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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
About the author
Mindy McGinnis
29 books4,344 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 - 17 of 17 reviews
May 7, 2026
✨ Bookish Thoughts
I hated everyone in this book. They were all insufferable. The premise was interesting but it definitely was a slow start. The ending was a lot stronger.
📖What to Expect
• Small town secrets
• Animal sanctuary
• Supernatural entity
• Moral gray MCs
• Psychological horror
• Multiple POV
_ _ _ _
⭐️ Final Score: 3.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: October 27, 2026
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
I hated everyone in this book. They were all insufferable. The premise was interesting but it definitely was a slow start. The ending was a lot stronger.
📖What to Expect
• Small town secrets
• Animal sanctuary
• Supernatural entity
• Moral gray MCs
• Psychological horror
• Multiple POV
_ _ _ _
⭐️ Final Score: 3.5 Stars
📅 Pub Date: October 27, 2026
Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.
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 NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for sending me this book for an eARC review. I want to preface this, please check trigger warnings because either I didn't see them or they weren't listed. But there were a couple of animal deaths, and a discussion of dog fighting and the use of bait animals in dog fighting rings. I don't think this impacted my rating or reading as I have a stronger stomach, but it would've been nice to know. It helps that the dogs escaped and the cat lived :)
There is also discussion of: rape, hit and run, suicide, depression, infidelity, CP, and illicit nude sharing.
Let me start this by saying Ava Germaine can do no wrong. I know that she isn't a perfect character, and the flaws of the characters are the prominent aspect of the book, but holy fuck, everyone around her SUCKS. This poor girl got moved to a shit hole town and has to deal with shit hole people, and this does not go well as an outspoken young woman.
I understand that all the characters are flawed, but my god, you couldn't have picked a worse group of people. I can understand, to some extent, that Hailey is just trying to survive but the things she covers up...girl, my god. There has to be a way to survive without burning others in your path and hiding your boyfriend's secret nude bank or overlooking dog-fighting rings. Micah was...whatever. I found him incredibly whiny for how much of a piece of shit he is. He is super woe is me, but willing to contribute to the nude file (feels bad for like 2 minutes) and overlook dog fighting. First, this dude is 17 or 18 with severe alcoholism who DID A HIT AND RUN, and then when this girl was found WITH HER PANTS AROUND HER LEGS, he takes a picture of her boobs?? Like, what the fuck is wrong with this kid? Honestly, what is wrong with most of these kids? Is there something in the water in this town or are most high schoolers actually this evil?
Anyways, the way this book went, I was not expecting it, especially at the end. I was hoping for more of a creature feature, eldritch horror type story, and I really just got shitty ass kids with some weird Lazarus shit at this wildlife rehab center.
There is also discussion of: rape, hit and run, suicide, depression, infidelity, CP, and illicit nude sharing.
Let me start this by saying Ava Germaine can do no wrong. I know that she isn't a perfect character, and the flaws of the characters are the prominent aspect of the book, but holy fuck, everyone around her SUCKS. This poor girl got moved to a shit hole town and has to deal with shit hole people, and this does not go well as an outspoken young woman.
I understand that all the characters are flawed, but my god, you couldn't have picked a worse group of people. I can understand, to some extent, that Hailey is just trying to survive but the things she covers up...girl, my god. There has to be a way to survive without burning others in your path and hiding your boyfriend's secret nude bank or overlooking dog-fighting rings. Micah was...whatever. I found him incredibly whiny for how much of a piece of shit he is. He is super woe is me, but willing to contribute to the nude file (feels bad for like 2 minutes) and overlook dog fighting. First, this dude is 17 or 18 with severe alcoholism who DID A HIT AND RUN, and then when this girl was found WITH HER PANTS AROUND HER LEGS, he takes a picture of her boobs?? Like, what the fuck is wrong with this kid? Honestly, what is wrong with most of these kids? Is there something in the water in this town or are most high schoolers actually this evil?
Anyways, the way this book went, I was not expecting it, especially at the end. I was hoping for more of a creature feature, eldritch horror type story, and I really just got shitty ass kids with some weird Lazarus shit at this wildlife rehab center.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ava doesn't expect to find peace at Restoration Acres, but Widow is just the right blend of blunt and quiet that Ava seeks for distraction. Under her tutelage, Ava learns how to care for wildlife with both care and decisiveness. As strange things start happening, Ava tries to forget about her past and move forward.
Micah feels the pressure of always needing to make a good impression. As the sheriff's son, he is plagued by equal parts scrutiny and impunity. With his choices and his friendships spiraling out of control, will he be able to pull it all together before it's too late?
Hailey knows exactly what she needs to do to get somewhere in life, even if she'll be judged poorly for it. But was her choices lead her down a darker path, she'll have to decide what ultimate price she's willing to pay.
These narratives weave together into an engaging small town mystery. Although the book doesn't really feel like horror until the end, there are passages and descriptions that are similar to McGinnis's style in Be Not Far From Me. The side plot of the boys and their photographs was honestly a big turnoff for me in this book. I didn't feel like it was necessary to the rest of the plot--their other poor choices were enough to drive the narrative. The constant use of their sexualized discussions felt over the top, and makes it a tough decision for purchase for a school library. Ultimately, not one of my favorites of McGinnis.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.
Micah feels the pressure of always needing to make a good impression. As the sheriff's son, he is plagued by equal parts scrutiny and impunity. With his choices and his friendships spiraling out of control, will he be able to pull it all together before it's too late?
Hailey knows exactly what she needs to do to get somewhere in life, even if she'll be judged poorly for it. But was her choices lead her down a darker path, she'll have to decide what ultimate price she's willing to pay.
These narratives weave together into an engaging small town mystery. Although the book doesn't really feel like horror until the end, there are passages and descriptions that are similar to McGinnis's style in Be Not Far From Me. The side plot of the boys and their photographs was honestly a big turnoff for me in this book. I didn't feel like it was necessary to the rest of the plot--their other poor choices were enough to drive the narrative. The constant use of their sexualized discussions felt over the top, and makes it a tough decision for purchase for a school library. Ultimately, not one of my favorites of McGinnis.
I read an ARC from NetGalley.
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
Preface: This is marketed as YA read and it has too much language and explicit content to be appropriate for 12-18 (YA). That being said, while horror is not usually my genre of choice I didn't hate the storyline. There were too many characters, which meant that none of them were developed enough in my opinion. It did keep me guessing the whole story and when you do finally get to the last 20% of the book the story rapidly unfolds and there is a lot to take in. I actually really liked the ending which made up for a lot of the confusing parts of the story. Over all I would give this 3.5 stars and would probably recommend it to adults who enjoy the horror genre.
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!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
I'll sum this up the same way I do most of McGinnis's books:
hey, so...what the fuck?
hey, so...what the fuck?
May 7, 2026
Well….damn!
May 19, 2026
the real horror is what’s brewing in the boy’s group chat, not what’s in the woods
thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy!
thank you to netgalley for the advanced copy!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews