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That Which Feeds Us
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Expected 26 May 26A native Hawaiian teen travels to a luxury island resort in search of her missing twin and uncovers the dark side of paradise, in this YA supernatural thriller that's Mexican Gothic meets She is a Haunting.
For the world’s wealthiest, Kōpaʻa Island Resort is more than a destination. It’s the ultimate escape. With no cell service or Wi-Fi, the Hawaiian island is a coveted wellness retreat renowned for its persimmon orchard and promises of rejuvenation.
But their dream vacation is Lehua’s nightmare. When her twin sister, Ohia, goes missing, Lehua follows her trail to Kōpaʻa to find her. Instead, Lehua is cut off from civilization—and help—after the island’s boat leaves without her, stranding her with the resort’s lavish guests and enigmatic staff.
As Lehua investigates Ohia’s disappearance, she discovers her missing sister isn’t the island’s only mystery. Kōpaʻa’s rich exterior and sweet persimmons hide its dark plantation past. And Lehua can’t ignore the dreams haunting her each night—nor the warning telling her to leave the island at once. To uncover what happened to Ohia, Lehua will have to unearth the island’s bloody history and face the horrors that lurk within its sugarcane fields—or risk being consumed by them.
Sharply observed and gorgeously written, That Which Feeds Us explores the true cost of paradise as Lehua must fight to reclaim the land, the stories, and the very souls of her people.
For the world’s wealthiest, Kōpaʻa Island Resort is more than a destination. It’s the ultimate escape. With no cell service or Wi-Fi, the Hawaiian island is a coveted wellness retreat renowned for its persimmon orchard and promises of rejuvenation.
But their dream vacation is Lehua’s nightmare. When her twin sister, Ohia, goes missing, Lehua follows her trail to Kōpaʻa to find her. Instead, Lehua is cut off from civilization—and help—after the island’s boat leaves without her, stranding her with the resort’s lavish guests and enigmatic staff.
As Lehua investigates Ohia’s disappearance, she discovers her missing sister isn’t the island’s only mystery. Kōpaʻa’s rich exterior and sweet persimmons hide its dark plantation past. And Lehua can’t ignore the dreams haunting her each night—nor the warning telling her to leave the island at once. To uncover what happened to Ohia, Lehua will have to unearth the island’s bloody history and face the horrors that lurk within its sugarcane fields—or risk being consumed by them.
Sharply observed and gorgeously written, That Which Feeds Us explores the true cost of paradise as Lehua must fight to reclaim the land, the stories, and the very souls of her people.
352 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication May 26, 2026
573 people want to read
About the author
Keala Kendall
4 books63 followersKeala Kendall (pronounced: kay-ah-luh) is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of How Far I’ll Go and Nobody Gets Left Behind in Disney's A Twisted Tales series, and That Which Feeds Us: A Hawaiian Gothic. Hapa Native Hawaiian, she is a cofounder of Pacific Islanders in Publishing and a past organizer of the Books for Maui charity auction.
Born in Honolulu, raised on Molokaʻi, she now lives as part of the Native Hawaiian diaspora in Los Angeles. To learn more about Keala, visit her at kealakendall.com or @kealakendall on Instagram and TikTok.
Born in Honolulu, raised on Molokaʻi, she now lives as part of the Native Hawaiian diaspora in Los Angeles. To learn more about Keala, visit her at kealakendall.com or @kealakendall on Instagram and TikTok.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 5, 2025
You’re in for a serious treat with this book (and you will never look at persimmons the same way again).
This is a horror debut that deftly balances colonial atrocities with their lingering specter in modern day—the exploitation of Hawai’i and its people, the mistreatment of the land, and the people who rewrite history for their own benefit. It’s like White Lotus meets Mexican Gothic, with forays into real and terrifying histories. It’s elegantly written, haunting, and will keep you awake at night long after you’ve finished it.
But in some ways, it’s also fun. From Lehua’s descent into the dark underbelly of an idyllic resort and the ugly secrets its guests conceal, to unsettling encounters with what might be supernatural, it’s a book that hit the perfect amount of creepy for me.
Put everything Keala writes on your TBR forever. I’m early awaiting her next Hawaiian haunting!
This is a horror debut that deftly balances colonial atrocities with their lingering specter in modern day—the exploitation of Hawai’i and its people, the mistreatment of the land, and the people who rewrite history for their own benefit. It’s like White Lotus meets Mexican Gothic, with forays into real and terrifying histories. It’s elegantly written, haunting, and will keep you awake at night long after you’ve finished it.
