The Salamander Stone

“By employing a vivid bestiary of creature both mundane and monstrous, Nickerson crafts a fantastical series opener that leaves ample room for future installments.” —Publisher’s Weekly

“Fast, funny, and weird in the best way! The Salamander Stone has the extremely messed up teen angst you’re looking for.”—Travis Baldree, New York Times, USA Today and ABA Indie best-selling author of Legends & Lattes

Ellie Adair isn’t surprised when a vampire appears in the takeout window of her part-time job, and while she’s afraid of the flame salamander attacking her employer’s ice cream store, she’s come to expect these sudden monster attacks. They’ve been happening across the globe for nearly a year, to the point that local governments are beginning to fund towns that organize their own “monster-hunting” militias. 

But Ellie’s not concerned with the Beowulf Brigade’s newsletter or the push for vampires to integrate into society. She’s too busy searching for answers about her father''s disappearance, her mother''s battle with mental illness, her grandfather’s suddenly failing health, and the fact that—just weeks after turning sixteen—Ellie starts transforming into a lumbering, bloodthirsty beast. 

In a world where insurance companies offer supernatural creature coverage for monster attacks and restaurants offer hema, a blood substitute for vampires wanting to follow more sustainable diets, Ellie isn''t sure which side she''s on, but she knows that whatever is kidnapping teens from Errolton High School needs to be stopped. And maybe, with the help of her friends, her monstrous persona can make a difference.

The Salamander Stone is a tale of monsters, teen angst, and one girl''s journey to heal her estranged relationship with her family—and herself.