A new YA thriller is out!
Thanks to Algonquin Books and Novel Suspects for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review
CLEVER CREATURES OF THE NIGHT – Samantha Mabry (Released March 5th, 2024)
Book Description:
When Case’s best friend Drea goes missing, Case dives into the bizarre, cultlike—and possibly murderous—behavior of Drea’s roommates in this gripping literary horror novel for fans of The Honeys and Mexican Gothic.
WHERE IS DREA?
When Case shows up at the isolated West Texas house where her best friend, Drea, lives with friends from school, Drea is nowhere to be found. Why would she ask Case to visit and then disappear? With twenty-four hours until her ride home, Case intends to find out.
But Drea’s roommates can’t—or won’t—answer any questions. They leave Case to search alone, to find bits and pieces of Drea’s life hidden in and around the house, while they continue playing out a rural utopian fantasy. Their bizarre behavior puts Case on edge, and she’s not the only one. The animals nearby are lashing out, strangely aggressive.
Something bad happened in this house. Something that must be connected to Drea’s disappearance—and if she gets too close to the truth, Case might just be next.
My Thoughts: 3/5 stars
A new YA thriller with some horror elements sprinkled in. I loved that this took place in just a 24-hour period. This kept the pace moving, and I’ll always enjoy the isolated stories like this. However, with it being under 250 pages, there’s isn’t a ton of room for character development, but I think the author did a good job bringing Case and Drea to life.
If you’re looking for something scary, then you’ll end up mildly disappointed. The synopsis compares to two books that are DEFINITELY scary (and I loved both), but they aren’t fair comparisons. I think that sets unrealistic expectations for readers. Don’t get me wrong, this was a weird, wild, and truly strange book. There were some good moments of suspense, and I think people will enjoy this one. I will definitely pick up more from this author in the future!
Jessicamap Reviews 