They Thought They Buried Us

I can't say enough great things about this book. I have never been so stressed out by a thriller to the point that I questioned whether I would have to DNF because the feelings it evoked were so overwhelming. However, I knew that choice would only be too in line with the actions of the oppressors throughout this story. And while this is fiction, it is so closely interwoven with reality that to look away from this story would only contribute to the violence it describes. This story is horrific, unsettling, and disturbingly close to reality. However, I really appreciate the way that the author showed the strength of the characters, their cultures, and the communities they create to survive. This story is not only pain and sorrow, it is also a testament to the courage it takes to keep fighting, even when you don't want to, because it's the only choice you have other than to be erased.

I will be posting reviews to StoryGraph, TikTok, and Fable closer to publication date.

A fascinating tale of intrigue and despair against a dark academia background. An excellent read for fans of horror, suspense, and mystery.

I usually don't like to say “for fans of blah blah blah”, but this YA horror by NoNieqa Ramos definitely will appeal to lovers of Jordan Peele’s movies of which I am one! You will scream “Get Out, Yuiza!” as you madly pour through every page of They Thought They Buried Us.


Future film maker Yuiza gets a diversity scholarship to an elite boarding school that is a pipeline to the Ivies, but like the other scholars of color, she quickly racks up debt on everyday essentials forcing them into a work study program with grueling hours and insulting conditions.


Yuiza begins having dreams about her mother and tias as children being severely mistreated at the very same campus. What do these dreams mean and how can she beat a rigged system?


Parts of the writing is formatted like a horror movie script: there are scene headings, voice overs, dialogue, character names in all caps, parenthetical. There are also a lot of humorous moments. I got a kick out of Yuiza mentally charging offending adults and students for their microaggressions. Let’s just say if it was real money, she would be a millionaire. The novel drips with social commentary about white saviorism (be grateful for this opportunity we gave you) and race relations.

Thanks to Netgalley for giving me early access to this YA thriller.

Ramos’ first book, Disturbed Girl’s Dictionary, with its unique and playful structure as a personal dictionary written by a marginalized student defining her own world, led me to this one, where the protagonist sees the world through horror films. Ramos successfully pulls it off while adding layer upon layer of social commentary. Even the very creative ending (no spoiler here) has deep meaning for the protagonist, whose lived experience is the horror of colonialist metanarrative controlling them and their family even as they attempt to break free with an elite education. Bravo to Ramos, and also to Lerner, for taking a chance and giving the world something truly unique, deeply satisfying, and appropriately unsettling.

✨ They Thought They Buried Us ✨

“You didn’t just inherit generational pain in your DNA. You inherited generational resolve. Draw on our strength. The strength of your ancestors.” - Nonieqa Ramos

Wow!! They Thought They Buried Us is an eerie read from start to finish! This YA Horror is 100% giving Get Out vibes while highlighting the existence of racism, colonialism & classism in academic settings. Unsettling & thought provoking in the best way possible - They Thought They Buried Us sheds light on the dangers of rewriting history to make it more “palatable”. So good, so scary & chillingly relevant! 10/10 recommend!

Thank you so much Colored Pages Tours & Lerner Books for sending a copy my way! This was my first time reading a book by Nonieqa Ramos and I’m very excited to check out more of their work!

"Horror fan and aspiring film director Yuiza gets a scholarship to a prestigious boarding school. But that's just the tip of the iceberg.

As one of the few students of color at Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy, Yuiza immediately feels out of place. A brutal work-study schedule makes it impossible to keep up with the actual classes. Every expense, from textbooks to laundry, puts Yuiza into debt. And the behavior of students and faculty is... unsettling.

Yuiza starts having disturbing dreams about the school's past and discovers clues about the fate of other scholarship students. It'll take all Yuiza's knowledge of the horror genre to escape from Our Lady's grasp."

I love this whole subgenre of Dark Academia focusing on scholarship students.

Nonieqa Ramos delivers a chilling and thought-provoking horror tale in *They Thought They Buried Us*, a novel that masterfully blends genre conventions with sharp social commentary. With its intense atmosphere and gripping narrative, this book is a standout in contemporary horror literature.

The story centers on Yuiza, a horror enthusiast and aspiring filmmaker, who receives a scholarship to attend Our Lady of Perpetual Mercy, a prestigious boarding school. The scholarship seems like a dream come true, but it quickly devolves into a nightmare. As one of the few students of color at the school, Yuiza feels alienated and struggles with the oppressive demands of a brutal work-study schedule and mounting financial burdens. Her discomfort intensifies when she begins to experience disturbing dreams about the school’s dark history and discovers unsettling clues about the fate of previous scholarship students.

Ramos’s skillful writing captures Yuiza’s isolation and fear, vividly portraying her sense of displacement in an environment that seems both physically and psychologically menacing. The boarding school is depicted with an eerie, unsettling quality that perfectly complements Yuiza’s mounting dread. The novel’s exploration of racism, classism, and the oppressive structures within educational institutions is both incisive and impactful.

The horror elements of the story are masterfully interwoven with Yuiza’s journey. Ramos leverages Yuiza’s deep knowledge of the horror genre to craft a narrative that is as intellectually engaging as it is terrifying. The clues Yuiza uncovers about the school's past and the fate of other students create a tense and immersive experience for the reader. The blend of supernatural horror with real-world issues is executed with precision, making the novel not only a gripping read but also a profound commentary on the intersections of race, privilege, and history.

Advance praise for *They Thought They Buried Us* highlights its effectiveness in blending horror with social critique. Alexandra Villasante’s praise of Ramos’s intricate web of secrets and biting humor is well-deserved. Amparo Ortiz’s commendation of the novel’s tightly plotted mystery and snarky dialogue resonates with the book’s ability to capture the misfit’s experience. Joanna Ho’s reflection on the book’s commentary on colonization and societal issues underscores its powerful and unforgettable impact.

In conclusion, *They Thought They Buried Us* is a standout horror novel that combines suspenseful storytelling with a profound exploration of social issues. Nonieqa Ramos has crafted a story that not only thrills but also challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths. With its darkly atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and sharp critique of societal structures, this book is an essential read for fans of the genre and anyone interested in a powerful reflection on contemporary issues.