Malicia - by Steven Dos Santos (Hardcover)

About the Book

"On a stormy Halloween weekend, Ray enlists his best friends Joaquin, Sofia, and Isabella to help him make a documentary of Malicia, the abandoned theme park off the coast of the Dominican Republic where his mother and brother died in a mass killing thirteen years ago. But what should be an easy weekend trip quickly turns into something darker because all four friends have come to Malicia for their own reasons: Ray has come to Malicia to find out the truth of the massacre that destroyed his family. Isabella has come to make art out of Ray's tragedy for her own personal gain. Sofia has come to support her friends in one last adventure before she goes to med school. Joaquin already knows the truth of the Malicia Massacre and he has come to betray his crush Ray to the evil that made the park possible. With an impending hurricane and horrors around every corner, they all struggle to face the deadly storm and their own inner demons. But the deadliest evil of all is the ancient malignant presence on the island"--

Book Synopsis

Four friends, three days, two lovers, and one very haunted theme park

On a stormy Halloween weekend, Ray enlists his best friends Joaquin, Sofia, and Isabella to help him make a documentary of Malicia, the abandoned theme park off the coast of the Dominican Republic where his mother and brother died in a mass killing thirteen years ago.

But what should be an easy weekend trip quickly turns into something darker because all four friends have come to Malicia for their own reasons:

Ray has come to Malicia to find out the truth of the massacre that destroyed his family. Isabella has come to make art out of Ray's tragedy for her own personal gain. Sofia has come to support her friends in one last adventure before she goes to med school. Joaquin already knows the truth of the Malicia Massacre and he has come to betray his crush Ray to the evil that made the park possible.

With an impending hurricane and horrors around every corner, they all struggle to face the deadly storm and their own inner demons. But the deadliest evil of all is the ancient malignant presence on the island.

Review Quotes

"Dos Santos delves into more chilling themes in this YA horror [...] Readers will enjoy the Dominican folkloric themes of Malicia (Los Biembiens, el bacá, and more). A thrilling read for those who aren't afraid of a terrifying adventure."
--Booklist

"If you are in the mood for a deeply dark YA fantasy, with plenty of terror, gore, and moments of blood splattered dismemberment, then Steven Dos Santos has you covered [...] Malicia promises a trip into madness and it delivers on every shivery count."
--Locus Magazine

"A blood-spattered adrenaline rush of a novel. Buckle up for a wild, propulsive ride, and don't expect your pulse to return to normal any time soon."
--David Ferraro, author of The Alchemy of Moonlight

"A love letter to all the best parts of horror: the monsters, the terrifying settings, the secrets and darkness inside each of us. Malicia navigates love and friendship, guilt and obligation, drawing universal feelings into a thread that winds through the dark, twisting narrative to a surprising, moving conclusion."
--Alison Ames, author of It Looks Like Us and To Break a Covenant

"Horror lovers, if you've ever longed for a theme park destination dedicated to the spooky characters you love--be careful what you wish for. Malicia brings your nightmares to life!"
--Diana Rodriguez Wallach, author of Small Town Monsters

About the Author

Dominican-American author Steven dos Santos is the author of The Torch Keeper series and Dagger: The Dust Ops. Steven is an adjunct English Professor and a passionate advocate of LGBTQ+ rights. He currently resides in Miami.