“Mayhem” is a great example of a book that has a winning concept, but completely fails in the execution. I know a lot of the reviews of this title have focused on how similar the text is to the movie “Lost Boys,” but since I haven’t seen the movie, I can’t speak to that. I can only judge the book on the merit of its writing. Unfortunately, there was a lot that took away from my enjoyment of “Mayhem.”

First of all, a fantasy book is made or broken by its mythology, and the magical elements just didn’t work for me in this novel. Mayhem is the name of the teenage protagonist who moves back to her mother’s small town of Santa Maria, California to escape her abusive step-dad. Mayhem learns that her family is given special superpowers if they drink the water in a special cave near their home. The actual powers were a little confusing to me (Teleportation? Seeing people’s sins? Killing someone just with magic?). In my opinion, a book has to have steadfast rules and fully fleshed out details around things like powers so that the reader can fully immerse themselves in the fantasy world.

The structure of this book was rough as well. If this was intended as a first book in a series, I could kind of understand why there was a rush to the climax and then basically no resolution whatsoever. However, the ending left me with tons of questions (which did end up knocking this down from a three-star read to a two-star one). The structure also lacked focus by including diary entries from Mayhem’s female ancestors – I couldn’t keep track of who these women were or what their significance was in terms of the family history.

I love the idea behind this book, that Mayhem serves as a YA feminist who is going to protect her newfound town from evil forces. But it does fall into too many basic tropes that left it feeling unoriginal and stale. For example, I hate how it seems as though every single YA book with a female protagonist has to have a love interest (even if it’s not particularly interesting or necessary at all to the plot).

I’m normally all for a book that has magical elements – when done in the right way, they can bring a special flavor to the story that makes the writing shine. “Mayhem” would have stolen my heart if it had been able to showcase a hero with powers that I actually understood.

First of all, thanks to Sarah from Wednesday Books for sending me via NetGalley an eARC in exchange for a honest review.
You have to know English isn’t my first language, so feel free to correct me if I make some mistakes while writing this review.


CONTENT WARNING: rape, abusive relationship, domestic violence, homicide, alcohol and drug abuse.


Thirteen years have passed since Roxy took Mayhem away from the home owned by the Brayburn family for generations - because the loss of her husband, her only true love, was too much to bear.
Mayhem was so separated from her grandparents, her aunt and what is in all aspects the family legacy - a magical legacy.
But all the while Mayhem lived in Taylor, Texas, she never knew.

Roxy has always endured in silence the terrible physical pains that have never left her since she left Santa Maria and also the physical violence at the hands of her husband Lyle, but when the man starts to hit Mayhem, it's over: Roxy decides to bring both of them back to Santa Maria, although she knows how much it will cost.

Mayhem knows that in that house there are all the answers to her questions about her family and herself, but it's difficult to get them: her mother has always avoided talking about it, her aunt and the kids she's taking care of clearly hide something from her. But she has Brayburn blood in her veins and it's almost the fate and duty of the family - the thing that is a curse and a blessing at the same time that began with her great-great-grandmother Julianna - protecting Santa Maria from all the evil that the town seems to attract.

Because Santa Maria is beautiful, but it attracts monsters and evil people - and the Brayburn family is what has protected Santa Maria from those monsters for generations. The magic to do this, however, has a price and not everyone is suitable for carrying the weight and the cost of it.


Magic realism is not my usual cup of tea and I think that by now I must resign myself to this fact - and perhaps my little desire to read lately made a dent in it.

It's certainly a book with a very powerful message as not only is the power that underlies the entire community of Santa Maria transmitted in maternal way in Brayburn women, but also because the women here - especially over the 80's when it was not yet so obvious that they could and wanted to be independent - are the ones who learn to protect themselves and to raise their voices, to choose and to say no.

