Thank you Netgalley and Viking Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In “Water in Her Veins,” Shannon Schuren delivers a captivating story filled with mystery, supernatural intrigue, and generational trauma that is wrapped in a small-town gothic atmosphere. At the heart of this twisty, emotionally charged story is Lola Boyd who is a teenage girl battling a debilitating, undiagnosed illness and a past that refuses to stay buried.

After inheriting a sprawling estate in Colorado from the father she never knew, Lola moves across the country with her mother and controlling new stepfather. But what begins as a fresh start soon turns ominous. Lola’s symptoms worsen, including nosebleeds, fatigue, and haunting visions, and even the house seems alive with secrets. The local legend of healing waters and a mysterious doctor who once “cured” a town during an epidemic only deepens the mystery. Is there truth in the myths, or is something darker coursing beneath the surface?

One of the book’s strengths lies in its nuanced portrayal of invisible illness. Lola’s chronic fatigue-like condition, which is dismissed by doctors and ignored by her new stepfather, makes her a deeply relatable character for anyone who has struggled to be believed. The medical mystery is handled with empathy and authenticity, adding depth and urgency to Lola’s journey. Her strength and determination make her easy to root for, even as she’s repeatedly gaslit and sidelined by the adults in her life.

Schuren’s writing is richly descriptive, especially when portraying the eerie, supernatural elements. There’s a creeping sense of dread as Lola uncovers the secrets of her family history like the visions passed down through generations, a mansion that may or may not be haunted, and an unsettling conspiracy surrounding the ownership of the house. The book brings together themes of epigenetic memory, inherited trauma, and the burden of legacy in a way that feels fresh and thought-provoking.

The cast of supporting characters adds variety to the story, though not all are equally fleshed out. Lola’s new group of friends, particularly Clare, Sage, and Fletcher, introduce found family themes, moments of levity, and a hint of romance. Fletcher, the son of the estate’s caretaker, brings both emotional support and romantic tension to the story, while Bryn, Lola’s best friend, adds some welcome LGBTQ+ representation. That said, some relationships felt underdeveloped, and a few side characters kept significant secrets for a bit too long. Open communication would have solved a lot of problems in this book.

The story leans into mystery and thriller territory with unexpected twists, including a satisfying reveal about who’s been breaking into the mansion and why. The town’s obsession with healing waters and the tangled motives around the property’s deed add layers to an already multi-threaded plot. While a few reveals feel slightly implausible, the final resolution ties up the threads well, delivering closure without undermining the emotional journey.

Overall, “Water in Her Veins” is an engaging and genre-blending YA novel that mixes small-town secrets, supernatural folklore, and the deeply personal fight to reclaim one’s identity and truth. It’s especially resonant for those interested in stories where the past bleeds into the present—sometimes literally.

A really great young adult read. I loved the character development as well as the storyline, which did a great job of connecting the past to the present.

Water in Her Veins by Shannon Schuren is a beautifully written, emotionally rich novel that flows with quiet power. Schuren masterfully weaves together themes of family, legacy, and the invisible currents that shape us, all set against a backdrop that feels both intimate and mythic.

The prose is elegant and evocative, with a rhythm that mirrors the story’s elemental heart—water as memory, water as inheritance, water as transformation. The protagonist’s journey is both deeply personal and universally relatable, exploring what it means to belong, to break away, and to return to what matters.

interesting and well done dark-ish fiction with some interesting discussions of healing, fraud, and coping with the history. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

WATER IN HER VEINS by Shannon Schuren

Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the earc (Aug 12)

Lola is sick...a medical mystery of sorts---her doctors can't figure out what's causing her fatigue, headaches, and when she moves to Colorado with her Mom, they can't figure out what's causing her new symptoms: nosebleeds and visions. As Lola does research---working to piece together said visions and why she's seeing them as she researches the town and its founder---Lola becomes more suspicious. As she grows closer to the truth, Lola doesn't know who to trust.
I absolutely loved this book. There was something about it that drew me in and made me want to keep reading like my life depended on it. I was hooked.
WATER IN HER VEINS is dripping conspiracy and mystery---the two were a combination that worked well together, playing off one another as they created a thrilling story with a whodunit that left me shocked. Like, I'm generally good at seeing twists---especially ones that should be so obvious---from a mile away. For some reason, my brain never made the connection so when [REDACTED] was revealed as the "perpetrator" it was like a "really?" "what?" that quickly turned into an "a-ha" moment once our main character explained how she put it together.
One of the things I liked most about WATER IN HER VEINS was the medical mystery representation. It's seldom that you see representation beyond what is generally in literature, and I love how Lola fought despite doctors and [REDACTED].
WATER IN HER VEINS is a solid read. I wouldn't describe it as perfection---I really wasn't a fan of what happened in the epilogue, I thought it was too much too soon (iykyk)---I would describe it as a top-notch mystery that weaves past with present and conspiracy with what's real and what's not, with unlikeable characters, creepy atmosphere, and a Colorado town with its fair share of secrets.

Some pacing issues emerge midway—especially as the mystery builds slowly—but the payoff is worth the wait.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for accepting my request for an ACR of this book!
3/5
Now it's only me, and I feel empty and alone, like that stupid plastic bag in that Katy Perry song.
To start off the review, I will say the plot was very fun. I enjoyed the characters, and their journey through the mystery that unfolded. Though, there were some times throughout the book where I didn’t know if I liked the analogies or not. I will admit, some of them had me on the floor laughing. This book, though it had some tense scenes, never really sold me on the book as a whole being spooky. I also wish there was more revealed about some characters.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters and the storyline were well put together and the ending was unepected and finished the story very well. I had avhard time putting this book down. I will look forward to read more from this author!!
Joell Swope

Lola Boyd, her mother and new stepfather decide to leave Michigan and move into the house (mansion) Lola inherited from her father. Lola and her mother were always close. With a debilitating, undiagnosed condition, Lola is now forced to return to school in Colorado but more symptoms are evolving. New friendships form with Clare, her brother Sage, Emory and Fletcher, son of Dominic the caretaker and dear friend of her father. The town has a disturbing history boasting, Dr. Clarett, a physician who saved many during an epidemic and healing waters on the property. Is someone trespassing at her new home or is the house really haunted? A clever story that is part mystery, part thriller but all about the relationships and friendships that the characters surround themselves with. Sometimes you have to look into the past to secure your future. Pages turn easily and would recommend. Thank you NetGalley!

This was my very first advance reader copy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The writing was descriptive, and the plot was both captivating and full of mystery. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat and made it hard to put the book down at times. I loved the main character, Lola, with her unwavering determination, and I was rooting for her and Fletcher the whole time. The inclusion of Bryn, the best friend, added some LGBTQ+ representation, which was a nice touch. While there were a few repetitive moments, overall, it was an engaging and enjoyable read.