Harrison Squared by Daryl Gregory
Synopsis:
Harrison is a lonely teenager, terrified of the ocean since a childhood sailing accident took his father – and his right leg. One of the “sensitives” who are attuned to the supernatural world, Harrison and his mother have just moved to the worst possible place for a boy like him: Dunnsmouth, a Lovecraftian town perched on rocks above the Atlantic, where monsters lurk under the waves, and creepy teachers run the local school. When Harrison’s mother, a marine biologist, disappears at sea, his attempts to find her puts him in conflict with a strange church, a knife-wielding killer, and the Deep Ones…It will take all his resources – and an unusual host of allies – to defeat the danger and find his mother.
Review:
Harrison is a smart and observant young man. The events around his father’s disappearance, and Harrison losing his leg are sketchy, but Harrison doesn’t dwell on it. When he and his mother move to this strange seaside town, he quickly learns that this is no ordinary small town. The students at school are zombie-like with their own strange language. And the whole town is involved in a mysterious cult that seems to link to his mother’s disappearance.
Harrison Squared is an enchanting fantasy and very unique. The characters are vivid and engaging. And the dark subject matter is paired with clever humor. And an air of mystery and adventure that keeps the story moving at a great pace. I highly recommend this fantastic novel. It’s eerie, funny, and captivating – and a story that I didn’t want to end.