The print edition of Vincent Tirado‘s debut novel, BURN DOWN, RISE UP is available now! The eBook has been out for a while, but for those who prefer their books on paper, the wait is over! Published by Sourcebooks Fire in the UK and North America, here’s the synopsis…
Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice.
For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize’s cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances.
Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York’s past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.
If you happen to be in London during July, the author will be appearing at YALC! Full details can be found here.
Here are just a few of the great reviews the novel has received so far…
‘A speculative horror that blends elements of horror with a history of gentrification and systemic racism.’ – Publishers Weekly
‘Tirado’s unsettling debut is a love letter to the Bronx and the community that makes it. The perfect pick for horror lovers still looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.’ – Booklist
‘Readers will be on the edge of their seats and will have the chance to explore societal issues in a new way to answer the question What are monsters?’ — School Library Journal (Starred Review)
‘BURN DOWN, RISE UP is a brilliant contemporary horror that masterfully emphasizes the dark history of the Bronx into the thing of urban legends. The writing and the wonderful world-building is sure to stick with you for days after you read.’ — Bookish Brews
‘A queer, heart-pounding thrill ride. Fans of Attack the Block and Vampires vs. the Bronx: prepare for your newest obsession.’ — Ryan Douglass, New York Times bestselling author
‘It is like if Nightmare on Elm Street, Get Out, and The Get Down had a baby.’ – Isis Asare, Sistah Scifi bookstore
‘A sense of dread and… plenty of vivid action sequences to keep readers engaged.’ — Youth Services Book Review