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Doe
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Expected 23 Jun 26Thrilling crossover YA Horror perfect for fans of Krystal Sutherland and Tiffany Jackson, where the captain of a high school cheer team is caught in a bitter rivalry and turns to an ancient, supernatural creature for help, not knowing she’s just made a deal with a devil and could lose everything that matters, including her life.
Maris Larsen is the captain of the West Eaton High cheer team. She’s Coach’s favorite and the team worships her. Being on the team makes her feel special—powerful. When she’s leading the girls on the mat, Maris doesn’t have to think about her dead-end life in a dead-end town. She can forget about her depressed mother and absent father and the fact that her girlfriend doesn’t really love her. But when newcomer and Coach’s new golden girl, Genevieve Ray, joins the team, the only thing going right in Maris’s life is suddenly in jeopardy. A bitter rivalry develops between the two, but Maris is determined to take Genevieve down. The knife she needs to wield comes to Maris in her dreams.
While sleepwalking, Maris is visited by a monstrous, decaying beast in the shape of an enormous deer. Doe is an ancient, tired creature who has been wandering, trapped in her current form for decades. She cannot die, but she cannot go on living as she has. Only a girl related by blood to those who bound her in this form can free her, but those girls she loved died years ago—murdered in a fire.
But Maris is somehow linked to Doe’s beloved girls—linked by blood—and so she has the power to free Doe, to unleash her immense power. In Maris’s dreams, she and Doe form a bond, but Maris doesn’t know the creature from her dreams is real. Maris doesn’t understand the danger she’s in. She only knows Doe has promised her a way to win her battle with Genevieve. But for Maris to win, someone has to die, and the only real winner in the end will be Doe.
Maris Larsen is the captain of the West Eaton High cheer team. She’s Coach’s favorite and the team worships her. Being on the team makes her feel special—powerful. When she’s leading the girls on the mat, Maris doesn’t have to think about her dead-end life in a dead-end town. She can forget about her depressed mother and absent father and the fact that her girlfriend doesn’t really love her. But when newcomer and Coach’s new golden girl, Genevieve Ray, joins the team, the only thing going right in Maris’s life is suddenly in jeopardy. A bitter rivalry develops between the two, but Maris is determined to take Genevieve down. The knife she needs to wield comes to Maris in her dreams.
While sleepwalking, Maris is visited by a monstrous, decaying beast in the shape of an enormous deer. Doe is an ancient, tired creature who has been wandering, trapped in her current form for decades. She cannot die, but she cannot go on living as she has. Only a girl related by blood to those who bound her in this form can free her, but those girls she loved died years ago—murdered in a fire.
But Maris is somehow linked to Doe’s beloved girls—linked by blood—and so she has the power to free Doe, to unleash her immense power. In Maris’s dreams, she and Doe form a bond, but Maris doesn’t know the creature from her dreams is real. Maris doesn’t understand the danger she’s in. She only knows Doe has promised her a way to win her battle with Genevieve. But for Maris to win, someone has to die, and the only real winner in the end will be Doe.
Audible Audio
Expected publication June 23, 2026
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About the author
Rebecca Barrow
10 books318 followersRebecca Barrow is the critically acclaimed author of Bad Things Happen Here, Interview with the Vixen, This Is What It Feels Like, and You Don’t Know Me But I Know You. She is a lover of sunshine, the sea, and Old Hollywood icons. She lives and writes in England. Visit her at www.rebeccabarrow.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Doe by Rebecca Barrow is an unsettling yet mesmerizing journey into the mind of a girl caught between her desires, her past, and an ancient supernatural force. Unfolding more like a series of deep personal inner thoughts than a traditional narrative, the book immerses readers deeply into Maris Larsen’s psyche, making it a psychological thriller that lingers long after the final page.
What truly sets Doe apart is its unconventional storytelling style. The aphoristic style format—composed of Maris' deepest thoughts—creates an intimate, almost voyeuristic experience. This approach invites us to witness her raw, unfiltered thoughts as she grapples with her tumultuous life: the weight of her role as cheer captain, her strained relationship with her depressed mother, her feelings of inadequacy, and her complicated romance. It’s this internal dialogue that makes her character so real and relatable, even amid the supernatural chaos.
The supernatural element, embodied by the ancient, decaying creature named Doe, adds a dark, visceral layer to the story. The creature’s presence feels both mythic and disturbingly tangible, blurring the lines between nightmares and reality. Maris’s dreams, where she interacts with Doe, are vividly written—both thrilling and terrifying—highlighting her psychological unraveling. The twist lies in how her desire for power and her rivalry with Genevieve unwittingly lead her deeper into this supernatural web, revealing how her past magical bonding with Doe has haunting consequences.
