Tillinghast by Clare Cavenagh, Viking, $ 30.00, 256 pages
A haunting and richly atmospheric debut, Tillinghast reimagines vampire lore through the lens of loneliness, longing, and moral hunger. Set in rural Rhode Island, the novel follows Stutley Tillinghast, a minister whose monstrous appetites have stretched across decades. What begins as a chilling character study deepens into something unexpectedly tender when a mysterious young woman arrives bearing his name. Inspired by the New England vampire panic, the story blends gothic dread with emotional resonance, creating a fresh take on immortal horror. Beautifully written and deeply unsettling, this is a literary horror novel with real bite.
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Air by Christian Kracht, Liveright, $ 24.99, 192 pages
Christian Kracht’s Air is a hypnotic, genre-defying journey that drifts between science fiction, myth, and dream logic. What begins as an unusual design commission soon spirals into a surreal odyssey through fractured realities and strange landscapes. Paul’s disappearance and reappearance in another realm create a story filled with mystery and philosophical intrigue, while Kracht’s elegant prose keeps every page shimmering with uncertainty. The novel’s shifting atmosphere invites readers to surrender to its strange rhythms rather than solve its puzzles. Bold, inventive, and deeply immersive, Air is perfect for readers who like their spooky stories cerebral and uncanny.
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Death’s Daughter by S.A. Barnes, Bramble, $ 29.99, 400 pages
Darkly fun and irresistibly dramatic, Death’s Daughter combines mythology, romance, and academic intrigue into a thoroughly entertaining supernatural ride. Jocasta is a standout heroine, trying to build a normal life despite being the child of Death himself. When she is suddenly named his successor, her carefully balanced world erupts into danger, temptation, and impossible choices. The chemistry with Devon crackles, while the campus setting adds a delicious dark-academia edge. S.A. Barnes balances action, emotion, and sizzling tension with confidence, making this a perfect Summerween pick for readers craving monsters with heart.
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Make Me Better by Sarah Gailey, Tor Books, $ 28.99, 432 pages
Sarah Gailey’s Make Me Better is an eerily compelling exploration of belonging, vulnerability, and the seductive danger of easy answers. Celia’s longing for connection draws her to Kindred Cove, an isolated community promising healing and transformation. From there, the novel unfolds with mounting dread, using the language of wellness and self-improvement to expose something far darker beneath the surface. Gailey excels at creating tension that feels both intimate and existential, making every promise sound just believable enough to trust. Smart, unsettling, and psychologically sharp, this is horror with teeth hidden behind a smile.
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A Star Cursed Heart by Annie Mare, Ace, $ 19.00, 352 pages
A Star-Cursed Heart by Annie Mare is a sweeping, emotionally charged fantasy that blends star-crossed romance, family legacy, and supernatural suspense into something unforgettable. The centuries-old curse at the center of the story gives the novel a rich gothic pulse, while the connection between Ashes and Lucy provides its aching heart. Mare crafts two heroines you can’t help but root for, torn between duty and desire, fate and freedom. The Salem-era origins add depth, and the modern storyline moves with urgency and passion. Tender, haunting, and fiercely romantic, this is a beautifully imagined queer fantasy about choosing love over fear.
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