But ... in the first part practically nothing happens and the rhythm of the story is very slow. And it's true that the Brayburn women themselves don't know exactly how everything works, that they learn something new generation after generation, but in the end also the reader is confused with more questions than answers. Why the water? What's so special about that specific water that likes Brayburn blood? Exactly what powers does it give besides being able to see people's soul and what they hide? How do Mayhem and the women in her family do what they do?

Furthermore, the storyline of the Sand Snatcher also doesn't have much insight - from the plot the reader can imagine it to have a fundamental role, to be the pivot around which a part of the story revolves, but in reality it's then resolved very quickly and without the reader developing an urgency or sense of danger for the characters involved.

I've never seen the "Lost Boys" movie, but after reading the plot, I can say that there are really many similarities between each other - practically the book is a sort of retelling and only a few elements have been changed. For me, since I have never seen the movie, it was something new, but for those who already know the movie, the absence of original elements or particular plot-twists may be annoying.

I didn't even get attached to the characters: Mayhem always calls her mother by name and although their relationship isn't always smooth, they have been the only thing that mattered for each other their whole life - therefore I really didn't understand the "detachment" in hearing Mayhem call her Roxy, thus almost diminishing the maternal figure; Neve, the oldest of the kids taken in by Elle, is hot now and cold the next second towards Mayhem and I just couldn't get in touch with her.
The presence of instalove that underlies the "great and unique true love" for Brayburn women also didn't help.

I'm sorry I didn't like it as much as I wanted - also because it was a rape that started the story of the Brayburn family with Julianna and from a letter the author wrote at the beginning of the novel, it's clear this story was her way of reworking her past ad get through it. So this book, despite a confused magical system and a slow pace that hasn't always kept my attention high, still has aspects that deserve to be explored - it's a story of women who regain power, who become powerful enough to protect the innocent from the monsters that populate their world. It's a story of women who want to feel invincible, safe and it's also a bit of a revenge story.

It didn't work for me, but maybe it could work for you.

When I saw that Mayhem would be a feminist mix of The Lost Boys and The Craft, I was so curious. Those are both things I can appreciate and I was curious how they would come to life in this story. Mayhem didn't disappoint. Estelle's writing sucked me into the story and made me feel like I was right there with Mayhem. A fast and interesting read that was a bit darker at times.

Our main character Mayhem and her mother Roxy go back to her mother's past home to escape an abusive relationship. It's clear that these two are all the other has and it can be complicated at times. While being with her mother's twin sister, Mayhem learns that there is a lot about her family she didn't know. Mayhem was a character that I really loved. Her life was anything but easy and she's just trying to figure out where she belongs and how to make sure her mother doesn't end up back with her abusive husband. Mayhem is strong and how she behaves in this book proves that in more way than one.

Mayhem is dark story that touches things such as abuse, rape, suicide and murder. I feel that she was careful with these subjects and yes it definitely added a darker element to the story. I do think that these elements fit the story this case and the author handled them well. The darker elements, magic and the eighties vibes created a really interesting world to read about.

In this story there's a serial killer and Mayhem and her aunt's children start investigating this, using the magic that they have. This was definitely an interesting element in the story. Not only the fact girls keep going missing, but also the magical element. I felt it was really unique and didn't seem like anything I've ever read about before. In a way that's the only thing that lacked for me a tiny bit. I would've loved to have understood the magic just a little sooner. It was the only thing I felt I was missing while reading this story. The diary entries Mayhem reads that does explain some of their family history were interesting and such a nice touch.

Mayhem also has an interesting group of characters. I don't want to say too much though, because I do feel that you need to read about them yourself to get the full experience. Also, there is a hint of romance in this book, but I loved the fact that it wasn't the main focus of this story. It was a nice change to see a book that wasn't really romance heavy. Estelle Laure gave us an interesting story and I'm looking forward to seeing what she does next!

This book is being marketed as The Lost Boys meets The Craft, and while there are definitely elements of both of these movies, Mayhem, to me, reads more like modern Gothic meets Practical Magic.

