Bridgerton meets The Bachelor in this queer regency romance of a vampire competing for the heart of a duke. After being run out of his castle by vampire hunters, Count Lucian encounters the god of vampires, Vrykolakas, while in hiding. Unhappy with how many vampires have been bested by hunters, Vrykolakas gives Lucian a test: Infiltrate the future duke’s marriage games as a suitor and uncover the clandestine vampire hunters Vrykolakas suspects lurk in their midst. The god strips Lucian of his immortality so he can walk amongst mortals―making him human for the first time in centuries. If Lucian succeeds, Vrykolakas will make him the most powerful vampire in existence, but if he fails, the god of vampires will torture him for the rest of his life. Unfortunately, Lucian isn’t prepared for the emotions that come with humanity, nor the treacheries of courting season with fellow nobles posing as friends, enemies, and wholly unsuitable romantic distractions. To win the life he wants, Lucian will have to decide if being a vampire is worth giving up the friendship and love he’s found. "This gothic mystery with a touch of Bridgerton and an unexpected vampire redemption arc will convert more than one reader to the joys of period fantasy." ― Booklist "An enticing and satisfying blend of genres." ― Kirkus Reviews "[A] tense queer gothic romance. Unexpected twists add grit to Ferraro’s sophomore effort, an inventive blend of reality-dating and queer-normative high society that has supernatural flair." ― Publishers Weekly "[A] mixture of romance, mystery, and the supernatural that is delightfully satisfying. The main character’s arc from villain to antihero to lovestruck romantic makes this a worthwhile addition to YA collections." ― SLJ “An action-packed melodrama full of pining glances and swooning sighs. Plus blood. And broken bones. And lots of murder.” ― Locus Magazine "Readers who want a bit of horror in their queer romance story will [...] be anxious to find out who makes it out alive and who gets their happily ever after." ― BCCB “Packed full of intrigue, romantic entanglements, and stunning court fashion, A Vile Season is a deliciously fun romp for anybody who loves Bridgerton , vampires, and gothic romantasy.” ―Alena Bruzas, author of Ever Since and To the Bone “Nearly impossible to put down―expect both the sweet and the bloody at every turn.” ―Devin Greenlee, author of Evergreen “An alluring blend of gothic grandeur and sparkling wit, this Regency-esque romp with a dark, vampiric twist gleefully sinks its fangs into you from the very first page.” ―Amy Goldsmith, author of Those We Drown and Our Wicked Histories David Ferraro grew up in Minnesota, where he was raised on a steady diet of comic books, horror movies, and YA novels. He is the author of The Alchemy of Moonlight . He currently resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his partner and a very spoiled tortoise.