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A review by howlinglibraries
The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
I'm so sad to DNF this, but at this point I've recognized that I can either DNF it now with no star rating, or power through the rest of it and inevitably give it a low rating, because this book is not working for me at all. I love the fact that we're getting to see Black queer rep in YA horror, because that's something that is almost unheard of, but the writing is disjointed and not enjoyable, the school shooter's personality feels sensationalized to the point of being a stereotype, and Jake as a narrator simply isn't an enjoyable head to be inside of.
Jake is so emotionally and mentally clocked out from everything and everyone around him that reading this book feels like the literary equivalent of a really bad "brain fog" day (IYKYK). I'd also liken it to a hazy dream sequence, except it's the entire book and it wasn't a pleasant narrative experience.
I would have loved to have enjoyed this book more and I'm definitely open to reading future releases from this author, but The Taking of Jake Livingston didn't work for me. That said, it definitely feels like one of those stories that has an audience, so if you enjoy YA horror, I would still recommend giving it a try!
✨ Representation: Jake is Black and queer; Jake's brother Benji is Black; Allister is Black and queer.
✨ Content warnings for: school shooting, violence, murder, suicide, substance abuse, characters filming and sharing films of sexual activity without consent
I read a final copy I purchased myself, but for the sake of disclosure, I was also sent an early review copy by the author/publisher.
Jake is so emotionally and mentally clocked out from everything and everyone around him that reading this book feels like the literary equivalent of a really bad "brain fog" day (IYKYK). I'd also liken it to a hazy dream sequence, except it's the entire book and it wasn't a pleasant narrative experience.
I would have loved to have enjoyed this book more and I'm definitely open to reading future releases from this author, but The Taking of Jake Livingston didn't work for me. That said, it definitely feels like one of those stories that has an audience, so if you enjoy YA horror, I would still recommend giving it a try!
✨ Representation: Jake is Black and queer; Jake's brother Benji is Black; Allister is Black and queer.
✨ Content warnings for: school shooting, violence, murder, suicide, substance abuse, characters filming and sharing films of sexual activity without consent
I read a final copy I purchased myself, but for the sake of disclosure, I was also sent an early review copy by the author/publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment