Deep in Providence

Riss M. Neilson sets her debut in the multicultural neighborhoods of Providence, Rhode Island, and the setting is richly rendered — the city feels lived-in and real. Four best friends, grief over a lost fourth, Filipino-rooted magic used to attempt a resurrection: the premise is original and the supernatural elements build from creeping dread into genuine terror. Emotionally, the portrayal of grief and friendship fracture is honest and affecting. But parents and faith-oriented readers need clear information: this book carries significant content — occult magic and séances are central, and subplots involve parental drug addiction, sexual assault, abortion, and deportation. It's recommended for readers 16 and up, and that guidance is accurate. For older teens who can handle the weight of it, it's a culturally rich and emotionally serious YA novel; for younger teens or households cautious about occult themes, it's not the right fit.