Wow - what a chilling story. The toxic relationships from both sides was such a tangles mess of emotions. It was beautifully written and executed. There were very disturbing and visceral moments that were elegantly handled.

Amazing book! It is dark, lightly sinister, grotesque modern horror for anyone ready to explore this special genre. I was not expecting the point of view to be from that of a child’s. On the brink of maturity, the author was able to capture the main character’s naivety in such a way that kept you longing for more details into her remote dark world. I loved it from gruesome beginning to torturous ending. The details author Rose implants in your brain will not leave a bitter taste. In fact the exploration of love between a mother and daughter plays an unexpected forefront in book. It keeps you reaching for hope and happy endings in this gothic atmospheric tragedy.

This book started out pretty slow, immersing you in this little girl’s crooked world and before you even realize it, it goes too fast and you’re desperate to stop it. It feels like that pacing is deliberate because it mirrors the events so well, from the slow, steady, and disturbed insular relationship between mother and daughter to adding in a few more characters that make these two unravel in very different ways. You also start to root more and more for the little girl, making you wish things would slow down again. I’ve also never experienced the flip from being revolted by someone’s behavior to rooting for it—in this case, the eating of mold.

I wasn’t expecting the ending to go all the way, but it makes sense in hindsight. It’s supremely sad, horrifying, and the perfect way to end the story. I loved how this book couple be read as a straight horror about cannibalism or read into the deeper analogy of hunger for love and how it can be satisfied in ways that make you better or worse.

At turns tender and deeply disturbing, The Lamb is literary folk horror that uses cannibalism as a metaphor for a narcissistic parent whose insatiable need to pursue her own desires comes at the expense of everyone around her, including her own child.

The concept was compelling, though the story became repetitive in the middle and I found myself skimming the many scenes involving cannibalism as they were graphic and used too often.

In the end, this was a bleak coming of age fairytale exploring the ways in which familial bonds can be complex and toxic, and the ways in which our family shapes our understanding of the world, for better or for worse. Haunting and heartbreaking, this is a dark debut that will leave you bereft.

Lucy Rose’s The Lamb is a dark, unsettling, and deeply tragic tale that lingers in the mind long after the final page. At its core, it’s a gothic coming-of-age story about Margot, a girl raised in near-isolation by her mother in a small house in the woods. Though she attends school and is surrounded by classmates, her world is shaped by her mother’s disturbing rituals and the eerie life they lead.

With an atmosphere reminiscent of Angela Carter and Margaret Atwood, The Lamb explores themes of repression, desire, and the terrifying power dynamics between mother and daughter. The novel’s slow-burning horror builds to a chilling crescendo, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy psychologically intense and genuinely horrifying stories.

That said, this book is very adult in its themes and execution. Prospective readers should check content warnings before diving in. For those who can stomach it, The Lamb is a harrowing and unforgettable read.

This is the best horror novel of the year so far! Utterly devastating and horrific! Will recommend to everybody!

The Lamb by Lucy Rose is a dark, disturbing, and tragic story of a young girl who is raised by her mother in their small house in the woods. Though she is surrounded by classmates at school, she is isolated by the strange way of life her mother has forced upon her. I recommend this to horror lovers who want a genuinely horrifying book to sink their teeth into.

Note: I recommend that this book is very adult and any interested in reading it should look up content warnings before considering it.

The Lamb by Lucy Rose is a deeply disturbing yet captivating novel. Told from the haunting perspective of a preteen girl, it explores the twisted lives of a cannibalistic mother and child. The contrast between the girl’s innocence and the horrific reality she describes is both unsettling and mesmerizing. Rose’s writing pulls you into a dark world that’s hard to look away from, even when it makes you uncomfortable. Despite how twisted the story was, I found myself thoroughly engaged. It’s a haunting, thought-provoking tale that lingers long after the final page.

4.5 stars

Holy cow! At some point the shocking things in this book became funny, but maybe that's a defense mechanism. Or maybe it's clever, dark humor.

The hours I spent immersed in this book flew by. I don't even know that I cooked or ate or slept. I was... consumed. It was fraught with dread, the characters were fascinating, and I may never ever forget it.

