COVER REVEAL

Events, and the B&N Pre-Order Sale

Feb 05, 2025

COVER REVEAL

I’m super excited to share the cover for LAST HOPE book two with everyone today!! The cover, description, and release date are all live across the internet, with pre-order links ready to go.

BUT FIRST…

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The beautiful! stunning! amazing! cover for THE LAST HOPE SCHOOL FOR MAGICAL DELINQUENTS: THE FORBIDDEN ROOM *mic drop*

I never know where to begin! I just adore James Firnhaber’s artwork, which so perfectly captured the magic and whimsy of LAST HOPE book 1, and book 2 is no different. The colors, the composition, not to mention the character art, which includes some sinister school board inspectors as well as a new student, and Brucifer, who I thought was on the cover of book 1 but that was actually just fire and THIS, clearly, is Brucifer, because he has little eyeballs 🥹 You’ll also see some other fun surprises, like the bug Vin is holding, and what is in Gilly’s jar?? 😏

I’m also so happy to share the full wrap, which includes Theo and Araminta, plus glimpses of a certain villain you may recall from the end of book 1, and some hints at what’s in store for Vin and the rest of Last Hope!

Here is the official description:

Vin and her friends are back in this thrilling sequel to The Last Hope School for Magical Delinquents, perfect for fans of Nevermoor and The School for Good and Evil!

Lavinia “Vin” Lucas has finally found a home. At Last Hope School, she's made friends (including a magical fire sprite!) who love her for who she is, and gifted headmistress Ava Hope is guiding her in her newfound abilities as a Chameleon. But after the chaos and danger of last year, and the attack on the school, the eye of the Magical School Board is trained on Last Hope, and they are desperate to get Ava Hope and her unconventional methods removed from the school for good.

Meanwhile, beyond the magical wards of Last Hope, the Free Mages grow ever stronger, and their enigmatic new leader will do anything to get his hands on the increasingly powerful Vin. It's going to take every ounce of cunning Vin and her friends have to send the crooked school board packing while warding off the looming threat of the Free Mages.

With family secrets swirling, a mysterious new student with mind-reading powers entering the picture, and even a water sprite joining the crew, year two is more surprising and difficult than ever. And when the world of magic faces destruction, Vin must use her powers—no matter how dangerous—and do whatever she can to save her friends and Last Hope School once and for all.

LAST HOPE 2: THE FORBIDDEN ROOM publishes September 30th, 2025!

Here are the pre-order links, and you can add on Goodreads as well:

✨ Amazon.com
✨ Amazon.ca
✨ Barnes & Noble
✨ Indigo
✨ Goodreads

PRE-ORDER SALE

And, just in time, is B&N’s pre-order sale! You can get THE FORBIDDEN ROOM for 25% off if you’re a member. Check it out here.

EVENTS

I’ve got two events in Ontario for the month of March, details here:

In-Conversation with Kristen Ciccarelli
March 7th at 7pm, Indigo Kitchener
This is a ticketed event, and the cost covers a copy of Kristen’s book

Panel with Kristen Ciccarelli, Elly Blake, M. K. Lobb, and Elora Cook
March 27th at 6pm, Indigo North London

I hope I see some of you there!!

📚 CURRENTLY READING

ONE DARK WINDOW by Rachel Gillig - just started this but absolutely loving it!! Finding it very inspiring for my current work-in-progress…
EMILY WILDE #2 - I adored book 1, and cannot get enough of Emily, Wendell, and their scholarly hijinks! Also inspiring for another work-in-progress…

📺 CURRENTLY WATCHING

Carnival Row - my friend has been bugging me to watch this for ages, and I finally cracked and started it. Loving the dark vibes and historical-adjacent world. Definitely inspiring…for…things… 😂
The Good Place - This is a rewatch, but I just adore this show. So funny, so clever, and a masterclass in pacing and twists. Not inspiring for anything YET, but you never know 😏

Okay, that’s it! Please drop any questions or comments you have below!

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