Girl of Lore

by Melanie Dale

A girl who’s used to battling the monster of her own mind discovers there’s a sinister evil lurking in her small town in this atmospheric paranormal novel that’s perfect for fans of Tracy Wolff and Maggie Stiefvater.

Stories of dark magic and even darker creatures have always swirled about Mina Murray’s town of London, Georgia. Mina knows they aren’t true—and are likely perpetuated only to drive the quirky tourist-trap ghost tours of downtown—but that doesn’t stop her from collecting the stories and drawing them in her sketchbook. Something about the possibility of real monsters helps her deal with the monster in her own her OCD, which convinces her danger lurks everywhere.

But when a body is found drained of blood and a classmate goes missing, Mina is thrust into a tangled web of London secrets…that she seems to be at the center of.

368 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 21, 2026

About the author

***Melanie's debut novel, GIRL OF LORE, hits shelves April 21, 2026! Preorder it now to get the deluxe limited edition with sprayed edges and gold foil!***

Before embracing her love of monsters and sneaking into the fictional world of GIRL OF LORE, Melanie Dale published a bunch of nonfiction books, shambled around as a zombie on TV, and survived cancer. She’s written episodes for the anthology horror television series CREEPSHOW and over a decade of essays for COFFEE+CRUMBS. While she’s won no awards for literature, one time she won a Halloween costume contest and still feels pretty stoked about it. When she’s not writing, she’s teaching yoga or battling her own brain. She lives in the Atlanta area.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so, so, so fun! I love middle grade books that don't shy away from the real life experiences of a preteen/teen. Mina is a 15 (almost 16) year old who lives with OCD and is adopted. The way her OCD is described and navigated in this book was brilliantly handled. I could feel the exasperation, weariness, and fear that surrounds a disorder such as this. I also loved how Mina's OCD was weaved into the story, not as if she had to have it in order for the story to move forward, but as a way to prepare her for what was coming up in her life.

I loved Jackie. I loved Jonathan Harker (swoon). The nod to 'Dracula' was very fun. I never felt like we truly got to know Quincey or Arthur. However, the fact that most of the times they are in the scene they're supporting and uplifting Mina makes them pretty cool. I loved watching Mina go from alone to surrounded by friends over the course of the book. It didn't just happen to her either; she took a situation, made the best of it, and it turned out to be exactly what she needed. I want to be part of a Lore Club. When she was gifted the sweatshirt, I definitely cried. Precious.

Mina's adoption story did oftentimes feel a bit, off? But that could be because it added so much more loneliness and uncertainty to her life. Once her birth family was revealed, I didn't feel as though that was handled very well by her mother and/or those around her. It's a huge deal and wasn't treated that way. Also, a lot of writing went into talking about how Mina didn't know her actual birth date, but then when she discovers who she is, that's never concluded.

As for Mina's sister; no. I have an 11 year old and know how they act. Lizzie was monstrous. For what she did to Mina, whatever punishment she received (which we never discover) wasn't enough. "For my birthday you have to forgive me!" Excuse me, what? Mina's mother encouraged her not to hate Lizzie but she never, ever receives an apology. As for the end, it felt insincere. "You're the best sister I've ever had." I'm sorry, just because you had to kill those vampires *spoilers* and they ended up being your sisters, does not a best sister make. And Lizzie STILL never apologizes.

All in all, I loved it. The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for my liking but it's left just open ended enough that you can be excited for more stories from London, Georgia starring Mina Murray.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy!

[Amy A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars!

This is a standout YA fantasy/horror that blends spooky, heartfelt, and meaningful in the best way.

The writing is engaging and easy to sink into, and the characters feel relatable. Mina is a compelling main character, and I really appreciated the authentic, compassionate portrayal of OCD. It feels respectful, honest, and thoughtfully done, not exaggerated or treated like a plot device. The book explores adoption, identity, loneliness, and the ache of not fitting in during high school in a way that feels sincere and relatable. There is a strong emphasis on friendship, chosen family, and finding the people who truly understand you, which adds heart to the darker moments.
The horror elements are a highlight. Eerie folklore, eldritch creatures, creeping dread, and a charming small town that feels like it is hiding secrets all come together to create a moody, unsettling vibe. It is spooky without losing its emotional core.
I also appreciated the subtle religious references. They are present but never preachy or forced, and I did not mind them at all.
Honestly, I would have loved this book at that age, and it still held up for me as an adult. It is thoughtful, atmospheric, and full of potential for more stories in this world. I will absolutely be recommending it.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this awesome ARC!

