Something is inherently off about the story of Beholder by Ryan La Sala. Visually striking imagery. The mirror aspect is intriguing. To me, there’s a disconnect and some part is lacking depth. I loved The Honeys, his previous book, so maybe I went in with high expectations. The cover art is beautiful. The premise is superb. No one looks into a mirror and sees the same thing. Definitely a case of perception versus perspective. 3.5 stars. Thanks to Scholastic/PUSH and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was well-written, but I am clearly not the audience for which it was intended. I HATE spiders and mirror jump scares are my least favorite kind of jump scare! The main character, Athan, has the power to rewind mirrors and see anything the mirror has seen, which is pretty cool, but every time he looks into his own reflection, this giant and terrifying interdimensional spider breaks through another layer, getting closer to him. This concept is absolutely horrifying to me! I liked the main character and his hero energy, as well as Dom and HIS hero energy. If I wasn't already so scared of everything about this book I may have liked it. It also didn't help that I was alone in my house this week with a wolf spider that I was too afraid to approach. As it is, I will be avoiding mirrors at all costs from now on, and I will burn my house down the next time I see a spider.

Although I like horror, I often find it difficult to find a book that has truly creepy scenes and enough emotional depth to keep me invested. Beholder has both and delivers beautifully. From the first scene, I was propelled into a dark world with visceral horrors that will haunt me for weeks. The characters were complex, the plot compelling, the imagery vivid- I loved every second of it and wanted to immediately begin again after it was done. I need more of this promptly, please. Highly recommend.

I didn't love this and I didn't hate it. I really loved THE HONEYS by this author but I just found this one really lacking in the atmosphere area which prevented me from fully engaging.

Ryan La Sala just lured me into their web, suffocating me with their mesmerizing prose, and I didn’t mind at all. What do I say about a story so intriguing and frightening but simultaneously so beautiful, spinning its threads around me so tight that it became difficult to breathe?
 
I just don’t have words to describe my feelings. My mind is empty and full at the same time. Ryan La Sala is simply a genius. Chills already crawled over my skin while reading the author’s note. And that beginning! Starting the first chapter with some kind of second-person writing without letting the reader know if it’s Athan, our main character talking, or someone else? It’s daring and incredibly ingenious.
 
Startling, Thrilling. Breathtaking. Eerie. Those are the words I used to describe The Honeys, and I’m using them again for Beholder. The Honeys was about bees, and this one is about mirrors. What happens to you when you look in a mirror? Do you like the reflection? Do you like to shine? Or do you hate what you see? Do you look away? And what do you see when you watch yourself from others’ eyes?

Gasps left my mouth, smiles danced on my face, and tears clouded my eyes more than once, especially at the end. This story is fantastic! It’s about how we show ourselves to the world, about how our perspectives let us see. It’s about fear, about trauma and guilt we carry with us. I strongly suggest reading Beholder without knowing more. Like Ryan says in their author’s note:
‘What you can see can see you. But what hurts you can also be hurt back. Mirrors work both ways, after all.’

Beholder was phenomenally written. It was intense and chilling while also having warmth woven throughout by the relationships and characters. I absolutely adored this book and am so excited ti be able to recommend it to friends and students

I was lucky enough to receive both an e-arc and physical arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. After sitting with this book finished for about a week, I finally feel like I can review it. Ryan’s sophomore horror book (fourth book overall) cements his standing among the the best author’s in this genre. Coming off such a strong horror debut, I was not sure what to expect with Beholder. And honestly after reading it, i’m still not quite sure what the **** I just read. It was brilliant and spine-chilling. I was lost within the pages of Athan’s story and could not put it down. I’ve been apprehensively looking over my shoulder since I began this book out of fear of the world around me. Ryan’s ability to insight terror from the simplest of items is unique and a breathe of fresh air in the genre. Please please please read this book. It was incredible and I will never look at mirrors, wallpaper, or insects the same.

if this book isn't an award winner i will SCREAM. Beholder is the perfect blend of interior design meets horror and when you hear those two words, you don't think they'll go together. BUT THEY DO.

The horror of this book is an intimate one, that sneaks up on you and preys on you with ease. It's hard to explain and visualize, but you know it's there, and it's coming for you.

I always talk about the vibes in my reviews, and the vibes were tremendous here. It was horrific and beautiful and I highly recommend this one.