ARC Review: All That Consumes Us by Erica Waters

All That Consumes Us
by Erica Waters
Publication Date: October 17th 2023
Publisher: HarperTeen
Find This Book: All That Consumes Us
Source: NetGalley eARC
Rating: 5/5

The students in Corbin College’s elite academic society, Magni Viri, have it all—free tuition, inspirational professors, and dream jobs once they graduate. When first-gen college student Tara is offered a chance to enroll, she doesn’t hesitate.

Except once she’s settled into the gorgeous Victorian dormitory, something strange starts to happen. She’s finally writing, but her stories are dark and twisted. Her dreams feel as if they could bury her alive. An unseen presence seems to stalk her through the halls.

And a chilling secret awaits Tara at the heart of Magni Viri—one that just might turn her nightmares into reality; one that might destroy her before she has a chance to escape.

Tara’s adventure at Corbin College should be on everyone’s TBR this fall! Get ready for queer gothic spooks set in the Appalachian Mountains. This dark academia novel follows Tara’s freshman year of college. When the elite organization of Magni Viri loses a member, Tara is offered the dead girl’s place and her scholarship. An offer impossible to refuse, Tara starts living the life that Meredith used to have. But is Meredith really gone? With time to finally write and become the author she’s always dreamed of; Tara wakes up to work she can’t remember scribbling down.

Erica Waters’ prose will suck you in, her setting will charm you, and her atmosphere will captivate you. If you’re looking for the lines of reality to blur in an old Victorian dormitory, I’d highly recommend this new YA horror book.

We still have two months left in the year, but I think this might be my favorite book of 2023! All That Consumes us has got it all: old Appalachian college grounds, an MC who dreams of being an author, a secretive academic society that parties in a cemetery, possession by ghosts, and queer characters galore. What more could a reader want?

Book Recap: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Chalice of the Gods

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods
Publication Date: September 26th 2023
Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Percy is starting his senior year at Alternative High School (AHS), and needs 3 letters of recommendation in order to attend New Rome University next year with Annabeth. Unfortunately for him, the letters have to be written from gods and they want him to complete new quests in exchange for their signatures. Good ol' dad put up a notice board on Olympus and Percy's first request is from Ganymede. Ganymede is in charge of The Chalice of the Gods, which he uses on feast days to serve drinks from. It also happens to grant immortality and is currently missing. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover have their work cut out for them to track it down before the next scheduled feast!

They start off their investigation with two suspects: Hebe and Iris. They both previously held the position of cupbearer and might hold animosity towards Ganymede. Hebe, the goddess of youth, doesn't take kindly to the accusation. She turns the gang into 8-year-olds and sets a swarm of blood-thirsty chickens upon them. With some quick thinking, Annabeth saves the day (explanation below in the spoilers section).

Their next stop: the farmer's market to confront Iris, the goddess of rainbows. The gang is much more careful with their interrogation this time and manage not to piss off Iris. In fact, she offers to help them in exchange for a side quest. While she confirms a real lead for them, they must wash her staff. This quest involves Grover playing his pan flute and Percy pissing off/helping a river god. Iris does indeed have a lead from them! (spoiler 2). 

Percy delivers the chalice to Ganymede as the gods are settling into their seats. Surprisingly, with a bit of help from Athena he makes the hand-off under their noses. Is the goddess of wisdom finally understanding what Annabeth sees in him? Probably not, but we're making progress. One college recommendation down, two more to go!

Recap of MAJOR SPOILERS: Spoiler 1. Hebe must be the youngest in the room. Annabeth grabs a little chick and, essentially, forces Hebe to transform into a baby. In this state they negotiate with Hebe to be turned back into teenagers.

Spoiler 2. Geras, the god of old age, has stolen the chalice. Any object that grants humans immortality should be destroyed etc. Percy and Gary agree to wrestle for the chalice. Percy hugs him, symbolically accepting old age, wanting to live a full complete mortal life, and Gary has a change of heart.