A review by queerafictionado
Lockjaw by Matteo L. Cerilli

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

 The foreshadowing! The intrigue and mystery! The twists and turns! The horror! This was such an incredible story that locked me in its jaws and kept me on the edge of my seat from page one! Cerilli’s brilliant use of a dual timeline and omniscient narrator (even the dog!), along with his general storytelling abilities, takes you on a labyrinthine journey toward the truth - giving you crumbs of information along the way while also keeping it hidden until the big twist when all the pieces finally come together, never revealing too much at once.

Lockjaw is a story about a small town that minds its own business. That doesn’t ask questions. That accepts whatever truth is told to them. Unless it comes from those deemed as unworthy. The outsiders. The outcasts. The pariahs. The scapegoats. The unwanted. The bullied. The ones who don’t fit into its idyllic, utopian, picture perfect version of how it wants to be seen. 

Lockjaw is a story about monsters. The kind that lurk underneath the surface, hidden in plain sight, heard but ignored. The kind of monsters the world likes to pretend doesn’t exist (and silences those who say otherwise). It’s a reminder that monsters are real.

Lockjaw is a story about the courage and risk it takes to fight monsters, especially when no one else believes they exist. It’s a story about growing up and existing in a world that wants to chew you up and spit you out. That treats people like animals. It’s a story about a band of misfit kids fighting to be seen and heard. And when all else fails, getting revenge against those who silenced, ignored, and wronged them. No matter the cost.

Lockjaw is also a story about the power of forgiveness and change and reparations. It’s a story about the difference between “everyone for themselves” and “it takes a village.” It’s a reminder that we all have a part to play in fighting the monsters, and how much easier it is when we fight them together. And it all begins with understanding that the only way to kill a monster is to acknowledge it exists and expose it. Because the only way to banish darkness…is to shine a light.

The queer and trans rep in this book was beautiful - heartbreaking and inspiring all at once. It made me want to scoop all these kids up in my arms and take care of them and protect them and fight for them and with them. I wanted to stick a card in my bike spokes and join them. I could go on, but I’ll stop there. I just truly loved this story!  It’s hard to believe that this is Cerilli’s debut book. I highly recommend it, especially if you love YA horror and trans rep! I will definitely be reading whatever Cerilli publishes in the future.

🏳️‍🌈✊🏾Rep: Trans, Genderqueer, Queer, Vietnamese, Latine, Foster Kids, Unhoused Youth

📝Tropes/Themes: Omniscient Narrator, Dual Timeline, Small Town, Coming of Age, Mystery, Friendship, Revenge, Found Family, Band of Misfits, Family Relationships, Trauma 
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