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Courtney Alameda. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-250-04467-9

Alameda makes a strong debut with this fast-paced urban fantasy/horror novel, which sees the last remnants of the Van Helsing and Stoker bloodlines running an organization dedicated to fighting the restless undead. When Micheline Helsing, daughter of the American branch’s leader, takes her team to confront a murderous ghost, all four of them are infected by a terrible curse that will kill them in under a week if they can’t find a cure. Unfortunately, Micheline’s father would rather put them in quarantine instead of help them. The crew goes on the run, and as they battle undead monsters, elude the living, and confront the sins of the past, they learn that the solution to their fatal dilemma may lay closer to home than they expected. Alameda’s worldbuilding is strong—this alternate version of San Francisco is dangerous and unpredictable—and her characters evoke shows like Buffy and Supernatural. The story has plenty of room to grow, and readers will be left eager to see what Alameda has in store next. Ages 13–up. Agent: John M. Cusick, Greenhouse Literary Agency. (Feb.)