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Wednesday, March 18, 2015

The Awesome -- A YA Novel From Eva Darrows

“Hilarious and twisted, this is one bad-ass jump-kick of a book. Move over Buffy, because monster hunter Maggie Cunningham is in town. THE AWESOME does not merely live up to its name, but in fact, speeds past it at the speed of a crossbow bolt slamming into a vampire’s breastbone.”

– Chuck Wendig, author of the Miriam Black series

Seventeen-year-old Maggie Cunningham is tough, smart, and sassy. She’s also not like other girls her age, but then, who would be when the family business is monster hunting? Combat boots, ratty hooded sweatshirts, and hair worn short so nothing with claws can get a grip, Maggie’s concerns in life slant more toward survival than fashion or boys. Which presents a problem when Maggie’s mother informs Maggie that she can’t get her journeyman’s license for hunting until she loses her virginity. Something about virgin blood turning vampires into pointy rage monsters. Blood and gore and insides being on the outside and all that.

Maggie’s battled ghosts and goblins and her fair share of house brownies, but finding herself a boy—fitting in with her peers—proves a much more daunting task than any monster hunt. Did you know normal girls don’t stuff their bras with holy water balloons? Nor do they carry wooden stakes in their waistbands. And they care about things like “matching” and “footwear.” Of course, they also can’t clean a gun blindfolded, shoot a crossbow, or exorcise ghosts from a house. Which means they’re lame and Maggie’s not. Because Maggie’s awesome.

The Awesome, in fact.
Just ask her. She’d be more than happy to tell you.
After she finds herself a date.

Part monster-hunter, part heart-breaker and all AWESOME, seventeen year-old Maggie Cunningham is the Whedon-worthy hero YA has been waiting for. An apprentice in the family business, Maggie’s interests slant more towards survival than fashion or boys, which presents a problem when Maggie’s mother informs her that she can’t get her journeyman’s license until she loses her virginity (something about virgin blood turning vampires into pointy-teethed rage monsters). One foiled fumble, a dead fledgling vampire and an angry undead prince later, and it would appear that the dating scene is more complicated than Maggie had first anticipated…

An anti-paranormal romance for the YA readership, The Awesome is fast, furious and funny. Maggie is a refreshing and recognisable figure who wouldn’t be caught dead going up against a ghoul in anything as silly as tight-fitting leathers (impractical, plus muffin top).

Coming in May from Ravenstone Press (the cutting-edge YA and Children’s imprint from Rebellion Publishing).