this read started out really strong for me but lost me around the half-way mark and I DNF'd around 65% - I had a hard time feeling connected to the characters, and felt like it was too heavy-handed on the darkness/tragedy.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
🧑‍⚖️🔫🏳️‍🌈⚧️🚨

Rainbow Black is weird but intriguing. It is triggering but unputdownable. It is dark but it also explores the importance of how far you go for the people you love.

False accusations, prejudiced views, adult influence, and revenge is the core subjects in this book. It is well written to the point where all the difficult subjects and scenes were bearable and you could continue the story.

Lacey had a hard life from 13 years old. This book explores the reasons why in a way that it reads like a diary. I felt for her, wished I could protect her, and understood why everything happened the way it did.

Maggie Thrash does a great job with the hard subjects. It was greatly weird. High recommend it if you can get through the triggers.

Thanks to Netgalley for the copy of the ebook.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Rainbow Black was an excellent read. I loved the insight into the Satanic Panic and how ridiculous it all was. It was a thrilling read I didn't want to put down!

Rainbow Black has a je ne sais quoi about it that I wish most books did. Granted, it's about a topic that I'm interested in and features a flawed lesbian, so maybe that's the "sais quoi." Rainbow Black is a novel about the Satanic Panic that manages to show the ridiculous "Monsters are Due on Maple Street" behavior while not being too somber. Everything surrounding Lacey's father is really haunting and subtle. At first, I wanted to go along on the "it's all panic, nothing is wrong" before realizing that Maggie Thrash slipped in the whole "oh the parents have a 10 year age gap and her mom got pregnant at 14" thing.

I think this is a masterful book.

An engaging and wild ride from start to finish. I loved the occult references and found the overall direction the story took to be unique, surprising, and exciting. And love the trans sapphic rep!

Rainbow Black follows Lacey, who is a 13 year old girl in 1990 as she is trying to come to terms with her sexuality amongst the back drop of the Satanic Panic. The Satanic Panic is a time in history that I have been intrigued by since I first heard of it because I can’t believe that people just went along with the craziness. And for that reason I really loved the premise of this book.

Lacey’s life is completely upturned when her parents are arrested for ritualistic abuse of the kids, past and present, that are/went to their day care. What happens from there is a series of shocking and horrifying events as Lacey is trying deal with what is happening with her parents, as well as just being a teenager in a town where she is being ostracized and also coming to terms with being a lesbian in a time where it was less socially acceptable.

Thrash completely transported me to the 90’s and did such an incredible job of making that time in history come alive. She also did an impeccable job of perfecting the setting while telling a compelling story and creating Lacey, who is a character that your heart just aches for. I could not put the first half of this book down and it seemed like something shocking or interesting was happening all the time. Which unfortunately did not translate to the second half. It was not as interesting and I didn’t like Lacey in the second half nearly as much as I did Lacey in the first half.

Overall though this was a really well done thriller. I honestly had no idea where this story was going to go the entire time I was reading it. Thrash blew me away with her fantastic writing and the whole premise of this book was well thought out. Rainbow Black is Thrash’s first adult novel and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Engaging, immersive, and wholly entertaining. A recommended purchase for most collections, particular where queer and crime fic is popular.

Content Warnings: Homophobia, Transphobia, Foster Care, Statutory Rape, Sexual Harassment, Child Abuse

This novel follows Lacey/Jo, a girl whose parents get caught up in the Satanic Panic. During their trial, Lacey’s older sister is murdered, which sends Lacey into the foster care system. She reunites with a childhood acquaintance, a trans girl named Destiny/Gwen with whom she developed first a friendship and then a romance. Together, they escape and kill Destiny’s brother, who Lacey/Jo believes killed her sister. They run to Canada, where they build new lives – but, when Lacey/Jo’s parents are released due to recounting of their “victims” testimony and their crime is uncovered, Lacey/Jo must return to stand trial.

I know that’s a lot of plot description, which I try not to do, but understanding that this is a multi-layered story with multiple time periods and story lines to juggle, with an unreliable narrator who recognized her own unreliability, will probably help readers decide if this book is one for them. I thought everything was managed well and enjoyed how action drove the narrative; I also like unreliable narrators, generally. However, others may not enjoy the way the text builds and find juggling all the information difficult.

