Wow, just wow!
Loved this book from the start!

A group of kids tackle a monster in a small town, not unlike Stephen King's "IT" with more diversity. The majority of the characters are all likable with major character growth for everyone...who lives. And even some that don't.

What a stellar first work!

Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the advanced copy of this title in exchange for my honest review.

Enjoyable! Unfortunately found the POV jumps and lack of clarity in the first half to be distracting and detrimental to my understanding of the story (I love 3rd person POV, I just think it was stretched between a few too many heads here), but once the threat and timeline is established, I found the book a really solid debut! Very excited to see the author grow from this, he's extremely talented at writing horror and writing unique voices.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

Lockjaw by Matteo L. Cerilli is a multi-POV trans YA horror about monsters in small towns. When Chuck is killed by a monster roaming the town of Bridlington, Paz and her friends are determined to find and destroy it. Asher comes to Bridlington and gets involved in the hunt for the monster as does Beetle, a young resident of the town who is desperate to get out and is the only other person who seems to know the monster exists.

Matteo L. Cerilli is masterful when it comes to knowing how to convey information and then flipping your perceptions later on. I had a strong image of Marcela and Paz’s relationship early on and it got completely changed halfway through with just a few words. Instead of feeling cheap or annoying, it feels like an examination of identity and how we perceive others and the ways in which language can be used to convey certain ideas without outright stating them.

The small town aspect is really strong and gets conveyed through the police captain, how the town views Paz, who is viewed as a troublemaker, and the way everyone seems to know everyone else. When Asher comes to town, everyone knows that Asher is a visitor and everyone knows that Beetle is looking to get out of Bridlington. The captain and his son, Caleb, run the town and everyone looks the other way regarding Caleb’s worst behaviors because the captain looks the other way.

Marcela’s POV chapters were my absolute favorite. There’s a maturity to them and also a reflective quality that is melancholic and regretful beyond her years but she also makes decisions to fit in and not get caught up in Paz’s actions. I probably could have read an entire book from Marcela’s POV, honestly, but I think that her chapters are all utilized well and showcase exactly what they’re supposed to.

I would recommend this to fans of Stranger Things, readers looking for a YA horror with transgender characters, and those looking for a small town horror with gorgeous prose.

DRC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Debut author Matteo L. Cerilli weaved an incredible tale that perpetually kept me on the edge of my seat, and it was fantastic.

I had to stop after a few chapters for my mental health, but the writing is REALLY good! I’ll be looking into picking it up again at a later date when I’m feeling better. It was very haunting from the jump, very moody, and super intriguing, I just was not in the right place for some of the heavier stuff.

An intriguing, wonderfully constructed book with a twist I didn't see coming! I haven't read a lot of horror and I haven't read a lot of YA so I wasn't sure how I would feel about this but I really enjoyed! I think I'm mostly, but not quite, the target audience which may account for me giving 4 stars instead of 5. But I think if I had fit more into the YA age bracket and read it at that age I would have been obsessed!
I'm a character person and I think the characters drive horror more than anything and this book definitely fills that quota. The characters are real, dynamic, and compelling and I felt connected to them all. I didn't grow up in a small American town, but a tiny UK village and I felt that outsider status, and I felt that deep connection with the friends you make who are "like you" even if you all don't know what the full extent of "like you" means yet.
I think if you grow up that way you're well versed in the 'monster' and the construction of that monster in this novel was perfect. I for one was fully in it with Paz and the rest of the kids thinking it was real, thinking it was lurking and physical and had tangible teeth and in a way, as the book shows, it does, it did. It didn't need to be corporeal to kill, to stalk and terrorise.
The moment the twist happened I spent a good few minutes thinking back through the whole book and trying to figure out if I had just read the whole thing wrong, if maybe there had been chapter titles with dates and we were going back and forth in time and I hadn't realised, but then how could they be twins, how could Marcela and Caleb be 11 years old and dating and getting drunk?? Then it all unravelled and I was amazed by how well it had all been built to create the unravelling that it did.
It's a nuanced exploration of small town small minded-ness and very real small town threat. Beetle and Asher's stories were wonderful and I was so scared for a while there that Asher wouldn't get the ending I hoped he would, that he'd never get to grow through all that internalised hatred. I loved Asher's introduction too, and the little flips into the mindset of Bird. We won't talk about needing to visit doesthedogdie.com..........
A great exploration of gender and sexuality and power, both the misuse of it and the thought of a righteous gain of it. Plus that feeling of aggravation toward people who 'mind their own business' to the horrors happening around them all the time (and Caleb's moment of realisation of that was infuriating and bittersweet to witness).
I really enjoyed this book and think I'll definitely read more in the genre and definitely more by Matteo L. Cerilli!

