Lurking Beneath: Unveiling the Secrets of ‘A Misfortune of Lake Monsters’
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Welcome to the murky depths of mystery and intrigue, where reality blurs with science fiction in a chilling tale reminiscent of Stranger Things. In the haunting pages of “A Misfortune of Lake Monsters” by Nicole Wolverton, readers are plunged into a world where the line between myth and reality is as murky as the depths of the lake itself.
As avid enthusiasts of books that seamlessly blend suspense with the supernatural, we embark on a journey through the mind of author Nicole Wolverton, eager to uncover the secrets lurking beneath the surface of her captivating narrative.
Title: A Misfortune of Lake Monsters
Author: Nicole M. Wolverton
Genre: YA Horror, Thriller
Pages: 304
Star Rating: 4.5 stars
Spice Rating: 0 chili peppers
Tropes: Unlikable characters, Small Town, Monster Legends
Legends Bite…
In the quiet town of Devil’s Elbow, Pennsylvania, Lemon Ziegler dreams of leaving for college, but her fate takes a drastic turn when she’s tasked with perpetuating the local legend of Old Lucy, the mythical lake monster of Lake Lokakoma. Generations of Zieglers have kept this tradition alive to sustain tourism in the town, leaving Lemon feeling trapped in her role. Keeping the truth from her best friends, including the secretly smitten Troy Ramirez. It becomes increasingly challenging as a genuine threat emerges: a monstrous creature lurking in the depths of the lake. As the town’s survival hangs in the balance, Lemon and her friends must confront the reality behind the legend, risking everything to protect Devil’s Elbow from a predator hungry for more than just folklore.
A Hungry Monster lives in the Lake
We all know of the mysteries of things like the Loch Ness Monster, and Bigfoot. So the premise of “A Misfortune of Lake Monsters” won’t be a terrible leap from the mythology of those stories.
Lemon Ziegler is an Old Lucy impersonator (think Loch Ness Monster) out on the town lake, Lake Lokaloma. Secretly keeping this fact away from everyone she loves including Troy Ramirez and Darrin, her best friends. Ziegler wants to live her own life, escaping rural Devil’s Elbow. Go to college and become a vet. But, Lemon feels bound to the family business. Ever since her parents died the duty to keep the rumors of Old Lucy, thus sustaining the boating business falls solely on her.
To say the least, I enjoyed “A Misfortune of Lake Monsters”. The story has a vintage ’60s or ’70s feel. Using things like neon walls and clown face entrances. “A Misfortune of Lake Monsters” is like tagging along with Lemon and her friends. Experiencing things in real time as Lemon and the rest of the gang discovers them. It made the ya horror tale exciting, ratcheting up the tension as things in the story unravel.
Short Stories and Things Standing in the Water
What I didn’t like was Pappap (Lemon’s grandpa Ike). Lemon’s life is in danger when they find a real lake monster inhabiting the lake. His only concern is Old Lucy and making sure the story stays alive. In fact, at one point Lemon is covered in blood AND the dog is missing. And, his concern is still Old Lucy. Furthering my understanding of Lemon and why she ultimately resents Pappap! He is infuriating and excruciatingly so!
The only soothing balm to the story is Grammy Pearl. Not mentioning her friends her cause DUH! While she picks her battles when it comes to her husband picking on Lemon, she seems to have Lemon’s best interest at heart.
There are also minor inconsistencies within the story. Lemon hears a scream to her right but goes left. Why? If she is out there to find out what’s going on shouldn’t she go toward the sound not away from it?
The prose is creepy and feels incredibly accessible. Creating a general young adult horror feel, with science fiction undertones pulling you to solve the mystery. While you start frustrated with Lemon by the end you are rooting for her. She is down-to-earth, and an approachable 17-year-old.
Return to Sender and as a result, the Lake is clear
Nicole has a style of writing that is unique to herself. Yet that style feels familiar. Her tone, pacing, and the flow of the tale are all well scripted keeping you invested and engaged in “A Misfortune of Lake Monsters”.
Beyond Lemon and her friends my favorite part of “A Misfortune of Lake Monsters” was the mystery of the lake monster. The build-up to the reveal was excellent. Creating this eagerness to get to the end and see exactly what it was that took over the lake. Even for a brief period. This is another testament to Wolverton and her writing style. She did a wonderful job writing the ending of each chapter that you felt compelled to continue reading. To see what happens next!
Overall, if you like a story with:
- Unlikable characters
- “Fluffy” horror (nothing too gruesome)
- Monster legends
- Eerie things and feelings with a Stranger Things vibe
Then “A Misfortune of Lake Monsters” is for you and I highly recommend you pick it up!
“A Misfortune of Lake Monsters” releases on July 2, 2024 by Comcat Books! It will be available on Amazon and everywhere books are sold. Thank you so much to the author Nicole Wolverton for an eARC of the book for me to review.
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