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After reading two of his novels, I feel like Gabino Iglesias has really seen some shit. This story is extremely visceral and violent. One bad situation snowballs into many more. It is a stressful and harrowing novel in which terrible things happen to people. And once again, this author has a way with words.

One of my favorite things about this book was that it portrayed how terrifying storms are. I hate them so much. These storms specifically are hurricanes and not tornadoes, like the ones I have to worry about, (plus there are supernatural elements mixed in), but my feelings are still valid! This story takes place in Puerto Rico and I felt like I was there. Iglesias vividly describes the post-hurricane destruction and suffering in ways that evoke all of the senses. (The buzzing of the generators, the heat, etc.) And that's just the grounded layer of the plot, because there is also horrific revenge and something monstrous and otherwordly happening on top of all of this.

The main characters are four men who love each other like brothers. One of them is gay, and they accept and protect him without question. That was nice to see. But once the primary narrator, Gabe, gets caught up in a bad situation, it all spirals out of control and their loyalty to each other will be tested with blood. This book is brutally violent and bleak. Heed the trigger warnings.

I would also caution that at the start of every chapter, there are five words or phrases in bold. They’re sort of like a preview of what the chapter will be about, but they’re also like little mini-spoilers, so I would recommend ignoring these lists. I'm not sure why they're included.

I didn't mind the supernatural element, and just like with "The Devil Takes You Home," I think Iglesias blended it in well with the very real and very ugly core story. There were cool and creepy scenes throughout that added a chilling veil of darkness to the atmosphere. My only complaint was that some of it did get a bit silly near the end, even if it also touched me emotionally. (Very complicated!) I really like this author and will continue to read anything he releases. His writing is not for the faint of heart.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

TW: Hate speech, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, child harm/death, suicide, animal death, drug use, extreme violence