Saint Juniper's Folly

"★ ""Teens feeling stuck—in various identification boxes, in the Sisyphean cycle of school days, or in the sometimes poisonous, sometimes nurturing bounds of family—will likely relate to Jaime’s yearning for freedom, and this remarkable debut novel carefully explores these struggles with grace and sympathy. . . . Theo, Jaime, and Taylor are unforgettable.""—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books, Starred Review ""[A] chillingly atmospheric yet heartfelt YA horror/romance debut. . . . The vividly drawn features of Saint Juniper's Folly create a suspenseful, unsettling atmosphere. . . . The chills and frights are interspersed with moments of levity and warmth. . . . Crespo uses the conventions of a ghost story to explore the impact of generational trauma on families and communities. . . .""—Shelf Awareness ""Crespo's debut blends together magic and mystery, love and connection, and romance to create a creepily engaging gothic narrative.""—Booklist   ""Readers who enjoy watching a queer love story unfold amid peril will enjoy. . . .""—Kirkus Reviews   ""Centering themes of found family and identity, Crespo depicts Theo’s unfolding understanding of his sexuality with sensitivity and realism, and his strengthening romance with Jaime sparkles with anticipatory tension and affable banter.""—Publishers Weekly “Deeply atmospheric and unexpectedly moving, Saint Juniper’s Folly is a slow, ominous creep of a book. Alex Crespo demonstrates how trauma can build walls and trap us in our own haunted houses, but they also show us the way out.” —Aiden Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys and The Sunbearer Trials “A tale of friendship and love wrapped up in haunted houses and bloody magic. Alex Crespo stretches out a hand to teens who feel alone and assures them that they’ll find friends who will fight for them, even if it means facing down the dead.” —Andrew Joseph White, New York Times bestselling author of Hell Followed with Us “A wholly original ghost story filled with secrets—the kind we keep from each other, and the kind we keep from ourselves. Alex Crespo's trio of unlikely friends ground the story with their tangible love, making Saint Juniper's Folly unputdownable and entirely stunning.” —Sasha Peyton Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Witch Haven   “The perfect combination of the things of my nightmares, coming of age in a small town, difficult legacy, and first love. Terrifying, suspenseful, and emotional, led by characters who have my entire heart, this book is a must-read for everyone!” —Jonny Garza Villa, author of Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun “Saint Juniper’s Folly is the type of book that would’ve had me staying up late to read on a school night. Alex Crespo pulls on every single heartstring while weaving a uniquely magical story that is equal parts haunting and touching. Through Jaime, Theo, and Taylor, teens get characters to relate to and root for, and the romance is an absolute knockout. Alex Crespo injects new life into the YA paranormal genre with this stunning debut.” —S. Isabelle, author of The Witchery “I asked the universe for a beautifully written story of a haunting set In The Middle Of Nowhere that was equal parts heartwarming and heart-stopping with lots of family baggage, brujería, reluctant besties, and slow-burn romance. Alex Crespo’s Saint Juniper’s Folly is the answer!” —Amparo Ortiz, Author of Last Sunrise in Eterna.   “Set in an atmospheric town where the characters are haunted by a mysterious ghost as well as themselves, Saint Juniper’s Folly shows the beautiful power of finding connection in the unlikeliest of places. A gorgeous queer debut that’s as eerie as it is endearing.” —Racquel Marie, author of Ophelia After All"