Where Darkness Blooms

WHERE DARKNESS BLOOMS is a chilling and atmospheric YA thriller. Whitney, Jude, Delilah, and Bo live together in a farmhouse on the edge of town, where they had been raised by their mothers together. Two years ago, their mothers went missing on the same night, and while they hoped they may have run away, the evidence points to the contrary, especially since women are frequently found deceased in the town of Bishop. Most recently, Whitney's girlfriend, Eleanor, was found dead of a heart attack at 18 - something that seems truly unlikely.

At a memorial for their mothers, strange things are happening, and new evidence leads the girls on a search for what happened to their mothers and the other women of Bishop.

What I loved: This was such a haunting and atmospheric read. The story is told from alternating third person perspectives of the four girls in the setting of a remote town with many secrets, strange sunflowers, and unexpected storms. Much of the story reads like a mystery with a supernatural twist, as the girls investigate what could have happened to their mothers, and what has been happening to the women of Bishop throughout time. Meanwhile, strange storms and winds as well as seemingly-sentient sunflowers bring a magical realism type element to the story.

There are some really powerful themes around gender inequality, maltreatment of women/girls, and the terrible ways men/boys mete out their cruelty. Beyond the missing and deceased women/girls, there is also a story of (past) sexual assault and the lengths that other men will go to in order to keep all the victims silenced and the public unaware. From the prologue, there were choices made as to who should be the sacrifice and whose lives are worth more than others that speak to problematic culture and generational trauma that is passed onto future generations.

The four girls had their own personalities and strengths. They have been raised as sisters, and their relationships bring a strength that they might not otherwise have. Each girl felt unique and fully realized, giving her own unique perspective, dreams, and goals. It was lovely to see each of their stories, their personal growth and how they rise to their challenges. My particular favorite was Bo, but they were each interesting to connect with in their own ways.

The writing style was pretty unique and pulls the reader into the story and builds the atmosphere really well. It felt reminiscent of the lyrical prose in THE RAVEN BOYS or I AM MARGARET MOORE that sucks you in to the crafted world and the mood. The ending was satisfying and the pace built to it perfectly.

Final verdict: Atmospheric and chilling, WHERE DARKNESS BLOOMS is a haunting YA thriller/magical realism read with poignant themes and a satisfying end. Highly recommend checking it out if you enjoy moody stories, cross-generational mysteries, and strong friendships.