The Dead of Summer

The Dead of Summer #1

by Ryan La Sala

A Best Book of the Year - School Library Journal

"La Sala's story puts the 'gore' in "gorgeous prose.'" - The Washington Post

"A deeply human, absolutely riveting, and expansively inclusive marine biology nightmare." - School Library Journal, starred review

"La Sala once again demonstrates extreme prowess..." - Booklist, starred review

Welcome to the Island of Anchor's Mercy, where 17-year-old resident Ollie Veltman is about to have the best summer ever. It should be easy--for generations, Ollie and his mom have welcomed visitors to their famous bed-and-breakfast to revel in the island's pristine beaches and musical, queer culture--but Ollie knows something is very, very wrong with Anchor's Mercy. Something is making the townies sick, including his mom, and anyone who asks too many questions about the island's dark history tends to vanish beneath the waves.

Then the perfect storm hits the island during the busiest tourist weekend of the summer, cutting off communication to the mainland. Ollie's investigation is barely underway when answers rise from sea in the form of a supernatural, radiant plague that drowns its victims on dry land, then transforms them into unfathomable creatures of the deep. Now, Ollie will have to face off with his island's secrets in order to save it, and the rest of the world, from the ocean's embrace.

Take a deep breath and hold it close! In this opening of a two-part series, read from behind the eyes of a scientific researching ordered to stop the catastrophe from spreading to the mainland by piecing together critical clues in Ollie's story. And...read Ollie's story in his own words to decide the truth for yourself.

Told as a kaleidoscopic drama between past and present, narration and interview, text and pictures, The Dead of Summer is a thrilling scavenger hunt for truths so dangerous they will make your skin crawl and your lungs ache for air.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Queer, LGBT, Audiobook, Mystery, Fiction

Unknown Binding

First published September 16, 2025

About the author

Ryan La Sala is a bestselling and award-winning author known for his genre defying, queer-centered horror and fantasy.

Ryan is the author behind the bestselling cottagecore horror, The Honeys, which is in development to become a major motion picture with Anonymous Content. He is also the author of Beholder, Reverie and Be Dazzled. He has been featured in The New York Times Book Review, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, and more. He writes to you from New York, overseen by his cat, Haunted Little Girl.

Reviews

[Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, Ryan, you just left us hanging like that? With a cliffhanger? And now I have to wait, what, another year to find out what happens to Ollie and his friends? To the Suds? All of the Suds?

Also, why is Ollie’s last name Dutch? Is that just me reading too much into it, or is there something there?

Anyway. If you loved The Honeys and Beholder, The Dead of Summer is something different—but in the best way. It’s told from Ollie’s perspective, mixed with audio transcriptions and other epistolary bits from a marine biology PhD student. The story keeps tossing you between now and then, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time, needing to know more and more and more. And then that plot twist. I didn’t see it coming. And the cliffhanger! Now I’m stuck here with my theories and no answers. Sigh.

Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded down (for now) because I need that sequel first.

Thank you, Scholastic and NetGalley, for this fantastic ARC!

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[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published September 16, 2025.

4 stars

Ollie Veltman, queer teenager, and his mom Grace are returning to their home on the vacation island of Anchor’s Mercy, off the coast of Maine. They’ve been gone for about a year while Grace was being treated for cancer. The return starts off well when Ollie meets a cute newcomer on the ferry over.

However, things go downhill quickly. Within a day or so of their return an otherworldly plague overtakes the island and he and his friends struggle to survive, then Ollie is left to try to tell the tale and to try to determine what happened in AM.

First off, just looking at the map at the beginning of the book makes me want to book a trip to AM immediately. Ollie says it’s an island run by drag queens, and I want to go spend the hottest month of the year there (Maine is so cold!) because this place looks like it would be a blast. I wish the plague hadn’t set in quite so fast so we could have spent some time there.

The way the book is set up readers get to experience a fair amount of the island (not in any kind of boozy brunch, singalong way, though) and that was nice. This was definitely YA, and I’m not sure I understood the reason for the ending, though this is only book one in what MAY be a planned trilogy (I might have created the trilogy part in my mind, I’m not sure.) so things may be more clear in the next book. There’s a fair amount of tragedy here in volume one. I think YAs will enjoy this.

Horror Aficionados Summer Reading Challenge 2025 - a place I would like to visit (it’s fictional, but I really want to go there!)

