This is a little weirdo novella about nine unnamed cousin children (they simply have flattering monikers like “the Liar” and “the Crybaby”) who are at their family lakehouse for a vacation and notice that things are Off. What follows is a flurry of forest-based eco horror with an emphasis on freaky mushrooms.

The prose is decent, the character work isn’t, but with that many characters in so few pages I don’t suppose it ever would be. It also leaves a lot unanswered in an unsatisfying way. Overall I don’t really regret reading it but not sure if I really recommend it either. Maybe if you want no plot just vibes tooth mushroom energy. Personally, the book made me glad that all five million of my cousins are absolute strangers to me.

Creature