Gigi Griffis

Many go into the forest. Only one comes back. 1989, Soviet Estonia. In sixteen-year-old Vik's village--and the cursed forest that looms beyond--danger is everywhere. Soldiers threaten those who so much as dream of dissent. The villagers' words are sharp with accusations of witchcraft. And deep in the heart of the wood, a lantern-eyed spirit lies in wait to disappear those who wander too far past the trees. Vik knows because five years ago, she led her little sister Anna over that invisible line--and never saw her again. The only thing Vik has wished for since then is her sister's safe return. So when Anna stumbles back through the tree line on the anniversary of her disappearance, it's a miracle... Or is it a lie? As unsettling inconsistencies between this girl and the one who vanished reveal themselves, Vik starts to doubt whether this Anna is her Anna--or something else entirely. Whoever she is, one thing is clear: she was never meant to escape the trees. And unless Vik can uncover the secrets of the forest, it's going to take her back. Rooted in real history with a speculative twist, the horrors of And The Trees Stare Back are the ones we already know: existing as a marginalized person under a hostile state. Raising powerful questions about whose humanity counts and how to survive if the governing body decides yours doesn't, this politically incisive folk-horror irresistibly explores ever-relevant legacies of activism and solidarity. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Deaths and disappearances pile up as a mysterious beast stalks the French countryside and two girls seize an unlikely opportunity that just might save them all--or serve them up on a platter. Step into this chilling, historical horror inspired by the unsolved mystery of the Beast of G vaudan. When a series of brutal, mysterious deaths start plaguing the countryside and whispers of a beast in the mountains reach the quiet French hamlet of Mende, most people believe it's a curse--God's punishment for their sins. But to sixteen-year-old Jos phine and her best friend, Clara, the beast isn't a curse. It's an opportunity. For years, the girls of Mende have been living in a nightmare--fathers who drink, brothers who punch, homes that feel like prisons--and this is a chance to get them out. Using the creature's attacks as cover, Jos phine and Clara set out to fake their friends' deaths and hide them away until it's safe to run. But escape is harder than they thought. If they can't brave a harsh winter with little food... If the villagers discover what they're doing... If the beast finds them first... Those fake deaths might just become real ones.

Deaths and disappearances pile up as a mysterious beast stalks the French countryside and two girls seize an unlikely opportunity that just might save them all--or serve them up on a platter. Step into this chilling, historical horror inspired by the unsolved mystery of the Beast of G vaudan. When a series of brutal, mysterious deaths start plaguing the countryside and whispers of a beast in the mountains reach the quiet French hamlet of Mende, most people believe it's a curse--God's punishment for their sins. But to sixteen-year-old Jos phine and her best friend, Clara, the beast isn't a curse. It's an opportunity. For years, the girls of Mende have been living in a nightmare--fathers who drink, brothers who punch, homes that feel like prisons--and this is a chance to get them out. Using the creature's attacks as cover, Jos phine and Clara set out to fake their friends' deaths and hide them away until it's safe to run. But escape is harder than they thought. If they can't brave a harsh winter with little food... If the villagers discover what they're doing... If the beast finds them first... Those fake deaths might just become real ones.

On aasta 1853. Noor Baieri hertsoginna, 16-aastane Elisabeth, keda hellitlevalt Sissiks kutsutakse, keeldub mehele minemast millegi muu kui ainult suure armastuse pärast. Ehkki tema vanem õde Helene valmistub kuulekalt abielluma 23-aastase Austria keisri Franziga, ei tähenda see, et ka Sissi peaks oma südame kinkima mõnele igavale hertsogile, ehkki tema ema just seda nõuab. Sissi teab, et elus on midagi enamat kui korsetid, lõunasöögid ja kahetsusväärselt vanamoodsad hertsogid. Saatusel on aga omad plaanid. Kui atentaadikatsest toibuv keiser Franz oma sünnipäevapidustustel Sissit palee aias kohtab, lahvatab nende vahel leek, mis sunnib noori astuma nii oma vanemate kui ka senise harjumuspärase elu vastu. Romaan põhineb ajaloo ühe kuulsaima paari, Austria keisrinna ja Ungari kuninganna Elisabethi ja keiser Franz Joseph I armastuslool. Aga see on ka lugu sellest, kuidas üks noor naine leidis oma hääle.

