The Need: A Novel

by Megan Mostyn-Brown

Every family has its secrets. But in this provocative and dizzyingly fast-paced horror debut, some families  the Need.

THE NEED is a rare genetic disorder. Those who have it must consume human flesh, or die. For some The Need is power. For others it is a curse.

Talia's been on the run with her two teenagers since the kids were babies, changing names and identities every time someone gets close to discovering her family's tragic secret. Sam is her son, tormented by The Need, unable to stop giving in to his darkest desires, much to his mother's chagrin. While Rosie, his twin sister,  who's escaped her mom and brother's genetic curse, is desperate for a life of normalcy— like a Tik Tok account, Homecoming or a kiss with her mysterious new friend Naomi. But her brother keeps eating people and frankly, it's ruining her life. 

Vera, a former supermodel and member of New York City's elite Armstrong family, lives a life of luxury, haute couture and eating people. Yes, unlike Talia, the Armstrongs secretly pride themselves on their genetic abnormality. But beneath Vera's opulent lifestyle is a woman who's ruthlessly haunted by a mistake from her past. It's corrupted her standing with the Armstrongs, ruined her relationship with her kids and is slowly unraveling her sanity. Vera will do whatever it takes to correct it.

On the surface, these two families have nothing in common. But Talia is harboring a secret from the twins—one that will bring them crashing into the Armstrongs. And when the truth comes out, no one will ever be the same.

Genres: Horror, Queer, Adult, Lesbian, Horror Thriller

Kindle Edition

Expected publication September 22, 2026

Reviews

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit far-fetched, outlandish, and over the top. Whatever else it was, The Need was engaging af! It honestly felt campy at times. I wanted to reach through the pages and shake some sense into most of the characters. Had a wild time reading this.

ARC provided by Del Ray Books, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Brynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

I am always a sucker for cannibalism in a book, regardless of genre. But this one, sadly fell a little flat for me in more area than one. I think one of the weakest things that bleeds into other criticisms is the amount of POVs we get. Due to the limited time we get in each characters head and inner world, I never felt connected to our main character or any of the other POVs. If it had been slightly paired down; or kept to the siblings, or even kept to the main family of women [having the grandmother, mother, and then daughter perspective and their generational trauma explored more in-depth] that would have provided more insights into character motivations and character building, and strengthened the connection to this world. Genetic cannibalism is a really cool concept, and I wish it could have been a bit more explored or picked at, or nuanced. Personally, I always find internet slang or really immediate pop culture references harm more than help, as it immediately dates the work and pulls me out of what is trying to be explored. Cool concept, just not all the way there for me. I am excited to see what else this author publishes, and I think they do have a really unique voice and flow to their work [I got an almost Maximum Ride vibe from their storytelling, and I think that skill would really serve something in the teen dystopian/sci-fi genre really well] where I want to care about the characters they are putting in front of me, but it's not quite all the way there yet.

[Nico :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to #netgalley for my Advanced Reader copy of this book!

Where to start with this, I’ll first say I absolutely loved this book from start to finish; the thrill of the world building and escalating suspense of the family being caught made it hard to put down for me.

You follow twins Rosie and Sam as they navigate a secretive world of genetic cannibalism and what it means to stay alive for Sam - a constant stream of lies and running to the next town to evade a pile of bodies he leaves behind.

The graphic descriptions of their eating and just how passionate/disgusted they are with themselves (depending on the character!) really had me intrigued with the concept of what it would mean to be a moral cannibal - not a question I’ve ever asked myself.

Added to all this, is the mystery and suspense of the obsessed paternal family trying to catch up with our main characters. Every POV brings the story closer together in the best way.

It’s a perfect blend of horror and heart, with a touch of humour that really pulls everything together. Definitely something I’d want to buy physically!

If you were on the fence about adding this to your TBR - this is your sign to add it!

[Caroll-Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows a mother and her two children, where both the mother and the son share a genetic condition that forces them to consume human flesh in order to survive. They’re not alone, others with the same condition exist, and they are constantly on the run, trying to avoid being discovered… or possibly something even worse.

I received this book again from NetGalley as an ARC and went in completely blind, only knowing that it was categorized as horror. While there are definitely some gory moments, I personally wouldn’t fully classify it as horror. Despite that, I really enjoyed it. At its core, the story explores themes of family, friendship, and self-discovery.

I absolutely devoured this book, the pacing and storyline kept me hooked throughout. However, the ending felt a bit rushed to me. I wish it had gone into more detail, as I was left with quite a few unanswered questions. I won’t go into specifics to avoid spoilers, but I definitely would have loved a bit more closure.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

The premise of this book drew me in immediately. It sounded like The Substances meets Dexter.

Unfortunately, I found the book a little hard to get into. I felt like I was getting too many character perspectives, but each one was exactly the same as the last. The writing was kind of stiff for me, as well. The book lacked emotion, which I really think would have bumped this up to at least 3 stars for me. It just felt very monotone, even with all the character perspectives. There were times I had to go back and check whose perspective I was reading from because they all blended together after a while.

A really fun concept for a horror, but I do feel like this needs some pretty heavy editing.

[Mireya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC copy of The Need! This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

I didn't read this book, I inhaled it; a fast-paced horror indeed! What a book, what a book. And, for a book about, simply put, cannibals, I truly had the time of my life xD

Anyway, I consumed this book just like our main characters need to consume human meet to keep themselves alive. All because of the Need, a rare genetic disorder that makes them crave it on a regular basis or, eventually, they'll die no mater how much of something else they feed themselves with.

There are people that consider the Need a power, a proof of their superior status, like the Amrstrong family, represented in the present by Vera, a famous model of the nineties, living in opulence as she feed on other people and a ruthless person, who is now haunted by a mistake of her past that has ruined her relationship with her children and grandchildren. yet, she's working hard to fix it, and she'll do anything for it.

On the other hand, there's Talia, who's on the run with her twin children, Sam, who's inherited the Need from her, and Rosie, who longs to be a normal teenager since she didn't inherited it. Feeding from dead people that reaches Talia's funeral parlor, she thinks they can make it through life with a low profile and with intact morality. Yet, Sam's tendencies to murder people to feed on them, to consume fresh meet, takes them constantly from city to city, from new names to new names, never staying long in one place. And so, it seems like they'll never have peace no matter what.

Moreover, because Talia's secret, the most dangerous of them, is about to step into the light and ruin everybody's lives even more.

So, what I liked most about this book were definitely the world and the twists, yes, in plural. There were a couple of moments of revelations and final truths spoken aloud that let me open-mouthed in shock for a moment and re-reading to make sure I had gotten it right. On that part, I think the revelations were well written and built up properly; or, in other words, for me, it didn't felt like anything came out of nowhere, it all got explained in the end and, in book like this, is always good to see ;)

When it comes to the world, is our little Earth, yet the Need exists and it is past down families and generations, creating people like the Armstrong family, or like Talia, that try to live without causing too much harm to others. And this contrast is what really drives the novel towards its completion, with rich conflict, different points of view on ethics and medical experiments, while bringing forward a tale of family and looking for human connection.

And, what can I say, Talia's character made the book for me. Nothing like a mother who runs a funeral parlor to feed her family and is trying her best for her children and herself, even if she could just ditch them in nowhere-town and be free of it all. She just moved me so much...

I don't have much to complaint about, yet I would have liked the secondary characters to be more deeply develop so that their actions became more impactful at the time of the confrontation and such, 'cause, though the main characters do come across as realistic and full people, the others where just there, with their roles and relationships to the main characters, but I feel like i don't know them much by the end of the book, so I don't really care whatever happens to them.

In the end, with it good parts and bad parts, The Need is definitely a debut to keep on our radars and look forward to. Fun, familiar, surprising and shocking, it kept me glue to its pages, so much that I read it in a day. Didn't think I could liked a book about cannibals so much, but I did, because the Need is far more than that, of course, so I hope y'all give it a try because it well deserves it. Hope y'all enjoyed this review and I'll see you on the next one ;)

[Dimitrije Vojnov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jordan Harper je preporučio roman THE NEED koji je napisala njegova saradnica ali i životna saputnica Megan Mostyn-Brown i moram priznati da tom prilikom nije bio subjektivan.

Rečje o veoma uzbudljivom horor romanu o grupi ljudi predisponiranih da budu kanibali i žive svuda po svetu, snalazeći se svako na svoj način.

U centru ove priče su majka i dvoje blizanaca, od kojih jedno zbog genetske uprljanosti porodične loze nije kanibal, i oni su u bekstvu od svemoćne porodice ekstremno bogatih kanibala aristokrata koji cene svoju krv i žele da probaju da isprave greške u traženju partnera korišćenjem savremene genetske terapije koju izdašno finansiraju. Dakle, umesto da se leče od kanibalizma žele da potomke koji nisu kanibali učine takvim.

