The Luminaries

by Susan Dennard

Overview

Notes From Your Bookseller

A lush forest full of deadly supernatural monsters serves as the backdrop for The Luminaries, the first book in a new contemporary fantasy series from the author of the Witchlands series. This thrilling read rife with paranormal elements will keep readers captivated through the very last page.

From Susan Dennard, the New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series, comes a haunting and high-octane contemporary fantasy about the magic it takes to face your fears in a nightmare-filled forest and the mettle required to face the secrets hiding in the dark corners of your own family.

An Instant New York Times Bestseller
A Barnes&Noble YA Book Club Pick
An Indigo Best Teen Book of 2022
A Junior Library Guild Pick
An Indie Next Pick
A Goodreads Most Anticipated YA Book

Hemlock Falls isn't like other towns. You won't find it on a map, your phone won't work here, and the forest outside town might just kill you.

Winnie Wednesday wants nothing more than to join the Luminaries, the ancient order that protects Winnie's town—and the rest of humanity—from the monsters and nightmares that rise in the forest of Hemlock Falls every night.

Ever since her father was exposed as a witch and a traitor, Winnie and her family have been shunned. But on her sixteenth birthday, she can take the deadly Luminary hunter trials and prove herself true and loyal—and restore her family's good name. Or die trying.

But in order to survive, Winnie enlists the help of the one person who can help her train: Jay Friday, resident bad boy and Winnie’s ex-best friend. While Jay might be the most promising new hunter in Hemlock Falls, he also seems to know more about the nightmares of the forest than he should. Together, he and Winnie will discover a danger lurking in the forest no one in Hemlock Falls is prepared for.

Not all monsters can be slain, and not all nightmares are confined to the dark.

"You'll want to get lost in the world of The Luminaries again and again.”—Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250194114
Publisher:	Tor Publishing Group
Publication date:	11/01/2022
Series:	Luminaries , #1
Sold by:	Macmillan
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	54,397
File size:	5 MB
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Susan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series (now in development for TV from the Jim Henson Company), the Something Strange and Deadly series, as well as various short stories and other tales across the internet. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.

Originally from Georgia, Dennard earned advanced degrees in marine ecology and statistics while also traveling the world. She now lives near Lake Michigan with her French husband, très mignonne daughter, and a veritable zoo of aging pets.

Susan Dennard is the award-winning, New York Times bestselling author of the Witchlands series (now in development for TV from the Jim Henson Company), and the Something Strange and Deadly series, in addition to short fiction published online. She also runs the popular newsletter for writers, the Misfits and Daydreamers. When not writing or teaching writing, she can be found rolling the dice as a Dungeon Master or mashing buttons on one of her way too many consoles.

Editorial Reviews

10/10/2022

A secret international organization called the Luminaries trains hunters to protect an unsuspecting world from nightmarish creatures in this adrenaline-fueled fantasy adventure series opener by Dennard (the Witchlands series). The group’s American branch, headquartered in Hemlock Falls, comprises seven clans, each named for a day of the week and championing a different attribute. The Wednesday clan values loyalty, so when 16-year-old Winnie’s father is exposed as an enemy spy, Winnie and her family become outcasts. Despite her lack of training, Winnie enrolls in the Luminaries’ hunter trials, hoping that success could redeem her family. Upon failing her first trial—a mission to slay one of the terrifying beasts inhabiting Hemlock Falls’ surrounding forest—she’s saved by an entity whose frightening aura rivals that of the forest creatures. But when she tries to warn the examiners about this unknown variable, she mistakenly gets credit for the kill and advances to the next round. Opting to remain mum, Winnie must now find a way to survive the final trials, further risking her family’s reputation and her life. Dennard offsets a slight plot, murky mythology, and underdeveloped supporting cast with plentiful action, terrifying monsters, and a kind, courageous heroine. Winnie has olive skin; the cast is intersectionally diverse. Ages 13–up. Agent: Joanna Volpe, New Leaf Literary & Media. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly

Will draw you in and leave you begging for more. Rich with tension, atmosphere, and finesse, you'll want to get lost in the world of The Luminaries again and again.”—Leigh Bardugo, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shadow & Bone and Ninth House

“I lost myself from page one in Hemlock Falls and its deadly forest, as vicious as it is inescapably alluring. Winnie Wednesday is the sort of outcast-turned-monster-hunter you can't help loving and rooting for.”—Marissa Meyer, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Gilded

