This was a LOT of fun and omg the audacity of everyone in this book! This is a dark and gory horror which is also inexplicably healing, I wish this had existed when I was a teen.

This one's for the girlies who grew up in the margins, those who were told they needed to work 10x harder to get anything in life. It's for anyone with a rage inside them trying to get by.

In "I Feed Her to the Beast" Jamison Shea offers a teen horror that gives Black Swan and Buffy the Vampire Slayer vibes. It's dark, unsettling and addictive but also fabulously kitsch!

I enjoyed Shea's approach to the concept of demons. It's a classic villain origin story revamped through the Black lens. She expertly addresses themes of privilege, race, and class and leaves the reader questioning what is right and wrong.

I've dropped one star as I felt the book dropped off in quality towards the end. The final acts seemed geared towards a younger reader than the first two-thirds of the book. It's still a very, very good read.

However, at its foundation, this is a wonderful piece of escapism. It reflects on the Black, working-class experience of trying to fit into the white, upper/middle-class professional structures that never really wanted us in the first place. If you've been harmed by those structures then this book might feel like a bit of a tonic.

For a debut novel from such a young author, this is truly exceptional and Jamison Shea is one to watch!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for this digital ARC. The review above is my honest opinion.

3.5 stars, rounded up.

Ruinously decadent in its opulence and horror. A delightfully Gothic tale about ballet, what you'd do to achieve your goals and a river of blood.

This book was a good read, with a wide variety of characters.

We follow Laure, who will do what ever it takes to survive the ruthless world of the Parisian Ballet scene and it was thrilling to see her take initiative in a place where she will always be viewed as replaceable.

The descriptions of the otherworldly places in the book have to be my favourite part as they are so richly detailed and incredibly immersive.

My criticism is that some of the pacing felt slightly slow in some parts of the book but it definitely picked up towards the end of the book and I am excited to see where the sequel leads.

I feed her to the beast and the beast is me is a fiercely provocative tale about the nepotism and the cutthroat. Nature of the world of ballet and the lengths one person will go to to succeed. The prose is rich and the author skilfully leads us into a descent into madness, while empathising with the struggles of the main character. You can fully understand why the protagonist attempts to take morally grey shortcuts, while feeling uncomfortable and that a sense of tightness in frustration that things are what they are.

I felt this was really good, I would probably class it as new adult psychological horror and I would recommend it to others. I felt it’s worked very well as a stand-alone.

I think I would have enjoyed this more if I knew ANYTHING about ballet so that might be MY FAULT. I don't know what I was expecting but some of the YA horror novels I've read recently have been so gripping and fast paced and WILD that this just didn't hit the mark for me, I wasn't desperate to pick it back up or felt connected to the characters. Maybe I wasn't the target audience but yeah sadly this just wasn't for me.

Overall, I think I Feed Her To The Beast was a very strong debut. The concept was intriguing, it kept my attention from beginning to end, and my reading experience was pleasant.

I was wholly enraptured by the eldritch mythology (though I do wish Acheron had been massively expanded on). Acheron was a being shrouded in mystery and for the most part, it worked, but I think the story was weakened by sudden appearance of Lethe. In my opinion, I don’t think enough groundwork had been lain to introduce Lethe as Acheron’s opposing force. Though narratively Lethe’s presence and attachment to Coralie certainly makes sense, I would’ve like a bit more background.


This book uses the ballet as an allegory for institutional racism & class which worked brilliantly. As a Black reader, Laure’s mistreatment despite being a fantastic dancer (the best actually) and the way her accomplishments were always brushed aside and minimised by others insinuating the only reason she’d been able to rise amongst the ranks was due to affirmative action was incredibly frustrating to read, but sadly, it’s an experience I (alongside many other Black people & POC’s) know all too well. I feel like I could write a dissertation on how well executed it was.

My thoughts are still too jumbled, but this was a great book and I’m excited to read more from the author!

Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference, put it in a blender, shit on it, vomit on it, eat it, give birth to it.

This starts at with a note from the author mentioning trigger warnings.

This book started off strong and in my opinion does have shades of black swan about it. Laure is constantly overlooked for the ballet leads in Paris due to the colour of her skin so she takes matters into her own hands. She finally gets centre stage but she is still made to feel like she is an imposter and that ignorant people blatantly say that people should of her kind are better suited to ballet in America rather than the world of classical ballet.

Laure then decides to make a deal with a river of blood running through the Paris catacombs and she finally gets the adoration she always dreamed of. She however leaves broken bodies on the way to the top but will she succumb to the darkness?

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was dark and although Laure did some awful things I couldn’t help but like her. What she was doing wasn’t so much out of malice but I felt she did it out of need. I found the ending was perfect and cannot wait to see what comes next from Acheron.

— 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 —

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: I Feed Her To The Beast & The Beast Is Me
𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: N/A
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫(𝐬): Jamison Shea
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: YA Horror
𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝: 29th August 2023
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 4.25/5

”I wasn’t sure if it was really me or the river then, screaming on the banks and encouraging me to give in and do my worst. And it was always so tempting to be worse.”

