Day’s YA: NIGHTCURSE

NIGHTCURSE by Emma Hinds
9781250369550
10/13/2026
Wednesday Books
Ages 13-18

E-galley available on Edelweiss and NetGalley

If you are looking for a book with a magical mystery, a gorgeous queer romance, and a sweeping library setting, NIGHTCURSE is sure to be a standout.

Emrys is a revenant, nightcursed. When he was 17, he died, and yet he still woke up with no memory of how he actually died. Now, 157 years later, he spends his infinite days as an undead librarian of witchlore at the NeverEnd Library. Content with his books, he has remained confined to these walls, wanting just one thing: to be taken seriously and promoted to a new role. Though he might not be old enough to get paid, he could at least gain some respect.

When a new young Revenant arrives, Emrys thinks it’s finally his moment, until his mortal enemy, the annoyingly attractive shapeshifter Aubrey, is given the tutoring role instead, leaving Emrys to assist. After the two find themselves magically bonded, dangerous artifacts and books on necromancy start going missing. Aubrey is absolutely determined to solve the mystery, dragging Emrys along on a dark quest. With the ghoulish Night Hunt chasing them down and magic around every corner, they must face an ultimate question: can they outrun the secrets of Emrys’ death and Aubrey’s life?

Joined by an amazing group of friends, the story thoughtfully explores what it really means to be an undying teenager, learning to move forward and embrace love when you’ve been stuck in the past. NIGHTCURSE embraces found family, enemies-to-lovers angst, and folklore twists, all while packing a massive emotional punch.

Throughout the mystery and action, I was drawn to the relationships that serve as the foundation of this story—a narrative beautifully sculpted through identity. Emrys is learning who he is, what he wants, and how he loves. Each character is discovering their own path, which makes the story feel warm and welcoming even as chaos ensues and dark magic forces its way into their lives. Every time Emrys and Aubrey shared the page, I was smiling, giggling, and rooting for them as they worked through their trauma together.

At its heart, this is a story about embracing who you are, regardless of what society dictates you should be. It is a queer, coming-of-age story delivered with humor, heart, and true emotional complexity.

Happy reading!
<3 Hallie

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