Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth
NPR Books We Love Pick
New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
The author of the New York Times bestselling horror phenomenon She Is a Haunting is back with a novel about the monsters that swim beneath us . . . and live within us.
Since the hurricane, the town of Mercy, Louisiana has been overtaken by a strange red algae bloom. Noon and her mother have carved out a life in the wreckage, trawling for the mutated wildlife that lurks in the water and trading it to the corrupt harbormaster. When she's focused on survival, Noon doesn't have to cope with what happened to her at the Cove or the monster itching at her skin.
Mercy has never been a safe place, but it's getting worse. People are disappearing, and the only clues as to why are whispers of underwater shadows and warnings to never answer the knocks at night. When the harbormaster demands she capture the creature that's been drowning residents, Noon finds a reluctant ally in his daughter Covey. And as the next storm approaches, the two set off to find what's haunting Mercy. After all, Noon is no stranger to monsters . . .
Loved it!
"I have had this book on my TBR shelf ever since I saw this amazing cover and knew I needed it. Then I heard LGBTQIA+ and then that really solidified me wanting it. I had requested a copy and wasn’t chosen but then I had another chance to receive an ARC from a he Bloomsbury Creator Circle and I jumped on the chance. At first I was trying to understand our setting, I still am not too sure if we are in a post apocalyptic setting or just a sci fi world but in a real place. I don’t know if the algae bloom is only in Mercy or if it’s all over the world. I want more info on this. Our overall story is really interesting and we have some layers as well. On the top we are learning about Noon and her mother searching for her missing father and brother. Her mother doesn’t want to give up, but Noon knows they are dead and wants to get out while they still have a chance. They are searching all while still trying to survive by catching seafood and selling it, but they owe money as well so it’s a never ending job. The sea creatures are becoming more and more deformed as the algae continues to bloom. People around them keep going missing so everyone assumes there’s a sea monster and Noon and her mother are forced to go search for it by their hungry money lender or be killed. He also sends his daughter to keep an eye on them. This is where the LGBTQIA+ part comes in with her and Noon and I’m all for it. While all of this is happening we are also following Noon and what happened to her and what is currently happening to her. And her growing up, going through grief and trying to find love. I did really enjoy this read and I consumed it in a few hours. I’ll absolutely check out more from this author in the future. Thank you again to Bloomsbury Creator Circle for sending me this copy to read and enjoy."