This was awesome. Books like this are the reason I support women’s rights and women’s wrongs.

The main character, Laure, is the only black ballerina in her dance class, surrounded by her classmates who want to see her fall, and berated by her teachers who want a certain image that she does not adhere to. However, Laure is not soft. She’s not delicate. She is a monster in the making and what she wants above all, is power.

I had literal goosebumps reading this. The author explored racism and classism in a way that was insightful, angry, and could be acknowledged easily. Another prominent theme in this book is toxic friendship in the form of a codependency and power dynamic between Laure, and her white and wealthy best friend, Coralie. All on a platform of horror made of sharp claws and pointy teeth.

The main character was amazing! She was so fleshed out, so vivid and unwavering in her tenacity. Laure had this deliciously dark inner monologue that is fixated on perfection, searching for scraps of validation from her peers and as the novel progresses, her inferiors. It was so compelling to read, and made even more engrossing by the impeccable writing.

The setting was genuinely thrilling, a mixture between the gorgeous backdrop of Palais Garnier and the unsettling depths of the French catacombs. In this horror novel which captures and twists Greek mythological rivers of Hades, the dynamics between the characters and their interactions within these environments reflected an honest picture of society.

—Kayleigh🤍

A talented Black ballet dancer goes to extreme lengths to achieve success when she is bypassed by lesser dancers.
Laure is a determined dancer, neglected by her parents her only support is her best friend Coraline and her wealthy family. Laure works twice as hard and is top of all six classes, but is still denied her rightful place because her skin means that she will stand out. Noticed by a famous ballerina she is inducted into a sinister world, where sacrifices are paid to ensure her success.
Laure is a complex character, very single- minded and just about hanging on through sheer determination, she's very likeable and you want her to succeed even though this costs her everything, including the lives of her new friends.

"To be a teenager again and have all that rage inside me, willing to eat the rich and crush the world under my feet for the sake of my success."

Those were the exact feelings I had when reading this book. Every time I turned the page of my ARC, I was fully immersed in the story but at the same time jealous that this book didn't exist a few years ago. It is one of those books that, in one way or another, ends up shaping the way you see or experience the world.

This book captures the essence of a YA novel while also incorporating the right amount of gore to make it unique and captivating for a younger audience interested in body horror or horror in general. Surprisingly, as someone who has been avoiding YA novels lately, this formula worked for me. The writing style flowed smoothly, and the characterization was excellent. Throughout my reading, I was raging along with Laure, and I found myself rooting for her the entire time. I was a bit worried that the author might veer the story towards a more romance-centered plot, but she defied my expectations by adding just the right amount to spice it up.

Honestly, I don't have many negative things to say. My only struggles were probably due to my lack of knowledge of ballet terminology, and I was occasionally lost with the descriptions. For example, there is a particular scene where, in one paragraph, the character is in a certain place, and in the next, it seems like she just transitioned to another location with no explanation of when or how she got there.

However, aside from these minor issues, I'm thrilled that this book is coming out. We need stories that deal not only with racism but also with classism. I mean, there is honestly so much to this book, but the best way for you to understand it is to read it.

Jamison Shea totally brings it. I'll be buying her book and keeping an eye out for whatever she decides to write next.

"I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me" by Jamison Shea is a dark and compelling tale that explores the depths of ambition, isolation, and the corrupting influence of power. The protagonist, Laure Mesny, is a complex and flawed character who is driven by an unyielding desire to prove herself in the cutthroat world of Parisian ballet.

Shea masterfully crafts Laure's descent into darkness, gradually exposing the reader to her ruthless determination and willingness to do anything to succeed. Despite her morally questionable decisions, the author skillfully allows us to understand Laure's motivations and empathize with her circumstances. She is an outsider, constantly ostracized and denied opportunities due to her race and social background, which adds a layer of righteous anger to her actions.

The writing style is evocative and intense, heightening the emotional impact of the story. Shea vividly portrays Laure's environment, capturing the oppressive and competitive nature of the ballet world, where nepotism and snobbery thrive. The author's descriptive prose paints a vivid picture, immersing the reader in the world of Laure and her relentless pursuit of recognition.

"I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me" is a thought-provoking exploration of the toll exacted by a society that profits from exclusion. It raises important questions about identity, sacrifice, and the lengths one is willing to go to break free from the constraints imposed by a biased system.

Fans of psychological thrillers and character-driven narratives will be captivated by this novel. Shea's debut is a powerful and unforgettable read that shines a spotlight on the darkness within us all.

My favourite read of the year. Breathtaking and horrifying. I inhaled it.

I was so happy to see that there is a part 2 coming. I can't wait for this. I've also pre-ordered a physical copy because it's gorgeous and I just want it on my shelf.

I have mixed feelings. Initially, the plot drew me in with its tantalizing promises of horror woven into the enigmatic realm of Parisian ballet.

The novel’s artistic setting, enchanting plot elements, and the protagonist’s dark journey are quite compelling. It is evident that Shea has an imaginative voice and has crafted a world with strong imagery. I commend the author for incorporating important themes such as identity, race and ambition. However, the sinister atmosphere I was anticipating ended up feeling diluted and lacked the evocative richness that could have elevated this tale to new heights.

In closing, while “I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me” offers an imaginative and intriguing concept, the writing style leaned a bit too young for my personal tastes. I encourage those who are fond of lyrical prose and are on the cusp between young adult and adult fiction to give this novel a chance.

A great debut for Jamison Shea.
The beautiful cover is was drew me to this book initially.
Not as full on horror as I was expecting, but I realised after reading this book is YA and not adult.
All the same a very enjoyable read from this suspense filled novel.

With a title like I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me and a striking cover I was expecting a full-blown YA horror novel rather than a very slow-moving supernatural drama with racial overtones. If you are not interested in ballet or dance then this Paris set story may well leave you cold, which I found a slog to finish. Laure Mesny is a seventeen-year-old trainee ballerina trying to make it in the cut-throat world of ballet. As she is Black and comes from a very poor background has been seemingly overlooked for top dancing positions in a world which is very much class based. Even though one could feel some sympathy for Laure I found every character pretty boring, samey, vacant and totally one dimensional. Okay, they were driven by dancing and stepping on the competition was second nature in getting ahead, but they were all so unpleasant I struggled to tell them apart.

The story revolves around Laure making some sort of supernatural deal in the Catacombs under the city, this was all very obscure and I felt could have been explained better. However, it seemingly works and Laure moves up the greasy dancing pole at the cost of her friends and fellow dancers on the way to stardom. Interestingly, I thought the book played more on the fact that Laure came from a poor family and broken home rather than the fact that she was Black and the undercurrent clearly shows that so many teenagers are cast aside with broken dreams when they do not make it to elite level. The supernatural angle of the story failed to impress me beyond being an obsessive extension of dancers prepared to do anything to succeed. This was a slow novel and without an interest in dancing will fall flat for many readers and if you are after a more traditional YA horror then look elsewhere. AGE RANGE 13+

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for supplying me with a copy with this book*
If you enjoyed the Black Swan, I think you’ll love this.
Laurence Mesny is a perfectionist. Constantly overlooked and now with a bone to pick. Would you make a deal with a primordial power for influence and adoration?
Dark and gritty. Enjoyable to read. A little slow at the start but halfway through I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bonnie's Books/Hot Key Books for the ARC to review!

This book follows Laure, a Black ballerina who's trying to follow her dream to become part of the world renowned Paris Ballet and the struggles she goes through to get it. At the start of the book, she's about to audition to become an apprentice of the Paris Ballet, which is step one of a ballerinas professional career and will hopefully lead to Laure becoming a soloist and eventually reaching the coveted étoile position. Her challenges are that she's from a very poor background, with her American mother abandoning her as a child and her French father basically disappearing from her life, leaving her on her own.

She's spent years working hard to follow her dreams, ranking 1st in her classes and funding the expensive training via petty theft and eventually living with her best friend, Coralie, who is the daughter of a ballet legend. Yet another issue that's a problem for her is that she's a poor Black girl, trying to make space for herself in a very white and very classist environment. Ballet is not open minded - it's mired in tradition and dances that are revered yet exclude those who are darker skinned. This isn't just in the book, it's also a fact of real life. It was only this year, 2023, that Paris Ballet appointed its first Black étoile, and there's never been a female Black ballerina in the top position. This is an institution that's over 350 years and renowned as one of the best in the world, yet it's resistant to change and is a harsh world for non-white dancers.

In an effort to stand out and be seen, Laure winds up sucked into a mysterious world beneath the streets of Paris that involves a river of blood, a primordial god and favours that have unknown consequences. Soon, Laure is rising the ranks like a shooting star, but at what cost?

I found this book to be an easy read and well written. Laure was a sympathetic and complicated character - she was arguably naturally more talented than her white cohorts but she had to work twice as hard to get half the reward. Even when she gets her godly favour, she soon realises that whilst she can rise the ranks, it doesn't mean people accept her. When it comes to something as entrenched as French ballet, even a god can't change that quickly.

I won't discuss the plot too much, so that I don't spoil anything but I can see this being a very popular book. It's an interesting plot line and is well written, with an unusual setting. The ballet terms might go over some people's heads, but it felt authentic and added to the atmosphere.

I didnt particularly feel this was very 'horror', to be honest. It just kind of felt like a YA book with a mystery to it.

My biggest criticism might just be to do with me, but I felt this book took forever to read, despite its relatively short length. It felt like I'd been reading it for days and I was only 50% of the way through. It definitely sped up at the end, but I'm really not too sure why I struggled with it!