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eerie, creepy, atmospheric, mysterious, and horrific! The Dead of Summer is a YA horror book which takes place on Anchor's Mercy, an island off the Maine Coast. Anchor's Mercy is a haven for drag queens, locals and tourists! It sounds like a lovely place to visit except for the fact that the locals seem to get sick....

Ollie, a gay teenager, and his mother, Grace, have been gone from their home on Anchor's Mercy for a year as she battled Cancer. But now she is Cancer free, and they are back home. It should be a time of happiness but, well, things are complicated. Ollie's friends (Bash and Elisa) think he has abandoned them, and he has met Sam, another young man and piano player on the ferry over from the mainland. As Ollie is trying to reconnect with those in his life, a storm descends...

Three weeks later Ollie is being questioned on a military ship. The Dead of Summer gave me strong "The Fog" vibes. I enjoyed the eerie vibe, the cast of characters, and the way the author wrote the book though the story and interviews on the military ship. This is a YA book, and it has just the right number of thrills and chills without being scary. I found this book to be highly original and unique. There were a few twists in this book with one reveal which shocked me. I love when that happens.

This series is off to a good start. Again, this book is YA, and I have a feeling that it will be a hit with its target audience. This book might have you looking at the beach and ocean in a different way! I did want to know more about the history of the island and more about Elisa's mother.

Overall, this was an enjoyable book which piqued my interest and has me wondering what will happen next!

Thank you to Scholastic | PUSH and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ollie Veltman returns to Anchor's Mercy after a year away while his mom battled cancer. Nervous about facing his friends who think he abandoned them; Ollie is determined to uncover the truth about this small island. Anchor's Mercy hides a dark secret—something is causing the locals to get sick, just like Ollie's mom. After a storm hits the island, his search becomes urgent as a mysterious outbreak spreads. Three weeks later, Ollie is isolated on a military hospital ship, where Marine Biologist Yumana Awor is sent to uncover what happened to Ollie and his friends after the outbreak. Together, they reveal a story of survival and government conspiracy, with the truth holding the key to saving Anchor’s Mercy.

Wow! This book was a rollercoaster ride. I didn’t know what to expect with this book, but I was curious after reading the synopsis. This is perfect for readers new to the horror genre, such as myself, or those interested in the YA horror subgenre. I loved the alternate timelines of before and after the outbreak, and it seemed that every chapter held another clue to this mystery. I also enjoyed the transcripts throughout this book. The audiobook added to the creepy atmosphere, making the transcripts sound like they were being recorded. However, that ending made me want to scream. How can you give us a cliffhanger like that and make us wait for the next book? I will be impatiently waiting for book 2.

The Dead of Summer is out now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic Publishing for the opportunity to review The Dead of Summer. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Caleb Roehrig · Rating 5 out of 5]

GREAT now I’m afraid of the beach!!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This YA horror novel was right up my alley! Zombie-like creatures, conspiracy theories, complicated family dynamics.. You name it, Ryan touched on it.

The atmosphere alone sets the tone for a good thriller / mystery / horror theme. The island-like area in Anchor’s Mercy, Maine adds a level of seclusion that was perfect for what will normally take place if something like this was to ever happen for real, which is isolation & quarantine. As this illness spreads through this town, people slowly begin to turn into “weepers” & those not infected need to steer clear to prevent the spread. In true pandemic fashion, it spread anyway!

What I loved most was the alternating timelines between before & after the outbreak. The interview transcripts were intriguing and I looked forward to each & every one of them, as it built a level of suspense that kept you guessing. The ending.. talking about leaving me wanting more! I can’t wait to read book 2 - this was my first read by Ryan La Sala but certainly won’t be my last! Overall a great read that’s perfect for those who like their scares mixed with emotional depth and queer representation. Thank you Scholastic | PUSH, Colored Pages Book Tours and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

Publication 🗓️ : 09.16.25

[Gyalten Lekden · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s not often you get zombies on the beach, and here Ryan La Sala gives us zombies made of the beach, and it is delightful! Heartfelt and visceral, this novel balances its fast pace with creative imagery and a unique take on survivalist horror.