But in some ways, it’s also fun. From Lehua’s descent into the dark underbelly of an idyllic resort and the ugly secrets its guests conceal, to unsettling encounters with what might be supernatural, it’s a book that hit the perfect amount of creepy for me.
Put everything Keala writes on your TBR forever. I’m early awaiting her next Hawaiian haunting!
Want to read
January 15, 2026A Pacific Islander/YA thriller suspense thriller set in Hawaii.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books and the author, Keala Kendall for the early eARC!
Publication date: May 26, 2026
Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House Children’s Books and the author, Keala Kendall for the early eARC!
Publication date: May 26, 2026
January 27, 2026
That Which Feeds Us is a masterclass in survival, colonial, and eco horror that follows a teen twin, Lehua, as she searches for her sister Ohia after disappearing from a job she took in their native Hawaiian homeland. The resort Lehua investigates is populated by rich White people who find new and increasingly disturbing ways to feed off the land and people they’re occupying… to the detriment of everyone. This text is heavy on indigenous people and stories, and is an incredibly rich story because of it. The loss, justice, and sense of "home' are all key aspects that are explored and I thought this book did a phenomenal job tackling all those items in a way that can resonate with ALL readers. I stayed up late to finish this in one sitting - the horrors and character complexities rival most adult horror I read, so I think fans of Andrew Joseph White and Ryan LaSala would enjoy this work by Keala Kendall.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Books for Young Readers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“That Which Feeds Us” by Keala Kendall is a haunting, furious, and beautifully written debut that exposes the rot beneath the fantasy of paradise. Set on a secluded luxury resort in Hawaiʻi, the story combines horror, history, and folklore to confront the violence of colonialism and the ghosts it leaves behind, both literal and figurative. There is some blood and gore in this book (mainly at the end). With the MC being 19, I recommend this book for older YA readers; this book may be considered NA as well.
When nineteen-year-old Lehua’s twin sister, Ohia, goes missing, Lehua follows her trail to Kōpaʻa Island Resort, an ultra-exclusive wellness retreat for the world’s wealthiest elite. With no cell service, no Wi-Fi, and only one boat in and out, the island promises peace and rejuvenation to its guests. For Lehua, it becomes a trap. When she is stranded on the island, she is forced to search for her sister among indulgent tourists, guarded staff, and a landscape that feels increasingly hostile and alive.
As Lehua digs deeper, the island’s beauty curdles. Human bones surface in the sugarcane fields, ghosts of Native Hawaiian laborers walk the land, and Lehua begins seeing and hearing things that defy explanation. The supernatural elements are chilling and visceral, with moments of blood and gore that provide a brutal message. Kendall’s depiction of ghosts is especially striking: corporeal, present, and bound to the land they were brutalized for defending. These spirits are not just haunting; they are demanding to be remembered.
The story is steeped in Hawaiian history and folklore, with an author’s note that grounds the story in real atrocities committed against Native Hawaiians. Kendall makes it painfully clear that what happened on Kōpaʻa reflects real patterns of land theft, racism, and erasure that persist today. The resort’s persimmon orchard, which is sweet, cultivated, and deeply unsettling, becomes a potent symbol of how paradise is built on suffering.
Lehua is a compelling protagonist, driven by grief, rage, and an unbreakable bond with her sister. Her bisexual identity is thoughtfully included, and while a brief love triangle feels rushed and somewhat out of place given the urgency of her search, it never overtakes the core of the story. At its heart, this is a story about sisterhood, legacy, and the lengths one will go to reclaim what was stolen. Lehua’s willingness to risk her own life to find Ohia gives the story its emotional backbone.
Atmospheric and deliberate in its pacing, this book is infused with Hawaiian myth and righteous fury. Kendall’s prose is lyrical and unsettling, allowing you to almost taste the decay beneath the island’s lush beauty. The multiple plot threads, from colonial violence to supernatural vengeance, gradually braid together, culminating in a powerful, cathartic ending centered on reclamation, justice, and togetherness.
This is horror with teeth and purpose: a brutal, unflinching examination of the true cost of paradise and a reminder that land remembers. “That Which Feeds Us” is not just a ghost story; it is a reckoning, and one that lingers long after the final page.
“That Which Feeds Us” by Keala Kendall is a haunting, furious, and beautifully written debut that exposes the rot beneath the fantasy of paradise. Set on a secluded luxury resort in Hawaiʻi, the story combines horror, history, and folklore to confront the violence of colonialism and the ghosts it leaves behind, both literal and figurative. There is some blood and gore in this book (mainly at the end). With the MC being 19, I recommend this book for older YA readers; this book may be considered NA as well.
When nineteen-year-old Lehua’s twin sister, Ohia, goes missing, Lehua follows her trail to Kōpaʻa Island Resort, an ultra-exclusive wellness retreat for the world’s wealthiest elite. With no cell service, no Wi-Fi, and only one boat in and out, the island promises peace and rejuvenation to its guests. For Lehua, it becomes a trap. When she is stranded on the island, she is forced to search for her sister among indulgent tourists, guarded staff, and a landscape that feels increasingly hostile and alive.
As Lehua digs deeper, the island’s beauty curdles. Human bones surface in the sugarcane fields, ghosts of Native Hawaiian laborers walk the land, and Lehua begins seeing and hearing things that defy explanation. The supernatural elements are chilling and visceral, with moments of blood and gore that provide a brutal message. Kendall’s depiction of ghosts is especially striking: corporeal, present, and bound to the land they were brutalized for defending. These spirits are not just haunting; they are demanding to be remembered.
The story is steeped in Hawaiian history and folklore, with an author’s note that grounds the story in real atrocities committed against Native Hawaiians. Kendall makes it painfully clear that what happened on Kōpaʻa reflects real patterns of land theft, racism, and erasure that persist today. The resort’s persimmon orchard, which is sweet, cultivated, and deeply unsettling, becomes a potent symbol of how paradise is built on suffering.
Lehua is a compelling protagonist, driven by grief, rage, and an unbreakable bond with her sister. Her bisexual identity is thoughtfully included, and while a brief love triangle feels rushed and somewhat out of place given the urgency of her search, it never overtakes the core of the story. At its heart, this is a story about sisterhood, legacy, and the lengths one will go to reclaim what was stolen. Lehua’s willingness to risk her own life to find Ohia gives the story its emotional backbone.
Atmospheric and deliberate in its pacing, this book is infused with Hawaiian myth and righteous fury. Kendall’s prose is lyrical and unsettling, allowing you to almost taste the decay beneath the island’s lush beauty. The multiple plot threads, from colonial violence to supernatural vengeance, gradually braid together, culminating in a powerful, cathartic ending centered on reclamation, justice, and togetherness.
This is horror with teeth and purpose: a brutal, unflinching examination of the true cost of paradise and a reminder that land remembers. “That Which Feeds Us” is not just a ghost story; it is a reckoning, and one that lingers long after the final page.
January 17, 2026
A horror story twisted with folklore that lures you in with promises of new opportunities in paradise but once in its grasp you may find it hard to leave.
“That Which Feeds Us” begins with desperation as Lehua searches for her twin sister settling on an island in Hawaii where she learns her sister faked her identity to obtain a job before disappearing altogether. Out of element, Lehua struggles to find answers and with her knowledge of local culture lacking she finds looks to an employee Melia to fill the gaps but with time is running out she must uncover what lurks both in and outside of the resort otherwise she may find herself in the crosshairs of something far darker than she could have ever imagined.
This is such an interesting and truly frightening book and I felt completely consumed with each page. The author makes mention of the lack of resources regarding the Indigenous Hawaiians and their their history in a special note and I know I have not heard a lot about such things especially the folklore when that is a subject I have always been so interested in. There were so many elements that touched on spirituality and familiar connection as well as elements torn out of your worst nightmares and I would love nothing more than to see more on this subject.
The story itself draws you in with the mystery of Ohia and how far a sister will go to bring her home. The slow creep of dread as you move through the plot only heightens both of the moments of peace with the whisper of romance as well as the terror in whatever lurks off the path. Lehua is just a girl trying her best but she is ultimately searching for the connection with her family and the foundations of a home in a way that makes her the perfect subject to stick around even if it means putting herself at risk. You root for her but it may be those roots that keep her still.
Not for the faint of heart this story isn’t afraid to go there and show the horrors of over indulgence and the way people will strip something pure and good to the bones if it means they get one more moment of power along with the hollow ache of never being satisfied.
** special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review **
“That Which Feeds Us” begins with desperation as Lehua searches for her twin sister settling on an island in Hawaii where she learns her sister faked her identity to obtain a job before disappearing altogether. Out of element, Lehua struggles to find answers and with her knowledge of local culture lacking she finds looks to an employee Melia to fill the gaps but with time is running out she must uncover what lurks both in and outside of the resort otherwise she may find herself in the crosshairs of something far darker than she could have ever imagined.
This is such an interesting and truly frightening book and I felt completely consumed with each page. The author makes mention of the lack of resources regarding the Indigenous Hawaiians and their their history in a special note and I know I have not heard a lot about such things especially the folklore when that is a subject I have always been so interested in. There were so many elements that touched on spirituality and familiar connection as well as elements torn out of your worst nightmares and I would love nothing more than to see more on this subject.
The story itself draws you in with the mystery of Ohia and how far a sister will go to bring her home. The slow creep of dread as you move through the plot only heightens both of the moments of peace with the whisper of romance as well as the terror in whatever lurks off the path. Lehua is just a girl trying her best but she is ultimately searching for the connection with her family and the foundations of a home in a way that makes her the perfect subject to stick around even if it means putting herself at risk. You root for her but it may be those roots that keep her still.
Not for the faint of heart this story isn’t afraid to go there and show the horrors of over indulgence and the way people will strip something pure and good to the bones if it means they get one more moment of power along with the hollow ache of never being satisfied.
** special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review **
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. What a journey of a read this was. I love horror novels, so when I read the synopsis for this on NetGalley, I automatically requested it. That Which Feeds Us follows Lehua as she searches for her missing twin sister, Ohia, at the luxury island resort in Hawai'i where she was last seen. The story combines the dark history of colonialism, cultural traditions, and pure creepy horror to create this masterpiece of a story which will simultaneously haunt you and make you think deeply.
Honestly, I went into this expecting the horror. I didn't expect as much history as I got, and that made the story significantly better. Admittedly, I don't know much at all about the history of Hawai'i or the various cultures and traditions, but I was thoroughly drawn in and captivated nonetheless. The conversations around the colonialism of Hawai'i were truly haunting in a very different way from the horror - history is often bloody, and the author embraces that truth here.
Aside from that, the supernatural and more horror-esque moments of the novel are just chilling and haunting. My annotations throughout read along the lines of, "wow, I really hate this" and "really really don't like this". The descriptions of the field workers particularly - I could picture them in my mind perfectly, and I didn't like what I imagined! But that's what made it so good to me - the writing is so perfectly visual and descriptive.
And the ending - wow. I guessed a couple of things along the way, but had absolutely no clue what the real end game was. Honestly, I felt a bit nauseous, but the plot and ending were very well thought out and the story leads up to the ending so well. I finished the story feeling satisfied, and incredibly sad at the same time.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a solid horror read, especially if you're interested in historical aspects as well!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, I went into this expecting the horror. I didn't expect as much history as I got, and that made the story significantly better. Admittedly, I don't know much at all about the history of Hawai'i or the various cultures and traditions, but I was thoroughly drawn in and captivated nonetheless. The conversations around the colonialism of Hawai'i were truly haunting in a very different way from the horror - history is often bloody, and the author embraces that truth here.
Aside from that, the supernatural and more horror-esque moments of the novel are just chilling and haunting. My annotations throughout read along the lines of, "wow, I really hate this" and "really really don't like this". The descriptions of the field workers particularly - I could picture them in my mind perfectly, and I didn't like what I imagined! But that's what made it so good to me - the writing is so perfectly visual and descriptive.
And the ending - wow. I guessed a couple of things along the way, but had absolutely no clue what the real end game was. Honestly, I felt a bit nauseous, but the plot and ending were very well thought out and the story leads up to the ending so well. I finished the story feeling satisfied, and incredibly sad at the same time.
Overall, I would recommend this to anyone looking for a solid horror read, especially if you're interested in historical aspects as well!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The book started off strong but ultimately lost some momentum for me in its execution.
What worked well:
- The use of colonialism as horror which is a compelling concept that’s especially effective when handled thoughtfully.
-The incorporation of Hawaiian history and folklore, which I found fascinating, particularly since it’s an area I’m not very familiar with.
-The setting and landscape, which added a refreshing change of pace from the usual cold, urban backdrops.
What didn’t quite land:
-I struggled to feel emotionally connected to the characters.
-The main antagonist felt somewhat derivative of other colonial-horror narratives.
-There were fewer genuinely frightening moments than I expected from a horror novel.
Overall, it’s a solid YA horror read set in a distinctive location with an intriguing perspective, even if it didn’t fully deliver on its initial promise.
What worked well:
- The use of colonialism as horror which is a compelling concept that’s especially effective when handled thoughtfully.
-The incorporation of Hawaiian history and folklore, which I found fascinating, particularly since it’s an area I’m not very familiar with.
-The setting and landscape, which added a refreshing change of pace from the usual cold, urban backdrops.
What didn’t quite land:
-I struggled to feel emotionally connected to the characters.
-The main antagonist felt somewhat derivative of other colonial-horror narratives.
-There were fewer genuinely frightening moments than I expected from a horror novel.
Overall, it’s a solid YA horror read set in a distinctive location with an intriguing perspective, even if it didn’t fully deliver on its initial promise.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
5/5 stars
Recommended if you like: horror, ghosts, decolonization, Hawaii, plantation horror
Big thanks to Random House, Netgalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a book steeped in history and family. The ghosts of the past, both personal ghosts and colonial ones, are prevalent in a metaphorical and literal way, and I enjoyed reading about the interplay between these various elements. This is the kind of horror I enjoy. So much of the colonial historical elements echo through to Lehua's personal story, as it's wont to do. It's horror with a message, but one that doesn't knock you over the head.
Lehua actually has a pretty interesting background, and I wish we got to see more of her as a mortician. Of course, most of the book takes place on Kopa'a, where she is looking for her sister and decidedly not preparing people for their funerals. Lehua used to be a track star alongside her twin, Ohia, but ended up quitting the team and dropping out of school, causing a rift between the two. But family's family, and when Ohia goes missing, Lehua is determined to find her.
I will admit, based on Lehua's account of things, I wasn't a huge fan of Ohia. She sounded stuck-up and pushy, but it's good to remember that there's always two sides to a story, and we do eventually get to hear Ohia's side. She's actually not that bad, lol.
It's pretty obvious from the moment Lehua finds Melia, another girl going to work at Kopa'a, that something deeper is going on. Lehua maybe took longer to clock it, but from the moment I heard Melia didn't have family and that Chiyo was surprised Ohia did that Kopa'a was specifically looking for girls they could disappear without issue. Lehua, despite being in foster care, is much more trusting than me and pretty much believes Chiyo when she says she'll help. Much of the story revolves around finding Ohia, but unraveling that mystery also requires unraveling the larger mystery of the resort and Kopa'a as a whole.
Recommended if you like: horror, ghosts, decolonization, Hawaii, plantation horror
Big thanks to Random House, Netgalley, and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is a book steeped in history and family. The ghosts of the past, both personal ghosts and colonial ones, are prevalent in a metaphorical and literal way, and I enjoyed reading about the interplay between these various elements. This is the kind of horror I enjoy. So much of the colonial historical elements echo through to Lehua's personal story, as it's wont to do. It's horror with a message, but one that doesn't knock you over the head.
Lehua actually has a pretty interesting background, and I wish we got to see more of her as a mortician. Of course, most of the book takes place on Kopa'a, where she is looking for her sister and decidedly not preparing people for their funerals. Lehua used to be a track star alongside her twin, Ohia, but ended up quitting the team and dropping out of school, causing a rift between the two. But family's family, and when Ohia goes missing, Lehua is determined to find her.
I will admit, based on Lehua's account of things, I wasn't a huge fan of Ohia. She sounded stuck-up and pushy, but it's good to remember that there's always two sides to a story, and we do eventually get to hear Ohia's side. She's actually not that bad, lol.
It's pretty obvious from the moment Lehua finds Melia, another girl going to work at Kopa'a, that something deeper is going on. Lehua maybe took longer to clock it, but from the moment I heard Melia didn't have family and that Chiyo was surprised Ohia did that Kopa'a was specifically looking for girls they could disappear without issue. Lehua, despite being in foster care, is much more trusting than me and pretty much believes Chiyo when she says she'll help. Much of the story revolves around finding Ohia, but unraveling that mystery also requires unraveling the larger mystery of the resort and Kopa'a as a whole.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
That Which Feeds Us is a good story, but it drags a bit in the middle. The number of characters seems a little much. I kept forgetting who Jennifer was and constantly got Leigh and Oliver mixed up. My favorite characters were Chiyo and Daisy, because they had the best back stories. I ended up not caring much for Lehua, Ohia, or Melia, which is too bad, because more investment in these characters would have equaled more investment in the story itself.
Overall a good book, just a little bogged down and draggy. 3.5 out of 5
Overall a good book, just a little bogged down and draggy. 3.5 out of 5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
interesting horror concept -- i love horror that deconstructs colonial history and this def falls into that category. also liked the queer elements <3 i just think i unfortunately didn't care too much about the twin which is such an important part of the story that i felt less connected, but overall i definitely think it was solid!
January 28, 2026
I was unfamiliar with how horrible the colonialism was in Hawaii and this really thought out piece of fiction and the deep amount of research that went into this was excellent. A great thriller, nice and twisty attorney, but also steep in some disgusting levels of greed and dehumanization.
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