American Rapture
26 June 2025Imprint: Ithaka
Synopsis
The scorching new feminist apocalyptic novel and instant international bestseller from CJ Leede, the author of Maeve Fly. One of Esquire and Vulture's Best Horror Books of the year and a GoodReads Editors' Pick.
'Keep an eye on this rising feminist voice' - Tori Amos
In C.J Leede's latest genre-bending thriller, Sophie, a good Catholic girl who has been kept separate from the world, must traverse the apocalyptic hellscape of the midwest to try to find her lost brother, whilst learning the reality of her own sexuality in a suddenly lust-filled world.
A virus is spreading across America, transforming the infected and making them feral with lust. Nothing in Sophie's strict religious upbringing could have prepared her for the arrival of the scorching winds that sweep through the Midwest - not the righteous breath of God, but an evil gust that delivers an ungodly, fevered lust unto the virtuous and the wicked alike.
Though her own body has become a carnal battleground, she must somehow find her way through the ravaged world to rescue her brother, hoping the fever hasn't taken him; hoping he can still be saved. The end times are coming and Sophie soon discovers that there are far worse fates than dying a virgin . . .
'Keep an eye on this rising feminist voice' - Tori Amos
In C.J Leede's latest genre-bending thriller, Sophie, a good Catholic girl who has been kept separate from the world, must traverse the apocalyptic hellscape of the midwest to try to find her lost brother, whilst learning the reality of her own sexuality in a suddenly lust-filled world.
A virus is spreading across America, transforming the infected and making them feral with lust. Nothing in Sophie's strict religious upbringing could have prepared her for the arrival of the scorching winds that sweep through the Midwest - not the righteous breath of God, but an evil gust that delivers an ungodly, fevered lust unto the virtuous and the wicked alike.
Though her own body has become a carnal battleground, she must somehow find her way through the ravaged world to rescue her brother, hoping the fever hasn't taken him; hoping he can still be saved. The end times are coming and Sophie soon discovers that there are far worse fates than dying a virgin . . .
Details
26 June 2025384 pages
9781785124662Imprint: Ithaka
Reviews
'Leede masterfully eases readers into a taut horror plot in her standout sophomore outing . . . plenty of page-turning suspense, and this proves hard to put down'Publishers Weekly
'A riveting, sprawling, staggeringly brilliant novel about the horrors of shame and repression and sexual violence and moral panics. American Rapture is a riotous scream and an emotional ode to anyone who has ever hidden their true self under their mattress. Blood-soaked, heart-wrenching, grim and glorious. Leede is a singular talent'Rachel Harrison, author of BLACK SHEEP
'One of the best new writers in the genre'Paste Magazine
'American Rapture has its finger on the bloody, fevered pulse, fearlessly addressing notions of love, sex, faith, redemption, individuality. You won't read anything else like it'Keith Rosson, author of FEVER HOUSE