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henrygravesprince's review
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? Yes
3.75
This is a tough, but well-written, book. I’m a firm believer in the idea that if a child is old enough to experience something, they’re old enough to learn about it in an age-appropriate manner; that extends to the very difficult topics being dealt with here that, unfortunately, children experience every day, from mass violence to familial abuse to bullying and discrimination. On top of that, I think Douglass is genuinely very talented at writing Young Adult Horror, and these combine into a piece of art that I think is both accessible and very well-done.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Incest, Mass/school shootings, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicide, Murder, and Racism
Minor: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, and Gore
petite_madeline's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Jake Livingston is different from all his classmates. And not just because he's one of the few Black students at his mostly-white private school. He's also the only one who can see the ghosts that wander through campus reliving their deaths.
I initially picked up this book because I saw people tagging it as dark academia and I was excited to finally see some diverse representation in the dark academia niche! This story takes place at a private school with themes of death/mystery, and there are setting descriptions that definitely fall in line with DA vibes. However I think that this book would also be enjoyable to people who love paranormal and/or queer horror.
This book ended up being way more intense and thematically heavy than I was expecting from YA, but I loved it! These are important conversations that need to be had: Black/queer intersectionality, gun violence in schools, gender norms/toxic masculinity, family acceptance/support, ancestral connections. It's a short book but there's so much packed in these pages!
Aside from the literary themes, Douglass also included beautifully descriptive and cinematic scenes that pull readers into a thoughtfully built paranormal world. Unfortunately, I struggle with slight aphantasia, meaning I have trouble creating mental images, so I ended up a bit lost during these highly visual scenes. I am jealous of anyone with a strong "mind's eye" who can thoroughly enjoy the detailed world that Douglass created.
The trigger warnings listed below may spoil some elements of the story, but please read if you may be sensitive to some of these potential triggers.
-----
Heavy trigger warnings for: Racism, homophobia, mass shootings, graphic violence, suicide, incest (attempted), sexual assault (attempted), child abuse (physical and emotional), animal abuse (bugs), fire
I initially picked up this book because I saw people tagging it as dark academia and I was excited to finally see some diverse representation in the dark academia niche! This story takes place at a private school with themes of death/mystery, and there are setting descriptions that definitely fall in line with DA vibes. However I think that this book would also be enjoyable to people who love paranormal and/or queer horror.
This book ended up being way more intense and thematically heavy than I was expecting from YA, but I loved it! These are important conversations that need to be had: Black/queer intersectionality, gun violence in schools, gender norms/toxic masculinity, family acceptance/support, ancestral connections. It's a short book but there's so much packed in these pages!
Aside from the literary themes, Douglass also included beautifully descriptive and cinematic scenes that pull readers into a thoughtfully built paranormal world. Unfortunately, I struggle with slight aphantasia, meaning I have trouble creating mental images, so I ended up a bit lost during these highly visual scenes. I am jealous of anyone with a strong "mind's eye" who can thoroughly enjoy the detailed world that Douglass created.
The trigger warnings listed below may spoil some elements of the story, but please read if you may be sensitive to some of these potential triggers.
-----
Heavy trigger warnings for: Racism, homophobia, mass shootings, graphic violence, suicide, incest (attempted), sexual assault (attempted), child abuse (physical and emotional), animal abuse (bugs), fire
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Violence, Cursing, Death, Racism, Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Bullying
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, and Suicide
writingcaia's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
Besides the sometimes hard to follow supernatural scenes in the realm of souls, demons and astral projections, this was a very dark, intense and interesting YA horror tale.
In truth, this could have been told as a normal YA coming out and coming of age contemporary story, with a bit more trauma maybe, but the author chose well to explore the themes of abuse, neglect, bullying, school shootings (gun violence), racism, mental health and coming out as gay with a horror story.
The book shifts between two POVs, that of Sawyer, the white, blond, gay boy, abused by all, with a severe psychosis bordering on sociopathy and the main character’s POV, Jake, one of the only Black students at a white Christian school where his brother is the known bad boy all girls fall for and he’s the loser spaced out most of the time because he’s a medium, thus is haunted at all times by ghosts and more, which is how he meets Sawyer.
Give it a go, it’s definitely worth it if the themes interest you and you like funky visual, supernatural horror.