Barrow masterfully explores themes of power, rivalry, and identity, all wrapped in a suspenseful, horror-tinged narrative. The plot twists keep the tension high, especially as Maris unknowingly makes a deal with a devil—literally—without fully understanding the stakes. The idea that someone must die for her to win, and that she might be the one to pay the ultimate price, adds a heartbreaking layer of moral ambiguity that lingers.
Fans of YA horror and dark psychological thrillers like Krystal Sutherland and Tiffany Jackson will find Doe to be a compelling crossover—part coming-of-age story, part supernatural nightmare. It’s a haunting reminder of how past traumas and unexamined desires can open doors to forces beyond our understanding. Barrow’s writing is evocative, intense, and richly atmospheric, making Doe a book that’s hard to put down.
While I would have loved a bit more resolution at the end, the ambiguity and moral complexity make Doe a thought-provoking read. It’s a beautifully dark tale about the cost of power and the danger of diving into things we don’t fully understand. I recommend it to anyone looking for a psychological thriller that’s as creepy as it is emotionally gripping.
What truly sets Doe apart is its unconventional storytelling style. The aphoristic style format—composed of Maris' deepest thoughts—creates an intimate, almost voyeuristic experience. This approach invites us to witness her raw, unfiltered thoughts as she grapples with her tumultuous life: the weight of her role as cheer captain, her strained relationship with her depressed mother, her feelings of inadequacy, and her complicated romance. It’s this internal dialogue that makes her character so real and relatable, even amid the supernatural chaos.
The supernatural element, embodied by the ancient, decaying creature named Doe, adds a dark, visceral layer to the story. The creature’s presence feels both mythic and disturbingly tangible, blurring the lines between nightmares and reality. Maris’s dreams, where she interacts with Doe, are vividly written—both thrilling and terrifying—highlighting her psychological unraveling. The twist lies in how her desire for power and her rivalry with Genevieve unwittingly lead her deeper into this supernatural web, revealing how her past magical bonding with Doe has haunting consequences.
Barrow masterfully explores themes of power, rivalry, and identity, all wrapped in a suspenseful, horror-tinged narrative. The plot twists keep the tension high, especially as Maris unknowingly makes a deal with a devil—literally—without fully understanding the stakes. The idea that someone must die for her to win, and that she might be the one to pay the ultimate price, adds a heartbreaking layer of moral ambiguity that lingers.
Fans of YA horror and dark psychological thrillers like Krystal Sutherland and Tiffany Jackson will find Doe to be a compelling crossover—part coming-of-age story, part supernatural nightmare. It’s a haunting reminder of how past traumas and unexamined desires can open doors to forces beyond our understanding. Barrow’s writing is evocative, intense, and richly atmospheric, making Doe a book that’s hard to put down.
While I would have loved a bit more resolution at the end, the ambiguity and moral complexity make Doe a thought-provoking read. It’s a beautifully dark tale about the cost of power and the danger of diving into things we don’t fully understand. I recommend it to anyone looking for a psychological thriller that’s as creepy as it is emotionally gripping.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and Nancy Paulsen Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Rebecca Barrow’s “Doe” is a chilling, poetic YA horror story that combines supernatural dread with the brutal social hierarchies of high school cheerleading. Told entirely in verse, this is a quick but emotionally heavy read; it’s one that uses lyricism to explore jealousy, power, obsession, and the dangerous pull of belonging.
At the center of the story is Maris Larsen, the captain of a small-town cheer squad that functions less like a team and more like a hive mind. To these girls, cheerleading is everything: identity, future, family. There is even a collective “we” perspective from the cheer team’s POV to show the extent of their togetherness. To be cut from the team is to be erased. Maris thrives on this power, using it to escape her bleak home life and uncertain future, but her control is threatened when Genevieve Ray, a talented, confident newcomer, joins the squad mid-season and refuses to play by Maris’s rules. What begins as rivalry quickly turns poisonous.
Enter Doe: an ancient, supernatural creature in the form of a decaying deer, bound by a curse and tethered to Maris by blood and legacy. Doe is not human, not moral, and not gentle. Through dreamlike, sleepwalking encounters, Doe offers Maris exactly what she wants, such as power, control, and victory, all at a terrible cost. While Maris believes she is using Doe as a weapon against Genevieve, it becomes increasingly clear that Doe has its own agenda. All Doe has ever wanted is freedom, and it is willing to destroy everything to get it.
The story rotates between perspectives: Maris’s controlling, fear-driven voice; Doe’s haunting, ancient perspective; Genevieve’s quiet vulnerability; and the chapters told from the collective “we” of the cheer team itself. These collective chapters are especially effective, emphasizing how groupthink erases individuality and fuels cruelty, while also highlighting the genuine strength and comfort found in female togetherness and found family.
Barrow excels at atmosphere. The horror here is more psychological than graphic, but several moments linger long after the final page. The slow build means Doe’s full plan takes time to unfold over the course of half the book, but the tension steadily tightens, creating an ominous sense of inevitability. While the middle felt repetitive at times and the ending was a bit undeveloped, the conclusion is deeply unsettling and intentionally tragic. Doe gets what it wants, but the cost is irreversible, leaving behind loss, guilt, and sacrifice.
Importantly, “Doe” does not offer a traditional hero. Maris is selfish, manipulative, and terrified of losing her status; Genevieve is largely an innocent casualty of another girl’s insecurity; and Doe, while sympathetic in its suffering, is ultimately a violent force of destruction. The story serves as a cautionary tale about obsession, the dangers of unchecked power, and what happens when insecurity is given supernatural teeth.
Overall, “Doe” is a dark, lyrical YA horror story perfect for older teen readers who enjoy slow-burn dread, morally messy characters, and stories about toxic group dynamics. With its Yellowjackets-like vibes, poetic structure, and unsettling supernatural presence, this book is both a sharp critique of high school social hierarchies and a haunting meditation on what we sacrifice to feel powerful and to belong.
Rebecca Barrow’s “Doe” is a chilling, poetic YA horror story that combines supernatural dread with the brutal social hierarchies of high school cheerleading. Told entirely in verse, this is a quick but emotionally heavy read; it’s one that uses lyricism to explore jealousy, power, obsession, and the dangerous pull of belonging.
At the center of the story is Maris Larsen, the captain of a small-town cheer squad that functions less like a team and more like a hive mind. To these girls, cheerleading is everything: identity, future, family. There is even a collective “we” perspective from the cheer team’s POV to show the extent of their togetherness. To be cut from the team is to be erased. Maris thrives on this power, using it to escape her bleak home life and uncertain future, but her control is threatened when Genevieve Ray, a talented, confident newcomer, joins the squad mid-season and refuses to play by Maris’s rules. What begins as rivalry quickly turns poisonous.
Enter Doe: an ancient, supernatural creature in the form of a decaying deer, bound by a curse and tethered to Maris by blood and legacy. Doe is not human, not moral, and not gentle. Through dreamlike, sleepwalking encounters, Doe offers Maris exactly what she wants, such as power, control, and victory, all at a terrible cost. While Maris believes she is using Doe as a weapon against Genevieve, it becomes increasingly clear that Doe has its own agenda. All Doe has ever wanted is freedom, and it is willing to destroy everything to get it.
The story rotates between perspectives: Maris’s controlling, fear-driven voice; Doe’s haunting, ancient perspective; Genevieve’s quiet vulnerability; and the chapters told from the collective “we” of the cheer team itself. These collective chapters are especially effective, emphasizing how groupthink erases individuality and fuels cruelty, while also highlighting the genuine strength and comfort found in female togetherness and found family.
Barrow excels at atmosphere. The horror here is more psychological than graphic, but several moments linger long after the final page. The slow build means Doe’s full plan takes time to unfold over the course of half the book, but the tension steadily tightens, creating an ominous sense of inevitability. While the middle felt repetitive at times and the ending was a bit undeveloped, the conclusion is deeply unsettling and intentionally tragic. Doe gets what it wants, but the cost is irreversible, leaving behind loss, guilt, and sacrifice.
Importantly, “Doe” does not offer a traditional hero. Maris is selfish, manipulative, and terrified of losing her status; Genevieve is largely an innocent casualty of another girl’s insecurity; and Doe, while sympathetic in its suffering, is ultimately a violent force of destruction. The story serves as a cautionary tale about obsession, the dangers of unchecked power, and what happens when insecurity is given supernatural teeth.
Overall, “Doe” is a dark, lyrical YA horror story perfect for older teen readers who enjoy slow-burn dread, morally messy characters, and stories about toxic group dynamics. With its Yellowjackets-like vibes, poetic structure, and unsettling supernatural presence, this book is both a sharp critique of high school social hierarchies and a haunting meditation on what we sacrifice to feel powerful and to belong.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Maris is captain of a small-town cheerleading squad. The girls are like family, until their young coach adds a new member in the middle of the season. Genevieve is talented but unwilling to bow to Maris's mean-girl games, and threads of jealousy begin to tear the squad apart. Then a guardian spirit animal whispers in Maris's ear an offer she should - but doesn't -- refuse. This novel in verse builds tension quickly as the only good thing in most of these girls' lives -- the cheer team -- is slowly dismantled in front of them, and the small-town future after high school is nothing to look forward to. The novel is told in alternating voices, from the team, to Maris, to Doe, the spirit animal that was named long ago by a relative of Maris and who needs Maris to help break a curse. Fans of horror will enjoy the slow build that has plenty of hints of what's to come. The horror here is more psychological than bloody, although there are a handful of scenes that could stick with readers long after they've finished. For high school librarians, this is definitely worth adding a copy for general collections if you have any sort of a scary / horror section.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was my first novel in verse, and I actually didn’t read far enough in the synopsis when I requested it (or maybe it didn’t say that anywhere?) to know it was going to be in verse lol but maybe that was fate, because I enjoyed it more than I thought I would! (I’m not big on poetry, so I have kind of been avoiding novels in verse thus far.)
I loved And Don’t Look Back, which is why I requested Doe. While I wished this were a traditionally written novel when started it—and it did take me a little bit to get into—I ended up appreciating the format a lot. Barrow was able to put so much emotion and emphasis on certain words and turns of phrase. I have no reference points to compare this book to, but it felt like Barrow got to the meat of emotions despite having less words to work with. The feral, aching, wanting, violence, tenderness of girlhood. The origin of monsters who just wanted to be whole and loved.
It was slightly repetitive, and certain things could have been developed more to get to the point they did, imo. But otherwise a really great read!
I loved And Don’t Look Back, which is why I requested Doe. While I wished this were a traditionally written novel when started it—and it did take me a little bit to get into—I ended up appreciating the format a lot. Barrow was able to put so much emotion and emphasis on certain words and turns of phrase. I have no reference points to compare this book to, but it felt like Barrow got to the meat of emotions despite having less words to work with. The feral, aching, wanting, violence, tenderness of girlhood. The origin of monsters who just wanted to be whole and loved.
It was slightly repetitive, and certain things could have been developed more to get to the point they did, imo. But otherwise a really great read!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I received an advanced readers copy from a Goodreads Giveaway.
4.75 stars (actual rating)
I really liked this book. I liked the premise of the book and the way it was written. Maris and Genevieve add such tension to an already taut set of characters.
The only 2 reasons I didn't rate it 5 stars is:
1) for me the ending felt rush. Rebecca Barrow spent such care crafting the characters and unique storyline that the way it ended was off. It ended as if it was supposed to have a sequel (and who knows? Maybe there is a planned sequel).
2) As much as I liked the way the book is written (in poetic verse), I would love to see this novel as a traditionally written novel. I'd love to have some (okay, most...all...) of the scenes fleshed out with more details.
Overall, I really loved this book and I'm so glad I was able to get an advance readers copy!
4.75 stars (actual rating)
I really liked this book. I liked the premise of the book and the way it was written. Maris and Genevieve add such tension to an already taut set of characters.
The only 2 reasons I didn't rate it 5 stars is:
1) for me the ending felt rush. Rebecca Barrow spent such care crafting the characters and unique storyline that the way it ended was off. It ended as if it was supposed to have a sequel (and who knows? Maybe there is a planned sequel).
2) As much as I liked the way the book is written (in poetic verse), I would love to see this novel as a traditionally written novel. I'd love to have some (okay, most...all...) of the scenes fleshed out with more details.
Overall, I really loved this book and I'm so glad I was able to get an advance readers copy!
February 1, 2026
A verse novel about a girl, Maris, who wants everything in the world but feels she deserves nothing. The one thing she truly has is her team - until Genevieve shows up to take that from her, too. Then, in her dreams, Maris meets Doe, an ancient creature with incredible powers… if only she weren’t bound. Doe will help Maris, but it will come with a cost.
The book was beautifully written, and being a verse novel, a quick read! Dark, enchanting, tense, and occasionally terrifying.
The book was beautifully written, and being a verse novel, a quick read! Dark, enchanting, tense, and occasionally terrifying.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
Read in one sitting. Supernatural vibes with a deer that holds magical powers, through generations and now the cheer captain starts having “dreams,” which are actually her sleepwalking and encountering this deer. There is also some horror vibes. ARC copy won through Goodreads giveaways, and giving my honest review. Thank you for the ARC.
Read
February 8, 2026DNFed around 40%. None of it felt important? Like, I couldn't figure *why* the team/their group was so important to these girls. So then an iNtErLoPeR shows up and therefore they're tHrEaTeNeD but I didn't get their connection in the first place so who cares if it's threatened? Pacing was also weird. idk just not the right one for me!
giveaways
February 12, 2026I won an ARC on Goodreads (thank you!) & I’m looking forward to receiving my copy. I feel like I’ll have a fun read with this one. I will be back to review later!
February 11, 2026
Doe is an engaging lyrical horror. I appreciate how the author formatted the book in a poetry-like and lyrical style. I also appreciate that the book did not have a conventional happy ending where good defeats evil.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I just finished reading the Advance reader's copy that I won from Rebecca's giveaway! It was a very interesting storyline, and personally was hard to wrap my head around at first. Things became clearer as I was finishing up the story, and all in all, it was a good read.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews