This book kept me engaged but at the same time left me wanting more from the creepiness. It’s an excellent premise, a queer interracial couple moving to a mostly white and cis straight gated community, and discovering racism and homophobia aren’t the only terrifying shit they’re about to endure. There are creepy trees, skulking shadows, otherworldly kids, horrifying mirages… but then it all sort of stops. I was unsatisfied with the ending. The characters also left something to be desired. I’m glad to see other reviewers noted that Alice and Sol seemed like they’d only just met and got married. Where was the chemistry? The history of their relationship beyond trauma bonding and watching k-dramas? It made it difficult to care about the stakes because their relationship wasn’t one I could root for (pun not intended).

Great premise, execution needed some work.