In truth, this could have been told as a normal YA coming out and coming of age contemporary story, with a bit more trauma maybe, but the author chose well to explore the themes of abuse, neglect, bullying, school shootings (gun violence), racism, mental health and coming out as gay with a horror story.
The book shifts between two POVs, that of Sawyer, the white, blond, gay boy, abused by all, with a severe psychosis bordering on sociopathy and the main character’s POV, Jake, one of the only Black students at a white Christian school where his brother is the known bad boy all girls fall for and he’s the loser spaced out most of the time because he’s a medium, thus is haunted at all times by ghosts and more, which is how he meets Sawyer.
Give it a go, it’s definitely worth it if the themes interest you and you like funky visual, supernatural horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Gun violence, Violence, Mass/school shootings, Racism, and Blood
Moderate: Abandonment, Vomit, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
Minor: Racial slurs
bnadams's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Homophobia, Violence, Murder, Gun violence, Rape, and Mass/school shootings
elysianbud's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The entire second half of the book was just the author ripping my heart out of my chest while I sobbed violently. I've literally just finished it and I think I have a headache from dehydration...
Great characters and good plot. Love to see assholes get their due. Author sets atmosphere brilliantly.
(Also the cover for this is gorgeous!)
Great characters and good plot. Love to see assholes get their due. Author sets atmosphere brilliantly.
(Also the cover for this is gorgeous!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Incest, Infidelity, Murder, Outing, Child death, Suicide attempt, Racism, Slavery, Child abuse, Car accident, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Violence, Racial slurs, Self harm, Blood, Death, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Vomit, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Bullying, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Suicide
evelynyle_88's review
dark
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
4.0
I love that I decided to change my edition of this book to audiobook. From dnf list, to finished. The Taking of Jake Livingston took my breath away. I love every second of it. This book was triggering for me but it is indeed a good book. I can't imagine if myself is Jake; being a medium. I love how creepy every chapter were. Thank you for the story, Ryan! You are brilliant!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gun violence, Violence, Sexual assault, Murder, Racism, Bullying, and Homophobia
Moderate: Death, Mass/school shootings, and Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse, Animal cruelty, and Gore
I love that I decided to change my edition of this book to audiobook. From dnf list, to finished. The Taking of Jake Livingston took my breath away. I love every second of it. This book was triggering for me but it is indeed a good book. I can't imagine if myself is Jake; being a medium. I love how creepy every chapter were. Thank you for the story, Ryan! You are brilliant!jackiie's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Bullying, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Racism, Stalking, Car accident, Child abuse, Outing, Violence, Suicide, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Blood, Sexual assault, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, and Drug use
tashasbooks's review against another edition
dark
- 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? Yes
3.25
The Taking of Jake Livingston tackles hard themes in a horror and high school setting, but I'm not entirely sure this was for me.
Jake has felt like a loner for a long time, due to the fact he can see ghosts. It's not a fun power, and he often sees people dying over and over and ghouls leeching off people's sadness. When a next door neighbor is murdered, he realizes an angry ghost beyond the veil is terrorizing his town and Jake's life, with the intention of possessing him.
I have mixed feelings, I felt like the character development was well done. You can't help but root for Jake, due to the discrimination he faces and the society he lives in. Sawyer (the murderous ghost) is doing everything he can to destabilize Jake's life and it works. Overall though, I found that I liked his character and his overall motivations and decisions made sense. Jake grows into himself and gains confidence, as well as finally learning to make friends and rely on them.
I think I struggled most with the plot. For some reason, it took me a while to feel invested in this book. The plot was pretty jumpy from point to point, and it never felt fully realized and very rushed, especially the end! I also wish we had more development from other side characters, with the majority of this book focusing on Jake and Sawyer's perspectives. I think the ending didn't really make sense? Like as a whole, a LOT of things weren't wrapped up and there were consequences that were never really explained. Overall, this book tackles heavy themes and I would recommend that anyone reading this checks CWs.
Jake has felt like a loner for a long time, due to the fact he can see ghosts. It's not a fun power, and he often sees people dying over and over and ghouls leeching off people's sadness. When a next door neighbor is murdered, he realizes an angry ghost beyond the veil is terrorizing his town and Jake's life, with the intention of possessing him.
I have mixed feelings, I felt like the character development was well done. You can't help but root for Jake, due to the discrimination he faces and the society he lives in. Sawyer (the murderous ghost) is doing everything he can to destabilize Jake's life and it works. Overall though, I found that I liked his character and his overall motivations and decisions made sense. Jake grows into himself and gains confidence, as well as finally learning to make friends and rely on them.
