Nightbreaker (Nightbreaker #1)

In this gripping fantasy by Ma (the Shadow Frost trilogy), a teenager seeking vengeance for her parents’ murder by vicious monsters roaming a postapocalyptic Manhattan enters a cutthroat tournament in which the winner joins an elite group of monster hunters. N.Y.C. has instituted a strict curfew ever since bloodthirsty creatures called Deathlings appeared 15 years ago. But teenage Rei Reynolds regularly ignores the rule in favor of combating the monsters head-on, hoping to gain an advantage in the Tournament to join the Syndicate, a Deathling-fighting task force. But even with the experience her nightly excursions afford, her competitors are fierce, including Kieran Cross, an ex-boyfriend who ghosted her a year ago. But Rei is adamant to not let her feelings for Kieran derail her progress in the Tournament. As the competition advances, and as she contends with vicious foes, an ominous warning and the appearance of a mysterious artifact raises questions surrounding the event that plunged N.Y.C. into chaos. Though the supporting cast often feel like props, Rei is a smart and formidable protagonist whose motivations and struggles to separate her interpersonal issues from her goals, paired with elaborate worldbuilding and high-speed action, make for a nuanced series starter. Ages 14–up. (Sept.)