Spells and stories, urban legends and immigrant tales: the magic in Isabel Yap's debut collection jumps right off the page, from the joy in her new novella, "A Spell for Foolish Hearts" to the terrifying tension of the urban legend "Have You Heard the One About Anamaria Marquez."

Intro -- Good girls -- A cup of salt tears -- Milagroso -- A spell for foolish hearts -- Have you heard the one about Anamaria Marquez? -- Syringe -- Asphalt, river, mother, child -- Hurricane heels (We go down dancing) -- Only unclench your hand -- How to swallow the moon -- All the best of dark and bright -- Misty -- A canticle for lost girls.