Creatures of the Night

Gr 9 Up–This debut novel brings readers paranormal action and intrigue at every turn. Milena grew up knowing that her village needed protection from the dangerous creatures that come out of the forest at night, which is why she is ready for her first hunt on her 20th birthday. When Milena meets Elias, the leader of the shifters, she discovers they may not be her enemy. Milena starts to grasp how many secrets her village has, why she always feels like an outsider, and more importantly, who her real enemy is. The plot twists and character arcs make readers guess along with Milena, distinctly setting the stage for a sequel. While some of the worldbuilding could be clearer, the action of Milena’s story is enough to keep readers’ attention. Although there are surprising moments of violence, this is a great pick for reluctant readers looking for a paranormal, almost fantasy, suspense novel. Milena is coded as white and Elias has dark hair and golden skin.