Marlene Perez

Marlene Perez is an American young adult and middle-grade author known primarily for her paranormal and supernatural fiction series. She has gained recognition for blending elements of mystery, romance, and the supernatural in her novels aimed at teen readers. Her most successful work is the Dead Is series, beginning with "Dead Is the New Black," which follows teenage sleuth Daisy Giordano in a paranormal mystery setting. The series spans multiple books and established Perez as a notable voice in the young adult paranormal genre. Perez's writing often features strong female protagonists navigating both supernatural challenges and typical teenage experiences. Her other works include the Strange Fictions series and standalone novels that continue to explore paranormal themes within contemporary settings. The author holds a Master's degree in English Literature and has received recognition including spots on various state reading lists and young adult choice awards. Her books have been translated into several languages and are distributed internationally.

Readers connect with Perez's mix of supernatural elements and high school drama in the Dead Is series. Her books receive consistent 3.5-4 star ratings across platforms. What readers liked: - Fast-paced, quick reads that hold attention - Humor mixed with mystery elements - Relatable teenage characters dealing with school, family, and romance - Light tone that makes supernatural content accessible to younger YA readers - Clear, straightforward writing style What readers disliked: - Plot solutions that feel too convenient - Limited character development beyond main protagonist - Predictable mystery elements in later series books - "Too simplistic" for older YA readers seeking complexity Ratings Summary: - Goodreads: Dead Is series averages 3.8/5 from 40,000+ ratings - Amazon: 4.2/5 average across titles - Common Sense Media: Parent/teen reviews rate books appropriate for ages 11+ One teen reviewer noted: "Perfect light supernatural read - not too scary or dark." A parent reviewer commented: "Safe choice for middle school readers interested in paranormal stories."

Dead Is Series: Dead Is the New Black - High school junior Daisy Giordano investigates a series of mysterious deaths at her school while her psychic sisters and mother provide support.

Dead Is a State of Mind - Daisy works to solve supernatural mysteries involving werewolves and a new student with strange powers.

Dead Is So Last Year - When doppelgangers of Nightshade residents start appearing, Daisy must discover who is creating them and why.

Dead Is Just a Rumor - Daisy investigates threats against psychics in her town while dealing with her boyfriend's secretive behavior.

Dead Is Not an Option - Daisy faces her biggest case as she tries to prevent an all-out supernatural war in Nightshade.

Dead Is a Battlefield - Jessica Walsh discovers she's a virago, a woman warrior chosen to fight demons, while investigating attacks at her high school.

Dead Is a Killer Tune - Jessica continues her virago duties while looking into mysterious music that's putting people into comas.

Dead Is Just a Dream - Jessica investigates nightmares that are causing students to sleepwalk into dangerous situations.

Other Works: The Afterlife of the Party - A teen discovers her best friend is a vampire and gets pulled into supernatural politics.

Love in the Corner Pocket - A teenage pool player navigates romance and competition at her father's billiards hall.

Strange Fates - A girl inherits a mysterious necklace that grants wishes but comes with dangerous consequences.

Rachel Hawkins writes urban fantasy novels featuring magic schools and supernatural teens navigating high school drama. Her Hex Hall series includes witches, demons, and vampires with a focus on relationships and mystery elements.

Kim Harrison creates supernatural detective stories with witches solving crimes in an alternate world. Her Rachel Morgan series combines magic, investigation, and romantic subplots in an urban setting.

Kelley Armstrong writes about young supernatural characters discovering their powers while dealing with threats. Her Darkest Powers and Darkness Rising series focus on teens with paranormal abilities who uncover conspiracies.

Nancy Holder develops stories about teen witches and supernatural creatures in contemporary settings. Her Wicked series features covens, magic training, and otherworldly dangers.

Melissa de la Cruz crafts stories about vampires and witches in modern-day high schools and academies. Her Blue Bloods series combines supernatural elements with mystery plots and teen social dynamics.