ARC Review: At The End of Every Day by Arianna Reiche

Rating: 5/5 stars 

Wow, this book is easily one of my favorites this year, especially if you're a fan of good weird books  by authors like Mona Awad, Iain Reed, Karen Tidbeck, and others. The story follows the slow and unsettling closure of a Disneyesque theme park, narrated by Delphi, an employee who has an unhealthy attachment to the place and its mystique. At the end of each chapter, we're treated to letters exchanged between siblings Catherine and her brother "bro," which reveal the dark and deeply weird history of the park, along with warnings to stay away.

Debut author Ariana Reiche delivers a great main narrative through protagonist Delphi, using dreamy sentences and weaving in quick flashbacks of childhood trauma amidst vivid descriptions of the decaying theme park. What adds to the intrigue is that Delphi becomes increasingly unreliable as a narrator, subtly hinting at inconsistencies that challenge the facts presented. This creates an overall unsettling experience in the best possible way.

The book is sprinkled with mysteries surrounding the park, including the true reason behind its closure, which goes beyond the death of an actress initially mentioned. It also introduces uncanny AI, enigmatic founders of the theme park, and highlights the significance of setting as a character and driving force in the story.

This book held my attention so strongly that I finished it in just two days. However, if you're not a fan of unsettling and occasionally confusing or ambiguous books, this may not be for you. But if you enjoy the best kind of weirdness in books, keep an eye out for this debut release on July 4th, 2023. I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing me with the opportunity to read the ARC.