Release: July 13th 2021
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Putnam
Source: TBR and Beyond Tours
Find it at: Goodreads , Amazon , Barnes & Noble , Book Depository , IndieBound , Indigo
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Get Out meets Danielle Vega in this YA horror where survival is not a guarantee.
Jake Livingston is one of the only Black kids at St. Clair Prep, one of the others being his infinitely more popular older brother. It’s hard enough fitting in but to make matters worse and definitely more complicated, Jake can see the dead. In fact he sees the dead around him all the time. Most are harmless.
Stuck in their death loops as they relive their deaths over and over again, they don’t interact often with people. But then Jake meets Sawyer. A troubled teen who shot and killed six kids at a local high school last year before taking his own life. Now a powerful, vengeful ghost, he has plans for his afterlife–plans that include Jake. Suddenly, everything Jake knows about ghosts and the rules to life itself go out the window as Sawyer begins haunting him and bodies turn up in his neighborhood. High school soon becomes a survival game–one Jake is not sure he’s going to win.
About the Author:
Ryan Douglass is an author, poet, and freelance writer from Atlanta, Georgia. Also, his work on race, literacy, sexuality, and media representation has appeared in The Huffington Post, Atlanta Black Star, Everyday Feminism, Nerdy POC, Age of Awareness, LGBTQNation, and Medium, among others.
His debut novel, THE TAKING OF JAKE LIVINGSTON, is a YA horror out through Penguin/Putnam July 13th, 2021.
The Taking of Jake Livingston Review:
What a delightfully scary book “The Taking of Jake Livingston” was! The author blended romance, horror, supernatural suspense, and even heartfelt moments beautifully.
There are so many aspects to admire about the tale. What made it special for me was the characters. Jake is terrific in the lead. I could connect Jake’s emotions on so many levels (well, except for his extraordinary gift). Jake feels misunderstood, average, and still coming to terms with his sexuality. As if that is not hard enough, he also has to deal with a vengeful spirit that targets him.
However, the highlight of the story was Sawyer. I think he is one of the most complex villains I have read as of late. Even though you hate Sawyer for what he does, there is a part of you that feels sorry for him while you read his journal entries. I always think an author is exceptional when adding complexity to their characters and making you feel various emotions. Not only did I dislike Sawyer, at times, I felt sorry for him. However, for the most part, he scared me. There were also moments where Jake sees similarities between him and Sawyer that stood out for me.
Speaking of which, the author also writes the paranormal angle wonderfully. Some scenes genuinely terrified me, especially when Jake sees the demon or the drawings in his book. My favorite part of the story was when Jake interacts with River and his Grandfather. Similarly, the author added a nice LGBT angle to the plot that gave it a fresh look.
Overall, “The Taking of Jake Livingston” is a gripping young adult horror novel that would surely please fans of the genre.
Book Tour Schedule:
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass Blog Tour hosted by TBR and Beyond Tours.
July 12th
DJREADSBOOKS -15 Reactions While Reading The Taking of Jake Livingston
Rajiv’s Reviews – Review
Books With Michelle – Favourite Quotes & Top 5 Reasons to Read The Taking of Jake Livingston
July 13th
Pages & Plots – Review
Andonshereads – Review & Favourite Quotes
July 14th
We Write at Dawn – Review & Favourite Quotes
The Bookwyrm’s Den – Review
July 15th
Stuck in Fiction – Promo Post
Reading Stewardess – Review
Emelie’s Books – Review & Mood Board
July 16th
Nine Bookish Lives – Review
Popthebutterfly Reads – Review
Roving Savant – Promo Post
July 17th
Stuck in the Stacks – Review
The Bookish Coven – Review & Favourite Quotes
July 18th
The Book Dutchesses – Review
The Fictional Journal – Review & Favourite Quotes
Justice For Readers – Review & Playlist
