WHAT WAKES THE BELLS
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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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Praise for WHAT WAKES THE BELLS
"Set in a sentient city built upon the bones of a dead god, What Wakes the Bells is a wonderful exploration of complex family dynamics, self-determination, and first love, all set against the backdrop of an ancient battle generations in the making." —Kalyn Josephson, New York Times-bestselling author of This Dark Descent and The Storm Crow
"An action-packed debut about duty and divinity, with layered family dynamics, a lovers-to-enemies romance to sink your teeth into, and a setting so vivid, you can feel the cold—and the toll of the Vesper Bells—in your bones. Moody, fun, and wholly original." —Allison Saft, New York Times-bestselling author of A Fragile Enchantment
"An utterly fresh tale you'll want to read over and over again, What Wakes the Bells stuns from the first page to the last, reverberating through your heart like a vesper bell—without the doom, of course. Mina is the demisexual heroine of my dreams, whose love—for her family and friends, for her duty and her heart—creates its own powerful, world-shaking magic." —Kamilah Cole, bestselling author of So Let Them Burn
"What Wakes the Bells is a haunting, page-turning mystery set in an exquisitely wrought gothic city, where ancient beauty and eldritch horrors walk side by side. The lush prose, immersive world building, and ominous atmosphere make for a thrilling and unique YA fantasy debut." —Nicki Pau Preto, bestselling author of Bonesmith
"A stunningly atmospheric debut that is both wildly imaginative and wholly unique. Tesch crafts her world with utmost devotion and delivers a sweeping fantasy brimming with dark romance and infused with gothic flair." —Skyla Arndt, author of Together We Rot
"Gripping and atmospheric, What Wakes the Bells resounds with action and angst and echoes with the complexities of grief, family, connection, and belonging. Tesch’s epic storytelling of a living city seized by fear of murderous statues, ticking clocks, and waking saints delivers the demisexual love story we’ve been waiting for.” —Leanne Schwartz, author of A Prayer for Vengeance and To a Darker Shore
"What Wakes the Bells is stunningly atmospheric and wholly original ... a clever, intricate gothic fantasy that’s as brilliantly built as the sentient city where the story takes place." —Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge and Tenderly, I am Devoured
"A can’t-miss debut! With What Wakes the Bells, Tesch has created a fantasy world that is both completely absorbing and utterly new. Your heart will race as her winning cast of characters navigate a maze of city streets shadowed by enigmatic gods, terrifying gargoyles, and intensely personal stakes.”—Christine Calella, author of Liar’s Kingdom
Tesch's debut is rife with imaginative worldbuilding that renders Vaiwyn with as much humanity as headstrong and likeable Mina ... there is much to love in this inventive adventure, including the clever setting, ominous atmosphere, and complex character relationships. — Publisher’s Weekly
... the world she describes is absolutely fascinating, rich with mythology, secrets, and intrigue. The sentient city is a wonderful addition to the cast ... the settled, if not happy, conclusion is nonetheless well-earned after what Mina must endure. — The Bulletin
... readers will likely be drawn to the original concept, complicated family dynamics, and well-articulated depth of demisexual Mina's developing relationship with Max... the writing is strong, and the author shows promise. — Kirkus Reviews
In this gothic, gory story, the central conceit of worldbuilding is the core attraction. In a metaphor made literal through strong writing, Vaiwyn is a living, breathing, changing city with a mercurial personality … A fun, creepy read with a surprisingly gentle end. — School Library Journal
... readers looking for some action with their melodrama will be delighted by expansive fight scenes. A love that is anything but instant ... and a setting that comes to life around characters with complicated relationship dynamics all combine for a satisfyingly atmospheric fantasy. — Booklist
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.
Can I read it now?
Yes, BELLS released March 11, 2025 from Feiwel and Friends and is available to purchase from any book 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.
Is there an audiobook?
Yes, it is narrated by Ell Potter and is available to purchase.
Are there any foreign editions/translations of BELLS?
Yes. BELLS is being published in:
* English: Macmillan, Feiwel & Friends (Canada/US) (Releases April 21 in the UK)
* Polish: Dressler Dublin, Bukowy Las
* Italian: Il Castoro, Il Castoro Off imprint
* Czech: Albatros Media
Is there a playlist for BELLS?
Yes. The long version is can be found on Spotify here. The shorter version can be found here.
Who is the cover artist?
Eleonor Piteira is the fabulous artist of BELLS’ stunning cover.