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What Rough Beast
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26Long-held grudges and ancient evils come to roost in this psychological, speculative horror that's Don't Let the Forest In meets Stranger Things.
In a small town like Presnick, nothing stays buried forever...
Ava Germaine has learned her see something, don't say something. Cast out at school, the only place she can find peace is Restoration Acres, the town's animal sanctuary. Though the place sometimes seems more like an animal graveyard than a rehabilitation center, Ava's job there is at least a constant distraction from the night everything went wrong—and the boy she still holds responsible.
Micah Harding is always prepared for the worst. As the sheriff’s son, he tries not to do things that reflect poorly on his family, especially since his dad helped him cover up his worst mistake yet. But he knows his secret is bound to come out.
Hailey Wagner is sick of being judged. And finally, things are going according to plan—until Ava Germaine starts talking. So if Hailey has to shut her up...she will.
As a strange entity begins to stir, ready to awaken—Ava, Micah, and Hailey find themselves wrapped in a centuries-old exchange, while barreling towards the truth of what ties their fates together.
In a small town like Presnick, nothing stays buried forever...
Ava Germaine has learned her see something, don't say something. Cast out at school, the only place she can find peace is Restoration Acres, the town's animal sanctuary. Though the place sometimes seems more like an animal graveyard than a rehabilitation center, Ava's job there is at least a constant distraction from the night everything went wrong—and the boy she still holds responsible.
Micah Harding is always prepared for the worst. As the sheriff’s son, he tries not to do things that reflect poorly on his family, especially since his dad helped him cover up his worst mistake yet. But he knows his secret is bound to come out.
Hailey Wagner is sick of being judged. And finally, things are going according to plan—until Ava Germaine starts talking. So if Hailey has to shut her up...she will.
As a strange entity begins to stir, ready to awaken—Ava, Micah, and Hailey find themselves wrapped in a centuries-old exchange, while barreling towards the truth of what ties their fates together.
- GenresHorrorYoung Adult
Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 27, 2026
2 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Mindy McGinnis
28 books4,319 followersMindy McGinnis is an Edgar Award-winning novelist who writes across multiple genres, including post-apocalyptic, historical, thriller, contemporary, mystery, and fantasy.
While her settings may change, you can always count on Mindy’s books to deliver grit, truth, and an unflinching look at humanity and the world around us.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“What Rough Beast” by Mindy McGinnis is peak McGinnis writing with her unique depiction of female rage and gore. It is definitely not your standard YA thriller, and this book definitely did not disappoint. This book is dark from page one (it literally opens with a brutally described animal death) so definitely check content warnings before diving in, as both wild and domesticated animals are harmed in this book. There is also dog fighting described with cats as bait. On the human side, there is SA, so please make sure to look at the content warnings.
That said, this story is kind of a wild (and honestly impressive) mix of small-town drama, female rage, and straight-up folk horror. Set in a rural town where everyone knows everyone and misogyny runs deep, the book doesn’t hold back in showing how girls are judged, silenced, and sometimes put in real danger. Ava’s story especially hits hard with what happens to her (and what almost happens) reflects very real fears, and her depression is portrayed in a way that feels raw and believable.
But what makes this stand out is how McGinnis layers that real-world horror with something else. When Ava finds this strange, egg-like thing in the woods that seems to feed on blood and slowly change her body, the story takes a sharp turn into body horror and the supernatural. It’s creepy, unsettling, and genuinely hard to look away from.
The characters are messy in a way that feels intentional. No one here is purely good or bad. Micah, for example, is very much part of the problem; he makes awful choices (including distributing explicit photos without consent) and knows it, but still struggles to stop as he is dealing with extreme anxiety. Hailey is equally complicated, shaped by her environment in ways that make her both frustrating and weirdly understandable. The book really leans into the idea that people are complicated while also making it clear that some actions have consequences you can’t come back from.
There’s also a lot going on with animal abuse, dog fighting rings, toxic masculinity, mental health, revenge, supernatural folklore, and at times it can feel like a lot to juggle. But somehow, it all ties together by the end, especially once the truth about the creature and Ava’s transformation is revealed. The twist is genuinely surprising and adds a deeper layer to everything that came before.
