Quick and nerve-wrecking novella about two siblings running away from the beasts that have invaded their country.
It is fast-paced, with short chapters full of action that keeps you attached to the pages to know if the two protagonists are going to make it. It is targeted to a younger audience, but if anything, to read it as an adult is scarier.
The book follows two Norwegian siblings, 13 yo Abdi and 5yo Alva, trying to reach a port city so that they can leave their beast-infested country behind and reach safety. It is a classic apocalyptic story, but the world view and attitude of the protagonists separate it from the more pessimistic ones. Through all the book, they always try to keep their humanity and hope for a better future.
It is an emotional story. Abdi does everything he can for his little sister, taking responsibility and providing for her, but he is still 13 and the world is a difficult place. And Alva is a strong little girl, but she still wants to play and to cuddle. Maybe the story itself is not unique, but I cared so deeply for the characters.
The story starts and finishes in the middle, but you catch glimpses of how the beasts came to be. I liked this mostly open ending, it gives you enough to be satisfied, but no certainties, you can still have your own theories.
The translation was good. The prose fluid and simple, but full of profound images.
I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick but intense read, with adventure and tension, and ready to escape in the Norwegian countryside.

I read this book in one sitting, because I simply could not take my eyes off the pages! It had shades of The Road in it, but with the characters being 13-yo Abdi and his 5-yo sister Alva. The beasts in question were eery and unsettling, seemingly with quite a bit of human-like intelligence. Extremely spooky stuff, but wrapped up in a not-too-gory package for people who aren't too into the more bloody aspects of horror, or for teenagers/young adults.

I don't read too much horror, but I venture into it occasionally when I want a good fright, and this delivered a nice and short horror story without being so scary that it haunts your dreams when you go to sleep.

The translation was good, it seemed faithful to the original and the language flowed very well. It was a book that demanded my attention, and my eyes were glued to the pages until I'd read the very last word. Definitely well worth a read!

I didn't actually know this was a middle-grade book when I requested it, but I had a really good time reading it. Short, at under 200 pages, and very easy to read. The idea of the beasts arriving in the world and immediately sending everything into a panic felt very accurate to how people would react.
The main characters absolutely felt like the anxious, trying the best they could children that they were, and you couldn't help but root for them to get to safety. In such a world, even people become unsafe, and the sense that they couldn't trust anyone was very prevalent, and made you worried for them at all times.
There could have been more to do with the actual beasts, but it works as a kind of mysterious presence that you must be wary about but very rarely actually see. The designs that we did see were creepy enough to get that across.
The ending is very abrupt, but on some levels it works to give readers a sense that everything is going to be okay in the character's futures and that there is hope in such a bleak world.

I was drawn to Beasts because the premise sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The pacing was so rushed that there was barely any time to connect with the characters—they felt more like sketches than real people. Without that depth, it was hard to feel invested in their journey.

The biggest disappointment, though, was the ending. It didn’t feel like a conclusion—just a sudden stop that left me staring at the last page, wondering if I was missing something. I don’t mind open-ended stories, but this one didn’t give me enough to hold onto. If there was a deeper allegory or message, it never fully came through, leaving me confused and unsatisfied.

I wanted to like this, but it felt underdeveloped in too many ways. There was potential, but it needed more time and depth to make a real impact.

Not gonna lie—I didn’t realize this was a YA novel when I picked it up! But looking at it from that perspective, I think younger me would’ve loved it. It’s got all the makings of a great horror story: a terrifying apocalyptic setting, mysterious creatures, and two kids trying to survive against impossible odds. The plot is gripping, the scares are solid, and while the themes are pretty straightforward, they work well for a younger audience.

That said, it’s definitely on the sadder side for the 10-14 age group, but I think kids who are into horror and monsters will eat this up. A strong, suspenseful read for young horror fans!

Ingvild Bjerkeland's Beasts is a thrilling young adult horror novel that masterfully combines suspense, emotion, and a haunting post-apocalyptic world. The story follows 13-year-old Abdi and his younger sister Alva as they navigate a world ravaged by the sudden appearance of terrifying two-legged creatures. After losing their mother, the siblings embark on a perilous journey to reach a port and reunite with their father on Fair Isle, facing constant danger along the way.

Bjerkeland's depiction of the beasts creates a palpable sense of danger, propelling the narrative forward and maintaining a fast pace. The author’s concise writing style ensures each moment is impactful, keeping readers engaged throughout. While the novel’s brevity means there's limited character development, Abdi’s perspective provides enough insight to make the reader emotionally invested in the siblings' survival.

The translation by Rosie Hedger captures the intensity of the original, making it accessible to a wider audience. The story’s themes of survival, sibling relationships, and the loss of innocence add depth, making the book appealing to both younger readers and adults alike.

However, some readers may feel that the novel doesn’t provide enough background on the origins of the beasts or the world before their appearance. The focus on immediate survival leaves some questions unanswered, which could be a downside for readers looking for more extensive world-building.

Overall, Beasts is a gripping and fast-paced novel that stands out in the horror genre. Bjerkeland’s storytelling, combined with Hedger’s translation, creates an immersive experience that will captivate those looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

Title and Author: Beasts by Ingvild Bjerkeland
Diversity and Representation: translated fiction (Norwegian author)
Genre: horror, survival, Teens & YA
Length: novella
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pub Date: April 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read This if you enjoyed: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Summary (spoiler free): The story begins in medias res, following thirteen-year-old Abdi and his five-year-old sister Alva as they traverse an apocalyptic Norway that has been thrown into chaos by the arrival of "beasts"- creatures of unknown origin with seemingly one goal- attacking and destroying humans.

This novella uses familiar survival and apocalypse tropes, elevated by the quality of writing and pacing throughout. The brother/sister and other familial relationships are well-established, and Abdi's development from modern spoiled tween to world-wary protector of his family is well done.

Thank you so much to Ingvild Bjerkeland and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.

Charmingly eerie, folkloric and atmospheric, the writing was beautiful and immersive, especially for a book meant for a younger audience. I did feel like that the story ended perhaps a bit too abruptly which was a bit jarring and ultimately brought my enjoyment of the book down quite a bit. Overall, a wonderful sweet little work of horror that is well translated and well written.

⭐⭐⭐

This novella was well written and highly entertaining. Albeit middle grade, it did have some genuine scary parts in it that I loved and would disturb the average reader. It definitely has the vibes of "A Quiet Place", and "The Road", but because it's middle grade, these themes are watered down a bit to suit younger readers. As an adult reading this novella it still was a highly enjoyable and quick story. For more avid horror readers, you may find this story a bit too tame for your tastes.

Bjerkeland's talented writing in this story really stuck with me, and I'd be excited if they'd ever write anything for an adult audience.
 
Thank you NetGalley and Levine Querido for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this epub copy.

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from a first time translated author's middle-grade work of dystopian horror/suspense, and I'm not sure I can say that it was necessarily for me. The prose is often uneven and choppy, reminiscent of The Road but sans the distance of time and lived-in-ness of the modern dystopian classic. Beasts feels more like a dystopian slice-of-life story, seemingly borrowing thematic elements of A Quiet Place with monster design that harkens to Adam Nevill's The Ritual. We never truly get an explanation for how or why this apocalyptic event came about, which isn't always a bad thing, but with how sketched around the edges so much of the story feels (most of the people we meet, including our main family, feel quite two dimensional), it leaves this reader feeling rather unsatisfied. There are suspenseful moments peppered throughout, but all too often they are rushed through to keep the plot moving forward and very few scenes have time enough to breathe--though this might be a particularity of the audience or something lost in translation I will readily admit.

While this novella is aimed at middle-grade readers, it does appear to suffer from an amount of vagueness that ultimately is unsatisfying with too many questions left unanswered and a particularly ambiguous cliffhanger ending, leaving the story feeling unfinished. In the end, this is a no-frills horror-lite novella aimed squarely at the audience it's looking for that is propusively suspenseful albeit at the cost of overall mood and characterization.

I found the premise interesting, but the writing is awful. This may be due to the translation, but it made absolutely no sense almost immediately. The two main characters are able to see a mutilated deer with no issues, yet a few sentences later it’s nighttime and they step onto a crag they somehow saw, overlooking an ocean that they didn’t hear, and a full moon is shining; the implication being that it was pitch black up to the point the full moon appears. This makes no sense whatsoever. I couldn’t read more after that.

Oof, this one was tense and definitely didn't read like YA, so hurray for that for me.
I am so thankful to Ingvild Bjerkeland, Netgalley, and Levine Querido for granting me advanced digital access to this dystopian monster horror before it hits shelves on April 1, 2025. If you're a fan of The Last of Us or The Quiet Place, this novella is RIGHT up your alley and will scratch that itch.

