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TO A DARKER SHORE
When her best friend is sacrificed to the devil, she’ll go to hell and back for him
Page Street YA, April 2024
Plain, poor, plus-size, and autistic, Alesta grew up trying to convince her beauty-obsessed kingdom that she’s too useful to be sacrificed. Their god blessed their island Soladisa as a haven for his followers, but to keep the devil at bay, the church sends a child sacrifice to hell’s entrance every season—often poor or plain girls just like Alesta.
With a head full of ideas for inventions, Alesta knows her best shot at making it to adulthood is to design something impressive for the festival exhibition so she might win a spot in the university—acceptance could guarantee her safety. But Alesta’s flying machine demonstration goes awry, a failure that will surely mean death. What happens is worse: Her best friend and heir to the throne, Kyrian, takes the blame expecting leniency but ends up sacrificed in her place.
To stop the sacrifices forever, Alesta plans to kill the monster that killed her friend. Prepared to save her kingdom or die trying, she travels to the depths of hell only to find Kyrian—alive, but monstrously transformed.
There is no escaping hell or their growing feelings for one another, and the deeper they descend into hell, the closer they come to uncovering a truth about the sacrifices that threatens to invoke the wrath of not only monsters but the gods as well.
Leanne Schwartz is the author of A Prayer for Vengeance. She has spent about her life at either the library or the local theater, where she has played Lady Macbeth, Lady Capulet, Clytemnestra, and Hera—perhaps one reason she writes such vengeful, murderous girls. When she’s not teaching English and poetry, she can be found baking pizzelle, directing scenes for the student Shakespeare festival, and singing along to showtunes. She lives in California with her family. https://leanneschwartz.com/
Praise for To A Darker Shore:
“Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, the story offers a fresh take on monster tales, neatly demonstrating the ways monstrousness and humanity are two sides of the same coin…Rich worldbuilding and lovable characters make this trip to hell worthwhile.” —Kirkus
“[To a Darker Shore] makes for a novel addition to the perpetually compelling reimagined-myth subgenre.” —BCCB
“Winding plot and escalating reveals make for an enjoyably complex tale that will satisfy fantasy fans who prefer layered conspiracy narratives.” —Publishers Weekly
“A love letter to the autistic kids who see the world differently: punished for trusting that life could be made kinder and made into devils for wanting better. We will love each other until that world loves us back, and Schwartz captures that beautifully.” —Andrew Joseph White, New York Times bestselling author of Hell Followed With Us
“To A Darker Shore is an intricate, epic tale crackling with hellfire and imagination. Within its pages are terrifying creatures; thoughtful examinations of ableism, beauty, and monstrosity; and the kind of love that transcends eternity—even death.” —Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of A Far Wilder Magic
“To A Darker Shore is a magical tale about defying the odds, with a gloriously fierce protagonist you’ll be cheering for!” —Emily Thiede, author of This Vicious Grace and This Cursed Light
“This sublime, darkly romantic journey through the depths of hell completely swept me away. A must read.” —Alicia Jasinska, author of The Dark Tide and The Midnight Girls
“A nuanced reinterpretation of myth that also challenges current notions of beauty, classism, and faith. This is the kind of fantasy I yearned for in my teen years.” —Amparo Ortiz, author of Last Sunrise in Eterna
“Schwartz has done something miraculous. Her characters leap off the page, howling with righteous fury and grim determination. At turns gripping and profoundly tender-hearted, this is the rare book worth going to hell and back for.” —Christine Callela, author of The Final Curse of Ophelia Cray
Booklist starred review
Once per season in Soladisa, an unworthy young person is left as food on a desolate island as a sacrifice to the monster, Teras. Alesta designs a flying machine that should be impressive enough to overcome the virtues she is lacking and prevent her tithing, but its spectacular failure ends up getting Kyrian, Alesta’s best friend and the kingdom’s likely heir, tithed instead. Bereft, Alesta joins forces with some unlikely co-conspirators and gets herself tithed on purpose to hunt down Teras and stop the tithing forever, but what she discovers on the island will call into question everything she believes about both herself and the monster. Schwartz incorporates a range of topics (body shaming, homophobia, etc.) in a seamless way here; characters’ identities are thoroughly embedded and don’t feel like afterthoughts. Though both Alesta and Kyr are autistic and demisexual, this manifests in very different ways and they are unique, irresistibly lovable characters with a deeply believable childhood friends-to-lovers evolution. While at times the pacing can be a bit uneven—there’s a lot crammed into these pages—this is ultimately a compelling, deeply romantic examination of how demisexuality manifests in relationships, particularly when influenced by autism. An abundance of action, intrigue, truly horrifying monsters, and power-hungry villains round out this passionately romantic, Inferno-inspired epic journey.