Despite how heavy and brutal the story gets, there are moments of light, mainly through female solidarity. Characters like the woman who runs the animal sanctuary bring a quiet strength to the story, and those glimpses of connection help balance out the darkness.
Overall, this is one of those books that’s not afraid to make you uncomfortable. It’s violent, emotional, and packed with rage, but it’s also thoughtful about why that rage exists. And by the end, there’s a strange sense of justice and even a little bit of hope.
If you like your YA on the darker, more unsettling side with complex characters and a mix of real and supernatural horror, then this is one that is definitely worth picking up.
“What Rough Beast” by Mindy McGinnis is peak McGinnis writing with her unique depiction of female rage and gore. It is definitely not your standard YA thriller, and this book definitely did not disappoint. This book is dark from page one (it literally opens with a brutally described animal death) so definitely check content warnings before diving in, as both wild and domesticated animals are harmed in this book. There is also dog fighting described with cats as bait. On the human side, there is SA, so please make sure to look at the content warnings.
That said, this story is kind of a wild (and honestly impressive) mix of small-town drama, female rage, and straight-up folk horror. Set in a rural town where everyone knows everyone and misogyny runs deep, the book doesn’t hold back in showing how girls are judged, silenced, and sometimes put in real danger. Ava’s story especially hits hard with what happens to her (and what almost happens) reflects very real fears, and her depression is portrayed in a way that feels raw and believable.
But what makes this stand out is how McGinnis layers that real-world horror with something else. When Ava finds this strange, egg-like thing in the woods that seems to feed on blood and slowly change her body, the story takes a sharp turn into body horror and the supernatural. It’s creepy, unsettling, and genuinely hard to look away from.
The characters are messy in a way that feels intentional. No one here is purely good or bad. Micah, for example, is very much part of the problem; he makes awful choices (including distributing explicit photos without consent) and knows it, but still struggles to stop as he is dealing with extreme anxiety. Hailey is equally complicated, shaped by her environment in ways that make her both frustrating and weirdly understandable. The book really leans into the idea that people are complicated while also making it clear that some actions have consequences you can’t come back from.
There’s also a lot going on with animal abuse, dog fighting rings, toxic masculinity, mental health, revenge, supernatural folklore, and at times it can feel like a lot to juggle. But somehow, it all ties together by the end, especially once the truth about the creature and Ava’s transformation is revealed. The twist is genuinely surprising and adds a deeper layer to everything that came before.
Despite how heavy and brutal the story gets, there are moments of light, mainly through female solidarity. Characters like the woman who runs the animal sanctuary bring a quiet strength to the story, and those glimpses of connection help balance out the darkness.
Overall, this is one of those books that’s not afraid to make you uncomfortable. It’s violent, emotional, and packed with rage, but it’s also thoughtful about why that rage exists. And by the end, there’s a strange sense of justice and even a little bit of hope.
If you like your YA on the darker, more unsettling side with complex characters and a mix of real and supernatural horror, then this is one that is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
“Aus dem nichts erheben wir uns.”
💀
In the small town of Presnick, secrets don’t stay buried for long, and neither do grudges. Ava, Micah, and Hailey are each hiding something from the night everything went wrong, but as a dark, ancient force begins to awaken, their secrets start to unravel. Drawn together by guilt, fear, and a shared past, they must confront the truth behind a centuries-old evil tied to their town, before it consumes them all.
🪦
@mindymcginnisauthor is an auto-read for me, and once again she delivers. You can always count on her for dark, gory YA, but I loved how this one leans even more into creepy, horror/paranormal vibes in a way that feels a little different from her previous books. It’s unsettling in all the right ways. The novel is violence, emotional, and packed with rage, but also thoughtful about where the rage comes from and a sense of justice at the end. Definitely one for upper high school readers, and I’d recommend checking content warnings before handing it off. This title releases October27!
