Wednesday meets Norse myth in this dark academia contemporary fantasy
Available Now in Hardcover/Ebook/Audio
Ages 14 and up / Margaret K. McElderry Books / ISBN: 9781665979573
Edith has always been a good girl—she has to be, or her foster family might think she’s like her violent father. No matter how much anger simmers inside her, she keeps it buried, hidden…
Until the day she’s pushed a step too far, and that anger comes bursting out in the form of literal claws.
It’s then that Edith learns she’s a berserkr, a descendant of ancient Norse warriors with the ability to turn into animals. To avoid jail for attacking a student, Edith is shipped off to the mysterious Skallagrim Academy. The ancient school is supposedly a haven for people like her, a place where she can learn to control her powers and then push them down so deep that they’ll never come out again.
But someone—or something—is stalking the dark halls of Skallagrim.
On her first night, Edith stumbles upon a gruesome murder and is caught at the scene of the crime by Amund, who is tasked with hunting down wayward berserkir. Now, with Amund suspecting Edith as the killer, she’ll have to catch the real culprit to prove her innocence before she ends up in the hunter’s crosshairs—or becomes the killer’s next victim.
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Please note that this book deals with themes of feminine rage and toxic masculinity, and as such contains some sensitive content. Domestic violence is depicted in flashbacks, along with references to child abuse and brief mentions of alcoholism. Other sensitive topics include murder, body horror, animal attacks/bites, facial injury, and bullying. Take care of yourself when reading.
“Your next obsession.”
– Allison Saft, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wings of Starlight
“Brimming with feminine rage.”
– Elle Tesch, author of What Wakes the Bells and The Hanging Bones
“Pulse-pounding.”
– Pascale Lacelle, New York Times bestselling author of Curious Tides and Stranger Skies
“Claw-sharp and clever.”
– Rachel Moore, author of Us in Ruins and The Library of Shadows
You’re Invited
Explore the Skallagrim Academy website and learn more about the magical school where Beast Becomes Her takes place.
Take the Quiz
Discover which school you belong at in Skallagrim Academy!
Reviews
"Seitz’s exploration of female rage and breaking cycles in this sophomore work is thoughtful and uncensored.... Delightfully suspenseful."
— Booklist, February 2026
"The delicious twist of their forbidden will-they, won’t-they romance is as riveting as the race to find out who the true culprit is. The leads’ dual first-person narrative invites readers to witness questioning, determination, and growth from the perspectives of both a hunter and a berserkr, serving to enhance this thriller whose mystery is woven into the magic of the book. A completely compelling read."
— Kirkus, 1/15/26
"Seitz delivers a rollicking blend of mystery, romance, and horror-tinged fantasy while sensitively exploring weighty topics such as toxic masculinity, female rage, and family violence."
— Publishers Weekly, 11/17/25
"Seitz is a confident storyteller, offering up surprising twists, creepy villains, and convincing red herrings. She’s created a book that is by turns eerie, violent, and touching, as Edith comes to terms with her traumatic past.... Recommended for those who enjoy mysteries with elements of horror, fantasy, and strong female characters."
— School Library Journal, 2/1/26