The entirety of my listening experience of The Lamb by Lucy Rose, I thought of the poem “This Be the Verse” by Larkin, which (I hope) James McAvoy made popular again by reciting it in the remake of Speak No Evil. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an e-audiobook of this narrative.

If Margot wants to eat, she must remain invisible. Do not participate in class. Do not have friends. Do not be noticed. These are the rules Mama expects her to follow. They live in the outskirts of a village, nearest to the forest. Unlike predators hunting for their meals, they wait for strays to come to their doorstep. Literally. Strays are people, and Mama’s insatiable hunger has consumed them Bones and All (haha, cannibalism books pun). I think more academic efforts should go into the use of cannibalism as a metaphor in literature. This work was an exceptional Bildungsroman filled with sensitivity, heartbreak, and finding companionship. Margot’s steady acceptance of who she is, of who Mama and Eden are was captivating. Rose’s characterization and messaging is strong in the work. Would definitely devour another of their works ;)

Engaging, immersive, and well-narrated. A recommended purchase for all collections, particularly where horror and genre-bent tales are popular.

This book was DEVASTATINGLY DARK. TW: child abuse, graphic depictions of cannibalism. I am completely torn by this debut. Thought I’m giving it five stars, I’ll certainly never read this again, nor will I suggest it to most people I know to read—it’s truly phenomenally written, beautifully narrated, I was completely sucked in by the pacing, the attention to detail, the thoughts of our child protagonist against the backdrop of this gothic twisted fairy tale. But my god, is it graphic. Several times I had to hold my chest and try not to squirm out of my own skin by the descriptions of viscera, hunger, black mold. It’s all worth it to get to the very last paragraph, the narrator does not disappoint and the writing will linger with you long after the book is over.

Omg! This was such a great book to read/listen to. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and had an immense sense of dread the whole time because of the relationship with Margot and her mom. I was rooting for Margot, and I so so wanted the best for her. It was so good, that I know I'm going to cry about it and think about it for a long time. This was true literary horror, i was hooked, and the book was so enthralling. I felt the shift changing in the middle when Abby and Margot become friends, and after that I was scared the whole time. This was so good.

4.5/5

This was a very dark and gory story of a young girl coming of age being raised as a cannibal. For such an extreme plot, it was really well done. We could really see Margots struggle as she grappled with her hunger and growing remorse.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Audio Adult for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This book was absolutely haunting. The cover drew me in and the pages kept me glued to it! I finished in one day because I couldn't put it down!! Recommend for everyone to try!

This was a dark, twisty, horror story about a mother and daughter living deep in the woods who lure 'sacrifices' that they literally devour. At times gruesome but deliciously feminist, this was not my typical go-to type of read but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Perfect for fans of authors like Angela Carter and good on audio. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Rating this book is a serious challenge, because it is truly unlike anything I have ever read in my life. Lamb is tragic, absurd, horrifying, and so much more. Those words don't even do it justice. I often rate books that I find challenging based on how often I think I will reflect on them, which is how I ultimately ended up with 4 stars. Though it is relatively short and darker than words can say, it is compulsively listenable, due in equal parts to the narrator's lilting tones and the author's compelling descriptions. I listened to this audiobook at work and was infinitely grateful that I packed a salad for lunch that day. Thank you HarperAudio Adult for my free eALC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was just not for me. I DNFed at 30%. Nothing in particular wrong with it in terms of writing or content. It just wasn't for me

Thank you for the ARC! What a stunning debut!! Rose’s prose is gorgeous! This book was sickening, but so beautiful. There are so many themes to unpack and analogies to make from this. My only gripe is that I wish the ending left a bit more to the imagination. However, I was so impressed and grossed out (in a good way!) by this!!

Mama and Margot live in the woods, far from the village and passersby. When a lost soul appears looking for shelter, Mama eagerly settles them in the house, feeds them and serves them wine. It's not until too late that the hemlock in the drink takes deadly effect. Then, Mama and Margot can feed.
Until one day, a stray that Mama wants to keep wanders in. And Margot brings to much attention to their little homestead. Then Mama decides Margot has become a liability.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this digital audio e-arc.*