New Releases by Melissa de la Cruz

The Gilded Wolves meets A Magic Steeped in Poison in the first of a new pulse-pounding YA fantasy duology about two thieves who go after the same mythical treasure, from #1 New York Times-bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz. Once upon a time, there was a shining kingdom floating on the sea . . . The kingdom of Ophir was one of the most powerful and beautiful places in the world. But after an invasion by the land of Lacon, it was lost to the waves. Now, the Ophir live as second-class citizens beneath Lacon’s golden palaces. When two bands of Ophir thieves—one led by Eban Sadreal and the other by Gineth Strong—go after the same treasure, a priceless relic, their worlds and hearts suddenly collide. For the relic releases an ancient magic that could restore the legacy of Ophir—a magic that could change the course of Eban and Gin’s lives forever. With impossibly high stakes and charming will-they-won’t-they romance, this heist fantasy is perfect for fans of Six of Crows and A Tempest of Tea.

**A Good Morning America YA Book Club Pick** Three teens infiltrate the magical ivy league in this heart-stopping dark academia romantasy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz. The special first edition of the hardcover edition features stunning stenciled edges and designed endpapers! Raven, Atticus, and Dorian have dreamed of attending Sibylline for as long as they can remember. But when the magical university rejects them, the friends’ plans for a future studying the arcane together begin crashing down. Until they decide to steal an education. Getting jobs on campus, they sneak into lectures and swipe forbidden texts, dodging the administration’s watchful eye. In the quiet of night, in the thrill of secrecy, their magic awakens. And so do long-buried attractions that turn their friendship into something more. But like magic, love can create, and it can destroy. As unrequited feelings and resentment threaten to fracture their bond, the trio discovers an insidious magic that has sunk its claws into Sibylline, killing students and corroding the very bones of the university. Now the three intruders may be the key to saving the institution from wreckage . . . if they don’t wreck one another first.

The vampire queen must break her curse in this YA romantasy inspired by Filipino folklore, a sequel to The Encanto’s Daughter by #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz! A curse has befallen Biringan. Stalking the night sky and sinking sharp teeth in its prey, a vampire-like creature—a manananggal—is terrorizing the kingdom. Now MJ Robertson-Rodriguez must fulfill her duties as the newly crowned queen and restore peace. Except . . . when MJ wakes up in tattered clothes stained with blood, she quickly realizes the monster lives within her. To prevent more destruction, MJ flees to Mount Makiling with select members of her court, all while keeping her curse secret. By her side is Lucas, the talented knight who broke her heart by giving his own to another. And there’s Prince Qian, the devilishly handsome monster hunter from the Jade Empire who''s visiting on a diplomatic mission. In the mountains, MJ is charmed by Qian''s valiant spirit. Could he be the one to finally mend her broken heart, which still beats for Lucas? But as the manananggal fills MJ with bloodthirst, she must set love aside and break the curse before it consumes her forever. When a neighboring kingdom threatens to wage war on Biringan, can the young queen regain control of herself before she loses control of the crown?

In the second book in Melissa de la Cruz''s wacky new middle grade adventure series, the Octos find themselves on a mission to the moon. Which might not be made out of cheese after all.After discovering in book one that they had every reason to feel a little bit different than their peers, Edwin Edgefield and the rest of his alien-on-earth crew are primed and ready to learn all they can about their home planet. Unfortunately, that planet has been destroyed, and the one person who can help them find out where they came from—Maureen (yuck)—has no intention of helping. In fact, she has just taken off in a rocket ship bound for the moon, where the enemy Yaks awaits with a new version of her planet-destroying machine, this time aimed at earth.It will take every bit of Edwin, Julie, Kimmy and Dilip''s super abilities—both mental and physical—to stop Maureen this time. Can they pass through the gauntlet of tests Maureen has set for them and infiltrate the Yaks'' secret moon base before the bad guys can power up their earth-blaster, or will Maureen and the Yaks succeed in their vengeful mission?Grab a moon pie and cuddle up with this unputdownable sequel to the book PW called "energetic" "fast-paced" and "imaginative!"