“Readers will want to don a motorcycle jacket and join the nightmare hunt.”—Kirkus Review

“Enthralling from the first page, The Luminaries lures you into a misty darkness rife with thrills and romance. Living nightmares may stalk across the pages, but this book is a paranormal fantasy dream. The forest calls, and you will love every second of devouring its mysteries.”—Alexandra Bracken, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Lore

“Dennard's newest begins with a triumphant success, heralding her third sensational series filled with delectable worldbuilding and dynamic characters.”—Buzzfeed

“The Luminaries is exactly the thrilling, dangerous, heart-pounding fantasy I needed, with an incredibly original world and a heroine who knows and fights for her worth. Prepare yourself accordingly—I devoured this in a single sitting.”—Marie Lu, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Skyhunter

"Dennard’s newest is overflowing with action, adventure, and mystery with a sprinkling of romance that will keep readers turning the page."—Booklist

“The Luminaries is your next obsession. Part family drama, part fantasy procedural, part helpful guide to monster hunting, all with a dash of romantic tension—this book is all my favorite things combined.”—Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six

“A richly realized tale about monster hunters that explores family, community, and a whole lot of female rage.”—Paste

“In The Luminaries, bestselling author Susan Dennard kicks off a darkly magical, action-packed new series and introduces a mysterious world filled with monsters. . . . Plenty of gasp-inducing thrills, monstrous gore and empathetic soul-searching—plus a little tentative flirting—bring The Luminaries to a satisfying conclusion.”—BookPage

“The Luminaries is a chilling, gripping contemporary fantasy. . . . readers can only hope that the nightmares induced by The Luminaries will be vanquished by someone as brave and real as Winnie Wednesday.”—Shelf Awareness, STARRED review

From the Publisher

Narrator Caitlin Davies brings her talents to this NEW YORK TIMES bestseller. Steeped in mystery, the story features Winnie, a smart, strong female protagonist who is brought to life by Davies. The story, set in Hemlock Falls, includes a cast of secondary characters with well-differentiated voices. Winnie is hoping to become one of the elite monster hunters who protect her town and the rest of the world from all the things that go bump in the night. Davies captures the magic of Dennard’s exciting world and illuminates each character. While this audiobook is intended for a YA audience, it will keep listeners of all ages enthralled and spooked. C.F. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

Narrator Caitlin Davies brings her talents to this NEW YORK TIMES bestseller. Steeped in mystery, the story features Winnie, a smart, strong female protagonist who is brought to life by Davies. The story, set in Hemlock Falls, includes a cast of secondary characters with well-differentiated voices. Winnie is hoping to become one of the elite monster hunters who protect her town and the rest of the world from all the things that go bump in the night. Davies captures the magic of Dennard’s exciting world and illuminates each character. While this audiobook is intended for a YA audience, it will keep listeners of all ages enthralled and spooked. C.F. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

DECEMBER 2022 - AudioFile

2022-08-03
A family of monster hunters seeks redemption amid danger and mysteries.

Sixteen-year-old Winnie Wednesday is devoted to her hometown of Hemlock Falls and its local branch of nightmare-hunting Luminaries. The international organization trains hunters from a young age to deal with all sorts of mythological beasties, such as basilisks and manticores, that emerge from the nightly mist. Luminary members are sorted into clans named after the days of the week, each of which has an associated motto. Winnie hopes to heal some of the damage from an infamous incident involving her father, which resulted in her family’s being made outcasts, by passing the hunter trials like three generations of women before her. Anything to avoid life among the oblivious nons who live outside Luminary culture. The Wednesday family’s arc is satisfyingly earnest, from dealing with classroom taunting and falls from grace to navigating overnight popularity. A slow-burn romance with a bassist who reeks of cigarettes and weed leads to plenty of ogling during training and a motorcycle ride. The pace rolls steadily along with its gradual buildup of supernatural action and personal stakes before culminating with a tease to the sequel: Readers will want to don a motorcycle jacket and join the nightmare hunt. Main characters read White; the supporting cast includes some diversity in race, religion, and nationality.

An entertaining addition to the tradition of young adult adventures in finding oneself. (Fantasy. 13-18)

Kirkus Reviews