Review by Booklist Review
Hoping for one normal summer before graduation, Zoey and her three best friends take their cooler full of synthetic organs to Desert Bloom, a multiday music festival in the Mojave Desert, one of the first large social events allowed since the Hollowing, when a small part of the population transformed into flesh-eating ghouls. With the invention of SynFlesh, which satisfies ghouls' craving, those afflicted were reintegrated into normal life, though not without dissent. At first the festival is perfect--crowds, music, parties, cute boys (though bi Zoey is more interested in her friend, trans girl Celeste)--but they find themselves in trouble when one of them goes temporarily feral and kills and eats someone. With some investigating, they learn her drink was laced with an unknown drug that could ruin ghouls' chances of leading normal lives forever. Cottingham blends black comedy with queer romance and self-aware nods to zombie fiction and current politics in this mystery that, while campy, doesn't pull back from its gorier, harrowing horror elements. A fresh take on the world post-zombie apocalypse.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Cottingham (My Dearest Darkest) weaves a fresh take on the zombie meta in this blood-curdling horror novel that takes place two years after an unusual pathogen is released from melting icecaps. High school best friends Zoey Huxley, Celeste Fairbanks, Valeria Vega, and Jasmine Owusu have all contracted the disease, called the Hollowing, which causes the afflicted, known as ghouls, to crave human flesh. Fortunately, scientists have invented SynFlesh, a lab-grown substitute that, when eaten, can stave off the ghouls' insatiable hunger. Thus sated, the quartet's condition isn't going to stop them from attending Desert Bloom, a music festival in the Mojave Desert. Upon arrival, the teens are invited to a party by one of the headlining bands. When Val suddenly disappears, the girls' search for her reveals that she has been drugged into a murderous frenzy--and has already consumed one of the bandmates. Centering variously queer and racially diverse characters, whose interpersonal and ghoulish challenges are portrayed with equal gravitas, Cottingham impressively explores solidly teen issues regarding self-image against the backdrop of a haunting mystery and mystifying illness. Visceral horror depictions, a climbing body count, and socially conscious prose elevate this jaw-dropping chiller. Ages 14--up. Agent Erica Bauman, Aevitas Creative Management. (Apr.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
California victims of a climate change--induced pandemic uncover a deadly plot. Two years ago, humanity was forever changed when melting permafrost unleashed a strange pathogen. Those affected by the Hollowing developed the need and desire to consume human flesh. Fortunately, lab-grown SynFlesh allows them to lead mostly normal lives. Zoey, Celeste, Jasmine, and Valeria, who all suffer from Hollowness, are headed to the Desert Bloom music festival in the Mojave Desert. On their way, they meet No Flash Photography, one of the bands. Val becomes enamored with Eli despite the lead singer's anti-Hollow stance. At his invitation, they attend a party at the festival, in the middle of which Val runs away. The other girls find her consuming Kaiden, Eli's band mate. After a blood-induced frenzy, they have both a dead body to dispose of and a mystery to solve, as they discover that a strange powder added to Val's drink may have induced her attack. As Val's appetites increase and other Hollows are drugged, the friends must uncover the one responsible and bring them to justice before society turns on all Hollow people. This gripping, layered novel centers queer and racially diverse characters. Through the device of an unusual hunger, it offers perceptive examinations of scapegoating, alienation, and self-loathing that will resonate with teens from marginalized and stigmatized communities, especially LGBTQ+ ones. At the same time, it is a satisfying read for any fan of zombie stories. Riveting horror combined with savvy social commentary. (content warning) (Horror. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
