A creepy tale of reality-shattering revelations that will grip avid horror fans.
After her missing friend mysteriously reappears, a young woman finds herself pulled into another realm in Lakin’s novel.
Twenty-one-year-old Charlie Louise still finds herself preoccupied by thoughts of her best friend and first love, Marion Del Rosario, who disappeared without a trace 10 years ago. In the interim, Charlie’s become close to a new friend, Adrian Benedict, and has a good relationship with her father. But, while attending meaningless parties and working a dead-end coffee shop job, she often feels out of place in her own life; it seems like she’s the only one who still remembers Marion. She also has strange, unsettling dreams; while awake, she sometimes glimpses weird, inhuman figures whom no one else can see. When Marion suddenly reappears, it’s not the happy reunion of Charlie’s dreams. Marion is different––quiet, fearful, and initially unwilling to answer questions. But she does admit that she, too, can see the man in black whom Charlie’s been seeing around town. This is only the start of the cryptic messages Charlie receives from Marion—she also hears a voice in her head that tells her things such as “I went to the Border to witness the Katalpian Dusk….” Charlie is plagued by insomnia and a determination to get to the bottom of Marion’s time in captivity in a realm called the Borderlands, where Marion read a journal that contained horrors beyond human comprehension. Lakin switches between multiple perspectives throughout the novel, including those of Charlie, Marion, and the journal writer, to intriguing effect. At times, the dialogue is unrealistically long-winded, taking up lengthy paragraphs. Marion’s narration is appropriately ominous and unsettling, however, which sows a great sense of dread regarding the fate of Charlie’s character. The women’s relationship is a believable one that will hook readers; Adrian’s introduction also makes him an easy person to root for. Overall, it’s a satisfying addition to the cosmic-horror genre.
Pub Date: Oct. 24, 2023
ISBN: 9798218284619
Page Count: 398
Publisher: Katalpa Press
Review Posted Online: Oct. 26, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2023
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
It's almost enough to make a person believe in ghosts.
A disturbing household secret has far-reaching consequences in this dark, unusual ghost story.
Mallory Quinn, fresh out of rehab and recovering from a recent tragedy, has taken a job as a nanny for an affluent couple living in the upscale suburb of Spring Brook, New Jersey, when a series of strange events start to make her (and her employers) question her own sanity. Teddy, the precocious and shy 5-year-old boy she's charged with watching, seems to be haunted by a ghost who channels his body to draw pictures that are far too complex and well formed for such a young child. At first, these drawings are rather typical: rabbits, hot air balloons, trees. But then the illustrations take a dark turn, showcasing the details of a gruesome murder; the inclusion of the drawings, which start out as stick figures and grow increasingly more disturbing and sophisticated, brings the reader right into the story. With the help of an attractive young gardener and a psychic neighbor and using only the drawings as clues, Mallory must solve the mystery of the house's grizzly past before it's too late. Rekulak does a great job with character development: Mallory, who narrates in the first person, has an engaging voice; the Maxwells' slightly overbearing parenting style and passive-aggressive quips feel very familiar; and Teddy is so three-dimensional that he sometimes feels like a real child.
It's almost enough to make a person believe in ghosts.Pub Date: May 10, 2022
ISBN: 978-1-250-81934-5
Page Count: 384
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Review Posted Online: March 1, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 15, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
A unique story of transcendent love.
An aimless young musician meets the girl of his dreams only to have his newfound happiness threatened by several inexplicable—and possibly supernatural—events.
The story opens as Leeds Gabriel meets with a detective while his girlfriend, Layla, is restrained in a room one flight above them. Through the interview, readers learn that Leeds was wasting both his time and his musical talent playing backup for a small-town wedding troupe called Garrett’s Band when he spied Layla dancing her heart out to their mediocre music at a wedding. When Leeds approaches Layla, their connection is both instant and intense. A blissful courtship follows, but then Leeds makes the mistake of posting a picture of himself with Layla on social media. A former girlfriend–turned-stalker wastes no time in finding and attacking Layla. Layla spends months recovering in a hospital, and it seems the girl Leeds fell for might be forever changed. Gone is her special spark, her quirkiness, and the connection that had entranced Leeds months before. In a last-ditch effort to save their relationship, he brings Layla back to the bed-and-breakfast where they first met. When they get there, though, Leeds meets Willow, another guest, and finds himself drawn to her in spite of himself. As events unfold, it becomes clear that Willow will either be the key to saving Leeds’ relationship with Layla or the catalyst that finally extinguishes the last shreds of their epic romance. Told entirely from Leeds’ point of view, the author’s first foray into paranormal romance does not disappoint. Peppered with elements of mystery, psychological thriller, and contemporary romance, the novel explores questions about how quickly true love can develop, as well as the conflicts that can imperil even the strongest connections. Despite a limited cast of characters and very few setting changes, the narrative manages to remain both fast-paced and engaging. The conclusion leaves a few too many loose ends, but the chemistry between the characters and unexpected twists throughout make for a satisfying read.
A unique story of transcendent love.Pub Date: Dec. 8, 2020
ISBN: 978-1-5420-0017-8
Page Count: 301
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Review Posted Online: Sept. 15, 2020
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 2020
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