Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/01/2025 Although Milkis the rat is not officially immortal, she has been regularly resurrected by two generations of Han women. And although Milkis doesn’t seem that worse for wear, family lore warns against human resurrection—otherwise, Soojin would have brought back her recently deceased sister, Mirae, months ago. After Soojin’s childhood friend Mark discovers her secret power, things spin out of control, and Soojin finds herself resurrecting Mirae after all. Initially, all is well, but Mirae, as it turns out, has both unfinished business with several people in the sleepy town of Jade Acre and the newfound ability to travel through water. This is far from your standard revenant-with-a-vengeance horror story; generational trauma and the stark consequences of incidental parentification are the subtle horrors interwoven throughout. However, there is still enough body horror and general creepiness to sate readers looking for a good ghost story. The prose itself is brilliantly crafted and contributes heavily to how emotionally real the narrative feels without being overwrought. This is a nuanced, vibes-forward experience perfect for easing readers into more emotionally mature horror. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.