The Dead and the Dark was haunting and addicting. We follow Logan and her dads, who have their own ghost hunting tv show. They are returning to their hometown of Snakebite, Oregon. The Dark is there in the town, teenagers are going missing, and there's just something off... It is easy for the town to point fingers at the Logan and her dads as it seems everything started happening as they arrived in town. We meet Ashley, who's boyfriend, Tristan, was one of the one teenagers who is missing. Ashley and Logan team up to find out what is really going on in Snakebite and they end up finding out way more than they bargained for. They also discover that they may be developing feelings for each other along the way.

This book surpassed my initial expectations and loved the haunting atmosphere. The characters were all well-developed and you could feel the depth and history of Snakebite and it's inhabitants. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend the audio book!

Thank you to MacMillan Audio & Netgalley for providing me with an audiobook of The Dead and the Dark in exchange for an honest review!

Content Warning: Homophobia

I'm just jumping straight to it - The Dead and the Dark has: LGBTQIA+ rep (the L, the G & a possible B although this character I don't believe is actually labelled), enemies-to-lovers & is a story about a small town with secrets. This book is infested with some good TROPES.

I absolutely adored all of the main characters & really vibed with the family development. Our main character & one of her fathers have a very rocky relationship & I'm always here to see where that goes.

The Dead and the Dark is equal parts spooky & mysterious making this a perfect read for both thriller lovers & horror fanatics.

Audiobook Narration: The narration was pretty good! I've listened to many books by Soneela Nankani & I'm never disappointed. Her reading style & voice definitely keeps me interested in the book.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with the advanced audio book. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing all the characters in their glory. This book was hauntingly spectacular and a wonderful book to have listened to,as a prequel for all things spooky in the following months.

I would recommend this book to anyone that loves ghosts/ghost hunting/diverse characters/darkness. It gives off very mysterious and serious vibes. I found it very detailed as well but not too much as to set off the reader. The name of the hotel one of our main characters is staying at, gave me a little chuckle and surprise when I heard it as well.

As a welcomed plus we also have lgbtqia characters. The names of the characters were also beautifully chosen and yet not to hard to pronounce or follow along. Can't wait to read more by this author. This was an amazing debut book!

The small town of Snakebite, Oregon is shaken to it's core when a teenage boy goes missing. Nobody feels the loss more than the boy's girlfriend, Ashley Barton. Hanging onto hope that he is still alive, all she wants is for him to come home. She can still feel his presence, after all...

Logan Ortiz-Woodley arrives in town with her two dads, the popular ghost hunters from the TV show ParaSpectors. Her dads may have grown up in Snakebite, but they are clearly not welcome now, especially when more teenagers begin to go missing and the bodies are piling up...

In Ashley's search for the boy she loves, the only one she can turn to for help in getting answers is Logan, who refuses to believe that her fathers have anything to do with the murdered teens. The two girls start to unravel the secrets this town and its patrons hold. The evil that is surrounding this small town is intense and may not even be human. Ashley and Logan are finding comfort in one another, and while a romance is blossoming, a darkness is taking hold of Snakebite and it proves to be a race against the clock to find the light.

This was an intensely atmospheric and supremely spooky ya thriller. I had a pretty good sense of the outcome of the story, but that didn't hinder my enjoyment. I also found that I wanted to take my time with this read and really savor the mood of The Dead and the Dark. A lot of the pure joy I felt in submerging myself in this book was the narration of the audiobook. Soneela Nankani lends such a wonderful tone to really amp up the fear factor of this book.

This book is phenomenal and the audio only enhances it. While I wish that The Dark had a separate narrator, the text itself more than makes up for it.

Original ARC Review:
This book checked all the boxes for me.

Mystery in a small town? Check
Teens realizing a romantic connection and growing as individuals? Double the checks!
LGBT + BIPOC rep? Uh YEAH.

Then you add on the premise of a ghost hunting television series and creepy dialogue from the perpetrator's perspective? It's sheer perfection and I'll be singing its praises for a good long while.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Ghost hunters, a missing teen, a sinister presence and a haunted town!⁣
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This was an eerie, ominous story with supernatural elements. Gould takes fear of the dark and works it in with such creepy tension into this story that you can’t help but feel uneasy as you read. I did this on audio and it was definitely a creepy book. ⁣
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There was a lot happening here - queer dads, lesbians, ghosts, family secrets, judgmental townsfolk, a town called Snakebite and so much emotion. I’m hesitant to share much of the plot because this is definitely the kind of story best left to unfold naturally as you read. I enjoyed how Gould delves into the topics of grief, family and LGBTQ acceptance, along with the dark paranormal aspects. ⁣
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An entertaining read but I felt the twists were predictable and things were never fully explained. The vagueness works with the paranormal aspect but I can’t help but want to make sense of things. Still, this would be a fun one to read this fall during Halloween season!

I wanted to love this book… I really did, but alas…

My first thought after finishing the book was, “WTF… 80% of this book is just teenagers whining, crying or spewing anger!” I know Logan, the main character, is a teenager, but she is ANNOYING! The angst, the feelings about her father Brandon, the chip on her shoulder… it was all a bit much.

It’s sad too, because the premise seemed so dope, and the edges of the story was were pretty good. I liked the whole, “local kid comes home after decades away, and feels like a stranger” vibe. I also liked the idea of the two main female characters being unlikely partners. But to be honest, I was frustrated and annoyed for most of it.

For instance, I enjoy suspense. I enjoy being strung along with nothing but a breadcrumb trail to find my way through part of a story, but this book didn’t even offer crumbs. There is vague and intriguing, and there is simply not having a real plot. This book definitely veers into the latter.

Also, I can appreciate wanting to highlight the difficulty of being queer and growing up in a small (intolerant) town, but the sexuality of the characters didn’t play into the overall plot line, or enhance the characters in any way. It would have been fine if it was included as simply part of the characters makeup, but their queerness was featured as a major part of the plot…even though is wasn’t. It just seemed forced.

Ultimately this book was disappointing. I would give it ⭐️⭐️.5 🤷🏾‍♀️

i absolutely adored the concept of this book! paranormal can be a hit or miss but the way the perspective was written by the darkness itself was really special and enjoyable. i also loved the small town representation of lgbtq+ hate crimes and the way the authorities turn their heads in favor of their golden boys. I wish there was more of a descriptive journey between Ashley and Logan but I love them nonetheless.

This dark and twisting story is perfect listening for fall walks. I adored the narration and looked forward to making extra time to listen.

The Dead and The Dark is a story of fear, secrets, death, and trust. Ashley and Logan made or an unlikely but interesting and compelling pair. I appreciated that the author didn’t spend too long with a back and forth of whether or not ghosts are real and how they could exist etc. We jump right into the world of this story and live within the bounds of what is possible in Snakebite while following Logan and Ashley’s journey to find the truth about not only the recent disappearances, but also their own pasts.

The Dead and the Dark is a fun spooky listen that I throughly enjoyed. It deals with the supernatural but still takes the time to address the real emotions and motivations of it’s characters.

Creepy? Check. Sinister? Check. LGBTQ+ representation? Check. Mystery? Check. Paranormal? Check, check, check! A beautiful mesh of small town closed minds, family, love and the things that grow from the festering dark side of humanity.

Logan and her dads are in Snakebit, their old home, searching for the next setting for their paranormal ghost hunting show. This small town, closed off to change and to all things they deem different, give the trio a not so warm welcome back home. When Logan connects with local town girl, Ashley, and they start unraveling the secrets behind the mysterious disappearances of local kids, things start getting creepy.

What I really loved most about this book was the theme of loneliness, self hate and personal isolation. It played really well into the plot and makes you see a deeper side to the storyline. The hate acts against sexual identity was sadly all too real and heart breaking. I liked seeing how Gould ties this all together adding another layer to the overall twist towards the end.

The Dead and the Dark has an excellent layer of paranormal darkness shrouding the characters and plot. The narration fit Logan expertly. I liked the voice changes for her dads, Brandon and Alejo. I would've enjoyed a little more fluctuation for the climactic scenes by the end but still found myself unable to stop listening. The emotional scenes played out well too.

I was enamored and engrossed in the character outcomes, the connections and the mystery stalking this town. Definitely a young adult paranormal read I'd recommend for the upcoming fall season. Content mention for homophobia.

Thank you Wednesday Books and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to and read this novel in exchange for an honest review! True rating 4.5/5.

This is a great YA thriller, hitting the perfect balance between tension and moments of horror. While I liked the story overall, the book felt a little long to me, The slow pacing made me feel disconnected from the story. I wish some of the lulls were used to build up some of the characters a little better. The writing was solid, but the pacing needs work.

I really loved this YA paranormal debut!

The Dead and the Dark follows two teens as they team up to solve the mystery of missing and dead teenagers in the small and insular town of Snakebite, Oregon. Logan Ortiz-Woodley's fathers are the stars of ParaSpectors, a ghost hunting TV show. But when the disappearance of a teen coincides with their arrival, Logan must team up with Ashley, whose boyfriend was the first to go missing, to clear her fathers' names. Along the way the two form a friendship and more as they try to discover what exactly is going on in Snakebite before it's too late.

I really really enjoyed this book. Small town mysteries are my favorite and this didn't disappoint. The atmosphere was super creepy and kept me on my edge the entire time. I also loved all the twists and thought the reveals were so surprising but well thought out. I'm so impressed with this debut and can't wait to read more from the author.

This book was kind of like reading Fear Street mixed with The Diviners, and I loved it.

Taking place in the small town of Snakebite, life is not easy for Logan or her two fathers, who grew up there. Many years prior Logan's fathers left Snakebit abruptly for unknown reasons, but when they return kids start going missing. The town, who were not fond of the couple years ago, are convinced they are the reason for these missing kids, but Logan and her new "friend" Ashley (whose boyfriend went missing) want the truth.

Things are much more complicated, sad and darker than anyone ever knew. I loved the way things come together and and backstory. It was fun finding out bits and pieces from other people in the town who knew Logan's fathers a long time ago, each had insight and new information that was actually useful.

I really enjoyed the characters in this story, everyone was well fleshed out, believable and interesting. Logan was by far my favorite. I really felt for her and enjoyed watching here grow and come into her own throughout the story. Also her fathers had a really good backstory that added so much depth to the happenings in the book.

There were lots of learning experiences and real world prejudices which really brought you into the story. I think the author did a great job keeping you in that world while also adding the darker more paranormal elements. Things fit together well and didn't feel like they didn't belong together or too farfetched. Definitely an author the keep your eye on.

The Audiobook was also great. The narration was spot on for what this story needed and dragged you right into the action.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Teenagers in Snakebite, Oregon, are disappearing. The disappearances coincide with the return of Brandon and Alejo, ghost hunters from the popular TV show, ParaSpectors. Their daughter, Logan, returns with them and feels strangely connected to the town, although never visiting it. Ashley Barton’s boyfriend was the first teen to go missing. She’s been haunted by his presence ever since. Ashley and Logan soon team up to uncover the mystery haunting Snakebite. As the investigation unfolds, truths about the town, their families, and themselves threaten to alter their lives.

I listened to the audiobook version of this novel. The narration was wonderful! The narrator did a great job at portraying the different voices of the characters in this novel.

Unfortunately, I never truly felt invested in the story. The overall mystery didn't draw me in, I didn’t particularly care for any characters, and at times the plot felt predictable. The romantic relationship that blossomed between Logan and Ashley seemed to pop up overnight. I struggled to feel their connection.

If you enjoy queer YA mysteries, thrillers, and romance, be sure to pick this one up!

