The Feral trilogy is a spin-off of the Tantalize series. It’s a YA fantasy-adventure set in an international multi-creature verse, populated with a variety of shape-shifters (including werecats, werearmadillos, Tasmanian weredevils, and werewolves), among others.
The Feral series is published by Candlewick Press in North America, Walker Books in the U.K., and Walker Books Australia and New Zealand. Audio editions are available from Brilliance Audio.
Order children’s-YA books by Cynthia Leitich Smith.
#1 Feral Nights by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, 2013).
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.
A wry, high-action entry in an exciting new series.
“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.”
— The Horn Book
“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.”
— Publishers Weekly
“The world building of were-creatures and other supernatural beings in this urban fantasy is so strong, readers will be seeing shapeshifters all around them. Descriptions of the ‘normal’ above-ground versus the unsavory underground our heroes get caught in parallels nicely with the reality of different worlds existing next to us but invisible to us.”
— Bay Views (the review journal of The Association of Children’s Librarians of Northern California)
CYN NOTE: In the interests of space, please click the titles below for reviews and resources.
#2 Feral Curse by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, 2014).
The second installment of New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith’s thrilling Feral series delivers danger, romance, and suspense in an all new action-packed adventure.
The adopted daughter of two respectable human parents, Kayla is a werecat in the closet. All she knows is the human world.
When she comes out to her boyfriend, tragedy ensues, and her determination to know and embrace her heritage grows. Help appears in the lithe form of sexy male werecat Yoshi, backed up by Aimee and Clyde, as the four set out to solve the mystery of a possessed antique carousel while fielding miscast magic, obsessive strangers, and mounting species intolerance.
Fans will go wild for this rousing second Feral adventure.
#3 Feral Pride by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Candlewick, 2015).
Anti-shifter sentiment is at an all-time high when Kayla’s transformation to werecat is captured on video and uploaded for the world to see.
Suddenly she becomes a symbol of the werebeast threat and—along with fellow cat Yoshi, Lion-Possum Clyde, and human Aimee—a hunted fugitive.
Meanwhile, a self-proclaimed weresnake has kidnapped the governor of Texas and hit the airwaves with a message of war.
In retaliation, werepeople are targeted by law enforcement, threatened with a shift-suppressing vaccine, terrorized by corporate conspiracy, and enslaved by a top-secret, intelligent Cryptid species.
Can Clyde rally his inner lion king to lead his friends—new and old—into battle against ruthless, media-savvy foes? A rousing blend of suspense, paranormal romance, humor, and high action.
The explosive finale to the Feral series by New York Times best-selling author Cynthia Leitich Smith.
Short Stories
Cynthia has published short stories set in the Tantalize–Feral series universe.
“Cat Calls” appears in Sideshow: Ten Original Tales of Freaks, Illusionists, and Other Matters Odd and Magical, edited by Deborah Noyes (Candlewick, 2009). It is available as a free e-book.
“Haunted Love” appears in in Immortal: Love Stories with Bite, edited by P.C. Cast (BenBella, 2008). It is also available as a free e-book.
“Cupid’s Beaux” appears in Things I’ll Never Say: Stories of Our Secret Selves, edited by Ann Angel (Candlewick, 2015).
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