This was an absolutely harrowing read. It took me forever to finish because I kept getting so stressed out that I had to take long breaks. When I started this, I thought it was going to be a new favorite, but now I’m not so sure. I really enjoyed the first half of the book, when Jo was a teenager, especially her growing relationship with Gwen. But the second half, when they’ve both grown up, was honestly kind of frustrating. I wanted to see more of them in their teens and early 20s, but instead we’re dropped in the middle of a pretty miserable relationship. It sort of betrayed the characters I’d come to love just pages before. And then with everything with their legal situation started, it was just injustice after injustice and by the end I was just exhausted. I love reading books about messy, complicated, sometimes unpleasant queer characters, but I also don’t really want to just see them continually beaten down by the world. I don’t know! I’m not not recommending this book — I think if the premise intrigues you, you should try it. It is certainly a unique and compelling story. Ultimately I think I was just not in the right headspace for something so dark.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

3.5

I was initially intrigued by the cover and title of this book and then I saw "part murder mystery, part gay international-fugitive love story—set against the ’90s Satanic Panic" and knew I had to read this.

While I don't think that summary is wrong, I also don't think it set the right expectations in my head for what this book would be. I wouldn't call this a thriller for one. It's a slow moving book and goes into the psychology of cults but the suspense comes from the relative naiveté of Lacey being a young child when her parents get accused. In that respect, I'd almost categorize this as a coming of age story/bildungsroman over a thriller.

I liked the exploration of hysteria and how damaging "witch hunts" become and I loved how affirming Lacey was with Dylan's gender identity. That being said, while I liked a lot of aspects of this book, I struggled through other aspects. There is a time break about 60% of the way through the book that while it makes sense in the context of the story I found quite jarring to experience and it made the back half of the book feel less immersive.

Rainbow Black by Maggie Thrash

Release Date: Available Now
Genre: LGBTQIA+, Historical Fiction, Lit Fic

Content Warnings: homophobia, transphobia, p*d0philia, self harm, suicide

Themes: 80s-90s Setting, Satanic Panic, Sapphic, Coming of Age

Synopsis: Rainbow Black is part murder mystery, part gay international-fugitive love story-set against the '90s Satanic Panic and spanning 20 years in the life of a young woman pulled into its undertow. Lacey Bond is a thirteen-year-old girl in New Hampshire growing up in the tranquility of her hippie parents' rural daycare center. Then the Satanic Panic hits. It's the summer of 1990 when Lacey's parents are handcuffed, flung into the county jail, and faced with a torrent of jaw-dropping accusations as part of a mass hysteria sweeping the nation. When a horrific murder brings Lacey to the breaking point, she makes a ruthless choice that will haunt her for decades.

My Thoughts: Wow!! Great trans and queer representation with an accurate 80s/90s setting during the satanic panic era! This book is listed as a thriller but I would say more of crime drama. I like how the story was separated into two parts, Lacey’s past and present. The character development was done extremely well for every character, I fell in love with all of them. This book is definitely binge-worthy!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Net Galley and Harper for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I very much enjoyed the first part of this book, set during Lacey's childhood. Satanic panic is a hot topic these days, and this section of the book did not disappoint. As the story shifts into Lacey's adulthood, it becomes much less compelling. While I still enjoyed it, the novel would have be stronger if it had remained focused on Lacey's parents, their trial, and the aftermath of their convictions being overturned, instead of the murder Lacey committed as a child. It was an abrupt departure from what the story was initially about.

4.5 stars

This book begins in 1983, and follows Lacey throughout her childhood and into adulthood, concluding in 2010. Lacey is telling us her story in first person, and while she’s very introspective, it’s up to you whether or not to take her at her word. Most people in her life don’t. The child of hippies and the little sister to a glamorous, soap opera obsessed girl, Lacey is used to being the unobtrusive one, “boring” in all aspects except her homosexuality. Despite their acceptance, her family makes sure Lacey knows that being different in a society like theirs might put her in danger. Already having trouble fitting in at school, she needs no further warning.

But when her parents are suddenly arrested and on trial for being satanists and pedophiles, the media can’t get enough of Lacey and her sister, and no secrets are off-limits in the courtroom. Lacey is certain her parents are innocent, but satanic panic has gripped the nation, and it feels like a scapegoat is more important than the truth. Just when the trial starts ramping up, a horrific murder brings everything to a screeching halt, and throws Lacey’s life even further into chaos.

Lacey is such a relatable character with a distinct voice and a strong sense of self. She knows when she makes bad choices, she knows she’s not an objectively great person. But so what? Just because something bad happens do you, are you always doomed to be a victim? Just because you do something bad, does that mean you’re always going to be a villain? Lacey tries reinventing herself several times, but always ends up who she is. Sarcastic, prickly, too smart for her own good, and determined to get what she wants in life, whether she “deserves” it or not.

