ICYMI: February’s Hottest Reads According to Apropos Readers

If the wind calls at night, you must not listen. In the isolated town of Near, children are warned to fear the wind and the witches who once walked the moor. But when a stranger appears outside Lexi’s window—a boy who seems to fade like smoke—the stories she grew up with no longer feel like just tales. Then the children of Near begin to vanish from their beds, and the mysterious boy becomes the town’s prime suspect. Determined to find the truth, Lexi follows whispers across the heathered hills and uncovers a power as old as the wind itself. V. E. Schwab’s The Near Witch is a haunting debut of myth and memory, where love and fear intertwine like shadows beneath a restless sky.

A woman. A room. A creeping madness. Confined to an old colonial mansion for the summer, a woman diagnosed with “temporary nervous depression” is forbidden from doing any work—writing, thinking, feeling. Trapped in a former nursery with barred windows and a hideous yellow wallpaper, she spends her days spiraling deeper into obsession. The pattern shifts, the walls seem to breathe, and at night, something stirs within the design. Is it just her imagination? Or is she truly seeing what lurks beneath? A groundbreaking feminist masterpiece and a chilling psychological horror, The Yellow Wallpaper (4.1 stars on Amazon) is a scathing critique of patriarchal oppression and medical gaslighting. Perfect for fans of Shirley Jackson and The Bell Jar, this haunting classic lingers long after the final page.

Brandon Sanderson’s Elantris redefined epic fantasy when it debuted in 2005. Now, a decade later, this special anniversary edition offers fans and newcomers alike a fresh chance to experience the novel that launched Sanderson’s career and laid the foundation for the Cosmere. Once a city of gods, Elantris is now a place of disease and despair. When Prince Raoden falls victim to its curse, he uncovers secrets that could change the fate of the world. Meanwhile, Sarene, his intended bride, refuses to accept his mysterious disappearance and begins unraveling a conspiracy that threatens the entire kingdom. This edition features a new preface by Dan Wells, an afterword by Sanderson, an expanded Ars Arcanum, and deeper insight into the magic and mythology that continues to captivate readers today.

Some houses don’t just keep secrets—they feed on them. Dr. Montague, a scholar of the supernatural, gathers three strangers to spend several weeks in the notoriously haunted Hill House. There’s Theo, charming and bold; Luke, the heir to the estate; and Eleanor, a quiet woman with a troubled past. Together, they hope to uncover scientific proof of the paranormal. But Hill House is no passive observer. It watches. It waits. And it welcomes. As fear sets in, reality begins to unravel—and Eleanor finds herself drawn deeper into the house’s grip. Is Hill House haunted by ghosts… or by something far more insidious? A masterclass in psychological horror, The Haunting of Hill House is Shirley Jackson’s chilling exploration of madness, fear, and the darkness that dwells in us all.

Nikky has always been an outcast—the only fae without Runes. No magic. No power. No place to belong. Until she breaks Ydril’s Law and is dragged to Grimm Academy, the prestigious school for the Originals. But fitting in won’t be easy. Shadows whisper secrets, someone is determined to see her fail, and the strange thrumming in her chest is getting harder to ignore. With danger closing in, her only allies are a vampire with secrets of his own and a shifter whose touch sets her soul on fire. A slow-burn, spicy fantasy romance, The Keeper’s Runes (3.7 stars on Amazon) is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Roxie Ray. Fated mates, dark fairytales, and deadly secrets await—will Nikky survive long enough to uncover the truth?

Perfect for fans of Raven Kennedy and Thea Guanzon, this thrilling romantasy debut is packed with high-stakes intrigue and slow-burn romance. All her life, Vaasa Kozár has been sharpened into a blade. After losing her mother to a mysterious dark magic that now pulses within her veins, Vaasa knows her days are numbered. So does her ruthless brother, who forces her into a political marriage with Reid of Mireh—intending for her death to spark an invasion. All she has to do is die. But Vaasa refuses. Instead, she strikes a deal with her formidable new husband—help him secure power, and he will help her control the magic threatening to consume her. The only problem? Their attraction is undeniable, and as political betrayal turns lethal, Vaasa must decide if she can trust the man she was meant to destroy.

Welcome to the hauntingly beautiful world of Carmilla, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu’s classic gothic tale of love, fear, and the supernatural. Set against the eerie backdrop of 19th-century Europe, young Laura becomes entranced by the enigmatic Carmilla, whose dark secrets unravel into a chilling revelation: she’s a vampire. As their bond deepens, the lines between desire and danger blur, pulling Laura into a web of seduction and horror. Le Fanu’s masterful storytelling explores the complexities of identity and hidden desires, making Carmilla a timeless precursor to modern vampire literature. With exquisite character development and a suspenseful, eerie atmosphere, this novella will linger in your mind long after the final page. Embrace the darkness—discover Carmilla now.

Darrow was born a Red, laboring deep beneath Mars in service to the Society’s grand lie. When he learned the truth—that his people were slaves building a future they would never see—he sacrificed everything to infiltrate the Golds and bring them down from within. Now, as a warrior among the elite, Darrow stands on the precipice of war. His mission is no longer just survival. To free his people, he must outmaneuver ruthless enemies, forge unexpected alliances, and resist the violent fury threatening to consume him. The fate of the revolution—and humanity itself—hangs in the balance. A New York Times bestseller and one of the best books of the year, Golden Son is an explosive, heart-pounding sequel that raises the stakes and refuses to let go.

Two women. One deadly pact. When Amanda and Wendy meet by chance in a Manhattan bar, they discover a shared desire for revenge. Both have been wronged—both want justice. And so, they strike a chilling deal: if you kill for me, I’ll kill for you. No connections. No motives. No way to trace them. The perfect crime. But perfect doesn’t exist. Across the city, Ruth’s life is shattered when a man with piercing blue eyes breaks into her home and vanishes into the night. As the walls start closing in, Amanda and Wendy realize they aren’t the only ones keeping deadly secrets. With twists you won’t see coming, Kill for Me, Kill for You is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very last page.

A prince in a glass coffin. A town on the edge of magic. A girl who must become a knight. Hazel and her brother, Ben, have always known the dangers of Fairfold, where humans live alongside the Folk. They grew up telling stories about the beautiful boy with horns who sleeps in a glass coffin deep in the forest—imagining themselves as brave knights who would one day free him. But Hazel has long since set aside childhood fantasies. Until the horned boy wakes. Now, as the town spirals into chaos, Hazel is pulled into a world of dark bargains, deadly fae, and a secret she’s tried to forget. To survive, she must become the hero she once pretended to be—before it’s too late. A spellbinding fantasy perfect for fans of The Cruel Prince and An Enchantment of Ravens.

Aurelia has spent her life as an outsider—too Fae for the witches, too human for the supernaturals. But when she’s accused of her adoptive mother’s murder, she becomes a hunted woman, desperate for safety in a world that wants her dead. The last place she should run? Straight into the arms of Grey—the ruthless King of the Syndicate, an underground empire built on power, secrets, and blood. Grey has spent years searching for a full-blooded Fae, and now he finally has one. He should turn her in. He should use her. But there’s just one problem—she’s his fated mate. And the daughter of his greatest enemy. A steamy enemies-to-lovers paranormal romance, The Shifter’s Stolen Fae (3.9 stars on Amazon) is perfect for fans of fated mates, forbidden love, and wicked fae kings.

A brutal murder. A child’s buried memory. A psychologist caught in a deadly game. Dr. Morton Handler was no ordinary psychiatrist—his practice thrived on fraud, extortion, and manipulation. But someone finally made him pay, leaving behind a crime scene drenched in blood. The police have no leads, except for one possible witness: seven-year-old Melody Quinn. Psychologist Dr. Alex Delaware is tasked with unlocking the horrors hidden in Melody’s mind. But the deeper he digs, the more disturbing the truth becomes. The case isn’t just about Melody—it’s linked to something much bigger, a forty-year-old conspiracy that could cost Alex everything. As he inches closer to the truth, Alex realizes that the real target isn’t just Melody. The killer is watching. And Alex might be next.

Forty years after a personal tragedy, John Hopper has found solace in solitude. Living in the small town of Ripley, West Virginia, he spends his nights as an anonymous podcast host, venting about a world he has long since given up on. But when a loyal listener—scientist Jarvis—reveals that a comet is on a collision course with Earth, John does what he does best: prepares to survive alone. With no family, no attachments, and plenty of time, he pours his fortune into securing a shelter where he can wait out the end of the world. What he doesn’t expect is Yely, the troubled teenage girl next door. And as the impact looms, Ripley—once predicted to be the safest place on Earth—may turn out to be the worst place imaginable.

