** spoiler alert **
While scrolling I stopped at this book because I absolutely loved the title. Reading the blurb I was interested even if this wasn't my normal type of book.

It did not disappoint. Part horror, part mystery, part character driven drama it's got a lot going on. There was a surprising amount of social commentary within the story and the representation was lovely to read although I didn't expect it. I thought the author did a good job of weaving all the parts together.

The one note I'd have is that with the jumping around between periods in time you do have to pay close attention or you're likely to get lost.

Overall a nicely done story combining Pandora's Box, mystery, interesting characters, and horror both from society and from actual supernatural forces.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I would actually call this at 3.5 ⭐️ but alas goodreads will still not allow us any fractions in our ratings.

The cover of this book immediately drew my attention and then the summary had me totally intrigued. I have found myself on a bit of a horror/thriller kick as of late so a book about a psychic, a creepy bone box and apocalyptic visions with a splash of romance was calling my name.

In what I find to be true horror fashion you won’t find any deep world building or lore in regards to the mystical and mysterious in this story, the not knowing is what ups the stakes for stories like this. The book had its up and down moments. My attention waffled during the first twenty percent but I was well and truly invested by the midway point.

There are chapters that are flash backs to previous time periods and people related to our main characters that break up the flow of the story a bit. I think there was a missed opportunity to better incorporate these snippets into the narrative flow by having them be a mix of flashes that Winnie gets from her ability and possibly journal passages that could have been found by Apollo in the Rathbun manor.

Winnie is an interesting character with a “gift” she says she would rather not have mostly due to her family’s attitude towards it but as with many things her choices betray her true feelings. I enjoyed the dynamic between her and Apollo quite a bit.

Apollo is a likable character and easy to relate to, wanting to figure out who they are and where they fit in the world and in their family. They made me distinctly remember my own late teen years and the struggles I went through at the time. But there were a few things in regards to the authors writing choices for them that struck me as odd. Everyone, even people that had never met them previously, referred to Apollo with they/them pronouns automatically, with one very pointed exception towards the end. It’s clear to the reader early on based on the chapters form their POV what their orientation is but its not clear how others just know. Apollo’s physical description aside from their hideously green mullet is also kept overly ambiguous, which I believe was intentional and I understand the choice, but as someone who basically plays a movie out in their head while reading made it very difficult to fully form a picture of them.

The ending is both hopeful for our MCs and bitter sweet as you can’t tackle a pending apocalypse and come out unscathed. Overall a satisfying read and I recommend picking it up.

Thank you Netgalley and Henry Holt and Co for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Jamison Shea’s “Roar of the Lambs” is not your typical YA horror. It’s part supernatural mystery, part occult fantasy, and part Pandora’s box retelling, with all the intensity of a ticking apocalypse and the intimacy of a character-driven drama. If you’re into stories where haunted relics whisper doom, blood-soaked secrets span generations, and queer teens fight back against both cosmic horror and societal cruelty—this one’s for you. A chilling and chaotic YA horror-thriller that looks into eldritch terror and generational trauma, creating a story that is both deeply unsettling and strangely beautiful.

Sixteen-year-old Winnie Bray is a psychic-for-hire at an oddities shop in Buffalo, New York—but she’s also a con artist, giving her clients whatever futures they want to hear. Until one vision leads her back to the ruins of her burned-down family home, where she uncovers a mysterious, bone-crafted box that refuses to burn and seems to whisper to her. The box shows her visions of chaos and catastrophe—and somehow, two wealthy teens from the infamous Rathbun family, Apollo and Cyrus, are tied to it. Apollo wants answers. Cyrus wants power. And the box wants out. As past and present collide through flashbacks to the box’s dark origins in 1899, Winnie and Apollo must confront the monstrous legacy of their families, their own identities, and the creeping, cataclysmic force trying to claw its way into the world.

The box is an eerie, unforgettable creation—equal parts occult artifact and eldritch harbinger. It conjures fire, earthquakes, and apocalyptic visions, and it has a twisted history of destruction, sacrifice, and cult-like devotion. Think Pandora’s Box meets cosmic horror, with a side of blood rites. The story moves through time, tracing the box’s cursed legacy from the early 1900s to present day. The flashbacks are moody and immersive, adding a sense of inevitability and dread as tragedy follows every new owner. Shea does an excellent job weaving these timelines into the central plot without losing momentum.

The cast is refreshingly inclusive and emotionally rich. Winnie is fierce and flawed, driven by grief, ambition, and a desperate desire to escape her circumstances. Apollo, who uses they/them pronouns, is compassionate, guarded, and deeply skeptical—an excellent counterbalance to Winnie. Their romance develops quickly, which did feel a bit rushed, but the emotional honesty between them adds authenticity and heart.

Beneath the horror lies commentary on classism, gender identity, transphobia, and the cost of survival. Cyrus, the story’s charismatic antagonist, is compelling but could’ve used more nuance. His inferiority complex and hunger for power make him a solid villain, but his motives sometimes feel surface-level. Still, the story makes room for discussions of trauma, revenge, and the toxic legacies we inherit—and sometimes perpetuate.

While the plot is generally well-paced, the middle drags slightly as the horror element takes a back seat to interpersonal drama. One major death lacks impact due to underdeveloped characterization. The third-act breakup between Winnie and Apollo, driven by miscommunication, also leans a little too hard into YA tropes.

The box’s connection to the eldritch creature is one of the book’s coolest ideas, but its origins and true nature remain frustratingly vague. If you’re hoping for deep lore or cosmic rules, you may be left wanting more.

Overall, “Roar of the Lambs” is messy, macabre, and magnetic. It pulls no punches in its depiction of violence, identity, and inherited horror—but through the blood and fire, it also tells a story about letting go, healing, and choosing your own fate. If you’re drawn to haunted legacies and eldritch vibes wrapped in queer coming-of-age angst, Jamison Shea delivers something raw, original, and worth your time.

🩸 Content Warnings: gore, body horror, transphobia, misogyny, cults, death, animal and human sacrifice, bullying
🌈 Highlights: LGBTQ+ rep (especially a well-written nonbinary character), atmospheric horror, intergenerational mystery, found family dynamics

This book was pretty good for a YA it has a lot of potential to be a great seller it kept me turning the pages so good !! I will recommend to all my students looking for a great read

To be honest, this young adult mystery thriller book was difficult to read because it involves misogyny and transphobic bullying. I had high hopes for this book and love the cover of it! It just wasn’t my kind of book at all. I felt like it was all over the place! It goes through timelines, starting off in 1899. It involves a psychic that is not truthful and a lot of family drama. Overall, I rate this book a 1 out of 5 stars.

Content Warnings: death, misogyny, body horror gore, classism, kidnapping, bullying, and transphobic bullying

Thank you NetGalley, author Jamison Shea and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) for this digital advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Part mystery-thriller, part magical fantasy with a touch of Pandora's box vibes thrown in, this story follows a teen named Winnie Bray on an adventure with a box that seems to be calling for her. Apollo and Cyrus Rathbun, two cousins from a well-to-do family also feel the call of the box. The book flashes back to the history of the Rathbun family as it relates to this mystical creepy box as well as Winnie's grandmother's knowledge of the box. All roads lead to a showdown over the box and it is a well-paced enjoyable adventure along the way.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group | Henry Holt and Co. ) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.