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 😂 ( )

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. ( )

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. **