Cast has been writing stories since 2005. She adapted their novel
The Dysasters into a graphic novel and stated plans for more graphic novel scripts during an interview with Books-a-Million in 2020.
Co-authored with P. C. Cast House of Night series (2007–2014) In 2007, the
House of Night series began with the publishing of its first book,
Marked. It was created by Kristin and her mother, P. C. Cast, with Kristin beginning when she was 19 years old. Kristin was an editor for the series. The last book of the series,
Redeemed was published in 2014.
Reception The first book,
Marked, was criticized for its overreliance on teen slang by
Publishers Weekly, who also noted that it may appeal to teenagers. The ninth book,
Destined, published by
St. Martin's Press in 2011, was criticized for its "cringeworthy" dialogue by Kirkus Reviews, though ultimately deemed not disappointing for fans of the series. The tenth book, Hidden, published by St. Martin's Press in 2012, was #10 on the Publishers Weekly Bestseller list in 2012, with ~27,000 units sold. The twelfth and final book,
Redeemed, was praised by
Kirkus Reviews for its consistent theme throughout the series and said to be expected to resonate with fans "one last time."
Adaptation Rights to the series had been optioned by Empire Pictures for a couple years, with a screenplay by Kent Dalian.
Other In 2011, Cast mentioned that she was in the process of creating a
House of Night fashion line.
Sisters of Salem series (2021–2022) The first novel,
Spells Trouble, about twin witches about to be initiated into their full power, was published by Wednesday Books in 2021. Cast says that she always incorporates her own experiences into the characters she writes, but in
Spells Trouble in particular, she channeled feelings of inadequacy and rage for the main character Hunter. It debuted on the New York Times-bestseller list at #8. Kirkus Reviews called the third novel,
Hex You, "a rushed ending to a witchy trilogy."
Co-authored with Pintip Dunn In October 2022, it was announced that Cast would co-author
Seasick, a dual-POV contemporary, locked-door mystery thriller about former friends and affluent classmates out on a celebratory yacht trip. The novel was published in summer 2024 by Delacorte Press.
Reception Kirkus Reviews described the novel as "An intriguing but ultimately lackluster whodunit," criticizing it as being "weighed down by weak prose and wooden dialogue."
Solo projects The Escaped series (2015–2020) In 2014, Cast signed a five-book deal with Diversion Books for a series called
The Escaped. In 2015, she released the first book of the series,
Amber Smoke.
Reception Reviews for the series were mostly negative.
Publishers Weekly said about the first book,
Amber Smoke, "All but the most diehard paranormal fans will be turned off by the weak writing, uneven storytelling, and lackluster chemistry." The second book,
Scarlet Rain, was criticized by
Publishers Weekly for "obvious foreshadowing, inconsistent pacing, and awkward dialogue" that in their opinion turned "reading this short novel into a slog."
The Key to Fear series (2020–2021) The Key to Fear, a dystopian YA novel about a corporation protecting citizens from a sinister disease, is her first solo project was published by Blackstone in 2020 Cast says she's been interested in viruses since eighth grade and was inspired to write the novel upon seeing a logo across the street in Portland.
Reception Though the first novel was included in awards and several roundups, reviews were mostly negative.
Kirkus Reviews criticized it for not bringing anything new to the genre, despite publishing during the COVID-19 pandemic and thus being timely.''
Publishers Weekly
noted that while Cast successfully managed to create an atmosphere of unease, the worldbuilding and characters did not seem developed enough. The Key to Fear'' was a finalist for the 2020 Voice Arts Award, a Publishers Weekly Pick of 2020 Pandemic Novels for Young Readers, a Gizmodo Pick of New SFF & Horror Books, and a Tor.com Pick of the Month.
The Key to Fury received mixed reviews, with
Kirkus Reviews calling it "strictly for fans of the first book." ==Works==