I do need to qualify my review a bit before continuing, though. This is YA horror, and the characters are supposedly fresh out of high school, which usually would align it more on the “new adult” spectrum of YA, but that is not the case at all. None of our main characters read as their stated ages, and it really felt like they should have been starting high school, not having recently finished it. The way the acted, the way they spoke to each other and understood the world, the ways they were treated by the adults, the fact that they kept referring to “the adults” as if they weren’t on the cusps of adulthood themselves… nothing spoke to them being the age stated. That goes for the writing too, which was simple and direct in a way appropriate for the younger side of whoever YA is marketed toward. The novel deals with heavy and important topics and it doesn’t talk down to the audience, but everything is distilled into simple and direct language, hinting at nuance but not delivering on it. This is all perfectly fine, it is appropriate for a YA novel, it just felt really discordant with the stated ages of the characters. I just mentally re-aged them to be 14-15 and everything worked a lot better.

The set-up for this story isn’t entirely original: some sort of zombie-like outbreak in an isolated community complete with untrustworthy scientists with government ties and a mysterious and messy history that can’t be ignored, all set against the landscape of the personal apocalypse of our main character as their life is in its own type of spiral. However, it manages to breathe fresh life into the formula with a wonderful environment and clever world-building which tie directly into the nature of the outbreak itself and the creative nature of the resulting zombies. Our main characters are all interesting and messy, in their won ways. I do feel like the secondary characters all feel a little convenient, but that is in large part because we are told their stories from the main character’s perspectives, so we don’t get any interiority on their lives. That said, they still feel like they have depth and substance to them, and the depth of their relationship with the main character is also tangible. Our main character, Ollie, is in the middle of a whirlwind of emotions, and that lack of stability is effective and believable, and it really helps his character. Aside from the secondary characters there are a handful of ancillary characters that aren’t given much to do but are colorful and feel appropriate for the setting, making the atmosphere and world-building feel more realized. The writing is quick, simple and direct, taking a lot of experiences at face value without much nuance but tackling heavy experiences like grief and loss in honest ways. The writing is smart, with really vivid descriptions, especially of the zombies, but also scattering important details through the whole story, making all of the characters decisions and the ways they react to and fight against the outbreak feel genuine and totally in line with their characters. It doesn’t feel, in the final act, that they have developed magic abilities or that there is anything convenient about how they are in positions to fight, everything is planned but not in a heavy-handed way, instead being skillful and keeping the reader invested.

The story is fast paced, aided by the intermittent use of interview transcripts and the interviewing scientist’s journal entries. This is smart, for a number of reasons. It allows the narration to go back and forth in time, revealing bits of resolution before then showing us how the characters got there, which creates dramatic tension and never feels forced. It also allows there to be time jumps in the main storyline and those details can be filled in without ever leaving the audience feeling cheated or unsure. Using transcripts and the like is always a stylistic gamble, because it sacrifices character interiority in favor of straight exposition. Here, I have to admit it is a little hard to believe that a scientist in these circumstances would ask these questions in this way, it feels a little too convenient and easy to be believable all the time. But I was able to overlook that because it really helps the pacing of the story, it adds to the intrigue and sense of paranoia, and the setting itself is believable and in line with everything else we know about the world of the story. From the very first scenes we are hurdling toward an exciting conclusion, and I really liked the way the story ended. It ended with appropriate levels of action, confidence, and ambiguity and I think La Sala utilized character development and narrative misdirects in a skillful way. This story is listed as “book one” so I imagine there will be a sequel but there will be a sequel but there doesn’t need to be, I think the ending is really strong as it is without the promise of more to come.

I do think the main antagonist felt a little bit of cartoony. Given everything we know about the island’s history and their own history their lack of knowledge about what was going on was hard to believe. If our main characters could gather this amount of information under extreme duress over the course of a few days then surely the antagonist, who has uncountably more resources than they have, could have figured more of this out in the literal years, maybe decades, they have been studying it. I didn’t buy their lack of understanding for a moment and kept waiting for a reveal that they had some other plan in place, but in the end they just seem incompetent. So, the human antagonist was a little bit of a letdown. And this is marketed as an unapologetically queer book, and it is, I suppose, but the queerness seems ornamental. The setting is a combination of Provincetown and Fire Island, a queer friendly summer destination, and our many of our characters are queer… But we never see that in any way, and it doesn’t play any role in the plot nor even in the way they understand themselves in the world. We don’t even see an examples of queer relationships, be they healthy or toxic. There are drag queens, and the characters mention having queer experiences, but otherwise there is no sexuality at all displayed in the story. There is the platonic embrace of friends and some discussion about crushes, but that is about it. Queerness is normalized away entirely, to the extent that this doesn’t really feel like a queer story at all. There is nothing about their queerness that seems to add to their characters nor to the plot, it is literally backdrop. Some folks really love this aspirational queer-utopia setting, but I am generally disappointed by it, as it is entirely disconnected from the real-life struggles and lived experiences of queer people. I do appreciate the casual acknowledgment and acceptance of queer identity, and again if I frame this story as being aimed at an audience of tweens and early teens then it feels less egregious, but it still feels like a lost opportunity for character depth if nothing else.

