“Vampires going to high school, but make it queer. Sterling delivers a fresh, thoughtful take on beloved paranormal tropes with a delightfully bloody romance.” —Mara Fitzgerald, author of Beyond the Ruby Veil From the author of
These Witches Don't Burn comes another paranormal romance for fans of Richelle Mead and Stephenie Meyer.
Elise Beaumont is cursed. With every touch, she experiences exactly how her loved ones will die. And after her brother's death—a death she predicted but was unable to prevent—Elise is desperate to get rid of her terrible gift, no matter the cost.
Claire Montgomery also has a unique relationship with death, mostly because she’s already dead. Technically, anyway. Claire is a vampire, and she's been assigned by the Veil to help Elise master her rare Death Oracle powers.
At first, Elise is reluctant to work with a vampire, but when she predicts a teacher’s imminent murder, she's determined to stop the violent death, even if it means sacrificing her own future to secure Claire's help.
The trouble is, Claire and Elise aren't the only paranormals in town—a killer is stalking the streets, and Claire can't seem to shake the pull she feels toward Elise, a romance that could upend the Veil’s mission. But as Elise and Claire grow closer, Elise begins to wonder—can she really trust someone tasked with securing her loyalty? Someone who could so easily kill her? Someone who might hold the key to unraveling her brother's mysterious death?
On sale: December 7, 2021
Age: 12 and up
Grade: Grade 7 & Up
Page count: 384 Pages
ISBN: 9780593350430
Reading level: Lexile: HL680L
Isabel Sterling is an LGBTQ advocate, foster mom, and author of
These Witches Don’t Burn,
This Coven Won’t Break, and
This Spell Can't Last. When she’s not writing, Isabel can be found crocheting projects she’ll never finish, completing crosswords with her wife, and trying not to destroy her garden. She lives in Central New York, where the winters are frigid, the summers are too hot, and autumn is perfect.
"A haunting LGBTQ+ paranormal romance that is sure to keep readers emotionally invested."
—Booklist
"Exciting and endearing."
—Kirkus Reviews
"This cleverly subverts genre expectations with sardonic humor and quippy snark. Those craving more vampire fiction in high school settings with a romantic twist have found their next read."
—BCCB
"The characters’ rich backstories and authentic teen voices make this book an enjoyable ride through the genre."
—SLJ"Sterling’s world will appeal to readers who appreciate atmospheric and emotional paranormal romance; through alternating dual voices, she offers a gentle, sapphic romance and a nuanced exploration of identity, power, and consent."
—Publishers Weekly
"Sterling raises the bar with this wonderfully sapphic paranormal romance! Both thrilling and heartfelt,
The Coldest Touch is a brilliant addition to the world of vampire lit, sure to leave readers thirsty for more."
—Jennifer Dugan, author of Hot Dog Girl and Some Girls Do “Vampires going to high school, but make it queer. Sterling delivers a fresh, thoughtful take on beloved paranormal tropes with a delightfully bloody romance.”
—Mara Fitzgerald, author of Beyond the Ruby Veil
