What happens when life pushes you over the edge… and you discover you were never ordinary to begin with?
Perfect for fans of Twilight and The Cruel Prince, M.C. Ryder delivers a dark, emotional young adult urban fantasy that goes far beyond vampires and werewolves. This is a supernatural coming-of-age epic about destiny, identity, power, and the terrifying moment when you realize your life will never be normal again.
Told from a gripping second-person perspective, this is not just a story you read—it’s a story you live. One day you’re a stubborn teenager just trying to survive high school. The next, you’re standing in a world of mythical warriors, ancient prophecies, and a war that will determine the balance of power in a dark and mysterious realm. And somehow, whether you’re ready or not, you’re at the center of it all.
"An intriguing, dark, mysterious, mythological fantasy. M.C. Ryder weaves an exciting and suspenseful supernatural tale in this young adult fiction. Readers will not want the book to end. We highly recommend!" — Explore Authors Magazine
Some girls worry about prom. You’re about to worry about surviving a prophecy.
You are Nadine Drexel, and you’ve always walked your own path. You don’t follow the crowd. You don’t worry too much about the future. You just want to live your life on your own terms.
But everything changes when Vinson arrives. Handsome. Arrogant. Mysterious.
Every girl at school is fascinated by him — except you. You’re the only one who sees something isn’t right. Something dangerous. Something not human.
Before long, strange events begin to unfold. Secrets surface. The world you thought you understood begins to unravel. And a prophecy wrapped in darkness begins to close in around you.
You thought you were just trying to survive high school.
Now you may have to survive destiny itself.
And when the truth is finally revealed, you will come face to face with the darkest side of the moon.
"If you're in the mood for a lightweight paranormal horror with a feel-good trajectory for vampires and werewolves, Ryder is going to take you for a joy ride." -- Vincent Dublado, Readers' Favorite
"The Darkest Side of the Moon is a gripping tale that seamlessly blends elements of romance, mystery, and supernatural intrigue. MC Ryder has crafted a memorable protagonist in Nadine, and the intricate plot keeps readers engaged from start to finish. I eagerly await the possibility of a prequel, as it promises to enrich the world created by the author and add further dimension to the fascinating characters." -- Discourse
Awards & Recognition
- Outstanding Creator Award
- PenCraft Award - Best Book-Fiction-Mystery-General, Summer 2025
This is a story about power, destiny, friendship, betrayal, and the moment when a girl becomes a leader, a warrior, and a legend. Walk into The Dark today!
