Nightstruck

Black (the Replica trilogy) kicks off a creepy series with an imaginative and unsettling premise. When high school senior Becket Walker hears a baby’s cry while walking her dog one evening, she can’t walk away, but when she picks up the squirming bundle, it’s obvious that the green-eyed, sharp-toothed creature is no abandoned newborn. Unfortunately, Becket has opened a door that allows dark magic to seep into Philadelphia by night, causing panic and chaos as statues, caution tape, discarded trash, and other inanimate objects transform into lethal creatures. Packs of murderous people dubbed the Nightstruck roam the dark streets, and Becket’s best friend, Piper, has begun acting very strangely. Effectively blending grisly horror, teenage dilemmas, and a touch of romance, Black has built a genuinely scary city where the night literally has teeth. Becket is a smart and pragmatic young woman who rarely falters in the face of horrific events, making her vulnerability when it comes to those she loves more poignant. A cliffhanger ending ensures anticipation for the next book. Ages 12–up. Agent: Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary Agency. (Apr.)