Chinese/Taiwanese horror for YA. Spooky, scary, and based in folklore and cautionary tales. Ruby Chen is on a quest to discover the scary truth about demonic possession of her sister, and to prevent scary monsters from taking over the “real” world.

The Rick Riordan Presents is easily becoming one of my favorite publishers for junior fiction and young adult reads. This one was definitely dark and aimed slightly older, but I definitely enjoyed it. I've had the pleasure of recommending it to some teens and it has gone over super well. Can't wait to see what gets released next.

thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review!

I love Judy I. Lin's books and this one is no different. I really enjoy learning about other cultures' mythology and folklore through fiction (and as a Canadian, I appreciate the Canadian setting), and this is a rich tale that really grabbed me. The mix of horror and fantasy is right up my alley, and a possession story that's not based in the Christian religion is refreshing and, perhaps, a littler scarier to me since the element of unfamiliarity is there. I blew through this book and I almost regret getting swept up in it as I wanted to stay in the story longer.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This book follows the life of Ruby, the eldest daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, who is trying to live up to her parent’s expectations of the perfect daughter. While many of Ruby’s struggles are real and relatable, anxiety, parents who misunderstand her, trouble with siblings, it also delves deep into folklore and mythology. It is a YA horror that will leave you wanting more.

As with all novels in the Rick Riordan Presents list, The Dark Becomes Her is based on mythology - in this case, the mythology of China and Taiwan. Ruby Chen is the oldest daughter in her family, trying very hard to be her own person while still meeting the traditional and high expectations of her parents for her behavior and academic achievement. From an early age, she's seen shadowy figures at the periphery of her vision, but her parents dismissed it as part of her near-sightedness and got her new glasses, and Ruby went along with their dismissal for years, until the shadowy figures become more distinct, and one attacks her. Saved by a boy she knows only vaguely as another student at her high school, Ruby follows him, trying to get more information, and is drawn into a story straight out of Asian mythology: a demon has been raised by a group attempting to enrich themselves, and Ruby has walked into the midst of the guardians trying to prevent the demon's rise.

There are so many themes in this novel, and so many details I enjoyed. Ruby is the daughter of immigrants, parents who moved for their own education, and to better the lives of their children. Ruby, and younger siblings, Tina and Denny, straddle two worlds, the one they currently inhabit in Canada, and the one their parents grew up in and want to maintain, from Taiwan. The family is very involved in the Taiwanese immigrant community, and their parents are heavily invested in ensuring their children's success, to the point of stifling their individuality and requiring them to focus on anything that will benefit their future, leaving any other interests aside. This is one of those books that I opened and then had trouble putting down. Recommended for readers middle school through adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I don't know if it was the first person present tense POV or the too-frequently on-the-nose commentary in the narrator's thoughts, but I just couldn't make it past the first few chapters of this one. Perhaps my students may like it, but it reads very juvenile.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy to review.

I enjoyed this so much. This was such an enthralling supernatural tale of sisterly bonds and confronting the dark corners of yourself. The tone and atmosphere were well-curated, and watching the MC navigate everything was fraught and perilous, but also full of growth. This was complex, but not confusing--it was so good. This is definitely an author I will keep on my radar going forward, absolutely great.

The beautiful cover drew me in but the story kept me intrigued. A supernatural tale about sisters and the darkest parts of ourselves. The eeriness was constant throughout. The only aspect of the book that fell flat was the romance but it didn’t interfere with my overall experience.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The Dark Becomes Her is an enthralling and fresh take on mythological retellings, perfectly suited for fans of the *Rick Riordan Presents* series. Lin masterfully introduces readers to a world where ancient deities and dark magic collide, crafting a story rich with cultural lore and high-stakes adventure. The protagonist’s journey is filled with danger, personal growth, and moments of vulnerability that make her deeply relatable. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, adding layers of complexity to the story. With its intricate plot, heart-pounding action, and a beautifully diverse cast of characters, this novel shines as a standout fantasy

Judy Lin’s The Dark Becomes Her was the perfect spooky October read. Full of Taiwanese mythology, family drama and self-discovery, I devoured it! The characters were relatable while also experiencing a life completely different from my own upbringing. The character development and relationships is balanced with the creepy mystery of what is happening with Ruby and her sister. I loved Delia and Shu Ling and enjoyed the small romance subplot. I do feel like the end was a little rushed and the loss of one of the characters at the end glossed over but I can see the opportunity for a second book to spend more time on this. I would recommend this for high schoolers and up. Thank you to NetGalley for the arc copy for early review.

Ruby Chen is dealing with the pressure and expectations of being the oldest daughter in her Taiwanese Canadian family when her sister Tina starts acting strangly. Soon she is thrust into a world of demons, spirits, and evil temples. Can she save her family from what is coming?

I forgot to leave a review for this, but I really enjoyed it! It's already out, so I won't say much more than I need to for my star rating. <3

I love Judy I. Lin's writing and I was so excited when it was announced she was writing something spooky. The Dark Becomes Her is exactly what I wanted it to be. Equal parts adventurous and scary, I absolutely ate this book up. I will absolutely be recommending this to everyone.

I really enjoyed learning about Chinese spirits and folktales. The new-to-me lore made this book feel so different than what I normally read. I'm a fan of these new "Rick Riordan Presents" books, especially the horror ones.

I received an e-copy of this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

This is absolutely a book that speaks to everything I love. The vibes are Jennifer's Body or My Best Friend's Exorcism mixed with Taiwanese folklore and mythology. Judy I Lin really makes her characters real for me. I can relate to them, I mourn with them, and I see parts of myself in them. I think this is going to be one of those books that I just sort of think about for the rest of my life? I was completely invested in Ruby and Tina's story, and I enjoyed every moment of it.

Overnight, a normal family transforms into something sinister. Ruby Chen's younger sister is becoming possessed by a demon, and it's up to the dutiful older sibling to save her before it's too late.

This haunting tale is perfect for fans of Junji Ito. Brimming with the horrors of demons and the Asian diaspora experience, readers will be trembling by the final page of this terrifying story.

Ruby Chen is a responsible, hardworking eldest daughter, but she’s constantly stressed by her Taiwanese immigrant parents, who focus more on her achievement and gaining “face” among other Taiwanese parents than on her happiness. Added to that are the disturbing otherworldly creatures she’s always seen on the edges of her vision–and the strange behavior of her younger sister Tina. Soon Ruby becomes embroiled in a battle between evil spirits who want to take over the human world and the Guardians (and Taiwanese community members who help them).

THE DARK BECOMES HER is the story of a conflict between family expectations and the desire for individual happiness. It’s the story of a teenager coming into her own in the face of parents who want the best for her but never quite see her. And, of course, it’s a suspenseful horror novel that skillfully combines action, adventure, mythology, and young adult emotional turmoil. The characters are well drawn and the story kept me turning the pages. A great addition to the Rick Riordan Presents imprint!

A wonderful YA horror fantasy story set in Vancouver's Chinatown that has an Asian Canadian teen girl confronting a mysterious ghostly spirit that has possessed her younger sister and is threatening to overtake her community. Full of a great mix of family, mythology and perfect for spooky season reading. This can be read as a standalone and is highly recommended! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

This edition to the Riordan Presents series is a welcome one although I found myself a bit confused by the chronological structure of the first few chapters.

For not a long book it takes, in my opinion, to get to the mythological and magical aspects.

It feels very fragmented. Whereas with other entries, the presence of the magical fails to blend seamlessly with the personal dilemas of the protagonist.

I can picture with clarity the list of elements to this book that the author had wanted to include but it loses me

This being teen also surprised me as the horror aspects of it are about on par with that of "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark". In my opinion the only thing distinguishing it as teen is the occasional use of profanity.

The latter half picks up a lot of the slack in the pacing but it's still a bit slow for the YA level of the genre.

I loved this book. The Chinese and Taiwanese mythology is interesting and well-developed. I like how the author embellished and added to the spiritual practices to create the supernatural/horror element. I love the development of Ruby and Tina's relationship. Although they are already sisters, the plot strengthens their bond. I also love Ruby's interactions with Shen and Delia. It's reminiscent of a found family trope. I was entertained the entire time while reading the novel and couldn't wait to finish it.