The Dark We Know is a folk/ grief horror set in a small town called Slater. When part of a core friend group turn up one after the other having taken their own lives, Isadora returns to her hometown for her father's funeral, and gets drawn into solving the puzzle behind her childhood friends' suicides. 

With eerie connections popping up, genuinely unsettling minor encounters continuously providing evidence that leads Isadora deeper into the town's dark secrets, I never wanted to put the book down, it was so satisfying! Town secrets, childhood crushes, and a burried town past all come to light and Isadora and her surviving friend, along with their parents, are the only ones able to fight the Angel of Slater.

When a bisexual art student returns home to her small mining town she doesn't expect to find two of her three childhood friends dead and the other one is positive that she is the key to helping him find out who the supernatural entity is that murdered them. Isadora Chang left her small town of Slater and promised to never return, yet when she begins having haunting nightmares that impact her art and causes her to fail her recent show, she has to come home and redo the portfolio..... but that also means facing the friends she left behind. Isa comes home only to discover that two of her childhood friends had died and the surviving friend Mason is positive they were murdered. Mason knows theres a supernatural entity causing it and is determined to get Isa's help because she somehow has a connection to the supernatural.... but can they figure out what's wrong before it comes back for them next? This was a story about grief, healing, and friendship. It focused a lot on the complicated relationships between friends. It's a bittersweet read and I was hoping for more horror/tension in this book. It got confusing at certain parts and the actual plot line felt a bit wonky, but overall I liked the atmosphere/town vibes and kind of wish there was more explored between the dynamics of Isa and Mason. It's not a bad book and it's one I would recommend for spooky season. I also love that both the main characters were bisexual reps.

Release Date: August 13,2024

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Zando | Gillian Flynn Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

The Dark We Know by Wen-yi Lee did not agree with me, despite my best efforts to make it so. Personally, I am not a fan of this author's writing style, and I struggled to get into and get through this novel. I definitely see this working for some people, but it's just not for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Zando Projects for this copy of "The Dark We Know."

If I had to write a blurb for this one it would be "atmospherically misty and dream-like, mysterious and haunting." It was a great debut novel and I wish it could have been longer and maybe added some more detail.

Why do so many young people go missing in Slater? Isa is an art student who escaped Slater but comes back for her father's funeral. She finds herself drawing pictures of people who later die by suicide.

But how is she getting this information? And what is the picture of the five screaming faces she keeps drawing and does it have anything to do with the town's mining history? Her childhood friend Mason thinks he may know.

Isadora Chang never planned to go back to Slater, the suffocating town where she grew up. After losing two childhood friends in tragic and mysterious circumstances, she ran as fast as she could, leaving everything and everyone behind—including her last remaining friend, Mason.

So when Isa’s abusive father dies, she finds herself reluctantly returning back home, to claim her inheritance. What isn’t expected is Mason's explosive news - their friends didn’t die by accident back in the day, they were murdered by something supernatural. As strange things start happening and eerie sketches fill her sketchbook, Isa realises she can’t keep running. There’s something dark in Slater, and it’s been waiting for her.

I found, Wen-yi Lee’s debut novel, to be a haunting, lyrical YA horror that goes beyond genre boundaries, delivering an emotionally rich and thought-provoking story. Although it’s marketed as a young adult novel, this book resonates just as strongly with adult readers.

The heart of the story lies in its characters, especially Isa, whose return to Slater is as much about facing her past as it is about dealing with the present.
For me…. the supernatural elements weren’t just for scaring…. they’re deeply intertwined with themes of trauma, family dynamics, and the tangled web of friendships. The town Slater itself, with its eerie atmosphere and unsettling history, pulls you in, making you feel every bit of Isa’s dread as mysterious sketches fill her pages.

This book really stands out to me - because it has the ability to balance the thrilling and the introspective. She tackles heavy themes like grief, shame, love, and queerness with a sensitivity that adds layers to the horror elements. I thought the plot was twisty and engaging, keeping me hooked as the secrets of Slater unfolded.

In short, this story is more than just a scary story, it’s a powerful exploration of pain and the journey to healing, making it a must-read in the YA horror genre.

Thank you to NetGalley and Zando

Ps - The cover is pretty awesome too 😍😍

4.5 stars - A memorizing tale that takes a little while to get off the ground, this book is ultimately a hard-hitting, wonderfully written tale with some of the best characters I have read this year, and with a plot that is thought-provoking. It delves into trauma and death in a well written, and sympathetic manner, and ultimately is one of the only books this year to make me cry. The ending is slightly rushed, but ultimately this is a brilliant book, that has some horrific moments, it is perhaps more on the psychological thriller category rather than horror.

“The Dark We Know” introduces Isadora Chang, who has powers that allow her to communicate with the dead. Along with her Medium friend, Mason, she realizes why so many teenagers in their homedown have been dying.

Overall Impact: I figured out this was a YA genre before noticing that it was; it’s heavy on relationships and leans quite a lot on Isa’s temperamental narrative (not that she doesn’t have valid reason). I wasn’t involved in the story enough to not be able to put it down. It’s a slow start and has lots of names to keep straight. But the imagery is well-done. Lots of time is spend on scenery change and character description, so the reader knows exactly where they are.

