What to do while you wait for 'New Moon' to come out

A gaggle of vampires, wizards and witches have taken over teen readers.

And this trend of fantasy and dark romance has captured the eyes of Hollywood producers. It started with the Harry Potter series. Then it was Twilight. And now True Blood. But as these works bask in success, some wonder what will be the next book-to-film phenomenon.

If Harry and Edward aren’t enough to satisfy your cravings, you might consider these books:

Blue Moon: The Immortals

by Alyson Noel

Cost: $9.99 at Barnes & Noble

If you like romance and thrillers, then you’ll probably get hooked on this novel about Ever, an immortal girl who turns to her beloved Damen for advice on her new powers. This causes her soul mate’s life to be threatened so she attempts to save him. While on the journey, secrets about Damen’s tortured past unravel, and Ever has to choose between turning back and saving her family or staying in the present to cure her beau. Blue Moon to the latest in The Immortals series, so this twisting story is for those who enjoy episodic reading.

Marked (House of Night Series No. 1)

by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

Cost: $17.99 at Barnes & Noble

This novel puts a nice twist on the vampire genre, and those fascinated with Twilight will enjoy entering the dark, magical world of The House of Night books. This is where 16-year-old Zoey Redbird, who has just been marked as a young vampire, will be trained to become an adult vampire. Zoey soon discovers that she also has special powers. To add to her problems, she learns the leader of the schools’ most elite group is misusing her powers; now she has to find the courage to confront her destiny.

Once Dead, Twice Shy (Madison Avery, Book 1)

by Kim Harrison

Cost: $11.55 on Amazon.com

If you’re looking for a new series and are trying to avoid blood-sucking vampires, you might like this urban fantasy about Madison Avery, a new girl in town that’s trying to fit in,. She has one major obstacle in her way – she’s dead. But that doesn’t stop her from trying to live a normal life. After her car accident, she still interacts with others, eats and sleeps; only now she’s accompanied by a handsome dark angel. The supernatural characters are placed within a regular high school scene so this might be a good read for Harry Potter fans.

Shiver

by Maggie Stiefvater

Cost: $12.23 on Amazon.com

Vampire romances don’t have anything on this passionate werewolf story. In this novel, Grace is attacked by a pack of wolves when she is young, but luckily a yellow-eyed wolf named Sam saves her. Sam leads two lives, in the spring and summer he’s human, but when the autumn temperatures go down, he becomes a wolf for the winter. When these two characters meet, Sam’s yellow eyes reveal his true identity. Grace and Sam fall in love. If it sounds like a fairy tale, think again. Cold temperatures and other obstacles threaten the budding romance.

Eyes like Stars: Theatre Illuminata, Act 1

by Lisa Mantchev

Cost: $11.55 on Amazon.com

Magic fills this novel about Bertie Shakespeare Smith, who wants to know who she is and why she lives in a theatre. Bertie is surrounded by many well-known theater characters. She is eventually told to leave, unless she proves her worthiness. This book brings Shakespearean characters to life. Shakespeare plays are heavily referenced in the novel, but you don’t have to be a fan to follow along and recognize the characters. This book is a sweet escape for fantasy, theater and fairy tale lovers.

Fairy Tale

by Cyn Balog

Cost: $11.55 on Amazon.com

This captivating and witty dark fantasy will have teens lusting after it. Born on the same day, next door neighbors and best friends Morgan Sparks and Cameron Browne are meant for each other. They seem like the perfect couple, with one quirk: Morgan can predict the future. Right before their 16th birthdays things start to change. A mysterious visit from a cousin reveals a secret from Cameron’s past.

Touch

by Francine Prose

Cost: $16.99 at Barnes & Noble

This book proves that romance and friendship can be good without paranormal characters. Touch is a book about trauma and its ability to manipulate the truth. For 14-year-old Maisie, an incident in the back of the bus involving puberty and three of her male friends turns into a wild ride of rumors and lies.

Mirna Cuellar is an intern writer who covers features and entertainment for The Monitor.