I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. The base idea of the story was good. It felt very modern, and I feel like a lot of people in the 13/14 and up group would understand it. I wish there were trigger warnings at the beginning. I understand that the synopsis states the mc survived an accident in which their friend did not. I feel there should still be a trigger warning before starting the first page, just as a reminder. The writing itself was a little hard to follow. It went from "I" statements to "we" and then to "she/they" all in the same paragraphs, and it was all referring to the mc. Having an ARC means it isn't fully formatted yet so, hopefully that is something that can be clarified.

As for the story itself. This was a journey. There were a few predictable twists and turns and a few not so predictable. The story starts with the mc being alone and full of anxiety. As it progresses, it's obvious they are sinking further into their mental illness until they catch an event on livestream that seems like a joke. Being alone means the mc notices many small details about the things they encounter. Once they figure out the pattern, the mc starts doing research better than an FBI friend. They accidentally on purpose doxx another streamer, and that is where the adventure starts to take off. It leads them through some self-realization and self-preservation. I liked that it was a new take on an old story, but it felt like it was a bit rushed in some parts. The way things were laid out in the beginning with details and information didn't continue through once it was just beyond halfway. I felt the beginning was a little slow to build, but that isn't necessarily bad. When I got to the 75/80% mark, it felt almost as if I had just read 2 different books with a similar theme. I loved the mystery and suspense of finding out who the ghost was and the interactions he had with the mc, but at times, it felt like the chat sections were just an interruption. I would have liked to see more building of Kyle's character since he was an important part to the story. Overall, this was a really good read. It isn't something I normally pick up (YA) but it was worth it. I think with formatting tweaks and a bit more consistency on point of view, it would be a great book.

A spooky take on the connections we create on the web and the pieces of ourselves that become echoes after we're gone. This novel has great LGBTQA+ rep and explores agoraphobia, anxiety, and grief.

This was confusing to read. The idea was there but it was a jumbled mess of a story to understand. It felt like reading a rough, rough draft. I think the writing could've been better and more descriptive instead of robotic and detached. I get that Teresa (were they also Replay?) was wanting connection after their friend died but the relationship with Ozma was stiff and didn't build up to it. The relationship didn't feel romantic but it turned out that way?
This book has the right idea but needs a lot of work to clean it up.

This book was a wild rollercoaster from start to finish! I don't want to go into too much detail but the supernatural plot was done very well. Mixing the online community with the real world was perfect, all the chats and forums posts felt very real and like you were just watching it all happen online too. I was curious how the ghost story parts were going to come together with it all but then it was all happening so fast that it just works.

It was a very quick read, mostly helped with all the chatting and texting added in. The only thing I didn't care for was how well the ending wrapped up. The "going back to normal" aspect was disappointing, like Teresa/Replay learned nothing of the experience. I did like how the different streamers were described as we "joined" their streams, it felt very true to real life.

Overall it felt like the reader was part of the action and that was fun and nerve wreaking sometimes. My main takeaway was that time online and out of the real world should be limited, even if that's not the intention of the author (but maybe it should've been 🤔).

This promised “Rear Window meets The Ring.” As these are two of my favorite movies I was immediately interested. I see now why they promised this collab and I actually find it pretty accurate. First of all, I’m a huge lover of mixed media in novels, which I have announced many times. This book has included live streams and chats to explain what’s happening throughout the book, which I ate up. The story was solid, featured bugs (gasp where did they come from), and a mystery to solve. I enjoyed the heck out of it and I can’t wait until you all get to read it in APRIL of 2025! Be sure to add it to your TBR if you’re a fan of YA Horror!

Thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the copy of this ARC!

I dont read too many YA books these days. So this was a nice change of pace for me. I am a huge fan of all things creepy and horror. The synopsis had me from the getgo, and I was so excited I got to read this early! Theresa/Replay is a streamer dealing with past trauma. She seems to get herself into a pickle when strange things start happening to other streamers. Of course, Theresa/Replay has to figure it all out . Reading this book got me thinking of 2 things. I feel like the author heavily pulled from the movie PULSE. This is fine because I liked that movie, and the concept of this book reminded me of that movie! But also the underlying message of the book for the youngsters is to not spend all your time on a screen! ...as I'm on a screen typing this... But it was a fun book, with some creepy moments. If you are looking for HORROR, then this probably isn't for you. It's fun. The story is intriguing, and the creepy factor is there. I finished this in a day and would recommend for something quick to read!