Title: Girl of Lore
Author: Melanie Dale
Genre: YA Fantasy/Horror
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing / Aladdin

[Mystyc Metrik · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Mina, our intrepid heroine, is struggling during her sophomore year. She feels that her best friend, Jackie, may be pulling away, her OCD thoughts are worse than ever, and her mom wants her to do something productive (i.e. work at her yoga studio). Mina will do anything to stop that, so she starts the Lore Club, whose objective is to explore the weird goings on in the town of London, Georgia. There are unexplained sinkholes, vampire stories, and more, so for a girl who enjoys spending time in a graveyard, it's a perfect fit. Jackie joins, as do some friends of hers, Arthur, the mayor's son, and Quincey. Also Buddy, who has a crush on Mina, but his mysterious disappearance is one of the first cases the Lore Club tackles. As the strange occurrences, and danger, pile up, Mina and her friends have to band together to solve the mystery and stay safe. This was an excellent Gothic horror story featuring teenagers. Mina feels understandably overwhelmed, as she was having a hard time during high school and feels wholly unequipped to deal with something of this magnitude, but she rises to the occasion in a believable way. It's a neat take on vampires, and, overall, an enjoyable read.

[Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fun! A great pick for middle graders ... and for any adult who loves a fun, lighthearted story. If you’re into gothic lit, you’ll get a kick out of all the clever nods and hidden references the author slips in. Melanie gives Mina Murray a fresh, modern twist, reimagining her as a sharp-witted teen in London, Georgia, whose OCD becomes almost a character in its own right. Readers get an intimate, often intense look at the disorder, all while Mina battles supernatural threats. If you’re a Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan, the snarky humor and lovable characters will feel right at home. I’m already excited to see where this world goes next.

[Kimberly Patton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a lot to say about this book!

Melanie Dale is awesome and I love reading anything she writes. This isn’t my normal genre to read as it falls under fantasy and other things I don’t even know how to categorize!

Loved the main character. She was wonderful to get to know and deeply genuine and flawed.

Loved the humor! Melanie is just a funny girl and it shows. It made the book a joy to read.

Clean fiction is hard to come by and I think this is a great pick for teens looking for some spooky adventures and also adults who like “darker” fiction/fantasy/etc.

Out of my element here, but I enjoyed it and I think Melanie had a fun time writing it because that shows through as well!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌟 Mina, a girl who struggles with OCD is use to battling the monsters of her own mind. She takes comfort in her friends and her local Lore Club exploring her towns history. When the town Lore starts to unravel Mina begins to question everything. A story full of dark magic, monsters, missing classmates, and unbreakable friendships, that had me feverishly reading cover to cover. ✨ 10/10 would recommend! ⭐️

Thank you, author Melanie Dale, for an ARC! 📚
Publication Date: 04/21/2026
Genre: Southern Gothic
Available NOW for preorder!!

[Susan (What Susan Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much fun! It felt like Stranger Things meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. It's marketed as a middle grade book but it could easily cross over to YA (and beyond!)

The OCD representation was well done and added another element to Mina's character that I think was really important.

I loved the kids in The Lore Club. I hope we get to see more of them in the future and learn more about the Lore in London!

Thank you Simon Kids for sending me this ARC! #simonkidscrew

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good and offered a perspective on OCD that isn’t often talked about. Many people only associate OCD with cleaning or organization, but this story showed a much deeper and more complex side of the disorder. It helped highlight how OCD can affect thoughts, emotions, and decision making in ways people don’t always recognize.

The storyline kept me guessing throughout, with unexpected moments that made the reading experience engaging. Overall a very good read

[Cristal · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ I devoured Girl of Lore by Melanie Dale! ✨

Mina battles her own mind and OCD thoughts, finding comfort in monsters and starting a local lore club. But when a classmate goes missing, strange things begin happening—and Mina can’t tell what’s real or not.

Creepy, heartfelt, and full of unshakable friendship—this book kept me guessing until the very end. 👻📖💫

[Dawn R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. Beautiful cover but it is extremely stereotypical and predictable. There were no surprises. The main character development is lacking so often times I had no clue what was going on. Or things are assumed you know what they mean when it comes to the OCD traits because it wasn’t explained what was happening. Or where it was going from.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's every bad B horror movie cliche rolled into one with an obvious YA romance (at least it's not a love triangle lol). If that's your jam you'll probably like it, but a solid B movie rating for me.