Vermilion

In Molly Tanzer's debut novel, Vermilion, readers are introduced to Elouise "Lou" Merriwether, a 19-year-old Taoist psychopomp navigating the eerie landscapes of a weird Western San Francisco. Tasked with keeping the city safe from the supernatural, Lou embarks on a perilous journey to the Colorado Rockies to investigate the disappearance of several boys from Chinatown. Facing a range of ominous challenges—including an undead villain—she must rely on her unique abilities and a bit of luck to confront the mysteries that lie ahead.