We have big Rick Riordan Presents news to share today. Nerdist has shared both the gorgeous new cover for Daniel José Older’s upcoming novel, Ballad & Dagger, along with a chapter excerpt so we can all get a head start on the fun.

The cover by Irvin Rodriguez is so stunning it makes us want to dive into the story immediately, so this is a real Tuesday treat for us. What’s more, Nerdist has quotes from both Older and Riordan talking more about the young adult novel. And yes, you read that correctly. Rick Riordan Presents is heading into young adult territory and we can’t think of a better author to take us there.

We encourage you to go to this link and check everything out, but here’s a taste of what Rick says about the first book in Older’s Outlaw Saints duology.

I think Ballad & Dagger may be the best thing he’s written yet.

Buzzfeed may be inclined to agree, considering that they listed the book in their “40 Most Anticipated YA Titles in 2022.” Read their full list here.

Ballad & Dagger hits bookshelves 5/3/2022. Pre-order your copy today!