Abdi and Alva are on the run from the murderous beasts that have laid claim to their home after ravaging and pillaging all they know. Hiding out in abandoned farms, placing their trust in people sight unseen, and fighting for their lives -- the two racing to the sea in search of a boat that will take them to their father. With so much unknown positioned to them, they fear what's to come but have each other through it all.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Beasts definitely does not reinvent the wheel of dystopian horror fiction, but it does do a nice job of conveying tension. The reader is frequently reminded that danger lurks around every corner, and that there are no safe choices here. The language is very plain, but the themes are somewhat heavy. There are some deaths, but these largely occur off screen. I feel Beasts would be appropriate for a mature middle grade reader, and definitely high schoolers. 3.5 stars

Don't be fooled by its slim size: "Beasts" by Ingvild Bjerkeland is a gripping, fast-paced adventure that will leave you breathless. Translated by Rosie Hedger, this English debut introduces us to the young dynamic duo of Abdi and Alva, who navigate a world filled with terrifying huge and hairy creatures. At times the kids aren’t sure who to be more afraid of the beasts or other humans.
While Beasts is written for young adults, the expertly crafted suspense and sharp writing make this a must-read for anyone seeking a thrilling story, especially for teens and up.

Thank you NetGalley, Ingvild Bjerkeland and Levine Querido for this ARC.

This was a great quick read. I really enjoyed the main character and how much he loved his sister even in the midst of the horrible circumstances. While it’s a shorter story/novella, it really leaves you wanting to know more about the monsters and what is happening in the rest of the world.

This was a fun read. I felt this novella might be more YA, which isn’t a bad thing. The writing is easy to read and gives a very mild telling of a post apocalyptic world. I could see this book being a gateway into that trope. I also think my feelings could be because the main characters are young. Either way, i think it’s worth a read if you want something quick and thrilling.

Despite being billed as upper middle grade, I found myself thoroughly engaged with this novella myself and think many adults would feel the same. This was a chilling horror novel and I found myself with actual goosebumps at several points while reading this. I possibly wouldn’t recommend to very young or sensitive readers for this reason, but I think a YA/older middle grade audience should be fine. I read it in one sitting (which is unusual for me) as I just needed to know what happened next! The description of the beasts - one scene in particular - had me holding my breath. The characters were relatable and sympathetic, and the older character of Abdi in particular will be relatable to middle grade readers as a peer. The short format did not allow as full a character exploration as I would have liked, but the reader is given enough information to root for the main characters and feel invested in their plight. Despite the horror elements, this book also speaks to several real-world issues. The social commentary on the things people will resort to in a crisis, particularly putting their own needs above those of others, reminded me at times almost a little too much of where we were several years ago during the Covid pandemic! Without giving too much away, I actually appreciated the way things were left off with the ending of this novel, as it leaves room for interpretation and the reader’s imagination. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read which I would recommend to not only to a middle grade audience but to an adult one as well.

BEASTS is a quick romp through a post-apocalyptic world overun by blood thirsty creatures. The story, told by a 13-year old boy, is interesting but not enough to completely satisfy readers. The novella has potential and shows glimpses of what a longer work could be, but, as is, the work ultimately disappoints. Be warned, there is no explanation or conclusion to the events taking place. Truly, this publication feels unfinished.

***3 stars out of 5***

(Note: thank you to Netgalley.com for the ARC.)

Coming in at under two hundred pages, Ingvild Bjerkeland’s Beasts packs plenty of punch. Translated by Rosie Hedger, it’s the first of Bjerkeland’s novels to be published in English. Led by the engaging duo of Abdi and Alva, its rapid series of set pieces keep readers gripped from the get-go, revealing much about the monsters, inhuman or otherwise, that inhabit their world.

While Bjerkeland writes primarily for children and young adults, Beasts is a fine example of how good writing and an engaging story can easily transcend recommended age groups - though the scares in this one mean it’s probably best for teens upwards.

Proof that the best things often do come in the smallest packages, Beasts hits much harder than its short page count might suggest. This one ticks off everything that makes for a good horror, packing its high stakes with a healthy dose of heart and a dash of social commentary. Does it reinvent the wheel? No, not particularly. But when the wheel works this well, why would you need to?

This is a fast paced YA novella with a quiet place aura to its. I throughly enjoyed this novella. The writing was easy to understand, flowed well and had an emotional touch to the characters and plot. I also adore this cover! I recommend this book and think younger children and adults would adore this story!