RED IN TOOTH AND CLAW is a great coming-of-age young adult horror involving a young woman named Faolan Kelly. She has plenty of secrets - her Pops left her the deed to their house which she keeps hidden in the watch he gave her and she dresses herself up as boy, so the mayor doesn't marry her off after her Pops dies. Then she's sent to the Settlement - a place to send people who either are too young or don't have a place to go just yet. The Settlement is exactly what you'd think it is: a place of refuge run by a religious quack and his goonies. Except his goonies actually aren't all that bad. Miss Moon, one of the adults, doesn't totally give into HisBen's fervor (this conjunction of "His Benevolence" cracked me up every single time I read it); some of the residents of the Settlement don't buy into it either. But the Settlement is abundant and isn't so bad if you strip away the scripture. Ultimately, Faolan can sense something isn't right. I really liked Faolan's intuition and her quick wits. Although I am a bit confused as to how old she's supposed to be. Not old enough to be on her own, but old enough to be in relationship with another character, who is maybe a bit older than her?? But anyway, her vulnerability was really refreshing. I liked the added element of her disguise because it felt like a subtle hint to women's plight during the time period. It also allowed her to do a lot of things she was able to do in the book. I also really, really loved the supporting cast of characters. Jesse, Dai Lo, Tallis, Miss Moon - they all were supportive of Faolan without really knowing her. They protected her secret. And lastly, I thought the plot was really well-paced. I LOVED the magical realism and the idea of using music as a kind of magic. I wish there was more of it. I honestly could have read this book if it was maybe 50 or so pages more and we got more of the magic. If a YA reader read this, I don't think it's too scary or too much horror. I think it's the right amount. And Chirp is just the cutest!!

Faolan Kelly, an orphaned girl guided by her own fiery spirit, finds herself held captive in a cultish settlement in the woods.

Soon she discovers unthinkable terrors, both in the forest and the hearts of men.

Armed with wit and the aid of her unlikely companions, Faolan finds a new sense of belonging in the least expected of ways.

With adventure, fear, romance, friendship, wit, and a good sprinkling of humor, this charming Western dark fantasy covers all the bases.

Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group and G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Oh, I loved this! I was concerned a bit because westerns aren’t usually my thing, but this was far more than just cowboys and Indians. Faolan is an excellent protagonist, surrounded by other flawed, real, and entertaining friends. The baddies are big bads and the fantasy element is well blended in. Much fun and thoroughly original, with plenty of drama and suspense to take you through to a satisfying ending.

I absolutely loved this gem. Kept me turning the pages. Definitely good for readers who like a unique style of western horror.

Looking forward to reading more of her work.

♡ Hurt/Comfort
♡ Western Horror
♡ Wholesome Friendships

This gave off great country horror vibes with a transmasc main character. I absolutely loved it. The writing style was nice and I really enjoyed the characters.

In a way it reminded me of the same queer horror vibes as an Andrew Joseph White book. It was definitely worth reading. This book has wholesome friendships, a mysterious and suspenseful plot that left me so curious as to what would happen by the end, comforting characters, and lovely queer rep.

If you like westerns and cosmic horror, this would be the novel for you. I believe the atmosphere is great in this book and defiantly relies on the western atmosphere. Something which didn’t work for me but I do know a few people who love it, and would find this very compelling. For the target audience, this is pretty easy to read. Another issue was the transitions, from the very first chapter we move too fast though settings which take depth of the atmosphere which is a big focus on this novel.

I’m honestly not even sure what I can say about this book. I love the idea of a Western fantasy with horror elements that mixes gunslinging and a narrative about the frontier in. Plus a queer protagonist finding their community and found family is always a bonus!

However, outside of those concepts, Red in Tooth and Claw just didn’t strike any kind of feeling in me. The horror is just a sprinkle in the book, which has this molasses pace that made it difficult to get through. Unfortunately, Faolan didn’t resonate with me as a protagonist and none of the supporting characters were that interesting either. Combined with the villain that’s not evil or fun enough to read about, the book had almost no character that I wanted to follow and invest in.

I like the idea of the monsters that exist, but they came into the story too late for me to be truly intrigued. If we had spent more time really building up those moments of tension and of camaraderie between Faolan and her new group, I would’ve been more interested in seeing them survive and more scared for them at the possibility that they wouldn’t.

The atmosphere and spooky Western vibes are partially there, but not enough to make up for everything else that didn’t work for me. Overall, Red in Tooth and Claw doesn’t deliver on what it promises and ended up just being a “meh” read for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This review will be published on my blog (clearsummers.wordpress.com) and Goodreads on September 24, 2024.

Red in Tooth and Claw by Lish McBride is a riveting and imaginative novel that immerses readers in a darkly whimsical world of supernatural intrigue. McBride’s clever writing and richly developed characters create a compelling narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The book’s unique blend of fantasy and sharp humor makes it a standout read in its genre.

