Dark Books for Teens
🥀 It’s done. The final chapter has been written.
It happened. I wrote the final words. The third and final book in the Sovereign trilogy is officially complete.
What started in the cornfields, where silence meant survival and secrets bloomed like rot beneath the surface, now comes to a heart-wrenching, breath-stealing close. The story that’s haunted me, healed me, and refused to let go will soon be yours—all of it.
If you thought Harper’s story was chilling in Sovereign, it becomes absolutely unhinged in Elysium (expected next year)… And just wait for Inferno!
This last book is vengeance and reckoning. It’s truth clawing its way to the surface. It’s everything they never wanted you to know.
💌 Keep your eyes on your inbox.
✨ Cover reveal, preorder info, and sneak peeks for Elysium are coming soon.
Thank you for being on this journey with me. For reading. For crying. For holding your breath alongside these characters. I cannot wait for you to see how it ends.
📚 Not caught up yet? Start reading Sovereign here.
Just Finished: Peter and Wendy
The original story of Peter Pan, as written by J.M. Barrie in 1911 after his popular 1904 play, is not exactly as Disney framed it when we were kids. Peter Pan was a dark, selfish, and deeply flawed character who killed his Lost Boys when there were too many and forgot his loved ones the moment they were out of sight. His narcissistic tendencies make great source material for my next book…
Currently Writing: Never Say Neverland
What if Peter Pan was neither magical nor a child but was a narcissistic sociopath who became Wendy and the Lost Boys’ worst nightmare? What if only Captain Hook could be their salvation?
For Teens: What They Don’t Teach You
Ever feel like you’re ready to make real choices, take actual risks, and finally live your life—but your parents still see you as a kid who needs constant supervision? Yeah. It’s frustrating. It’s like they’ve forgotten what it felt like to want freedom more than anything.
Here’s the thing: you’re ready. They’re not.
That tension? That’s where my characters live. They’re teens who don’t get a say. Who are told what to do, where to go, what to believe—no questions asked. Adults make the rules, and the kids? They just have to survive them.
But then one day, those same teens are on their own. No guidebook. No hand-holding. Just raw instincts, blurry memories, and choices that actually matter.
No one taught them how to think for themselves.
Good thing they were already doing it anyway.
So if you’re out here questioning things? Good. That’s where it starts. Ask. Learn. Decide. Even if your voice shakes, even if it’s uncomfortable—get used to using it. Because eventually, the world will expect you to lead your own story. And when that moment comes, you’ll be ready.
For Parents: Evaluate & Encourage Risk-Taking
Let’s talk about acceptable risks! If you read my message to teens above, you probably noticed that I’m encouraging them to start thinking for themselves and making their own decisions. That doesn’t mean parents shouldn’t be involved. It’s your job to decide ahead of time which decisions and risks you’re comfortable with for your teen and which times you’re going to put your foot down and play the Mom/Dad Card.
Here are some guidelines:
- Would a negative outcome of the decision pose a serious physical threat to your teenager? Think drinking & driving vs. driving 3 mph over the speed limit.
- Is a dangerous outcome likely? Think running across a busy highway vs. running across an empty street in a quiet neighborhood.
If the answer to both of these questions is no, then a good rule of thumb is to let your teenager make their own choice and live with whatever consequences naturally occur. No rescuing! The lessons they learn through taking acceptable risks and living through the consequences are the ones they learn the best.
If the answer is yes, it’s dangerous and likely, then it’s time to put your foot down and make that decision yourself. Most teens will be so happy with the freedom you’re giving them the rest of the time that they’ll actually be more likely to listen to you when you do have to set a firm limit for them. They’ll feel like you’re being much more reasonable and will respect you more for it.
A risk assessment matrix like the one below may be helpful to you in weighing probability and impact:
Sovereign at the Bologna Book Fair
Earlier this spring, Sovereign was featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in Bologna, Italy. The book also earned a spot on the IBPA’s children’s book catalog!
School Visits
I recently had the most amazing visit at Raymore-Peculiar East Middle School, where I talked with students in grades 6-8 about owning their weird, accepting others, and recognizing the strengths that differences really are. They asked questions about writing books, and I got to take photos with all of them. This was a really special day for me because I was previously a school counselor at East Middle and got to see a ton of former students I love!
I am booking school visits for the 2025-2026 school year.
In-person visits in the Kansas City area and virtual visits anywhere are FREE! All I ask is that schools allow their students to purchase copies of Sovereign through the school librarian at least one month prior to the visit. Schools can order direct through Blue Handle Publishing for a discount on each book, and for every 31 books schools order for their students, AJ will provide a free book for the school’s library!
Email aj@ajwhitneybooks.com to schedule a visit for your school.
Students and parents can ask their school librarian to get in touch via email.
Upcoming Events
June 27-29: Crypticon KC
The Embassy Suites KCI
7640 NW Tiffany Springs Pkwy, Kansas City, MO
A horror convention for the whole family, with celebrity guests, panels, photo ops, and costume contests everyone will love! Get your tickets here.
July 12: KC Nerd Fest
6816 N Church Rd, Pleasant Valley, MO 64068
Hosted by KC Book Beat and proudly sponsored by Game Cafe and Pulp Fiction Comics, this one-day fandom fest is all about celebrating your inner nerd—whether you’re into comics, cosplay, books, games, or just vibing with your people.
2 PM to 5 PM – Family-Friendly Fun
Bring the kids, dress up, explore vendors, and enjoy a fun, inclusive space made for all ages.
5 PM to 9 PM – Adults-Only Nerd Night
The lights dim, the vibe shifts, and it’s time for grown-up geekery. Ages 18+ only.
Which Sovereign Character Are You??
Have you read your copy of Sovereign yet? Have you fallen in love with the characters? Find out which one you are on uQuiz! Post your result on social media and tag AJ for a public shoutout. 🙂
AJ Whitney is a young adult dark fiction author. She writes thrillers, horror, fantasy, and other speculative fiction for teens from her home in Kansas City, MO.