Pintip Dunn

This is a wonderfully rich middle grades read that develops itself around the mythology of Thailand, an areas whose rich storytelling I was not knowledgeable about before I began reading. As a mature reader, this was good simple read with a wonderful story and values that I would love more young people to have access to. I found the use of OCD representation to be something that makes this seemingly simple and easy to read book something greater and which can spark marvelous conversations and develop an empathetic awareness for the personal lives of others.

For my slightly jaded and cynical mature self this was a three star read, but inner innocent and younger self says four stars...so I'll her rate this one 😂… (more)

An unusual world, a very unusual plot and beautiful characters – that’s the best way to describe the story. I am trying to analyze it as objectively as possible, as there are some items I did not particularly liked. But if something is not ok by my standards, doesn’t mean it’s not ok by yours.

The blurb is very interesting and promises an intense story about a potential queen, trying to do what is right for her people, her family and herself. Although, it’s difficult to find a solution that would benefit all. Here is where the conflict starts. Her crush is willing to give his life for her father, her people are starving and forced to consume pills that would appease their hunger – pills produced by those who are able to eat healthy. The internal conflict is good, the characters are great and express their emotions in a beautiful manner, but I would like to insist upon the theme that is in the center of attention.

Lack of food brings people to develop new alternatives that are not necessarily the healthiest choices. This is very similar to our days – food is becoming less and less healthy and at some point, we lost the ability to appreciate the real taste of natural food. While I am not fond of the abundance of meal discussions, I do appreciate the innovative element and the effort the author has done to integrate it into Vela’s story.

Intrigue, twists and turns, food and much more – this book will not bore you at all, but it will leave you either hungrier than ever, or more satiated than ever :) 4 stars :)… (more)

Thai mythology slams into a teen's desire for her mother and herself to survive on an island, which is filled with dangers...and not all come from the nature around them.

Alaia has only two goals during her family's vacation, to spend every possible moment with her mother and to keep a smile on her mother's face. After several rounds of chemo, it's clear her mother won't hold on much longer. While Alaia's OCD is making the stay in Thailand challenging, it's worth every effort for her mother. When an ship excursion turns into disaster, Alaia and her mother find themselves stranded with several other passengers on a deserted island. It may look like paradise, but every part of it holds unexpected dangers. Add a madman's desire to use them as guinea pigs in testing myth's reality, and Alaia isn't sure that any of them are going to survive.

While this one didn't really hold the promised Squid Games atmosphere (the stakes are nearly high enough for that), it is a quick-paced read with enough tension to keep those pages turning. The beginning takes a little bit to settle in, but after that, the stories flows leading from one situation to the next. The island is as beautiful as it is deadly, and the other characters add the right spice at the right times. Several of these were especially strong and really dug in. The romance wasn't the most exciting, but it settles fine along the way for the extra touch. It's the Thai mythology and Alaia's own struggles, which stick out in these pages to make it worth a glance. I received a DRC and enjoyed the original twists. I received a DRC and found it a fun adventure.… (more)

This book tells the story of the heroine's adventure filled with Thai folktales and a bit of romance.
The heroine's dying mother wanted the whole family to visit Thailand. However, the heroine's family ends up stranded on an island with ten strangers while being tested to awaken dormant powers by facing their own fears and possibly end up with a deathly outcome. The heroine must try to find a way to escape and survive this ordeal while also facing her own issues that can either derail or help her during this chaotic time.

This is nice, quick read that features a relatable character that is facing so many things during the story. I liked the main character and her growth in this book. There were also some secondary characters that were memorable in the book, including the heroine's family. I liked the Thai mythology aspect of this book, though the romance didn't stand out as much as I would have liked it to be. Though easy-to-read, I would appreciate a bit more details in certain areas of the story for a smoother transition. Overall, a nice introduction to the authors' writing style and the Thai folktales.

** Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions and thoughts in the review are my own. **… (more)