The Dark We Know

“This debut transcends the supernatural mystery genre with its emotional depth and engaging setting. As a contemplative alternative to action-focused horror, its striking explorations of grief, shame, love, and queerness will haunt readers with how true they ring… A powerful, introspective gothic tale filled to the brim with horror.”
—Kirkus, starred review

“Balanced prose with the pace of an unrelenting thriller… In this enthralling horror debut, Lee carefully threads together Isa’s reconnecting with her past, unearthing the secrets that Slater is built on, and navigating the way that shame distorts one’s sense of self.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The mountain sings, and children die… Readers will find thrills, chills, and emotional validation from this unexpectedly almost-heartwarming horror novel.”
—Booklist, starred review

“This knockout gothic… The Dark We Know aptly captures the way small towns can feel like a trap, especially for a queer person of color amongst a white, heteronormative population, and how the ties of trauma still bind us no matter how far we try to run. Lee writes with incredible emotional depth to tell a story that will grab at your heart and leave ghostly fingerprints in its wake.”
—Reactor

“A dark and compelling supernatural mystery buoyed by earnestly written, queer-centric characters. I am enthralled!”
—Gillian Flynn, Gillian Flynn Books

“A haunting, unforgettable debut. With gorgeous prose, palpable atmosphere, and intricate character work, Lee examines what it means to belong to a place and fight for a better world. Like the song of Slater’s mountains, The Dark We Know will settle into your bones and call you back again and again.”
—Allison Saft, New York Times bestselling author of Down Comes the Night and A Far Wilder Magic

“A knife-sharp excavation into the horrors of societal judgment… an ultimately hopeful story about grief and pain among friends all a little in love with each other. The Dark We Know left me breathless.”
—Trang Thanh Tran, New York Times bestselling author of She is a Haunting

“A lyrical mediation on loss and survival, on holding on and letting go, and on growing up in a community that only ever wanted you to be small. Filled with moments of striking beauty, Wen-yi Lee’s debut establishes her as a force to be reckoned with.”
—Kerstin Hall, author of Asunder

“The true hallmark of an exceptional horror novel is in its hold, and in her debut outing, Wen-yi Lee has crafted a gorgeously dark and unforgettable story that will linger long after the book is closed. The Dark We Know heralds the arrival of a rare and exciting literary talent—do not miss it.”
—Courtney Summers, New York Times bestselling author of Sadie and I’m The Girl

“A book made of shattered rock, claustrophobic family pressure, and the desperation of children trying to survive the weight of their grief. An eerie, introspective, and beautifully atmospheric addition to the best of YA horror lit.”
—Andrew Joseph White, New York Times bestselling author of The Spirit Bares its Teeth and Hell Followed With Us

“Will haunt you all day and keep you awake at night. Lee’s emotional, inventively written debut had me peeling back layer after layer in a desperate search for the truth. Absolutely enthralling.”
—Courtney Gould, award-winning author of The Dead and the Dark

Wen-yi Lee is the author of YA horror The Dark We Know and forthcoming adult historical fantasy When They Burned the Butterfly. Her writing has appeared in venues like Lightspeed, Uncanny, Reactor, and Strange Horizons, as well as various anthologies. She is based in Singapore and is a graduate of University College London, and likes writing about girls with bite, feral nature, and ghosts. Find her on socials @wenyilee_ and otherwise at wenyileewrites.com.