Reviews with content warning for Injury/Injury detail - Beholder

This was a seriously strong start to 2024-- from a beginning that tells you just enough to intrigue you, La Sala doesn't let off the gas until an ending that had me trying to cry quietly at 2 am. The prose reminded me of Palahniuk, a favorite, except I didn't feel grimy for rooting for Athan and Dom.

While this book strained my nerves and felt like I needed a flow chart to keep up with, the romance between the main characters read as very YA. It's sweet, but those looking for realism may have to adjust their expectations; these are definitely teens falling for each other as they face increasingly frightening circumstances.

If you're looking for a deftly woven horror pick that ensnares you with a creeping sense of unease, narrated by a genuinely likable, funny, and reflective young person, give Beholder a try. I didn't expect to have a recommendation for everyone on the first day of the New Year, but this didn't leave me much choice.

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christine_s's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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jazhandz's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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bites_of_books's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

Beholder is strange from the very beginning. We follow Athan, young, beautiful, trying to survive in NYC with his grandmother. Athan has managed to have connections with powerful and influential people who throw parties in penthouses and spend a lot of money on art. It is at one of these parties that everything goes wrong when he finds himself the only survivor in what seems to be a mass killing spree. Here's when he also meets Dom who seems to know more than he says but captivates Athan with his kindness. Athan and Dom now are trying to figure out how to stop these deaths and Athan also finds out more about himself and why his grandma warned him against looking into mirrors and getting lost in them...
All in all, a great horror story, very unique that will leave you wary of mirrors and wondering about what really goes on in the darker parts of rich people's lives and what they can get away with.

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