Roman je propulzivan, napisan je u Ich-formi, iz vizure većeg broja likova koji nas rašomonskim postupkom ipak prevashodno vode od početka do kraja priče. U pogledu efikasnosti kako slaže priču, nema nikakve sumnje da je Megan Mostyn-Brown imala velike koristi od svoje ekspertize u dramskom pisanju. Njeni dijalozi su efikasni i efektni, njene situacije su dobro postavljene, opisi su vrlo sinematični, i strava je postavljena kao vrlo mišićavo meso bez mnogo masti na kostur trilera.

U izvesnom smislu, ovaj roman se može čitati zapravo i kao triler, pa ne bih odbacio i da bi toj publici mogao biti zanimljiv, iako nema sumnje da je primarno reč o hororu.

Ako govorimo o atmosferi, ovo je roman koji ima u sebi cronenbergovski vajb jer uzima iracionalnu premisu i tretira je krajnje racionalno, i u toj racionalnosti nema teškoća da bude dosta povezan sa realnošću jer ipak živimo u epohi Epstein fajlova.

Uostalom, kanibalizam kao krajnji ishod perverzije javlja se i u romanu A VIOLENT MASTERPIECE samog Jordana Harpera koji je umnogome slika savremene post-epsteinovske faze klasne borbe.

U tom smislu, ovaj roman jasnu idejnost, gde je "eat the rich" element prisutan na načine kako ga čuvaju mnogi artefakti ovog žanra (filmski serijal READY OR NOT mi pada na um) ali isto tako tu ima i DEAD RINGERSa. Uprkos činjenici da DEAD RINGERS inicijalno jeste bila knjiga, nema nikakve sumnje da je ovo jedan od modernih romana kojima je uzor sasvim sigurno umnogome na ekranu, mnogo više nego na stranicama knjiga.

Ovo je po rukopisu jedna moderna knjiga u kojoj se mnoge stvari odvijaju uz značajnu ulogu muzike koju bi čitalac prirodno morao da pušta dok čita ili barem poznaje, i takve stvari ne umanjuju uživanje u čitanju ako publika nije zainteresovana za to, ali svakako može da mu pruži novu dimenziju.

Pa ipak, isto tako, iako lako mogu da zamislim uspešnu upmarket ekranizaciju ovog romana na filmu ili televiziji, ovo nije hendikepirani scenario. Ovo jeste punokrvan roman (pun intended) koji bi lako mogao da se adaptira jer mu je DNK umnogome baziran na drugom mediju.

Ali je za razliku od DNK junaka, zdrav.

[TheNovelNomad · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is horror with teeth — sharp, stylish, and emotionally precise — but what lingers most is not the shock. It’s the humanity.

At its core, this novel takes a wildly inventive premise and grounds it in something deeply recognisable: family, survival, and the complicated ways love can look when it is shaped by fear. The Need becomes more than a genetic condition — it becomes metaphor, inheritance, burden, and power all at once.

The story moves with confidence between two families whose lives mirror and challenge each other. Talia’s world is defined by motion, secrecy, and the exhausting work of protecting her children from themselves and from discovery. In contrast, the Armstrong family embodies privilege and control, reframing the same condition as status and identity. The tension between these perspectives gives the novel its momentum and thematic depth.

What stands out immediately is the voice. The book is provocative and darkly funny without losing emotional clarity. Rosie’s desire for normal teenage milestones brings levity and ache in equal measure, while Sam’s struggle captures the frightening intimacy of living with an impulse you cannot fully control. The writing allows these contradictions to exist side by side — horror and humour, tenderness and transgression — without diluting either.

Vera is a particularly striking presence. Her sections add texture, scale, and a sense of generational consequence that expands the novel beyond a single family narrative. Through her, the story explores shame, legacy, and the cost of maintaining power inside a system built on secrecy.

The pacing is propulsive, but never careless. Each perspective adds new emotional information, gradually revealing how these lives are connected and why those connections matter. When the narrative threads converge, the impact feels earned — not just narratively, but thematically.

What elevates the novel is its control of tone. The premise is bold, but the storytelling is intentional. The horror functions as both spectacle and language: a way to examine hunger, belonging, inheritance, and the impossible choices parents make to protect their children.

This is a debut that understands its voice and trusts its readers. Stylish, unsettling, and unexpectedly moving, it delivers the thrill of high-concept horror alongside a story about family that feels intimate and resonant.

A daring, darkly funny exploration of appetite — for survival, for love, for identity — that marks a striking and memorable arrival.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Need is a wild, clever, and unexpectedly heartfelt horror novel that manages to be both darkly funny and genuinely moving. It takes a premise that should feel outrageous — a genetic disorder that forces people to consume human flesh — and grounds it in family dynamics, identity, and the messy, complicated ways we try to protect the people we love.

Talia’s life on the run has a weary tenderness to it. She’s a mother doing everything she can to shield her twins from a truth that terrifies her, even as Sam’s hunger grows harder to control and Rosie longs for the kind of normal teenage life she’s never been allowed to have. Their dynamic is sharp, chaotic, and full of love and resentment in equal measure. Rosie’s exasperation — trying to navigate crushes and Homecoming while her brother keeps, well, eating people — gives the book a brilliant streak of humour that never undercuts its emotional weight.

Across the country, Vera’s world is the perfect foil: opulent, curated, and rotting from the inside. The Armstrongs treat The Need as a birthright, a privilege, a mark of superiority. Vera’s storyline is glossy on the surface but deeply tragic underneath, her guilt and desperation slowly unravelling the life she’s built. Watching these two families move inevitably toward each other gives the novel a propulsive, almost cinematic energy.

The story shines in the way it balances tones — horror threaded with wit, satire softened by genuine heart. Beneath the cannibalism and chaos is a thoughtful exploration of inheritance, shame, and the lengths we go to in order to belong. When the truth finally pulls the families together, the collision is as emotional as it is explosive.

A sharp, fast-paced, and surprisingly poignant debut that blends horror with humour and heart. Perfect for readers who love their genre fiction bold, character-driven, and just a little unhinged.

With thanks to Megan Mostyn-Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[J.L. Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of The Need in exchange for an honest review.

The Need is an ambitious horror novel that blends multiple POVs with a morally peculiar concept—characters who must consume human flesh to survive, yet still cling to their own sense of right and wrong. That tension alone makes for an intriguing premise, but the execution didn’t fully land for me.

The story follows several different perspectives, which in theory should add depth, but in practice made it harder to feel truly invested. With so many storylines unfolding at once, I found myself struggling to connect with any one character for long. Even halfway through the book, I was still waiting for that “aha” moment—the point where everything clicks and the stakes really take off.

One thing that stood out was the frequent mention of name brands and designers. It pulled me out of the story more than it immersed me, and I often felt like I needed to pause and look things up, which disrupted the pacing.

That said, there were definitely elements I appreciated. Vera’s character arc was a highlight—watching her slowly crack and give in to her more animalistic instincts added a layer of intensity the book really needed. On the flip side, I strongly disliked Talia, but in a way that felt intentional, so credit to the author for creating such a reaction.

The setting also added a personal touch for me. With parts of the story taking place in Vernon, New York—a place I’ve actually visited—it heightened the eeriness and made certain scenes hit closer to home.

Pacing-wise, the book was a slow burn… maybe a little too slow. With only about 36 pages left, we finally reach the true climax, and it wasn’t until the last 15 pages that I felt genuinely hooked. While the ending did pick up, it almost felt like too little, too late.

Overall, I’d give The Need 3 stars. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. It has a compelling premise and some strong character moments, but the pacing and scattered focus made it difficult to fully enjoy.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Del Rey, Random House Worlds and Inklore for the ARC in exchange for my little review!

The Need takes place in a twisty, dark world where some have a rare genetic disorder that is something Hannibal Lecter would dream up. For those suffering from the Need, they crave human flesh as opposed to more standard fare. And while the wealthy and affluent may pair their cannibalism with a silver fork, most suffer from the complications of the hunger pains. The Need is something they mostly can control, but accidents happen, which keeps Talia and her family on the run. Moving town to town, staying under the radar, they never put down roots or let relationships develop because sooner rather than later, they’ll disappear again.

Talia is a single mom of two. She shares the Need with her son, Sam, while Rosie is the black sheep of the family, very much wanting a normal teenager existence. Upon arriving in their new town, both Sam and Rosie become infatuated with a classmate named Naomi, despite Talia’s best efforts to discourage entanglements. If that wasn’t complicated enough, Talia’s MIL is searching for the family, as is Carolyn - one of Rosie’s friends from a prior identity.

Everything will collide in this bloody fascinating new horror debut! I really enjoyed the world building and originality here. I always love the idea that monsters exist within society, and thus are all the more creative for their survival. Adding a family dynamic adds additional layers of complexity and intrigue. I would say The Need could actually be a bit longer and flesh out the family history more, exploring even more of the world put to page here, but ultimately it was still a take as fresh as a recently unalived body. Bon appetit.

