Synopsis
A lyrical, fantastical horror about vampires from the Philippines . . . and a hunter on their tail.
As Filipino vampires known as manananggal, Lily and her brother Caleb understand the value of a secret. After all, to hide is to survive. To lie is to live. They'd never harm another person-but people only believe their worst fears around creatures of myth. So, the siblings stay quiet. They follow their community's rules.
Until a monster hunter turns up and kills a fellow manananggal anyway.
Until Caleb is marked as the hunter's next prey.
Suddenly, he and Lily realize there's always been more at stake than the lives of their people. Because when doing everything "right" is still a death sentence, what can they take as truth? As the hunter nears, the siblings must decide if they'll be driven from the only home they've ever known . . . or fight to protect a community that may already be lost.
Two siblings fight to protect their secrets, their community, and most of all, each other, in this evocative novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Patron Saints of Nothing.
As Filipino vampires known as manananggal, Lily and her brother Caleb understand the value of a secret. After all, to hide is to survive. To lie is to live. They'd never harm another person-but people only believe their worst fears around creatures of myth. So, the siblings stay quiet. They follow their community's rules.
Until a monster hunter turns up and kills a fellow manananggal anyway.
Until Caleb is marked as the hunter's next prey.
Suddenly, he and Lily realize there's always been more at stake than the lives of their people. Because when doing everything "right" is still a death sentence, what can they take as truth? As the hunter nears, the siblings must decide if they'll be driven from the only home they've ever known . . . or fight to protect a community that may already be lost.
Two siblings fight to protect their secrets, their community, and most of all, each other, in this evocative novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Patron Saints of Nothing.
Details
11 August 2026
384 pages
9781471419270
Imprint: Hot Key Books
Reviews
“A riveting, unputdownable contemporary take on Filipino folklore with a deliciously sharp bite.”Kirkus, Kirkus
“It's a page-turning murder mystery anchored by a heartwarming portrayal of siblinghood.”Publisher's Weekly, Publisher's Weekly
“The fast-paced story keeps readers engaged while simultaneously providing a riveting crash course on Filipino mythology and history.”Booklist, Booklist
“This fast-moving YA horror story blends Filipino folklore, family tensions and a fiercely protective sibling bond. It's perfect for readers aged 14+ to get their teeth into.”The School Reading List, The School Reading List
