I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Tian is a singer-songwriter with a massive online following, known for her hypnotic vocals and ethereal looks. But behind the glamorous façade is a disturbing reality: raised in an isolated mansion, Tian is a prisoner in her own life.

Liya is Tian’s childhood friend and her only close companion, tasked with protecting Tian at all costs. But hidden beneath Liya’s beautiful human exterior is a beastly secret: her teeth are far too sharp, and her appetite much too ferocious.

When several fans mysteriously suffer fatal injuries while watching her livestream, Tian, along with Liya, are sent to a spiritual healing retreat on a remote island in the South China Seas. They are joined by Tian's musical collaborator Shenyu, a troubled idol whose recent brush with the law and string of bad boyfriends has him seeking his own new start. But the trio soon discovers that the island is no peaceful getaway. There is constant surveillance, bizzare rituals, and something terrifying lurking in the forest. Something not quite human.

In order to escape with her loved ones, Tian must uncover her connection to the island’s blood-drenched legend -- and the truth behind Liya’s monstrous identity -- before the island claims them all as its final sacrifice.

Short and Sweet Review

Tian is a famous singer-songwriter with hypnotic vocals and a massive online following, but behind the glitz, she’s basically trapped in her own life. Her childhood friend and bodyguard Liya is her only companion, except Liya isn’t just a loyal protector, she has a monstrous secret. When fans start mysteriously dying while watching Tian’s livestreams, the two, along with Tian’s collaborator Shenyu, are sent to a remote island retreat that’s supposed to heal them. Of course, it’s not peaceful: the island is full of strange rituals, constant surveillance, and something terrifying hiding in the forest. As the group uncovers the island’s bloody legend, Tian must face both the supernatural danger and the truth behind Liya’s beastly identity if they want to survive.

The island vibes are genuinely creepy think Midsommar meets folklore horror. Cheng is great at creating tension and atmosphere. I got chills in parts and loved the unsettling aesthetic, but Shenyu’s dialogue adds charm and comic relief. I won’t lie the story does have its issues. Tian is just too perfect, it’s hard to root for her when everyone else exists to orbit her. Liya is supposed to be fierce and complex, but she mostly just protects Tian, and their romance is surface-level and a little uneasy given the darker elements. Shenyu is underutilized, and the mythology/folklore stuff feels rushed at times.

Overall, the book delivers on spooky, eerie vibes and feral folklore energy, but I wanted more character depth and tension in the relationships. It’s an atmospheric, creepy read, but a bit frustrating in execution.