Vampire Knight, Vol. 1

Matsuri, Hino. Vampire Knight, Vol. 1. 2007. 192p. ISBN 9781421508221. Available in the graphic novels sections of the Library.

Ten years ago, Yuki Cross was saved from a vampire attack, but the trauma left her with no memory of her life before that moment. Adopted by the headmaster of Cross Academy, she now serves as one of the school's Guardians, working alongside her troubled companion, Zero. Cross Academy operates under a unique and secretive system, educating two distinct groups of students: the Day Class and the Night Class.

The school's delicate balance is most apparent at twilight, when the Day Class returns to their dorms and crosses paths with the Night Class on their way to school. Yuki Cross and her partner, Zero Kiryu, are tasked with maintaining order and silence during this transition, serving as the school's Guardians. Their primary and most critical duty is to shield the human students of the Day Class from the Academy's dangerous, dark secret: the entire Night Class is composed of vampires! Yuki must protect the humans while navigating her own complicated relationship with the secretive, beautiful students of the Night Class and uncovering the truth of her lost past ...

Manga readers will enjoy classic tropes such as the love triangle, secret societies, and the forbidden romance between humans and supernatural beings. Its appeal lies in its dark, romantic atmosphere, the intense mystery surrounding the protagonist's lost memory, and the constant tension between the dangerous Night Class and the protected Day Class.

The story continues in Vampire Knight, Vol. 2.

Bleach, Vol. 11: A Star and a Stray Dog

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 11: A Star and a Stray Dog. 2005. 208p. ISBN 9781421502717. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Ichigo, after successfully defeating Ikkaku of the Eleventh Company in Bleach, Vol. 10, receives a crucial reward: the location of Rukia, who is being held in the Soul Society awaiting her execution. While Ichigo's mission advances, his companion Ganju, a pyrotechnics expert, is engaged in a much more difficult fight against his own Soul Reaper opponent.

Meanwhile, Orihime and Uryū encounter the younger brother of the giant gatekeeper Ichigo had previously defeated. This confrontation presents Uryū with a pivotal moment to put his rigorous Quincy training to the ultimate test and prove to both his friends and himself just how much more powerful he has become. The fight is not just a battle, but an opportunity for Uryū to demonstrate his growth and newly acquired strength.

Bleach, Vol. 10: Tattoo on the Sky

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 10: Tattoo on the Sky. 2005. 200p. ISBN 9781421500812. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

With the assistance of Kūkaku, whom they met in Bleach, Vol. 9, Ichigo and his companions are now closer to their goal of infiltrating the Soul Society to save Rukia from execution. To successfully execute Kūkaku's plan, Ichigo faces a critical challenge: he must gain control over his immense spiritual energy, a task that comes with the significant risk of causing extensive collateral damage during their entry. This obstacle underscores the difficulty of their mission and the potential consequences of his powerful, yet volatile, abilities.

While Ichigo's team prepares, the Soul Society is far from idle. They have quickly assembled and dispatched a delegation of captains to meet the incoming "unwanted visitors." This formidable welcoming committee is poised to provide the rudest possible reception, setting the stage for a series of intense and dangerous confrontations that Ichigo and his allies must overcome to reach Rukia.

The story continues in Bleach, Vol. 11.

Bleach, Vol. 9: Fourteen Days for Conspiracy

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 9: Fourteen Days for Conspiracy. 2005. 200p. ISBN 9781591169246. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

The race to rescue Rukia from the Soul Society officially began in Bleach, Vol. 8, and Ichigo and his companions immediately encounter their first significant obstacle: Jindanbô. This monstrous, fez-wearing gatekeeper has maintained an impenetrable defense of the Western Gate for over 300 years, refusing entry to any soul, and he shows no inclination to make an exception for Ichigo's group.

Despite the formidable challenge posed by Jindanbô, Ichigo is not deterred. He had anticipated that his assault on the heavily guarded Soul Society would be anything but easy, embracing the difficulty as a necessary part of the mission. For Ichigo, an effortless victory would simply be boring, suggesting he relishes the struggle and the opportunity to prove his strength against such a powerful adversary.