Santa Maria experiences a convergence of paranormal activity. People are drawn to the energy of the town, and the Brayburn family have always been the guardians, helping out when regular avenues have failed. Roxy and Mayhem left 13 years ago, but after the last straw with Roxy’s abusive husband, they move back to their home town, where Mayhem finally unlocks the secrets to her family’s past, and what lies within her.

Mayhem is an easy, intriguing read, with elements of suspense, thrill, and magic. Estelle Laure captures the mystique of the Brayburn family well and paints a compelling picture of the pull of destiny and fate vs free will. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Estelle Laure, St Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the invitation to read an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, thank you to Wednesday Books for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Mayhem is described as a clash between The Lost Boys and The Craft. Which, sounds kind of amazing, right? Give me an all-girl Lost Boys, please! It's 1987, and Mayhem and her mother, Roxy, flee their stepfather, landing in Santa Maria. There, she meets a bunch of kids living with her aunt, and learns about the magic running through the women in her family.

Unfortunately, this just didn't stand on its own, if that makes sense? I felt like this was a direct baby of The Lost Boys, and I felt kind of uncomfortable reading it, considering how similar they were. I don't mind retellings, but it felt a bit like this went too far. Alas, this just wasn't the book for me! Maybe if you're not too familiar with The Lost Boys or The Craft, you'd enjoy it???

it was good! very interesting characters. i’m curious to what happens next it was good! very interesting characters. i’m curious to what happens next it was good! very interesting characters. i’m curious to what happens next

Mayhem was a quick read that sucked me in right away. I liked the story and the mystery that went along with it. But what I liked the most were the relationships in this book.
Seeing Roxy and Mayhem’s relationship. Especially what they overcame together. I liked that through the story Mayhem and the reader begin to understand Roxy’s path. What it truly means to by a Brayburn, why Roxy left and why she lived her life the way she did. I also liked seeing Mayhem grow and become more independent and having a purpose.
The mystery that surrounded the town and the magical elements of the book were great and kept me turning the pages. I liked that the story started off by giving little hints before the big reveal. The ending was a little abrupt and I would have liked a little more closure, but overall this was a very engaging read.

I received this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange of an honest review.

TW: rape, violence, beating, drugs, physical and psychological abuse, murder, suicide


THE PLOT


Mayhem knows there is something off and weird about her and her family, from the constant pull to water, to her mother Roxy's mysterious physical pain. Mayhem and Roxy live a life made of lies and secrets, fear and hiding, but when her violent stepfather goes too far, they decided to come back to their family home in Santa Maria, California, a coastal beach town from where 13 years ago Roxy ran away.
What happened there 13 years ago? Ready to get some answers about herself, her family and put their painful past behind them, Mayhem finds herself involved with her aunt's kids, in the search of a kidnapper, and discovering the magic that runs through the female lineage of her family and what that means for her.


THE CHARACTERS

Mayhem is a book full of strong female characters.
Told by the main character, Mayhem and from diaries entries from her female ancestors that helps her (and the reader) learn things about the water, the magic and their destiny in Santa Maria, it's a story about family, found and biological, love, vengeance, destiny, fate and justice.

Mayhem is a strong character, strong-willed, curious and ready to change her life, when she decides enough is enough. Running from her abusive stepfather, looking for answers and a new life, Mayhem discovers magical powers and a destiny that connects her to her family, through generations of strong and stubborn women.
Helped by the fierce and brilliant aunt Elle, by her adoptive daughter Neve, full of fire and rage, by Jason and Kidd, the other adoptive brother and sister, Mayhem finds friendship, connections, love and justice and the strength to fight back.

I liked reading about Mayhem and her relationship with Neve, Jason and Kidd, finding her place with them in Santa Maria, with her aunt Elle and her mother's old friends, Marcy and Boner and trying to become more confident and strong. I liked the romantic part of the book, present but not able to overshadow her journey in finding her own place and power.
All characters have a painful past, from murders, to abuse, to loss, suicide and so on, but they find a way to fight back, above all through the powers granted by the water, discovering themselves not victims anymore.

