Main Character: There were actually four main characters—Dax, Maddy, Owen, and Emerson. I didn’t dislike them, but they each had one hobby and one character trait that defined their entire personality, and I feel like I would have connected better to them if they’d had more depth.
Pacing: The pacing was moderate and consistent throughout.
Accuracy of Publisher’s Synopsis: Pretty accurate. It sets the premise up without giving anything away.
Resolution: I felt like the resolution was fitting—a mix of sacrifice, love, determination, healing, etc. Based on the last few pages, it seems well set up for a sequel, which I would 100% read.

The Good: My favorite part of this book was the Japanese folklore. I didn’t have much prior knowledge of it before the book, and I was surprised by how creative it was. I’d like to read more stories based on Japanese culture, after reading this. The folklore folded into the plot nicely without determining the characters’ moves. The characters were diverse in a lot of ways, and it didn’t feel forced or contrived—LGBTQ+ characters, different races, etc. I thought the author incorporated those unique elements in a way that felt authentic.

The Not So Good: My only real criticism of this book is in one of the big twists. There are some big leaps in logic regarding the twist that I couldn’t get behind. In an effort not to spoil the surprises for others, I’ll keep my thoughts vague. It struck me as very unrealistic that something like that wouldn’t have been noticeable until that point. Being that this particular twist ended up being a major component of the plot, I had a hard time coming to terms with the way the book progressed after that reveal. Also, it’s not clear why it takes exactly four years for Ian’s ghost (is it actually Ian’s ghost, or some evil spirit in disguise?) to come invite them back to the game. That was something I thought would be explained that wasn’t.

Overall Impression: While there was a major plot point that had me scratching my head, I found the story engaging and interesting, though a little creepier than I expected. The balance of Japanese folklore with diverse characters was just right. I never knew what would happen next, and that’s such an underrated thing in a book.

Would I recommend it? I probably would recommend it, but it would depend on the reader. I think if a reader is looking for a unique adventure story and a peek into Japanese culture, they’ll enjoy this book. Some of the elements are pretty dark, so I’d say anyone younger than high school age would likely be disturbed by those.

"Kristen Simmons's masterful breakout horror novel that's "Jumanji but Japanese-inspired" (Kendare Blake) about estranged friends playing a deadly game in a nightmarish folkloric underworld."

Wow, this book was a fun, twisty ride. We follow a group of high school friends that enter the same cave that their friend went missing in four years earlier. As they return to the place where they lost Ian, they quickly find themselves facing dangerous challenges that they must overcome by day break. Told through each friend’s viewpoint we learn what happened when Ian went missing and why it broke their friendships. As they face each challenge they learn more about themselves and each other, coming together for a twisty end.
What sold me the most about this book was "Jumanji but Japanese-inspired" and I think that description is accurate, but with a side of horror.

Thank you to @netgalley @macmillan.audio and @tornightfire for the gifted copy of this book.

A mix of Jumanji and Stranger Things influenced by Japanese legends sums up Find Him Where You Left Him Dead. I really enjoyed the storytelling and shifts of focus for each chapter. It was a dark scavenger hunt that is more than meets the eye. Although this is a YA novel I would say readers should be older due to the darker subject matter present. I enjoyed learning more about the Japanese legends Kristen Simmons made an integral part of her storytelling.

Rating: 3.5/5

Thank you to Tor Books and Netgalley for a copy in exchange for review consideration.

Madeline, Emerson, Owen, Dax, and Ian played a card game in a cave four years ago and Ian never made it out (Jumanji-esque vibes guys, love it). The four kids made it home and stated that they were at the coffee shop and Ian never made it home from there. The other four parted ways and became estranged from each other. Four years later, it appears that a creepy Ian has come back to haunt them all so that they will come back and finish the game to save him.

Once they are all reunited, they are quickly pulled into a dangerous Japanese world where they meet Shinigami and learn the rules of the game. She tells them that they must complete seven challenges and collect seven stones by dawn or Ian will die and they will be stuck in Meido forever.

I really really wanted to love this book because I found it so intriguing but something was just missing for me within all of the elements. I loved the dark spooky elements within the story and Simmons started out the book with a bang but I had a hard time wanting to stay engaged with the book. Maybe the imagery became a little too convoluted for me.

I will say that I definitely was not expecting that plot twist, my jaw literally dropped to the floor. Simmons did a wonderful job writing that into the story.

If you like YA Horror with Japanese folklore with some dark elements, this might be the book for you!

