KUALA LUMPUR: Kathryn Chua Min Xi appears set to give famed horror novelist Stephen King a run for the money.

She launched on Saturday her fantasy horror novel, Midnight Walking, which took seven months to complete.

The 222-page book aims to give goose pimples to the young reader as it centres on Lucy Pine, an average teenager who unexpectedly finds herself caring for a crow after it has smashed into her window, one night.

CIMB Group group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak launching Chua's (left) novel "Midnight Walking" at Kinokuniya KLCC in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. AHMAD IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star.

What she does not know is that the mysterious bird, in reality, is not a crow but a young man named Cyrus, who drains the soul of teenage girls.

Chua is not a hotshot author. At least, not yet.

Our very own home-made teenage fantasy horror novelist is only 17, having recently graduated from high school.

The Hong Kong-born Malaysian said she took seven months to complete the novel, despite her busy school days.

"I have always wanted to publish a book, since I was six or seven years old. For this particular book, I was having my summer holidays in 2010 and reading a couple of horror fantasy genre novels for inspiration.

"I then realised that I could do better than these (novels)," Chua said after the launch of the book by CIMB group chief executive Datuk Seri Nazir Razak.

Chua, who spent her first 12 years in Kuala Lumpur before moving to Beijing where she lived for the past five years, aspires to be a full-time author.

CIMB head of retail financial services, Peter England, said CIMB YOUth, a unique banking experience launched last year to encourage saving in a fun and rewarding way for those aged between 12 and 23, was glad to introduce the book to young adults. - Bernama.

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