The books Southern indie booksellers are recommending to readers everywhere!

Fantasy

Fable by Adrienne Young

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Fable by Adrienne Young
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Fable is what YA fantasy dreams are made of! Fable is the daughter of the sea. Her father, the most powerful trader in the Narrows, abandoned her on the island of Jeval after her mother drowned in a relentless storm. He promised her an inheritance IF she survived and made it back to him. Four years of gem trading later, she is ready to claim what is hers. She convinces West, young captain of The Marigold, to transport her across the Narrows and back to her father. Epic adventure, intrigue and romance ensues and I guarantee you’ll be swept away from beginning to end.

Fable by Adrienne Young, (List Price: $14, Wednesday Books, 9781250376671, January 2024)

Reviewed by Jessica, Main Street Books in Davidson, NC

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The Spiritualists by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

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The Spiritualists by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
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Bonded by grief in the wake of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, a medium and an art forger team up to get revenge against the man responsible. Centering a heist perfect for fans of Gilded Wolves, Tubbs’ YA debut offers both a touching found-family story and an immersive high-stakes tale.

The Spiritualists by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665985734, June 2026)

Reviewed by Matilda, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia

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The Spiritualists by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb

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The Spiritualists by Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
buy this book

Buy from your local indie.

Bonded by grief in the wake of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, a medium and an art forger team up to get revenge against the man responsible. Centering a heist perfect for fans of Gilded Wolves, Tubbs’ YA debut offers both a touching found-family story and an immersive high-stakes tale.

The Spiritualists by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, (List Price: $19.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9781665985734, June 2026)

Reviewed by Matilda, Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia

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Tempest by Victoria Aveyard

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Tempest by Victoria Aveyard
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Longtime Aveyard readers will be please to see all of her trademarks in Tempest – epic storytelling, fierce characters, and a highly compelling plot. Tempest cements a place for the author in adult fantasy spaces with an explosive, thrilling, and emotional story that stays with you long after the last page.

Tempest by Victoria Aveyard, (List Price: $34, Harper Voyager, 9780063566224, August 2026)

Reviewed by Katie, A Novel Romance in Louisville, KY

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When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley

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When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa Vida Kelley
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A lovely novel that is part historical fiction, part fantasy, part queer romance, and all about the remarkable joy it is to find family. Set in the early 20th century at Coney Island featuring a colorful cast of diverse and lovable characters, this story is ultimately about having the courage to seek justice, even if it comes at a great personal loss.

When the Tides Held the Moon by Venessa, (List Price: $29, Erewhon Books, 9781645661535, April 2025)

Reviewed by Jamie, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore

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The Henchperson's Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore
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This is a fun, fairly light-hearted riff on Frankenstein, the novel, and the Universal horror films. Narrated by the hunchback Igor, the novel features memorable characters who are vampires, werewolves, zombies, evil witches, and a few that defy easy categorization. Fun, with a nice message about being oneself, community, and found family, I enjoyed this book. This one will be fun to hand sell.

The Henchperson’s Guide to Unionizing by Marshall J. Moore, (List Price: $21, Bantam, 9798217374168, September 2026)

Reviewed by David, novel. in Memphis, Tennessee

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To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson

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To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson
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I LOVED this!! There were so many twists and turns that I absolutely wasn’t expecting. It was the perfect combination of These Violent Delights, Heartless Hunter, and Red Queen. I literally finished this book like five minutes ago, so I don’t have the words to describe exactly how I’m feeling, but just know there were multiple audible reactions from me while reading the last 30ish pages, and I need more people to read this immediately so I have someone to talk to about it.

To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson, (List Price: $20.99, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 9798217004799, July 2026)

Reviewed by Lola, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst

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Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst
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MY HEARRRRRT!! Oh my stars, Sarah Beth Durst is a treasure, and her writing is always fresh and captivating. The Crescent Islands are a true retreat from the chaos of the world, and the world she’s made is one of my favorites of all time.

Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst, (List Price: $29.99, Bramble, 9781250400673, July 2026)

Reviewed by Liz, Columbus Bound Book Shop in Columbus, Georgia

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The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly

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The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly
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I am undone! This book was a hurricane, and I was sucked into it at full force. Excellent debut. It felt like reading The Selection, The Hunger Games and These Hollow Vows all in one. Book 2 is officially going on my most anticipated release list. What to expect: High stakes, fast-paced, tall dark and broody, tending to wounds, sexy time, slow burn, political intrigue, secrets galore, he falls first, lots of death and violence and a whole lot more. (Mind the trigger warnings) – Definitely an upper YA read.

