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I Feed Her to the Beast #2
I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call
This program is read by Grammy and Emmy Award-winning actor Kristolyn Lloyd
Monsters and mortals, rejoice! Acheron is back . . .
Though Laure has tried to close the lid on her ballet shoes and the feelings she once held for dance since the Palais Garnier incident two months ago, Laure is spinning out. Between partying, drinking, and avoiding anything and, well, everyone, she has no time to be anything but a monster. But when Laure stumbles across a mysterious dead body during one of her nights out, she’s forced to notice the cracks stretching beyond herself.
Below the streets of Paris, Elysium is dying, and Acheron and Lethe’s influence is spilling into the streets like a blight. Laure isn’t the only of Elysium’s beasts to rise from the ruins of Palais Garnier, and someone is mobilizing an army of monsters with plans greater than Laure, Andor, and Keturah could have ever guessed. While Laure is warring between her wants and Acheron’s ever-demanding appetite, she and her circle of monsters are left to reckon with a not-so-simple how do you save yourself from oblivion?
Jamison Shea's sharp and unflinching voice will bring readers to terrifying new heights in this vicious sequel to the "relentlessly gory and almost euphoric in its embrace of the horrific" (NPR) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company Books for Young Readers
Monsters and mortals, rejoice! Acheron is back . . .
Though Laure has tried to close the lid on her ballet shoes and the feelings she once held for dance since the Palais Garnier incident two months ago, Laure is spinning out. Between partying, drinking, and avoiding anything and, well, everyone, she has no time to be anything but a monster. But when Laure stumbles across a mysterious dead body during one of her nights out, she’s forced to notice the cracks stretching beyond herself.
Below the streets of Paris, Elysium is dying, and Acheron and Lethe’s influence is spilling into the streets like a blight. Laure isn’t the only of Elysium’s beasts to rise from the ruins of Palais Garnier, and someone is mobilizing an army of monsters with plans greater than Laure, Andor, and Keturah could have ever guessed. While Laure is warring between her wants and Acheron’s ever-demanding appetite, she and her circle of monsters are left to reckon with a not-so-simple how do you save yourself from oblivion?
Jamison Shea's sharp and unflinching voice will bring readers to terrifying new heights in this vicious sequel to the "relentlessly gory and almost euphoric in its embrace of the horrific" (NPR) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me.
A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt and Company Books for Young Readers
Audible Audio
First published November 12, 2024
66 people are currently reading
14278 people want to read
About the author
Jamison Shea
4 books730 followersJamison Shea was once a flautist, violist, anthropologist, linguist, choreographer, dancer, professional fire alarm puller, digital producer, and account executive—but they've always been a writer.
Born in Buffalo, NY and now surrounded by darkness and gloom in Finland, when Jamison isn't writing horror, they're drinking milk tea and searching for long-forgotten gods in eerie places.
Born in Buffalo, NY and now surrounded by darkness and gloom in Finland, when Jamison isn't writing horror, they're drinking milk tea and searching for long-forgotten gods in eerie places.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
July 6, 2025
I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call is good. I did like it and also feel it's a solid follow-up to I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me, but for me, unfortunately, it wasn't quite as compelling.
While this still had the same gloriously-dark, often gory imagery, toe-curling body horror and rage-filled good for her moments, it nevertheless lacked a bit of the drama and the easily-understandable motivations of the 1st-book.
Additionally, part of the draw for me to that 1st-book was the backdrop of the high stakes, cut-throat world of a professional ballet troupe. There's really not much of that left by the time the story progresses to this point.
This novel is set about two months after the events of the previous book, and Laure has pretty much left the ballet in her wake. She is spiraling a bit, drinking, partying and basically being a monster, menacing the streets of Paris.
It's on one of these nights though, that she discovers the dead body of a woman she had been associating with. It's this event that spurs Laure into seeing that something isn't right within the city.
As it turns out, she's not the only monster in town...
This focused a lot on Acheron and Elysium, as well as Laure's family and potential reasons why she may have actually found herself in her current circumstances.
I did like learning more about her background, but as mentioned above, I did miss the ballet and Laure's original ambitions. My mind wandered and at the end of the day, I'm sure there's some substance that I sort of glossed over.
Nevertheless, I can appreciate what the author did here and I know so many Readers are going to love this. For me, it just didn't quite live up to the first book.
Thank you to the publisher, Henry Hold and Co (BYR) and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I will be picking up more from this author!
While this still had the same gloriously-dark, often gory imagery, toe-curling body horror and rage-filled good for her moments, it nevertheless lacked a bit of the drama and the easily-understandable motivations of the 1st-book.
Additionally, part of the draw for me to that 1st-book was the backdrop of the high stakes, cut-throat world of a professional ballet troupe. There's really not much of that left by the time the story progresses to this point.
This novel is set about two months after the events of the previous book, and Laure has pretty much left the ballet in her wake. She is spiraling a bit, drinking, partying and basically being a monster, menacing the streets of Paris.
It's on one of these nights though, that she discovers the dead body of a woman she had been associating with. It's this event that spurs Laure into seeing that something isn't right within the city.
As it turns out, she's not the only monster in town...
This focused a lot on Acheron and Elysium, as well as Laure's family and potential reasons why she may have actually found herself in her current circumstances.
I did like learning more about her background, but as mentioned above, I did miss the ballet and Laure's original ambitions. My mind wandered and at the end of the day, I'm sure there's some substance that I sort of glossed over.
Nevertheless, I can appreciate what the author did here and I know so many Readers are going to love this. For me, it just didn't quite live up to the first book.
Thank you to the publisher, Henry Hold and Co (BYR) and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with copies to read and review. I will be picking up more from this author!
October 6, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up
I Feed Her to the Beast was really excellent YA horror following a Black ballerina in Paris who makes a deal with an eldritch god in a river of blood. But it has an ending that I think works as a standalone, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this followup.
I liked it okay and I think it does create an interesting throughline with some of the plot threads involving things like the main characters parents, but I didn't think it was as strong as book 1 and I don't think it hit nearly as hard. This really could have been a standalone, but it's still a decently good YA novel and I like how the author is writing these difficult, complicated, maybe unlikeable heroines and going hard with the horror elements. This one was a like but not love for me. If you loved book 1, maybe try it if you want to know more about the world and what happens next! The audio narration is good, and seems similar to first book. I received an audio review copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
I Feed Her to the Beast was really excellent YA horror following a Black ballerina in Paris who makes a deal with an eldritch god in a river of blood. But it has an ending that I think works as a standalone, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this followup.
I liked it okay and I think it does create an interesting throughline with some of the plot threads involving things like the main characters parents, but I didn't think it was as strong as book 1 and I don't think it hit nearly as hard. This really could have been a standalone, but it's still a decently good YA novel and I like how the author is writing these difficult, complicated, maybe unlikeable heroines and going hard with the horror elements. This one was a like but not love for me. If you loved book 1, maybe try it if you want to know more about the world and what happens next! The audio narration is good, and seems similar to first book. I received an audio review copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.
November 18, 2024
I listened to the audiobook for this one and I thought the narrator did a great job. This book takes place a couple of months after the last book left off and it was also full of wonderful horror. I liked getting to see further into some of our side characters and new characters were introduced. Laure is trying to find herself and figure out who she’s s after losing her best friend and ballet in one violent night. She’s working hard to feel nothing with a flurry of drinking and partying and avoiding everyone except the demon living inside of her. When something seems to be happening to Elysium Laure and her friends are desperate to try to save it as who knows what will happen if Acheron’s river is destroyed with their ties to the demon. Overall I gave this one 3.5 stars rounded up for the wonderfully horrific images this one left me with. Overall a fun duology full of drama but also full of Laure figuring out who she is and taking that back.
January 20, 2025
it's tough that this came out so soon after i feed her to the beast and the beast is me, and that i read them in succession. the stakes were so high in the former, whereas this blood-drenched followup is a slower story of trauma, healing, and making sense of your new world after coming back to life. it's not perfect, but it's a powerful continuation of laure's story.
unfortunately, shea maintains tension by erasing some developments from the first book, which makes for a gimmicky case of sequelitis!
one of the thing that's done right is laure's unwanted reunion with her mom. the age-old pain of this is tangible despite all the other griefs laure has suffered. abandonment trauma never fully heals, and sometimes the best thing is to leave the one who has left you.
the gore is as unflinching as you might expect. i was particularly wowed by
btw, did anyone else think the title could nearly be a quote from candyman (1992)? the energies are aligned.
unfortunately, shea maintains tension by erasing some developments from the first book, which makes for a gimmicky case of sequelitis!
one of the thing that's done right is laure's unwanted reunion with her mom. the age-old pain of this is tangible despite all the other griefs laure has suffered. abandonment trauma never fully heals, and sometimes the best thing is to leave the one who has left you.
the gore is as unflinching as you might expect. i was particularly wowed by
I was ambition nurtured by the dark.✧✧✧
btw, did anyone else think the title could nearly be a quote from candyman (1992)? the energies are aligned.
December 15, 2025
TBR Thoughts
I did not realize I Feed Her to the Beast was getting a sequel. Hell yeah!
Preread Thoughts
*incoherent screaming* Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC!
I was going to reread the first book before jumping into the sequel, but my library doesn't have the audiobook. Here's hoping I remember all the important things!
Review
Death, destruction, and cosmic horror is a lot for anybody to deal with. Laure Mesny is only a teenager (albeit one with incredible dark powers) and she isn't dealing well.
Laure is drifting aimlessly, struggling to cope with a life completely divorced from what she expected and haunted by grief. But things will get worse before they get better - dead bodies are turning up, and something is horribly wrong in Elysium.
Book two in this horror duology delves into relationships and emotions full force as Laure grapples with the dichotomy of her monstrous side and her ordinary life. She yearns for connection and acceptance while fighting guilt and grief, afraid to trust in love after too many betrayals. In particular Laure's anger and hurt toward the mother who abandoned her is beautifully done. Her struggle to rediscover purpose, to move forward after fighting so hard and losing so much anyway is the quiet thread underpinning the story.
In contrast, the bloody eldritch forces are the brash attention-grabbing megaphone. Dark powers in unscrupulous hands leave pain and death in their wake, filling pages with bloodthirsty gory horror. Laure is forced to decide quickly what lines should not be crossed and what she's willing to do to maintain those boundaries. The author includes a list of trigger warnings which should not be taken lightly!
Ballet plays a significantly less important role in I Am the Dark than in I Feed Her to the Beast, and I felt the detriment. I was drawn to the duology in the first place because of the focus on dance and was quickly enthralled by the intense and beautiful world of Parisian ballet. Dance is not absent by any means and the choice fits well with the story being told however, so this is more of a personal disappointment.
Kristolyn Lloyd encores her great performance for the audiobook version. I did notice a bit of affectation and oddly spaced breaks that I don't remember from the first book, but overall I genuinely enjoyed the audio experience.
I'm excited to see what Jamison Shea will write next! 3.5 stars
I did not realize I Feed Her to the Beast was getting a sequel. Hell yeah!
Preread Thoughts
*incoherent screaming* Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC!
I was going to reread the first book before jumping into the sequel, but my library doesn't have the audiobook. Here's hoping I remember all the important things!
Review
Death, destruction, and cosmic horror is a lot for anybody to deal with. Laure Mesny is only a teenager (albeit one with incredible dark powers) and she isn't dealing well.
Laure is drifting aimlessly, struggling to cope with a life completely divorced from what she expected and haunted by grief. But things will get worse before they get better - dead bodies are turning up, and something is horribly wrong in Elysium.
Book two in this horror duology delves into relationships and emotions full force as Laure grapples with the dichotomy of her monstrous side and her ordinary life. She yearns for connection and acceptance while fighting guilt and grief, afraid to trust in love after too many betrayals. In particular Laure's anger and hurt toward the mother who abandoned her is beautifully done. Her struggle to rediscover purpose, to move forward after fighting so hard and losing so much anyway is the quiet thread underpinning the story.
In contrast, the bloody eldritch forces are the brash attention-grabbing megaphone. Dark powers in unscrupulous hands leave pain and death in their wake, filling pages with bloodthirsty gory horror. Laure is forced to decide quickly what lines should not be crossed and what she's willing to do to maintain those boundaries. The author includes a list of trigger warnings which should not be taken lightly!
Ballet plays a significantly less important role in I Am the Dark than in I Feed Her to the Beast, and I felt the detriment. I was drawn to the duology in the first place because of the focus on dance and was quickly enthralled by the intense and beautiful world of Parisian ballet. Dance is not absent by any means and the choice fits well with the story being told however, so this is more of a personal disappointment.
Kristolyn Lloyd encores her great performance for the audiobook version. I did notice a bit of affectation and oddly spaced breaks that I don't remember from the first book, but overall I genuinely enjoyed the audio experience.
I'm excited to see what Jamison Shea will write next! 3.5 stars
July 21, 2025
I really wanted this to live up to the first book! 😭🤧
October 4, 2024
Even as the scope keeps expanding to cosmic levels, this story feels so personal and the internal conflicts of girlhood feel more pressing than threats against our world and the one beyond.
I had loved the first book in the series already, but this one was just short of sublime. Jamison Shea is one of the most exciting voices in YA.
I had loved the first book in the series already, but this one was just short of sublime. Jamison Shea is one of the most exciting voices in YA.
October 17, 2025
*4.25*
I really liked this final book in the duology. Much like the first one, it starts off at a slow simmer, like Shea said, let me make you wait for the chaos, but when it picks up, it picks up. The imagery in this book? Vivid. Cinematic. The kind that makes you pause for a second like, “oh wow, we’re really in it now.” Shea has a way of writing that makes even the unsettling parts feel beautiful, which is a talent in itself.
Now, I went into this thinking it was going to be full-on gore city like the first book, had my mental “ew but okay” face ready, and then realized this one was a little milder. And honestly? I wasn’t mad about it. I’m still somewhat new to the horror genre, so I appreciated being scared in a more aesthetic way this time. Shea really leaned into atmosphere and emotion over guts and blood, and it worked.
And then there’s Laure. My girl. She’s such a fascinating main character because she doesn’t fit neatly into any box. She’s not a villain. She’s not a hero. She’s not even an antihero. She’s just Laure, tired, complicated, and done letting people or things tell her who she’s supposed to be. And I love that for her. There’s something painfully relatable about being exhausted by the expectations of others while trying to remember who you actually are. Watching her navigate that, messily and honestly, was one of my favorite parts of the story.
What I also really appreciated about this book is that it doesn’t hand you everything neatly wrapped up. It’s dark, yes, but it’s also layered with grief, identity, and that weird sense of freedom that comes from choosing yourself, even when it’s messy.
So yeah, if you liked the first one, this is absolutely worth the read. It’s less “blood in the moonlight” and more “shadowy self-reflection with a side of trauma,” and I mean that in the best way possible. Shea closed this duology out strong, with heart, with teeth, and with enough emotional damage to make me stare at a wall afterward (in a good way).
I really liked this final book in the duology. Much like the first one, it starts off at a slow simmer, like Shea said, let me make you wait for the chaos, but when it picks up, it picks up. The imagery in this book? Vivid. Cinematic. The kind that makes you pause for a second like, “oh wow, we’re really in it now.” Shea has a way of writing that makes even the unsettling parts feel beautiful, which is a talent in itself.
Now, I went into this thinking it was going to be full-on gore city like the first book, had my mental “ew but okay” face ready, and then realized this one was a little milder. And honestly? I wasn’t mad about it. I’m still somewhat new to the horror genre, so I appreciated being scared in a more aesthetic way this time. Shea really leaned into atmosphere and emotion over guts and blood, and it worked.
And then there’s Laure. My girl. She’s such a fascinating main character because she doesn’t fit neatly into any box. She’s not a villain. She’s not a hero. She’s not even an antihero. She’s just Laure, tired, complicated, and done letting people or things tell her who she’s supposed to be. And I love that for her. There’s something painfully relatable about being exhausted by the expectations of others while trying to remember who you actually are. Watching her navigate that, messily and honestly, was one of my favorite parts of the story.
What I also really appreciated about this book is that it doesn’t hand you everything neatly wrapped up. It’s dark, yes, but it’s also layered with grief, identity, and that weird sense of freedom that comes from choosing yourself, even when it’s messy.
So yeah, if you liked the first one, this is absolutely worth the read. It’s less “blood in the moonlight” and more “shadowy self-reflection with a side of trauma,” and I mean that in the best way possible. Shea closed this duology out strong, with heart, with teeth, and with enough emotional damage to make me stare at a wall afterward (in a good way).
December 9, 2025
I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea
This novel follows Laure Mesny, a former ballerina turned vessel for the eldritch god Acheron, as she navigates grief, guilt, monstrous powers, and a Paris drenched in horror, when bodies begin to pile up and ancient darkness creeps from the shadows beneath the city and beyond.
Right from the start I felt the weight of Laure’s inner turmoil: the loss of her ballet career, her guilt over tragic events, and the sense that she is losing herself to Acheron’s hunger. Shea does not sugarcoat the horror or the consequences of supernatural bargains: there are nights of drinking and dissociation, body horror, violence and disturbing scenes that confront pain head‑on. At the same time the novel gives Laure and the other monster‑outsiders around her moments of vulnerability, resistance, and unexpected tenderness. Laure’s struggle to reclaim agency, to hold on to what remains of her humanity while surrounded by death and despair, made me ache for her, root for her, even when she couldn’t trust herself. The horror becomes a mirror for grief, trauma, rage, and the painful process of trying to heal when you feel fractured.
What resonated most deeply for me is how Shea uses horror as a means to explore trauma, identity, and power, not as spectacle, but as a language for survival, grief, and rage. The shifting between the glamour and discipline of Laure’s old ballet life (faded now) and the gritty, nightmarish underworld she inhabits now highlights the cost of survival and what it might take to become whole again. The writing is raw, haunting and unflinching. I also appreciated the diversity of characters and perspectives, and how the story doesn’t shy away from showing monstrousness, but refuses to treat it as simplistic evil. Instead it asks what happens when the world demands violence and reclamation, and whether a soul can survive such a transformation.
If I have to point out a limitation it is that the sheer amount of horror, trauma, and shifting plot threads sometimes made the pacing feel uneven and the emotional build‑up heavy. Some readers (and I include myself at moments) may find the gore and darkness overwhelming, and a few plotlines, especially the supernatural politics felt rushed or under‑explored.
Overall I give this book 4 out of 5. It moved me, unsettled me, and forced me to confront hard questions about pain, power and identity. This is not an easy comfort read, but for those ready to stare into the dark and root for a broken heroine trying to rise again, it delivers powerfully.
This novel follows Laure Mesny, a former ballerina turned vessel for the eldritch god Acheron, as she navigates grief, guilt, monstrous powers, and a Paris drenched in horror, when bodies begin to pile up and ancient darkness creeps from the shadows beneath the city and beyond.
Right from the start I felt the weight of Laure’s inner turmoil: the loss of her ballet career, her guilt over tragic events, and the sense that she is losing herself to Acheron’s hunger. Shea does not sugarcoat the horror or the consequences of supernatural bargains: there are nights of drinking and dissociation, body horror, violence and disturbing scenes that confront pain head‑on. At the same time the novel gives Laure and the other monster‑outsiders around her moments of vulnerability, resistance, and unexpected tenderness. Laure’s struggle to reclaim agency, to hold on to what remains of her humanity while surrounded by death and despair, made me ache for her, root for her, even when she couldn’t trust herself. The horror becomes a mirror for grief, trauma, rage, and the painful process of trying to heal when you feel fractured.
What resonated most deeply for me is how Shea uses horror as a means to explore trauma, identity, and power, not as spectacle, but as a language for survival, grief, and rage. The shifting between the glamour and discipline of Laure’s old ballet life (faded now) and the gritty, nightmarish underworld she inhabits now highlights the cost of survival and what it might take to become whole again. The writing is raw, haunting and unflinching. I also appreciated the diversity of characters and perspectives, and how the story doesn’t shy away from showing monstrousness, but refuses to treat it as simplistic evil. Instead it asks what happens when the world demands violence and reclamation, and whether a soul can survive such a transformation.
If I have to point out a limitation it is that the sheer amount of horror, trauma, and shifting plot threads sometimes made the pacing feel uneven and the emotional build‑up heavy. Some readers (and I include myself at moments) may find the gore and darkness overwhelming, and a few plotlines, especially the supernatural politics felt rushed or under‑explored.
Overall I give this book 4 out of 5. It moved me, unsettled me, and forced me to confront hard questions about pain, power and identity. This is not an easy comfort read, but for those ready to stare into the dark and root for a broken heroine trying to rise again, it delivers powerfully.
November 17, 2024
This is a haunting, visceral conclusion to a duology that masterfully weaves horror with social commentary. With their signature poetic prose, Shea transforms terror into something both beautiful and deeply unsettling, making this book an unforgettable journey into the monstrous and the human alike.
Shea doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, but the supernatural lens makes these explorations both accessible and eerily magnified. The horrors of the story are not limited to the otherworldly monsters; they reflect societal issues that feel all too real, especially in the current political climate. And it was REALLY something that I needed this week.
Laure’s continued battle to reclaim her power resonates profoundly. The characters are phenomenally developed, with each carrying their own scars and complexities. Laure shines as a deeply flawed, powerful protagonist whose journey is both painful and empowering.
This story took so many unexpected turns. Shea’s ability to balance horror with hope, destruction with resilience, and the monstrous with the human makes this a standout in YA horror. It’s particularly satisfying to see Lovecraftian horror reclaimed and reimagined in a way that challenges the legacy of its problematic origins.
If you’re looking for a gripping, thought-provoking read with stunning writing, compelling characters, and a much-needed platform for diverse voices, this book is a must. It's the perfect read for anyone who craves horror that cuts deep.
Thanks so much to the author and Fierce Reads for the complimentary copies. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Shea doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, but the supernatural lens makes these explorations both accessible and eerily magnified. The horrors of the story are not limited to the otherworldly monsters; they reflect societal issues that feel all too real, especially in the current political climate. And it was REALLY something that I needed this week.
Laure’s continued battle to reclaim her power resonates profoundly. The characters are phenomenally developed, with each carrying their own scars and complexities. Laure shines as a deeply flawed, powerful protagonist whose journey is both painful and empowering.
This story took so many unexpected turns. Shea’s ability to balance horror with hope, destruction with resilience, and the monstrous with the human makes this a standout in YA horror. It’s particularly satisfying to see Lovecraftian horror reclaimed and reimagined in a way that challenges the legacy of its problematic origins.
If you’re looking for a gripping, thought-provoking read with stunning writing, compelling characters, and a much-needed platform for diverse voices, this book is a must. It's the perfect read for anyone who craves horror that cuts deep.
Thanks so much to the author and Fierce Reads for the complimentary copies. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
September 1, 2024
3.75 stars
Jamison Shea, you are taking us to some dark places, and I have to say that I'm really enjoying it here!
This is a strong sequel to a horrific (in a good way) book, and readers should be sure to have read _I Feed the Beast..._ before cracking this great follow-up.
Laure has quite the ride in the first book, and she ramps up again here for a relentless horror show of bloody feet, dead bodies, and sinister thoughts and actions. For me, the combination of general uncertainty about who she is and what she is becoming, which are both appropriate considerations for her age and the target audience, merges so well with the horrific elements.
I was really excited for this sequel and I'm finishing it feeling both fulfilled and thrilled for anything Shea wants to offer up next.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Jamison Shea, you are taking us to some dark places, and I have to say that I'm really enjoying it here!
This is a strong sequel to a horrific (in a good way) book, and readers should be sure to have read _I Feed the Beast..._ before cracking this great follow-up.
Laure has quite the ride in the first book, and she ramps up again here for a relentless horror show of bloody feet, dead bodies, and sinister thoughts and actions. For me, the combination of general uncertainty about who she is and what she is becoming, which are both appropriate considerations for her age and the target audience, merges so well with the horrific elements.
I was really excited for this sequel and I'm finishing it feeling both fulfilled and thrilled for anything Shea wants to offer up next.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Young Listeners for this alc, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
December 4, 2025
3 Stars for I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call: I Feed Her to the Beast, Book 2 (audiobook) by Jamison Shea read by Kristolyn Lloyd.
I enjoyed the first book more. It seems like there was more ballet and less monsters. In this book it’s kind of reversed.
I enjoyed the first book more. It seems like there was more ballet and less monsters. In this book it’s kind of reversed.
October 28, 2024
Thank you Net Galley for the audio ARC! As soon as I finished the first book, I needed this second one. And can we talk about how gorgeous this cover is?
This book picks up two months after the first book ends. Laure is self-medicating by partying and avoiding all of her problems until she is forced to deal with them. I loved Laure's growth through this story. The first book is about what the world owes Laure and the second book focuses more on Laure discovering and valuing her own worth.
I love the dark writing style, the gore, the monsters, the characters, everything!
This book picks up two months after the first book ends. Laure is self-medicating by partying and avoiding all of her problems until she is forced to deal with them. I loved Laure's growth through this story. The first book is about what the world owes Laure and the second book focuses more on Laure discovering and valuing her own worth.
I love the dark writing style, the gore, the monsters, the characters, everything!
October 16, 2024
Got an arc from Libro.fm 4.5/5
September 8, 2024
I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call picks up a few months after I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me left off. I was a little nervous for this, but I think it was a pretty seamless transition. I also think the book started with a bang and did not slow down. I still loved all the ballet aspects of this book, all of those references were so well done. I loved the extra lore we got on the Elysium. The pacing definitely wavered in the middle of the book, but there was enough going on between the characters that I didn’t lose too much interest. Laure is an amazing character and I really enjoyed her story. This is a great horror duology!
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2024
3.5 ⭐
A very strong sequel! It still had the dark and twisted vibes from the first book, with the same characters we got to know through book 1. I really love the writing and I'm excited to see what else Jamison has up their sleeve.
great series if you enjoy dark, gory stories set in beautiful Paris.
The audiobooks for both book 1 & 2 are very good, would recommend!
thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
A very strong sequel! It still had the dark and twisted vibes from the first book, with the same characters we got to know through book 1. I really love the writing and I'm excited to see what else Jamison has up their sleeve.
great series if you enjoy dark, gory stories set in beautiful Paris.
The audiobooks for both book 1 & 2 are very good, would recommend!
thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
February 3, 2025
I have started and stopped this book so many times, I lose track of what’s going on. I enjoy the writing in and of itself, but I just can’t get into the storyline. Do I like the characters? I’m not sure of that either. When I started reading, I didn’t know there was a first book and maybe that would have helped me with understanding the character of Acheron and his intent for his followers. He also seems to speak to them differently. I don’t know if it’s powers they have or what he has chosen for them as special talents. I DNF, but read enough to know that it wasn’t for me. One day, I may give it another try
November 26, 2024
It was a very weird book. I had not read the first book, I didn't realize there was one until I got about a third of the way in and I felt like I was missing something. So doesn't work as a standalone but man oh man I could not stop listening.
The writing is amazing! The narration was bad-ass!!! I was lost a few times but I enjoyed the heck out of this book.
CREEPTASTIC!!
4 stars
The writing is amazing! The narration was bad-ass!!! I was lost a few times but I enjoyed the heck out of this book.
CREEPTASTIC!!
4 stars
November 1, 2024
3.5 rounded up
Another dark YA thriller set in Paris that picks up where the first book left as we continue following Black, demon-possessed ballerina, Laure as she navigates jealousy, love and danger the more enmeshed in the underground world of Elysium she becomes. I love this gritty look into the harsher sides of ballet, particularly for ballerinas of color. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Tiffany D. Jackson and good on audio narrated by Kristolyn Lloyd. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
Another dark YA thriller set in Paris that picks up where the first book left as we continue following Black, demon-possessed ballerina, Laure as she navigates jealousy, love and danger the more enmeshed in the underground world of Elysium she becomes. I love this gritty look into the harsher sides of ballet, particularly for ballerinas of color. Highly recommended for fans of authors like Tiffany D. Jackson and good on audio narrated by Kristolyn Lloyd. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.
December 22, 2024
Oh how I love you Black fictional girls burning with rage, choosing to become the savage beast they tried to contain after the world has messed with them again and again and again. Choosing to stop being nice & finally let out their claws and show off their shiny sharp teeth. I love love love love you.
My only regret is that I didn't read along with my physical copy while I was listening to the audiobook because there was so many lines that were too good.
I've become a fan of duologies over the years since I feel like most stories are easily adaptable into 2 parts instead of having it stretched out into 3-part trilogy. However, even with duology, I always wonder: does there need to be a sequel when the first book is already good enough as a stand-alone?
The first book I thought was perfect as a standalone. I thought everything that needed to happened already happened, so what else do we need? Then I read this book and....WOW....WOW...WOW, Needed, so so so needed.
My only regret is that I didn't read along with my physical copy while I was listening to the audiobook because there was so many lines that were too good.
I've become a fan of duologies over the years since I feel like most stories are easily adaptable into 2 parts instead of having it stretched out into 3-part trilogy. However, even with duology, I always wonder: does there need to be a sequel when the first book is already good enough as a stand-alone?
The first book I thought was perfect as a standalone. I thought everything that needed to happened already happened, so what else do we need? Then I read this book and....WOW....WOW...WOW, Needed, so so so needed.
March 24, 2024
Having just finished reading I Feed Her to the Beast, I was excited to read this ARC of I Am The Dark that Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea. Sometimes it takes a sequel a few chapters to pick up where the first book left off. This is not the case for I Am the Dark. The continuation of the previous storyline, despite time passing, is fairly seamless. This story follows Laure, returned from the dead in the new form after the conclusion of I Feed Her to the Beast. She is living a new life while still trying to hold on to elements of her old. Soon she realizes that Elysium is dying and there is trouble with other acolytes forcing her to reckon with herself, who she is, and what she wants. The plot and character building are the same as in the first book, fairly steady paced. There is enough action and character conflicts to sustain the plot. The world building remains fairly strong although sometimes the pacing felt a bit off about halfway through. That being said, it is a worth sequel and a solid horror book for teens. Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for the ARC.
September 25, 2024
yes that’s what i wanted
December 3, 2024
I Am The Dark That Answers When You Call is Part 2 of a duology about Laure, a Black ballerina who's left her ballet days behind after a bloody and tragic end to her friendships and her future. All she's got left is the ever-present and ever-encroaching companionship of the ancient creature she made a deal with to gain everything she's now lost. Trying to find herself and start anew doesn't amount to much more than hard partying every night and kissing strangers, but it gets worse when dead bodies start showing up again. This time, her homicidal powers may not be enough to save what's left of her life.
I hate to say this about such a cool series and cool author, but I think this series would've worked better with Book 1 as a standalone. The concept and prose for the first book was so very awesome - a Black ballerina makes a deal with an eldritch monster in the Paris catacombs in order to gain power and prominence as the primadonna! And the covers! And that title! ‘I Feed Her To The Beast And The Beast Is Me"? Are you kidding me?? Everything about it is immaculate. Book 1 was a bloody fever dream with an epic climax and an ending that worked great on its own, but held promise for future adventures just in case.
Book 2, not so much. I hovered between two and three stars on this one (half stars, Goodreads, make it happen already) but went with three because, well, it's just fine. It's not bad, it's perfectly serviceable! But we could've done without it, I think.
It might not have felt so extemporaneous if there were more things happening, but it felt like a lot of filler and cliches to get to the point of the climax in this one. Laure spends a whole hell of a lot of time angsting about her lost future and her personal life - and understandably so, she's literally been through hell and back! But this phase went on for nearly two thirds of the book, and it didn't take long for me to start tapping out mentally every time Laure talked about how lost she was. I didn't find myself caring a whole lot about whatever was happening with Elysium, or with Laure's mom, or even the main plot of Niamh's treachery. It felt like a lot of things were introduced to generate chaos but ended up more like a bunch of letdowns.
There's one revelation about Laure's mom that seems promising, but goes nowhere beyond that. The Elysium (sub?)plot takes up way more time than I cared to read, and Niamh's whole thing could've been interesting but ultimately felt like wasted potential, because here we are with a bunch of teenagers who wanna rule the world because don’t they always? I get what Jamison Shea was wanting to do here, but the execution felt kind of lacking, because whatever investment I had drained out by the time I hit the halfway point.
I don't want to harp on about it though, because even if I was no longer invested, I'd still read any future stories from Jamison. I didn't love this one, but it still had some of the hallmarks that made the first one so excellent. While the prose got overwrought and repetitive more than I'd like here, there was still a lot of great horror imagery - Shea really dives deep when it comes to the macabre, and I appreciate that in a YA book! There were some cool moments towards the end, and Laure is still an interesting character because of the way she embraces and even elevates her rage. I like Andor, too, even if he is too "soft boy" for me to really invest in him. In another perspective, he'd be an interesting watch, but I don't think he got to do a whole lot in this series and that bums me out a little.
I think part of what this book suffered from was a lack of personal drive from anyone outside of Laure. It's her story, obviously, but the stakes in the first book felt so much higher because of Laure's desperation and how everything and everyone around her were intertwined with the same desperation. We don't get that here - not just because we're no longer at the ballet house, but because everyone else feels so random and stuffed into character slots that needed filling.
However, I wouldn't tell anyone not to read the second book if they really want to - just know that the first one is strong enough on its own and accomplishes more than the second book tried to.
I hate to say this about such a cool series and cool author, but I think this series would've worked better with Book 1 as a standalone. The concept and prose for the first book was so very awesome - a Black ballerina makes a deal with an eldritch monster in the Paris catacombs in order to gain power and prominence as the primadonna! And the covers! And that title! ‘I Feed Her To The Beast And The Beast Is Me"? Are you kidding me?? Everything about it is immaculate. Book 1 was a bloody fever dream with an epic climax and an ending that worked great on its own, but held promise for future adventures just in case.
Book 2, not so much. I hovered between two and three stars on this one (half stars, Goodreads, make it happen already) but went with three because, well, it's just fine. It's not bad, it's perfectly serviceable! But we could've done without it, I think.
It might not have felt so extemporaneous if there were more things happening, but it felt like a lot of filler and cliches to get to the point of the climax in this one. Laure spends a whole hell of a lot of time angsting about her lost future and her personal life - and understandably so, she's literally been through hell and back! But this phase went on for nearly two thirds of the book, and it didn't take long for me to start tapping out mentally every time Laure talked about how lost she was. I didn't find myself caring a whole lot about whatever was happening with Elysium, or with Laure's mom, or even the main plot of Niamh's treachery. It felt like a lot of things were introduced to generate chaos but ended up more like a bunch of letdowns.
There's one revelation about Laure's mom that seems promising, but goes nowhere beyond that. The Elysium (sub?)plot takes up way more time than I cared to read, and Niamh's whole thing could've been interesting but ultimately felt like wasted potential, because here we are with a bunch of teenagers who wanna rule the world because don’t they always? I get what Jamison Shea was wanting to do here, but the execution felt kind of lacking, because whatever investment I had drained out by the time I hit the halfway point.
I don't want to harp on about it though, because even if I was no longer invested, I'd still read any future stories from Jamison. I didn't love this one, but it still had some of the hallmarks that made the first one so excellent. While the prose got overwrought and repetitive more than I'd like here, there was still a lot of great horror imagery - Shea really dives deep when it comes to the macabre, and I appreciate that in a YA book! There were some cool moments towards the end, and Laure is still an interesting character because of the way she embraces and even elevates her rage. I like Andor, too, even if he is too "soft boy" for me to really invest in him. In another perspective, he'd be an interesting watch, but I don't think he got to do a whole lot in this series and that bums me out a little.
I think part of what this book suffered from was a lack of personal drive from anyone outside of Laure. It's her story, obviously, but the stakes in the first book felt so much higher because of Laure's desperation and how everything and everyone around her were intertwined with the same desperation. We don't get that here - not just because we're no longer at the ballet house, but because everyone else feels so random and stuffed into character slots that needed filling.
However, I wouldn't tell anyone not to read the second book if they really want to - just know that the first one is strong enough on its own and accomplishes more than the second book tried to.
February 6, 2025
3.5/5
Dark and moody, a fight for acceptance.
CW // blood, gore, violence, death, strong language, partying, dysfunctional families, guilt
Laure has given up the ballet and is struggling to understand herself. She's partying heavily and trying to forget. When Laure finds the dead body of the girl she was just dancing with in a bathroom, she becomes suspicious of Niamh, the girl she brought in to Acheron.
Niamh has plans and wants Laure, Andor, and Keturah to join her. She says she's found more acolytes. Elysium is dying and Niamh has a home she wants to share. But Laure doesn't believe that Elysium is dying—can die—and what does that mean for her? For Acheron and their connection? Laure tries hard to juggle relationships, family, a new dance company, how she sees herself, and Niamh.
Something has to give, it always does. Will Laure give herself? Will it be enough? What matters in the end if all we are are monsters?
----
I loved the first book so much. It was so dark and bloody and atmospheric. I loved seeing Andor and Keturah again, I loved watching them handle the aftermath of everything. The uncertainty of Laure and Andor's romance. This book is a lot of character building and depth. This book misses out on another rich aspect that I absolutely adored in the first book: the ballet.
There is no real solid backdrop to this. There's clubs and Elysium, but the Ballet was its horrific villain in the first book. This book isn't about fighting colonial structures or systemic racism, it's about rebuilding yourself from the ashes and moving on. I respect that and loved it, but I did miss the vivid imagery that the setting gave me in the first book.
Overall, I still really enjoyed it. It isn't as dark as the first one, but it builds up to it and the climax and ending are satisfying and well worth it.
I'm glad my library purchased this! I would add it to my own collection in a heartbeat. Check your local library for this series and if they don't have it, request they purchase it!
Dark and moody, a fight for acceptance.
CW // blood, gore, violence, death, strong language, partying, dysfunctional families, guilt
Laure has given up the ballet and is struggling to understand herself. She's partying heavily and trying to forget. When Laure finds the dead body of the girl she was just dancing with in a bathroom, she becomes suspicious of Niamh, the girl she brought in to Acheron.
Niamh has plans and wants Laure, Andor, and Keturah to join her. She says she's found more acolytes. Elysium is dying and Niamh has a home she wants to share. But Laure doesn't believe that Elysium is dying—can die—and what does that mean for her? For Acheron and their connection? Laure tries hard to juggle relationships, family, a new dance company, how she sees herself, and Niamh.
Something has to give, it always does. Will Laure give herself? Will it be enough? What matters in the end if all we are are monsters?
----
I loved the first book so much. It was so dark and bloody and atmospheric. I loved seeing Andor and Keturah again, I loved watching them handle the aftermath of everything. The uncertainty of Laure and Andor's romance. This book is a lot of character building and depth. This book misses out on another rich aspect that I absolutely adored in the first book: the ballet.
There is no real solid backdrop to this. There's clubs and Elysium, but the Ballet was its horrific villain in the first book. This book isn't about fighting colonial structures or systemic racism, it's about rebuilding yourself from the ashes and moving on. I respect that and loved it, but I did miss the vivid imagery that the setting gave me in the first book.
Overall, I still really enjoyed it. It isn't as dark as the first one, but it builds up to it and the climax and ending are satisfying and well worth it.
I'm glad my library purchased this! I would add it to my own collection in a heartbeat. Check your local library for this series and if they don't have it, request they purchase it!
November 12, 2024
I find that I don't read a whole lot of horror as I get older. In middle school, Stephen King style horror was amongst my favorite genres. At my current big age, I find that horror has to be grounded in real world aspect for me to fully invest and enjoy a novel. In my opinion, this novels horror was grounded in an exploration of real-world oppression, and so I found myself deeply invested in the outcome.
I did read the first novel in this series before I read this sequel to review. Laure and Acheron are back for more ballet themed adventures. This picks up right where the first novel left off. It could be read as a stand-alone novel, but much of the richness of Laure's growth as a character would be lost without the first novel as a reference. I don't want to give spoilers away for either novel because I think this duology unfolds better if the reader has less knowledge of the story flow.
This does have blood, gore, and other horror elements. I didn't find the violent scenes gratuitous. Everything felt like it was there to explore the characters' journey. This second installment was just as fast-paced as the first novel and every bit as engrossing. I love a well written, morally grey character who embodies the 'by any means necessary' mantra. I also enjoy the fierceness and unapologetic badassery of Laure.
This audiobook is narrated by Kristolyn Lloyd, who also narrated the first book in this series. I love love love when the same narrator returns for the sequel. This is a unique story, and I appreciate Kristolyn's treatment of the fantastical and horror elements. The narration in this instance adds another layer to the story, and I highly recommend the audiobook for this story.
Thank you to Jamison Shea, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
I did read the first novel in this series before I read this sequel to review. Laure and Acheron are back for more ballet themed adventures. This picks up right where the first novel left off. It could be read as a stand-alone novel, but much of the richness of Laure's growth as a character would be lost without the first novel as a reference. I don't want to give spoilers away for either novel because I think this duology unfolds better if the reader has less knowledge of the story flow.
This does have blood, gore, and other horror elements. I didn't find the violent scenes gratuitous. Everything felt like it was there to explore the characters' journey. This second installment was just as fast-paced as the first novel and every bit as engrossing. I love a well written, morally grey character who embodies the 'by any means necessary' mantra. I also enjoy the fierceness and unapologetic badassery of Laure.
This audiobook is narrated by Kristolyn Lloyd, who also narrated the first book in this series. I love love love when the same narrator returns for the sequel. This is a unique story, and I appreciate Kristolyn's treatment of the fantastical and horror elements. The narration in this instance adds another layer to the story, and I highly recommend the audiobook for this story.
Thank you to Jamison Shea, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.
November 6, 2024
I Am The Dark That Answers When You Call follows Laure (and Acheron) as it becomes clear that something is wrong with Elysium, and it’s bleeding into the streets of Paris. I love the rage, violence, and monsters that fill this series. Laure’s anger is tangible and raw, as she faces trial after trial. Again, Andor is one of my favorite characters. I love how Jamison Shea can write characters that balance both sharp and soft edges. Through describing horrifying images, they write it so reverently that you can’t help but see the beauty in it.
Kristolyn Lloyd does such a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. Each character is so unique through their narration, it adds an additional layer to the story. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook format.
I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call is out November 12, 2024.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Henry Hold and Co., and NetGalley for the ALC and ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Kristolyn Lloyd does such a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. Each character is so unique through their narration, it adds an additional layer to the story. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook format.
I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call is out November 12, 2024.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, Henry Hold and Co., and NetGalley for the ALC and ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 11, 2024
4 stars
This was horrific in the best way. Jamison Shea's writing is so gripping and poetic. The rage continues in this one, just differently from I Feed Her To The Beast, and I love it. The story is intriguing and, at times, graphic. We get more body horror in this one and, not as surprising as one might think, some light cannibalism. All in all, this was great. I did struggle a bit at the beginning because the pacing felt a little slow, and it dragged for a bit. That was quickly remedied around the 50% mark, and the story really moved along. I listened to the audiobook for this, and it was AMAZING. The narration was perfect, and Kristolyn Lloyd did a beautiful performance with all her different voices. Especially the chilling Acheron. This was a great reading experience and a wonderfully dark and twisty adventure. Definitely recommend if you need a little dose of feminine rage.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was horrific in the best way. Jamison Shea's writing is so gripping and poetic. The rage continues in this one, just differently from I Feed Her To The Beast, and I love it. The story is intriguing and, at times, graphic. We get more body horror in this one and, not as surprising as one might think, some light cannibalism. All in all, this was great. I did struggle a bit at the beginning because the pacing felt a little slow, and it dragged for a bit. That was quickly remedied around the 50% mark, and the story really moved along. I listened to the audiobook for this, and it was AMAZING. The narration was perfect, and Kristolyn Lloyd did a beautiful performance with all her different voices. Especially the chilling Acheron. This was a great reading experience and a wonderfully dark and twisty adventure. Definitely recommend if you need a little dose of feminine rage.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 17, 2024
This second book in the duology doesn't rank as high for me because not much really happened. The first half was mostly Laure struggling with herself and her new powers, what it means to be a vessel, and mourning her old self. There's nothing wrong with this, per say. It just felt like it lacked the stakes the first book brought from the start.
The second half of the book made up for it to me. As Laure starts to actually put her foot down. She comes into her own and remembers what she originally stood for and what she did all of this for.
The side plot with her parents was good, her anger with her mother understandable and raw even after 12 years.
Overall, I like the conclusion to Laures story. Though I almost wish it was a trilogy so we could get more of what's going to happen to Elysium now.
The second half of the book made up for it to me. As Laure starts to actually put her foot down. She comes into her own and remembers what she originally stood for and what she did all of this for.
The side plot with her parents was good, her anger with her mother understandable and raw even after 12 years.
Overall, I like the conclusion to Laures story. Though I almost wish it was a trilogy so we could get more of what's going to happen to Elysium now.
January 14, 2025
OH MY GOODNESS!!
My first 5 star read of the year! I read I Feed Her to the Beast last year, and fell in love with this horror and mystical book, and could not wait for the finale to come out.
It's not often that you come across horror books where the main character is not only Black but powerful and resilient. There were so many moments in this book that moved me to tears, had me yelping and just had me standing up - literally.
I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Laure did the work to not let acheron take over. She made sure to find herself and her passions again.. and even love.
This was such a great full circle moment for Laure.
My first 5 star read of the year! I read I Feed Her to the Beast last year, and fell in love with this horror and mystical book, and could not wait for the finale to come out.
It's not often that you come across horror books where the main character is not only Black but powerful and resilient. There were so many moments in this book that moved me to tears, had me yelping and just had me standing up - literally.
I couldn't have asked for a better ending. Laure did the work to not let acheron take over. She made sure to find herself and her passions again.. and even love.
This was such a great full circle moment for Laure.
February 28, 2025
I really missed the ballet, but I loved the more modern dances.
I wanted this to still evolve around fdance more, and it did a bit, but it almost felt more obligatory than anything,
Laure is fully immersed in the darkness of the underworld and even gets her own trainee. Unfortunately, she is not good at caring for herself, let alone anyone else.
The powerful way that Laure takes back her power is an excellent redemption arc and picks the book up from a dark place.
Lots of gore, lots of darkness, lots of trippy scenes.
3.5 Stars
I wanted this to still evolve around fdance more, and it did a bit, but it almost felt more obligatory than anything,
Laure is fully immersed in the darkness of the underworld and even gets her own trainee. Unfortunately, she is not good at caring for herself, let alone anyone else.
The powerful way that Laure takes back her power is an excellent redemption arc and picks the book up from a dark place.
Lots of gore, lots of darkness, lots of trippy scenes.
3.5 Stars
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