Grim Lovelies: A Dark Enchanting YA Fantasy of Magic and Witches in Paris

Grim Lovelies: A Dark Enchanting YA Fantasy of Magic and Witches in Paris

"A magical dash through the streets of Paris. Part caper, part fairy tale, part opulent witch society, you'll be swept away by all of it. GRIM LOVELIES absolutely dazzles." —Kendare Blake, #1 NYT bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series “A darkly enchanting saga…bound to attract fans of Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, and more.” — Entertainment Weekly “I lost myself in this magical book.” — Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval and Legendary   Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.   Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.   From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is the glittering first book in a new, epic YA fantasy series. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price. "A  magical dash through the streets of Paris. Part caper, part fairy tale, part opulent witch society, you'll be swept away by all of it. GRIM LOVELIES absolutely dazzles." —Kendare Blake, #1 NYT bestselling author of the Three Dark Crowns series “A darkly enchanting saga…bound to attract fans of Leigh Bardugo, Holly Black, and more.” —Entertainment Weekly "A glittering and Goblin-bright fantasy. Grim Lovelies cleverly redefines fairy tales and turns Paris into a bewitching and disturbing wonderland full of Royals and witches, and beasties that will steal your heart. I lost myself in this magical book." —Stephanie Garber, New York Times bestselling author of Caraval and Legendary "The story [has] an intriguing, almost titillating appeal...an exceptional blend of fantasy, action, and emotional drama." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books , STARRED review "Fantasy lovers will revel in Anouk’s layered world, not to mention the relationships that develop among the Beasties and their unexpected allies. Their pell-mell race against the clock brims with danger and self-realization, carefully crafted to entrance."-- Booklist "This tightly-paced novel will leave readers demanding sequels that explore more of Anouk's epic journeys"-- Kirkus " Purchase where there are fans of magical worlds."-- School Library Journal " This deliciously dark tale examines societal norms while imagining the darker side of fairy tales."-- Publishers Weekly Megan Shepherd is the acclaimed author of The Madman's Daughter trilogy, The Cage trilogy and the middle grade novel, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill . She lives and writes on a 125-year-old farm outside Asheville, NC. Visit Megan at meganshepherd.com, on Twitter at @megan_shepherd, and on Instagram at @meganshepherdauthor. Chapter 1 From the front-turret window of Mada Vittora's Paris townhouse, Anouk couldn't see the fountain at the far end of Rue des Amants. She could see, however, the hopeful souls who made their way down the sidewalk, tourists and Parisians alike, some with their noses in guidebooks and others who knew the route by heart, in search of the granted wishes that, according to an obscure fifteenth-century legend (and more recently made famous in a movie from the summer before), they'd receive in exchange for touching a lucky part of the fountain. What lucky part, Anouk wasn't sure. No one would tell her exactly what it was a statue of. No books in the house made reference to the legend, and Mada Vittora wouldn't allow a computer or television inside. Perhaps the fountain was a statue of a bubbling mermaid, or a prancing horse or a little peeing boy; maybe wishers were supposed to touch a special hoof or rub a lucky fin or a lucky . . . boy part. Anouk could hardly go outside and look for herself. Mada Vittora strictly forbade her to leave. Her whole life'?twelve months and eight days, though she looked closer to seventeen years old'?she'd never set as much as her big toe beyond the front door.      A couple made their way down the sidewalk opposite the townhouse, and Anouk settled into the window seat, cradling her chin in her hands, and watched. Tourists, doubtless. A