AND THE RIVER DRAGS HER DOWN

Women in Soojin Han’s family can raise the dead.

Korean American Soojin and her sister, Mirae, have typically used their powers to revive roadkill or (on multiple occasions) their family’s beloved pet rat; their mother warned her young daughters against raising humans, citing a tragic example from an ancestor who broke the rules. Seven years ago, Soojin and Mirae’s mother was killed in a car crash, and their bereaved father was emotionally unequipped to handle 10-year-old Soojin and 11-year-old Mirae, leaving parentified Mirae to take care of her sister. But now that Mirae has suddenly died as well in a drowning accident, Soojin decides bringing her back is worth the risk. Soojin is too thrilled to be reunited with her sister to notice the disturbing hints that something isn’t quite right, from the mildewy rot Mirae leaves in her wake to the dark bruises appearing on Soojin’s own skin and the mysterious attacks on some of the town’s powerful residents. In her debut novel, Yun uses foreshadowing and alternating third-person limited perspectives to great effect, slowly unfolding mysteries from Soojin’s mother’s past through poetic, descriptive prose that never feels overwrought. The girls live in the predominantly white coastal tourist town of Jade Acre, which evokes Northern California. Korean language, food, and culture enrich this winning story of sisterhood, self-reflection, and moving on.

A beautifully written, grief-filled tale that’s equal parts creepy and heart-wrenching.