A Black British teenager attempts to survive after a family vacation unexpectedly turns into a blood-soaked nightmareIn another version of reality, Femi Fatona would be excited to visit Darlenia. The tropical island, discovered by entrepreneur and CEO Richard Jenkins, features a technologically advanced resort and is populated by strange, "vicious-looking" animals. Going there means accompanying his dad and older brother, Dapo, however. Femi isn't on the best terms with either of them, for different but equally significant reasons. Mr. Fatona, who found his own "passion in organometallic chemistry," disapproves of his son's music career dreams and wants him to continue his formal education. Last summer, Dapo was severely injured in a life-changing accident that Femi feels was his fault. Femi's mum opts out in favor of a Malta trip with her own friends and hopes the Darlenia excursion will force father and sons to repair their cracked bonds. But soon after their arrival, the animals break free of the island's control systems and start hunting the tourists. As Femi and his family try to outsmart the terrifying predators, they uncover the island's hidden history of exploitation and destructive corporate greed. Oyemakinde's sophomore novel balances nail-biting action with explorations of guilt, forgiveness, familial relationships, and the consequences of neocolonialism. The first-person narrative highlights the depth of Femi's inner thoughts and emotions. Vivid imagery captures the awe-inducing, colorful world of Darlenia.An engaging thrill ride of a story that spotlights a complex, relatable hero. (bonus scene)(Fiction. 14-18)

Gr 10 Up —Femi is forced to face his tumultuous relationship with his dad and brother, Dapo, during a trip to an exclusive island resort. All he really wants to do is work on his music and be left alone—or better yet, be understood. When he runs into Deja on the ferry to the island, he feels a glimmer of hope. Maybe this trip won't be so bad after all. Maybe he can finally confess his feelings to her. But all of that quickly takes a backseat to the strangeness of the island. It starts with the animals. With their iridescent colors and bizarre features, they are unlike anything Femi's ever seen. At times, they are menacing—aggressive, even—and bent on hunting him when he gets lost in an area that is clearly not part of the resort. As he gets drawn into the island's secrets, chaos erupts. Will Femi and those he loves be able to escape? This novel reads like a bleak version of Jurassic Park with a Black cast of characters, and even more violence. While trudging through paragraphs of gore and betrayal, readers are left wondering why and get no good answers. Perhaps that is the point. Oyemakinde is exploring capitalism and its relationship with colonization, destruction of natural resources, and the complexity of living with the repercussions, and this novel forces readers to see and to reflect on their own place within the system of producer, consumer, and profit. VERDICT Recommended for sparking deep conversations with older teens.—Amira Walker