I think I struggled most with the plot. For some reason, it took me a while to feel invested in this book. The plot was pretty jumpy from point to point, and it never felt fully realized and very rushed, especially the end! I also wish we had more development from other side characters, with the majority of this book focusing on Jake and Sawyer's perspectives. I think the ending didn't really make sense? Like as a whole, a LOT of things weren't wrapped up and there were consequences that were never really explained. Overall, this book tackles heavy themes and I would recommend that anyone reading this checks CWs.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Violence, Racism, and Gore
sarah_shelf's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Another book with some complicated feelings. To start off with, there were two things that threw me. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book in a high school. Quite a few have had high school age characters, but the actual day-to-day school aspect was not incorporated. Now that I ma no longer that age, going back into that just feels kind of weird. I haven’t swung back around to being nostalgic or reminiscing on high school. I’m not removed enough to want to jump back into it. That is just my own personal preference and is in no way a criticism of the book. I just didn’t realize that shift in how I view high school stories had happened. (Really not surprising given I’m not the target audience.)
I also found Sawyer’s chapters so incredibly uncomfortable. That’s on purpose. He’s the antagonist of the story and no matter what happened in his life, he’s still a mass shooter. I struggle with storylines connected to these kind of strategies to begin with, but being in his head and listening to him (since I borrowed the audiobook) was very distressing. I know the backstory is giving the character nuance and explaining how he became what he is — even acknowledging that the people in his life were terrible people. But I could’ve done without it.
Both of those things made it hard for me to enjoy this book more. But my thoughts weren’t all negative. I did really enjoy listening to Jake’s journey as he learns to accept who he is, stand up for himself, and be confident in his abilities. The exploration of dead world and the ghost fights were super cool! I loved how Jake and River were able to help each other conquer their (metaphorical and literal) demons. And Jake’s happy ending with Allister at the end was very sweet.
I also found Sawyer’s chapters so incredibly uncomfortable. That’s on purpose. He’s the antagonist of the story and no matter what happened in his life, he’s still a mass shooter. I struggle with storylines connected to these kind of strategies to begin with, but being in his head and listening to him (since I borrowed the audiobook) was very distressing. I know the backstory is giving the character nuance and explaining how he became what he is — even acknowledging that the people in his life were terrible people. But I could’ve done without it.
Both of those things made it hard for me to enjoy this book more. But my thoughts weren’t all negative. I did really enjoy listening to Jake’s journey as he learns to accept who he is, stand up for himself, and be confident in his abilities. The exploration of dead world and the ghost fights were super cool! I loved how Jake and River were able to help each other conquer their (metaphorical and literal) demons. And Jake’s happy ending with Allister at the end was very sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Violence, Racism, Gun violence, Homophobia, Child abuse, Murder, and Bullying
Moderate: Suicide, Death, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Gore, Animal cruelty, and Domestic abuse
Attempted sexual assault Torture of bugs POV of mass/school shooter (not during event)coryyalva's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was so so so excited for this book. The concept was so intriguing to me. Jake's struggle between the world of the living and the dead had so much potential....but the potential fell flat so quickly.
About halfway through the book the direction that the story seemed to be going in seemingly disappeared and the author suddenly started driving the characters in directions that didn't seem to go anywhere. Suddenly a book that was so intriguing with characters that were both lovable and disturbing turned into a long drawn out battle with confusing focus shifts.
To sum it up quickly: the first half of this book felt as though it had been reviewed a thousand times and the last half felt like it was thrown together quickly and read over once before publishing. I felt as though the second half of the book did not get the love and care that the first half got.
The ending was everything I wanted it to be, but the middle completely lost me as a reader.
About halfway through the book the direction that the story seemed to be going in seemingly disappeared and the author suddenly started driving the characters in directions that didn't seem to go anywhere. Suddenly a book that was so intriguing with characters that were both lovable and disturbing turned into a long drawn out battle with confusing focus shifts.
To sum it up quickly: the first half of this book felt as though it had been reviewed a thousand times and the last half felt like it was thrown together quickly and read over once before publishing. I felt as though the second half of the book did not get the love and care that the first half got.
The ending was everything I wanted it to be, but the middle completely lost me as a reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Bullying, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Mass/school shootings, Violence, Homophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death