Review of "You’ve Awoken Her" by Ann Dávila Cardinal
As someone who has always felt a particular thrill during a good horror story, I was drawn to You’ve Awoken Her by Ann Dávila Cardinal—it promised cosmic horror with a twist, and that’s exactly what I found. I don’t usually venture into young adult fiction these days, but when horror beckons, I rarely resist. This book had me captivated from the first page, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I turned each page.
At the heart of You’ve Awoken Her is Gabi, a witty, relatable teen whose summer plans are dashed by his mother’s insistence that he spend time with his best friend Ruthie in the Hamptons—far from his initial dream of lounging around with horror movies and discussing his favorite genre on the Slasher app. Gabi’s battle against an unexpected summer is both humorous and poignant, with layers that resonate deeply with anyone who has ever felt out of place. Meeting an ominous old lady at the train station sets the tone for a suspenseful journey ahead, and once Gabi arrives at Ruthie’s lavish new home, things take a turn for the bizarre.
Cardinal skillfully weaves Lovecraftian elements throughout the narrative, from the eerie sightings of a tentacled beast to the unsettling secrets lurking beneath the Hamptons’ glittering facade. The mystery surrounding the drowned girl and the sinister intimations surrounding Ruthie’s boyfriend, Frost, are thrilling elements that keep you on the edge of your seat. I particularly enjoyed Gabi’s determination to uncover the truth, even as the world around him seems to collapse into an otherworldly tangle.
The pacing is spot on; it’s fast enough to keep the adrenaline pumping and ensures that my late-night reading session turned into an all-nighter. Gabi’s voice is infused with a delightful dose of sarcasm, but there’s also depth—his background, Puerto Rican heritage, and passionate love for horror create a multifaceted protagonist I genuinely rooted for. The absence of a romance subplot was a refreshing choice; the sharp focus on friendship and identity gave the tale a unique emotional depth that might otherwise be muddied by traditional YA tropes.
There were moments that felt almost eerily relatable. Gabi’s observations about feeling like a fish out of water in a wealthy setting resonated deeply, especially when juxtaposed against Ruthie’s transformation after her family’s success. It was a poignant reminder of how relationships evolve, spurring thoughts on change and growth.
While I found some characters, like Ruthie, to be less developed, serving almost as plot devices, the story’s strength lies in Gabi’s evolving perspective. I appreciated how friendship dynamics were explored, especially as Gabi learns that relationships can shift without losing their value.
In closing, if you’re a fan of YA horror or love intricate mysteries wrapped in cosmic chills, then You’ve Awoken Her is a must-read. It beautifully encapsulates the complexities of friendship and identity against a backdrop of suspense and supernatural wonder. This book left me eager for more adventures with these characters and reflective about my own friendships—exactly the kind of reading experience that I find deeply rewarding. Thank you, Ann Dávila Cardinal, for this thrilling escape into the unknown!