The Glittering Edge - by Alyssa Villaire (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In this dazzling and dangerous tale, Penny Emberly is caught in a magical feud in order to save her mother's life--perfect for fans of Tracy Wolff and Maggie Stiefvater.

"A brilliant combination of deadly secrets and curses, twisty romance and fast paced surprises ... everything I want in a paranormal romance!" --Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Rumors are the lifeblood of Idlewood, Indiana. The locals whisper that the De Lucas are witches, and that decades prior they cursed the wealthy Barrion family as revenge for a love gone tragically wrong: now, if a Barrion falls in love with you, you'll die. If this isn't reason enough for wallflower Penny Emberly to stay away from both families, she doesn't know what is. But when Penny's mom is in an accident that leaves her on the brink of death, Penny can't ignore the rumors anymore--because the Barrion curse is real. And her mom is its latest victim.

In order to save her mom's life, Penny must bring together two bitter enemies on either side of the feud and work with them to break the curse. For star quarterback Corey Barrion, doing so would mean finally saving his family from the magic that killed his mom. And for misfit witch Alonso De Luca, it would mean convincing everyone in Idlewood--especially Penny--that he isn't the villain they believe him to be.

But as the trio navigates Alonso's unpredictable magic, the tangled web of Barrion-De Luca history, and an increasingly chaotic group chat, it soon becomes clear that the curse is not what they expected. Did a De Luca really curse the Barrions in a fit of jealousy, or is something even more sinister afoot? Penny will have to conquer her anxiety, wrestle with her budding feelings for Alonso, and delve into dangerous, forbidden magic to find the truth and save her mom--even if it means putting her own life at risk.

The sequel, THE NEON SKY, will be published in 2026 and is available for preorder now!

For Fans of:

• Slow-burn romance
• Found family
• Small town angst
• He falls first
• Misunderstood heroes

Review Quotes

"This is a must read for fans of Sarah Rees Brennan and Maggie Stiefvater or for anyone struggling to reconcile the comforts and constraints of the familiar with the fear and attraction of the unfamiliar."--BCCB

"An intense debut that refuses to pull punches, this tangled web of magic, mystery, secrets, and lies stars angst-ridden teenagers, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina-esque aunts, and the omnipresent small-town rumor mill, sure. But it's also a cunning commentary on the expectations placed on youth in a world fighting against them every step of the way."--School Library Journal

"As heartfelt as it is propulsive, THE GLITTERING EDGE combines magical, mysterious atmosphere with a familiar small-town feel. The characters are layered and emotionally compelling, and Villaire excels at portraying their complex relationships. This is truly the type of story that manages to feel both fresh and timeless."--M.K. Lobb, Author of the Seven Faceless Saints duology

"The Glittering Edge has all the ingredients of a mesmerizing read: dark curses, generational secrets and plenty of desperate, aching love to go around. Every page turn will plunge you deeper into the depths of Elkie Lake and further into the heart of this wholly original story that manages to be both completely fantastical and totally real."--Ginny Myers Sain, New York Times bestselling author of Dark & Shallow Lies.

"The Glittering Edge is a riveting, witchy debut wrapped in eerie mystery and dark magic. The electric romance and complicated relationships had me glued to the pages." --Emily J. Taylor, New York Times best-selling author of Hotel Magnifique and The Otherwhere Post

"A brilliant combination of deadly secrets and curses, twisty romance and fast paced surprises, The Glittering Edge is everything I want in a paranormal romance!" --Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

"With deadly curses, forbidden love, feuding families, and an ending that left me clutching my pearls, The Glittering Edge is my new obsession." --Angela Montoya, author of Sinner's Isle and A Cruel Thirst

About the Author

Alyssa Villaire is a writer of young adult fantasy. While she's based in Los Angeles, most of her stories harken back to the places where she grew up--from the woods of rural Indiana to the lakeshores of Wisconsin and Michigan. She has published short stories in Luna Station Quarterly and in an anthology titled Journeys to Uncharted Lands. When she's not writing, Alyssa is probably eating spicy food, watching horror movies, or waiting in a virtual Ticketmaster line. She invites you to visit her at alyssavillaire.com.