<i>”The Vandersteens supposedly all have the exact same eyes - desatureated gray with silver that twins through the iris like veins to be extracted. Like whatever deal their ancestors made when they first encountered the crater of Slater demanded that every brith simply zip a new skin over ready-made insides... “ </i>

The foreshadowing is heavy - almost to a fault. I’m sure there are lots of “ah-ha!” moments if I went back to read it again, but the first time I began to feel like there was an inside joke I wasn’t a part of.

Overall, it was well written and a good story. If I was a pre-teen it would be awfully creepy. It would make a great movie.

3/5 stars.

“Healing is stopping the knife, but it’s also tending to the wound. It’s letting the disinfectant sting.”

I had so much fun reading this book and absolutely loved the writing style.
Every subject it touched, from grief to religious trauma and being part of the LGBTQ+ community in such a small town, was so well written and full of emotions while keeping the spooky feeling. It did make me tear up in a few parts, but mostly it made me stop and reflect about how we really are shaped from the people around us and every choice we've ever made.
Personally I do think the ending was a bit rushed but still very well executed (I did cry a little) but that might just be me!
Overall, amazing late summer reading!

What I liked about this book was its gothic setting—spooky secluded mining town, mountains that sing, pale twins, illegitimate children, mass deaths, supernatural sightings, cemeteries, evil pastors, visions, occult practices, characters being metaphorically and literally haunted by their past, oppressive parents, unreliable memories, fainting, flashbacks to repressed traumatic events, being stalked by a slenderman-like character, etc, the list goes on and on. It’s atmospheric and tense and the protagonist is really going THROUGH it. By it I mean alienation so thorough that she has no place to call home.

I was especially fascinated by the figure of the so-called biblically accurate angel. The angel is not a manifestation of Christian beliefs, which the blindly religious want to believe, but an angel of vengeance here to seek redress for the wrongs wrought upon innocent children in the name of capitalist greed. There is a dark generational secret at the heart of this town to uncover/ exhume, an evil to excise before it’s too late. This narrative runs parallel with the protagonist’s own internal journey towards self-forgiveness and moving on from grief.

If there’s one thing about Isadora Chang, it’s that she’s funny and so relatable it’s concerning. Coming from an Asian American perspective, Isa sheds light on a dark acceptance the Asian American community often has, which is keeping quiet, enduring abuse and living with a dysfunctional family, but also striving to protect your social image and the pressure to not let others know. Not only did I feel connected to her in such a guttural way, but she’s a character that feels real, like she she existed, I’d like to be her friend, and probably give her a hug.

The setting of this book, a small town named Slater, gives off such an ominous vibe, it pulls you in, and not in a good way. Reading about Isa and Mason’s experience truly gave me chills. I also loved the supernatural aspect, and how deeply it ties in with the town’s history.

Wen-yi Lee’s writing is so descriptive and dreadfully beautiful, it felt like there was always something over my shoulder as I read, watching and waiting to pry into my own mind as it did with Isa’s. The way grief is written and handled is such a raw and varied experience, and the different ways Isa, Trish, and Mason narrate and navigate theirs is so human. Their deepest thoughts are evoked so strongly, felt so deeply it’s as if they’re your own.


4/5 stars. The build up and suspense, as well as the incredibly well written characters added so much more depth than many YA books I’ve read, although as with many books with such long suspense, the ending felt so immediate. Everyone talks about Mason (who I love too) but Otto is an underrated character. Would definitely recommend this book for those looking for a dark and somewhat disturbing story.

There are so many other reviews that are going to describe better than I can how amazing this book was. All the feelings it evoked, and how Isa and Mason drew me into the story, and wouldn't let go until I reached the final page. I loved Isa, who was coming home after two years to a place she never wanted to step foot in again. A place where the mountains sing, and kids die too young, including two of her childhood friends.

I loved this book from beginning to end, especially the supernatural parts. Isa and Mason are amazing characters and the writing and plot drew me in and left me feeling all kinds of ways. This is a book I will definitely be getting a physical copy of so I can read it again and again.

This is one of those stories that leaves you on the edge of your seat the entire way through the book! I didn’t want to do anything else but finish The Dark We Know once I had read the first chapter; I was hooked.

Even though I’m a 38 year old reading this YA horror novel, I felt very emotionally connected to the main characters and found myself wishing that I had had this piece of fiction when I was in my late teens/early twenties. Because not only does Wen-yi Lee create an incredibly eerie, unsettling, entertaining world of horrific ghosts and cruel humans, but she also provides a heartbreaking, intimate look into the very real lives of youth who find themselves in homes and communities who do not support them and even lead them towards harm.