[KAITLYN · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review: The Need by Megan Mostyn Brown ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.75/5)

The Need is a suspense-driven thriller centered around a family on the run, forced to constantly shift identities while trying to stay one step ahead of danger. As secrets unravel and tensions rise, the story builds toward an ending that delivers a satisfying enough payoff.

Overall, this was an engaging read with a solid premise and enough suspense to keep me turning the pages. The plot itself had real potential, especially with the high-stakes element of a family living under changing names and trying to disappear.

Where the book lost me was in the execution. There are so many characters introduced—along with multiple side characters—that it became difficult to feel grounded in whose story I was actually following. Because the family changes their names twice throughout the novel, it added another layer of confusion that made it harder to stay connected to the narrative.

The structure also made things challenging. The perspective shifts nearly every paragraph, but it remains written in first person, so I often had to pause and work out which character’s voice I was reading. Instead of adding tension, it disrupted the flow for me.

One character in particular, Vera, felt underdeveloped. Her wealth was emphasized through constant brand-name mentions and luxury purchases, which came across heavy-handed rather than naturally showing who she was. There were more effective ways to portray her status without it feeling repetitive.

That said, the suspense was there, and the ending was strong enough to leave me satisfied. While the writing style didn’t fully work for me, readers who enjoy multi-POV thrillers with lots of moving pieces may have a better experience.

Overall Rating: 2.75/5

[Teri Moore Stover · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley
The Need is a fast‑paced, high‑concept horror novel built around a provocative premise: a rare genetic disorder that forces those who carry it to consume human flesh or die. The book follows two families—one trying desperately to hide the condition, the other embracing it as a twisted point of pride—and their eventual collision.
The setup is undeniably intriguing. Talia has spent years on the run with her twins, constantly reinventing their lives to keep their family secret buried. Sam struggles with the disorder’s violent pull, while Rosie, unaffected genetically, just wants a normal teenage life—TikTok, homecoming, maybe a crush—if only her brother would stop eating people and ruining everything. On the other side is Vera, a glamorous former model from the elite Armstrong family, who treats the disorder as a privilege but is unraveling under the weight of her own past mistakes.
Despite the dark and compelling premise, the story stays on the lighter, quicker side. It’s an easy read—short chapters, brisk pacing, and a plot that moves without lingering too long on world‑building or emotional depth. While that makes it accessible, it also means some of the more fascinating ideas never fully develop. The characters, too, are intentionally messy and flawed, but not particularly lovable, which may work for some readers and frustrate others.
Still, the concept is fresh, the tension is steady, and the intersecting family secrets kept me turning pages. If you’re looking for a horror novel that’s more about momentum and premise than deep character exploration, this one fits the bill.

[icantcomeimbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a wild read but i really enjoyed it

the whole idea hooked me straight away a genetic condition where you literally have to eat people to survive yeah i needed to see how this was going to go, and it definitely delivers on that
we follow two families who deal with “the need” in completely different ways
one trying to hide it and survive
and the other fully embracing it, and i really liked that contrast.

talia’s side felt a lot more emotional and desperate
she’s constantly on the run, trying to protect her kids while everything is slowly falling apart

and Sam… he was such an interesting character
you can really feel that loss of control with him, which made his chapters kind of intense

rosie just wanting a normal life honestly felt so real compared to everything else going on

and then you have Vera and the Armstrong family which is just a whole different vibe

wealthy, powerful, and completely comfortable with what they are

vera especially was messy, a bit unhinged, and honestly really interesting to read

the pacing is pretty fast there’s always something happening, and the different perspectives kept things moving

it’s definitely dark and a bit uncomfortable at times, but that’s kind of the point

it’s not just about the horror it’s also about family, control, and what people are willing to do to survive

overall this was such a unique and really gripping read

thank you to netgalley, the publisher & megan mostyn-brown for the arc

[Alexandra B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
A genetic trait that makes you a cannibal...well, ain`t that wild and disturbing?

The story follows Talia and her kids, Sam and Rosie, who are on the run, constantly changing identities to stay ahead of Vera (the endless brand-name drops got a bit much) of the Armstrong family, who treat The Need like some kind of aristocratic privilege.

What really worked for me were the core ideas and some of the main characters. Talia carries the emotional weight of the story, a mother doing her best in a completely messed-up situation. Vera was.. interesting and a bit over-the-top, and I liked the contrast between the two families and how differently they view The Need.

Sam’s struggles and ending pack a punch; Joaquin felt underdeveloped and didn’t get the ending he deserved, in my humble opinion.

The horror isn’t scary in a traditional sense, it’s more disturbing because of the morality behind it. That said, the rules of The Need felt unclear. Is it survival or more like an addiction?

The pacing was kind of uneven, it got a bit boring for such an interesting premise. Starts out strong, but then it only really picks up toward the end(which was slightly rushed). A lot of the slower parts come from the kids’ POVs taking over and I really couldn’t bring myself to care about the whole Naomi situation.

It’s engaging and morally unsettling, with some strong moments, buuut it could’ve been tighter and a tad more intense.

[Alyssa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Del Rey for my gifted copy!

“They’re fucking cannibals.”

Eat the rich, before they eat you.

The Need was so damn funny. But also, poignant. Emotional. There was a depth that surprised me, especially for how unserious (in a good way) the writing was. Megan Mostyn-Brown writes like most of us speak. “Gonna.” “Wanna.” Lots of swear words. Lots of darkness tinged with humor. It was one of the most relatable collaborations of words I’ve read in a long time, and it was fun.

This is a story about cannibals, but is it? It’s about the rich throwing their money at any worldly problem to make it go away. It’s about the rich playing in our faces by doing some of the most obscene things humanly possible, without consequence. Hell, they can even become president. But there is also the other half, who have to scrounge for bits and pieces (literally) to survive. And even then, it’s a half life drowning in cortisol.

I loved all of the characters in this book, especially the embrace of a non binary cannibal. Full range of the spectrum here. But that openness left me slightly confused as to why the author made closed minded comments about pit bulls, perpetuating the damaging stereotype that has plagued the breed for decades. I’ve always been a firm believer in calling that out. I wouldn’t be alymaverino without Mav, my sweet Gumby of a pit bull.

That aside, great book. You’ll eat it up. Ba dum tss.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I ate this UP.

What at first seemed to be a quiet, Americana road trip coming of age story, where cannibalism is a fact of life but certainly not the only thing going on in these teenagers’ emotional lives (think Bones and All), this became an enthralling and well-paced horror/thriller where I was emotionally invested in all the characters’ storylines - yes, even the ones eating other characters. Despite being overtly about cannibalism - the book opens on a main character having just eaten his friend - this is a story that ultimately feels very grounded and human.

There are multiple POVs, multiple timelines, multiple locations, and characters whose names change, which may not be for everyone, but the author employs these variations in voice to say something affecting about our relationship to grotesque acts, the ways we harm each other, our desire to protect those “like us,” and how human values can shift according to proximity to power and the need to belong. This was a delicious work of horror and I’m hungry for whatever this author dishes out next.

Also I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but THAT COVER. *licks lips*

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the advanced copy. These are my honest thoughts.

[Megan Gallagher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured The Need—pun fully intended. This was such a wildly entertaining read from start to finish.

The story follows a mother and her two children, living life constantly on the run. Both the mother and her son share a genetic condition that requires them to consume human flesh, while the daughter is the only one untouched by it. That contrast creates such a tense, emotional family dynamic—there’s love, fear, and a constant sense of unease running through every interaction.

What really kept me hooked was the pacing and structure. The book moves through multiple perspectives, which can sometimes be hard to follow, but here it worked so well. Each POV had its own clear section, making it easy to stay grounded while still getting a deeper understanding of each character. I loved being able to fully step into everyone’s mindset.

There were also some eerie, standout moments—especially the haunting elements involving the mother-in-law. Those scenes were so vivid and unsettling in the best way, adding another layer of creepiness to an already intense story.

Overall, this was dark, fast-paced, and completely addictive. If you’re into messy family dynamics, morally gray characters, and a touch of horror, this one is absolutely worth picking up.

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was unapologetically unhinged. There was no shame in these cannibals games!

Started out so good but the pacing kinda slowed down towards the middle and then the ending was so rushed. Short chapters and multiple POVs. It was very hard for me to connect with these characters though. I was hoping for more interactions between the twins to really get a feel for their relationship. The author tells us that Rosie basically hates Sam but we don’t really experience many interactions between the two, and I feel like since they are twins this could have been even more of an opportunity to add more depth to the relationship. I also had a hard time believing that Talia wished Sam was never born because that didn’t seem to align with her personality.

My favorite character BY FAR was Vera’s…and the ghost of Celeste that was following her. Vera was a tripppp and I was dying (no pun intended) over her Bath & Body Works candle obsession, freakin hilarious. 😂 To add to that, this book was actually pretty funny if you can get past all the uncomfortable freaky ways these cannibals dig into people. I think I recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want to thank NetGalley and he author for providing me with this eArc!