Four years ago there were five kids that started a game but not all of them lived...
Fast forward to the Survivor's senior year. The estranged four friends reunite when the friend they left for dead (Ian) appears as a ghost.

When I saw Find Him Where You Left Him Dead on NetGalley, I instantly knew I wanted to read it sometime this fall.

This has a plot line that sounds amazing but my one problem with the story was more on the slower side. A thing that makes Find Him Where You Left Him Dead unique is that draws inspiration from Japanese Folklore. Also, this book is marketed as a book similar to Jumanji and I can definitely say that it feels reminiscent of it.

Logically I do not understand how the group friends realize that after 4 years they need to finish the game which will allow them to Save Ian.

Speaking of the group of friends, I could not connect with them and I struggled with remembering who was who since they all felt similar. Plus, with reading this as an audiobook, there was a ton of multi-povs. With the mixture of multi-povs, the characters feeling similar, and it being on audio, it just makes the perfect storm of being mega confused and causes it to track what is going on with each character.

With the game aspect in the book, I liked seeing the characters go through each challenge/levels since I thought each challenge/level was interesting.

If this book was a tad more longer, the characters more fleshed out with more defining character traits, and the plot more developed than what is, then I would have enjoyed this book more.

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead does make a great book to read in the fall/October and I can see people still enjoying this due to it being likened to Jumanji and it being a short read.

DNF @ 35%

I was looking forward to this one since I love the idea of Jumanji and Japanese mythology, but I'm underwhelmed so far. For some reason, this one feels messy--the first four chapters are repetitive as all the characters are summoned by their friend's ghost, and the plot is both rushed and confusing at times. A lot feels underdeveloped to me, especially the folklore aspects, and the characters are bland. Not for me, unfortunately.

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead is a YA Horror novel that follows four teens Madeline, Emerson, Owen and Dax. Four years ago they "played a game" in a cave and their friend Ian went missing. After seeing Ian's "ghost" they have all come together to go back into the cave and find him. It is very much like a Japanese horror version of Jumanji. It has some beautiful elements where it ties together folktales, yokai, and realistic life experiences. However I was also quite confused at points. While the characters grew on me towards the end I felt no real attachment to what they were experiencing until I was nearly through with the book. I do feel like there were several areas in this book where it lacked in plotting and some things felt forced, as if they were forgotten and then suddenly remembered and thrown in there last minute. Overall it was enjoyable simply because the world building was fantastic, however the plot structure and characters certainly could have used a bit more work. As I said, I didn't care about them at all for most of the book.

What I liked: I heard “Jumanji but Japanese folklore inspired” and was like yep, I’m in. And I truly think that’s where this book succeeded. I loved getting to see the MCs travel through different levels of the game, and then go learn more about the myths that inspired them. I also liked the twist we got towards the end and thought it was a really interesting way to explain everything that happened throughout the book. Although it took me a while to feel attached to them, I was biting my nails at the end waiting to see if the characters would make it out alive.

What I didn’t like: It did take me a bit to really feel invested in the main characters and their quest, possibly because of the many POVs. Most of the negative reviews I’ve seen were DNFs, which is unfortunate because I think the second half is where things really draw you in. While I wouldn’t say I was really scared, the monsters were objectively scary (I definitely wouldn’t want to encounter them in real life).

Overall: I would recommend this for people who want to read about a deadly game inspired by Japanese folklore, if you don’t mind waiting a little bit to feel invested in the characters/story.

Content warnings: discussions of racism, blood/gore, death in a fire

Ian, Madeliene, Dax, Emerson, and Owen were the best of friends...until four years ago when only four of them emerged from an accident. Now the remaining friends have gone their separate ways, until one night when their missing friend shows up urging them to "finish the game." Older but not necessarily wiser, the four teens return to the scene of the accident only to get sucked into the mysterious world of Meido. Can they solve pass the seven trials and free their missing friend before dawn, or will they all be trapped forever?

I am stunned that Find Him Where You Left Him Dead is a debut novel. It is haunting, filled with Japanese mythology and symbolism, and truly about the power of friendship. This book was fast paced, I struggled to put it down. I loved the characters, their secrets, and their complex relationships. Meido is a well fleshed out, spooky world teeming with mythological beasts. I was enthralled with every twist and turn this novel took. I can't wait to read more from Kristen Simmons in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Books for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for eARC in exchange for an honest review. I love horror, but I just could not get into this one.