The Lure of Wolves and Whispers by Amanda Connolly, (List Price: $21.99, Sarah Barley Books, Simon & Schuster Books for Yo, 9781665989510, July 2026)

Reviewed by Brianne, Main Street Books in Davidson, NC

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Immortal Game by Allison Saft

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Immortal Game by Allison Saft
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Allison Saft somehow made a fantasy about a chess tournament completely addictive. Shea enters the Otherworld hoping to win a single wish and rescue her sister, but every match comes with new tricks, dangerous rivals, and very questionable fae deals. Even if you know nothing about chess, the tension makes it hard to stop reading. The rivalry with the fae princess Ciara adds charm and sparks along the way. This clever, twisty fantasy features a sweet sapphic romance and just the right amount of chaos to keep you on your toes.

Immortal Game by Allison Saft, (List Price: $22, Wednesday Books, 9781250404763, August 2026)

Reviewed by Sandra, Hills and Hamlets Bookshop in Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
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The Picture of Dorian Gray is one of my favorite classics, so I absolutely had to pick up Laura Steven’s reimagining of the story. Part horror-thriller, part romance, Every Exquisite Thing follows Penny as she bargains for immortal beauty in the cutthroat world of models and acting. But things aren’t as they seem at her drama school, and once the bodies start dropping, Penny finds herself in a race against the clock to stay alive. Steven offers sharp reflections on the cost of identity in a beauty-obsessed society that’s willing to resort to violence for the sake of perfection.

Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven, (List Price: $15, Wednesday Books, 9781250346797, May 2026)

Reviewed by Charlie, Square Books in Oxford, MS

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
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I loved Our Infinite Fates, so when I saw Laura Stevens was coming out with another book, I went wild with excitement. Laura’s way of telling a story is so compelling, and it keeps you focused. I absolutely loved this retelling of Dorian Gray, and it made me want to re-read the classic. Laura did an amazing job setting the story in today’s times, in a fictional academy called Dorian Drama School. She mixed themes that are extremely important in this day and age for girls struggling with their image, self-love, and acceptance. In the right hands, it can be a very powerful book. Laura condemns the beauty industry that forces women to chase an impossible standard, and she does this in a fast-paced, thrilling mystery retelling. I really enjoyed the ending too. It leaves the door open to the mystery of the painter, and I can’t wait to see what Laura will write next!Personal note (not part of the review): I wish there were no explicit scene in the book. I feel this can make it more difficult for the book to reach its audience. Without the open-door scene, this book could easily be recommended to younger young adults and reach a much wider audience.

Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven, (List Price: $15, Wednesday Books, 9781250346797, May 2026)

Reviewed by Erika, Righton Books in St Simons Island, GA

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
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I don’t read a lot of YA, but after loving Laura Steven’s adult debut, I came across this book billed as a reimagining of The Picture of Dorian Gray, and I knew there was potential for something great. Thankfully, I was right! This is the type of YA novel I would give to my 14-year-old daughter to read because the author holds to the tenets of YA writing without “dumbing down” the prose. She also put a modern spin on the classic themes to make them more relevant to Gen Z teenagers. The exploration of themes like body image, identity, and self-discovery is handled deftly. Steven takes her time building the characters so the denouement has a deep impact. The characters could have been plucked from real life, and the author takes care in making the cast diverse. The setting was haunting and twisted, just as a gothic horror should be. I would absolutely recommend this book for teens.

Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven, (List Price: $15, Wednesday Books, 9781250346797, May 2026)

Reviewed by Lara, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, FL

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven

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Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
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YA fantasy/horror with beautiful writing and a creepy atmosphere that slowly pulls you in. The story takes place at an elite drama academy and follows Penny, who wants the lead role badly enough to make some dangerous choices. It’s a sapphic twist on The Picture of Dorian Gray, with intense rival energy and so much tension. The horror is more unsettling than gory, which made it even better. I also really appreciated the representation of mental health, eating disorders, alopecia, and type one diabetes. Completely unforgettable!

Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven, (List Price: $15, Wednesday Books, 9781250346797, May 2026)

Reviewed by Sandra, Hills & Hamlets Bookshop in Chattahoochee Hills, GA

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Forgive-Me-Not by Maria Costa

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Forgive-Me-Not by Maria Costa
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This was everything I hoped it to be and more! A perfect sapphic tale that reminded me of my days of getting into romance books as a teen, reading about changelings. This book was so cozy and sweet, but it definitely had some dark moments that really elevated the storyline. I absolutely LOVED the color palettes. Just wow. The color of blood in different panels was in such stark contrast to everything else and just worked so well. Forget-Me-Not was so snarky and sarcastic, but I feel like she just needed her space to be herself, and she found it with Aisling. Sobbing. 5 stars.

Forgive-Me-Not by Maria Costa, (List Price: $26.99, First Second, 9781250784162, April 2026)

Reviewed by Ellie, A Novel Romance LLC in Louisville, Kentucky

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