Succession with a Faustian twist—that is the perfect way to describe Kathryn Foxfield’s fantasy debut, Our Wicked Gifts, arriving July 7. If your ideal young adult novel combines dangerous family secrets, morally complicated characters, dark magic, and just enough chaos to keep you guessing, this may be your next obsession.
Inspired by the delicious dysfunction of Succession, with the gothic edge of Saltburn and the deadly fun of Ready or Not, the novel introduces readers to a billionaire family whose fortune comes with a terrifying price: they have sold their souls to the Devil in exchange for magical gifts. When one of their victims returns from the dead seeking revenge, the family’s black sheep must decide whether the people who have hurt her are even worth saving.
It is the kind of premise that immediately grabs your attention, but beneath the murder, mayhem, and supernatural twists is a deeply personal story about identity, belonging, and finding the courage to become the person you were always meant to be, even when your own family wants something different.
The author says one of the driving forces behind the novel was exploring what happens when someone realizes they can no longer fit into the expectations placed upon them. Of course, there is plenty of bloodshed along the way. Readers can expect shocking deaths, unforgettable magical moments, and a mystery that refuses to let go. As the author jokes, someone is impaled on a taxidermy stag early in the novel, and things only become more outrageous from there.
Beyond the thrills, the novel also speaks to something incredibly meaningful: representation. For Foxfield, “Reading with Pride” is about ensuring every reader has the chance to see themselves reflected in the stories they love. Books have the power to help us understand lives different from our own, but they also remind us that our own experiences, identities, and journeys deserve a place on the page. That kind of visibility can truly change lives.
As readers continue celebrating diverse voices and LGBTQ+ stories, the message is simple: support the books you want to see more of. Every recommendation, every purchase, and every conversation helps create space for more stories that allow readers to feel seen.
As for what’s next? The magic, and the murder, aren’t going anywhere. Foxfield is already hard at work on another YA novel filled with both, proving there are still plenty of dark, twist-filled adventures waiting just around the corner.
Leave a Reply