That Which Feeds Us

ISBN

9798217117963

Publisher & Publication Year

Random House Books for Young Readers, 2026

Publisher's Book Page

Author

Keala Kendall (Native Hawaiian)

Author's Website 

Illustrator

Synopsis

Summary

A Native Hawaiian teen travels to a luxury island resort in search of her missing twin and uncovers the dark side of paradise, in this riveting supernatural thriller.

For the world’s wealthiest, Kōpaʻa Island Resort is more than a destination. It’s the ultimate escape. With no cell service or Wi-Fi, the Hawaiian island is a coveted wellness retreat renowned for its persimmon orchard and promises of rejuvenation.

But their dream vacation is Lehua’s nightmare. When her twin sister, Ohia, goes missing, Lehua follows her trail to Kōpaʻa to find her. Instead, Lehua is cut off from civilization—and help—after the island’s boat leaves without her, stranding her with the resort’s lavish guests and enigmatic staff.

As Lehua investigates Ohia’s disappearance, she discovers her missing sister isn’t the island’s only mystery. Kōpaʻa’s rich exterior and sweet persimmons hide its dark plantation past. And Lehua can’t ignore the dreams haunting her each night—nor the warning telling her to leave the island at once. To uncover what happened to Ohia, Lehua will have to unearth the island’s bloody history and face the horrors that lurk within its sugarcane fields—or risk being consumed by them.

Sharply observed and gorgeously written, That Which Feeds Us explores the true cost of paradise as Lehua must fight to reclaim the land, the stories, and the very souls of her people.

Notable Achievements

Reviews

Publishers Weekly: "Kendall effectively leverages colonialism’s horrors and its effects on Hawaii’s history to maximize tension and terror."

Booklist: "Deeply infused with indigenous folklore, squirm-inducing body horror, and brief interludes of romance, this exploration....requires readers to sit with uncertainty before a blockbuster conclusion. A creative horror mystery steeped in cultural knowledge."

Educator Guide

Link to Guide

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