Thanks to Penguin and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ooooh this was just what I needed the week of Halloween. Although at times I felt like I was being preached at for using technology too much (and at other times I felt like a 99 year old having to look up what omegalul means because I’ve NEVER USED TWITCH) overall this was a lot of fun. It was fast, with Reddit threads and text conversations.

Some of it felt rushed in typical YA fashion - jumping into bed with each other literally five minutes after meeting for the first time????? - but I was left with such a chilling impression with the eyes and the maggots and the dangers of living and dying online.

It was just a lot of fun. The first part, with Teresa trapped in her room, had really creepy vibes. There was some real emotion too in the Becks scenes and the end with the telescope and it kinda made me want to go and sit in a forest without my phone.

Rear Window meets The Ring? When I saw this available as Read Now, I didn’t hesitate one second to download it. Overall, this was a spooky and engaging YA paranormal horror read. The targeted audience will absolutely love this. The themes of isolation, grief, paranoia, and community was so well done. The atmosphere and claustrophobic setting was my favorite part. The first 60% of this book was so tense and I couldn’t put it down. I found myself a bit unsatisfied with the last quarter of the book but it made sense with all loose ends wrapped up.

I’d recommend this to a YA reader looking for an entry level book to the horror genre.

I downloaded this one on a whim and did not expect to get so into it. I started reading it before going to bed one evening, and that was a big mistake, i didn’t want to put it down and ended up staying up way too late. It was fast-paced and I really liked the main character Teresa/Replay she just seemed so real and has obsessive spiraling to figure out what was happening to her friends, which is relatable. I didn’t love the ending though. Things fell apart a little for me there as it seemed a little over the top and unbelievable. Maybe that’s also why I generally don’t read YA. But overall, I finished it in 36 hours, so I’ll call that a win!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Deadstream” by Mar Romasco-Moore is an unsettling and thought-provoking horror YA book that taps into the eerie world of livestreaming culture and the dangers of constant connectivity, which is extremely relevant in today’s time. Following Teresa, a young woman dealing with intense anxiety and agoraphobia, the story explores her increasing isolation as she becomes trapped within her own home and, ultimately, her own mind. Haunted by the guilt of her best friend’s death, which she feels she caused, Teresa’s world begins to shrink as she spirals into the labyrinth of online streaming, encountering mysterious doors, ominous shadow figures, and cryptic livestreams that blend reality with something darker.

One of the book's strongest aspects is its atmosphere. Romasco-Moore captures the claustrophobic tension of Teresa’s life as her physical and mental worlds collapse inward. Her interactions with the digital world provide an interesting twist, with livestream transcripts and chat logs breaking up the chapters to give you a glimpse of the eerie events unfolding online. Younger readers, familiar with streaming platforms, will likely appreciate the authentic portrayal of livestreaming culture, though some may find the lingo challenging. Teresa’s love-hate relationship with the internet is particularly resonant, reflecting the lure of online connection in a way that feels real and timely.

The story walks a fine line between horror and satire, often blurring the boundaries between mental health struggles and supernatural elements. Romasco-Moore deftly explores the consequences of “doomscrolling” and becoming too invested in the online world, all while touching on Teresa's journey of self-identity, including her questions about her gender, which are sensitively explored in the epilogue.

However, the book’s ambitious scope may leave you feeling lost by the end. The final act felt a bit overly convoluted, with twists that, while intriguing, don’t fully align with the story's initial tone or logic. The ending was a bit over the top and almost a little too preachy in showing the dangers of being constantly online. But if you are willing to suspend disbelief and lean into the surreal horror of the internet consuming reality, these quirks add to the book’s charm.

With its blend of horror, humor, and social commentary, Deadstream captures the chilling reality of being “too online” and the impact it can have on mental health. Although the story's complexity and occasional leaps in logic may not satisfy everyone, those who enjoy experimental horror with a dash of satire and strong LGBTQ representation will likely find Deadstream to be a refreshing take on modern horror.

