Clever Creatures of the Night

by Samantha Mabry

When Case’s best friend Drea goes missing, Case dives into the bizarre, cultlike—and possibly murderous—behavior of Drea’s roommates in this gripping literary horror novel for fans of The Honeys and Mexican Gothic.

WHERE IS DREA?

When Case shows up at the isolated West Texas house where her best friend, Drea, lives with friends from school, Drea is nowhere to be found. Why would she ask Case to visit and then disappear? With twenty-four hours until her ride home, Case intends to find out.
 
But Drea’s roommates can’t—or won’t—answer any questions. They leave Case to search alone, to find bits and pieces of Drea's life hidden in and around the house, while they continue playing out a rural utopian fantasy. Their bizarre behavior puts Case on edge, and she’s not the only one. The animals nearby are lashing out, strangely aggressive.
 
Something bad happened in this house. Something that must be connected to Drea’s disappearance—and if she gets too close to the truth, Case might just be next.

Genres: Horror, Young Adult, Mystery, Audiobook, Gothic, Suspense, Fiction

240 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2024

About the author

samantha was born four days before the death of john lennon. she grew up in dallas, playing bass guitar along to vinyl records in her bedroom after school, writing fan letters to rock stars, doodling song lyrics into notebooks, and reading big, big books.

she spends as much time as possible in the west texas desert.

A FIERCE AND SUBTLE POISON (Algonquin Young Readers, spring 2016) is her first novel.

Reviews

[megs_bookrack · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was going to wait for a while before writing this review, see if I could settle my thoughts a bit, but I'd rather just rip the proverbial band-aid off. Let's get this over with...



Prior to starting this, I saw the overall low rating and I laughed in its face. I frequently find myself in the minority opinion on YA Horror books, so was completely expecting to enjoy this in some way.

Unfortunately, I fall directly in line with the majority of other Readers on this one. OMG, for me, this was a complete and total mess. I have no idea what I just read.



This story is a fever dream meets a bad acid trip and I wasn't having it. The only things I really took from this are: we're following a character named, Case; she's gone to visit her friend, Drea, per Drea's invitation; when she gets to Drea's home at the appointed time, she's not there and instead Case is forced to interact with Drea's bizarre housemates.

There's a slight post-apocalyptic feel to this. Like an event happened that forced all these kids to move into this remote house together and they live cut off from the rest of society, but I have no idea why.



From the start, I knew it probably wasn't going to be for me, but I kept going. I wanted to see if I could find some sort of enjoyment in the story. The writing style was not to my tastes at all, but sometimes, if the storyline is gripping enough, I can see past that.

Initially, I was intrigued by the fact that Drea seemed to be missing. If we could believe Case's thoughts, Drea had invited her there, so why would she suddenly be gone?

The property itself was rather eerie and all of Drea's roommates were odd in a way that did, at the start, seem like it could provide a good creep factor. Sadly, that never took off. It was so confusing, I just could never settle in to enjoy any of the atmosphere, or outlandish circumstances.



The dream-like quality of the writing, paired with the hopping around in focus, made it very hard to decipher any sort of plot. I wanted to get to the bottom of what happened to Drea, but the story was relayed in such a way that it made that close to impossible and not enjoyable.

I'm not sure who I would recommend this to. I would say you'd have to be a big fan of Literary, or Speculative, stories to enjoy this. Also, perhaps if the words of a story are the most important thing for you, it could work.

The writing does have a certain sense of lyricism to it that could be pleasing to some Readers, but if enjoy any coherent plot, or well-developed characters, you may as well skip it.



Thank you to the publisher, Algonquin Young Readers, for providing me with a copy to read and review.

I went in with an open mind, but woefully, this was a complete miss for me. On to the next!

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

What? I'm going to need a step by step, bullet point PowerPoint presentation to explain to me what I just read.

[Esme · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐

really cool concept, but incredibly confusing execution.