It's interesting reading about how Mayhem changes throughout the book, from a scared, but stubborn daughter, to a teenager more confident, rebellious and ready to do what it takes to not be a victim anymore. Her curiosity, her desire of fight back is beautiful and well written, even though I'd love to see more moral quandary about her whole destiny with the water and Santa Maria, the aspect addressed but left to the future and the choices she will made following her heart and not the water.

The vigilante justice, that Neve embraced so fully and with glee, is seen by Jason, Mayhem's romantic interest, with difficulty and he refuses to accept his role in it, trying to protect his sister Kidd from the whole situation and regretting his deal with the water.
While Elle accepts with fierceness their roles against abusers and murders, the whole moral quandary is addressed by Jason and, even though briefly, by Mayhem, who struggles with her new identity, but she's ready to become a new person, not more scared and a victim.

The water itself is almost a character, a it with a desire, able to compel them, to "force" them to follow its will and want, hurting those who try to stay away from it. It's really peculiar and interesting, seeing as a force, a living thing, able to push and pull the characters in the book.

Her mother Roxy is a complex character. Grieving for her only love, lost 13 years ago, forced, convinced, manipulated by the circumstances into a marriage that became a living hell, her relationship with her daughter Mayhem is strong but codependent.
The fact the Mayhem refers to her as "Roxy" and not "Mum" or "Mother" suggests a codependancy, where usually is Mayhem the one who feels responsible and protective of her mother, sleeping and sticking with her and finding her own place, discovering what she wants to do, only in Santa Maria. The change of scenery force the two women to confront with their past and present, to fight back, to escape their painful past and trying to get a new life, away from memories and violence.
Roxy is seen through Mayhem's eyes, so the reader is able to sense their love, connection, but also Mayhem's bitterness, regarding her connection with Lyle, the abusive husband and the difficulty of having a mother who, because of the pain, physichological and physical, started to take meds and alcohol to "survive" and cope with the whole situation.
In Santa Maria, though, Roxy decides to change her life, being more present for Mayhem and her family, connecting herself again with her sister and their lineage.


THE MESSAGE

As addressed while talking about the characters, Mayhem is full of strong messages, like finding your own family, found or biological, finding oneself, deciding to fight back, becoming more confident and refusing to stand back.

“It’s good to be an innocent,” Elle says. “Gives you restraint.”
How do I tell her I don’t want to be an innocent anymore?
Innocents get hit. I want to hit back.
(quotes from the earc)

In a world where women struggle to be heard, to have justice and be respected, Mayhem is a supernatural feminist novel where women are able to hurt abusers, able to fight back, to protect themselves and their city. Vigilantes, with the ability to see and feel bad people and their action, the Brayburn family is almost a myth in Santa Maria, but cherished and feared at the same time by the inhabitants thanks to their actions and their protection.
Tired of being mistreated, of the inaction of the police, of the fear in the city, the Brayburn women, since discovering the cave and the water, decided to fight back, cleaning the world of bad people.

I loved the role of the women in this book, how strong, stubborn and beautiful they are, ready to protect their family, loved ones and the city, like superheroines, with mystical powers.

I really liked this book about vengeance, growing up, fighting back and a wonderfully and skillfully written feminist coming-of-age novel. The book is full of complex and well rounded characters, the story is captivating and intriguing and I recommend this book to those who love strong female characters, mysticism, magic realism, a matriarchal destiny and abusers being punished.

This book is so unique and atmospheric I'm not even sure how to put it into words. Part of me feels like the pacing was all over the place, but how then was I so hooked? It's a little gem of a book, something so unique I won't stop thinking about it for ages.

I think the reason the story is so strong is that it all rests on the power of the well-written characters, which is surreal to me because, at the end, I'm still not sure I even know Mayhem. Perhaps this is because she's still getting to know herself? Elements of abuse, domestic violence, drug use, murder, and suicide are included in this story, but never did they feel like a gimmick. The characters are shaped by these events and are striving to grow from them.

This book feels like historical fiction of women, witches, and witchcraft, yet it's got this soothing 80's beach vibe. Didn't think that would go together, did you? I didn't. But it creates this amazing aesthetic that sucks you right in.

All in all, I can't thoroughly put into words how I feel about this book, because my critical brain is picking at details, while the rest of me is soothed by the magical lyricism. I think we need more books like this, ones which defy genre, build up young women, and stick with you forever.

Mayhem is a very dark story and I would say not an easy read. It discusses heavy topics such as abuse, rape and murder (so be aware of that). However, it is an empowering story and the mystery throughout kept me reading. The setting and the characters were also very interesting to read about.

The main character, Mayhem, and her mother Roxy move back to where her mother's side of the family has always lived. Once there, Mayhem Brayburn lives her aunt and the children that live with her. She has never met these kids, but they seem to know an awful lot about the Brayburn family history that Mayhem isn't aware of. At the same time, there is a serial killer on the loose in the town and the Brayburn family may or may not be the key to finding who exactly this person is. Slowly but surely, along with Mayhem herself, we get to know what exactly is going on within the Brayburn family. I won't spoil to much, but let's just say that the answer is definitely interesting and like I said... VERY dark. The book was described as The Lost Boys meets Wilder Girls, a supernatural feminist YA novel and I definitely agree with that!

I would recommend this book if the synopsis sounds intriguing to you, however please keep in mind that you have to be in the right state of mind for it. Overall, an intriguing and unique read!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

First off, let me say that the name Mayhem is so badass. This young adult novel was a strange one. Mayhem and her mom move back to their hometown to live with Mayhems aunt and her foster children. The family is known around town as being special, and some even seem afraid of them...but why? Lots of magical realism here, mixed with a bit of summer fun and 80s nostalgia. Good, not great. 3 stars!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Wednesday Books for providing me an advanced copy of the book for my review. I have not read “The Lost Boys” so I dived into the story with no expectations. The story turned out to be pretty suspenseful and held my interest.

Firstly, I enjoyed the theme of the story and the mystery behind the Brayburn family. There is a lot happening on the first half, with the mystery of the family, a serial killer on the loose, and Mayhem trying to adapt to her new surroundings. Moreover, I really liked Mayhem as the main character and her relationship with everyone. It was interesting to see how each of the characters reacted to the situation. Mayhem and Jason made an interesting couple. Moreover, I adored Kitt and wished she was more prominent in the story. Also, the author did a wonderful job in highlighting some important issues of how people cope with abuse (physical and substance). The diary entries also added an interesting touch to the Brayburn history.

However, I felt like the story lost its pacing in the second half. The pacing felt bumpy and uneven. For instance, the story concentrates on the Sand-snatcher, after which nothing happens, but then the story shifts again on Lyle. The story felt really fast at times, but dragged in certain parts towards the end. I would have enjoyed if these sub-plots progressed in parallel. Moreover, I didn’t understand why Neve had a change of heart towards the end. The author didn’t provide an explanation, and felt incomplete.

Overall, “Mayhem” was decent but had the potential to be great.

3 out of 5 🌟Interesting ideas with poor execution

Mayhem and her mother Roxy have fled their abusive stepfather/husband from their house in Texas to a family home in California. Roxy hasn't been to Santa Maria, CA since the day she left to start a new life. Yes, there's a dark secret involved.

The book comes with a trigger warning about rape description but it does not include all the other things that threw me off when reading. This supposed to be a young adult, hence I didn't anticipate the number of expletives I encountered while reading and yet, that wasn't the worst part. I was unpleasantly surprised with gruesome descriptions of homicides and * Spoiler Alert * the fact than they were committed by "good" characters in the book and also treated as something noble (what!?). People cheering, giving presents to the murderous vigilantes... Is that still a book for teenagers?
Plus, descriptions of doing drugs endorsed by the family members and friends. * Spoiler Alert * Drugs providing people supernatural powers. I'm far from being a saint but a book glorifying drugs and killing for teenagers? C'mon.