This book is hilarious and poignant, emotional and dark, and full of bittersweet nostalgia. Definitely read trigger warnings first, but if you love a character-driven novel, coming-of-age stories with LGBTQ+ representation, morally questionable characters, and a good dose of pop culture throwbacks, definitely check this out. I’ll be thinking about Lacey and her story for a long time. Thank you to Harper Perennial & their #oliveinfluencer program for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! (I read this as an ebook and also listened to the audiobook on Spotify some, btw, and both are great!)

This is a tricky one to review since it's the kind of book that inspires really big feelings in multiple directions. It's violent and dark, and also great storytelling. It's an interesting look at how the Satanic panic collided with cultural morality and the fallout that can come from those wrapped up into it. The book takes place over a period of time in which cultural understanding and terminology around queer topics and individuals changed a lot, adding another layer to the story. This is one that I'll have living in my brain a long time.

Looking at other reviews I find myself agreeing that the first half of the book was a bit more engaging than the ending. We didn’t get all of the answers we want and sometimes that’s ok. I mean, it leaves us thinking about the book and wanting more right? I found myself wanting to reach into the book and pull the main character out to protect her. If you like mysteries, dramas, and relatable queer and trans characters in crazy situations you need to read this one.

{thank you @harperperennial for the gifted copy}

I want to express my gratitude to Harper Perennial and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to review this book.

This book had me hooked from the blurb. It had me at 'For readers of Donna Tartt and Ottessa Moshfegh comes a brilliant, deliriously entertaining novel.' I was immediately drawn in.

It's a poignant coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the 90s Satanic Panic era, with a refreshing exploration of gender and sexual identities.

Set in 1989 New Hampshire, the narrative centers on 14-year-old Lacey Bond. Her family becomes embroiled in the chaos of being falsely accused of heinous crimes related to satanic abuse within their daycare, Rainbow Kids.

Thrash delves deeply into the impact on Lacey and her sister, Eclair. We witness the distortion of public perception and the exploitation of Lacey's sexuality to validate false accusations against her family.

While the initial two-thirds of the book held me spellbound with its rich and compelling portrayal of the period and characters, I did feel a slight disconnect in the latter part.

However, the ending managed to reel me back in, and I appreciated its resolution. The writing is exquisite and captures the emotional journey amidst the tumultuous backdrop of societal hysteria. Overall, the book was such an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it! I can't wait to read more of Thrash’s work!

Thirteen year-old Lacey has her world tuened upside down when her parents get caught in the crossfire of the 90s Satanic Panic. She goes from the love and support of growing up in a hippy-ish household with loving parents to the chaos of the trial and loving with her older sister and the eccentric lawyer representing her parents. Things are hard, but then a horrific murder pushes Lacey to the brink, and its aftermath will affect the rest of her life.

This book was wild! I’m weirdly fascinated with the Satanic Panic of the 90s (another good fiction book about it is Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman), and this book captured how such accusations, regardless of their outcome, can ruin people’s lives. The trajectory of Lacey’s life is irrevocably changed and as interesting as the story is, I wonder who she might have been if not for one thing in the story, let alone all the things that play out.

Extra points for solid, queer rep.

This book was just so touching and heart wrenching. Imagine a thirteen year old girl knowing nothing about her family and the unexpected sudden things giving her nightmares.

In 1990, Lacey’s parents were arrested and then the trials happened while they left their Èclair as the incharge of the house. Lacey tried to search her parents but they were not at home when she came back. And Èclair refused to tell her anything. The mysterious call, sending her away and before that mysterious happening already made her suspicious. The family fell apart because of the accusations. And at such a young age, Lacey experienced all those things, she wasn’t supposed to experience .

The book is part mystery and part gay. While the painful experiences from past left a mark on Lacey’s mind and then all the unthinkable things keeps happening. The Author has portrayed very well how the whole family suffers if anything happens to even one person also. There is nothing worst than the Legal system like how they break the families apart and later life changes but nothing is same and the trauma remains forever etched in heart like a thousand piercing needles.


Many Thanks to the publisher and Author.

The first half of this book had me hooked and looking forward to what was going to happen next. While this book kept me engaged and reading the entire time, the second half has a completely different, more subdued tone. It felt almost like a separate book. Overall, I enjoyed the satanic panic lesbian thriller and just wish some of the fervor from the beginning carried throughout the story. I am glad we got some resolutions on some of the story arcs from the first half. would definitely read another book by this author.