[Aliza Mangefrida · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review. This was a unique book, but overall it just wasn’t enough. I liked how it takes place within a 24 hour period of time, but that also left very little room for development. Had it not been so short though, I’m not sure if I would have finished it. I was expecting a horror/thriller book by the synopsis, but I did not find it to be creepy or suspenseful at all. Case made for an interesting character and an admirable one to find out what happened to her friend, but the way things wrapped up was disappointing after pushing through the story.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Samantha Mabry’s latest novel, Clever Creatures of the Night (author of Tigers, Not Daughters & A Fierce and Subtle Poison), unfolds the enigmatic tale of a girl who has vanished in the dense forests of West Texas. We follow Case, our central character, who, upon receiving an invitation from her friend Andrea, journeys to visit her. However, upon arrival, Case is met not by Andrea but by evasive housemates who offer little assistance in locating her friend.

Things I loved:

The novel’s ambiance is shrouded in mystery, with an almost ethereal quality. Case’s world is one shaped by the catastrophic impact of a volcanic eruption, evoking a sense of dystopian foreboding. The secluded setting of the residence, nestled within the ominous woods, exudes the quintessential essence of a thriller. As Case uncovers a trail of subtle hints about Andrea’s fate, the narrative takes on the characteristics of an interactive quest, much like a puzzle-filled video game that guides you inexorably toward the conclusion.

Things I wanted more of:

The housemates were strange, and while their peculiar nature piqued my interest, I wanted a more intimate understanding of their identities and underlying drives, which at times seemed unclear.

The ending, though intriguing, felt somewhat lacking.

Final thoughts:

The story gripped me from start to finish, and while the resolution left me with questions, I may reread the book to piece together the hints I initially overlooked. I base my ratings on the emotional impact a story imparts, and in this case, the persistent unease it instilled was a definitive highlight. This novel will certainly deliver for those who love the thrill of a chilling read.

[⚡️Nikole Tesla ⚡️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book in the beginning but it started to drone on and on and on. The ending was definitely a huge bummer.

[Sophieschoice.ofbooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upon finishing this book, I was inclined to give it a lesser rating, but then I remembered that it’s YA and obviously shouldn’t be held to adult fiction standards. I don’t read YA a lot, but I think it’s okay for its genre.
Didn’t realize it was YA when I started, but the quality of the writing is at least captivating enough that I didn’t stop when I realized. However, not the most satisfying ending, and I feel like some things could have used a further explanation.

[Jessie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow this book was whack-a- doo. I think it was just trying to be too many things at once. There were moments that reminded me so much of Scream but also Mexican Gothic but also the Uglies kinda which was odd but then the big twist at the end was kind of anticlimactic. The main character also did a lot of "pick me" type explanation while major plot points lacked any sort of examination. It had such a fun premise but I think the writing just needed to push deeper into what was going on and the characters themselves rather than just creating a confusing and spooky vibe.

[Karima chermiti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️— A haunting, mind-bending ride that blurs reality and nightmare in the best way possible.


This was such a unique, unsettling, and visceral reading experience.

The book begins with our main character, Case, arriving at an isolated house in West Texas, where her best friend, Drea, lives with a group of school friends. However, when Case gets there, Drea is nowhere to be found, and the people at the house are evasive, offering no clear answers.

From there, Case embarks on a desperate journey to uncover the mystery behind her friend’s disappearance. What unfolds feels like a vivid and progressively worsening hallucination, blurring the line between reality and nightmare.

The writing perfectly complements the book’s tone and atmosphere. While the premise may seem familiar, the way the story unravels kept me on edge throughout. The characters themselves are enigmatic, which added to the tension and unease. I found myself completely immersed—intrigued, unnerved, and scared all at once.

I also think the decision to frame the story within a 24-hour timeline heightened the sense of dread and urgency, making it even easier to stay engaged with the narrative.

Overall, this was an intriguing and gripping read that pulled me into the heart of the story and kept me hooked from beginning to end.

[emily- mossyreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** eArc provided for free by NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers in exchange for an honest review***

I have mixed feelings about this book. I found the story interesting and I kept reading to find out what happened to Drea, but at the same time I had no idea what was going on. This was clearly a novel about things that happen after a natural disaster, but I had such a hard time putting the pieces together. It just felt like the plot devices in this book were slapped together haphazardly. I think more information on the volcano eruption and how it effected the environment and civilization would have helped to set the story up better.

I spent so much time while reading trying to figure out what the plot actually was. The story that Case kept mentioning about the witch on the hill made me think it was going to be paranormal or fae related, but the rest of the storyline pointed to just regular mystery. And the end was really anti-climatic. Everything was just so oddly put together that it really effected the flow of the story and made it hard to follow a logic line of thinking.

All in all, the story itself was interesting, but I was left feeling underwhelmed.

[Raaven💖 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very short book so it went by very quickly. I enjoyed the suspense and the mystery but the end was way too flat for me. I was expecting something big to happen and it seemed like such a let down. I appreciate the publishers sending me a copy to review, but I don’t really think this book was for me. I really liked Case and her friendship with Drea was admirable. You could tell how dedicated she was to finding her and getting answers when she thought things were strange. I feel like this book was also trying to steer us in a direction and then not go there at all. I wanted it to be something culty or supernatural and it just was so basic. Again, thank you to the publishers and author for this finished review copy.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my kind of weird. It gave me Shirley Jackson's We Have Always Lived in the Castle vibes, and I enjoyed reading the book.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can understand why a lot of people won’t like this book but I did in fact enjoy it

[Natalie HH · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would love it if someone could please explain the point of this novel to me. K, thanks!

[Anne (eggcatsreads)]

Unfortunately, I had to dnf this at 37%. I typically love this kind of gothic horror, but neither the writing nor the characters grabbed me at any point.

Much of the writing feels too descriptive, where we are essentially reading a shot-by-shot analysis of what is going on, instead of a book where it flows. One specific part near the beginning had the main character talking to two gas station attendants where she gave them her phone number and address, all the while the person she came with is beginning to drive away. It felt drawn out as it was happening, instead of the intended feeling of urgency - much like when you're watching a movie and a scene is long enough that you start thinking about how there's no WAY this character can hold their breath this long.

There were also a few too many characters to try to keep track of, and none were unique enough for me to ever know who was who. Many times, a scene with a character was happening, and I only knew who that character was when the character I THOUGHT it was appeared. In the same way, I felt the location and the plot felt disjointed, where I was never certain why or how the missing character had even met these people, or decided to live in the middle of the woods with them. When we begin the book, it feels like we're dropped into a story without the proper introduction, and by the time I quit reading, I don't fully believe I ever caught up.

I'm unsure how to describe reading this, but it felt like rather than reading the book itself or experiencing things with the characters, I was instead reading the auto-generated description of what was going on. The writing was very flowy and emotive, but ultimately, I think it held back the story rather than enhanced it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Algonquin Young Readers for providing this e-ARC.

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always had a soft spot for stories that revolve around complex characters, and this book delivered exactly that. From the very beginning, I found myself both disliking and feeling an unexpected solidarity with Case. She's not your typical goody-two-shoes heroine, but a complicated protagonist with layers that peel off as you read through. It's been a while since I've encountered such a character, and I think this nuance fit seamlessly into the eerie tapestry of the story.

The plot is a roller coaster of emotions. Not in the usual bombastic way where you can easily pinpoint the highs and lows. Instead, it's the kind of story where, on the surface, not a lot seems to be happening, but underneath, there's a whirlpool of events, emotions, and revelations. It's intriguing in the best way possible. The pace was so gripping that I breezed through "Clever Creatures of the Night" faster than I've read any other book recently.

Of course, the eerie undertone provided by Drea's enigmatic roommates and the unexplainable aggressive behavior of the animals adds another layer to the story. It's not just about a missing friend; it's about an environment that's almost alive, hinting at darker secrets and possible dangers at every turn.

Samantha Mabry's writing and character development are commendable. This book is perfect for those who love literary horror with strong character arcs and atmospheric settings. While there were minor elements I felt could be improved, overall, it's a solid 4-star read.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: Clever Creatures of the Night
AUTHOR: Samantha Mabry
PUB DATE: 03.05.2024 Now Available

REVIEW:

I first read Samantha Mabry in TIGERS, NOT DAUGHTERS in May 2020 (had to look up my review) and I absolutely loved it. In Clever Creatures of the Night, I already knew that I would get an atmospheric read that is haunting and claustrophobic, which adds that element of tension and suspense in this mystery about Case who is figuring out what happened to her friend Andrea. Mabry is such a talented writer whose strength is in the world building and creating strong protagonists. I find her stories so intriguing that I just let it takes its course as I know I will always have a wild ride into the peculiar and it certainly delivered.

If you enjoy books like The Honeys or Mexican Gothic, do give this book a try.

[Rachael McDowell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The beginning was intriguing but fell flat for me as it went on. The characters in the book did not feel well developed and their motivations in the story were unclear. It felt like the author tried to bring in some horror or supernatural elements, but ultimately I feel it didn’t not make sense in the story. I felt that the ending was anticlimactic and slightly rushed. I enjoyed the main character, but felt even her character was underdeveloped.

Thank you to NetGalley and Algonquin Young Readers for am advanced reader copy

[Heather Bair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really thought this was going to be higher than 3 stars but I feel so confused about the ending and exactly what happened. I also feel like the "answer" to what happened to Drea is just...bland.

[Brandy {The Review Booth} · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that consume – and it all takes place in 24 hours. At first I thought the chapters were out of order until I realized they were time based haha. Drea’s roommates are definitely strange, hiding their own secrets, and agendas. Desperation, isolation and trauma does extremely strange things, even to the sanest and most well put together people. I really enjoyed Case’s character – resilient, damaged, fiercely loyal, and mostly practical considering the situation she finds herself in. The letters and bits and pieces of Drea that Case uncovers ratcheted up the feeling of unease throughout the book. Their relationship wasn’t traditional but then again, neither of the girls are either.

The prairie is not a lush paradise but that does not mean it is not beautiful – it can also host deadly creatures and situations as well. One thing that I will say about the local fauna is this: Old Yeller hogs, but it’s worse and it’s at night – and it is terrifying. I absolutely loved the nature aspect reflected in this book.

I wanted to know more about the disaster – its scope and the impact beyond the state of Texas. Initially I was expecting more horror and fantastical/paranormal horror – what we do get isn’t disappointing, just not where I thought the story was going. The White witch/ghost tale threaded throughout the book felt like it should have had more of an impact on the story. I am not big on open-ended conclusions to books but as far as this one goes I wasn’t hugely disappointed at the end.

If you are looking for a whirlwind mystery with the list below, I highly recommend checking out this interesting & quick book.

•FMC who is anything but a typical YA main
•natural disaster & its aftermath
•strange roommates with secrets and their own agendas
•small town & (prairie) rural setting – they’re also real places
•legend/ghost story

A huge thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for reaching out to me about a gifted copy of Clever Creatures of the Night to read. I cannot wait to see what the author writes next. Rounded from 4.5 stars.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ rounded up

Clever Creatures of the Night was a bit different from my usual picks, but not in a bad way! I love a good mystery, but rarely read literary horror/horror, so I came into this with a clear mind. Overall, I enjoyed the story, characters, and atmosphere.

I would say the overall vibe of this book is very atmospheric, a bit eerie and suspenseful. The sort of “post-apocalyptic”/post-natural disaster setting really played into that vibe well and set the tone for the book. Samantha Mabry’s descriptions of the rural Texas area this is set were very well written (I’ve never been to Texas, but I felt like I was there in a sense). I think that’s what I liked most about this book.

I also liked how unreliable and frankly unlikeable the majority of the characters were; I think that added to the eerie vibes of the story. I did think the main character, Case, was likable even if she made some odd choices at times, and it was interesting to read about her past and how that affected her so much in the present day.

This story is set over a 24-hour time period, so it was fairly fast-paced. It did pick up speed in the second half, which I appreciated, however the ending seemed to wrap pretty quickly and left me with a couple unanswered questions (though, that may have been on purpose..).

Overall, I enjoyed Clever Creatures of the Night and its mystery/eerie/suspenseful aspects. I felt they could have been “punched up” a bit, but they did not leave me bored, which I appreciated. If you are looking for a quick mysterious, atmospheric YA read, I would recommend checking this one out. (Plus, the cover is beautiful!)

Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for the gifted copy!

[Roberta R. (Offbeat YA) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mini blurb: In the aftermath of a natural disaster, a 17 y.o. girl reaches an isolated house at the invitation of her best friend, only to be met with her baffling absence, a group of teens keeping secrets, and an inexplicably hostile wildlife.

***

Rated 3.5 really.

I'm in two minds about this book. On one hand, it's different, atmospheric (even in its more violent moments), blissfully void of romance, with a headstrong, resourceful and realistically flawed protagonist who will do everything it takes to find her missing friend. I love how the story is set on the backdrop of a local "soft apocalypse" but basically happening inside a bubble (a bubble that wouldn't exist without the apocalypse itself, yet feels oddly disconnected by its reality). I appreciate the lack of a clear-cut ending (also because I think we do get our answers, if we know how to look at it). However...this is a gloomy book, with very little action until the end (if you don't count the animals going ballistic), little emotion (Case seems to care more for Drea's letters than for Drea herself) and not enough room for side-character development (then again, it's a short book). So, this one is just shy of 4 stars for me, but unlike other novels that didn't make it to that rating, I'm sure I won't forget it anytime soon.

Note: definitive review (I don't have enough to say to justify writing a full-length one later).

[Charleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever Creatures of the Night was a departure from my usual reading choice, but I'm glad I made the leap of faith. Samantha Mabry's writing drew me in and kept me captivated from the beginning. The story was a quick read, but I still felt like there was enough time devoted to character development and action so it felt well-rounded and fully developed.

I'll admit that Case is perhaps a morally gray character that perhaps doesn't fall into the "but is still lovable" category. I couldn't really find myself rooting for her, but I think in the end, that's ok. It's a nice departure to have a heroine that I don't necessarily root for, who is complicated in sometimes troubling ways, and who makes choices that I don't always understand. She is human, and part of what we should do when we read is try to put ourselves into the shoes of characters unlike ourselves so that we can we can be better humans.

I debated on whether I wanted to give this a 3.75 or 4-star rating, but in the end, the intrigue of the plot and the complexities that Case brought to the story really made the decision for me. If you're looking for a quick, fascinating, suspenseful read, then I would definitely recommend this story. I'm looking forward to seeing more from Samantha Mabry in the future.

[Jody Blanchette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever Creatures Of The Night is a YA Thriller, but taking place after volcanic eruption. So maybe that makes it a ecological trauma thriller? The post eruption environment is sort of end of the world mind set, and nature has definitely changed for that area. It’s all a very interesting setting, for what is actually a murder mystery.
Confuse you enough? lol once you absorb the setting and its strangeness, you are drawn into Case’s hunt to find her friend. She is dropped off at a strangers house, in the woods, to meet her friend. The people in the house are very strange, and you know immediately they are hiding something. The rest of the story is finding out what.
For a Young Adult book it’s a great quick mystery. I was hoping for a much darker approach, and maybe more of the creatures of the night ( the title promised this lol

[Dana K · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is set in a future world, where a natural disaster has struck, leaving a bit of a dystopian set up. We don’t get a ton around the world building. It’s really focused on one girl searching for her missing friend. After a letter encourages her to join her friend, Drea, Case takes a mysterious road into a forest to a remote cabin. There she finds a collection of young people who lived with Drea, but don’t seem to be concerned that she has disappeared. Case her time for clues and interrogating them trying to figure out if something sinister has occurred.

I definitely enjoyed the vibes of this one not knowing if the big bad was supernatural or real. But I do think the characters were a little one note and didn’t give me all the answers I wanted.

Thanks to Algonquin Young Readers for the gifted copy. All opinions above are my own.

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book looked very interesting and I thought it was going to be terrifying but it’s actually disappointing. The plot is so slow and some information seemed very unnecessary. The beginning had a lot of potential but at the end it just became confusing. The book also did not have that many horror elements and honestly I’m very confused why it’s considered a horror. It’s more thriller than anything. I don’t really understand the character’s actions or motivations. I wished it was explained more and used those motivations to create better horror elements. This book was just not very good.

[Skyler Holt · Rating 1 out of 5]

This should have been a quick read but I lost motivation.
Why does it feel like a half story? It lacks so much. There’s no heart, the characters are extremely flat and one dimensional. It’s a shame because it draws you in, I wanted so bad to know what had happened, where was her friend. The mystery started off strong, and kept me engaged for a bit, but then you just throw the ending together and it so boring.

[Priscila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me intrigued throughout each chapter. A best friend goes missing and the truth unravels after each chapter. The ending felt like there was more to the story. I am not sure if that was the author’s intention.

[Nik's Nook · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m honestly not sure what I read here. This wasn’t for me, but I know some will love it!

[Kim Rubish · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no idea what I just read