A mystical new YA series that blends fantasy, sci-fi and romance.
All seventeen-year-old Dusty wants is to escape into books and the wilderness that surrounds her mountain home. What she doesn’t know is that there’s something waiting for her in the shadows of the forest.
One morning, Dusty wakes up with dirt on her feet. Then she realises that her body and senses are changing. And after a chance encounter with quiet and mysterious Will, she feels an attraction unlike anything she’s experienced before. It isn’t just an emotional connection making her heart beat faster—it’s a thirst.
But Dusty isn’t the only person experiencing strange events in Black River. Darker forces are at play, and Dusty must uncover the mystery—or risk losing everything and everyone she loves...
About the Author
Ruby Jean Cottle is a writer from Sydney, Australia. Growing up, Ruby spent childhood summers in upstate New York, where her passion for writing blossomed as her imagination ran wild in the mountains and forests far from her home. After studying art history at university, Ruby found herself on a winding career path in fashion, digital media and creative direction. After becoming a mother, she decided to return to her first love: writing stories.
Industry Reviews
'My teenage self felt a real connection to book-loving Dusty and the tender, sisterly love she shares with Opi. I felt emotionally invested in Dusty's story, and the high-stakes plot kept me riveted to the page. Ruby's storytelling keeps things hot with a spicy romance and original with turns into the mystical. Black River is an impressive debut, and I'm looking forward to part two.'
– Becca Fitzpatrick, author of Hush, Hush
‘There’s something haunting about Black River – the kind of story with chilling twists, a slow-burn romance, and just the right amount of bite. It pulls you into its eerie depths and doesn't let you go – Black River is dark, intoxicating, and impossible to put down. More please!’
– Courtney Peppernell, author of Pillow Thoughts
‘Atmospheric and suspenseful, this classic YA paranormal tale combines genres skillfully and delivers a brooding monster story that’s part family drama, part thriller, part romance and all bite.’
– Lisa Tirreno, author of Prince of Fortune
‘Black River is a smart, sensual, deeply atmospheric debut, brimming with immersive world-building, compelling characters, and all the right kinds of tension. The mystery at its heart keeps you guessing right to the last page, where it becomes clear this is only the beginning of Dusty’s story. I sank my teeth in and barely came up for air.’
– Emma Lord, author of Anomaly
‘Part fantasy, part astute coming of age story, Black River brilliantly depicts the angst of adolescence, along with its burgeoning – and sometimes terrifying – power. Like its dynamic heroine Dusty, the prose brims with vitality; I felt every moment of her transformation as if I were right there on the mountain with her. It's not often that I wish for a do-over of my teenage years, but the world of Black River was so evocative, I found myself envying Dusty's unfurling connection to the natural world, and to her own formidable nature. I need to know what happens next!’
– Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Before You Knew My Name