Den sande historie om kejserinde Elisabeth (Sissi) og kejser Franz Josef 1. af Østrig og deres store kærlighed. 1853. Den unge og lidenskabelige hertuginde Elisabeth, kaldet Sissi af sine nærmeste, har afvist endnu en bejler. Hun er romantisk og stædig og vil udelukkende giftes, hvis det er ægte kærlighed. Samtidig gør familien sig klar til at rejse til Bad Ischl, hvor Elisabeths pligtopfyldende storesøster, Helene, skal forloves med den unge kejser Franz den 1. af Østrig. Alt skal forløbe glat ved besøget, og hvis ikke Elisabeth opfører sig passende, truer hendes mor med at sende hende i kloster eller på sindssygeanstalt. Skæbnen vil dog, at Elisabeth, mindst som hun venter det – barfodet i slotsparkens fugtige græs og med en såret fugl i hænderne – møder sit livs kærlighed. Det er kærlighed ved første blik – og kærligheden er gengældt. Det er dog ét uoverstigeligt problem – manden, hun har forelsket sig i, er hendes søsters tilkommende, kejser Franz den 1. Vil det lykkes for det unge par at finde sammen på trods af omgivelsernes ubrydelige planer og tidens rigide konventioner?

Ikonisen keisarinna Elisabetin, "Sisin", kuohuvan romanttinen tarina Netflix-uutuussarjan inspiroimana! On vuosi 1853, ja Baijerin herttuan tyttären Helenen on määrä avioitua Itävallan keisari Fransin kanssa. Kun hänen nuorempi villikkosisarensa Sisi ja Frans kohtaavat sattumalta palatsin puistossa, jotakin herää heti. Pian Sisin ja Fransin on päätettävä, kuuntelevatko he sukujensa vaatimuksia vai oman sydämensä ääntä, ja koko Euroopan historia on muuttava suuntaa. Omapäisen ja rohkean Sisin tarina vie loisteliaisiin tanssisaleihin, uljaiden ratsujen selkään ja kietoo lukijan ehkä yhden maailman romanttisimman tosirakkaustarinan pauloihin.

The Empress is a dazzling reimagining of the courtship between one of history's most iconic and beloved couples: Sisi and Franz of Austria. The year is 1853, and sixteen-year-old Elisabeth "Sisi" of Bavaria has been very clear: she will wait for the sweeping, head-over-heels kind of love the poets speak of, or she will have no love at all. It is not her fault Mother refuses to listen. After all, just because her older sister Helene has chosen the line of duty, and is preparing to marry Emperor Franz of Austria, does not mean Sisi also needs to subject herself to such a passionless, regimented existence. Sisi knows there is more to life than corsets, luncheons, and woefully unfashionable dukes … if only someone would give her the chance to experience it firsthand. Meanwhile, in Austria, the Emperor is recovering from an assassination attempt that left him wounded and scared. In a bid to keep the peace, Franz has recommitted himself to his imperial duties-and promised to romance the pliant Bavarian princess, Helene, at his upcoming birthday celebration. How better to unite the country than with the announcement of a new Empress? But when Sisi and Franz meet unexpectedly in the palace gardens, away from the prying eyes and relentless critique of their families, their connection cannot be denied. And as their illicit conversations turn into something more, they must soon choose between the expectations of the court, and the burning desires of their hearts… Epic, captivating, and deliciously steamy, The Empress is a remarkably contemporary tale of falling in love and finding one's voice.