Northranger Review

 

Northranger by Rey Terciero and Bre Indigo is a YA graphic novel set in rural Texas. The main character Cade Muñoz is a closeted gay guy who loves horror movies because they are a lot less scary than real life. His family struggles a lot financially, and his stepfather Dale suggests that the two of them find an extra way to earn money working at a farm. 

The farm is owned by a retired army general (whom everyone calls "The General") who Dale used to serve under when he was in the army. Cade is reluctant to work on the farm at first, but he ends up getting along and becoming friends with the owner's son and daughter, twins named Henry and Henrietta. Cade and Henry end up bonding over their love of horror movies, and go watch them at the local theatre whenever they have free time. Henry also turns out to be a closeted gay guy, but he comes out to Cade and Cade does too, and very quickly they start dating (but keep it a secret from everyone except for Henrietta). 

But then Cade hears rumors from one of the farmhands (a constantly drunk guy named John), that Henry and his family aren't as good as they seem. They also act really strange whenever they go visit their lakehouse called Northranger, which seems to also be haunted.  

Well,  I can't reveal too much after this because it will get into spoilers, but lets just say we find out something super serious about the family. And it's not much of a spoiler but Cade and Henry do end up together (though they suffer mightily to get there).  

This book was very emotional and moving, and while I am not much of a horror movie fan myself, I loved all the references to real life horror movies sprinkled throughout! I also loved the nuanced discussions they had about being gay in a rural and religious setting.

I gave the book 4.5 stars, but that's just because of the triggering content in the book. It's all handled well though.