Someone could write many papers on the themes and metaphors of sexuality/grief/psychosis that run rampant throughout this book, which I love. What I didn't love was the book lol.

I think YA+heavy figurative language+3rd person doesn't work for me because it feels too removed from the narration and gives it a dark fairytale vibe rather than straight (lol) horror, which is what I wanted.

And usually codependency is all I need to get addicted to a book, but there was a lack to the relationships and characters that made it seem empty. Andrew was very isolated with his attention and very internal with his dialogue, so things felt very repetitive and one note with the plot. Thomas felt very peripheral and out of character to who he was initially described as, so it was hard to connect or care about him, honestly.

I also didn't like the use of omission to drive the mystery: What happened to Andrew's hand?/How did Thomas hurt Dove last year? The talk around for the entire book was exhausting. Revelations unable to be made just by avoiding saying certain things, which definitely would have been talked about, feels like weak writing. I also feel like there wasn't much to be surprised about in the ending, but in saying that, the last 15% was amazing.

Overall, I think the themes and wondering wtf was going on, as opposed to what was actually going on, were the best parts.

This is sooooo 2010s paranormal romance, which is just a whole vibe, but it's also a 2010s paranormal romance, which... sometimes just makes you sigh in cringe. I really liked the beginning, it had a very good creep factor, but intro love interest and it becomes the same old song and dance. Not knowing what is happening to Mara is the best part because nothing makes sense for a reason, but then the plot kinda became random in a way that felt disconnected from the original story. Mara as a character also wasn't super compelling and teenagers thinking they are hot shit just doesn't do it for me anymore. I'm curious to see how the overall series goes, but im not interested in actually reading it. Still a vibe though.

In Ali Hazelwood, we trust. This series just has such a good plot based off the world building and drama, add the romance to that and it's a fun read. I liked Serena because she was high-key just a girl with selfless tendencies, and Koen was such an asshole who treated her like a princess. Truthfully the romance didn't feel super driven because it was obvious he cared even when he was being mean, so the tension felt pretend. And sometimes I did feel personally attacked by his attitude, but I did end up in love with him, so...