I do wish the human antagonist and the actual mystery of the island’s history felt more realized, they both felt like the least thoughtful parts of the story. But, overall, it was still a good time. I immediately cared about the main character and recognized how complicated his life had become, the entirely unresolved inner hurricane he was navigating. This was a really smart backdrop to then tell a zombie story, the inner and outer narratives worked really well together. In order to survive he had to face what he was afraid of and remind himself what he was made of, return to things he knew about himself but had forgotten in the face of grief. La Sala manages to explore loss and grief, found family, community, isolation, solidarity, self-confidence, acceptance, and more, all while offering really creative and memorable “zombies” and summer thrill ride.

(Rounded from 3.5)

I want to thank the author, the publisher Scholastic|Push, and NetGalley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Mikey ಠ◡ಠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where is the sequel, Ryan??? Ryan, the sequel??? WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THE SEQUEL PLEASE RYAN???

You guys may think I’m joking BUT I’M NOT. This book had everything, funny business names a la Bob’s Burgers, a hermit crab named Crabigail, and a secret government conspiracy/cover up. Ooooh plus if you like Last of Us but can’t in good conscience support it, support this instead! Literally the weepers (like clickers but swap cordyceps for coral) were so scary I actually had nightmares. NIGHTMARES! Do you know how rare that is as an avid horror lover???

That’s all I’m saying, if you don’t read this book when it comes out I’m going to tell the ocean on you. 😡

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[read chelsea read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book! ❤️

I will be forever chasing the high of The Honeys and because of that I tend to do myself the disservice of setting my expectations too high when it comes to anything else Ryan has written, which is a me problem. I've also been struggling with YA lately, so I was really afraid to read this. With all of that being said, I was pleasantly surprised! It's a super fast-paced read that I was able to fall into really easily, and it's just plain fun. My only real complaint is that I wanted MORE. Especially with this having a sequel, I wanted more depth before everything got crazy. I wanted more time with these characters, especially the drag queens, and I wanted to spend more time on this island before everything plunged into chaos. That being said, I wanted more chaos!! I just felt like there was so much room for more. There could be 101 reasons why that didn't happen, so I'm choosing to just be happy with the ride and will be waiting not so patiently for book 2.

[Zana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars.

What a fun read!

This is pretty much like a queer YA version of a zombie movie mixed in with a bit of The Last of Us. I loved the characters, the setting, and the mixed media format. All of these elements worked well together to tell a cohesive story that's simple enough to understand for YA readers, yet detailed enough for older YA and adults alike.

I could easily picture this novel as a Netflix movie, especially with the coral zombies roaming around the summer seasonal island town setting. There's a clear descent into horror that would transmit really well in a film or graphic novel format.

The characters are fun and lovable. I love that being queer is normalized in this novel, so queer YA readers can definitely feel like they belong.

This was a quick and enjoyable read. I can't wait for the sequel.

Thank you to PUSH and NetGalley for this arc.

[Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an arc from work 4.5/5

This is a Weird Goddamn Book and I mean that in the kindest way possible because what the fuck. It’s a zombie apocalypse book there’s no denying that but it does zombie apocalypse in a way that feels refreshing? From the aquatic design/nature of the zombies themselves to world it creates, it kept me guessing until the very end and left me excited for more. Stuff HAPPENS, it’s not all setting up for a second book, they get shit done, but it teases enough that I’m very intrigued to know what’s gonna happen next and WHAT is in the red notebook???

[Casey Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Dead of Summer is a strong, queer, YA horror! La Sala blends the supernatural and the personal in ways that produce suspense, horror and emotional resonance. Ollie and his mother return to their home island off the coast of Maine after a year on the mainland for his mother’s cancer treatments. Not only is he coming home to tension with his friends, but a storm soon hits, bringing with it a supernatural plague. This plague manifests in horrific, watery ways, like drowning on dry land, and coral growths on skin. Ollie and his friends begin to discover secrets of their island. The story is told in two timelines—present day, and presumably future in the mode of transcripts, research logs and interviews. If you like YA horror that doesn’t shy from body horror, that builds up mystery via non-linear clues, that cares about place and community, and leaves you on a killer cliffhanger waiting for book two, pick this one up! The nautical atmosphere and imagery is killer! Well done.

