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.

In 2008, Ethan’s older brother drowned in Bleak Haven’s cursed creek. While the coroner ruled out foul play, Ethan has always suspected that there’s more to the story.

Four years later, 18-year-old Ethan chooses the anniversary of the tragedy to finally return to the creek, attempting to gain the closure that has always eluded him.

What starts as a healing process aided by his loyal friends turns sinister when something emerges from the shadows: a figure that looks unnervingly like Ethan’s dead brother, begging for a sacrifice that could change everything.

As Ethan digs deeper into the creek’s dark history, he discovers that someone did return when all seemed lost. Maybe they were the ‘miracle’ child the news reports painted them as. Or perhaps they only came back because someone took their place.

If that’s true, Ethan really could bring his lost brother home. But how far is he willing to go…and at what cost?

Short and Sweet Review

Four years after his older brother Brody drowned in Bleak Haven’s cursed creek, Ethan still doesn’t believe his death was simply an accident. On the anniversary of Brody’s death, Ethan returns to the creek with his friends, hoping to finally find some kind of closure. Instead, he starts seeing and hearing things that make him question what is actually happening. When something that looks like his dead brother begins appearing from the creek, Ethan becomes determined to uncover the truth. The deeper he digs into the history of Corpse Creek and the strange stories surrounding it, the more he starts to wonder if there really is a way to bring his brother back.

Ethan is clearly struggling with losing his brother, and his desperation to understand what happened slowly turns into an obsession with getting him back. His relationship with his dad was also one of the more emotional parts of the story because you can see how differently they’re both dealing with their grief while still trying to connect with each other. The mystery surrounding Corpse Creek was what kept me interested. I liked that the book constantly made me question whether Ethan was actually experiencing something supernatural or whether his grief was affecting the way he was seeing things. The appearances of his brother and the history surrounding the creek created a creepy atmosphere, and I enjoyed slowly learning more about what may have happened there. The story also connects back to the darker history of Bleak Haven, which I thought was a nice way to tie it into the rest of the series. That said, I did find the pacing a little slow at times. This is definitely more of a slow-burn, emotional story than a nonstop horror book, so if you’re expecting something similar to a slasher, this one is much quieter. I also wasn’t always a fan of Ethan’s inner narration because some of it felt a little too poetic or philosophical for his character and pulled me out of the story occasionally. The ending was interesting, but I can see why it might not work for everyone since it leaves quite a bit open to interpretation.

Overall, Corpse Creek was a creepy and emotional read that explores grief, guilt, and how far someone might go to get back the person they lost. I liked the mystery surrounding the creek and the way Ethan’s grief was woven into the supernatural elements. If you enjoy YA horror with a darker atmosphere, small-town secrets, and a mystery that keeps you questioning what’s real, this is a quick read worth checking out.