Trang Thanh Tran is an absolute master at atmospheric horror. Throughout the entirety of the book, I could picture the surroundings of Mercy as if I were seeing it with my own two eyes. Though I struggled a bit with the pacing in the last 50-75 pages, I was invested enough in seeing what happened to the characters that I was able to push through. I am always a sucker for a queer coming of age story, but it was somehow made even better with the horror element.

This book was terrifying but also highly captivating. I enjoyed Trang Thanh Tran's first book more, but will still recommend it to teens who enjoy horror with sci-fi elements.

They Bloom at Night follows Noon as a red algae bloom takes over Mercy, Louisiana. Mutated wildlife lurks in the water while monsters walk the land in plain sight. Specifically, at the Cove where Noon’s life imploded two years ago. Ever since then, Noon has been changing and it’s getting worse. As she navigates her mother’s steadfast belief their dead family has been reincarnated sea creatures they need to find, Noon strikes a dead with Mercy’s fishing leader to capture the creature drowning residents as a monster itches at her skin. Noon is forced to determine once and for all who the monster really is.

The body horror in this novel was astoundingly horrifying and detailed—I loved it!! The descriptions were top-notch and everything just bloomed to life to vibrantly in my head as I read. Truly gorgeous. The setting is alive and draws you in so deep. The whole concept too is so unique and fascinating. It’s a book that is just so otherworldly and crazy immersive. The pacing is great and has a perfect mix of character and relationship development moments and spooky atmosphere and action. And the folklore!! Super fascinating and made me realize I need to learn more about Vietnamese folklore.

I loved reading from Noon’s perspective, especially as her body changed and she discovered more things. There’s such lovely representation in this novel and I loved the coming of age and acceptance of oneself arc. Noon’s past is really traumatic and adds such depth to this horror novel. I really enjoyed her relationship with her mother and the challenges they faced. The ending was really satisfying and the reveals of the past were well done. Covey, Wilder, and Saffy were so lovely, and I loved their friendship. Especially Covey! Gotta love a romance with the bad boss’s daughter!

If you love body horror and Vietnamese folklore, this is 100% a book you’ll want to check out!

Thank you to Bloomsbury YA and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trang Thanh Tran’s sophomore novel They Bloom at Night is a feminist, queer eco-horror that blends and perfectly balances surrealist horror and gore with pitch perfect commentary about environmentalism, gender, and community. It’s a quick read once you get into it, and I appreciated the focus on non-biological relationships and how important those connections are, as well, especially for those of queer identities. There were some confusing aspects of the narrative, and I wish the connection between the cultural legends and ecological horror was clearer and more defined so that the actual moments of surrealism were more poignant.

"They Bloom at Night" is a young adult dystopian horror novel by Trang Thanh Tran. The town of Mercy, Louisiana has been taken over by strange red algae that changes things. Most people have left, but Noon and her mom have stayed and are earning a living by catching mutated fish in their boat. People start going missing and Noon and her mom need to catch the creature responsible or their boat will be seized. Lots of difficult parental interactions and cultural differences lead Noon to wish to escape from Mercy, but mom will not leave. I enjoyed reading Noon's journey to self acceptance and the well written queer representation. The future is soup! A must buy for YA horror collections.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for this early copy of They Bloom At Nighy! Unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations from reading She Is A Haunting. I found the story line of algae and sóng to be very confusing and I was lost for a lot of it.

trang thanh tran’s writing sucks the reader in so well i’m convinced i’d read their grocery list. this sophomore novel— very different from tran’s debut, yet just as queer & just as good (perhaps even better?)— is one of my favorite subgenres of horror: ocean horror. poetic, intense, heart-pulsing. tran is a voice to be cherished in the YA horror space.

Thank you Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“They Bloom at Night” by Trang Thanh Tran is a haunting, atmospheric horror novel that deftly blends Vietnamese folklore and eco-horror. This is also a survivor story involving the main character healing from her trauma. The story centers on Noon and her mother who are left navigating their ruined hometown of Mercy, Louisiana, following a devastating hurricane and the subsequent spread of a toxic red algae bloom. This algae, which contaminates the water and warps local marine life, symbolizes nature’s revenge against human exploitation, while also transforming those it infects—Noon included. As she slowly succumbs to eerie, physical changes, Noon must confront the literal and figurative monsters haunting her world. Before going into this book, I do want to provide a content warning for SA. While not actually depicted in the book, the SA does become a major motivator for Noon and her transformation and also provides some feminist commentary towards the end. Also, I wanted to provide a content warning for body horror, which is pretty prominent throughout the book.

Noon’s journey is more than a monster hunt; it’s a quest for justice and self-acceptance. The story explores her gender identity and sexuality, as well as the deep-seated pain of surviving trauma as Noon begins to accept not really fitting as a “girl” while also experiencing physical transformations from the red algae. Noon’s relationship with her unlikely ally, Covey, the daughter of a local bully, evolves from rivalry to an intimate connection. This budding bond is crucial, providing Noon with the companionship and strength she needs to confront her past and her painful present. Together, they uncover hidden truths about Mercy and the horrors lurking beneath its surface—truths that are chillingly relatable, reflecting environmental decay and human indifference. There is also a found family aspect and an adorable cat named Sandbag who remains unharmed and safe throughout the horror parts of the book.

Tran’s writing is filled with eerie visuals, and the plot is infused with a surreal, creeping dread. Readers are plunged into a setting where danger is everywhere, from monstrous sea creatures to the corrosive effects of unaddressed trauma. Yet, while the body horror may unsettle some (I found it a bit difficult to visualize), Tran uses it thoughtfully to underscore Noon’s transformation, blurring the line between victim and survivor, human and monster. The book’s subtle commentary on societal issues—especially regarding the environment, class, and queerness—adds layers of meaning and connection, even if some plot points feel vague or unresolved. There were some plot holes with the town itself and how people were approaching the red algae issue, which I wanted to be explored more. The book touches on sci-fi and dystopian elements while also having supernatural aspects, all to demonstrate the environment’s revenge against the humans that have savaged the natural world.

Although complex at times, “They Bloom at Night” delivers a rich story of self-discovery, familial bonds, and the horrific beauty of reclaiming one’s identity. Noon’s journey toward self-acceptance and revenge provides a cathartic, bittersweet ending, grounding the supernatural horror in real, emotional stakes. With its chilling ambiance and thought-provoking themes, “They Bloom at Night” is a must-read for fans of eco-horror and anyone drawn to horror stories that peel back the layers of human (and inhuman) monstrosity.

INCREDIBLY cool algal horror with some strong queer motifs and some absolutely awesome vibes. i would recommend it, it's shockingly awesome. tysm for the arc. 5 stars.