thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books Young Readers Group for providing this e-ARC in exchange for a review.

#TheTakingofJakeLivingston #NetGalley

3.5/5

I think the end leaves a bit to be savored. While it was def creepy and a bit triggering the ending completely took me out

I rarely rate books 1 star as I usually dnf those, and this was a case of: I should have dnfed it. I sort of kept going in the hopes of it getting better, but it didn't. By then I was already far enough in the book that I might as well finish it altogether. The story didn't connect with me at all, and I simply couldn't get into the book at all because of it.

I felt that this book lacked. It started off well, but felt that the author only touched on, well, everything. Instead of writing a longer, more rounded book it is like the author only touched on the characters, only touched on the world building, only touched on the social issues. He could have made it longer and delved into these issues and made it so much better. I also thought it was a little dark for my taste.

What…a ride. It was really intense. There was a lot going on and a LOT of intense emotions that when you work at a school are extremely difficult to hear and process.

I would hate being a medium. I can at least say that.

The Taking of Jake Livingston is fast-paced, scathing with social commentary about gun violence, mental health, and racism. This edge of your seat horror thriller will keep you guessing as it reinvents classic horror tropes.

This book just wasn't for me unfortunately. I liked the topics explored but the execution was lacking for me. I would've liked more clarity on how the ghost world & Jakes powers as a medium worked. I found the relationships portrayed to be as lacking in depth as I found most of the story to be. I think this may have worked as a short story, where less explanations are needed and more can be assumed, but as a novel it doesn't stand up.

I loved this book. This book is a great creepy "I see ghosts" story told from the view point of a queer, black teen. The book covers racism, anxiety, and a school shooting. If you want a great spooky read I recommend The Taking of Jake Livingston.

This is one of those books where I can’t tell you exactly why I didn’t like it, I just didn’t. This went a direction I did not expect at all. Honestly, it felt like a big disappointment and almost as if it was letting the bad guy win. Even though this was a short book, I did not feel like it was a quick read because it just never captured my interest.

I over committed on ARCs to read. Unfortunately this one will not be receiving a review or rating. Apologies.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I liked Jake's view and the writing. I do wish more had been done with Jake's powers and would love a book that explored him building up his resistance to possession more.

Full review to be posted soonish.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

DNF - I read 15% of this book, but just couldn’t keep with it. Jake’s voice seemed confusing and emotionless to me, so it didn’t hold my interest.

I'd like to thank the publisher for allowing me a chance at reading this book.

I felt the exposition slow and clunky. Normally by the first couple characters one should be able to get a grip or a 'feel' for the characters. Unfortunately, I still was trying to get that feeling.

I expected something a bit more darker than what I got.

DNF. This, unfortunately, was not the book for me. I just had a hard time getting into it and ultimately decided to stop reading.

I really liked this book and its odd and mystical vibe. While I don't normally love high school-centered books, this one had enough weirdness and action to make it a fun and thrilling read with some twists and turns.

The Taking of Jake Livingston is a book with a great concept that unfortunately just does not follow through with the execution. Jake is an introverted high school student who can talk to the dead. But when one of those ghosts are a school shooter, everything changed. Readers should be aware that this book has the potential to be incredibly triggering, with parts of the story told from the perspective of the school shooter himself. Not only can this be uncomfortable, but there is some question if this was the best method to tackle such issues.

The storytelling overall is disconnected and not unlike a fever-dream. Jake lives his life surrounded and distracted by the ghosts that he constantly sees, and narration from his perspective is just as distracted. The romantic plot felt unneccesary and forced - while queer characters deserve to be main charcters, they don't need to be presented in one-dimensional relationships to exist. This book had potential but it just didn't land. But eyes are peeled for what Douglass has coming out next.

Where do I begin? Jake Livingston can see Ghosts and one in particular is not making things easy. He's actually murdering people... BUT HE'S DEAD. Home life is starting to crumble - especially close relationships. He's trying to uncover the truth and I was so shocked to understand reasoning behind everything that happened. This was a creepy, amazingly written book! I'm so glad I read this incredible book. This would make the PERFECT Halloween book. Plus, I adored the queer aspect. 💖

I have mixed feelings on this one! I started this back in May 2021 and didn't finish it until May 2022.. and it's a pretty short book. I didn't feel a need to read the book and kept forgetting about it. While yeah, it was kind of spooky, it felt extremely rushed. So much happened in a short amount of time. I would have liked more build up to add to the suspense to make this a truly spooky book. I like the representation and the love interest was cute but again, the romance was way too sudden and needed more to feel the connection between the two.

I love a good thriller and this was no exception. While it was a quick read, the pacing was perfect. It helped me snuggle in to finish this in one setting. Jake's character is likeable from the very beginning and I was a fan of him. His development throughout the story was very well done. While he was forced into a lot of growth, it was enjoyable and fun to be a part of.

This was a dark queer book that I never knew I needed but quickly realized that I now want more.