What a RIVETING novel! YA pure Horror, skin-crawling and spinechilling, implacable and inescapable! DEADSTREAM is a race-through-the-pages for readers, race-to-escape-invisible-death for the "chosen" characters! The framework of the novel is well chosen to be enticing, realistic, so that the terrors which are invisible and inaudible to the victims, noticed only by the streamers' Internet audiences, are so much more chilling, in a "maybe this could really happen?" fashion. Couching this on the Internet makes the possibility of faking or acting or pranking so much more realistic, and also distances any possibility of anyone sending help if needed.

Really wanted to like this! Made it to like 16%, but the text kept graying out and didn't like how the chat was coming across!

I enjoyed this book. It was creepy at times, over the top at times, funny at times, and also thought provoking. Romasco-Moore gives a very tongue in cheek perspective on today's internet culture. "Doom scrolling" has that name for a reason and this just brings that to a whole new level. I also liked how I wasn't entirely sure if this was an issue of mental health or reality. I liked the characters and the banter. I like the queer representation. Also, the online comments were hilariously entertaining.

My only criticism was that I wish that the book maybe took itself less seriously, because it wasn't entirely apparent if this was meant to be satire and silly or taken seriously. I didn't take any stars away for this though, because doesn't most horror do that?

Overall the book was great fun.

Before I can talk about why this book frustrated me, I'll have to explain what I want/expect from horror. For me, successful horror taps into something that exists off the page. It's not just, "Ooh, this monster is creepy!" or jump scares or something. Even if that's what a story focuses on at the surface level, there needs to be something more for me. Another layer.

The first 2/3 of this book did that pretty well, I thought. There's spooky stuff happening in the livestreams, but there's also this undercurrent of isolation and self-doubt. Teresa/Replay can never quite say what her motive is. Does she want to solve the mystery, or does she just want attention? Is the stuff happening online real, or is it prank/hoax/stunt? The fact that mental health plays into this was, I think, handled pretty well, and Teresa's love-hate relationship with the internet felt pretty accurate to me, and likely will resonate with many readers who are chronically online. Had this book stuck the landing, it would have likely been a 4-star read for me.

The end, however, lost me. I found myself rolling my eyes in places where it got too silly (not on purpose, since the scenes were definitely supposed to be scary), and it didn't strike me as consistent. I'm not sure what I was supposed to be afraid of, and I think part of that stems from the fact that the book was trying to do too much and lost track of its core thread. The way the baddie gets, hrm, resolved (that seems sufficiently spoiler-free...) was interesting but didn't make a lot of sense with some of the other things going on. During the finale, Teresa is in the villain's mind, but that mind is inside HER mind, and yet it's all... happening on the internet? Maybe? And in hindsight, I'm not sure why some of the other things happened now that I've gotten to the end.

I suspect that if you don't think too hard about it, this book would be quite engaging... that sounds so rude, but I spend a lot of time thinking about magical and scifi mechanics, so I tend to question the logic of things. Why would it serve the villain to X? How come they could do Y, but not Z? In the case of this book, I think the answer is often "because it was creepy and forwarded the plot," but the more time I spend thinking about this, the less sense it makes. And the end... huh? Not satisfying. If you're someone get gets picky about story structure, you might have similar complaints. If you're like, "Geeze, this reviewer sounds annoying and pretentious," you will probably have a better time than I did.

All that said, I do think Romasco-Moore captured that creepy, claustrophobic feeling of being too deeply invested in the internet to the point where it's eating at your mental health. At the same time, this book isn't going, "The internet is bad!" Teresa makes connections with people, too. The online mayhem and comment threads were some of my favorite parts of the book. Bonus points for mental health and genderspicy rep. Unfortunately, this one didn't work for me, but I can see other people rolling with the punches and enjoying it a lot more.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. Sorry I didn't like it, but maybe this will help other readers decide whether or not the book is a good fit for them.

"Deadstream" by Mar Romasco-Moore is a gripping blend of horror and dark humor that explores themes of isolation and the impact of digital culture. The story follows a live-streaming influencer who, during a spooky challenge, encounters terrifying supernatural forces. Romasco-Moore deftly critiques our obsession with online validation while crafting a suspenseful narrative that keeps readers on edge. The writing is sharp and atmospheric, effectively merging the mundane with the macabre. Overall, it's a fresh and thought-provoking take on the horror genre that resonates with contemporary anxieties.