★★★★★ 5
READ THIS IMMEDIATELY
Format: Hardcover, Format: Hardcover
No seriously pause. Because what in the actual psychological horror fever dream did I just read??? BUT like in a five stars my brain is permanently altered kind of way
Everything about this book felt like perfection wrapped in dread. It has been living rent free in my head since I closed it and honestly I don't see it leaving anytime soon. I have tried to pick up other books since and my brain just says no we live here now (badumchaaa iykyk)
I devoured it in one day because putting it down was simply not an option. I wasn't even expecting to get this invested but something about Kliewers writing just grabbed me by the throat and said you have taken on the job as caretaker you can't leave now
This is not just a book you read
It is a book that stays
And lingers
It is intense. Creepy. Deep. Completely mind bending in a way that feels personal. Yes it delivers that classic something is lurking terror but the real horror is the emotional kind. The kind that pokes at your soft spots and doesnt apologize.
It hits fear. Loneliness. Grief. Depression. Regret. And it does it in a way that feels uncomfortably real. Like you are not just scared, you are seen. And that is just absolutely terrifying
And Macey. I have never seen myself so clearly in a character. She is me. I am her. The overthinking? The spiraling inner monologues? The dry humor? I felt personally attacked in the most validating way. I highlighted SO many of her thoughts because I swear I have had those exact conversations with myself. No lie.
I want to scream at everyone to read this while also gently grabbing you by the shoulders and saying CHECK THE CONTENT WARNINGS FIRST This book goes to some heavy places. But if you can handle those please PRETTY PLEASE pick it up AND PLEASE JUST TURN OFF THE LIGHT
Huge thank you to Atria, Netgalley, and Marcus Kleiwer for this advanced invitation to Brooksview Heights and introducing me to my favorite book of the year so far anyway
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Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2026
