Review of In Nightfall by Suzanne Young

 In Nightfall by Suzanne Young

Published on March 28, 2023 by Delacorte Books

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review.

Plot Summary for In Nightfall by Suzanne Young

In the quaint town of Nightfall, Oregon, it isn't the dark you should be afraid of—it's the girls. The Lost Boys meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this propulsive novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Treatment.

Theo and her brother, Marco, threw the biggest party of the year. And got caught. Their punishment? Leave Arizona to spend the summer with their grandmother in the rainy beachside town of Nightfall, Oregon—population 846 souls.

The small town is cute, when it’s not raining, but their grandmother is superstitious and strangely antisocial. Upon their arrival she lays out the one house rule: always be home before dark. But Theo and Marco are determined to make the most of their summer, and on their first day they meet the enigmatic Minnow and her friends. Beautiful and charismatic, the girls have a magnetic pull that Theo and her brother can't resist. 

But Minnow and her friends are far from what they appear.

And that one rule? Theo quickly realizes she should have listened to her grandmother. Because after dark, something emerges in Nightfall. And it doesn’t plan to let her leave.

Review of In Nightfall by Suzanne Young

Back in the day, Suzanne Young wrote some YA dystopian classics, like The Program series.

She's back with a standalone paranormal story for the 2020s. 

Though many reviews have said what kind of paranormal story this is, I'm not going to because the book keeps you in suspense about what is going on in Nightfall for some time. NO SPOILERS!

Theo and her brother Marco get sent to Nightfall to stay with their grandmother as a punishment for a huge party Marco through without permission.

Right off, their grandmother tells them not to stay out past dark. What? This is a tiny Oregon town. What dangers could possibly lurk here?

As Theo and Marco get to know the kids their age in town that include a beautiful girl and her friends, plus a good looking guy who seems interested in Theo, they start to think Nightfall can't be that bad. 

But then weird things start to happen. Really weird things.

This did take a bit of time to get started, but I found it a fun and atmospheric read. This series will always be my favorite YA paranormal series, I think teens will love it, but adult fans of 1990s paranormal shows and movies will love it too!

If you love YA Paranormal Books, check out these great book lists!

Best YA Books About Ghosts

Best YA Books About Witches

Best YA Books About Vampires

Best YA Books About Zombies!