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A review by librarianlex
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Dead and The Dark by Courtney Gould (Release date August 2021)
Courtney Gould has an authentic way of writing. It's true and honest, interesting, and at times, poetry on the page.
"Now that he knew what it felt like to be loved, he could never go back," is a true encapsulation of the theme. We are all looking for love and acceptance, a place to fit in, where we find our people. While this is a paranormal thriller, at the heart, it's about human relationships and the human condition of needing love and acceptance.
The Dead and the Dark is a young adult thriller like none I've ever read. It's unpredictable, intriguing, and kept me wanting more. On my quest for LGBT horror/thriller, most use the representation as a footnote. It's refreshing to have LGBT authors writing stories where the characters simply exist as part of the community. It's not forced, it's not to push the plot. These characters are simply existing in their world and experiencing things - in this case, an otherworldly entity set on destroying happiness.
Courtney Gould has an authentic way of writing. It's true and honest, interesting, and at times, poetry on the page.
"Now that he knew what it felt like to be loved, he could never go back," is a true encapsulation of the theme. We are all looking for love and acceptance, a place to fit in, where we find our people. While this is a paranormal thriller, at the heart, it's about human relationships and the human condition of needing love and acceptance.
The Dead and the Dark is a young adult thriller like none I've ever read. It's unpredictable, intriguing, and kept me wanting more. On my quest for LGBT horror/thriller, most use the representation as a footnote. It's refreshing to have LGBT authors writing stories where the characters simply exist as part of the community. It's not forced, it's not to push the plot. These characters are simply existing in their world and experiencing things - in this case, an otherworldly entity set on destroying happiness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Child death
From the author:
homophobia (verbal, non-physical)
child death
murder
claustrophobia (buried alive)
drowning
slurs