So Witches We Became

So Witches We Became is a young adult horror novel that offers a queer, feminist take on survival and vengeance, reminiscent of Stephen King's 'The Mist'. It follows Nell and her friends on a spring break trip to a private island, which quickly becomes a terrifying trap due to a curse, a vengeful mist, and a monstrous beast. The core of the story delves into the emotional aftermath of surviving assault, female rage, and the power found in confronting past traumas and secrets. Parents should be aware of prominent themes of trauma, violence (implied/discussed), and intense scary scenes, making it suitable for mature young adult readers aged 12-18 who can handle dark and gritty content.

★ "Skillfully crafted and sharply descriptive with horrifying imagery to spare... Powerfully angry and vengeance-laden, with terrifying and very human monsters." -School Library Journal, starred review A queer, feminist spin on Stephen King's The Mist, this ode to female-rage is a perfect pick for fans of She Is a Haunting, and a reminder that if "boys will be boys," girls will fight back. For high school senior Nell and her friends, a vacation house on a private Florida island sounds like the makings of a dream spring break. But Nell brings secrets with her--secrets that fuse with the island's tragic history, trapping them all with a curse that surrounds the island in a toxic, vengeful mist and the surrounding waters with an unseen, devouring beast. Getting out alive means risking her friendships, her sanity, and even her own life. In order to save herself and her friends, Nell will have to face memories she'd rather leave behind, reveal the horrific truth behind the encounter that changed her life one year ago, and face the shadow that's haunted her since childhood. Easier said than done. But when Nell's friends reveal that they each brought secrets of their own, a solution even more dangerous than the curse begins to take shape. Reading like a YA feminist spin on Stephen King's The Mist, So Witches We Became is a diverse, queer horror about female friendship, the emotional aftermath of surviving assault, and how to find power in the shadows of your past. Step into your witchy power or be swallowed by the curse-the choice is yours.