Release date: July 16 2024
Publisher: HarperTeen
Pages: 304
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: The publisher kindly sent me a copy of this book to review
Rating: 5/5 stars

Synopsis

Two years ago, Riley visited the abandoned and allegedly haunted religious reform school Dominic House with his boyfriend, Ethan, and his best friends, Colton and Vee.

Ethan never came out. Colton’s leg will never quite heal, Vee is branded as hysterical, and Riley has horrific scars as a reminder of that night.

Now, at eighteen, Riley hasn’t exactly moved on, but he’s kept away from all things paranormal.

Until legendary ghost chaser Jordan Jones shows up with an offer: return to Dominic House with her to film an episode of her Spirit Seekers TV show.

Riley may have vowed never to return, but he has unfinished business at Dominic House. With a reluctant Colton and Vee at his side, Riley is determined to find out what happened to Ethan once and for all.

But as the night wears on, Riley realizes he isn’t just revisiting the most terrifying night of his life— he’s reliving it.

With an eerily elegant voice, dual timelines that slowly unravel a chilling ghost story, themes of religious trauma, and secrets in every corner, Trespass Against Us is the kind of horror story that will keep you up long into the night.

Review

Trespass Against Us is a dark and addictive YA horror that follows a group of friends that visit the abandoned Dominic House in search of ghosts. Four went in, but only three came out. Riley is unable to get past the horrors of that night or the disappearance of his boyfriend Ethan. When Riley and his friends are asked to take part in an episode of ghost hunting show about Dominic House, Riley knows he has unfinished business and has no choice but to return.

I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. Ghost hunting gone wrong is one of my favourite premises and Kemp did a magnificent job of executing this story. Told in two timelines (one during the first visit to Dominic House and the second during the return) i found the way this story unfolded so compelling. I really enjoyed Kemp’s writing style and there were a few scenes that definitely sent a shiver down my spine. Kemp does a brilliant job creating a tense, unsettling atmosphere and this book is the absolute perfect read for Halloween.

Trespass Against Us has a really interesting friendship group and I really enjoyed seeing how the dynamics changed between the two trips to the abandoned school. Riley and Ethan have such a sweet relationship and I thought their relationship was really well developed.

Trespass Against Us is a gripping, creepy YA horror that will have you turning pages long into the night. If you’re looking for a fast paced read that will have you on the edge of your seat, this is a book you will not want to miss.