A snappy young adult fantasy that follows Prudence Perry, a third-generation Ladybird Scout, who must battle literal (and figurative) monsters and the weight of her legacy in this YA paranormal perfect for fans of Stranger Things and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
"Anderson. . .has written a ridiculously fun and campy horror romp, which also incorporates thoughtful commentary about mental and emotional health, inclusion, and facing your fears." -Booklist, Starred Review
"Buffy fans. . .will be. . reveling in the whirl of teen angst and ichor-spattered fun." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"With a sly sense of humor and nostalgia . . . author Lily Anderson offers a clever subversion of "chosen one" narratives as the novel explores tantalizing "what ifs" like "What if Buffy had just gone to a psychiatrist?" and "What if Girl Scouts were masters of cookies-and karate?" It's an absurd premise, but Anderson makes it work through unself-conscious world building and a skillful blend of fantastical and real-world threats. . . It's hilarious and heart-wrenching in equal measure. " -BookPage, Starred Review
- A Printz Honor book!
- As a former high school librarian, Lily crafts characters that reflected the teens she spent time with. Prue's voice is funny, engaging, and authentically teen, never tipping too far into snarky. Her emotional conflict and backstory compellingly round out the lighthearted tone.
- Growing up a biracial Puerto Rican teenager, Lily's world has always been diverse, but the YA that she grew up reading and the current market don't always mirror that multifaceted world. So, she has worked hard to craft a protagonist that embodies her experience alongside a diverse, fully-realized cast.
- The "Girls Scouts as Monster Hunters" premise is fun, commercial, and will appeal to fans of classics like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and new hits like The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
- A Buzzfeed 40 Highly Anticipated Young Adult Novels Releasing In 2022 Selection
A Book Riot Most Anticipated Book of 2022 Selection
A Tor.com New Young Adult SFF for March & April 2022 Selection
"Anderson. . .has written a ridiculously fun and campy horror romp, which also incorporates thoughtful commentary about mental and emotional health, inclusion, and facing your fears." -Booklist, Starred Review
"Buffy fans. . .will be. . reveling in the whirl of teen angst and ichor-spattered fun." -Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"With a sly sense of humor and nostalgia . . . author Lily Anderson offers a clever subversion of "chosen one" narratives as the novel explores tantalizing "what ifs" like "What if Buffy had just gone to a psychiatrist?" and "What if Girl Scouts were masters of cookies-and karate?" It's an absurd premise, but Anderson makes it work through unself-conscious world building and a skillful blend of fantastical and real-world threats. . . It's hilarious and heart-wrenching in equal measure. " -BookPage, Starred Review
- Paperback: 416 pages
- Publisher: Square Fish (October 1, 2024)
- ISBN-13: 978-1250866080