Cynthia Leitich Smith's urban fantasy series the Tantalize quartet did indeed tantalize readers with its vampire-themed eatery Sanguini's: A Very Rare Restaurant (and, of course, the vampires and other supernatural beings involved therein). Her latest novel, Feral Curse (Candlewick, 13–16 years), is the second book in the Tantalize spinoff series Feral, which brings various species of werepeople (a preferred term for "shifters") to the forefront with intrepid werecat protagonists Yoshi and Kayla. Despite the palpable suspense as her characters face bewildering magic, anti-were prejudice, and scheming yetis, Smith keeps the tone light and witty — a catnip-like combination for fans of smart supernatural romance.

1. The Tantalize and Feral series are populated with vampires, werepeople, angels, and yetis — a motley crew, to be sure. Any other supernatural creatures we should look out for?

CLS: My inner Whedonite relishes geek-team protagonists in a multi-creature-verse. Along the way, I've also unleashed hell hounds, dragons, ghosts, and sorcerers. Writing the series finale, I'm showcasing diva demons and my heroes' metaphorical demons within. Not to mention the diabolical governor of Texas. But pffft! You probably saw that coming.

2. What kind of shifter would you be and why?

CLS: I've been saying werecats, in light of their starring role in the Feral series. But as of late, I've become intrigued by wereorcas and Dolphins. I've lived a largely mid- to southwestern, landlocked life, so even though most of our world is covered by water, to me it's as alien and fantastical as anything we'd find in fiction.

3. Will Quincie, Kieren, Zachary, and Miranda of the Tantalize books cross paths with Yoshi and Kayla?

CLS: Isn't that what finales are for? Yes, they'll all be back in Feral Pride (2015) along with heaven's bureaucracy, Italian-Romanian-Texan fusion cuisine, and — of course — senior prom.

4. We can't resist asking: what's your favorite item on the menu you created for Sanguini's? (And would you actually eat it?)

CLS: Chef Bradley's signature dish: chilled baby squirrels, simmered in orange brandy, bathed in honey cream sauce. And I might, absent Brad's secret ingredient. By the way, it's inspired by a real-life historical Romanian recipe involving mice.

5. If you could live in the world of another YA fantasy series, which would it be?

CLS: The world of Ellen Jensen Abbott's Watersmeet books, after Abisina saves it.

From the April 2014 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.