WHAT WAKES THE BELLS
Out March 11, 2025
Inspired by an ominous Prague legend, What Wakes the Bells is a lavish gothic fantasy by debut author Elle Tesch that is perfect for fans of Adalyn Grace, Margaret Rogerson, and V.E. Schwab.
Built by long-gone Saints, the city of Vaiwyn lives and breathes and bleeds. As a Keeper, Mina knows better than most what her care of Vaiwyn’s bells means for the sentient city. It’s the Strauss family’s thousand-year legacy―prevent the Vespers from ringing, or they will awake a slumbering evil.
One afternoon, to Mina's horror, her bell peals thirteen times, shattering the city’s tenuous peace. With so much of the city's history and lore lost in a long-ago disaster, no one knows the danger that has been unleashed―until the city begins to fight back. As the sun sets, stone gargoyles and bronze statues tear away from their buildings and plinths to hunt people though the streets. Trapped in Mina’s bell, the soul of a twisted and power-hungry Saint festered. Now free of his prison, he hides behind the face of one of Vaiwyn’s citizens, corrupting the city and turning it on itself.
Time is running out, and the only chance Mina has to stop the destruction and horrific killings is finding and destroying the Saint’s host. Everyone is a suspect, including Mina's closest loved ones. She will have to decide how far she’ll go to save her city―and who she’s willing to kill to do it.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where would WHAT WAKES THE BELLS be shelved?
BELLS is a young adult dark fantasy with romantic and horror elements and would be found in the teen section of your local library or book store.
When does it release?
BELLS comes out March 11, 2025 from Feiwel and Friends but you can pre-order it now from your local indie or any major retailer, or request it at your local library.
How long is BELLS?
It is 336 pages long. For the writers out there, about 91k words.
Are there any content/trigger warnings to be aware of?
Yes. Everyone’s comfort level is different, so it is important to note that BELLS includes frightening imagery, minor body horror, on-page gore/death/murder, strained mother-daughter relationship, characters grieving death of a parent, side character with alcoholism, swearing, sexual coercion.
Is it a series?
No, BELLS is a standalone with a beginning and end in one book.
What kind of queer representation is present in BELLS?
The main character, Mina, is on the ace-spectrum and identifies as demisexual. Of the major secondary characters, there is a female character in a sapphic marriage, a male character who identifies as aro/ace, and a character who identifies as non-binary and uses the pronouns they/them.
Is there any romance in BELLS?
Yes. From the first page, the main character, Mina, is in an established relationship with Max.
What tropes/themes in BELLS might be of particular interest to readers?
You will find a demisexual main character, a lovers-to-enemies romance, a star-crossed lovers romance, an established couple, a sentient city, messy family dynamics, biblically accurate saints, murderous statues, and catacombs.
What is the ominous legend that inspired BELLS?
The largest bell in Prague, Zikmund, is housed in St. Vitus Cathedral. According to local legend, when the heart of this bell breaks, it is an omen that something bad will happen to the country. The last time this happened was in 2002, and catastrophic floods occurred within the Czech Republic soon after.
Are ARCs available?
E-ARCs are available to request from Netgalley (here) and Edelweiss (here) now. Physical ARCs may be available from Macmillan directly in January 2025.
Are there any foreign editions/translations of BELLS?
Yes. BELLS is being published in:
* English: Macmillan, Feiwel & Friends (Canada/US)
* Polish: Dressler Dublin, Bukowy Las
* Italian: Il Castoro, Il Castoro Off imprint
* Czech: Albatros Media
Will there be signed copies?
Stay tuned for more news on this closer to publication.
Is there a pre-order campaign?
Also stay tuned for more news on this closer to publication, but hold on to your receipts.
Is there a playlist for BELLS?
Yes. It is constantly evolving and can be found on Spotify here.
Who is the cover artist?
Eleonor Piteira is the fabulous artist of BELLS’ stunning cover.