Come Out, Come Out, Whatever You Are

October 15, 2022
Five teens compete on a reality show set in a haunted cave. Lex Hazleton did not sign up for the paranormal reality show It's Behind You to make friends. Nor is she interested in playing the role of supportive friend or comic relief the way manipulative producer Jackie suggests. She wants to be the star, and she wants to win. All she has to do in order to walk away with the $10,000 prize is outlast the other contestants--pretty actress Marla, flamboyant vlogger Python, serious paranormal investigator Abbie, and cute, nerdy Liam--in the caves of Umber Gorge, which are prone to collapse and supposedly haunted by a ghost known as the Puckered Maiden. But things go wrong from the beginning: A generator malfunctions, making the lights inside the cave unreliable, and a cave-in blocks areas that were supposedly safe. Everyone is hiding something, and at least one person will kill to keep their secret. Though descriptions of the cave layouts can be confusing and the book is fairly light on scares, mystery-loving readers will keep turning the pages to uncover the characters' secrets and learn the truth about the events in the caves. Liam has brown skin; other characters are default White. A fun read for readers who prefer mild suspense and enjoy reality TV settings. (Mystery. 12-18)

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January 1, 2023

Gr 8 Up-Five teens have been selected for the blockbuster finale of It's Behind You!, a reality show. If they can last through the night in the haunted Umber Gorge caverns, they'll win a share of $10,000. As members of the crew and cast begin disappearing in the eerie darkness, it becomes apparent that the contestants are motivated by more than prize money. Each must decide how far they are willing to go, whom they can trust, and whether they are truly alone in the caves. The novel is told primarily as a first-person narrative from the perspective of a girl named Lex, but the various interviews highlight each character. The premise has the potential for a compelling and creepy narrative, but unfortunately misses that mark. The characters are underdeveloped and inconsistent, and their dialogue feels inauthentic and immature compared to their ages. The plot complexity will resonate with younger readers, but the age of the characters and the inclusion of sexual content and expletives suggest the novel is targeted at older teens. Characters are described as having pasty white skin, olive skin, light brown skin, and warm brown skin with spiky curls. There is also some diversity with orientation, as Lex states that she is bisexual. VERDICT This book will appeal to readers seeking dark YA fiction with a handful of thrills and chills; transcript excerpts and reality TV tropes keep the story entertaining, though not engrossing. Recommended for fans of Karen M. McManus and Cynthia Murphy.-Lauren Hackert

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