Damned If You Do

May 29, 2023
A high school senior who accidentally sold her soul to a demon must contend with the delayed consequences in Brown’s Filipino folklore–inspired tragicomedy debut. Filipino American student stage manager Cordelia Scott is immersed in tech week for her school’s play about Deal Day, an annual Ruin’s End tradition in which one person purportedly makes a deal with the devil. Though she’s invested in the tale, she doesn’t believe it’s real until Fred Williams, her new school guidance counselor, reveals that he’s a demon—and that he dragged her physically abusive father to hell in exchange for a piece of her soul as her Deal Day wish when she was 10. Now he’s come to make a new deal: Fred will return the fragment of Cordelia’s soul if she helps him capture a rival demon who has been preying on Ruin’s End’s townspeople. Filipino cultural and mythological elements add refreshing notes to rapid-fire Buffy the Vampire Slayer–style action, while heartening found family dynamics counterbalance dark depictions of abuse in this intense adventure. The cast features strong queer representation and racially diverse supporting characters. Ages 14–up. Agent: Renee Nyen, KT Literary.

June 15, 2023
A week before the 100th anniversary of a Massachusetts town's founding, demons emerge. Urban legend has it that Ruin's End founder Ryeland Jones made a deal with a demon to establish the town. Deal Day, the eve of the town's anniversary, is said to be a time when one person's wish is granted. Skeptic Cordelia Scott does not buy it. That is, until Fred Williams, a demon masquerading as her cheesy high school guidance counselor, confirms that not only is Deal Day real, but Cordelia actually made a bargain with Fred when she banished her abusive father seven years ago. As the stage manager for Our Demon Town, a musical about the town's founding, Cordelia is heading into a grueling tech week when Fred tasks her with a seemingly impossible mission that will require her to literally face her inner demons of guilt and self-hate and very real monsters--like an aswang from Filipino folktales. She is helped by many, including best friend and love interest Veronica, and also turns to her Catholic church for support. Fans of black comedy will enjoy the quirky plot, preposterous premise of a demon trapped in a Precious Moments Maleficent figurine, and scenes of gory violence sprinkled with sardonic commentary. However, the story is let down by confusing plot gaps and repetition that impedes deeper character development. Cordelia and Veronica are Filipina; most other characters are cued White. In need of refinement. (Paranormal. 13-18)

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August 1, 2023
Grades 9-12 Legend has it that the founding of the town of Ruin's End rested on a demonic pact, ensuring that everyday life would suck forever. So when the new guidance counselor at Cordelia's high school reveals himself to be a demon--the demon responsible for dragging her abusive father to hell, no less--she's understandably suspicious. However, the demon informs her that she's been drafted into a secret infernal war threatening to franchise her town's hellish misery to every human settlement across the world. Like KFC, but evil. Stage manager Cordelia reluctantly agrees to help, but only after assurances that the school play will go off without a hitch. Owing much to TV shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural, Brown's loving homage to fun, paranormal adventure series contains fresh elements that make this novel her own, including a strong infusion of Filipino folklore and a prominent queer romance. While the book depicts some violence and features heavy themes such as physical abuse, it maintains an irreverent tone that keeps the story light and fast-paced.

COPYRIGHT(2023) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.