Visceral, unsettling imagery sustains the horror-tinged atmosphere, while quieter interludes of connection between Sam and his mother’s ghost lend the story tender warmth. It’s an ominous combination of paranormal suspense and complex mystery that centers grief, memory, and longing.
—Publishers Weekly
The fright factor is maintained through Sam’s frequent nightmares and the appearances of a terrifying ghost stalking Priya. . . . Packed with vivid and gruesome details, this book will appeal to mature readers who relish ghost stories and mysteries.
—School Library Journal
Hossain’s prose is compellingly moody, building suspense slowly while engaging readers on every page. Gothic settings, spectral attacks that leave Sam physically bruised, and eerie elements of South Asian mythology provide thrills for those seeking serious scares. . . . Horror, suspense, and family history collide with marvelously scary results.
—Kirkus Reviews
Vividly evoking an everyday Singapore, Hossain adds sensory details that heighten suspense, and the genuinely creepy images of decay and restless spirits are satisfyingly chilling. Themes of grief, memory, and finding acceptance add heart to this authentically gothic tale. An immersive, shivery read and an impressive, haunting novel.
—Booklist