I have enjoyed Simmons before and while this was good; I struggled. I didn't fully realize this was YA. I think it's perfect for the targeted audience. The cards and creep factor were perfect for teens.

Reads the way a video game plays, and likely to e popular because of it. Four years ago, five friends began playing a magical game, and only four returned to the real world. Now, signs appear telling the survivors that they need to return in order to save the friend they left for dead. I was hoping for something more character driven, but Find Him Where You Left Him Dead succeeds on its own term, as a teen horror work that draws on Japanese mythology and often sacrifices depth for jump scares. Teen horror fans will likely enjoy it, though it lacks crossover appeal.

Do not let the target audience deter you on this one if you don't normally gravitate toward YA, this is a fun horror novel for all! I enjoyed the fast-pace and the character exploration. Overall if you enjoy fun spooky stories, and the idea of a creepy Jumanji, this is a book for you.

This book moves so fast, you can not put it down. It is amazing world-building and character development. I read it in one sitting.

This was a fun creepy story that I enjoyed. It moves at a good pace and is well written. I think the premise is really unique and creative. Overall I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Kristen Simmons, Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

**3.5-stars rounded up**

Find Him Where You Left Him Dead is a YA-Horror release featuring Dark Fantasy elements based on Japanese folklore. To my delight, eerie imagery abounds!

In this story, we are following four teens, Madeline, Emerson, Owen and Dax. Four years ago, they, along with their friend, Ian, played a game in a local cave, as you do. Unfortunately, Ian never made it out. He disappeared and is assumed dead. Unsurprisingly, the remaining kids were traumatized by the events of that day. A lot of blame got tossed around, anger and vitriol. They've been estranged ever since.

They never recovered from losing Ian and each struggled in their own ways. Madeline, for example, focused all her time on her swimming, cutting herself off from everyone. Taking it further, Emerson dropped out of school completely. All around, not a good time for anyone.

It's now the end of their Senior year. They're approaching adulthood, but things feel unfinished. That's when a haunting presence, who looks like the long-missing Ian, begins summoning the group of friends back together again. Reuniting, the group decides they need to finish the game they started all those years ago.

They return to the cave to pick up where they left off. They're at a loss though. Ian's ghost dragged them here, but how is this going to help him? As they restart the game, the teens are quickly sucked out of their reality and into a dangerous hellscape of Japanese underworlds.

That's where they meet Shinigami, the wise old woman who finally tells them the rules. Collect seven stones by completing seven challenges. They have until dawn, or they risk getting stuck in the underworld forever. If they're successful, it's possible they could return home with Ian at their sides. This forces the estranged teens to put their grievances aside.

They've got to forget the past four years of bitter dislike and come back to a place where they can work together effectively and efficiently. They accept the challenge. I really enjoyed my time with this story. I found it to be incredibly gripping and unique.

I loved all the dark horror imagery based on Japanese folklore and the gaming element, including all of the challenges, was just such an experience. I loved how quickly Simmons started with the dark content. It's pretty much immediate, as you are meeting each of the four mains, you're meeting them as they are encountering the eerie Ian-image for the first time.

I thought that was a great way to kick it off. I've read a couple of stories that follow this type of trip through the underworld facing different challenges plot, but this is the first time that it was a group, versus one individual. I liked the group because it added a lot of interesting personal dynamics.

There were times, in a couple of the challenges, where the imagery for me did get a little muddled; like I couldn't really picture what was happening anymore. Overall though, I think Simmons did a wonderful job painting a picture for us on the page with her words. It was captivating. There were some great twists as well. A big one, I definitely didn't see coming. I wasn't expecting anything twisted, so good on Simmons for fooling me like that.

I would recommend this to Readers who enjoy YA Horror with Dark Fantasy elements, particularly if you are a fan of Japanese folklore. Conversely, if you love Japanese folklore, or Anime, I also think this one is worth giving a shot, even if you aren't necessarily a big YA-Horror Reader.

Thank you so much to the publisher, Tor Teen and Macmillan Audio, for providing me a copy to read and review. I'm not sure, but I'm smelling a sequel on the horizon...

Kristen Simmons' Find Him Where You Left Him Dead is being sold as Japanese inspired Jumanji with a bit of I Know What You Did Last Summer mixed in. It is a story about estranged friends Madeline, Emerson, Dax, and Owen who are once again forced to play a deadly game in an eerie folkloric underworld. Four years ago, five kids started a game. Not all of them survived. Now, at the end of their senior year of high school, the survivors have reunited for one strange and terrible reason: they’ve been summoned by the ghost of Ian, the friend they left for dead.

In the 4 years since, Madeline spends every waking moment studying or swimming. Emerson plays video games all day after dropping out of school. Owen is obsessively into theater. Dax plays guitar at a coffeehouse where nobody pays him any attention. None of them have really spoken to each other in years. One night, each of them is visited by the ghost of their missing friend, Ian, who tells them to play the game again, before dawn, so he can come back. Together, they return to the place where their friendship ended with one goal: find Ian and bring him home.

So they restart the deadly game they never finished—an innocent card-matching challenge called Meido. A game without instructions. There, they meet Shinigami, an old wise woman who explains the rules: They have one night to complete 7 challenges or they will all be stuck in this world forever. As soon as they begin, they're dragged out of their reality and into an eerie hellscape of Japanese underworlds, more horrifying than even the darkest folktales that Owen's grandmother told him.

Once the four are pulled in, they must play until the end or risk winding up caught in the game just like Ian. Once inseparable, the survivors now can’t stand each other, but the challenges demand they work together, think quickly, and make sacrifices—blood, clothes, secrets, memories, and worse. And once again, not everyone will make it out alive. So, why you ask is my rating so low? I am glad you asked!

*Thoughts* In the general scheme of things, I don't give two Bleep's what your politics are, who you vote for, or what your thoughts is on certain things. However, let me say that again, however, I don't think you, as an author, should preach about something you have no idea what you are talking about. When a person starts to complain about white privilege, and uses a white person to do so, I cringe. I cringe so hard that I want to stop reading the book and scream at the author. Especially when the white character spouts her nonsense in front of her former best friend who just happens to be black.

I thought the decision to have four POVs was the wrong one. This is a short book, and two narrators would have been more than okay. I would have chosen Emerson, but probably Maddie. The only truly satisfying game portion of the book involved the kids playing Truth or Dare with younger versions of themselves. Lastly, there was an entirely unresolved subplot involving an empress wanting to come back from the dead and rule the world. If this is part of a series, then please say so and tell the readers. Otherwise, you are leaving a huge gap in the storyline.

Five friends decide to play a game, but not all of them make it out alive. The four survivors decide to reunite to the place where their friend died, but something sinister is calling them forth.

The synopsis had me begging for a copy and I’m happy I did. This was creepy and weird and perfect for spooky season mood. The characters didn’t really grab me and at times I forgot who was who, but the plot was desirable. I also liked the Japanese folklore that was given to us.

If you’re looking for something different but dark, look no farther.

2.5 Overall. From the blurb, I figured I would love this book. It has horror elements, a Japanese Underworld setting, rocky friendships. But something about how it was put together made it a chore.

I loved the gory bits. The battles, creatures, villains and level of up-close body horror is great for teen readers. Creativity points all around. What I struggled with was connecting to any of our main cast. The opening was fantastic, getting to know little pieces of them as they are haunted by their past. However, it very quickly slipped into stereotypes, bland dialogue, and stilted clichés. That may have been commentary from the author about how horror movies tend to have specific roles to fill (Cabin in the Woods, Scream, the alluded I Know What You Did Last Summer), but it kept me from picking up the book to continue some days.

I would still recommend this book to teen readers who enjoy horror and are looking for something with unique cultural ties. Plus, the ending leaves it open to a sequel (which I probably won't attempt myself), so it's good for hooking reluctant readers.

P.S. Just a tiny, tiny thing, which may not make it to the final print. There was a line towards the 75% mark in which a creature is described as having "feet like a horse, cloven with a hock towards the ankle." That is definitely not Horse. Someone please fix that.

I really loved this book. The world-building was very beautiful and creepy. It felt like a video game in a way. It was written in a way where I saw everything clearly in my head. I was captured right when the book started. It was very fast-paced. I think the author did a great job of making me feel like I was there. This book has been described as "Jumanji but Japanese-inspired" and it gave exactly that. I wish there was a movie about this. I do wish there was a little more of the back story for the friendship or at least more memories before everything. I also wanted to know more about Maddy and Emerson's friendship problems. I did wish we talked a little bit more about Maddy being black and the role that played in things. I also wanted Oliver and Ian to be talked about more in the sense of feelings. I also know a book 2 will come out so I feel like a lot will be discussed in it. It is a perfect read for this time of year. I can't wait for book 2.

Thank You NetGalley and Tor Teen for your generosity and for gifting me a copy of this amazing arc. The review written is 100 percent my own thoughts and opinions.