I enjoyed this book. The writing style was different from what I’m used to reading, but I had a great time. The themes of being a bystander/disengaging from “bad things” felt especially relevant.

I was a little confused for about 50% of the book before the big twist. This felt intentional, but I personally prefer horror books that feel like you know what’s going on and then the twist makes you reevaluate everything rather than a jumble of puzzle pieces that are finally put together.

That being said, I would recommend this book. It was an engaging, entertaining read.

This is a great, albeit harrowing and intense, YA horror book about the toxicity and bigotry of small towns and the resilience of queer teens (and pre-teens). The horror is real in both supernatural and all-too-natural ways, and this book will haunt you long after you finish it, if you're anything like me.

Lockjaw begs to be read aloud--the rhythm of the writing is so lush and wonderful! What begins as small town weirdness and what we think is something dark happening in the underbelly of the town evolves into not just a ghost story that sneaks up on you in the most delicious of ways. The differentiation between monsters and creatures, juxtaposed against the small town setting, is particularly interesting to me as someone who grew up in a small town feeling Othered (for a very different reason than Paz and Asher, in particular)--and the examination of whether revenge is worth it or justified is very well done. The trans plot is at once integral yet NOT the main focus of the story. I also love that Asher's dog Bird has a critical voice (and place) in the story (which reminded me of Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking series in the best possible way). A really excellent debut!

Anyone a fan of IT or Stranger Things will love this diverse horror debut! It has all the magic of young people uncovering the supernatural, the coming of age tales of teenagers, the frustration of not being listened to and the insidiousness of small town secrets. Paz was my favourite character and I deeply related to her sense of justice and her feelings of isolation. Her arc was the best to follow but I can't say enough about the rest of the plot. Bustling with POVs, you'd expect it to be jarring, but the book ties all the characters together seamlessly and the ending is efficient and rewarding! Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Thank you Netgalley and Tundra Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"Lockjaw" by Matteo L. Cerilli is a gripping and haunting YA horror debut that delves into themes of identity, revenge, and the sinister secrets lurking beneath the surface of a small town. If you are looking for a combination of an age-appropriate “It” and “Stranger Things,” then this book is for you, especially if you want to experience nostalgia of riding on bikes with your friends as children and getting into all sorts of mischief.

Set in the town of Bridlington, the story follows Paz Espino, a young woman who refuses to turn a blind eye to the injustices and prejudices that plague her community. When a tragic accident claims the life of a local boy, Paz is convinced that there's more to the story than meets the eye. With her friends by her side, she embarks on a mission to uncover the truth and confront the darkness that lurks beneath the town's surface.

Cerilli's narrative unfolds through multiple timelines and perspectives, weaving together a complex and atmospheric tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. This is a difficult task to accomplish in writing, but Cerilli’s masterful writing is able to tell a compelling story with these different timeslines/perspectives, and I never found myself getting confused or lost, which often happens when an author attempts this kind of storytelling. From the eerie small-town setting to the chilling encounters with supernatural forces, the story drips with suspense and tension from beginning to end. I really enjoyed the setting and supernatural aspect in this book; I think they were well-written and were extremely engaging. Like I mentioned earlier, this book gave me “It” vibes, and I absolutely loved it.

