Scorpion Deep by CG Drews (Pre-Order October 27, 2026)

Scorpion Deep by CG Drews (Pre-Order October 27, 2026) 

From #1 New York Times bestselling author C.G. Drews comes a haunting YA horror fantasy about loneliness, obsession, and an ancient sea god that refuses to let go.

Perfect for readers of gothic horror, dark fantasy, cosmic horror, and LGBTQ+ young adult fiction, Scorpion Deep is an atmospheric tale of eldritch gods, body horror, and the terrifying cost of being seen.

Jonathan Covey has always dreamed of escaping Kelcarrow, the gloomy island where the sea whispers old legends and everyone seems destined to stay. As summer ends, his closest friends prepare to leave for college on the mainland—unaware that Jonathan has been left behind.

Desperate to outrun his future and his fear of abandonment, Jonathan performs an ancient ritual, offering a tithe to Scorpion Deep, a long-forgotten eldritch sea god many believe is only a myth.

The ritual works.

Scorpion Deep awakens—and quickly becomes fixated on Jonathan. As an impossible bond forms between them, Jonathan finds himself both horrified and irresistibly drawn to the immortal being. But when scales begin spreading across his skin and the sea god's devotion turns increasingly violent, Jonathan realizes that escaping Kelcarrow may no longer be possible.

To break free, he'll have to destroy the monster that answered his call. But once an ancient god has awakened, freedom always demands a price paid in blood.

Darkly lyrical and deeply unsettling, Scorpion Deep is a chilling coming-of-age novel exploring isolation, identity, monstrous love, and the seductive pull of the unknown.

Perfect for readers who love:

• YA horror
• Gothic fantasy
• Cosmic and eldritch horror
• Dark academia vibes
• Queer YA fiction
• Obsessive, morally complex relationships
• Body horror
• Atmospheric island settings
• Ancient sea gods and folklore
• Psychological horror
• Character-driven dark fantasy

Also by C.G. Drews:

• Don't Let the Forest In
• Hazelthorn