I loved the idea of witches and dark powers then again the matter was underdeveloped with so many ideas that were just wrong. While Mayhem and Roxy were properly introduced, all other characters were merely people in the crowd. With no character features and no backstories.

As shown above, great cover and a good book idea aren't enough to make a great title. At the same time, I'd love to buddy read this one or hear someone else's opinions about 'Mayhem' to confront mine owns.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and feelings are my own.

Mayhem follows our main character Mayhem as she and her mom escape from an abusive husband/step father and run back to their hometown, Santa Maria. There, Mayhem is reunited with her aunt who now has 3 adopted children. However, the longer she stays there, the weirder things become. There is a person on the loose snatching teenage girls, her aunt's adopted children are never around, people are keeping secrets/abstaining from telling the truth, and other people act strange when they find out she's a Brayburn. Soon, Mayhem is wrapped up in her family's longest kept secret, trying to figure out who she is and what this all means.

This book takes us back to the time when paranormal books were all the rage. We've got our heroine, who knows nothing about this magic power being passed down through her family. Then we have a small town where strange things happen and everyone kind of knows what's going on, but just enough to be afraid. We also have the mentor who helps teach Mayhem what is happening, the love interest who is her one true love, and the bad guy that needs to be taken down (in this case two bad guys). However, this book was set in 1987 which gave this story a different flare than if it had been set in the 2000''s.

I really enjoyed the build up to Mayhem learning about the magic. There was a sense of unease and eeriness because we didn't know what Mayhem was walking into. Everyone was being super suspicious and a little off putting which added to the feeling. Unexplained things were happening, and it made me want to know why. However, once we found out what was happening, the story kind of lost it's charm until the last fourth of the book. But I love a good buildup, and this book had it.

I also really loved the characters. I wish they had been slightly more developed and fleshed out, especially Jason, Roxy, and Elle, but overall, the characters were the highlight of this book. Mayhem is a scared teenager who has only really know how to be the adult in the family. Always taking care of her mom and protecting her from danger, she never really knew what it was like to be a real kid or teenager. After meeting Elle's adopted children - Jason, Kidd, and Neve - Mayhem finally gets to experience being a teenager. I loved being able to see her transition from being the adult caretaker to being a teenager who had a motherly figure looking out for her. Mayhem was finally able to relax, breathe, and be herself by the end of the book, and I thought her journey from the beginning to end was really well done.

Even though I wanted some of the side characters to be more fleshed out, I thought they were still a good addition to the story and very necessary. The story needed each character in order to make the story what it was. Neve especially was an extremely interesting character. She was slightly crazy but sane, insecure yet confident, jealous and loving, and still very mysterious even as we got to know her better. Because Neve was such an interesting character, I was hoping the other characters would have that same level of attention to them. But by the end of the book, I didn't have a good feeling of who Jason was as a person besides being a protective big brother, Elle was just the loving step-in mom/mentor, and Roxy was the absent/childish mom who wanted to do better. If all the characters had had the attention that was given to Neve and Mayhem, this would have been an great book.

The other problem I had with this book was the plot. Mayhem ended up being a Mary Sue character who had great powers that haven't been around for a long time and she was able to master them all within a night's work. The demise of the bad guy(s) felt rushed and too easy, and it would have been really interesting if we got to see the bad guys at work more. It felt like something really cool was developing with them and then it was built up for nothing. I wouldn't have minded another 100 pages to see Mayhem develop her powers and the teenagers track down the bad guy. By the time I was getting really invested with the characters and plot, everything was over, and that was the biggest disappointment.

Overall, I loved the 80's feel of the book. I thought the characters were great, and the general feel for the book was done well. I think there are many people who will enjoy this book, especially if they like paranormal books.

