A young monster slayer must save her island from a curse that has plagued them for centuries, in this dark YA romantasy, inspired by Puerto Rican culture.
Sometimes, in my darker moments, I wonder if the Curse has already claimed me. If simply being born here, breathing the air and drinking the water of a place so poisoned, has sowed something monstrous in my bones.
Talia Aquino has spent her life training to become a Slayer and join her island nation's fight against the Shade's Curse, which turns living beings into monsters. Talia aspires to protect her people just like Santa Paloma, the island's patron saint, and the first ever Slayer.
When Talia leaves for the capital city to be initiated as an Apprentice Slayer, she and her best friend Mateo accidentally discover Santa's Paloma's legendary sword. When Talia's attempts to share their extraordinary find leads to her arrest, she vows to prove her innocence.
Puerto Rican-American author Ivelisse Housman has crafted a compelling mystery and a swoony friends-to-lovers romance in this unputadownable read, enriched with lore.
