A FEAST FOR THE EYES
On the dreary Oregon coast, an all-seeing beast—known as the Watcher—lies in wait. When Shay and her girlfriend, Lauren, get into a fight over whether to go public with their clandestine relationship, they awaken the creature. Although Lauren is badly injured, the girls escape with their lives but can’t shake the feeling of the creature’s eyes tracking them.
Meanwhile, aspiring photographer Zoe is desperate to put together a portfolio worthy of earning a scholarship to attend art college. Her photography teacher praises her skill but urges her to select more daring subjects for her submissions—a tall task when Zoe’s camera acts as a barrier between herself and the rest of the world.
On the dreary Oregon coast, an all-seeing beast—known as the Watcher—lies in wait. When Shay and her girlfriend, Lauren, get into a fight over whether to go public with their clandestine relationship, they awaken the creature. Although Lauren is badly injured, the girls escape with their lives but can’t shake the feeling of the creature’s eyes tracking them.
Meanwhile, aspiring photographer Zoe is desperate to put together a portfolio worthy of earning a scholarship to attend art college. Her photography teacher praises her skill but urges her to select more daring subjects for her submissions—a tall task when Zoe’s camera acts as a barrier between herself and the rest of the world.
As rumors swirl about Lauren’s injuries, Shay remains steadfast in that the Watcher is to blame, not her. She asks for Zoe’s help in snapping a photo of the local legend. Proof would help Shay clear her name and certainly be daring enough for Zoe’s scholarship. Together with their friends Jack and Parker, they set out to expose the Watcher before its ever-creeping eyes cast the secrets they’re all keeping from the town—and one another—into the light.
Eerily atmospheric and as piercing as a pair of eyes on the back of your head, Alex Crespo’s LGBTQ+ supernatural thriller is a poignant story about the prices we pay to keep our secrets hidden—sometimes for good reason. Through creeping tension and mounting horror, readers will furiously turn the pages with their breaths held.
- Peachtree Teen
- Hardcover
- October 2025
- 352 Pages
- 9781682635797
Buy the Book
$19.99
About Alex Crespo
Alex Crespo writes about queer love, magic, and all the ways they intersect. When not writing, you can find him making art or daydreaming about Mothman. He currently lives in Chicago with an endless anime watchlist and his black cat, Hex.
Praise
“The prose is gripping. . . .the vibrant supporting characters and strong themes make this suspenseful work a thoroughly enjoyable read. . . . The queer cryptid thriller you’ve been looking for.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Via an omniscient POV, quippy dialogue, and whirlwind action sequences, Crespo explores the shame and terror that can come from hiding one’s true self from the world, even during a literal life-and-death situation.” —Publishers Weekly
“Full of mystery, tension, and action, this queer horror thriller is a uniquely fun ride that explores themes of shame, identity, and the cost of secrets. . . . Recommended where horror is popular.” —School Library Journal
“Crespo (Saint Juniper’s Folly, BCCB 4/23) has an eye for impeccable character development. . . . With a cool monster, strong premise, and memorable protagonists, this suspenseful tale has multiple ways to draw in readers beyond the expected horror base.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Crespo (Saint Juniper’s Folly, 2023) crafts an urban legend fueled by secrets in this sinister tale of truth, monsters, and senior-year drama. . . . Mystery, horror, and romance all find their way into this autumnal read.” —Booklist