The authors of 'The Looking Book' are David Levithan and Nina LaCour, two powerhouses in contemporary YA literature. Levithan’s work often explores queer identity and love with a raw, unfiltered honesty, while LaCour’s stories dive into the quiet, aching beauty of human connection. Their collaboration feels like a meeting of kindred spirits—both write with such emotional precision that it’s impossible not to be moved.
I’ve followed both of their careers for years, and seeing them come together for this project was thrilling. Levithan’s 'Two Boys Kissing' and LaCour’s 'Everything Leads to You' are standout titles in my collection, so their joint effort was an instant buy for me. The way they weave their voices together in 'The Looking Book' is nothing short of spectacular. It’s a rare treat to witness two authors with such distinct styles create something so harmonious and impactful.
I remember stumbling upon 'The Looking Book' during one of my deep dives into collaborative works, and it was such a delightful surprise. The authors behind this gem are none other than David Levithan and Nina LaCour. Their partnership is pure magic—Levithan’s knack for heartfelt, queer narratives blends seamlessly with LaCour’s lyrical, introspective style. The book feels like a conversation between two close friends, each bringing their unique voice to the table. Levithan’s work on 'Every Day' and LaCour’s 'We Are Okay' are personal favorites, so seeing them team up was a dream come true. Their collaboration is a testament to how two distinct voices can create something truly special together.
David Levithan and Nina LaCour are the brilliant minds behind 'The Looking Book.' Their collaboration is a masterclass in blending distinct storytelling styles into a cohesive narrative. Levithan, known for his groundbreaking queer YA novels like 'Boy Meets Boy,' brings a sharp, emotional depth to the table. LaCour, celebrated for her evocative prose in works like 'Hold Still,' adds a layer of quiet intensity and beauty. Together, they craft a story that feels both intimate and universal.
What’s fascinating about their partnership is how their strengths complement each other. Levithan’s dialogue crackles with authenticity, while LaCour’s descriptions paint vivid, lingering images. The result is a book that resonates deeply with readers, especially those who crave stories about identity, love, and self-discovery. If you’ve enjoyed either of their solo works, this collaboration is a must-read. It’s rare to see two authors merge their talents so effortlessly, but Levithan and LaCour make it look easy.
SYNOPSIS
The Wrong Pair of Eyes
Mia Caldwell isn’t looking for anything.
She has Ethan, warm, loving, six thousand miles away but counting down every day until he’s back. She has her studies, her routine, her carefully maintained life. She has a relationship built on a year of long distance and the kind of trust that costs something to keep.
She isn’t looking.
But then Ryder Holt walks out of a cafeteria door while she’s on the phone with her boyfriend and something in her chest moves without permission.
He doesn’t introduce himself. Doesn’t flirt, doesn’t chase, doesn’t do any of the things she could easily dismiss. He just looks at her. Direct and unhurried and completely certain, like he’s already made a decision and is simply waiting for her to arrive at the same one.
They get paired for a project and she finds out he requested her specifically, she’s bringing him coffee and losing arguments she should win and lying awake thinking about a man she has no right to think about while Ethan sends heart emojis from across the world and says he’s coming home early.Three weeks. She has three weeks to get herself under control.
Ryder Holt has other plans.
Possessive without touching her. Obsessive without saying it. He sees her in ways that feel both thrilling and terrifying and the closer he gets, the more Mia realizes the real danger isn’t him but how little she’s pulling away.
The Wrong Pair of Eyes is a slow burn dark romance about desire arriving at the worst possible moment, loyalty cracking under the weight of something real, and a woman caught between the love she chose and the one she never saw coming.
Book 1 - You'd better watch out. The danger is not just lurking in the dark. accompanies each of our steps. Instinct drives them.In a world full of monsters, there are those who are willing to risk their lives to save humanity from ruin. The hunters.After the trauma of her childhood, the ambitious young Grace decides that she will be one of those who hunt down the monsters and does everything she can to achieve this goal. She only wants one thing, to take revenge on the beings that her parents once snatched from her. But when Grace is forced to meet the grouchy Reese and his troubled brother Nick, she has to admit that the monsters of this world not only lurk in the dark shadows of the night. She is drawn into a vortex of intrigue, power struggles and greed for money and soon finds herself confronted with a creature that is more dangerous than anything known before.-------Book 2 - You'd better watch out. The danger is not just lurking in the dark. accompanies each of our steps. Instinct drives them.In a world full of monsters there are those who are willing to risk their lives to save humanity from perdition. The hunters.Finally, the years of hard work are paying off, Grace is officially a Venator and with Reese at her side she believes she can cope with anything that fate throws at her. But an unbelievable message from Jilin pulls the shadows from the past and stirs her thirst for revenge. Grace takes on this challenge and gets a stone rolling that cannot be stopped and slowly not only she begins to doubt her sanity.
Hi, I'm Lauren Agustin. Seventeen years old and I'm living by myself. My parents were killed right in front of me. But I didn't see the person who killed them because I was blind. After my parents' death, my eyes miraculously healed. However, I started to have a vision of people's death.
And then I met Luke. A guy whose death was also seen in my vision after we met for the second time. I told him about my vision of his death but he didn't believe me. Although Luke mistook me as a crazy girl, I still tried every possible way to help him to avoid his death. Luke didn't die because of me, and later on, we developed a special feeling for each other although we sometimes bickered because he doesn't believe in me.
I used this ability to warn and save the person who would die next. But in this modern world, who will believe what I say without thinking that I am insane? How did I have this mysterious ability? And will I be able to find my parents' real murderer?
"A Game of Mirrors. A World of Nightmares."
When a group of high school friends hears about “The Reflection Game,” a supposed urban legend said to reveal one’s true destiny, they can’t resist the temptation to try it. The rules seem innocent enough: light a candle, stand in front of a mirror, and chant a mysterious incantation. What starts as a fun dare quickly turns into a nightmare when the mirror fractures, pulling them into a dark and twisted version of their reality.
In this sinister mirror world, nothing is as it seems. Their reflections are no longer harmless—they’ve come to life, embodying their worst fears, regrets, and buried secrets. The friends soon realize the reflections are not just malevolent; they are determined to replace them in the real world. As they navigate this dangerous realm, the lines between reality and illusion blur, testing their sanity and relationships.
Trapped in an escalating fight for survival, the group must unravel the mirror’s dark origins and uncover the truth about its curse. But every step forward reveals another horrifying revelation, and escaping may require them to sacrifice more than they’re willing to give. Will they outsmart their reflections, or will they lose themselves in the shadows forever?
The Reflection Game is a gripping supernatural thriller that delves into the fragility of trust, the weight of secrets, and the consequences of crossing boundaries best left untouched. Filled with spine-chilling twists, heart-pounding suspense, and a touch of psychological horror, this tale will keep readers on the edge of their seats, questioning what’s real and what lurks beyond the mirror.
In this distorted reality, every crack in the mirror reveals dark truths about their deepest fears and buried secrets. As the friends struggle to survive, they must confront it.
At the heart of the renovated Hideaway Resort is an antique 8-foot-tall archway mirror whose carved frame seems to shift when no one’s looking. It starts with whispers, stray reflections, and dreams that feel borrowed. Then the island’s old legends surface: a sealed gate, a fallen house, and a war that never really ended.
Scott Michaels—restless, big-hearted, and in way over his head—stumbles into a fight he didn’t ask for when a weathered priest and his mysterious apprentice reveal the mirror’s true name…and the thing tethered to it. With Faith at his side and a blade that burns for whoever dares to love more than fear, Scott must choose: run from the darkness, or cut the anchor that’s been feeding it for generations.
Equal parts family drama, coastal gothic, and high-stakes supernatural thriller, The Devil’s Mirror turns a sunlit island into a labyrinth of reflections, where the danger isn’t just what creeps in the shadows—but what looks exactly like you.
I remember digging into its origins out of sheer curiosity. The series was published by Yen Press, a well-known publisher specializing in manga, light novels, and graphic novels. They've brought so many iconic series to English-speaking audiences, and 'Looking' is no exception. Yen Press has a reputation for high-quality translations and beautiful editions, which is why I always keep an eye on their releases. If you're into visually stunning books with engaging stories, their catalog is worth exploring. I particularly love how they handle covers and interior art—it really enhances the reading experience.
I stumbled upon 'The Looking Book' a while back, and it left such a vivid impression that I had to dig into who created it. The author is Laura Dockrill, a British writer known for her vibrant, imaginative storytelling. What I love about her work is how she blends whimsy with raw emotion—like in 'Darcy Burdock,' which also has this playful yet deeply relatable vibe. 'The Looking Book' feels like a natural extension of her style, inviting readers to engage creatively. Dockrill's background in performance poetry shines through, making her prose feel alive and interactive.
I’ve followed her career loosely since discovering this book, and it’s fascinating how she juggles genres—from children’s lit to gritty YA. Her social media presence is a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes writing struggles and triumphs, which makes her even more endearing. If you haven’t read her stuff yet, start with 'The Looking Book'—it’s like a warm conversation with a quirky friend who nudges you to see the world differently.
I stumbled upon 'The Looking Book' while browsing a quirky indie bookstore last summer, and its premise hooked me instantly. It's this surreal, almost dreamlike exploration of perception—how we see the world, and how the world sees us. The protagonist, a reclusive artist named Elise, starts noticing that her sketches begin to change reality subtly. A doodled cup might vanish from her kitchen, or a portrait's subject suddenly recalls events that never happened. The book blends magical realism with psychological depth, asking whether art reflects life or actively shapes it.
What really got me was the way the author plays with perspective. Some chapters shift to secondary characters' viewpoints, revealing how Elise's art distorts their memories too. It's not just about her power; it's about collective delusion, the fragility of truth. The ending left me staring at my own sketches nervously for weeks, half-expecting them to warp my surroundings. Makes you wonder how much of what we 'see' is truly there.