The story continues in Bleach, Vol. 10.

Most Haunted Houses

Fielding, Yvette. Most Haunted Houses. 2025. 208p. ISBN 9781839135606.

Are ghosts real? Do some of them haunt buildings? Drawing from a wide range of locations, including historical royal residences, the infamous 'Most Haunted House in Britain,' and even the author's personal home, Most Haunted Houses describes paranormal encounters that occurred during the filming of a British series on the same subject. A variety of spectral figures and haunting events are described, from barbaric priest's ghost, the eerie tale of a witch who faced trial for murder, and the heartbreaking saga of a pair of tragic lovers whose spirits continue to linger

Fans of paranormal activity will enjoy these various encounters and will experience some of the goosebumps the author no doubt suffered during her stay in these haunted locations. Readers are cautioned that these accounts are not for the faint of heart, promising an exploration of some of the most chilling ghostly phenomena documented. Each of these encounters is described in vivid terms and provide an unsettling glimpse into the world of the supernatural.

Bleach, Vol. 8: The Blade and Me

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 8: The Blade and Me. 2005. 200p. ISBN 9781591168072. Available in the graphic novels section of the library. 

Following Rukia's arrest in Bleach, Vol. 7, Ichigo recognizes that rescuing her from the Soul Society necessitates his entry into that spiritual realm. However, his recent confrontation with Rukia's brother, Byakuya, unequivocally demonstrated the extensive and rigorous training he still requires. To prepare for this formidable task, Ichigo descends deep beneath Kisuke Urahara's Shoten, where he dedicates himself to honing his fighting skills and refining his spiritual energies.

Now, Ichigo faces his most daunting challenge yet: he must prevent his Chain of Fate from self-consumption. Failure to do so carries a dire consequence—he risks being irrevocably transformed into a soul-devouring Hollow, a monstrous entity he has sworn to fight. This critical struggle underscores the immense stakes of his training and the perilous path he must navigate to save Rukia. Fortunately for him, he is joined by Chad, Orihime, and Uryu as they travel to the the Soul Society.

The story continues in Bleach, Vol. 9.

Dust

Bowling, Dusti. Dust. 2023. 304p. ISBN 9780316414234.

Avalyn, who moved to Clear Canyon City, Arizona, ten years ago for its dry air after a near-fatal asthma attack, finds her ability to breathe freely threatened by the arrival of Adam. Adam, a quiet and disheveled new student, immediately becomes a target for the bullies who have long tormented Avalyn and her friends. As Avalyn gets to know him, she begins to suspect a supernatural connection between his emotional state and the sudden, strange increase in dust storms plaguing the town.

The situation escalates as massive black walls of dust begin to roll in after school, hinting at more severe problems in Adam's home life. Avalyn is faced with the daunting task of standing up for her new friend, a decision that could have profound implications for her own well-being, as her very ability to breathe seems to depend on it. 

While the premise offers an intriguing blend of supernatural elements and social commentary, the execution struggles to fully develop the emotional depth of Avalyn's connection to Adam's powers, leaving the magical realism feeling underdeveloped in favor of the interpersonal drama. Readers will still appreciate this tale of resilience and will cheer Avalyn on as she tries to help another person who really needs it!

Bleach, Vol. 7: The Broken Coda

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 7: The Broken Coda. 2005. 200p. ISBN 9781591168072. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.  

Following the events in Bleach, Vol. 6, Rukia Kuchiki, the former Soul Reaper who imparted her powers to Ichigo, is now a fugitive. The Soul Society is highly displeased with her transgression of bestowing Soul Reaper abilities upon a human, and as a result, they have dispatched two of their most formidable agents to resolve the situation. Their mission is clear: apprehend Rukia and bring her back to the Soul Society to face punishment, and simultaneously, eliminate Ichigo permanently for possessing stolen powers.

However, an unexpected obstacle stands in the path of the Soul Society's elite agents: Uryū Ishida, a Quincy. As a member of the Quincy, a clan with a long-standing rivalry with Soul Reapers, Uryū's intervention introduces an unpredictable element to the confrontation. His presence complicates the Soul Society's mission, setting the stage for a three-way conflict as they attempt to execute their orders.

The story continues in Bleach, Vol. 8.

Our Infinite Fates

Stevens, Laura. Our Infinite Fates. 2025. 352p. ISBN 9781250333889.

Evelyn possesses the extraordinary ability to recall all her many past lives. But this gift comes with a deadly curse. She's destined to be murdered by Arden, a supernatural entity, before her eighteenth birthday in each reincarnation. This cyclical tragedy is driven by Arden's soul being inextricably linked to hers, making her death before they turn 18 a necessity for his own sake. However, in 2022, Evelyn is determined to break this pattern, especially since her current life holds immense value, particularly her little sister who relies on her for life-saving bone marrow transplants. Were Evelyn to die before being able to donate her marrow, her sister would also die.

To protect her sister and end the relentless cycle of death once and for all, Evelyn must embark on a perilous quest. She must find the centuries-old Arden, who hunts her through time, before he finds her again. Simultaneously, she has to unravel the mystery behind their cursed connection to sever the link and finally gain freedom. Adding to the complexities of her mission, she must also navigate the treacherous waters of romance, attempting to avoid falling in love, a distraction that could prove fatal.

Fans of paranormal and historical novels will enjoy this marriage as the novel is told through Evelyn's perspectives but jumps between multiple centuries, exploring many of the encounters that have shaped her life up to this point and explaining her desire to escape this misery of dying before her 18th birthday once and for all.

Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 20

Adachitoka. Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 20. 2019. 210p. ISBN 9781642129120. Available in the Graphic Section of the library. 

Following his confrontation with the Crafter in Noragami: Stray God, Vol. 19, Yato is now fully committed to confronting his father, a promise he made to Hiyori with no intention of backing down. His immediate priority is acquiring a shinki of immense power, one capable of withstanding an assault from the formidable Chiki. However, finding such a rare and resilient vessel proves to be a significant challenge, complicating his preparations for the inevitable showdown.

As Yato deliberates his strategic options, a more pressing and dangerous concern emerges: Bishamon's life is now in grave danger. Having seen the crafter's appearance, Bishamon has become a direct target, putting her at extreme risk. This revelation adds another layer of urgency and peril to Yato's already complex mission, as he must now consider not only his own confrontation but also the immediate threat to a powerful ally.

Ghost Book

Lai, Remy. Ghost Book. 2023. 320p. ISBN 9781250810434. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

July Chen possesses the ability to see ghosts. But no one else sees her. In middle school, July is all but invisible, and her classmates and teachers can't even remember her name. It's as if she doesn't even exist. She's kept this ability a secret from her father, who doesn't believe in ghosts and who's overworked anyway. July's mother died in childbirth, so July has no memories of her.

Hungry Ghost month is a time when ghosts and spirits cross the border between this world and theirs. For July, it is the most difficult time of the year, as she has to actively ignore all of the ghosts around her, otherwise they will badger her to share news with their families. Standing on a bridge with classmates, she notices a hungry ghosts chasing the ghost of a boy her age. Despite her best instincts, July intervenes and saves William from a gruesome second death, only to discover that William is only nearly dead, and not truly dead. 

Striving to retrieve Wiliam's body and reunite it with William's ghost, July uncovers a vast ghost bureaucracy that seeks to impose order on the ghost world and move along those who have died. Their perilous adventure takes them through the city, and July discovers secrets along the way that reveal her existence is much different than she thought it was, along with an explanation of why she has always been invisible. 

Inspired by Chinese mythology, July's travels through the unseen world of ghosts explores themes of friendship, sacrifice, and the delicate balance between life and death. Beautifully illustrated, fans of paranormal stories will enjoy this graphic novel.

Artie and the Wolf Moon

Stephens, Olivia. Artie and the Wolf Moon. 2021. 256p. ISBN 9781728420202. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Artie Irvin has never met her father, and her mother doesn't speak much about him. She does have his old film camera, and Artie has grown into a budding photographer. Her life takes a dramatic turn when, after sneaking out one night, she witnesses a wolf transform into her own mother. This revelation unveils a family secret: Artie is descended from a line of werewolves. Excited by this discovery, Artie eagerly seeks knowledge about her newfound heritage, including the story of her deceased father. Her mother, though hesitant, agrees to share the family history, enlisting the help of old friends to guide Artie in understanding and controlling her own emerging wolf-like abilities.

Embraced by her new community, Artie flourishes, even developing a crush on her friend Maya. However, as she delves deeper into the history of werewolves and her parents' past, she uncovers a far more sinister threat lurking in the shadows: vampires. Artie's journey of self-discovery takes a dangerous turn as she realizes that the wolves she now identifies with are not the most frightening creatures in the woods, and that her newfound community, and perhaps even Maya, could be in grave danger.

Beautifully illustrated, Artie and the Wolf Moon takes a fresh look at werewolves and the lives they lead. Artie is a realistic character who makes mistakes abut who learns from them. Fans of paranormal stories will appreciate this action packed story that also features some strong character development.

The Afterdark

 Latimer, E. The Afterdark. 2025. 400p. ISBN 9781774882245.

The summer before her senior year, Evie Laurent witnesses the drowning of her twin sister, Ada. Though a part of her is now missing, Evie is not really all that sad. All of their lives, Ada has been trying to punish Evie, which even escalated to half-hearted attempts on her life, like the time Ada tried to shove Evie off a cliff during a hike. Evie's mother, a Supreme Court judge, has always been distant, and she decides to send her daughter to live with her father, the principal of Northcroft, an elite boarding school located on an island in Washington State, the school her sister Ada was attending before she died.

Arriving at Northcroft, Evie is immediately ignored by her father, who refuses to welcome her or even to accept an appointment with her. She meets Holland Morgan, former child star of the Wizards television series, and she finds herself attracted to Holland's magnetic personality, sparking an intense desire to learn everything about her. At the same time, Evie is hiding her own dark secrets, including the guilt she carries for her sister's drowning and the growing strength of her own troubling impulses that make her want to hurt others.

Holland Morgan, no stranger to making questionable choices, finds herself drawn to Evie despite knowing it's a dangerous path. As their attraction deepens into obsession, they become entangled in a dangerous game, both feeling a pull towards the darkness that permeates Northcroft. Soon, Evie discovers Northcroft's secret. The school serves as a gate to the Afterdark. Each night, as the school is locked down, the surrounding forest transforms into a nightmarish reflection of itself, a place crawling with unseen horrors. Evie and Holland must now confront a critical choice: fight the seductive call of the shadows and protect each other, or succumb to the darkness and embrace its destructive power that comes with choosing Northcroft!

Fans of paranormal novels will enjoy this creepy story with two strong female characters and a cast of denizens drawing power and corruption from the gate to the Afterdark. 

Blackwater

Arroyo, Jeannette and Ren Graham. Blackwater. 2022. 304p. ISBN 9781250304025. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.

Tony Price is a popular high school track star who struggles with his father's expectations. Eli Hirsch, who attends the same school, is a quiet boy dealing with a chronic illness and is often absent. They find their lives intertwined in the haunted town of Blackwater, Maine, as reports of a strange vicious animal prowling the woods makes the rounds. Tony is attracted to Eli, but his friend Biff, who is a bully, sees Eli as a weakling deserving of harassment. Eli also feels something for Tony, but the whole jock attitude acts as a repellant. Plus, Eli is haunted by ghosts, especially the persistent ghost of a fisherman who seems to want something from him.

When Tony ends up in the woods with Biff and his family hunting the beast, he turns out to be the prey. Bit by the monster, Tony begins to suffer the consequences, transforming into a werewolf. Witnesses to this transformation, Eli and Tony's best friend, goth girl Marcia decide they must help their friend before he does something he will regret. Working together, the three of them attempt to find a way to save Tony while living through usual trials and tribulations of high school life.

Exploring themes of friendship, identity, and the supernatural, Blackwater creates a unique and engaging reading experience for fans of graphic novels and supernatural mysteries.

