Beast Becomes Her - by Crystal Seitz (Hardcover)

About the Book

When seventeen-year-old good-girl Ediths suppressed rage triggers a berserkr transformation and reveals she is a descendant of ancient Norse warriors, she travels to Skallagrim Academy but soon becomes the prime suspect in a brutal murder and must uncover the real killer before being hunted down next.

Book Synopsis

"For fans of Nordic mythology, female rage, Teen Wolf, and Wednesday" (Booklist), this gorgeous dark contemporary fantasy follows a teen berserkr sent to a secret magical academy where she must unmask the real killer behind the gruesome campus murders or risk becoming the next victim.

Edith has always been a good girl--she has to be, or her foster family might think she's like her violent father. No matter how much anger simmers inside her, she keeps it buried, hidden...until the day she's pushed a step too far, and that anger comes bursting out in the form of literal claws.

It's then that Edith learns she's a berserkr, a descendant of ancient Norse warriors with the ability to turn into animals. To avoid jail for attacking a student, Edith is shipped off to the mysterious Skallagrim Academy. The ancient school is supposedly a haven for people like her, a place where she can learn to control her powers and then push them down so deep that they'll never come out again.

But someone--or something--is stalking the dark halls of Skallagrim.

On her second night, Edith stumbles upon a gruesome murder and is caught at the scene of the crime by Amund, a tracker tasked with hunting down wayward berserkir. Now, with Amund suspecting Edith as the killer, she'll have to catch the real culprit to prove her innocence before she ends up in the hunter's crosshairs--or becomes the killer's next victim.

Review Quotes

"Brimming with feminine rage, Seitz has crafted a story that is both deeply personal and yet utterly relatable. Set against the backdrop of a magical school where tensions run high and few can be trusted, her vivid characters stand tall as they fight to break free from the expectations of their past. With a chilling mystery that keeps readers guessing until the very end, this is sure to be a new favorite."--Elle Tesch, author of What Wakes the Bells and The Hanging Bones

"Seitz is a confident storyteller, offering up surprising twists, creepy villains, and convincing red herrings. She's created a book that is by turns eerie, violent, and touching, as Edith comes to terms with her traumatic past.... Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries with elements of horror, fantasy, and strong female characters."--School Library Journal "2/1/26"

"Seitz's exploration of female rage and breaking cycles in this sophomore work is thoughtful and uncensored.... Delightfully suspenseful."--Booklist "February 2026"

"Seitz delivers a rollicking blend of mystery, romance, and horror-tinged fantasy while sensitively exploring weighty topics such as toxic masculinity, female rage, and family violence."--Publishers Weekly "11/17/25"

"The delicious twist of their forbidden will-they, won't-they romance is as riveting as the race to find out who the true culprit is. The leads' dual first-person narrative invites readers to witness questioning, determination, and growth from the perspectives of both a hunter and a berserkr, serving to enhance this thriller whose mystery is woven into the magic of the book. A completely compelling read."--Kirkus "1/15/26"

"In her second novel, Seitz puts a fresh, fun spin on a magical school--and explores both the suppression and power of women's anger. Propulsive and gruesome, triumphant and hopeful, Beast Becomes Her is your next obsession."--Allison Saft, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Starlight

"Claw-sharp and clever, Beast Becomes Her is a powerful examination of what makes a monster, blending myth and magic into an edge-of-your-seat murder mystery. A wonderful addition to your dark academia TBR."--Rachel Moore, author of Us in Ruins and The Library of Shadows

"Gripping and immersive, Beast Becomes Her drew me into the brutal halls of Skallagrim Academy, where ancient magic, mythical shape-shifters, and gruesome murders had me racing to the pulse-pounding finish. A poignant tale about breaking vicious cycles of abuse and how harnessing your anger can set you free."--Pascale Lacelle, New York Times bestselling author of Curious Tides and Stranger Skies

About the Author

Crystal Seitz is the author of 89 Seconds to Midnight, Beast Becomes Her, and Inheritance of Scars. After being diagnosed with Crohn's disease, she set out to write the representation she needed: fantasy and dystopian stories starring disabled heroines. She lives in Boston, where she spends most of her time designing websites, crafting stories, or consuming too much coffee. Visit her online at CrystalSeitz.com or on social media @CrystalsWriting.