SOLSTICE

Eighteen-year-old Adri spends her days bouncing between school and working at her family’s diner.

Her Peruvian immigrant parents have sacrificed to send her to one of Atlanta’s top private schools, so the pressure is on to do well. Meanwhile, the Solstice Festival is going to be the music festival of the century: The lush Caribbean island setting and hobnobbing with the 1% while listening to hit acts justify the $10,000 price tag. Out of the blue, Adri’s BFF announces big news: Elena’s father has bought tickets for both the girls to attend Solstice. There is just one hurdle—Adri’s parents. They refuse permission, but she goes anyway and texts them from the plane. After that it all starts to go downhill. Myla Island is beautiful but has no cell reception, the promised limos are not there to take them to the venue, and when they do arrive, nothing is ready—no tents, only one food truck, and forget toilets. But all that fades away once the first dead body shows up. Part teen drama, part horror story, this is a delightful novel that readers will want to finish in one sitting. The quirky, campy tone along with off-page violence that is never gratuitous or grotesque make it an appealing choice for younger teens and reluctant readers. Adri's observations of socio-economic differences between entitled festival-goers and Myla locals add depth.

Perfect for anyone looking for humor with a side of death.