For fans of Stranger Things comes a suspenseful YA mystery about a missing kid, a girl who can see ghosts, and a horrifying crime only four outcasts have the power to stop.
What if the only person who could help you find your missing brother was dead?
Nothing is as important to sixteen-year-old Shiloh Oleson as her little brother Max. So when the six-year-old goes missing without a trace, a heartbroken Shiloh refuses to believe nothing can be done and sets out to find him.
When one of Shiloh’s classmates says she knows where Max is, Shiloh hesitates to believe her. Francesca is creepy. She says she can see ghosts, but everyone knows ghosts aren’t real … right?
But Francesca says that Max is going to be murdered.
And a ghost told her where he is.
As the line between the dead and living begins to blur, Shiloh starts to think Francesca might not be as crazy as she believed. One thing is becoming clear. Someone has gruesome plans for Max, and Shiloh must confront her worst nightmares to find him before it’s too late.
THEY STAY is the first book in the They Stay Series. Read on if you like ghost stories, plot twists, enemies-to-friends, creepy circuses, budding romance, and unlikely heroes.
Content Warnings: This book contains death, kidnapping, domestic abuse, references to suicide, bullying, and mild adult language.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
My Review
They Stay is a YA supernatural thriller about a teenage girl named Shiloh. Shiloh just wants to keep her little brother Max safe. Especially from their dad, the sheriff of the small town they live in. Their dad is an abuser, and any time he gets angry, their mother takes the brunt of it while Shiloh tries to keep Max from even seeing any of what's going on. And she has plans for the both of them once she turns 18.
But Max disappears one day. And his disappearance sets of the rest of the story.
As a small town bands together to try and find the missing little boy, Shiloh must put her faith and trust in the one person in town who just might be crazy (at least according to others): Francesca.
Francesca can see ghosts. She can also speak to them, and they speak to her. It's because of this that Fran is a pariah in town. Not because she can talk to ghosts, but because one ghost begged her to burn his body so he could move on. So she did. At his funeral. In front of all the mourners, including the man's widow. Whoops.
So now Fran is either bullied or avoided, but she's also seemingly the only person who can help Shiloh discover what happened to Max.
Add in a mysterious newcomer to town who can also see/speak to ghosts (as well as touch them), and things just got a whole lot worse.
They Stay is one of those books that will immediately suck you in and have you rushing through the pages, eager to see how it will all play out. It's a bit intense at times, as it does deal with subjects that may be triggering to some (like domestic abuse and bullying), but it's also just a really well-written story that will leave you breathless.
I think my favorite character is definitely Francesca. She's an outcast, but she's so likeable and kind. I'd totally be friends with her.
If you're looking for a supernatural read for this Halloween season, look no further than They Stay.
4.5 stars!
Author Bio:
Claire Fraise earned her B.A. in English from Tufts University. She is also the author of YA dystopian novel Imperfect (winner of the San Francisco and Beverly Hills Book Festivals), which she published when she was 16. When Claire’s not writing, she likes crocheting amigurumi animals, reading, and hanging out with her dogs. Even though it goes against every introverted bone in her body, she is on social media. Connect with her on Instagram at @clairefraiseauthor, on YouTube at Write with Claire Fraise, or visit her website at clairefraise.com.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube / Pinterest
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hosted by:
This sounds like a really entertaining, wild ride!! Great review!
ReplyDeleteThank you! :)
Delete