Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven
I don’t read a lot of YA, but after loving Laura Steven’s adult debut, I came across this book billed as a reimagining of The Picture of Dorian Gray, and I knew there was potential for something great. Thankfully, I was right! This is the type of YA novel I would give to my 14-year-old daughter to read because the author holds to the tenets of YA writing without “dumbing down” the prose. She also put a modern spin on the classic themes to make them more relevant to Gen Z teenagers. The exploration of themes like body image, identity, and self-discovery is handled deftly. Steven takes her time building the characters so the denouement has a deep impact. The characters could have been plucked from real life, and the author takes care in making the cast diverse. The setting was haunting and twisted, just as a gothic horror should be. I would absolutely recommend this book for teens.
Every Exquisite Thing by Laura Steven, (List Price: $15, Wednesday Books, 9781250346797, May 2026)
Reviewed by Lara, Copperfish Books in Punta Gorda, FL
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