What sets "Lockjaw" apart from other similar stories is its exploration of marginalized identities and the ways in which small towns can disregard those who don't fit into their narrow ideals. Through characters like Paz and her friends, Cerilli crafts a compelling narrative that tackles issues of belonging, trauma, and the power of friendship. As readers, we get to learn more about the self-identity of the different characters. There is more than 1 trans character in this novel, which means you get to learn more about these characters’ different perspectives and experiences, really showing that gender is a spectrum.

The prose is evocative and immersive, drawing you into the claustrophobic atmosphere of Bridlington and the haunting events that unfold within its borders. Cerilli's writing is both gritty and beautiful, capturing the quiet yet sinister nature of the town and its inhabitants. The supernatural aspect was really fun, and I had such a great time reading this book, from exploring the supernatural to the engaging character relationships that are developed throughout the book.

Overall, "Lockjaw" is a masterfully told tale that will leave you haunted long after they've turned the last page. With its richly drawn characters, spine-tingling atmosphere, and twisty reveals, it's a must-read for fans of YA horror. I can't wait to read more from Cerilli.

Paz knows there's a monster in town, but nobody will believe her. They call her a liar, a troublemaker, and assume the worst about her. When Asher comes to town, he knows how vital it is to fit in, so he tries befriending the popular kids. The monster has been waiting for too long, and now nobody is safe from its jaws.

Parts of this book were a little confusing. I felt like, at times, more words were used than necessary. I'm still a little confused about what the monster actually was in the beginning before people started to die. I wished there was more dialogue and interaction between characters, but I can see how that might have given things away before the author wanted to reveal them.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s appropriately named because it sunk its teeth in and held tight. I think I read half of it in one sitting.

The characters are amazing, uniquely different but real. They remind me of real people, they could be real, just sitting there as you read…watching.

It’s haunting and heart wrenching and I can’t wait to make everyone read it

This book was pretty good! I think my favourite part of it was the atmosphere. I like a book where I can't quite nail down the time period, and the whole *kids on bikes in a small town* was very reminiscent of The Goonies, one of my all time favourite movies, and the rest of the vibes (especially all the transgenderism, we love to see it) made this feel up the alley of Andrew Joseph White's books, which I loved. For me, the plot and the horror elements confused me a bit, but when the twist came, I really liked it and I was not expecting it at all. The characters were what fell the most flat, however, I didn't feel too much of a connection to them and I wish there had been more time to get to know them. As someone who doesn't read much horror, it was fairly enjoyable, and I will definitely be recommending it to horror fans.

Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.

Lockjaw is a YA ghost story. It takes place in an idyllic small town where “everything is perfect”. But is it really? Underneath the surface the town is rot with racism, transphobia, intolerance to those that are different. The author does a wonderful job writing racial slurs without writing racial slurs using such phrases “it rhymes with bike, or a dent in the armor”. The novel uses multiple voices throughout even the dogs and jumps between timelines effortlessly. I didn’t even realize there was a time jump until midway through the book when everything comes to a head.
The characters are four young kids, who have been “labeled” by, not the town, but the “good sheriff” and his “you are my son” of the same age as the kids who manipulated everyone he comes in contact with. A tragic death occurs and Paz the leader of the young kids goes in search of the MONSTER as she believes this death was not an accident, which is how it is labeled by the “good sheriff”. And this is where the story begins.
There is great character and world-development. You understand this town and the maliciousness that lurks in the corners of the perfection.
This is a great debut book for this author and I hope he ventures into more scary adult stories and keeps writing wonderful YA novels in the same fashion as this. The end of this book was very satisfying.

