Maxine Laurel

Let’s go back to 2020, when I somehow decided that my first published book should be a mash-up of Harry Potter, The Selection, and Vampire Knight—because I clearly like emotional chaos, politics with dark academia aesthetics, and brooding immortal boys with trauma.

That book was LIRA, and it completely changed my life.

It was published under Pop Fiction Cloak —which basically means “dark academia meets dangerous magic.” The perfect home for a story that’s part dystopia, part fantasy, and part “what if vampires went to school with humans and everyone had feelings they didn’t want to talk about?”

So, what’s LIRA about?

The world is broken. A deadly plague wiped out most of humanity. The only cure? Found in the blood of vampires. The deal? Humans donate blood in exchange for survival. The twist? A new caste system decides who lives well—and who barely lives.

Lira, a girl from the lowest rung of this system, somehow gets accepted into the Imperial Academy—a school for the elite, where the top human students are forced to study alongside vampires. And not just any vampires. The gorgeous, ancient, vein-thirsty kind. You know the type.

The good news? She’s in. The bad news? They want her blood. Specifically her blood.

Especially Nicholas, the vampire prince with an unreadable expression, and a neck that belongs in an anime frame. He’s powerful, dangerous, and way too interested in Lira for anyone’s comfort—including Lira’s.

But here’s the thing: Lira thinks she can’t change the world.

She’s wrong.

If you liked:

• The school magic + chosen one feels of Harry Potter
• The caste drama + aesthetic outfits + fight for survival of The Selection
• The forbidden romance + vampire mystery tension of Vampire Knight

Then Lira might just ruin you (in a good way).

This book was my love letter to underdogs, secret prophecies, found family, and reluctant heroines who discover they’re meant for something much, much bigger.

It’s bloodthirsty. It’s soft. It’s full of ancient secrets, magic, and vampire drama. And yes—there is a scene where Nicholas tries seducing her, because of course there is.

Lira was my debut novel under Pop Fiction Cloak in 2020. It’s also the book that started everything.

Thank you to everyone who fell for Lira and Nicholas. For those who haven’t met them yet: the academy gates are still open. Just… maybe wear a scarf.