Kari Meutsch and Kristian Preylowski run the Yankee Bookshop in Woodstock.
I am always skeptical when book publishers tout something as “The Next [Insert Wildly Popular Book Title Here]” or a mashup of two highly successful book series fandoms. This is how a lot of titles are pitched to book buyers these days, and rarely does the comparison actually ring true when you read the final product. So this past spring, when someone told me that an upcoming young adult novel was a perfect blend of The Hunger Games and Harry Potter...my response was a lackluster “Yeah, sure.” Imagine my surprise when a few days later I could not put the book down, raced through all 400 pages, and was devastated upon finishing it. This was one of those rare occasions where a highly touted book actually lived up to its hype, and I had so much fun reading it.
All of Us Villains by co-authors Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman FINALLY comes out next week (November 9th), and I cannot wait to share this book with everyone I know. The story is about a secret magical town where once every 50 years a tournament is held to determine which historical family will hold the source of magical power - and each family must have a young member compete to the death to win the honor & privilege. If you read YA fantasy & dystopian novels, this will sound familiar in so many ways. But I’m here to tell you - the comparison was real, and this book is the one you’ve been waiting for. The characters are skillfully drawn. Twists and turns will surprise you. You will feel engaged in the story in a way I know I personally had been missing for months (perhaps since quarantine began?). For that teen in your life who has read everything: This is their next obsession. The only downside? You’ll have to wait for the sequel. But isn’t it grand to have something fun to look forward to?
You'll find All of Us Villains at your local library or independent bookseller after Nov. 9.
Previous Enthusiasms: