Praise for The Taking of Jake Livingston A 2022 ALA Rainbow Book List Pick
A 2021
Tor.com Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Best Book Pick
A 2021 Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best Booklist Pick "
Spine-chilling YA horror." --
The Boston Globe "This book is
absolutely incredible, chilling, and a must-read." --
BuzzFeed
★ "
An exceptional blend of genres--horror, mystery, thriller and contemporary--that
brilliantly captures how Jake, a Black gay teen medium, copes with the varying kinds of violence threatening him. . . Douglass creates a
clever and effective parallel between what Jake can't control--racism and how his body is perceived, a toxic father, an irresponsible brother, his mother's expectations--and his fight against Sawyer. The story builds to a
rewardingly chilling and sentimental climax, as Jake must look deep within himself for the power to break the cycles of harm entrapping him. . . An
extraordinarily crafted exploration of agency during Black gay teenhood." --
Shelf Awareness, starred review
"A
teenage version of Get Out, and you will not be disappointed. . . Douglass looks at race and trauma and death with a
comical and horror-esque twist." --
The Root "
Crucial social commentary and insight into the ways discrimination can isolate and depress young adults.
Lush and
emotive prose chronicles Jake's journey...
Spooky, atmospheric, and
layered."--
Kirkus Reviews "There are many layers to navigate in this
fast-paced trip to and from the world of the dead, including identity, violent and sexual traumas, and the stigma of mental illness, all with a supernatural and often gory twist. . . Ultimately, this is
a satisfying addition to the supernatural horror section." --
The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "YA readers looking for
thrills and chills this summer will find them here." --
Brightly "
Captures the pain of navigating teenagerhood when no one around you sees the world the way you do...A
quick, worthwhile read that manages to pack a lot of dark themes into a tight space." --
The Young Folks "
Chilling, edgy . . .
spooky and layered. . .A
wonderful genre-meld...This is an excellent debut." --
Cinelinx "This YA debut from Ryan Douglass is a
mix of genres--horror, mystery, thriller, and contemporary-that explores how a Black gay teen medium copes with the various kinds of violence that threaten him." --
Culturess "
Racial and sexuality themes undercut this
gripping novel where a teen is haunted by the repercussions of his own sixth sense." --
Cultured Vultures "A
unique and
terrifying world
built on tension and ghosts." --
The Seattle Times "
Tackl[ing] mental illness, rejection, and loneliness. . . this novel
takes a hard look at brutality in many forms, racism, homophobia, and consequences of the choices that we make." --
School Library Journal, review of the audiobook
