Here Lies Olive by Kate Anderson (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Here Lies Olive by Kate Anderson Aaren Tucker Anderson, Kate Here Lies Olive. Flux/North Star, 2023 [296p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781635830910 $14.99 E-book ed. ISBN 9781635830927 $9.99 Reviewed from digital galleys Ad Gr. 8-12 It's hard growing up in a town dedicated to dark tourism (think "Morbid Stars Hollow"), especially if you already know what happens after death: nothing. Thanks to a near fatal allergic reaction to shellfish, sixteen-year-old Olive already knows there's no light at the end of the tunnel. Since her death and resuscitation, she has shrouded herself in a layer of apathy, so she won't have to lose anything when her time finally comes. However, when her elderly friend dies in front of her, the word "mom" on the woman's lips, Olive begins to question what she has believed about the Nothing waiting after death. Along with her former best friend Davis, his new-in-town girlfriend, and Olive's nemesis and town royalty Maren, she sets out to summon a ghost. That spirit turns out to be more than Olive bargained for, and the gang will have to grapple with their town's painful history to stop the sudden spree of violent attacks and lay their new haunting friend to rest. Funny with a touch of melodrama, this debut novel begins as an adventurous romp with Olive and her Scooby gang of friends but loses some joy as it struggles to bear some of its weightier themes. An underdeveloped world relies mostly on Olive and co. making many plot-convenient assumptions, and the heavily telegraphed ending is not particularly surprising. However, Olive's relatable fears about death carry most of the story, and it is sweetly satisfying to see her resolve her conflicts with Davis and grow into her feelings for Maren. The campy, gothic tone also provides a lot to love in this spooky read for the Wednesday fans. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois