Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Beholder by Ryan La Sala

5 reviews

yoursisterscanary's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I didn’t love this book but did appreciate that the horror concepts were very original.  I read this for a queer book club so obviously I enjoyed that the main characters were lgbtq+.  Unfortunately,  the romance felt shoveled in.  The interactions felt very authentic which was refreshing in a genre where queer characters tend to be written by white cishet women.  It was a little hard to believe the interactions were of teenagers and not older men though.  Such confidence! 

The author seemed to be making some veiled points about internalized homophobia and shame.  He touches on what amounted to Authenticity Theory, exploring if we are who we think we are or does the self lie in the eyes of others.  Can an authentic self exist without acknowledgement of others.  As a gender queer person this concept cuts me deep.  There is no true physical expression of something society does not acknowledge other than a few forms of expressions that box you in.  The main character seemed to be playing with this concept with fem expression with makeup.  I wish this had been developed more but maybe that’s a lot to ask from a YA book.

I hope this author writes more horror with deeper developed magical systems featuring queer characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Child death

directorpurry's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, and Gaslighting

Moderate: Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Child death and Vomit

scytheria's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gun violence, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Murder

Moderate: Child death

Minor: Vomit

foramen_magnum's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent

Minor: Child death

christine_s's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

Moderate: Child death, Gore, Dementia, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail