I absolutely loved this supernatural YA it’s littered with content warnings, but this is made apparent at the outset and I always really appreciate that.

I think it’s always important to see a reflection of ourselves in books, and I can’t think of a more important place for that than YA while the story itself had me on the hook I really enjoyed the sensitively written aspects of grief, mental illness and sexuality.

I’ll recommend this everywhere and look forward to hearing from the author again. Great narration too.

Huge thanks to Guernsey Fair Press via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧

Spice Level: If any, it is implied. This is YA and all relations are sweet / emotional / kissing.

Ren is a teenager who has lost her light and one night at a rave, is on the brink of taking her own life. A stranger whispering her voice brings her back from the ledge and that is when she runs into Katie. Leaving the party, a spectre in the middle of the road leads to their lives being inexplicably woven together.

Ren finds herself in the role of “protector” for Katie as (she later finds out) ethereates to her for her protection against said spectre that was in the middle of the road that caused the accident. During this time, Ren finds out more about herself and the power that she has and who really saved her that night of the rave. Will Ren be able to keep Katie safe from the spectre that wants to see harm against her? Will Ren be able to find her light again?

One recurring theme through this book is trauma. Both Ren and Katie have been through a ton and even though it is the trauma that would break a lot of people, not Ren and Katie. They push through and persevere to work together to find what and why Ren has been assigned Katie’s “protector.” I have to sympathize with Ren because I can’t imagine how hard it is to be involved with someone at such a pivotal age when sometimes, the best decisions are hard to come by.

This book also highlights the ongoing issue of corruption and power. The antagonist that causes the main issue of the book is power hungry, thinks they know better than everyone else, and cares nothing of the consequences of their actions.

Even though this book is YA, it does cover a lot of dark and triggering topics so please be sure to check all CWs before reading.