Avalon Academy rules: spy on your enemies, resist temptation, and try not to die in the process. Bookseller Nia had one goal: save up for her dream vacation—champagne, beaches, and her favorite novels. But her plans go up in flames when she’s kidnapped by Raphael, a lethal, tattooed fey warrior with an agenda of his own. Turns out, Nia has a rare magic power, and Raphael demands she train at Camelot’s elite spy academy. His mission? Revenge against a ruthless fey king—one he’s convinced Nia can help take down. The problem? She’s an asthmatic, out-of-shape bookseller, not a warrior. And there’s no escaping Raphael, not when he’s watching her every move. But as deadly missions push them together, resisting him becomes impossible. Touching him is playing with fire… and she might just want to burn. Perfect for fans of ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, and enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance.

Time travel nearly destroyed the world. The Time Police made sure it didn’t happen again. Their job? Keep history on track at all costs. Their recruits? Jane, Luke, and Matthew—the worst in Time Police history. Or, possibly, the only ones who can save the future. From Jodi Taylor, author of the internationally bestselling Chronicles of St Mary’s, comes Doing Time—a hilarious, action-packed sci-fi adventure filled with chaos, time travel, and three wildly unqualified heroes. Perfect for fans of Doctor Who, Terry Pratchett, and Jasper Fforde, this five-star read delivers laugh-out-loud humor, heart, and high-stakes thrills. Time travel has never been this fun—or this dangerous.

She’s fire. He’s the hunter sworn to destroy her. Jacinda is no ordinary girl—she’s draki, a descendant of dragons, able to shift between human and dragon form. Even among her kind, she’s rare, gifted with the ability to breathe fire. But when she breaks the rules of her people, her family is forced to flee into the human world, where her draki nature begins to fade. Then she meets Will. Gorgeous, mysterious… and part of a family of dragon hunters. She should stay away. Loving him risks everything—her people, her freedom, even her life. But the more she’s near him, the harder it is to resist. A forbidden love. A deadly secret. And a fire that refuses to be extinguished.

Mary Katherine “Merricat” Blackwood lives in the grand but crumbling Blackwood estate with her sister Constance and their ailing uncle. The rest of their family? Poisoned at dinner years ago. The town whispers, the villagers sneer, but Merricat knows how to keep their world safe—rituals, rules, and isolation. Then cousin Charles arrives. Charming, scheming, and hungry for control, he threatens the fragile balance of their home. Merricat senses danger, but no one believes her. As tensions rise and secrets claw their way to the surface, the line between innocence and guilt blurs. A masterpiece of gothic horror, We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a haunting, unsettling tale of family, madness, and the darkness that lingers just beyond the door. Step inside—if you dare.

Twenty chilling tales. One terrifying collection. Will you make it to the final page? From haunted houses and vengeful spirits to eerie true stories, Hauntings and Horror delivers 20 terrifying tales designed to keep you wide awake and questioning every creak in the night. Ghosts, demons, and restless souls lurk in the shadows, waiting for their moment to strike. Enter the nightmare of Brynlee House, where a dark secret refuses to stay buried. Face the horrors of RedRise House, where evil never truly dies. And in Daddy Won’t Kill You, discover why some objects should never be trusted. If you love spine-tingling ghost stories and supernatural horror, this collection is a must-read. But beware—these pages hold nightmares that linger long after the lights go out.

She is the key to finding Atlantis. He will stop at nothing to claim it. Dante Delacroix, an Atlantean aristocrat, has spent centuries searching for the lost tomb of Atlantis’s queen—his key to power and immortality. Rieka inherited her mother’s obsession with the tomb, but after years of dead ends, she’s ready to move on—until Dante offers her an irresistible deal: help him find it in four days. But working with the icy, powerful Atlantean might be more than she can handle. As a forgotten pantheon of ancient gods stirs, Rieka and Dante realize they aren’t the only ones searching. With history about to be rewritten, their passion may be the key to saving—or dooming—the world. Violet Legacy is a steamy romantasy perfect for fans of mythology and adventure.

Five years ago, Tessa Chamberlain barely escaped a massacre that left her friends dead. The nightmare never ended—it just hid in the shadows. Now, determined to reclaim her life, she returns to the scene of the crime: a deserted beach house on Cassadaga Island, where the tourists are long gone, and the winter chill sinks deep. But something—or someone—is still there. Footsteps echo on the porch. Doors creak upstairs when no one should be inside. The unease settles in like the ever-present fog, suffocating and relentless. No one believes her fears, but Tessa knows the truth—she wasn’t supposed to survive last time. This time, there’s no second chance. A gripping psychological thriller that will leave you questioning every shadow. Will Tessa make it out alive?