cover image Love at Second Sight

Love at Second Sight

F.T. Lukens. McElderry, $19.99 (368p) ISBN 978-1-66595-094-7

Lukens (Spell Bound) dazzles in this paranormal adventure about a psychic teen attempting to stop a murder before it occurs. In a world where beings such as vampires, werewolves, and faeries live among mortals, Cam is a human whose only goal is to fly under the radar at his new school. Though Cam’s parents urge him to avoid paranormal students, he’s excited to attend school with his witch best friend Al and develops a crush on werewolf classmate Mateo. Things take a turn when, following a fight between students, Cam is caught in the ensuing chaos; he falls, hits his head, and has a vivid dream from the POV of an unknown, knife-wielding assailant about an injured girl he doesn’t recognize. Realizing his dream was a psychic glimpse into the future, he must reckon with the fact that he’s not human—and he’s the only one who can stop this would-be murder. Lukens delivers a riveting mystery via propulsive and carefully balanced plotting, distinctly rendered characters, and immersive worldbuilding that believably examines themes of prejudice, social pressures, family strife, and navigating unrealistic expectations. Ages 14–up. (Apr.)