School Library Journal starred review
This novel takes readers on a riveting journey. Alestra is an inventor who lives in a world where human sacrifices are made to appease the hellish monsters surrounding them. When one of Alesta’s inventions goes wrong, her friend Kyrian, the kingdom’s heir, takes the blame to prevent Alesta from being sacrificed. This sets off a riveting journey reminiscent of Dante’s Inferno, where Alesta confronts monstrous challenges and descends into a hellish realm to rescue Kyrian. What sets this teen novel apart is the author’s masterful use of imagery and description, painting a vivid picture of both external monsters and the internal struggles of the characters. The narrative skillfully explores the theme of self-image and identity, delving into the burning self-hatred that accompanies the belief of not meeting societal expectations. Alesta, who is autistic and plus-size, is desperate to conform to others’ standards, whether related to appearance or shape, a desire that resonates deeply. The parallel drawn between external and internal demons provides a powerful metaphor for the battles individuals face in their quest for acceptance. The author’s ability to convey the emotional turmoil of the characters makes this book not only a gripping fantasy but also a poignant exploration of the challenges of adolescence. VERDICT A phenomenal work, weaving together elements of fantasy, self-discovery, and the quest for identity, making it a compelling read for teens grappling with their sense of self.
Praise for A Prayer for Vengeance:
“Gia and Milo share the third-person narration, giving readers emotional glimpses into inner conflicts over guilt and faith while shining a light on injustice and contemplating truth and the accuracy of historical narratives…Well-detailed action sequences, including revenge plots and battles, are sprinkled throughout… Perfectly balanced action, reflection, and intrigue; sure to offer wide appeal.” —Kirkus starred review
“Through a dynamic blend of action and magic, Schwartz conjures an alluring adventure that interrogates belief, faith, and perception.” —Publishers Weekly
“With a unique Romanesque setting infused with myth and magic, this is a harrowing tale of two young people grappling with injustice...Filled with action and intrigue, this debut is sure to satisfy readers who desire a new twist to YA fantasy.” —Booklist
“A refreshing fantasy debut about vicious girls and the boys who love them, A Prayer for Vengeance is as compelling and unapologetic as its characters. A vital addition to the genre.” —M. K. Lobb, author of Seven Faceless Saints
“As sweeping as a Roman epic, A Prayer for Vengeance combines high-stakes action with the intimacies of small moments.” —Lyndall Clipstone, author of the World at the Lake’s Edge duology, and Unholy Terrors
“An exploration of both hope and revenge, Schwartz’s debut creates a mosaic of enchanting prose with endearing characters you’ll want to follow through blood and stone.” —Tara Sim, author of Scavenge the Stars
“A fierce, sun-soaked and inventive ode to sisterhood and second chances.” —Laura Weymouth, author of A Consuming Fire
“With intricate world-building, two main characters so fully-realized they feel like living, breathing people, and one of the best premises I’ve read in years, Schwartz’s debut novel is absolutely compelling.” —Lillie Lainoff, author of One for All
“Revenge is certainly sweet, but Gia and Milo’s journey to rewriting their history—and falling in love—is this debut novel’s greatest delight.” —Amparo Ortiz, author of Last Sunrise in Eterna
“A beautiful and evocative story of sacrifice that will stick with you long after the final page. You’ll fall in love with Milo’s heart and Gia’s vengeance—and even more so with the force they create together.” —Alexandra Overy, author of These Feathered Flames duology
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