This book was heavily unique. It brings to mind both the series the Last of Us, and the book Ring Shout. There are three different things happening within this book. First is the history project assigned to Raquel. She starts looking at the history of the Bronx fire, a 10-year period between 1970 and 1980 where multiple dwellings within the Bronx burned due to neglect and slums. Then you have the story of Raquel’s mother, who is in the hospital with some sort of mold or fungal disease that keeps her in quarantine. The third storyline is that of the game. This viral event is called the Eco game where one must get on a train at three in the morning, say a specific chant, and then stay on the train for an hour without running off. If you make it all the way through, you survive but are changed. However, if you exit the game early, the game claims you as one of their own. 

 

This all sounds crazy because it is, but it comes together to make an intriguing tale of life, death and how history affects modern society. Being an older reader, I remember slums and slumlord, but had never learned anything about this community that was destroyed. This is an area where segregation suppressed history. This book, while making one think “am I reading about zombies” also imbues a small bit of history that is not taught to modern children, that will have them racing to google to learn more. The writing is decent, but not superb, and the audiobook at times annoying. The publisher makes a big deal about this being a sapphic, horror tale, and while that is true, the sapphic part is an afterthought. This book is more about the role of severed because we’ve not lived it. 

 

Overall, this book was an interesting read and keeps one thinking. Was it a phenomenal read that will still be on library shelves in 20 years? Probably not, but for those looking for something different, for something to make you think, for something that takes a historical event, gives it a modern twist, and still gives fantasy horror, this is a great read.