[Matthew Condello · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wild, fun, thrilling, queer and unique take on the somewhat tired zombie genre. La Sala has delivered what may be my favorite work of his so far. All the characters in this felt like old friends. Ollie felt like my teenage self. Bashar and Elisa felt those friends every gay kid has at one point or another . I’m a bad gay that hasn’t been to Provincetown before but it was clear that it was the inspiration for Anchors Mercy and La Sala made it come to life around me. I really loved the themes of the meaning of family and belonging. Dealing with grief and loss. The importance of found family. The way music is essential and vital to our humanity. The way small communities care for each other. The treatment of queer peoples and communities by outsiders and the government. And on and on. There’s so many wonderful layers to this and this is only the beginning of this saga. The imagery of the thick liquid spilling from the eyes and mouths and the coral growing out of the infected is one that is so vividly imagined you won’t soon shake it from your brain. And I loved the world building and the conspiracy, and jumps in time to tell the story. Nearly everything about this was a home run for me. Sad this isn’t out now because it’s the perfect summer beach read!! Thanks to Netgalley and PUSH for this ARC. Only minor issue was all the graphics and notes and notebook stuff were all blank in this version.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half of this book! it started to lose me after Sam randomly died as well as other family members.. just kinda sad for no reason and the story just abruptly ended without any sort of conclusion... like no real climax, it was way too long for nothing to actually happen?

[Mackenzie Marrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know I love a Ryan La Sala!!!

Dead of Summer falls in the familiar camp we're ready for with a La Sala book. It's Queer horror, that while it is "technically YA" that mostly means it centers teens, grownups with some weird vindication against said kids, interpersonal relationships, and like nothing too salacious for the kiddos. But that doesn't stop this novel from packing a PUNCH.

“I chipped my heart apart so it wouldn’t sink me into sorrow, but I wish someone had told me to save the pieces. All I have now is this aching emptiness, and all the beauty around me is a constant reminder of what I can’t feel. All this joy, all this dreaminess— I hate it.”
- The Dead of Summer

I think the narrative is fun to go into blind, but the meta-narrative really gives the reader something to chew on. The island of Anchor's Mercy, while home to many residents over the years, has become a safe haven for queer folks after it was all but abandoned by the system after an ecological disaster in the 60s. Leaving the few survivors to accept their new islanders with welcome arms. It's quite the home for those cast out by society, but that can also draw attention for better and for worse. Dead of Summer is about how queer people are used as bastions of what's fun, cool, and stylish, but are quickly pushed aside by those who profit from them. Much like the AIDS crisis, queer people who make the culture are abandoned because they're not fun to play with when they're suffering. It's much easier to ignore them on a small island out at sea. But we’re hard to kill.

“During the darkest days of the AIDS crisis we buried our friends in the morning, we protested in the afternoon, and we danced all night, and it was the dance that kept us in the fight because it was the dance we were fighting for.”
– Dan Savage (x)

Dead of Summer will make you laugh, and it will break your heart. And I can’t wait for the sequel.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at 60%
I am not a fan of zombie novels and I hadn't read the synopsis or any reviews going into this so I didn't know that's what this was about. I liked the characters but I couldn't get into the story. This is great for fans of zombie stories and teenage angst but it just didn't work for me.

[Izzys_Internet_Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

This book was so good! Ah! I love a thriller that had me guessing and this one was perfect. The different forms of media and the story were just so much fun. The weepers were terrifying honestly and reminded me of the infected from TLOS. I can’t believe there is going to be a sequel though and I’m SO READY for it to come out.

[Kera’s Always Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set on the fictional Maine island, Anchor's Mercy, I was immediately intrigued by the location. I love a coastal horror. I knew this was going to be good, but I loved this one way more than I expected. This is now a close second to The Honeys as my favorite from La Sala. This plays out like a movie, giving such a vivid picture of the horrors that befall this little island.

Ollie has been on the mainland for the past year while his single mother battled cancer. Now, she is cancer free, with a new view of life and a cheery outlook, determined to have the best summer ever. They head home to Anchor's Mercy, but Ollie isn't ready to celebrate. He pretty much ghosted his two best friends and isn't sure what kind of reaction his return will get.