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review, "Mayhem" by Estelle Laure. There were some aspects about the book I enjoyed like the crows, the mysterious town of Santa Maria and the life Mayhem never got to know. until coming back with her mom. There were just some things I did not like that stuck out like a sore thumb, the magic system and how the magic water works, why no one seemed to care about Neve towards the end even though she helped Mayhem through everything. The main character being named Mayhem was just unrealistic in my opinion, there wasn't even some kind of backstory behind it.. I enjoyed the writing style and the concept but overall, there were a lot of holes and things left unanswered.

I received a copy of MAYHEM on NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

FOUR stars and here’s why:

Estelle Laure does not disappoint! It’s a mash up of Lost Boys and The Craft, but I think what makes this book special are the intricate relationships and the way the plot twists and turns and keeps you turning the pages to find out what will happen next. When Mayhem’s stepdad loses it, Roxy and Mayhem escape to Santa Maria, California, and she finds out about her family’s past and all the mysteries surrounding herself and her family come to light. I don’t want to give any more away, but the beach town pretty much holds the key to her past and future, which is magical in its own right. If you love YA stories with fantastic plots, good writing, and great characters that stay with you long after you finish reading the book, then this book is for you. Highly recommend!

Excellent novel. Mayhem was a great blend of cult classics, using elements from The Lost Boys and The Craft, to create a great atmosphere in the novel. Not only that, but Laure even includes the Frog Brothers, tying this novel to The Lost Boys universe in a marvelous way. Furthermore, Neve, well, she is so much like Nancy from The Craft, from her attitude to the way she dresses.

Now, while this novel has all those elements, Mayhem has its own story to tell.

Mayhem Rocks
Laure has two stories going on in this novel, but they coexist beautifully. The sub-story is about Mayhem coming to terms with the darkness in her life and accepting the strength, while the overarching story is about the magic of the Brayburns.

Mayhem has been living in fear of her stepfather who continuously abuses her mother until he finally crosses the line, forcing the girls to move back to Santa Maria. Santa Maria is where Mayhem begins to develop as a character.

Mayhem’s character development seems a little stagnant at times, but throughout the story, with the combination of the magic, Mayhem grows. She faces her past, confronts her mother, and becomes more than just this silent introvert. By delving into the past of her ancestors and the mystery surrounding Santa Maria, Mayhem discovers herself.

What also helps her grow are the character dynamics. Mayhem is a lot like Sarah from The Craft, the perfect foil for Neve’s darker edge. Neve has so much anger and darkness in her, and the magic, it does begin to corrupt her. However, unlike in The Craft, these girls find their way back to one another and form a sisterly bond that allows them to reconcile their differences.

Jason is admittedly a rough character. His animosity towards Mayhem comes off as harsh and is off-putting. It has no basis other than to create tension between the characters. However, as the dynamics develop, he ends up becoming more likable.

Final Thoughts
The story is impressive. Laure utilizes using the past to create an incredible backstory for the Brayburn women, giving the world here a strong foundation. Cult classic references allow the novel to have a vibrant atmosphere and give the story excellent pacing. It was a breeze to read, and fun too.

Oh man, that was such a weird book. I liked parts of it and I disliked parts of it, sometimes it felt like I didn’t really know what was happening, and some parts felt like they happened too fast for it to feel like a real pay off.
But it was a really interesting book, and a super unique premise.
I really liked the characters, mostly Jason, Neve, and Elle. And the relationship Mayhem had with everyone, especially Neve, felt really realistic and I really felt for Neve throughout the book. I wish we could have seen a bit more of her backstory.

*Thank you to Netgalley for ARC copy, all thoughts are my own*

I have never watched The Lost Boys but it does seem like a very similar story, exchanging vampires for super vague magic water. The paranormal events were not explained almost at all and the extent to which the main character did not care what was happening and just did what others told her, without questioning, was shocking. I do not consider a book feminist just because the main character is female so I was a bit confused at the labeling of this book. All in all it had a promising start with an intriguing mystery, but I did not feel it delivered.

this was an interesting read and I think more people should read it. thank you to the publisher for letting me read this.