Cat Scully - Jennifer Strange

Praise for Jennifer Strange

JENNIFER STRANGE is a gruesomely fun, demon-infested YA romp in which two teenage sisters learn and ply the family's secret demon-fighting trade. A promising debut.
Paul Tremblay, author of A Head Full of Ghosts and Survivor Song

Plenty to appeal to readers: the illustrations that help to visualize the creatures and describe the charms that protect the girls, and two determined young women who awaken to their new powers....As a first novel introducing new characters, readers can hopefully look forward to a deepening of those story lines. School Library Journal

This debut novel is overflowing with sardonic wit and memorably feisty (and satisfyingly angry) female protagonists. Jennifer and her sister Liz are unbowed by the gruesome might of their powers, and they adapt as quickly as possible to learning how to use them to keep the gate between the living and the dead closed. Occasional illustrations and journal entries add context, with the highlights being the handful of creepy drawings of monsters Jennifer and Liz face during an eventful few days. Its clear this is a story that has more to come, and horror buffs will happily anticipate the next volume. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Devilishly paced and drenched in Gothic atmosphere, JENNIFER STRANGE is a wild, spine-tingling ride." Claire Legrand, New York Times-bestselling author of Furyborn and Sawkill Girls

A mysterious, dark, and perfectly bone-chilling tale of self-discovery and seizing your destiny, Jennifer Strange is a tremendous addition to young adult horror. Breathtaking illustrations and gruesome descriptions mix beautifully with a story that manages to pull on your heartstrings and terrify you at the same time. I couldn't recommend it more. Amy Lukavics, author of Daughters unto Devils and The Ravenous

What if ghosts and demons really did walk among us (and whos to say they dont?) Jennifer Strange takes readers deep into a world beyond the one we think we know; a world of magic, talismans, sigils, dark beings and ancient prophesies. Prepare to be delighted and terrified as you get swept away in Cat Scullys spellbinding debut." Jennifer McMahon, New York Times-bestselling author of The Winter People and The Invited

Cat Scully has a wickedly dark streak and talent to spare. JENNIFER STRANGE is a wonderfully creepy southern gothic full of ghosts, magic, and dreadful family secrets, all stewed in the sultry swelter of haunted Savannah, Georgia. This book ticks all the boxes for me, and Scully weaves it all together beautifully!" Christopher Golden, New York Times bestselling author of Ararat and Snowblind.

"Jennifer Strange comes on like a freight train filled with the screaming corpses of a thousand nightmares, fast paced and unrelenting. I didn't like it, I loved it. It's nice to see someone who remembers that horror should be scary! Cat Scully doesn't just tell a good tale, she drags you into her world and shoves you into the dark places where the monsters hide. A phenomenal first book!" James A. Moore, author of the Seven Forges Series and The Last Sacrifice.

Cat Scully's debut, JENNIFER STRANGE, wastes no space showing you exactly what you're in for. The first time I started this novel, my reaction was, "THIS is a YA book?!" HELL yeah, it is. But it ain't just kids' stuff. Scully doesn't pander or soft pedal a story about young people facing their demons. She's written a mature, compelling horror story with heart and real scares straight from jump. Take note of Scully's name, folks. She's here to raise Hell, in a really good way. JENNIFER STRANGE is proof of that. Bracken MacLeod, Bram Stoker and Shirley Jackson Award nominated author of Mountain Home and Closing Costs

Written and Illustrated by Cat Scully

YAP Books

An imprint of

Haverhill House Publishing

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either a product of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Jennifer Strange

2020 Cat Scully

Artwork Cat Scully

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-949140-05-7

Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-949140-06-4

All rights reserved.

Young Adult

YAP Books

Haverhill House Publishing

643 E Broadway

Haverhill MA 01830-2420

www.haverhillhouse.com

To Craig and Katie, twin stars guiding me home

Chapter 1

Uprooted

Damn. I ruined breakfast. Liz slammed the frying pan into the kitchen sink, sending hot, burnt eggs flying across the countertop.

You didnt have to go all out, I said. I was perfectly fine with Pop-Tarts.

Forget it. She didnt bother to pick up the eggs. Instead, she grabbed two pairs of metallic sleeves from the pantry and took the seat opposite me at her tiny, round kitchen table. We sat together in her apartment, the smallest listing on the planet, and I found myself questioning all my life choices as my older sister shoved one of the space-age wrappers at me. I took the strawberry-frosted cardboard package and attempted to crack a smile that she did not return. So much for family reunions.

I unwrapped my package and chewed as slowly as possible as I watched Liz rip the silver foil off her packet with such force one of the Pop-Tarts went flying. A laugh bubbled up, but I shoved it right back down. No sudden movements. Dont anger the beast. She picked up the rejected tart and ate it off the floor anyway.

When Dad said this would be good sisterly bonding time, watching my sister rage-cook me breakfast was not what I had in mind. I pictured us watching a movie together, talking about college or crushes or binging the latest Netflix show, but not Lizs constant shade in my general direction. Its not like I wanted to be stranded in her apartment for a chunk of my freshman year. Its not as if Dad asked my opinion when he decided to drop me off at her apartment in the middle of the rain last night.

I chewed and swallowed the rest of the first Pop-Tart. So, youre cool about me crashing here, right?

She flung open her laptop. Why wouldnt I be?

Yikes. Better try something else. Do you have a lot of homework at SCAD?

She didnt reply. She typed something furiously on her computer as a form of a reply. As I endured her repeat performance of talking-but-not-talking, it was clear I was crashing on her precious college life at the mega elite Savannah College of Art and Design. Its not like the situation wasnt completely interrupting my life toonew city with no friends, no idea where anything was, and worst of all, no volleyball team.