This book was a really fast and intriguing horror with an interesting premise. The characters suffer from a rare genetic disease that causes "The Need" to consume human flesh, so not your average cannibals.

The characters were well-written and very bold, which I really liked. Their strong personalities and little quirks kept me invested in the story. I found myself sympathizing with every single character, even the extremely morally challenged ones. Usually it's hard for me to connect to characters in shorter books like this, but that wasn't the case here!

The story itself was a very solid concept, but the execution fell short. Even though this was a short and fast book to read, it felt very long. The constant switching of POVs was a bit chaotic and at some points very unnecessary. The middle of the book was slow and I was struggling to stay invested, while the ending felt very rushed. I would have enjoyed it more if this timeline was distributed a little better.

Over all, The Need is a very unique book that I did like reading. I would recommend this to people who enjoy slightly more gorey horror and don't mind a lot of POVs.

[Jason Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown. This is Megan’s debut novel and will be available on September 22, 2026.

Within the first few pages, I was hooked and knew I’d love it. It’s not filled with pretentious artsy filler for the sake of padding the word count. It’s written in a simple, easy to understand language and the plot is straight to the point.

The ‘need’ is a genetic disorder where you need to consume human flesh, or die. It’s that simple. We’re introduced to Talia and her twins, Rosie and Sam. Talia and Sam have the disorder, though Rosie does not. Once we’re introduced to Vera, we learn the connection she has with Talia. As for the secrets Talia is hiding from her kids, you’ll just have to read it to find out.

The narration is in the first person from the standpoint of each character. Many times, that could lead to an unreliable narrator but in the case of this book, I found the characters to be both honest and reliable. This was a fast-paced read that had a lot of heart. And liver. And kidneys. And…

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown is a novel about a family living with a rare genetic disorder which compels them to eat human flesh, or else they will die. The story follows the family on the run, constantly changing names and identities in order to evade Vera, the wealthy matriarch of the family who is in search of a cure for being “normal”.

The story is told from multiple points of view, and Vera’s scenes absolutely stole the show. I would read her memoirs in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, the other characters did not captivate me as much as she did. I found myself counting down the pages until I could get back to a Vera segment (I think I’m personally just a little too old to get invested in high school drama).

I enjoyed the grizzly cannibalistic violence, cool goth band name-dropping, casual nonbinary representation, and every single thing about Vera (love of my life), but it also felt like a particularly moody Lifetime movie. The pace is quick, and the plot is chaotic and exciting, and while it didn’t hit all of my buttons, I had fun reading it, and I hope you will too.

Thank you Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Need - A rare genetic disorder that requires those inflicted to consume human flesh or die. We follow two separate families that both have the Need but see it very differently. Talia's life consists of constantly moving her family around to escape the fallout of her son's hunger while his twin sister who does not have the Need feels she is being robbed of a typical teenager life. Meanwhile Vera, of the prominent Armstrong family who treats the Need as a birthright and privilege, is struggling with guilt and her life she has unraveling. A secret slowly brings these two families together.

This book drew me in quickly. The pace is fast and exciting. It is a great mix of horror, humor, family struggles, and chaos. The story is very character driven. The characters are really enjoyable. When the families finally come together there's a lot of chaos and emotion that played out well for the story. I would recommend this book to horror fans who enjoy a fast paced and exciting book. Thank you Megan Mostyn-Brown, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Tori Boudreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked immediately by the premise: The Need is a rare genetic disorder where those who have it must consume human flesh or die. A cannibal thriller? I was instantly intrigued. The story follows Talia, who is on the run with her teenage twins, one of whom suffers from The Need. We also meet Vera, a former supermodel who proudly embraces the condition in ways that Talia fears. With multiple perspectives woven throughout the story, I loved getting to know the characters and how their lives intersect.

I read this in one sitting and immediately told my husband all about it. The pacing is fast, the cat-and-mouse tension keeps the story moving, and the worldbuilding around The Need was fascinating. Even though the premise is dark, the book doesn’t lean too heavily into graphic horror, which made it a really fun thriller to fly through. I especially enjoyed Vera and the secrets surrounding her wealthy family as they are chaotic in the best way.

Overall, I loved the wild ride and will probably preorder a finished copy because I can definitely see myself rereading it. The only reason it wasn’t a full five stars is that I wish it had been just a little longer.

