This was a book I had really high hopes for, but unfortunately, it fell short. I truly appreciated the parallels the author created and the exploration of culture and identity in connection to death, survival, and so much more. However, it felt like the book bit off more than it could chew. While the description and synopsis were captivating, I found myself losing interest as I read. Sadly, none of the characters really stood out, except for the cemetery caretaker.

What could have been a poignant and meaningful narrative about grief, identity, and loss didn’t fully take off until the final third of the book. I think the story would have been much more engaging if it had focused on the initial premise outlined in the synopsis. For instance, the concept of a virus causing memory loss was incredibly intriguing, but it wasn’t explored deeply enough.

While I was let down by the execution, I believe many readers will connect with the heartbreak and despair this story portrays. The author excels at transporting readers to the metaphorical, grim environment they’ve created. But for me, the atmosphere alone wasn’t enough to carry the story. I will still be on the lookout for more from this author as I always appreacite originality and taking risk with concepts and themes.

Thank you to NetGalley & HarperVia for this e-galley.