CW: death, sexual assault, toxic masculinity, sexism, misogyny, violence, body horror, gore, blood, emesis, animal death, animal cruelty/torture, physical assault, pregnancy, child death, suicide ideation, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
💀
In the small town of Presnick, secrets don’t stay buried for long, and neither do grudges. Ava, Micah, and Hailey are each hiding something from the night everything went wrong, but as a dark, ancient force begins to awaken, their secrets start to unravel. Drawn together by guilt, fear, and a shared past, they must confront the truth behind a centuries-old evil tied to their town, before it consumes them all.
🪦
@mindymcginnisauthor is an auto-read for me, and once again she delivers. You can always count on her for dark, gory YA, but I loved how this one leans even more into creepy, horror/paranormal vibes in a way that feels a little different from her previous books. It’s unsettling in all the right ways. The novel is violence, emotional, and packed with rage, but also thoughtful about where the rage comes from and a sense of justice at the end. Definitely one for upper high school readers, and I’d recommend checking content warnings before handing it off. This title releases October27!
CW: death, sexual assault, toxic masculinity, sexism, misogyny, violence, body horror, gore, blood, emesis, animal death, animal cruelty/torture, physical assault, pregnancy, child death, suicide ideation, anxiety, depression, trauma, PTSD
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What Rough Beast is my second book by Mindy McGinnis and I can confirm that this will not be my last. I love how seamlessly she gives voice to female rage, shown in this book through Ava and Hailey who are two sides of the same coin. Both have been victimized by their circumstances but neither will allow themselves to BECOME a victim, and their character arcs feel real and relatable. ((Right up until they don't, of course.))
The story comes to us through three alternating perspectives: Ava, Hailey, & Micah. Each has a distinct voice, making their characters feel genuine and unique, while tying the stories together seamlessly. They're flawed, even when they don't want to be.
I loved the way McGinnis layered psychological horror with aspects of body horror, though I will warn those who have sensitivities to look into any content warnings that may apply to them. I do think this book is perfect for fans of speculative horror and grudge/revenge stories. While you do have to wait until October, that just means you have 7 months to get What Rough Beast on your TBR and prepare for this eerie roller-coaster ride of a book.
((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Mindy McGinnis for this complimentary copy.))
The story comes to us through three alternating perspectives: Ava, Hailey, & Micah. Each has a distinct voice, making their characters feel genuine and unique, while tying the stories together seamlessly. They're flawed, even when they don't want to be.
I loved the way McGinnis layered psychological horror with aspects of body horror, though I will warn those who have sensitivities to look into any content warnings that may apply to them. I do think this book is perfect for fans of speculative horror and grudge/revenge stories. While you do have to wait until October, that just means you have 7 months to get What Rough Beast on your TBR and prepare for this eerie roller-coaster ride of a book.
((While the viewpoints shared are my own, I want to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Mindy McGinnis for this complimentary copy.))
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"What no one tells you about toxic relationships is that they are also intoxicating."
Thank you for the ARC copy!!
Three words: "What. The. Fuck." This book was so incredibly fucked up from start to finish, and I mean that in the best way possible! It was gritty, unapologetic, and shined a light on so many things we just don't talk about.
Now, for the.... Unnatural aspect. I am so.... baffled...but this entire premise. It was there from the start, but we don't SEE it, just like Ava didn't see it. And then it slowly becomes more obvious, until we finally cannot ignore it any longer. There were major plot points and twists that I didn't see coming, and as someone who has things ruined by pattern recognition all the time, I was so glad for this.
Everyone in this book sucks. Everyone is a dick, everyone is awful and self centered and is doing what THEY need to do. And ain't that just life?
I did struggle a bit at the end. The short chapters with rotating POV made things a little hard to follow, and I still don't quite understand what happened.
Thank you for the ARC copy!!
Three words: "What. The. Fuck." This book was so incredibly fucked up from start to finish, and I mean that in the best way possible! It was gritty, unapologetic, and shined a light on so many things we just don't talk about.
Now, for the.... Unnatural aspect. I am so.... baffled...but this entire premise. It was there from the start, but we don't SEE it, just like Ava didn't see it. And then it slowly becomes more obvious, until we finally cannot ignore it any longer. There were major plot points and twists that I didn't see coming, and as someone who has things ruined by pattern recognition all the time, I was so glad for this.
Everyone in this book sucks. Everyone is a dick, everyone is awful and self centered and is doing what THEY need to do. And ain't that just life?
I did struggle a bit at the end. The short chapters with rotating POV made things a little hard to follow, and I still don't quite understand what happened.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Mindy McGinnis writes the BEST female rage books in YA! She also really gets what it's like to live in a small, rural town where there aren't a lot of options for escape for anyone, especially girls.
This one mixes in her classic and iconic female rage with some rural folk-horror which was gnarly and amazing. It gets pretty visceral and there is some harm to animals, so just be aware.
I also want to commend her for portrayal of the male characters as well. McGinnis allows Micah especially to be a shitty boy who knows he is shitty and wants to be better but also ... it's so EASY to go along with the misogynist things that his friends do. She doesn't let him off the hook but gives nuance to his character in a way that I thought was well done.
Honestly, Mindy McGinnis should be a bigger name in YA than she already is because she consistently delivers on some incredible stories!!
This one mixes in her classic and iconic female rage with some rural folk-horror which was gnarly and amazing. It gets pretty visceral and there is some harm to animals, so just be aware.
I also want to commend her for portrayal of the male characters as well. McGinnis allows Micah especially to be a shitty boy who knows he is shitty and wants to be better but also ... it's so EASY to go along with the misogynist things that his friends do. She doesn't let him off the hook but gives nuance to his character in a way that I thought was well done.
Honestly, Mindy McGinnis should be a bigger name in YA than she already is because she consistently delivers on some incredible stories!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another gripping read from Mindy McGinnis. I enjoyed how well Mindy wove an element of supernatural horror into a very real one. The depictions of what the characters were struggling with are very accurate. As someone from a small town, who you are (or related to) plays a huge a role in how you're treated, and this was handled perfectly. Ava and Hailey's experiences are very true to what young girl are subjected to. And I thought the male characters were also handled well. Micah's anxiety and go with the flow/wanting to be better attitude were very realistic. The folk tales/weirdness surrounding the families really brought the horror element into the story perfectly.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review copied from Netgalley:
I thought this book had incredible pacing. I could not put it down.
The characters were entirely believable, I could understand their motives even if I didn't agree with them.
I thought it was interesting how McGinnis went back and forth between the horrors of reality and supernatural horror, until the culmination at the end. I wish there had been more supernatural horror though. The first chapter sets the tone so wonderfully, but then it takes a while for paranormal occurrences to happen.
I thought this book had incredible pacing. I could not put it down.
The characters were entirely believable, I could understand their motives even if I didn't agree with them.
I thought it was interesting how McGinnis went back and forth between the horrors of reality and supernatural horror, until the culmination at the end. I wish there had been more supernatural horror though. The first chapter sets the tone so wonderfully, but then it takes a while for paranormal occurrences to happen.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm disappointed because I really wanted to like this book. It touches on important themes, and I can see that the characters are well-developed, but I had a hard time getting through it. The pacing dragged for me, and I never fully felt invested in the story. Overall - 2.5 stars.
Thank you to Mindy McGinnis, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
#WhatRoughBeast #NetGalley
Thank you to Mindy McGinnis, HarperCollins Children's Books | HarperCollins, and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC of this book!
#WhatRoughBeast #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The magic builds slowly in this book to a very satisfying conclusion. I didn't see anything coming. I enjoyed the mysteries and the suspense - each time I would start to get frustrated with not knowing something I would get the answer. Well-paced.
The only reason it's only four stars is because I don't think it's appropriate for young adults in any way and I am FAR from a prude.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
The only reason it's only four stars is because I don't think it's appropriate for young adults in any way and I am FAR from a prude.
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I love that this is a YA book cause my daughter can read it too!
I love reading about people who don't have many options in there small town but they absoutely make the best of their situation, and too me that is what I see here.
Also.... I haven't known a good Micah.....
Anyway, 10/10
I loved this, and I hope to ARC read for her more!
I love reading about people who don't have many options in there small town but they absoutely make the best of their situation, and too me that is what I see here.
Also.... I haven't known a good Micah.....
Anyway, 10/10
I loved this, and I hope to ARC read for her more!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews