I absolutely adored this book! I loved Ingvild Bjerkeland’s writing, she had a grip on me the entire time. The entire book felt haunted with the uncertainty of what was to come and yet throughout it all the young characters desperately clung to the hope of finding their father. This would be an excellent pick for a children’s book club as there is so much that can be discussed with youth readers. I can very easily see this book becoming a modern classic, with young readers connecting to it in a similar as many connect to Hatchet.

Thank you NetGalley and Levine Querido for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Fast paced, addictive read. I really loved the characters Abidi and Alva. The descriptions of the monsters were chilling as was the new reality of the world these children find themselves in. I also really liked that the author didn't shy away from the harsh realities of what a dystopian world could mean. (People dying, refusing to help, violence) My biggest complaint is that this story didn't seem long enough and seemed unfinished. This story abruptly ends right in the middle of things- I thought perhaps I might have got an incomplete file. I don't mind open and ambiguous endings- but this one just left me disappointed.

"Beasts" by Ingvild Bjerkeland is a gripping YA horror novella that plunges readers into a world overrun by mysterious creatures. Following siblings Abdi and Alva as they navigate this perilous landscape, the story is both tense and heartfelt. While the narrative is engaging, some readers might find the plot underdeveloped. Overall, it's a quick, suspenseful read that leaves a lasting impression.

Surprisingly touching story about survival. It's a fast read - in part because it's short but also because the story compels you to keep flipping pages.

Abdi is a big brother, aiming to keep his sister Alva safe and alive. They are on the move, starving, trying to find safety even though everything around them is dangerous. The monsters, mainly only referred to as Beasts, were so well crafted in that just their smell in the story could spook the reader. But two kids traveling alone in a world that is just trying to stay alive, it's not just the Beasts that they need to fear. I felt completely swept away with their struggle to survive and their journey.

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This book had a great plot with intriguing characters. I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

I liked this book (and loved the cover art!). I liked the writing style and will totally seek this author out again. I’ve read a lot of similar stories lately so I felt kinda burnt out on the plot points, but that is a personal problem. I think I will reread in like a year with fresh eyes and it will hit me differently!

"beasts" is an intense, action-packed book set in a post-apocalyptic world overtaken by the titular beasts. so the comparison to a quiet place is understandable and very apt, but the promise of a "deliciously original" story falls short, as the book doesn't offer anything particularly new to the genre.

while the relationships between the main characters, abdi and alva, are very sweet, the characters themselves feel a bit under-explored. i mean this is somewhat expected in the young adult genre, and for its target audience, it may not be a significant drawback so it's alright. however, the world-building, while ambitious, often feels confusing and lacking in detail which takes away from the overall experience.

one of the more frustrating aspects of the book is the lack of descriptive details surrounding the identity of the beasts. at times, they are described to be almost human-like, yet their identity is never fully explained, which may have been the author's intention to create intrigue but ultimately it left me perplexed.

however, nothing disappointed me in the entire book as much as the ending. i can't explain it without spoiling the book, but it was so underwhelming -like, soooo underwhelming- that i can hardly begin to express my frustration. if the book were part of a series, i might have been more forgiving; i wouldn't be pleased, but i wouldn't detract a whole star. however, since (to my knowledge) it’s a standalone, the ending feels very bleh.

as an adult reader, i recognize that i am not the target audience for this book. an average middle-grade reader would very much enjoy it, and i would feel comfortable recommending it to anyone looking to introduce kids to reading.

overall, "beasts" is a quick okay-ish read for anyone who's already deep immersed in the genre, but it shines as an impressive introduction for young readers interested in the post-apocalyptic or horror genre(s).

Thank you to Levine Querido and NetGalley for this ARC.

I bounced between a 3 and 4 for this one and ultimately landed on a 4 since the "A Quiet Place" vibes were strong in this one. It's a short and sweet novella with an easy to follow story and a touching brother and sister relationship. If you're in the mood for dystopian AND monsters without over-complex world building, this is the one to pick up. I loved the description of the monsters with their curling/uncurling claws!

As a YA novel, this had the perfect blend of horror and a touching sibling relationship. The simple, straightforward writing style typical of YA doesn’t always appeal to me, but it worked here, adding to Beasts’ fast pace. I read it in one sitting and was hooked! It’s a solid alternative to the usual adult apocalyptic stories, following a small group as they flee, find shelter, and search for a true safe haven.

I’m giving it a 4 instead of a 5 because of the ambiguous ending and the setting. It’s supposed to be in Norway, but aside from the occasional place name, it could have been anywhere.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc:

Unfortunately, this was not for me. It's a very short book, which means a fast pace is almost guaranteed, but this was entirely too fast. There is no time spent lingering in any moment and really absorbing the situation. It also doesn't allow for any meaningful character relationships to be built. The only one I cared for was Alva and Abdi and that's because they're our leads, and also children.

The writing style also did not appeal to me. It was always, 'we went here, we did this, we ran away'. It was tell, not show. And it made the whole experience feel stunted. It was also frustrating to get crumbs of really interesting information on the titular 'beasts', just for it to go absolutely nowhere. There were a couple moments where I found them genuinely frightening. I thought they would be mindless creatures but they were more intelligent than that, I wanted so badly to see more of them.

The one thing I did like was Abdi and watching his struggles as a 13 year old boy responsible for caring for his sister in such horrible circumstances. Watching a child go through these things is so profoundly sad and I think his exhaustion and fear was done well.

Beasts is a quick horror novella that gives you a small peek into a world invaded by horrifyingly intelligent, but strikingly inhuman beasts. The characters invoke a reader's sympathy as they flee the beasts. My one issue was the briefness of some of the encounters in the novella. It is meant to be short, but I feel like a dozen or more pages may have lended some of the scenes more suspense or weight to the overall story. This was be a great jumping off point into horror for a YA reader.

I can excuse a story to be so similar to the <i>A Quiet Place</i> franchise it seems part of it, but I draw the line at not giving me an ending.


Thanks to Levine Querido and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

If The Last of Us met A Quiet Place and they decided to take the depraved outlook on humanity from TLOU with the eerie stalking of the monsters from AQP then you get this book.

In 128 pages you get a real sense of the fear and love of the main characters. Abdi and Alva are trying to make their way to the dock in hopes of catching a boat to get away from the titular Beasts that have come to their city.

I really enjoyed the ambience of this novella, there are a couple of really heart warming moments in the midst of this dystopian future. Can’t wait for the UK translated version to hit stores so I can rave about this dynamite book.

I was very excited to get to review Beasts by @ingvildbjerkeland as my first @netgalley ARC! The synopsis captured my attention as it seemed like a suspenseful, action filled novella. Just what I love!

Overall, I enjoyed this quick read at less than 150 pages! Vivid descriptions really pulled me into the story and allowed me to visualise the terror of the characters as they were hunted down by the beasts. At times, even as I read cosily in bed, I felt unsettled at the thought of being stalked by these terrifying beasts.

The author has a particular talent in building suspense and causing the reader to be suspicious of every new character that was introduced. I felt like screaming ‘DON’T TRUST THEM!’ as the characters took chances that I would have steered away from! I would have loved to see what direction the story could have taken if one particular character had had different intentions.

The only real criticism I have is that the ending fell a little flat for me. I can imagine it could have hit harder if I had read the book in one sitting, but personally I think the ending would have been more impactful if it had been a little more developed... it left me with so many unanswered questions and felt a little unsatisfying.

All things considered, I rated this book 4⭐️!

Firstly. thank you to Levine Querido for providing the ARC copy of this book for me to review.

Beasts is a unique and interesting take on folklore monsters causing a dystopian land following their appearance.

Beasts is a very matter of fact take on the end of the world genre at the hands of strange monsters that appear seemingly out of nowhere, following a teenage boy and his young sister as they fight to survive in this new world where other people cannot be trusted. Bjerkeland's prose is very straightforward and to the point and while I enjoyed the concept and the bones of what was there, I do feel that certain points of the story and explanations could have done with more elaboration. This might simply be a stylistic choice by the author, but it feels as though the concept, setting and emotion are there, they need a little more development to really hit home the devastation of the story.

Thrilling tale of siblings on the run from beasts in a world wracked by havoc. An incredibly engaging and compelling novella.

I really liked the atmosphere the author was able to create. Such a feeling of hopelessness and dread. You could feel how tense the characters and situation was. What a whirlwind of emotions as well! Loss, anger and finally hope! I really enjoyed this read!

A harrowing read, BEASTS is a perfect middle grade horror story. It's written in compelling voice of the two siblings, their relationship is endearing and I was quickly invested in Abdi and Alva. It would make a great gift for 8+ kids.

Beasts is a surprisingly endearing novella that follows the traditional beats of survival horror, albeit slightly watered down for young readers. Its greatest strength lies in the protagonists, and their heartfelt bond.

If you're looking for a thrill, although short, this is the book for you! I was actually tucked up under the covers anxious almost the entire time! I do wish it had been longer but on the same hand, if it had been longer, it might not have been as good. It was like reading a zombie book but somehow scarier because the beasts were a new concept and the way they were described was terrifying. I do also wish there had been a better, more conclusive ending but it was still so worth the read!!