GRIM LOVELIES by Megan Shepherd

Q: Is GRIM LOVELIES as dazzling as its cover foretells?

A: A big FAT YES!

Anouk is an enchanted girl who exists only because the evil witch Mada Vittora created her from an animal. Anouk, a Beastie, is forbidden to venture beyond the confines of her Parisian prison, Mada Vittora’s house, where she is destined to serve her evil mistress for her entire life. That is, until Anouk finds Mada Vittora in a pool of blood. Dead.

The Mada’s death ends the Beasties’ servitude. They are finally free to live in the world Anouk always dreamed of with fast cars, luxury fashion, and the chance to fall in love.

But not for long…

Anouk is assumed to be responsible for her Mada’s death. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties have three days to find the real killer. After that, the spell that keeps them human will fade and they will return to their animal forms, losing the only lives they’ve ever known.

But finding the real killer and the reversal of their misfortunate spell may be an even worse fate. Winning against the magic of the Haute will require tapping into their own magical skills, making them more powerful than they bargained for. The Haute will not be content to simply let them fade into animals. They will have to be killed.

Clearly, there are more spells at work in GRIM LOVELIES than the ones in the story. Anouk’s transformation from helpless servant to powerful savior is spellbinding. Filled with magic, evil spying crows, fantastical gardens, goblins, and so much more, all set within a contemporary Parisian wonderland, GRIM LOVELIES sweeps you up into its deeply imaginative and dark world so swiftly, you’ll swear it’s all real.

GRIM LOVELIES is more than a dazzling fantasy. It’s also an emotionally deep story about family and discovering and redefining your importance in this world. Prepare to have your heart stolen by these Beasties. I’m eager to continue Anouk’s journey in the next book to see if she grows into the power and caring witch we all want and need her to be.

I’m a big fan of Megan Shepherd’s young adult The Madman’s Daughter trilogy and middle grade story The Secret Horses of Briar Hill also. You can read my 2016 interview with Megan here.

GRIM LOVELIES releases on October 2. Preorder it from your favorite bookstore or request it from your library today. Enjoy the GRIM LOVELIES book trailer!

Megan Shepherd is the acclaimed author of The Madman’s Daughter trilogy, The Cage trilogy and the middle grade novel, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill. She lives and writes on a 125-year-old farm outside Asheville, NC. Visit Megan at meganshepherd.com, on Twitter, and on Instagram .