Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Beholder by Ryan La Sala

15 reviews

thekissballad's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.75

I really wanted to give this 5-stars, but I was brought out of the action a little too often with the switching POVs that I couldn't ignore it. I understand and appreciate the significance, and did enjoy the consistency of the 1:1 ratio in regards to the switching, though.

For me, this was the perfect blend of creepy and mysterious with a dash of lightheartedness that was weaved together so nicely to tell a great story.

I'm now hyperaware of how often I end up looking into reflective surfaces. I'm also glad that we don't have any wallpaper in my house, or at least none that hasn't been painted over!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

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

---

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

raptorq's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Moderate: Body horror and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

Minor: Kidnapping

meminger's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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

4.5

ryan la sala loves three things: gay people, surreal body horror transformations, and

gay people undergoing a surreal body horror transformation to save the people they love

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

i think arachnophobia should be a content tag on here because this book is a goldmine for it

caseythereader's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

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

---

Content Warnings

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

Moderate: Child death

Minor: Vomit

andreaaaoid's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious 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

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Blood

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. 

---

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood

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

jazhandz's review against another edition

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

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Confinement, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Sexual content

Spiders come up frequently