Bad in the Blood
Bad in the Blood by Matteo L. Cerilli is a queer teen fantasy novel published by Random House on September 2, 2025. This 392-page book unfolds in a 1920s-inspired setting where magical beings known as fey face mistrust and institutionalization. The narrative follows a human brother and his fey sister as they navigate a complex murder investigation that threatens to deepen the divide between humans and fey in the city of Puck’s Port.
Readers will find a blend of social and family issues intertwined with elements of science fiction and fantasy. As Gristle Senan Maxim Junior reluctantly steps into the role of private investigator, he must confront the challenges posed by his sister, Hawthorne Stregoni, who struggles to control her magical abilities amid societal prejudice. The story explores themes of trust and collaboration as they work together to uncover the truth behind the murder, all while grappling with the societal tensions that surround them.
Official synopsis Publisher
In a world where magical beings, fey, are mistrusted and often institutionalized, a human brother and fey sister must team up to solve a bizarre murder in this 1920s-inspired queer teen fantasy novel.
In the city of Puck’s Port, where motorized vehicles fill the streets and new technological marvels abound, something rotten is lurking under the surface. A violent murder at the docks seems to point to a fey killer, igniting a powder keg of distrust between the city’s humans and its fey inhabitants — folks who wield wonderful but often uncontrollable magical power.
Gristle Senan Maxim Junior finds himself caught in the middle. Forced into the reluctant role of private investigator, like his late father, he’s working to solve the mystery of this fiery murder . . . mainly because his sister, Hawthorne Stregoni, is a fey herself with an unfortunate penchant for setting things ablaze.
Hawthorne is part of an experimental study to control feyism but struggles to keep her powerful magic in check in a country that hates what she is. Can she and Gristle work together to find the true instigator of the murder before it’s too late?
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Bad in the Blood” about?
Who is the author of “Bad in the Blood”?
When was “Bad in the Blood” published?
What is the ISBN for “Bad in the Blood”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
