The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika and Maritza Moulite is deliciously sharp and weird in all the best ways. It’s like Get Out meets MasterChef, with a side of Haitian zombie lore and a dash of social commentary that hits harder than a hot sauce you weren’t prepared for.

Brielle Petitfour is a protagonist you can’t help but root for, even when she’s doing, well... let’s just say morally questionable things. She’s smart, determined, and stuck in a system that’s set up for her to fail. Her love of cooking is palpable—you can almost smell the simmering stews and hear the sizzle of a skillet. But when things take a sharp left turn into cannibalism (yes, really), the story doesn’t just become shocking for shock’s sake. Instead, it becomes an exploration of hunger—literal hunger, sure, but also the kind born from injustice, grief, and exhaustion from always being on the losing side.

The Moulite sisters do an incredible job balancing dark humor, horror, and real emotional depth. Brielle isn’t some deranged villain gleefully chopping up her enemies—she’s a girl trying to survive in a world where wealth insulates the worst kinds of people from consequences. And okay, yeah, she feeds rich people to other rich people in a twisted culinary power play, but it’s hard to feel bad for her oblivious clients, who are the kind of people that tip 5% and think they’re generous.

What elevates this story is its clever commentary. It’s not just about the shock value of a zombie chef—it’s about dissecting privilege, systemic inequality, and the quiet rage that builds when you’re forced to smile through indignity. The Haitian folklore elements are seamlessly woven in, giving the story a cultural richness that makes the whole premise feel grounded and purposeful, even when things get outrageous.

If I had one critique, it’s that some of the side characters felt a little under-seasoned (pun intended). I wanted a bit more depth from a few of the people in Brielle’s world, especially those outside of her clients. But the vibrant prose and razor-sharp storytelling more than made up for that. And the ending? Chef’s kiss—unexpected but earned, leaving you both satisfied and unsettled.

This is a four-star read that leaves you full, but also strangely craving more. Just maybe skip any dinner parties hosted by private chefs for a while. You never know what's really in the stew.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan, Maika and Maritza Moulite for this fun ARC!

Brielle isn’t a regular Haitian-American girl… she’s a zombie. She lives with her mother who struggles with chronic pain but cannot afford treatment despite her boss owning the company which distributes pharmaceuticals. Brielle’s passion is food… but this book isn’t going where you think it is.

This book is so cute! The writing is very clear and concise. Some parts are a little confusing/feel rushed such as the take down of Franki. Not sure how I feel about the surprise marriage but I see it as a symbol of Brielle taking back her life despite her struggles. I was confused by the teeth bit in the end of the book but whatever, this book is fiction and I just rolled with it. I loved the twist on a zombie story tied in with Haitian folklore/the storytelling of the Muses was a fun way to break up the story.

Overall a super fun read. Definitely appropriate for high schoolers and up!

I really love this sister writing duo! What a time to write a book like this. The Moulite sisters are excellent at showing and not telling and this book sticks with that trend! I love the reclamation of the American zombie and tracing that back to where it came from. I also really enjoyed the cultural education about Miami’s neighborhoods! I really loved Brielle. Her passion for food and her family is extremely heart-warming. And although on its surface, this was a story about “eating the rich,” it was also about the love of family and finding your place in the world. Very well-written! I will always auto-buy from the Moulite sisters.

A twisty contemporary young adult novel weaving lore, family trauma, humor, food, and world inequities told through biting social commentary and a chorus of muses. Lots to devour.

This book was a fun read. I did want it to be a little creepier. I was hoping for more "zombie." I loved how the story was intertwined with the wealthy family her mother worked for. I would have liked a little more background about why they got married at the end. It ended a little abruptly.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for letting me read and review THE SUMMER I ATE THE RICH by Maika and Maritza Moulite.

PROS:
* I loved the title and the book cover - super eye-catching and sticks in the brain!
* I really enjoyed the main character and her friendships.
* The incorporated mythology/beliefs of the "zonbie" culture.
* The mom-child relationship in the book is engaging and endearing, and you really root for them.
* I appreciated having a mom character in the book be more centered for a YA read, and how a full and complex relationship is shown, especially with the mom having a chronic illness.
* I related to the immigrant story and appreciated how it was featured in the novel.

CONS:
* The moments of the different sisters talking like Greek chorus is fun, but, at times, confusing -- especially when we don't really know the sisters as characters, it kind of just feels like we're reading YouTube or social media comments from people we don't know that well. There are some great quips and witticisms in these, but I don't think they really added to the novel.
* The book felt a little slow. This might be because some of the plot is more *plot-driven* and reactionary (ex: when a character gets hit by a car, things start happening, but that is random and not caused by any person in the world of the book)
* I felt like the authors held back on parts of the zonbie mythology, instead of fully letting us in to what being a zonbie meant for our main character. I don't think that really served the readers, and it also didn't create any interesting tension, so I don't understand why that literary choice was made.

I enjoyed this book, and I think I have friends who would really enjoy this, but I would have loved to read one more revision as the version that went to print, where some of these ideas were more polished.

The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite is a sharp, daring, and brilliantly crafted young adult novel that combines dark humor, Haitian zombie lore, and biting social commentary. Brielle Petitfour, a Haitian American teen with extraordinary culinary skills—and a chilling secret ingredient—takes readers on a twisted yet empowering journey of revenge against the wealthy elites who exploit and oppress. The story’s clever critique of socioeconomic and racial inequities is matched by its vibrant characters and gripping plot, making this modern fable a thought-provoking and deliciously unsettling read. Prepare to savor every smartly seasoned page!