While the town's facade looks picturesque and perfect, there is a not so secret truth that everyone pretends to ignore. There is something wrong here, something under the surface... and an incoming storm is going to provide the perfect time to rise up. Something is infecting people and the way they react is so insanely scary to me personally. The way its all described, how the infected act... yikes! So much fun.

Later, when Ollie is being held aboard a military medical ship, we get to recount in a forward/backward fashion, the events of this disaster, and how Ollie and his friends get through; who makes it out alive and who falls victim. The characters in this book were awesome! They have strengths and flaws that make them so realistic in a world where super unimaginable things are happening to them. There is a dark town history that this book delves into and it brings so much to the suspense of the book.

I listened to the audio book and I highly recommend it. The narration was top notch and the production was great, with sound effects and different forms of audio media. I cannot recommend this book enough!

[MarcoPoloReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dead of Summer is the newest release from Ryan LaSala and let me tell you I devoured this! This was such a fun, creepy and wickedly entertaining read. Summer vacation with some of your closest friends on an island, what can go wrong? I know we’ve heard this before but this is such a unique and different story; it’s told from Ollie’s perspective as well as notes from a biologist and other transcripts. Things escalate fairly quickly as something infectious spreads throughout the island sparing no one from its grasp.
Flipping between past and present we find out what happened on the island, who survives and who did not. The main focus is on Ollie and those closest to him, chaos ensues as the group is split up and people do what they need to do to survive. Without going into detail, there’s some serious detailed and scary imagery (which I absolutely loved). There’s lots of unease, humor and overall creepy atmosphere. This was a perfect spooky read and recommend checking this out. It’s no secret but there’s going to be a sequel; I for one am ready for the next one Ryan!

This is available today anywhere books are sold! Go get your copy now friends!! Thanks so much to Ryan, ColoredPages Book Tours and Scholastic for providing me a copy of this book ahead of its release.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unhinged, creepy, atmospheric, wild ride, zombies, beaches, gay horror and I loved EVERY SINGLE WORD!!
My only complaint is that I needed to have book two available immediately and I have to wait an entire year to find out what happens next with Ollie and friends!

This is the kind of book you honestly need to go in blind because.... WOW!

Just read it, you won't regret it.

[Beth | Bookwyrm.Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala
Publisher: Scholastic
Genre: Horror, YA
Format Read: Physical & eBook

Vibes:
The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala is book one of a new YA Horror duology that takes place on the fictional island of Anchor’s Mercy. The story centers around Orlando “Ollie”, who is returning home after a long absence. Unfortunately, strained relationships with his former friends aren’t the only things waiting for him when he gets there: a supernatural plague is rapidly spreading, and his return turns into a fight for survival.

The story bounces between the future and past, layering clues between recovered journal pages, recordings, and Ollie’s first hand account. There is light body horror, and the atmosphere is ominous throughout.

Tropes:
❥ Fight for Survival
❥ Queer resilience
❥ Found family
❥ Unreliable Narrator
❥ Mysterious illness

Thoughts:
This was deeply imaginative, disturbing and inspiring. I never highlight my books, but there were so many quotes that stuck with me, especially the passages about grief. Grief of both physical and mental loss, the past, and expectations for the future. I loved the exploration into Ollie’s relationships with his hometown friends and the aspects of found family. La Sala’s wit is woven throughout this book, and is a welcome reprieve from more gruesome portions. If you enjoy horror with an emotional undertone, you will love this as much as I did.

Special side note: This is a duology and ends on a bit of a cliffhanger!

Thank you so much to Scholastic and Netgalley for the eARC, and also for the early physical copy!

[Katy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dead of Summer is about a teen named Ollie who lives in an LGBTQIA+ utopia that's on a (fictional) island off the coast of Maine. He's returning to the island after being away with his mother who was being treated for cancer and now is returning, seeing what's different and what's the same, and trying to recover his broken friendships that he left behind. As a Mainer I loved imagining this island off the coast of Maine. I also loved La Sala's earlier book, The Honeys, and this one had a lot of similarities in the best way--both audiobooks were very atmospheric and I would highly, highly recommend listening to this one on audio. The recordings of interviews with people during the trauma really added to the spookiness of the book and made it even more creepy and suspenseful. I really loved the twists and turns (there was a big one at the end that I totally didn't see coming!) and the evolving friendships between the main characters. As someone who doesn't read much horror, there were parts that creeped me out almost too much but I also loved it. This is a must-buy for any library that serves secondary readers who enjoy horror (a large population, I've found!). This was a five star read for me and I highly recommend it. Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

