By Cynthia Leitich Smith

Celebrate the Australia-New Zealand release of Feral Nights (Book 1 in the Feral series) and Eternal: Zachary’s Story, illustrated by Ming Doyle (a graphic novel from the Tantalize series) by entering to win copies of your very own! Eligibility is international; anyone can win!

Feral Curse (Book 2) is off to copy editing. It’s set in a fictional small town, based on Bastrop, Texas; and will be released in early 2014.

Feral Nights (Book 1 in the Feral series) is now available from Walker Books Australia and New Zealand. It was released in North America from Candlewick Press earlier this year. From the promotional copy:

Fans of the Tantalize quartet will thrill to see werepossum Clyde and other favorite secondary characters — plus all-new ones — take to the fore in book one of an all-new series.


When sexy, free-spirited werecat Yoshi tracks his sister, Ruby, to Austin, he discovers that she is not only MIA, but also the key suspect in a murder investigation.


Meanwhile, werepossum Clyde and human Aimee have set out to do a little detective work of their own, sworn to avenge the brutal killing of werearmadillo pal Travis.


When all three seekers are snared in an underground kidnapping ring, they end up on a remote island inhabited by an unusual (even by shifter standards) species.
The island harbors a grim secret and were-predator and were-prey must join forces in a fight to escape alive.


Fans of best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Tantalize quartet will thrill to see favorite sidekick characters–together with all-new ones–take to the fore in this wry, high-action entry in an exciting new series.

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Eternal: Zachary’s Story, illustrated by Ming Doyle (Walker/Candlewick, 2013), a Tantalize series graphic novel:

View interior spread

Reckless guardian angel Zachary has an unusual assignment. He’s meant to save the soul of Miranda, high-school theater wannabe turned glamorous royal vampire. Completely devoted to Miranda, Zachary takes his demotion to human form in stride, taking a job as the princess’s personal assistant.


Of course, this means he has to balance his soul-saving efforts with planning the Master’s fast-approaching Deathday gala.


Vivid illustrations by Ming Doyle elevate this darkly funny love story to a new dramatic level with bold black-and-white panels.


Cynthia Leitich Smith’s New York Times bestseller is reimagined as a graphic novel seen through the eyes of Zachary, guardian angel.

Eternal: Zachary’s Story is told from Zachary’s point of view and includes new scenes not seen in the preceding prose novel Eternal (Walker/Candlewick, 2009, 2010) as well as scenes previously told from Miranda’s point of view.

Cynsational Notes

Cynthia Leitich Smith & Feral Nights: an interview from Joy Preble. More
thoughts on the new novel and its main characters, balance (or lack thereof) and the writing life, best Austin dining and other destinations, and much more. For more on the story behind the story, see Follow the (YA) Reader and Secret Asian Man: Yoshi Kitahara and Feral Nights.

Eternal: Zachary’s Story artist Ming Doyle

The Horn Book says of Feral Nights: “Smith’s blend of supernatural suspense, campy humor, and romantic tension is addictive; allusions to both pop culture (‘Thriller,’ Monty Python) and literature (The Island of Dr. Moreau, The Most Dangerous Game) add to the fun. Most satisfying of all, Aimee and especially unassuming, injured Clyde leave their sidekick roles behind to come into their own.”

Publishers Weekly chimes in: “Smith’s fantasy smoothly switches between the three protagonists’ perspectives, while expertly blending the mythical and the modern. The story’s sharp banter and edgy plot make for an entertaining and clever story about loyalty and reconciling differences.”

Booklist calls it “sexy, fast-paced” and cheers the “ending that satisfies and should win her many new fans.”

Kirkus Reviews cheers, “…dialogue that sparkles with wit, filled with both literary and pop-culture references. (‘You’re saying that you and my sister perform
exorcisms on vomiting children with rotating heads?’)…playful, smart tone.”

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