DNF @ about 50%

I wanted so badly to love this book but it didn’t work for me for a few reasons that all boil down to that this didn’t feel like the book that was advertised to me. It seemed like there were two distinct plots (zombie and rich people) but there was no forward movement through this point. The different elements seemed disjointed and did not feel like one well-meshed story. There were also several elements that didn’t make sense. As a concrete example, the MC is offered a job that has health insurance because she and her mom are uninsured. But a mother would not be able to get health insurance from a child (rightfully or wrongly - but if you agree or not is a different story), so the plot point doesn’t make sense. I read some reviews with spoilers and it also seems like the “ate the rich” claims are much exaggerated. Overall, this seemed like it was trying to do too much and the pacing suffered. Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc!

The first book that these authors wrote, found a home in my classroom very quickly and several of my students who were Haitian said it was the first time they’d ever seen their culture on the pages of a book. With this book there seems to be even more Haitian culture, Even the part that is folklore or myth, please a major role. I really liked the fact that they made a concerted effort to correct the zombie understanding in America versus what it means in Haitian culture. I also think that many of my students will connect with the immigrant mentality of always pushing forward and working no matter what. The commentary on the ridiculousness of the rich and the pharmaceutical world are ones that are right for discussion in my classroom and I look forward to bringing this book there.

I really enjoyed this, Gossip Girl meets Hannibal in a take down the rich way. I loved the Haitian culture that was provided throughout, and learning about the zonbie of Brielle. Despite being a zonbie she is very caring and loving,

I don’t want to say too much it’s better going in not knowing.

I really loved The Summer I Ate The Rich! It was incredibly captivating from the beginning, with a strong cast of characters. It was very informative highlighting the lesser known zombie lore of Haiti. Brielle was a delightfully sociopathic protagonist, who readers will easily sympathize with as she tries to fight for her family and use her zombie skills to take revenge on the horribly affluent residents of an island in Florida. Whether teens are interested in socioeconomic inequality or just looking for a great horror, this book is a must-read.

A wicked, lip-curling satire. I regretfully admit that it took too long for me to understand some aspects of this, mostly the stuff related to Haitian mythology; I genuinely would like to learn more about the subject. Still, it is nice to see a new take on zombie folklore, though since the book is solidly set in the Haitian culture/diaspora were the mythos originated in the first place, maybe it’s more of a return to the roots.

3 ☆
Let me say this cover art is gorgeous, and I love how it is hiding the "tooth" in the picture! Did you notice it?

I was intrigued by the storyline: A Haitian-American girl uses her previously hidden zombie abilities to exact revenge on the wealthy elites who have hurt her family. Brielle Petitfour loves to cook—but with a chronically sick mother and bills to pay, becoming a chef isn't exactly a realistic career path. When her mom suddenly loses her job, Brielle steps in and uses her culinary skills to earn some extra money. The rich families who love her cooking praise her unique flavors and textures, which keep everyone guessing what's in her dishes. The secret ingredient?

I felt like the pace of this book was a little confusing! The beginning was extremely slow, the middle was a medium pace, and the ending was fast. I think I wanted to know more about her zombie abilities. I can't really do a review without spoilers. I recommend reading this one.

Thank you, Netgellay, and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I wasn’t sure how I would initially feel about it - with the Zonbi aspect - but the author wrote that character to be one that was extremely relatable. I enjoyed the short chapters throughout the book. This kept the reading face-paced and kept you wanting to continue to read chapter after chapter. This book was also similar to several “eat the rich” themed movies I’ve seen over the last few years - “The Menu”, “The Glass Onion” etc. definitely would recommend this book to others! A surprisingly good read!

I absolutely devoured this book!! The Summer I Ate the Rich was so good I could not put it down. Thank you NetGalley and Farrar, Straus and Giroux for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was unlike anything I've ever read and I mean that as the highest compliment. I loved the interiority of the narrator combined with the propulsive plot that pulled me and didn't let me go.

Amazing book will definitely recommend to friends and family love the characters development. Love the plot line

Now this was the YA read that I was waiting for this year. It's got a stellar premise that is delivered on while containing relevant social commentary.

I also appreciated the use of the original myth of the Zonbi being used here. Zombie is one of those westernized terms that we all generally are aware of but the meaning has been warped from It's Haitian French source. Here you don't see the "Walking Dead" in Brielle but rather the more tragic and accurate to myth interpretation.

Brielle is such an interesting protagonist and her decisions are what make this narrative so compelling. There are also stylistic choices for certain chapters that keep exposition entertaining and fresh (I am always down for more Greek choruses in fiction).

I think there's some issues with pacing and the stakes of the narrative don't feel strongly communicated but readers might overlook that.

I had a fun time with this and I think others will too. Mostly I'm just glad to see a YA with no romance subplot and that feels actually appropriate for the age group.

I found this book to be quite a surprise. At first, it’s unsettling, but once you get into it, you realize it’s on a whole new level of horror. I loved the drama and the unexpected turns. The zombie angle was unique and refreshing. Overall, it did feel a bit lengthy to me, but I’ve got to give it props for its originality and for keeping me engaged. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a fun fast paced, read that kept me engageed the whole time I read it. Whenever I had to do something else I practically groaned as I got dragged away from Brielle & her mess. .

Becuase what she did throughout this book…that was PURE MESS. Every choice she made made me cringe, but I was still oddly proud of her for standing up for herself, and her community.

Things I loved:
Getting a sort of omniscent view of the the paralells between Brielle & her mother from the Haitian muses. I feel like it's easy to forget that parents are people who are just as flawed as the rest of us, and the story did a great job at showing us how our parents mistakes can easily become the same ones we make.

Things I loved a little less:
The ending of the story felt rushed. Our girl really saw no consequence to everything she did, but it also felt like we didn't get a full picure of her power, and for a fantasy that was so grounded in realism, I wanted more of that fantastic, and a little more of an explantion of how it impacted her world outside of those small vignettes with indivdual characters.