I enjoyed this own voices novel focusing on Chinese and Taiwanese mythology from newest mythology retelling from Rick Riordan imprint. I also love how the heroine's willing to do whatever it takes to protect her sister and community.

The Dark Becomes Her is a beautifully written atmospheric horror. Ruby is a first-generation Chinese Canadian teenager who is navigating the worlds of her parents' expectations and what it means to be a teenager in modern day Vancouver. The book focuses a lot on Ruby's and her younger sister Tina's struggles to pursue personal interests that their parents' are necessarily on board with. Gradually, Ruby begins to think her sister may have made a bargain with the wrong type of supernatural being to achieve her desires. The book is rich with Taiwanese culture and mythology and beautifully portrays the experience of girl who feels caught between two different worlds. Each character is well written and while the plot is a bit slow in a couple of spots, the story reads smoothly.

This YA entry in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint is marked as horror. As someone with minimal familiarity with the genre, I do not know many of the typical tropes. Some that I have seen in books like this read more like dark fantasy in my opinion which I can appreciate in how it functions in the narrative. This book also teased the possibility of an unreliable narrator, which I also do not like, but did it in a way that I appreciated. The main character is the oldest of three, a first born American in a Taiwanese family. She has to endure many of the typical expectations to excel in everything she does while ultimately becoming the high-performing doctor, lawyer, or scientist. She, however, prefers piano - something her parents support for the bragging rights of a certain certification level - while her younger sister prefers dance. On top of all that, she has seen odd things for years, something that intensifies after a relationship break with her sister who seems to change completely, and brings the main character in contact with a brother nd sister pair (and a friend_ who have been keeping that area safe and guiding souls to the underworld. This set the stage for exploration of the complex dynamics between parents and children, "old world" and "new world", and what it means to become your own person while still honoring your parents and culture. I found the ending a bit interesting though because while the narrative wrapped up completely satisfactorily, it clearly laid the groundwork for sequels though everything around this book says that it is a standalone.

Ruby Chen is determined to be a good daughter: get good grades, practice her piano, and always care for her younger sister, Tina. But one day while walking through Chinatown, Ruby is attacked by an invisible spirit, everything changes.
Tina starts to act strange and everything Ruby knows about her culture and the spiritual world starts to change. With the help of a new friend Delia and a possible new romance with they mysterious Shen, Ruby sets out to try to understand the spiritual world around her and how she can save herself and her sister from a terrible fate.

I don't read a lot of horror, but the beautiful cover for this book, plus the description told me to give this one a chance. And I'm glad I did. From the heartfelt introduction, the author's ability to build a world and characters, weaving in Taiwanese beliefs through the book, I enjoyed this read. I appreciate the author's writing, which allowed me to see what was happening in my head.

Ruby, the main character, was relatable for me in the respect of having parents that were tough on you. That's where the similarities end. Ruby has been seeing things since she was young, but her parents told her she wasn't. So when she begins seeing things again, she's not sure what is happening. After an encounter in Vancouver's Chinatown, Ruby meets Shen and Delia, who help her see what's going on and how it's affecting her family.

With great writing, reality meeting spirits and evil, and just enough gore, The Dark Becomes Her is a great read, especially if you're new to horror!

Chinese/Taiwanese horror for YA. Spooky, scary, and based in folklore and cautionary tales. Ruby Chen is on a quest to discover the scary truth about demonic possession of her sister, and to prevent scary monsters from taking over the “real” world.

The Rick Riordan Presents is easily becoming one of my favorite publishers for junior fiction and young adult reads. This one was definitely dark and aimed slightly older, but I definitely enjoyed it. I've had the pleasure of recommending it to some teens and it has gone over super well. Can't wait to see what gets released next.

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This book follows the life of Ruby, the eldest daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, who is trying to live up to her parent’s expectations of the perfect daughter. While many of Ruby’s struggles are real and relatable, anxiety, parents who misunderstand her, trouble with siblings, it also delves deep into folklore and mythology. It is a YA horror that will leave you wanting more.

As with all novels in the Rick Riordan Presents list, The Dark Becomes Her is based on mythology - in this case, the mythology of China and Taiwan. Ruby Chen is the oldest daughter in her family, trying very hard to be her own person while still meeting the traditional and high expectations of her parents for her behavior and academic achievement. From an early age, she's seen shadowy figures at the periphery of her vision, but her parents dismissed it as part of her near-sightedness and got her new glasses, and Ruby went along with their dismissal for years, until the shadowy figures become more distinct, and one attacks her. Saved by a boy she knows only vaguely as another student at her high school, Ruby follows him, trying to get more information, and is drawn into a story straight out of Asian mythology: a demon has been raised by a group attempting to enrich themselves, and Ruby has walked into the midst of the guardians trying to prevent the demon's rise.

There are so many themes in this novel, and so many details I enjoyed. Ruby is the daughter of immigrants, parents who moved for their own education, and to better the lives of their children. Ruby, and younger siblings, Tina and Denny, straddle two worlds, the one they currently inhabit in Canada, and the one their parents grew up in and want to maintain, from Taiwan. The family is very involved in the Taiwanese immigrant community, and their parents are heavily invested in ensuring their children's success, to the point of stifling their individuality and requiring them to focus on anything that will benefit their future, leaving any other interests aside. This is one of those books that I opened and then had trouble putting down. Recommended for readers middle school through adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don't know if it was the first person present tense POV or the too-frequently on-the-nose commentary in the narrator's thoughts, but I just couldn't make it past the first few chapters of this one. Perhaps my students may like it, but it reads very juvenile.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy to review.

I enjoyed this so much. This was such an enthralling supernatural tale of sisterly bonds and confronting the dark corners of yourself. The tone and atmosphere were well-curated, and watching the MC navigate everything was fraught and perilous, but also full of growth. This was complex, but not confusing--it was so good. This is definitely an author I will keep on my radar going forward, absolutely great.

The beautiful cover drew me in but the story kept me intrigued. A supernatural tale about sisters and the darkest parts of ourselves. The eeriness was constant throughout. The only aspect of the book that fell flat was the romance but it didn’t interfere with my overall experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Dark Becomes Her is an enthralling and fresh take on mythological retellings, perfectly suited for fans of the *Rick Riordan Presents* series. Lin masterfully introduces readers to a world where ancient deities and dark magic collide, crafting a story rich with cultural lore and high-stakes adventure. The protagonist’s journey is filled with danger, personal growth, and moments of vulnerability that make her deeply relatable. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, adding layers of complexity to the story. With its intricate plot, heart-pounding action, and a beautifully diverse cast of characters, this novel shines as a standout fantasy

Judy Lin’s The Dark Becomes Her was the perfect spooky October read. Full of Taiwanese mythology, family drama and self-discovery, I devoured it! The characters were relatable while also experiencing a life completely different from my own upbringing. The character development and relationships is balanced with the creepy mystery of what is happening with Ruby and her sister. I loved Delia and Shu Ling and enjoyed the small romance subplot. I do feel like the end was a little rushed and the loss of one of the characters at the end glossed over but I can see the opportunity for a second book to spend more time on this. I would recommend this for high schoolers and up. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc copy for early review.

Ruby Chen is dealing with the pressure and expectations of being the oldest daughter in her Taiwanese Canadian family when her sister Tina starts acting strangly. Soon she is thrust into a world of demons, spirits, and evil temples. Can she save her family from what is coming?

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's already out, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I love Judy I. Lin's writing and I was so excited when it was announced she was writing something spooky. The Dark Becomes Her is exactly what I wanted it to be. Equal parts adventurous and scary, I absolutely ate this book up. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone.

I really enjoyed learning about Chinese spirits and folktales. The new-to-me lore made this book feel so different than what I normally read. I'm a fan of these new "Rick Riordan Presents" books, especially the horror ones.

I received an e-copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is absolutely a book that speaks to everything I love. The vibes are Jennifer's Body or My Best Friend's Exorcism mixed with Taiwanese folklore and mythology. Judy I Lin really makes her characters real for me. I can relate to them, I mourn with them, and I see parts of myself in them. I think this is going to be one of those books that I just sort of think about for the rest of my life? I was completely invested in Ruby and Tina's story, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Overnight, a normal family transforms into something sinister. Ruby Chen's younger sister is becoming possessed by a demon, and it's up to the dutiful older sibling to save her before it's too late.

This haunting tale is perfect for fans of Junji Ito. Brimming with the horrors of demons and the Asian diaspora experience, readers will be trembling by the final page of this terrifying story.