Needy Little Things

Desamours, Channelle. Needy Little Things. 2025. 320p. ISBN 9781250334817. 

High school senior Sariyah Lee Bryant possesses a unique and unsettling gift: she can hear the unmet needs of those around her. As a result, she always carries a bag filled with strange items, for one never knows when someone will need a tissue, a key, an old wrench, or a ring. However, this ability proves to be more of a curse than a blessing when her friend Deja mysteriously vanishes shortly after Sariyah fulfills her need. Convinced that Deja's disappearance is more than just a coincidence, Sariyah, distrustful of the police and media, embarks on her own investigation.

This is not the first time Sariyah lost a friend. A few years ago, her best friend Tessa went missing, vanishing without a trace. She was never found, and Sariyah remains haunted by the loss of her friend, hoping against all hope that her memory will reveal a significant detail she has missed. With Deja missing, history seems to repeat itself. Her friend Malcolm, Tessa's brother, is all out on finding Deja, and attempts to move mountains to do so. Part of the problem is that both Tessa and Deja are Black girls, not the pretty and popular blonde girls who garner all of the attention when they go missing. Most people don't seem to care that Black girls are disappearing.

Complicating Sariyah's life are mounting challenges affecting her daily existence: her mother loses her job, her younger brother faces health complications due to sickle cell disease, and she herself struggles to manage her emotions and maintain a semblance of normalcy. Desperate to find Deja and help her family, Sariyah resorts to using her gift for profit, offering to fulfill others' needs for money. This risky decision, however, may not only jeopardize her own safety but also put her on a collision course with the same danger that led to Deja's disappearance.

Needy Little Things realistically portrays the social divide when girls disappear, as not all of them receive equal treatment in the media and by the police investigating their disappearances. Sariyah's character is realistic and relatable, making this a great read for fans of investigation with a light touch of paranormal.

Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 4: Hellboy in Hell

Mignola, Mike. Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 4: Hellboy in Hell. 2018. 286p. ISBN 9781506707495. 

After being cast in Hell following his death in Hellboy Omnibus, Vol. 3: The Wild Hunt, Hellboy finds himself back home, so to speak. But the denizens of Hell are still reeling from the destruction that the recent conflict between the witches and the humans wrought. The Princes of Hell have all been slaughtered by their own captains, as legions disintegrated. Satan, who still dwells in Pandemonium, sleeps away until he is awakened by Hellboy, who kills him. Hellboy even has a family reunion of sorts, with his uncle and his brothers, all of whom end up dead. His half-sister attempts to kill him a second time, but she fails.

In the end, Satan's hold on Hell has been broken, and the world is reborn once more. Hellboy discovers that there is no one left that cares about his right hand, and, for the first time, finds himself at peace, and he returns to find a semblance of home. 

This volume concludes the Hellboy saga, revealing his origin story. Against all odds, Hellboy demonstrates that he is more human than many of us, as he makes fateful decision after decision, seeking not the easy path, but the righteous one. 

Strange, Dark & Mysterious: The Graphic Stories

MrBallen. Illustrated by Andrea Mutti. Strange, Dark & Mysterious: The Graphic Stories. 2024. 208p. ISBN 9781984863423.

What would you do if you thought there was a ghost coming into your room every night while you were spending a week skiing the White Mountains in New Hampshire? What if there were giants living in the mountains of Kandahar, in Afghanistan? What if there was a place so remote and dangerous that those who went panning for gold there simply disappeared? These are just some of the unexplained phenomena that Strange, Dark & Mysterious explores. All of the events described really occurred, yet there is no explanation for why they took place or even how they took place.

Some of the stories are not for the faint of heart. A German camp counselor has a nightmare that a crown of thorns is pushed on her head, only to awaken and realize that a fox has been mauling her while sleeping. Other stories, such as the beast of Gevaudan, are more well-known. But put together, these stories demonstrate that paranormal activities, where no scientific explanation exists, are taking place around the world.

Told in graphic novel form, the stories are captivating and are sure to inspire a fright or two! Fans of the paranormal will enjoy these true stories, but probably shouldn't read this late at night!

Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 3: The Wild Hunt

Mignola, Mike. Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 3: The Wild Hunt. 2018. 528p. ISBN 9781506706689. 

Having escaped dangers in Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 2: Strange Places, Hellboy returns to England just in time for witches to summon Hellboy's most powerful enemy yet, Nimue. Living in King Arthur's time, Nimue seduced Merlin and stole all of his secrets. These secrets drove her mad. Taking refuge among the witches, she was eventually betrayed by them before being slaughtered. Her remains were eventually buried in a secret place, but she's now been freed so she can lead an army of the downtrodden monsters against humans, spilling their blood throughout the world.

First, Hellboy has to confront Baba Yaga's champion, a man who cannot die until the Russian witch releases him. Hellboy survives this conflict as a much drained Baba Yaga must sink all of her reserve powers to bolster her champion, who fails in the end. 

Manipulated by some, guided by others, Hellboy reconnects with Alice, and learns that he is the first-born male descendent of King Arthur, making him the legitimate King of England. To defeat Nimue, he will need to claim his heritage, something Hellboy has been avoiding his whole life. His destiny is not to serve as the pawn of others but to hold on to his humanity. As the end of the world nears, Hellboy is humanity's only hope ...    

The story concludes in Hellboy Omnibus, Vol. 4: Hellboy in Hell.

Bleach, Vol. 6: Death Overture Trilogy

Kubo, Tite. Bleach, Vol. 6: Death Overture Trilogy. 2005. 200p. ISBN 9781591167280. Available in the graphic novels section of the library.  

The battle between Quincy and Soul Reaper that started in Bleach, Vol. 5 continues as Ichigo and Ishida compete to see who can destroy the most Hollows. Quincys kill Hollows, while Soul Reapers free their soul and send them to the beyond. Unfortunately, Ishida's summoning worked too well, and now a flood of Hollows are concentrating above Karakura, and people are in real danger. 

During the battle, Ishida tells of his youth and learning from a Quincy master. He realizes that the teaching he learned was wrong, that Quincys were meant to work with Soul Reapers, not against them. At the same time, Orihime and Chad are faced with activating their latent powers and changing how they view the world forever.

Meanwhile, Rukia is in danger as a special unit of Soul Reapers have come to remove her from the body she inhabits as well as track the human who stole her powers. As Menos Grande, the largest Hollow both Ishida and Ichigo have ever seen threaten the entire town, Soul Reaper and Quincy will need to work together to save the world!

The story continues in Bleach, Vol. 7.

Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 2: Strange Places

Mignola, Mike. Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 2: Strange Places. 2018. 416p. ISBN 9781506706672. 

Hellboy, a half-demon living in a world that fears him, continues to struggle with his destiny as a harbinger of the apocalypse. Several monsters have now told him that his hand is the key that will free the dragon from its prison deep in the abyss where it was banished. Despite his monstrous appearance, Hellboy yearns for acceptance and fights to protect humanity from those who wish to inflict evil or to destroy the world. 

Returning to England, Hellboy and Abe track down a demon that was released on purpose. When they confront that demon, Hellboy learns his true name, Anuug Un Rama. Hellboy returns to America where he inquires about Roger's progress in integrating in the human world. Hellboy rescued Roger, the homunculus in Hellboy Omnibus, Volume 1. Roger is in good enough shape to go on a mission, and the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense sends them both to an ancient Nazi site in Austria, where a rocket launched by the Third Reich is returning to Earth. There they face the evil Nazi doctor Herman von Klempt, who was there when the rocket was sent to space, and who is bringing back a worm so strong it will consume the entire Earth. Unfortunately for the Doctor, Roger uses his electrical conduit ability, and neutralizes the worm, and the Doctor is finally destroyed.

But Hellboy faces an identity crisis. The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense equipped Roger with a bomb, so that Hellboy could destroy him if he started causing problems. Questioning the morality of that decision, Hellboy turns in his resignation and heads to Africa, where he encounters a mystic that guides him through encounters with dark forces, so that he can discover himself ...

The story continues in Hellboy, Omnibus 3: The Wild Hunt.