On the Wings of La Noche

Seventeen-year-old Estrella “Noche” Villanueva has been doing her solemn duty as a Lechuza for four years: at night, she shape-shifts into an owl and shepherds the souls of the dead into the beyond. Her already emotionally difficult job becomes impossible when her beloved girlfriend, Dante Fuentes, dies at 17. Rather than ushering her off this temporal plane, Noche leaves Dante’s spirit to dwell on Earth, visiting her every night. For a while, it’s just like old times, until Dante begins acting strange and forgetful and Noche starts falling for Jax Vang, the new boy at school. The situation soon turns untenable: Dante’s odd behavior makes it difficult to keep their relationship—and her spirit—alive, Jax’s own secrets prevent him from getting too close to others, and mysterious ravens start following Noche. For everyone to move on and move forward, Noche must release Dante’s spirit. But can she let her go? This tearjerker by Torres (The Turning Pointe) is exceptional in its meditation on grief, healing, and the pain of moving on. Its poignant and in-depth portrayal of teenage love is sure to win readers’ hearts. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 12–up. Agent: Louise Fury, Fury Agency. (Jan.)