Evil Librarian

Knudsen (The Princess of Trelian) jumps from picture books and middle-grade fiction to YA with this self-aware supernatural dramedy, which sees an ordinary teenage girl caught up in a war between various evil factions, with the souls of her schoolmates at stake. It starts when Cyn Rothchild’s best friend Annie inexplicably falls in love with the new school librarian, John Gabriel. Cyn’s no stranger to unrequited love—she has a thing for the handsome Ryan Halsey, even if she’s too awkward to talk to him—but Annie is acting downright weird. Before long, Cyn learns that Gabriel is a demon out to acquire the power needed to take the throne back home, and her immunity to his influence makes her a wild card. She teams up with Ryan to save Annie and everyone else from an infernal fate. The writing is clever, the tone wry, and the stakes high, with surprises that keep the plot unpredictable. Cyn’s internal monologue provides plenty of amusement, especially when her hormones threaten to overpower her common sense. It’s an entertaining tale with room for future installments. Ages 14–up. Agent: Jodi Reamer, Writers House. (Sept.)