[W. Brady Stonica · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title was announced today on my birthday, and I couldn’t think of a better present! I devour every word Ryan La Sala puts to the page. His unapologetic queer protagonists always deliver authenticity and genuine representation. In a time plagued by book banning, I always know Ryan will not shy away from unabashed queer characters. I’ve loved all his of books from the fantasy, to the romance, to his descent into the inky depths of horror. This book doesn’t have a publication date yet, but I don’t need to wait until September 2025 to know this is going to be a 5-star read for me. Get your preorders in everyone before the tide comes in. I’m drowning in anticipation!

[A.M. (ᴍʏ.sᴘᴏᴏᴋʏ.ᴡᴀʏs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t quite know how to put into words how much I loved 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 by Ryan La Sala, but I’m going to try my best. Apologies in advance if this review runs a little long, but I just have a lot of feelings about this book. From the very beginning, this story reined me in. The premise alone is enough to intrigue anyone: a boy returns home to a small, picturesque island haunted by strange illness and buried secrets, only to uncover something ancient and horrifying lurking beneath the waves.

What struck me most about this book isn’t just the horror or the sea-infested transformations that twist people into something monstrous, but the deeper story about belonging, about home, and the families we’re born into and the ones we find along the way. It comforted me in ways it probably shouldn’t have, because beneath the monstrosities and loss is a raw emotional core that hit me harder than most stories ever do. La Sala captures the ache of coming home changed, the fear of no longer fitting into the life you once had, and the grief of realizing that both you and the place you loved have transformed into something unrecognizable. On the surface, everything looks the same, but deep down, you feel the difference in every way that matters. Even when everything else is stripped away, what remains are the connections, the loyalty, and the quiet love that endures — all of this a testament in 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫.

Yes, the monsters are terrifying, made of coral, barnacles, reefs, and all the small ocean life we often overlook. They are grotesque and beautiful all at once, reflecting the themes of growth, decay, and rebirth that run throughout the story. Although they’re anything but human, a sliver of humanity remains beneath the surface. You catch glimpses of it in the muffled whispers, the fragments of core memories that linger, and the haunting tunes they sing, communicating in a language only they can hear. It’s quite brilliant, if you ask me. Oftentimes, zombie-like creatures in horror movies and books have no semblance of humanity left, but La Sala gives his monsters depth and emotion. He allows us to feel the traces of who these people once were, which makes their transformation into something otherworldly all the more heartbreaking. Yet in the end, the real monsters in the story are not the coral-infected hosts, but the humans orchestrating the experiments, like Dr. Pfaff, whose manipulation, cover-ups, and willingness to sacrifice others reveal a cruelty far more chilling than any creature from the sea.

One last thing I loved about this book was Anchor’s Mercy. The setting feels alive in a way that makes it almost a character in its own right. It is a home for the different: the gays, queers, drag kings and drag queens, tourists, and anyone who has ever felt like they don’t quite fit in. It is a place of acceptance, more welcoming than the world beyond its shores. Reading the acknowledgments, I discovered that Ryan La Sala drew inspiration for Anchor’s Mercy from an actual location — one he calls home — and it shows in the vividness and authenticity of the town. Every corner of the island, from the sunlit beaches to the colorful eateries, the bustling downtown, and the lively, festive locals, feels lived-in and lovingly crafted. The balance of charm and underlying menace makes Anchor’s Mercy both enchanting and eerie, giving the story a sense of place that is perfect in a horror book.

Over all, Ryan La Sala’s writing is impeccable, full of heart. The lost and found again family trope, the tension, the queer representation, and the emotional weight of both Ollie’s journey and the Suds’ story make this one of my favorite horror novels of the year. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 has everything: a chilling mystery, an unforgettable setting, and characters who are truly real than most.

It is rare for a horror novel to scare me and comfort me at the same time, yet this one does exactly that.

(𝘽𝙞𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙍𝙮𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙖 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠!)

[Raaven💖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I have been a fan of Ryan La Sala's horror since The Honeys. This book might be even better in my opinion. While Beholder wasn't my favorite, this book made a comeback and shined for me. I really liked our MC Ollie. We see him struggle with the weight of his Mother's cancer and about how he abandoned his old life and friends. The community where they live seems so nice and I always wanted to be in a place like that. Where friends are so close and neighbors become family. I love seeing that in novels. I also really liked Bash and Elisa. They were truly ride or die for Ollie.
Sam seems to be the outlier here and I have my theories about him. He just so happened to show up randomly right before shit hit the fan? Plus we never saw him die. I hope he comes back in the second book and my theories are correct.

Willy was such a stand up character. I also thought it was cool how much drag and drag queens seemed to be attached to the island. Willy and Wendy helped so much with the chaos. Also, this book had me crying. There were a few parts I was holding in my tears. Like what the heck. My emotions were so high during this.

Now getting to the horror. This was an interesting body horror novel mixed in with aquatic horror. Toxic corral that mutates it's victims and makes them turn into monsters? Say less I love it. The design of the monsters and the way they operated was really cool and unique. I hope we get to learn more about them in the second book.

Out of all of Ryan's books this might have been my fave? Like I was so engaged from start to finish. Plus there were so many good plot twists! I can't wait for the next book! The cliffhanger and questions have me reeling.

[Lilibet Bombshell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dead of Summer wasn’t a story I felt I could connect to on a personal level very well, but I found the story and characters interesting enough to engage with it. La Sala’s creativity, passion for the subject, and talented writing really kept me committed to finishing the book and looking forward to the events of the second one.

I really feel this book would be a great read for the younger YA set, with its questions about ecological disasters, corporate and government cover-ups, rightful and brave questioning of authority figures, and young adults willing and able to not only educate themselves but to try and save other people from suffering the same fate as other victims. Their commitment to seek out the truth and see it brought to light–because secrets only benefit those in power–is a fantastic lesson for those still trying to figure out whether or not questioning their world view is worth the pain. 3⭐️


Thank you to Scholastic Books for the finished copy. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. All reviews three stars and under will not appear on my main social media. Thank you.

[Jolene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I looooved The Honeys and stayed up way too late reading it and then added it as a summer reading option at the high school where I teach. I also love Ryan La Sala's Instagram posts and the beautiful cover of this book.

What I didn't love was this book! And what I loved least of all was the cliff-hanger of an ending! Why didn't I know it was the first in a duology or series or whatever??

Okay, La Sala does sweaty, bright summer vibes so well. I really liked the world-building on Anchor's Mercy and the ongoing debate between the boring political/economic explanations for illness on the island and the conspiracy theories. The body-horror is campy and fun. The smiles and big, gloppy, slow tears. I can deal with the sassy teen narrators and corny "Sweet Child O' Mine" moments. BUT I GET NOTHING AT THE END? NOT EVEN A HINT OF WHERE IT'S ALL GOING? THERE'S SUPPOSED TO BE *SOME* CLOSURE. The most important (if not the biggest) reveal comes like three-fifths of the way through the story with the reveal about the spill in the sixties, but we don't really learn any new information about what's really going on between then and the ending, do we? Am I missing something?

I guess I just feel like the ending of The Honeys was so bonkers and expanded the world in such a cool and grisly way, so a Part 1 feels impossible to judge. And I feel tricked by the marketing. It's like if someone unexpectedly split Wicked into two parts. Oh.

[Trisha]

"We do not end, we echo."

I read a small sampler and now I am so excited for this one! First, this cover is gorgeous.

The story appears to be told through different mediums. My small sampler gave a few torn out journal pages along with typical novel chapter narrative. I'm not sure the other forms in the story, but I'm excited to find out. In the small bit I read, I loved Ollie's voice - the anxiety of a sick mom suddenly deemed healthy and the fear of it all happening again. I loved Gracie's sayings and sweet "live, laugh, love" lines but I also loved Ollie's reluctance to lean in to it.

And who was that mysterious boy on the ferry?

This was a great start. I can't wait to read more!

[★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apparently I'm on a body horror kick and it's the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Also between this and the last book I read, I am never going into the ocean again


This book broke my brain for a while, and then when I eventually started to wrap my head around it all, everything broke again.


And I have so many questions.
I hate when I get too into the book’s ending and completely forget that it’s part of a series and I won't get the satisfying ending I need until at least the next installment.


I can't tell if I loved this book, or if I'm terrified of it.
Which just makes me want to love it more.

I can't write about this book without wanting to scream which is probably for the best anyways, so I can force you all to go into this book blind and headfirst; dive in and see the truth of the water.


thanks to edelweiss and push for the arc

[Lizzy (reviewsshewrote) · Rating 4 out of 5]

can confirm: the ocean is still a no from me