Main character, Isa, is lovable and relatable, and her dwindling group of old high school friends are diverse and wonderfully queer. I loved that the author included a transgender character but didn’t introduce the readers to him as trans from the first scene he appears in the story; we get bits and pieces that gradually lead to a more obvious telling. And the setting, an old mining town with a dark history, where there are voices on the wind, and an Angel that seems to coerce and push a little too hard, creates a world that was easy to become lost within. Every detail is written so vividly and I felt that I could see the story play out in my mind’s eye. I’m sure a production company might fail to do Wen-yi Lee’s story justice, but it certainly reads like a book that would be perfect for a on-screen adaptation! I would 100% watch it!

I highly recommend reading The Dark We Know. It is the perfect book to have on a spooky Fall TBR list. Content warnings should be checked out before delving in; there are some scenes that will be difficult for some readers, deadnaming and multiple deaths that appear to be suicides being among them.

As always, a big thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Zando — Gillian Flynn Books, for allowing me the access to the ebook of this story. I loved every minute of reading this story.

The Dark We Know, by Wen-yi Lee, was published on August 13, 2024.

I loved the writing style of this, so lyrical and flowy, contrasted by the creepy story and events. The plot goes pretty dark sometimes and it was an interesting balance with the sometimes poetic language.

The main character Isa is compelling, having to return home after her abusive father's death and trying to survive long enough to get back out. I liked how strong she was for getting out and being herself and also thought her guilt for those left behind was relatable and real.

I didn't quite follow the plot regarding how/why the evil came about, but appreciated the atmosphere anyway.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Gillian Flynn Books and NetGalley for the copy.

This book was haunting. That is the best way to describe it. I love books about grief and loss, and I think this is a very solid addition. It's spooky but not in a scary way, it's heartbreaking but not in an insensitive way. I think this is such a beautiful book. Be warned, it is very heavy and it sits with you. But I do think it's worth it.

Ooops, I've been so busy talking to my creative writing students about THE DARK WE KNOW that I didn't realize I had not written my review. This is a fantastic addition to YA horror and LGBTQIAP+ rep. The story has some very original elements to it while still finding a home among well-known titles like The Haunting of Hill House (Shirley Jackson) and IT (Stephen King). (I always love being able to challenge a Stephen King fan to read a horror book by someone who is not a white cisgender heterosexual male!)

THE DARK WE KNOW is a compelling novel with an excellent main character (Isa) and some very surprising turns. I highly recommend it and can't wait to see what Wen-yi Lee writes next.

A solid YA horror - an atmospheric and atmospheric debut, with an emphasis on LGBT+ representation in a suffocatingly small town, religious-induced horror elements, and how trauma shapes our present. However, the pacing was a bit off which could have helped it feel more immersive.

The reason why I chose this book was because of the book cover. Yes, I judge a book by its cover. Oh my God it was a really great book. I really enjoyed this book. I will be Picking up more books from this author very soon.

"From Gillian Flynn Books, a lyrical young adult horror by debut author Wen-yi Lee that's perfect for fans of She Is a Haunting, Stephen King's IT, and The Haunting of Hill House.

Growing up in Slater, Isadora Chang never felt at ease in the repressive small town, even before she realized she was bisexual - but after the deaths of two childhood friends, Slater went from feeling claustrophobic to suffocating. So, Isa took off before the town could swallow her, too. Even though it meant leaving everything she knew behind, including her last surviving friend, Mason.

When Isa's abusive father dies, however, she agrees to come back from art school just long enough to collect the inheritance. But then Mason turns up at the cemetery with a revelation and a plea: their friends were murdered by an evil that haunts the town, and he needs Isa to help stop it - before it takes anyone else.

When Isa begins to hear strange songs on the wind, and eerie artwork fills her sketchbook that she can't recall drawing, she's forced to stop running and confront her past. Because something is waiting in the shadows of Slater's valleys, something that feeds on the pain and heartbreak of its children. Whatever it is, it knows Isa's back...and it won't let her escape again.

Wen-yi Lee's young adult debut is an intimate and gripping exploration of trauma, healing, and the lasting power of friendship, as a runaway teen must finally face the sinister forces that defined her childhood, and in doing so, demand her right to survive."

I mean, if you're stupid enough to go back you have to see it through...

This was a powerful yet heavy read. Beautifully written with an expert touch, this explores loss, identity, and trauma. While this falls into the horror category, it isn't the scary type of horror novel that keeps you up at night but is haunting and stays with you long after the last page is turned. The character development and atmosphere were perfectly built and delivered. For those looking for a fast-paced, twisty, easy to read story, this is not for you. For those who love a solid read that keeps its own pace and tells an in-depth story from start to finish with strong emotion, this is for you. Four stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Zando, for this ARC.

Sometime spirits are brought on by generations of trauma. When the mines owner’s were alerted about a threat to the community; they refuse to listen and fire the whistleblower. Tragedy befalls the town and the mine owners decide to cover up the mishap rather admit they made a mistake. From then on, an entity decides to ‘take’ children from the community as a way to punish the town for its continued ignoring of the lives lost. Isa was the only one who left to find answers. The ‘Angel’ continues to harass the inhabitants of the town and no one can figure out what was going on. I needed to read this book with the lights on and some background noise due to the intensity of the feelings I had. Excellent read. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy small town horror with the supernatural thrown in. 🔥⭐️⭐️🔥⭐️