For Red, growing up in Wonderland has been no piece of cake (literally--dessert is outlawed). Her mom, the Queen of Hearts, rules the kingdom with an iron scepter, while Red longs for a life of her own. She''s heard rumors about an island that once housed all the villains of folklore. A place with no rules? It sounds perfect.

Love is stronger than poison in this lush retelling of "Snow White" by #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz—now in paperback! Known as Snow White, Lady Sophie has led a sheltered life in the mountains of Bavaria. Until now. Her father, the widowed Duke Maximilian, is at last remarrying, and on the day of his historic wedding, Sophie is making her high-society debut. At the ball, Sophie charms the dashing Prince Philip, heir to the Spanish throne. But as Philip and Sophie start falling deeply in love, the king of Spain loses his temper. His wish is that Philip would marry a princess. And now, his command is Sophie’s death. In a quest for survival, Sophie seeks refuge in the home of seven orphans, the counsel of a witch, and the safety of her blade. With the looming threat of war upon her duchy, Sophie must ponder: Can she do right by her home and honor her heart’s desire?

Return to the land of Never After, where real life and fairy tales collide, in book four of #1 New York Times-bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz''s hit middle grade fantasy saga perfect for fans of The Land of Stories series. To save her mother from Olga''s evil clutches, Filomena and her friends will set off for new lands and new adventures. Without a moment to lose, Filomena must travel to the legendary land of Camelot to find the sword of Excalibur - the only thing that can save her mother from Olga''s mysterious illness. But Camelot is not all that it seems. Filomena and the crew quickly realize that there is another fairy tale that has taken hold in the land of Arthurian Legend. . . that of the Wizard of Oz! With the help (and hindrance) of the Wicked Witches of the East and West, lions and tigers and bears will surely be the least of Filomena and the crew''s troubles. As the League of Seven follows the yellow brick road to retrieve the enchanted sword and complete their most important quest yet, they find nothing will thwart the ogres and their mission to destroy Never After. In a land where nothing is truly as it seems, will Filomena and the League of the Seven survive the witch''s tests? Or will Olga''s perilous plans rip her mother away from her forever?

From NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz, this steamy vampire series is full of secrets, intrigue and blood sucking, perfect for fans of Chloe Gong and Tracy Wolff! After inheriting the dark Van Alen Legacy, Schuyler fled to Florence--with her forbidden love, Jack. Now the two of them must embark on the mission Schuyler was destined to complete: to find and protect the seven gates that guard earth from Lucifer, lord of the Silverbloods. As the Blue Blood enclave weakens yet further, fate leads Schuyler closer to a terrifying crossroads--and a choice that will determine the destiny of all vampires.

One of Us Is Lying meets Gossip Girl in The Headmaster''s List, an edge-of-your-seat YA thriller about a fatal car crash and the dangerous lengths one teen will go to uncover the truth about what really happened. Friday night. The party of the summer. Four teens ride home together. Only one never makes it. When high school sophomore Chris Moore is tragically killed in a car crash, Armstrong Prep is full of questions. Who was at the wheel? And more importantly, who was at fault? Eighteen-year-old Spencer Sandoval wishes she knew. As rumors swirl that her ex, Ethan, was the reckless driver, she can’t bring herself to defend him. And their messy breakup has nothing to do with it – she can’t remember anything from that night, not even what put her in that car with Ethan, Chris, and Tabby Hill, the new loner in school. The hunt for answers intensifies when a local true crime podcast takes an interest in the case, pushing Spencer further into the depths of this sinister mystery. Was it all just a night out that went very wrong? And is it a coincidence that all but Chris is on Armstrong''s esteemed honor roll, the Headmaster’s List? In a place ruled by pedigree and privilege, the truth can only come at a deadly price. Set against the glitz and glamour of an elite LA private school, Melissa de la Cruz''s explosive YA thriller is an addictive mystery perfect for fans of Only Murders in the Building and A Good Girl''s Guide to Murder. "There''s nothing Melissa de la Cruz can''t write, and she continues to prove it with this razor-sharp, glitteringly mysterious thriller! Put The Headmaster''s List at the top of your TBR." —Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the And I Darken trilogy "Melissa de la Cruz will keep you guessing - all the way up to the last page even when you think you’ve figured it out! Everything you want in a thriller - a complicated heroine, snarky outsiders, cute boys, and a surprising and insightful story about status, race, class and tragedy in Los Angeles." —Sara Shepard, New York Times bestselling author of Pretty Little Liars

