Ironspark by C.M. McGuire
Publication date: August 25th, 2020
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Synopsis:
A teen outcast must work together with new friends to keep her family and town safe from murderous Fae while also dealing with panic attacks, family issues, and a lesbian love triangle in C.M. McGuires's kick-butt paranormal YA debut, Ironspark.
For the past nine years, ever since a bunch of those evil Tinkerbells abducted her mother, cursed her father, and forced her family into hiding, Bryn has devoted herself to learning everything she can about killing the Fae. Now it's time to put those lessons to use.
Then the Court Fae finally show up, and Bryn realizes she can't handle this on her own. Thankfully, three friends offer to help: Gwen, a kindhearted water witch; Dom, a new foster kid pulled into her world; and Jasika, a schoolmate with her own grudge against the Fae.
But trust is hard-won, and what little Bryn has gained is put to the test when she uncovers a book of Fae magic that belonged to her mother. With the Fae threat mounting every day, Bryn must choose between faith in her friends and power from a magic that could threaten her very humanity.
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Excerpt
The smell crept on me slowly, like a gas leak filling a room. Sharp, metallic, unnaturally sweet. Oh God.
I caught myself on the iron fence as my stomach turned itself inside out. It burned up my nose as tears sprang to my eyes. With each hammer of my heart, the reality of the situation started to sink in. That was a full-grown court Fae. Not a wild Fae, not a shadeling or a changeling or any of the garden-variety nuisances Gooding had taught me to fight. These things weren't even supposed to exist in the United States.
"Sh-shadeling!" I called, but I couldn't see a body. The Fae hadn't gone after my shadeling. It was okay.
"How did you find us?" I wheezed, but the Fae didn't answer. I pressed my cheek to the cool, comforting, safe iron of the gate. Iron and rowan. It couldn't get to me anymore. I breathed deeply until my jelly legs could move. The shadeling scuttled along beside me, wringing its spindly hands.
"Missy, I was only trying to warn you. Never wanted--"
"I know," I muttered, pulling my keys out of my pocket. They jangled loudly in my shaking hand. I blinked, staring down at them, willing them to still, but they didn't. Damn.
"Missy--"
"It's fine." Which was pathetic. I liked to consider myself a pretty good liar. Had to be. But I sounded about as fine as a fork in the garbage disposal.
I caught myself on the iron fence as my stomach turned itself inside out. It burned up my nose as tears sprang to my eyes. With each hammer of my heart, the reality of the situation started to sink in. That was a full-grown court Fae. Not a wild Fae, not a shadeling or a changeling or any of the garden-variety nuisances Gooding had taught me to fight. These things weren't even supposed to exist in the United States.
"Sh-shadeling!" I called, but I couldn't see a body. The Fae hadn't gone after my shadeling. It was okay.
"How did you find us?" I wheezed, but the Fae didn't answer. I pressed my cheek to the cool, comforting, safe iron of the gate. Iron and rowan. It couldn't get to me anymore. I breathed deeply until my jelly legs could move. The shadeling scuttled along beside me, wringing its spindly hands.
"Missy, I was only trying to warn you. Never wanted--"
"I know," I muttered, pulling my keys out of my pocket. They jangled loudly in my shaking hand. I blinked, staring down at them, willing them to still, but they didn't. Damn.
"Missy--"
"It's fine." Which was pathetic. I liked to consider myself a pretty good liar. Had to be. But I sounded about as fine as a fork in the garbage disposal.
About the Author:
I am a storyteller at heart, and my poor mother was grateful when I started writing. It gave her ears a break. I write primarily science fiction and fantasy intended for the young adult and middle grade audience. Presently, I live in Texas with my two cats.
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