A review by jan_coco_day
Clever Creatures of the Night by Samantha Mabry

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Reads more like a missing-girl thriller with a folk horror atmosphere, than true horror, so it's great for readers who want the horror vibe, but not to be too scared. When I say that we need to include children's and teen fiction in discussions about literary fiction, I am talking about this book specifically.  

The book is so good, I will forgive Samantha Mabry for choosing the actual extinct volcano that is thirteen miles from my house to erupt. (Rude)

Also noteworthy: there are no adults and no romance in this book.

One of the best books I read in 2023.