The Scapegracers

In this fierce debut, a trilogy opener, Clarke conjures up a powerful, passionate tale of female friendship and found family. . . . Unapologetically queer . . . and seething with raw emotion, this fantasy opens strong while leaving much to be explored in future installments. -Publishers Weekly, starred review Readers will love the spooky pop-culture easter eggs and appreciate a fresh spin on the mean girls theme: Readers won't despise, but will root for, this cunning, crass, and fiercely caring coven. Bitingly honest, fast-paced dialogue is a solid strength, as is the lyrical language, which is so intimate that readers will viscerally know how magic and emotions feel in Sideways' body. . . . Teenage girl magic is palpable, urgent, and simply marvelous in this must-have debut. -Kirkus, starred review Loner, lesbian teenage witch Sideways bubbles with nerves, insecurities, and longing in this action packed debut from a young queer writer. Bonus points for super sweet gay dads and all around great representation of diverse characters. -Chana Porter, author of The Seep The Scapegracers wallops you with all the raw, thrilling vertigo of young love and new friendship, alongside a deeply-plotted mythology that will delight any magic fan. It's a jewel-studded book, with an unearthly glow. You will definitely want to join this coven. -Jess Zimmerman, author of Basic Witches Sapphic teenage witches and slippery vengeance magic? Yes, please! Clarke's entertaining debut captures all the pleasure and pathos of viciously loyal high school cliques. -Katharine Duckett, author of Miranda in Milan This is the dark, twisty, witchy book I've always wanted. [Clarke]'s writing is brilliant and gorgeous and firework bright. -Kat Howard, author of An Unkindness of Magicians The magic especially intrigued me-so spooky and weird and dangerous but addictive. -Shveta Thakrar, author of Star Daughter A fierce and magnificent debut, raw and wet as bloody scratches from manicured nails. . . . Clarke tells a violently beautiful story of the magic girls make together, whom it threatens and whom it attracts. . . . I loved everything about this book, from the hot, suturing needle of Clarke's prose to the broken-glass grind of Sideways's voice. Clarke's girls are glittering and terrifying, in love with one another and in opposition to the world that disdains and desires them. . . . As tender and intimate as it is ferocious and volatile, Scapegracers deserves to be this generation's go-to grimoire. May it launch a thousand covens of angry, loving, brilliant girls. -Amal El-Mohtar in The New York Times Book Review Holiday Books Guide