Thank you #netgalley and #penguinrandomhousecanada for allowing me the ARC copy

Actual Rating: 4.5
Lockjaw tells the story of young Paz Epsino who is part of the black sheep crowd in her town. Paz doesn’t believe in turning a blind eye, minding your business, or letting things go. After all Epsino girls are like dogs; once they bite, they don’t let go.
I would recommend this book to so many people, but especially people with marginalized identities that grew up in small towns, in places that turned a blind eye to your suffering. I recommend it to those who are still angry about that.
This book is kicked off with the tragic death of a young boy in town. Everyone says it was just a horrific accident, but Paz knows it wasn’t. It was the monster the lives underneath Bridlington. Now her and her friends are on a mission to kill the monster before it kills anyone else.
This story is told in dual timelines that transition so smoothly from one to the other. The overlap in the timelines is also very well done. Matteo Cerilli’s writing is so simplistic and I really enjoyed it. Cerilli does a great job of contacting you with the characters and giving you an idea of the town without overloading you with descriptions and characterizations. He makes you feel Paz’s anger, the frustration of her parents that their child is always labeled a liar. You connect with Beetle who hates the small town he grew up in for so many reasons and just wants to leave, but while you understand him, you also feel for Asher, an outsider who just wants to fit in.
I really appreciated that Cerilli never directly used the slurs he mentioned in his story. He would right something like “they called her a word that rhymes with bike” or “they called her a word that means a flaw in your armor”. It showed to me that you don’t need to write out the slur to still have the word make an impact on your audience.
Another note on being moved by the writing; as anyone who knows me will attest, I am crier haha. Even the smallest things, good or bad, can send me over the edge. This book had me tearing up several times especially toward the end when our modern day crew confronted Paz. Beetle’s mother and her love for him made me so teary eyed. She is a mother who is trying to do best by her son and refuses to let the past recreate itself. I found myself hurting for Paz and tearing up because she was just a traumatized child in all of this. She had every right to be angry and hurt and to never trust any one in Bridlington ever again.
I really enjoyed this book and while it wasn’t a new favorite, I am very much looking forward to any of the work this author publishes in the future.

Lockjaw sinks its teeth into you from the very first page and refuses to let go. Cerilli has crafted a YA horror debut that is as captivating as it is chilling. When Chuck Warren meets a tragic end at the old abandoned mill, his friend Paz knows it was no accident and makes it her mission to hunt down the monster lurking under the town before it claims more victims. What follows is a haunting tale told from multiple perspectives across shifting timeframes that will leave you checking over your shoulder.

Cerilli excels at developing an atmosphere that drips with dread. The small town setting feels claustrophobic as danger and deceit lurk around every corner. The characters - Paz, Chuck, and their tight-knit group of friends - come alive on the page, bound by their childhood pact even as supernatural forces threaten to tear them apart. The reveals in the final act are satisfyingly twisty.

From the evocative prose to the themes of friendship, trauma, and marginalized identities, Lockjaw announces the arrival of a bold new voice in YA horror. This spine-tingling and masterfully told tale, reminiscent of classics like IT and Stranger Things, is a 4.5 star debut destined to be devoured by genre fans. Just try to silence its eerie echoes rattling around your brain long after you've turned the last page.

Cerilli invites us to witness how a group of children attacked for being different can be themselves even in a world falling apart and that does not end in a tragic ending. A feat for the new generations who suffer but can be protected and loved in these pages.

As I read Lockjaw I kept thinking to myself 'oh this is so SMART!' Reading was like...doing a really satisfying puzzle, or a complicated knitting pattern that comes together and you go 'oh I see what you did there!' I loved the way things kept coming together, the way that every word and every little hint we got seemed to deliberate and yet fit so well - I never felt like I wasn't understanding what was happening, i was just enjoying the experience.

There are so many things I loved about this book that I can't quite get them all straight - the experience itself was one (sitting in the back room racing through the last 100 or so pages, entirely engrossed) but there was also the setting - the perfect encapsulation of the 'burbs with the sepia-toned nostalgia turned on its head. I'd read descriptions of things that in another book would be presented just like a fond memory but worked so well to heighten the sinister feeling of Brindlington. The two sides of the comfort-discomfort coin worked so well!

And the characters oh my... the way they all come together and apart, the way we get to see all their relationships, to know them all at different stages throughout the book. I was blown away by how real every character felt, how sometimes I'd get a really strong sense of a character from a brief description.

Lockjaw is a book I'm going to enthusiastically recommend to everyone I know, and one I know I'll want to return to again and again.

This book was captivating and tells important lessons . The writing was well written and the plot was fast paced . The diversity of the characters was excellent. However I thought it had too many povs. So I'll give it a 4