Local Gods by Salisbury, Melinda

A girl hated by her town for her father's crimes must decide whether to save it or burn it all down when a dying god in the woods warns her of an impending catastrophe in this "socially conscious and serpentine mystery topped with spine-tingling supernatural imagery" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

When a bone-white crow lands in Sylvie Singer's backyard, she knows trouble is coming. And after an FBI raid reveals her father's double life, Sylvie's entire world comes crashing around her. With nowhere to go but the abandoned railway station in the cursed West Woods, Sylvie spends her time avoiding the carnivorous white deer that live there, counting down the days until she can graduate from high school and finally leave the town that's openly out for her blood. Then Sylvie encounters a different sort of monster.

Illican is a horned god bound to the West Woods, even more wretched than she is. Sylvie is drawn to Illican, excited that he can introduce her to magic that could save her town--save her. But Illican is dying, and the last thing Pine Ridge Hollow wants is help from Sylvie Singer...

The town is a tinderbox, and Sylvie is the spark that will either save it or burn it all down.

Author: Melinda Salisbury
Publisher: Sarah Barley Books / Simon & Schuster Books f
Published: 08/04/2026
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.05lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.60w x 1.50d
ISBN: 9798347101450

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 05/11/2026
Kirkus Reviews 06/01/2026
School Library Journal 05/29/2026 pg. 1
Booklist 07/01/2026
Shelf Awareness 01/01/0001

About the Author
Melinda Salisbury is the author of The Sin Eater's Daughter and several other novels that have been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, the Edgar Award, and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, among others. Her work has been published in over fifteen countries. Melinda also works as a writing mentor and volunteers at her local independent cinema.