Content warnings: homophobia (verbal, non-physical), child death, murder, claustrophobia (buried alive), drowning, slurs

Many thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Snake Bite is a small town with something weird happening. After the presumed death of a teen, a pair of paranormal investigators come to town with their daughter. With more events happening, their daughter teams up with a local to investigate. They quickly find themselves in the middle of a mess.
Opinion
This is not my normal genre of books but I found the description intriguing. I was not disappointed while listening to the audiobook. The descriptors of this small, podunk town remind me of some small towns that I have lived in. I can just imagine the people I knew being the characters described.
The paranormal activity was an interesting take. Again, this is not my typical genre but I certainly have never read anything else like it. The concept is quite interesting and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The narrator had a compelling way about telling the story. I found myself drawn in more and more with each word spoken.
Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook.

I wasn’t anticipating this book being so good! The fact that this is a debut is blowing my mind. This was parts Ghost Adventures, Sixth Sense, Imaginary Friend and Riverdale. I loved this. It sucked me in and I had so many guesses on what was going to happen. And none of them were correct. This was a gripping story that pulled me and refused to spit me out until I was finished.

One of the main heroines in this story was named Logan and that made this an easy five stars just because my daughter’s name is Logan and I love that the author thought it was a great for a girl too.

The book really grabbed my attention and did not let go! It took a bit of time to get me into it, but it was just a breeze once there!
Thank you Netgalley for letting me get an early copy of this book!

I received an advanced copy of The Dead and the Dark through Netgalley so I could share my review with you!

Something dark lurks in Snakebite, Oregon. Teenagers are going missing, including Ashley Barton’s boyfriend. Though Ashley still feels his presence in town, his disappearance marked the start of a chain of missing teens with clues left behind. The only potential lead for the disappearances was the suspiciously convenient timing of a new family’s arrival to Snakebite. Logan Ortiz-Woodley, daughter of the stars of ParaSpectors, a ghost-hunting television show, is new to Snakebite. Bounced around from place to place following her fathers’ careers, Logan isn’t looking for a home in Snakebite. In spite of this, Logan still wasn’t expecting how cold and suspicious the town people would be towards her and her parents. Though Ashley doesn’t want anything to do with Logan, they will have to cooperate to unravel the mysteries of Snakebite.

You can get your copy of The Dead and The Dark on August 3rd from Wednesday Books!

I had high hopes for this sapphic thriller, which promised plenty of small-town spooky vibes. Unfortunately, for me, the story missed the mark. The one redeeming factor of this production was the narrator, who was one of the only things that kept me listening. Her voice was well-suited to the story, and I will definitely seek out her work again!

My Recommendation-
Although I was not personally a fan of The Dead and The Dark, that does not mean that you should not give it a chance! If you enjoy slow-build thrillers with mystery elements, you might enjoy this book.

Hmmm, this one started out REALLY strong then kinda stalled for me. I’d give it almost a 3.5

I was thrown a little by the relationship between Logan and her dads. Even with an explanation in the end, the rift that was there just seemed insurmountable and unlikely. Also, I was confused at the quickness in shift of Ashley's feelings, but did really appreciate her journey of self-discovery. The mood was superbly creepy and bleak, which was great. And the villain(s?) were absolutely horrible. Well done on those bits.

As for the audiobook version, it was ok. The sound on the NetGalley app is still a little tinny, which is distracting. I also find that Soneela Nankani isn't my favorite narrator, but that's a personal preference. I know other people who love her, but there's a tone to her voice that feels whiny.

SO - if you enjoy queer YA magical/paranormal stories with a side of self-discovery and a middle finger to homophobia, absolutely give The Dead and the Dark a try. Maybe it's that paranormal isn't very familiar to me that this one didn't work out as much for me.

Thanks, Wednesday Books, for an ARC!

This book had an incredibly promising premise. I wish it had better execution. The characters were kind of flat and the entire thing was a little predictable and didn't move along at a pace that kept me wanting to listen more. This was not the fault of the narrator. She was fabulous at making characters different without making them ridiculous. The small town thing with one family being this and one family being that...it was just a bit dated as a cliche. I liked the idea of The Darkness, who wasn't involved enough but even with that little bit it was predictable far before any reveal. I wanted more thriller. More mystery. Less teen drama.