Aden Polydoros
A young adult author recognized for his fantasy and horror novels, often featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists and exploring dark, atmospheric themes. His works, such as The City Beautiful, frequently delve into historical settings with a speculative twist, blending elements of folklore, mythology, and psychological suspense. Polydoros is praised for his evocative prose, intricate world-building, and willingness to tackle challenging subjects within a genre framework, offering fresh and diverse perspectives to YA readers.
Death lurks around every corner in this unforgettable Jewish historical fantasy about a city, a boy, and the shadows of the past that bind them both together. Chicago, 1893. For Alter Rosen, this is the land of opportunity, and he dreams of the day he'll have enough money to bring his mother and sisters to America, freeing them from the oppression they face in his native Romania. But when Alter's best friend, Yakov, becomes the latest victim in a long line of murdered Jewish boys, his dream begins to slip away. While the rest of the city is busy celebrating the World's Fair, Alter is now living a nightmare: possessed by Yakov's dybbuk, he is plunged into a world of corruption and deceit, and thrown back into the arms of a dangerous boy from his past. A boy who means more to Alter than anyone knows. Now, with only days to spare until the dybbuk takes over Alter's body completely, the two boys must race to track down the killer--before the killer claims them next.