Birth of a Killer

Reach for this book when your teenager feels isolated by circumstances beyond their control or is struggling with a heavy sense of guilt. Birth of a Killer follows young Larten Crepsley as he escapes a life of brutal child labor in the nineteenth century after a moment of desperate, impulsive violence. It is a dark, historical fantasy that explores how one mistake can alter a life forever and what it means to find a new family when your old world has vanished. While the vampire elements provide a supernatural thrill, the heart of the story is about surviving trauma and finding a mentor who offers a path toward redemption. It is best suited for mature readers aged 12 and up who can handle gritty depictions of poverty and moral complexity.