Steadfast

The second book in the dazzling Spellcaster series from New York Times bestselling author Claudia Gray is perfect for fans of the Beautiful Creatures and Hex Hall series.

Nadia, Mateo, and Verlaine saved Captive's Sound from the dark Sorceress Elizabeth…or so they thought. Despite their best efforts, a greater evil has arisen, and its dark magic has begun to call Nadia.

With her Steadfast, Mateo, and her best friend, Verlaine, Nadia must fight the black magic that tempts her, and stop the One Beneath before He comes to claim her power as His own.

She isn’t just fighting for her town—she’s fighting for her soul. What will it take to resist the darkness?

• Teen Witches & Magic: Nadia Caldani is a witch of immense power, but she’s only half-trained and tempted by a magic she can’t control.
• Found Family: With her loyal Steadfast, Mateo, and her cursed best friend, Verlaine, Nadia must form an alliance to face an ancient evil.
• Dark Magic Curse: The Sorceress Elizabeth is back from the dead, and her master—the One Beneath—is coming to claim Nadia as his own.
• High Stakes Fantasy: Perfect for fans of the Beautiful Creatures and Hex Hall series, this gripping sequel raises the stakes for the fate of Captive’s Sound... and the world.

Someone strong enough to bear the curse. Someone who now could see magic at work in the world, both light and dark.

Nadia's witchcraft should grow even stronger now that her boyfriend, Mateo, is also her Steadfast—bound to her and empowering her magic. Yet the curse that torments Mateo has only intensified. Try as she might, Nadia can't break the cruel spell on her best friend, Verlaine; outwit the Sorceress Elizabeth; or stop a mysterious illness that's striking people down one by one. And now a demon named Asa has joined the forces of darkness, playing mind games with them all.

Nadia must gather all her strength to protect the ones she loves. But she is more vulnerable than ever to a darker power. The One Beneath has begun to call Nadia's name, and Nadia must decide how close she's willing to get to the darkness—before she can't escape.

“This imaginative novel does not disappoint. A suspenseful and highly entertaining read.” - Kiersten White, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of PARANORMALCY

Praise for SPELLCASTER: “Three wounded but valiant protagonists confront a monstrous evil with human roots in this promising series opener. This riveting tale will keep readers up late and clamoring for the next installment.” - Kirkus Reviews

Praise for SPELLCASTER: “The author’s intricate portrayal of witchcraft—including its theories, rules, spells, and history—raises this novel a notch above others in the genre, and Nadia is an appealing heroine as she juggles personal pain and looming supernatural disaster.” - Publishers Weekly

Praise for SPELLCASTER: “…this is a compelling plot that mines the lore and history surrounding witchcraft to pit good against evil in a literally earth–shaking battle.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“The eternal conflict between ends and means keeps the tension taut and the plot humming.” - Kirkus Reviews

“Just as smoothly written and appealing as the first entry. The ending will provide terrific fodder for book discussions, so make sure you have enough copies to go around.” - Booklist

“Gray integrates background information from the first book seamlessly…This is a narrative clearly developed with care and attention; the well–constructed plot offers many twists and turns, successfully building tension until its conclusion. Characters’ motivations and dilemmas are relatable and have an authentic, contemporary feel. Nadia is a principled and tenacious female lead, and Elizabeth is a well–drawn villain…Teens seeking a suspenseful and highly entertaining read will find much to enjoy here.” - Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA)