Black Bird of the Gallows

September 25, 2017
When Angie Dovage falls for her sexy and enigmatic new neighbor, Reece Fernandez, she’s startled to discover several things about him: he’s a semi-immortal were-crow whose kind is cursed to feed from death and destruction, his flock has come to her small town as harbingers of a great disaster, and they are engaged in a long-running conflict with terrifying creatures called Beekeepers, who live to spread mayhem and chaos. Angie and Reece attempt to carve out happiness, but their fledgling romance is threatened by the catastrophes that await them. Kassel debuts with an engaging paranormal romance that features some unusual twists, though the more recognizable genre elements are overfamiliar (starting with the central romance between a teenage girl and an ancient supernatural being), and the story feels cramped, with a bit too much packed in. Assorted subplots involving high school mean girls and Angie’s secret life as a deejay are eclipsed by the near-apocalyptic events, and the supernatural worldbuilding begs for further exploration in future books (a sequel is planned). Ages 12–up. Agent: Beth Miller, Writers House.