[Sandrine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! This was such an interesting story ! I really liked the multiple POVs because it helped us understand all the motivations behind the characters’ actions. This story was fast paced and has high stakes. I understood all of the characters’ actions. The need as a disease was very interesting and I liked seeing how each character had different ways of dealing with this condition. To see how the Armstrongs could go far and have little to no consequences was quite shocking. It depicted well how rich people have power and are able to do whatever they want. There were many more metaphors that I really enjoyed. I finished this book in a few hours, I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t wait to know the ending !
Overall this book is really well thought out and engaging. With its fast pace and high stakes, it is a book that will stick with you and make you wonder what sacrifices are you willing to make and just how far would you go to protect your family !

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.

[Violetdazey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this wild cannibal-family-drama thing, and honestly? It was a solid ride. The concept is super fun—cannibalism is a genetic condition, so try drawing a Punnet square for that—and it follows Talia, who’s on the run with her twin kids (one inherited the Need, one didn’t), stealing bodies from the funeral parlor where she works to keep them fed. The POVs jump around between family members, and while I’m not sure it always added something deeper, some of them were just plain entertaining, like the evil grandma who’s convinced she’s too beautiful to be from Toledo, Ohio. There’s good action, some genuinely horrifying kills, and a couple of twists that actually made me stop and reread because they landed so well. Talia really carried the emotional weight for me—loved her—but I did wish the side characters had more depth so I cared about them too. Still, it’s fast, fun, shocking, and surprisingly heartfelt in places. Read it in a day, which basically never happens. Would recommend!

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

I ate this story right up, a fast paced thriller following Talia and her twin children, Sam and Rosie who live a peculiar life, Talia and her son have a genetic condition called ‘The need’ where they need to consume human meat to live. Yeah, genetic cannibalism; wild. And wild it was.

Sam can’t help himself, the meat his mum brings home isn’t enough to satisfy his cravings, so he tends to eat his classmates. Much to Rosie’s disappointment as each time she has to help clean up a murder and then their mum moves them to a new town. Talia has another reason to be running, her horrible mother In law is searching for Rosie, Rosie is a normal mark on their lineage and Vera, wants to rectify this with gene therapy.

This is such a fun read. Horrifying, quick paced with a lot of perspectives,they all complimented each other so well it really worked to tell this story with complexity and connect characters together seamlessly.
If you’re looking for a new book to add to your tbr I highly recommend this.

[Tessa Kinsela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fascinating and original storyline, with a really compelling twist on what creates a “monster.” It adds a layer of depth that makes you question assumptions, and the idea itself stayed with me after reading. The characters felt vivid and distinct, and the plot progressed in a way that kept things engaging without losing momentum. The multiple POVs were also handled well, adding different perspectives without becoming overwhelming.

That said, there were a few elements that pulled me out at times. The shifts in character names within the story—without those changes being reflected in the chapter subheadings—made it harder to follow, and I found myself having to pause and reorient. Carolyn’s character also felt a little messy and less developed compared to the others. I think replacing her role with a specific event or plot device may have created a more impactful narrative.

Overall, even if a few structural choices made it slightly harder to fully settle into, this was a thought-provoking and engaging read with a unique concept. Recommend reading.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not want to stop reading as soon as I started. The pacing of this book kept me glued to every word. I loved the characters. Every characters' POV felt real for them. The writing shifts between each character was so brilliant. I loved the metaphors used to explain very difficult things to relate to, so eventhough we were watching through the eyes of cannibals, they were still easy to relate to. I loved all of the music references. Even the less likable characters were so intriguing. I loved Sam, and his plight was something I think we have all experienced as teens, minus the eating people part, but the hollow, lonliness part, yes. Vera was kind of my favorite. Her outbursts cracked me up, and she had such a different experience than anyone else in the book. The ending brought things full circle! There was delicious karma, and surprisingly touching moments with themes of family, sacrifice and acceptance. I really enjoyed this book!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting take on the current cannibalism trend in literature. Here, cannibalism is a genetic condition, and all goes awry when a member of the powerful Armstrong family marries someone whose one parent did not have the genetic condition. (Try drawing a Punnet square for inheriting the trait !)

The story follows three members of the Armstrong family—Talia and her two children. The novel jumps between POVs between the chapters to give different characters’ perspectives on events as they unfold. I don’t know that it contributed as much to the story as one really solidly written narrator would have. But some of the POvs were plain fun. The over-the-top evil grandmother telling us that she was too beautiful to be born in Toledo, Ohio, actually made me cackle.

This novel has good action, some really horrifying killings, and a pretty heart-pounding ending. Really all you can ask for in a thriller like this. It was a solid read!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.