I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast Is Me by Jamison Shea Review

Hello Readers,

This book is a dark and gripping tale that dives into ambition, identity, and the cost of power. I will put the trigger warnings here at the top. Trigger Warnings: Racism, Body Image, Classism, Parental abandonment and Self-harm.


I can’t deny that this is a dark book and there might be points where I think readers might struggle with Laure’s more sinister choices, but I didn’t mind. The story leans heavily into horror and psychological thriller elements, weaving a richly dark atmospheric tale.
 
This book is set in the high-stakes world of ballet the book protagonist is Laure, a talented yet overlooked dancer who is drawn into a sinister pact with a mysterious entity that lurks beneath the Paris Opera Ballet. The entity promises her the success she craves, but it comes at a chilling cost.
 
Laure’s unrelenting determination to prove that she can dominate the elitist world of ballet makes her a compelling protagonist. She is driven and embodies a relentless ambition that feels both inspiring and unsettling at the same time.
 
Through this book, Jamison Shea delves into the extremes one might go to in pursuit of their dreams. I loved the fact that Jamison chooses not to shy away from showing Laure’s morally grey decisions. For me, the choices made raised the stakes and made her feel believable as a character.
 
Jamison’s writing is vivid and haunting, perfectly capturing the competitive and cutthroat nature of the ballet world. I mean this as a compliment, but I absolutely loved the Parisian setting, with its rich gothic undertones adding depth to the narrative. Perhaps I’m biased but for me Paris is perfect backdrop for horror stories, and I blame all the vampire and gothic horror books I’ve read.
 
There is also no denying that this book is both poignant and thought-provoking as through this book Jamison explores the real cost of pursuing your dreams and what the psychological toll of grand expectations can be.  
 
Beyond its horror elements, this book is poignant and thought-provoking. Jamison skilfully explores the true cost of chasing one’s dreams and the psychological toll of living under immense pressure and expectation.
 
There is no denying that this a hauntingly beautiful book and I am so happy I read it and book two (I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call) is on my TBR.

L x

 

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