Court of the Undying Seasons

Gr 9 Up–Nineteen-year-old Fin lost her mother to vampires, but misplaced chivalry pushes her onto the bloody, brutal path of becoming one. At color-coded “Houses” in Castle Courtsheart, not-yet-full vampires like Fin study fighting, shapeshifting, seducing, drunken revelry, and more. Failure means enthrallment as a servant. Unlike the others, Fin also studies with the Black Court, the only House whose members can kill other vampires—and also the House of her resentful, devastatingly handsome Maker, Gavron. Will Fin’s unexpected love of drinking his blood distract her from her ultimate goal? But Fin is not the only plotter at Courtsheart, and soon she is involved in a deadly intrigue threatening the very heart of the vampire world. This book’s deliciously dark and twisty plot, rife with betrayal and murder, inhabits an intricately built world; one that juxtaposes supernatural and sensual beauty against ruthless, casual brutality—and, of course, buckets of blood and a distinct lack of consent. Fin is an empathetic character as she struggles with these gray shades of morality, especially in her slow-burn romance with Gavron, and in her new abilities and desires. For violence, abuse, and sexual themes, recommend to high school vampire fans who love blood and complicated ethics. Characters have varied skin tones, sexualities, and gender identities. Fin and Gavron are both cued white, cisgender, and bisexual. Fin’s best friend is cued Black and lesbian.