A guilt-stricken park ranger delves into the mysterious disappearance of her sister, uncovering a world of alternate realities and a secret government agency. As she navigates through portals and confronts her own demons, she must unravel the truth while facing the consequences of her actions.

Eye of the Ouroboros by Megan Bontrager is a stunning debut novel that seamlessly blends elements of horror, fantasy, science fiction, and LGBT themes into a gripping, atmospheric tale. This adult lesbian novel follows guilt-stricken park ranger Theodora "Theo" Buchanan as she obsessively searches for answers about her sister Flora's strange disappearance years ago in the woods surrounding their insular West Virginia town of Mill Creek. When Theo's tenacious investigation leads her to cross through a mysterious door she discovers in the forest, she unwittingly draws the attention of the ominous Federal Bureau of Reality - the shadowy agency tasked with guarding the secrets of the Infinite Corridor where countless hostile alternate realities converge. The FBR is willing to go to lethal lengths to ensure what Theo has stumbled upon never sees the light of day.

Bontrager weaves a richly descriptive, immersive narrative thick with evocative imagery and sensory details, transporting the reader into the eerie, otherworldly atmosphere that shrouds Theo's increasingly surreal and perilous quest as she ventures deeper into mind-bending metaphysical mysteries in her desperate attempt to learn Flora's fate. The author's lush, poetic prose crafts a darkly melancholic and bittersweet tone that beautifully captures the unresolved grief, guilt and emotional wounds that haunt Theo, coloring her every interaction and motivation. Bontrager deftly balances heavier themes of familial trauma, parental neglect, and self-destructive coping mechanisms like substance abuse with moments of clever pop culture references, witty, humorous banter, and pulse-pounding action sequences.

Theo makes for a complex, messy but ultimately sympathetic and relatable protagonist - an angry, alcoholic disaster of a human being barely holding it together, but whose bullheaded determination and enormous, aching heart still shine through. Joining her on this strange odyssey are her ride-or-die childhood best friend Quinn, ex-girlfriend and intrepid reporter Delilah, and Wesley, a quirky conspiracy theorist straight out of central casting with his tinfoil hat and alien-themed van. This tight-knit found family of lovable misfits grounds the more fantastical, horrific elements with genuine emotional stakes.

While the concept of interdimensional travel via portal to alternate universes is well-trod territory in speculative fiction, Bontrager manages to make it feel fresh again by filtering it through Theo's deeply intimate point of view. The plot takes some truly wild, unexpected turns, delivering plenty of bizarre and gruesome spectacle, but it's the quieter character moments and relationships that really make the story sing. The touching sapphic romance and unbreakable platonic bond between Theo and Quinn are especially well-rendered.

Some of the worldbuilding details around the mechanics of the Ouroboros and the FBR's role could have used more fleshing out, and the pacing lags just a bit in the middle compared to the propulsive first and final acts. But overall, this is an incredibly strong, self-assured and entertaining first novel. With its intriguing blend of genres, engaging flawed characters, and high-concept thrills balanced with earnest heart, Eye of the Ouroboros is sure to appeal to fans of all stripes, from horror to fantasy to LGBTQIA lit. Don't sleep on this stellar debut -- Bontrager is absolutely an author to watch.