes could ultimately expose the existence of the faerie world to humans.
Set in the magical underworld of Toronto, A Dark and Hollow Star follows the story of ironborn teen Arlo Jarsdel, whose half-human, half-fae blood leaves her an outcast in her own family; reckless former Fury and known murderer Nausicaä Krakn; Fae prince Vehan Lysterne from the Seelie Court of Summer; and Aurelian Bessel, the prince’s steward, and childhood best friend. They must all form a tenuous alliance to figure out how to save their world from all that would cause it harm.
Full of complex political tensions, simmering romances, and the sort of effortless LGBTQ representation that deserves to be everywhere, A Dark and Hollow Star will likely be on a lot of must-read lists this month.
The official synopsis describes the story in much greater detail.
"The “ironborn” half-fae outcast of her royal fae family. A tempestuous Fury, exiled to earth from the Immortal Realm and hellbent on revenge. A dutiful fae prince, determined to earn his place on the throne. The prince’s brooding guardian, burdened with a terrible secret. For centuries, the Eight Courts of Folk have lived among us, concealed by magic and bound by law to do no harm to humans. This arrangement has long kept peace in the Courts—until a series of gruesome and ritualistic murders rocks the city of Toronto and threatens to expose faeries to the human world. Four queer teens, each who hold a key piece of the truth behind these murders, must form a tenuous alliance in their effort to track down the mysterious killer behind these crimes. If they fail, they risk the destruction of the faerie and human worlds alike. If that’s not bad enough, there’s a war brewing between the Mortal and Immortal Realms, and one of these teens is destined to tip the scales. The only question is: which way?"
A Dark and Hollow Star is available on February 23.
Next. A Vow So Bold and Deadly brings Cursebreakers saga to an end. dark
What books are going on your February must-read book list? Sound off in the comments.