What I'm Reading: February 1, 2024 Issue of Booklist

The February 1, 2024 issue of Booklist went live a few days early and I have 2 reviews in that issue. Interesting, this also marks the last reviews of books I actually read in 2023. And, I already have 2 turned in and in process for 2024.

Both are excellent and will appeal to a wide audience. 

What Grows in the Dark

By Jaq Evans

Mar. 2024. 288p. MIRA, $18.99 (9780778369684); e-book (9780369748737). 

First published February 1, 2024 (Booklist).

Brigit and Ian have leveraged Brigit’s childhood tragedy– her sister Emma’s disappearance and death in their small hometown in Virginia 16 years ago–  into a paranormal investigation online show. Brigit has been the star and Ian the cameraman, as they help people rid themselves of troublesome spirits in exchange for a few minutes of internet fame. However, when Emma’s ex-girlfriend calls Brigit back home after two more teens have disappeared into the woods, Brigit must finally confront the horrors of her past, the monster in the woods, and her part to play in its reign of terror. Opening with an unease that builds to outright disturbing, and featuring both strong LGBTQ representation and a compelling combination of lies, secrets, and twists, readers will be drawn in quickly, but it is Brigit and Ian and their alternating narrations that will keep readers turning the pages. A solid debut that will appeal to fans of small towns with monstrous secrets hiding in the woods like Jackal by Erin E. Adams and Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt. 

Further Appeal: Brigit and Ian are flawed but because they each get a chance to share their flaws with the reader and their problems with each other-- this is where this story shines.

The interpersonal relationships, family secrets/trauma, and tension are great. This is a delayed coming-of-age story for both narrators. 

The monster itself was not as interesting to me, but at least in how I read it, the monster was not the main point of tension and trauma. 

Three Words That Describe This Book: disturbing, terrifying secrets, dual narration

Readalikes: Besides the two above, this book would appeal to fans of Simone St. James, All Hallows by Christopher Golden (which I gave a STAR), and Lisa Quigley’s The Forest.

[This one is not on Goodreads yet, see also the end of this post for a possible issue with the release of this title]

What Happened At Sunrise Garden

By Nate Southard

Apr. 2024. 102p. illus. Cemetery Dance, paper, $11  (9781587679445). 

First published February 1, 2024 (Booklist).

Elizabeth is a teacher in the Central American jungle community of Sunrise Gardens. They have removed themselves from the outside world to live with true freedom. When the novel opens, Reverend Shaw, their leader, is gathering everyone to announce that a zombie apocalypse has begun and they have 1-hour to prepare to take their own lives by drinking poison. Told exclusively through Elizabeth’s eyes with a few flashbacks to how the alcoholic Lizzie, found the church that gave her hope for the future, this gripping tale unfolds quickly, and in real time, as readers watch Elizabeth struggle with whether or not the first thing she ever believed in was a lie. Tight writing and an immersive world make this an awesome reading experience, one that will leave readers unnerved long after turning the final page. Suggest to fans of Psychological Horror like Cabin at the End of the World by Tremblay, cult stories like The Children of Red Peak by DiLouie, or immersive and introspective novellas like Mapping the Interior by Stephen Graham Jones.

Further Appeal: This book was almost a star. 98% of it was a star, including the ending – very Tremblay-esque, but the penultimate scene, bothered me. It was not as tight or as believable as the rest. I don't want to give it away, but this scene is key to connecting Lizzie, in the past and Elizabeth in the present, and I didn’t buy the connecting person’s reaction. And writing wise it was the least tight scene which I wouldn’t have even noticed if the rest of the book wasn’t so well done. This is a small complaint but it is why ti is 4.5 and not 5. 

As a reading experience, it was AWESOME. This books takes place over about 1 hour. Only Elizabeth's perspective. Very cool. Reads in about the same amount of time. There are also flashbacks to how Elizabeth got to Sunrise Gardens-- her personal story-- interspersed in a way that does not sacrifice the pacing or the tension.

The writing overall is exceptional tight. Southard has expert control of the narrative and the pacing. As you are reading, you are lost in the story, but when done, it is easy to reflect on how your enjoyment is because of his skill and be appreciative.

And the ending itself, the last scene, the last lines....it was chef's kiss perfection. It was perfectly unnerving.

Three Words That Describe This Book: Immersive, Cults, Unnerving

Readalikes: This book reminded me of how Tremblay writes in general and this story is clearly inspired by Cabin. I would also suggest this to fans of Adam Nevil and Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison.

One final note, this book was scheduled to come out by Cemetery Dance in April 2024. I turned in the review at the end of December. However, last week, there was news that Cemetery Dance cancelled a bunch of planned books. I have no idea if this is one of them. So apologies if you go to order this and you cannot. Maybe find another Southard backlist title to add instead.