Real life and fairy tales collide in Never After: The Broken Mirror, book three of the thrilling middle-grade saga perfect for fans of The Land of Stories series from the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of the Descendants, Melissa de la Cruz. The Never After crew is back for another twisted adventure. This time, they’re off to Snow Country—that is, after they rescue the beleaguered Lord Sharif of Nottingham from the evil Robin Hood, who has been plaguing the land with his thievery and mischief. But Robin’s antics aren’t the only dangers afoot in the Kingdom of Never After. At the behest of her daughter, the evil Cinderella, Queen Olga has turned Prince Charming into a Frog after his wedding to the beautiful Hortense. And how could we forget the ominous Prophecy, which still looms large over Filomena and her friends? Along with Jack, Alistair, Gretel, Beatrice, Byron Bessley, and some new Snow Country pals like Rose Red and a chatty magic mirror, Filomena sets off to find the only ones who can save the kingdom once and for all: The League of the Seven – a group of fearless warriors devoted to fighting the ogres at any cost. Still, new threats lurk around every corner, both in Never After and back home in North Pasadena . . . Even with the League of the Seven’s help, can Filomena and her friends rescue the land from Olga’s clutches? Or will the ogres finally prevail?

A silly, laugh-out-loud read-aloud picture book debut from #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz! Once upon a time, in the middle of a group of seven thousand happy islands named after King Philip of Spain, there lived a lady named Doña Esmeralda. She had a big bouffant hairdo and was much smaller than you. And she was always hungry... And so begins the wickedly hilarious tale of one very old, but very stylish little lady who loves to eat, but can only find the ooey, gooey, mushy, smelly leftovers of naughty children to nosh on. But what happens when Doña Esmeralda finds out about all the tasty treats that children do eat? Hold on to your hairdos as Esmeralda eats everything in sight in a cumulative read-aloud inspired by stories from author Melissa de la Cruz''s childhood in the Philippines!

Have you ever wondered what secrets lurk behind the closed doors of New York City''s wealthiest families? They''re powerful, they''re famous... they''re undead. Schuyler Van Alen''s blood legacy has just been called into question--is the young vampire in fact a Blue Blood, or is it the sinister Silver Blood that runs through her veins? As controversy swirls, Schuyler is left stranded in the Force household, trapped under the same roof as her cunning nemesis, Mimi Force, and her forbidden crush, Jack Force. When an ancient place of power is breached by Silver Bloods in Rio de Janeiro, however, the Blue Bloods will need Schuyler on their side. The stakes are high; the battle is bloody; and through it all, Schuyler is torn between love and passion, duty and freedom. And in the end, one vampire''s secret identity will be exposed in a revelation that shocks everyone.

Bestselling authors Margaret Stohl and Melissa de la Cruz bring us a romantic retelling of Little Women starring Jo March and her best friend, the boy next door, Theodore "Laurie" Laurence—now available in paperback! 1869, Concord, Massachusetts: After the publication of her first novel, Jo March is shocked to discover her book of scribbles has become a bestseller, and her publisher and fans demand a sequel. While pressured into coming up with a story, she goes to New York with her dear friend Laurie for a week of inspiration—museums, operas, and even a once-in-a-lifetime reading by Charles Dickens himself! But Laurie has romance on his mind, and despite her growing feelings, Jo''s desire to remain independent leads her to turn down his heartfelt marriage proposal and sends the poor boy off to college heartbroken. When Laurie returns to Concord with a sophisticated new girlfriend, will Jo finally communicate her true heart''s desire or lose the love of her life forever?

From #1 bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz comes the heart-pounding follow-up to The Queen''s Assassin, perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo and Holly Black. Lilac''s birthright makes her the Queen of Renovia, and a forced marriage made her the Queen of Montrice. But being a ruler does not mean making the rules. For Lilac, taking the throne means giving up the opportunity to be with love of her life, the kingdom''s assassin, Caledon Holt. Worse, Cal is forced to leave the castle when a horrific set of magical attacks threatens Lilac''s sovereignty. Now Cal and Lilac will have to battle dark forces separately, even though being together is the only thing that''s ever saved them. In the riveting conclusion to Melissa De La Cruz''s fantasy duet, love and magic are at war, and victory rests on a knife''s edge.

*A New York Times Bestseller* *A B&N Young Reader Monthly Pick* *A Goodreads Choice Awards Finalist* Discover a new middle-grade fantasy saga perfect for fans of The Land of Stories series from the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of The Descendants, Melissa de la Cruz, where real life and fairy tales collide! Nothing ever happens in Filomena Jefferson-Cho’s sleepy little suburban town of North Pasadena. The sun shines every day, the grass is always a perfect green, and while her school seems to swear there’s no such thing as bullying, she still feels bummed out. But one day, when Filomena is walking home on her own, something strange happens. Filomena is being followed by Jack Stalker, one of the heroes in the Thirteenth Fairy, a series of books she loves about a brave girl and her ragtag group of friends who save their world from an evil enchantress. She must be dreaming, or still reading a book. But Jack is insistent—he’s real, the stories are real, and Filomena must come with him at once! Soon Filomena is thrust into the world of evil fairies and beautiful princesses, sorcerers and slayers, where an evil queen drives her ruthless armies to destroy what is left of the Fairies. To save herself and the kingdom of Westphalia, Filomena must find the truth behind the fairytales and set the world back to rights before the cycle of destruction begins once more.

A New York Times and Indie Bestseller! Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Red Queen, this is the first novel in a sweeping YA fantasy-romance duet about a deadly assassin, his mysterious apprentice, and the country they are sworn to protect from #1 NYT bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz. Caledon Holt is the kingdom''s deadliest weapon. No one alive can best him in speed, strength, or brains, which is why he''s the Hearthstone Guild''s most dangerous member. Cal is also the Queen''s Assassin, bound to her by magic and unable to leave her service until the task she''s set for him is fulfilled. Shadow of the Honey Glade has been training all her life to join the Guild, hoping that one day she''ll become an assassin as feared and revered as Cal. But Shadow''s mother and aunts expect her to serve the crown as a lady of the Renovian Court. When a surprise attack brings Shadow and Cal together, they''re forced to team up as assassin and apprentice. Even though Shadow''s life belongs to the court and Cal''s belongs to the queen, they cannot deny their attraction to each other. But now, with war on the horizon and true love at risk, Shadow and Cal will uncover a shocking web of lies that will change their paths forever.

A New York Times Bestseller! The thrilling romance of young Alexander Hamilton and Eliza Schuyler continues in the sizzling sequel to the New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story 1781. Albany, New York. As the war for American independence rages on, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler begin their new life as a married couple. Still, Alex is as determined as ever to prove his mettle and secure his legacy . . . even if that means leaving his beloved Eliza behind to join the front lines at the Battle of Yorktown. But when the war unexpectedly arrives on Eliza''s doorstep, she must fight for a better future--for their fledgling country and for her marriage. Yet even after the Revolution comes to its historic close, Alex and Eliza''s happily-ever-after is threatened. Eliza struggles to build a home in the hustle and bustle of New York City just as Alex''s burgeoning law practice brings him up against his greatest rival--the ambitious young lawyer Aaron Burr. And with Alex''s star on the rise, Eliza can''t help but feel neglected by a husband who seems to have time for everyone but her. Torn apart by new trials and temptations, can Alex and Eliza''s epic love survive life in the big city? The battles are just beginning in the sumptuous sequel to Melissa de la Cruz''s New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story.

Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos may have once been the baddest of the bad, but their wicked ways are (mostly) behind them—and now graduation is almost here! But before the seniors can don their custom-designed caps and gowns, courtesy of Evie, they''ve got an epic plan to put into action. There are tons of villain kids on the Isle of the Lost who are eager for their chance to come to Auradon Prep—even Celia, Dr. Facilier''s trickster daughter, wants in on the deal!—and Mal''s crew is using their upcoming visit to the Isle to help make it happen. But Auradon''s biggest threat is still at large… Trapped on the other side of the barrier, Uma is more desperate than ever to get her long-awaited revenge against Mal. When she discovers an underground lair belonging to Hades, god of the underworld, Uma realizes she''s found the perfect partner in crime. Together, they can defeat Mal, bring down the barrier, and escape the Isle for good. Mal and Uma have a score to settle, and they''ll come face to face in an explosive underwater battle that could determine the fates of Auradon and the Isle of the Lost once and for all. Praise for The Isle of the Lost "Disney lovers and fairy-tale fans alike will need to get their hands on this book." — School Library Journal Praise for Return to the Isle of the Lost "Packed with plenty of humor and adventure, this sequel spinoff is destined to please. With a second movie in the works and a bevy of loyal readers, it certainly won''t stay on shelves for long." — Booklist

In this dazzling finale to the trilogy that began with the New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza: A Love Story, the curtain closes on the epic romance of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler 1785. New York, New York. As a young nation begins to take shape, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler are on top of the world. They''re the toast of the town, keeping New York City buzzing with tales of their lavish parties, of Eliza''s legendary wit, and of Alex''s brilliant legal mind. But new additions to Alex & Eliza''s little family mean change is afoot in the Hamilton household. When they agree to take in an orphaned teenage girl along with Eliza''s oldest brother, John Schuyler, Eliza can''t help but attempt a match. It''s not long before sparks start to fly . . . if only Eliza can keep herself from interfering too much in the course of true love. After all, she and Alex have an arrival of their own to plan for, though Alex''s latest case brings a perilous threat that may destroy everything. The sweeping love story of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler comes to a close in All for One, the riveting final installment of the New York Times bestselling Alex & Eliza trilogy.

Book one in the #1 New York Times best-selling Descendants series--now in the wickedly fun, action-packed graphic novel! Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost--a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world. Mal learns from her mother, Maleficent, that the key to true darkness, the Dragon''s Eye, is located inside her scepter in the forbidden fortress on the far side of the island. The eye is cursed, and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She''ll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the Dragon''s Eye, these four kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain''t so bad.

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Alex & Eliza, The Witches of East End, and the Descendants series comes a powerful and moving novel about learning to love yourself. Olivia "Liv" Blakely knows how important it is to look good. Her father is running for governor and Liv is thrust into the bright media spotlight. She has an image to uphold—to her maybe boyfriend, to her new friends and to the public, who love to find fault on social media. Liv''s sunny, charming facade hides an inner voice that will settle for nothing less than perfection. No matter who she has to give up, or what she has to lose, to achieve it. But as the high price of perfection takes a toll, Liv realizes that the love she feels for herself is more important than all the ''likes'' in the world. In her most powerfully moving novel to date, #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz explores anxiety, fear of judgement, and the most important thing of all: learning to love yourself.

Rise of the Isle of the Lost is a follow-up to best-selling novels, ''The Isle of the Lost'' and ''Return to the Isle of the Lost'' written by Melissa De La Cruz. Mal, Evie, Carlos, and Jay face their biggest challenge yet as a rotten villain from their past, Uma, daughter of Ursula, returns. They''ll have to do everything in their power - good and evil - to keep Auradon safe.

A New York Times Bestseller1777. Albany, New York. With sounds of the Revolution in the distance, a grand ball gets underway at the home of one of the country''s founding families. Their daughter Eliza, who''d rather be aiding the colonists than dressing for a ball, can barely contain her excitement at the arrival of Alexander Hamilton, a mysterious, rakish young colonel. Though Alex has arrived as the bearer of bad news for the Schuylers, he can''t believe his luck to be in such esteemed company. And when Alex and Eliza meet that fateful night, so begins an epic love story that would forever change the course of American history.

The sultry sequel to Triple Moon from #1 New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz Twin witches Mardi and Molly Overbrook are back for another summer in North Hampton, and this year they’re serious about two things: avoiding trouble and dedicating themselves to rest and relaxation. Molly’s headed to Aunt Ingrid’s, while Mardi has convinced their father, Troy—a.k.a. Thor, the god of thunder—to let her crash with her boyfriend, Trent, who also happens to be Tyr, the god of war. It’s a tangled web they weave, but that’s to be expected where gods and goddesses are concerned. Their vacation’s just begun when an old secret is revealed, leaving Molly and Mardi to question everything they’ve ever known about their family. Then a hot new guy comes to town and starts brewing even more trouble . . . and soon enough, the twins are back to their old tricks. After an ancient prophecy comes to light, Molly and Mardi notice some mysterious changes, changes that will put their sisterhood to the ultimate test. East End’s shaping up to be much more exciting than the girls were bargaining for, but what’s a summer in the Hamptons without a little magic and mischief?

‘This is an important, powerful contemporary YA that you won’t regret reading’ - Buzzfeed When your country doesn’t want you there, how do you know where you belong?

Desperate to escape the dangers of the ruins of New Kandy, Nat and Wes must put their love to the ultimate test by chancing even more perilous surroundings in hopes of seeing their world reborn by saving the source of magic.

Evil tree. Bad Apple? Twenty years ago, all the evil villains were banished from the kingdom of Auradon to the Isle of the Lost--a dark and dreary place protected by a force field that makes it impossible for them to leave. Stripped of their magical powers, the villains now live in total isolation, forgotten by the world. Mal learns from her mother, Maleficent, that the key to true darkness, the Dragon''s Eye, is located inside her scepter in the forbidden fortress on the far side of the island. The eye is cursed, and whoever retrieves it will be knocked into a deep sleep for a thousand years. But Mal has a plan to capture it. She''ll just need a little help from her "friends." In their quest for the Dragon''s Eye, these four kids begin to realize that just because you come from an evil family tree, being good ain''t so bad.

Lauren Page got a makeover to become one of the Ashleys so she can destroy them from the inside, but Sadie her former friend plans to take them down too, now Lauren wants to save the Ashleys.

Ashley Spencer’s birthday is an occasion for serious scheming in the third book in The Ashley Project series from bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz. Ashley Spencer, Ashley “Lili” Li, Ashley “A. A.” Alioto, and the honorary Ashley—Lauren Page—are preparing to set a social scene: Ashley Spencer considers her birthday to be the most important event next to…well, actually the most important event ever, period. So when the invite list is drawn up and the custom embossed invitations are sent, the guest list is a who’s-who of San Francisco’s elite. If people don’t yet know whether they are in or out, this party is sure to draw the lines of coolness in the most permanent of inks. Ashley intends to prove that there’s a reason she’s been at the top of the social food chain her entire life, and she’s not about to be unseated by some lame website ranking. She’d also like to solve that pesky problem of losing her boyfriend. Will all her birthday wishes come true? Or is her party going to be totally vicious?