He’s So Possessed with Me

Debut author Liu delivers a breakneck paranormal mystery through the eyes of 17-year-old Colin Ong, a gay Hakka Canadian teen navigating high school, cultural homophobia, and self-confidence issues. After Colin and his best friend, 18-year-old Ren Hsu, sneak out to a club, they encounter something eerie while fleeing from bullies in the birch woods behind their school: a creepy apparition of a teenage boy wearing short shorts. Venturing deeper into the forest, they stumble upon peculiar bluebells and an overturned tree, and the chills intensify when a deep disembodied voice calls Ren’s name and a zombie-like hand pulls him further into the woods. When Colin catches up to him, Ren insists that nothing bad happened, and Colin believes him—until Ren starts acting strangely, becoming distracted and secretive, avoiding foods with MSG, and whispering to himself. As Colin faces ghostly warnings and spectral visions, he realizes something terrifying has attached itself to Ren, and it’s up to Colin to find out what. Infused with the theatrical charm of a teen drama, Colin’s candid first-person narration balances supernatural suspense with familiar adolescent struggles, offering an emotionally complex interpretation of authentic and multilayered friendship. Beneath the haunting scenarios lies an understated tale about bravery and the power of connection. Ages 14–up. Agent: Amy Moore-Benson, Cooke McDermid Literary. (Oct.)