Review of Red in Tooth and Claw, By: Lish McBride
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Tropes:
+ magic realism
+ mystery
+ thriller/suspense
+ ya
+ western archetype
+ creepy cult

Synopsis:

Faolan Kelly is left alone and underaged to take over her grandfather’s homestead after his death. The local government believing her to be a boy, because of disguising her gender, decides to send her to a settlement until she is of age.

There she is kept up at night by eerie noises, grows suspicious of the wealth running the settlement and is determined to solve the mysteries surrounding the settlement and its leader after she discovers a body on the border is the nearby forest.

I did not see where this one was going.

The first chapter compared to the last was a trip.

The mysterious suspenseful plot kept me engaged. The southern accent / wording caught me off guard but eventually fell into pace with it. While the characters themselves were well thought out I felt that the relationships between them felt bland.

Themes of family, survival, death and redemption were touched on with a super natural twist.

The resolution felt a bit too ex-machina and convent although it was satisfying.

Overall I enjoyed my time with this book and flew through the last half.

Pub date: 10/08/2024

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

If you told me where this book was going after I had finished the first chapter I probably would not have believed you. I stopped after chapter one, then kept reading here and there, but then could not put this down once I was halfway through. The horror part gets good toward the middle/end of the book.

This was a great blend of post apocalyptic society with monsters of the night. Forced to go to a new settlement, we follow the main character to a world of monsters and terror.

Teenage Faolan's grandfather died and the community decided he could not live alone so they sent him out to a "home" for orphan children. Faolan is actually a girl, but she and her grandfather thought she would be safer if everyone thought she was a boy. Faolan was forced to go, but she resolved to leave that place as soon as she could because she was concerned about what would happen to her property. The "home" where she arrived was actually more like a cult, and the place was unsafe beyond the walls because the woods were inhabited by monsters. This was a good fantasy with a young woman heroine, a bit of romance, and an introduction to prejudice against gypsies. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc with no pressure for a passive review.

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE a creepy cult setting. Mixed with monsters in the woods and a murder mystery, this is absolutely one of my favorites of this genre. My only disappointment is not getting to read this during spooky season! I suppose I'll just have to read it again. The atmosphere & tension was total perfection and I thought Faolan was a strong MC.

Lish McBride has created a perfectly atmospheric YA Western Horror that has jumped started my renewed love for all things dreadful. This is a must share with those horror aficionados in your life.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

I loved this books so much. I wish more horror Western books of this type were written. This is up there with my top favorite new books to come.

Excellent work. A wonderful escape from the tortures of reality. Something very memorable in this book.

Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for the chance to read the e-arc of Red in Tooth and Claw by Lish McBride.

Faolan Kelly begins this intriguing story as an orphan and a loner. He is shuttled quickly out of town by the elders who want to take control of his grandfather’s homestead as Faolan is not yet 18. Little do they know that Faolan’s inheritance is a little more controversial than being underage. The reader quickly discovers (and this is not a spoiler to those who read the synopsis) that spunky Faolan is in fact a young woman. Raised by her grandfather as a boy, with red hair cut close to her scalp, Faolan must hide her true identity from everyone she meets including those that take her in at The Settlement. All she has to do is keep her nose out of trouble until she reaches majority and claims her land. Shouldn’t be too difficult in place that follows the teachings of The Shining God, right? Needless to say, Faolan’s path is not as easy as it would first appear, and after getting into some serious trouble, she crosses paths with a dangerous creature that seems to have the inhabitants of The Settlement in its sights.

This story sucked me in from funeral at the start to the extremely satisfying conclusion. Faolan is a hero(ine) of the story, but shares the success with others she meets along the way, and ends her journey much richer in friendship and dare I say content. This reader sure was. The elements of folk lore, horror, western survival and found family made this a 5-star read for me. Looking very much forward to reading more from Lish McBride. 5/5 star read

E-ARC received via NetGalley and I have to say this book was such an utter joy to read. From the very start, the writing and author’s use of language was so impressive. Word crafting is an art, and this is a masterpiece.

We begin meeting Faolan Kelly, a young woman just shy of 18, disguised as a boy for most of her life, as she’s being shipped off to the Settlement until she reaches majority. Struggling to maintain her disguise in an unfamiliar and dangerous new home, Faolan struggles with Malik friendships and learning to trust. Her humor and good sense shine through the pages. We meet this world through her eyes, including the other children, adults in charge and Rovers, a nomadic group seemingly modeled after Romany people.

There’s fear, pain, evil, love, music, other worlds and magic along with incredibly endearing sidekicks. What’s not to love?

This is a thrilling YA fantasy that mixes Western vibes with spooky horror elements. The story centers on Faolan Kelly, a teen who's been pretending to be a boy to avoid being married off. When her grandfather dies, she's sent to a strange and dangerous outpost called the Settlement.

The Settlement is filled with mysterious goings-on and creepy sounds at night. Faolan quickly realizes she has to uncover the secrets behind the weird happenings and the deaths of other residents. And, of course, she has to figure out how to stay alive and escape this eerie place. I love that it has a message that family doesn't have to share blood.

4.5 out of 5 stars

This was an interesting read. I wasn't sure what to expect going in and I found it entertaining if a bit confusing.