Let it be known, no one should ever discount YA horror! This was actually scary! The most scary horror novels are ones that make you feel like you’re watching a horror movie, yet I find those to be very rare. Deadstream however, was one of these rare occasions. It reads just like you’re watching a horror movie and gives you the same feeling as if you were watching The Ring. In the first chapter it’s no secret what happens because it’s right in the synopsis, so you know that a streamer is about to be killed by an entity, yet you are filled with so much dread as it’s all happening that you get nervous to even turn the page. Like the same kind of dread you get when you’re watching a horror movie and the music starts getting scary and you know something bad is going to happen. That feeling is so hard to recreate for a reader through a book rather than a film, yet this book managed to do that in the very first chapter. Before I even got through the first 10 pages I knew this was going to be a good one.

Since no one really watches VHS or even DVDs anymore for that matter, this book has a similar concept to The Ring, but adapted to the modern age of streaming. One of the strongest suits of this book? IT IS NEVER BORING. And I mean that. I looked up and I was already 15% in and it felt like I had flipped maybe 3 pages. This book speeds by, every page is action packed, there truly is no pointless filler, and you’ll never feel the desire to skim. That’s the strongest point of this book, absolutely no filler.

For most of this book, I thought that this was gonna be a five star read. I just couldn’t put it down. The ending was just a little too….nonsensical to me? It wasn’t a bad ending but resolution of the conflict felt kind of, random? And the explanation didn’t really make much sense. I can’t go into more detail without spoilers but in a way it does make sense, but also in a way, it doesn’t. Regardless, I never felt like I wasn’t enjoying this book, and I was never bored of any of it which is a big positive. A solid 4/5! This was a fun one and it flew by!

Thank you to Netgalley and Viking for sending me an advanced copy in return for my honest review.

Honestly I was super intrigued by the premise and found the execution excellent. I was unsettled the entire time and couldn’t stop reading to see what happens next.

3.5 stars. I liked this! I wasn't as blown away by it as I was hoping I'd be based on the plot, but it did have a lot of genuinely scary moments as well as amazing queer representation. It also did the social media/streaming aspects really well, in my opinion. A lot of times, authors seem to struggle with showing a realistic look at that sort of thing, but this one nailed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC.

You know those books with solid concepts that really tap into pervasive social issues that end up not quite working as well as they should have because the author is aware that their book has a very solid concept that really taps into pervasive social issues? This is one of them. Billed as an internet-age Rear Window and with a title that cleverly plays on the popularity of livestreaming, Deadstream is very nearly as good a book as it ought to be. Protagonist Teresa, who is working on figuring out which branch of the LGBTQIA+ tree she lives on, is the only survivor of a car accident that killed her best friend, and since then, she's only escaped her room via livestreaming - what feels like the safest way out. But as we all know, the internet is many things, but "safe" isn't always one of them, and the drive to accrue followers and likes is anything but. When livestreamers, and eventually viewers, begin falling into catatonic states while streaming, Teresa has to figure out what's really going on...and if you've ever heard the phrase "deus ex machina," well, you're three-quarters of the way there.

It's a shame, because parts of this are genuinely good and scary. The idea of the internet being essentially a graveyard of dead sites, dusty memes, and the social media accounts of the deceased is a very good one, and the way Romasco-Moore uses the desire for internet fame is excellent. It's just that the whole book doesn't quite come together the way it ought, although I suspect that the formatting of the finished book will solve some of those issues. (Digital ARCs can be very oddly configured.)

I still think it's a good story, and a very nice update of the horror genre. I'll absolutely read the author again. It just doesn't quite live up to its potential, which hopefully means that Romasco-Moore's next book will be amazing.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group for giving me the opportunity to read this ebook!

I will be totally honest, I went into this book already thinking I wouldn’t like it. It sounded silly to me, but I still wanted to give it a shot. I was pleasantly surprised. Whereas, this book is definitely aimed at a younger audience, I feel like it is exactly what they would want.

Teresa is a young girl confined to her bedroom after suffering a traumatic car wreck the killed her best friend. Although physically alright, emotionally Teressa cannot get over the anxiety that goes with walking out of her bedroom door and facing the world. Her only solace is her online world. She has began streaming and has actually made some new friends.
After she witnesses a fellow streamer display some very strange behaviors, Teresa begins using her online presence to investigate what’s going on. Everything begins spiraling downhill and Teresa finds herself in danger.

Actually, for me, the scariest part was after the story was pretty much over and Brick and the fellow streamers were still visiting her!!

Young adults will love this book!

🖥️ ┊ “ open the door. ”

Deadstream is a story about a streamer named Teresa who discovers a strange shadow in one of her favorite streamer's videos. Teresa then launches a full investigation, attempting to find out the truth as the streamer deteriorates more and more--all the while streaming his condition for all to see.

Teresa was alright, and I could relate to her overall paranoia and anxieties. Although I do not have PTSD, I thought it was handled respectfully. Her struggles with her gender were relatable, but they felt a little second-note. Similarly, I felt like her relationship came out of nowhere. I didn't mind them as a couple, but it honestly felt like her girlfriend had previously been set up as only a best friend. Maybe I missed something there?

I liked the antagonist, the strange shadow behind everything. Though he wasn't the best person, I was able to feel sorry for him and wish things had gone better for him. I thought his ending was good!

The plot held my interest, though there were definitely lulls in excitement. There were some parts of the book that were a little too abstract/floaty for my liking but I thought it was overall a suspenseful, intriguing story!

I recommend this for people who watch streamers, as that is the main draw of the book and there is a lot of stuff about it that isn't really explained. Still, although I rarely watch streams, I was able to understand most of it.

This is a good YA paranormal book. The main character refuses to leave her room after a car accident as her PTSD is really bad and she only associates with people through streaming. the book format was written with chat and the talking style fits the current times. it held my attention from the beginning and enjoyed the twists.

Thanks to NetGalley & PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a thrilling and fun read! It was a typical YA thriller but I really liked the online streaming aspect of it. The terms the chats were using were 100% accurate and it felt real. I liked how trippy it got toward the end as well. The protagonist's newfound agoraphobia and guilt over the loss of her friend made it a compelling read. You felt bad for her but you also understood what she was going through.

Pretty easy read, though I'm curious how long it'll take for the online terms to be dated.

*Full review to be added closer to publication!*

This was quite the ride! I love horror movies like Unfriended, Cam, The Host, etc., so I was really excited for this one and it was absolutely worth it. I had a really fun time with this one and enjoyed this creepy social media/streaming-based horror. I really liked how the author put together this story and used so many different compelling elements to make this one fo those books that I had a hard time putting down. I found it felt fairly authentic and believable at the start, which really helped me get into the story initially and then kept me hooked throughout. There was a lot of detail put into this one, and it paid off excellently. The ending was a little lacking and didn't quite hit the spot for me, but it was still a solid one that worked well for the story.

Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore is an inventive and eerie story with a unique premise that drew me in right away. The mix of horror and dark humor worked well, and the social media twist added a modern and unsettling layer to the narrative. However, the pacing felt uneven, and some plot points didn’t fully land for me. Despite these hiccups, it was an engaging and creepy read overall.

Deadstream is a paranormal YA thriller that tells the story of Teresa, who can't leave her room because of a car accident. Her only connection to the outside world is through streaming. I really liked the premise of the story; the idea of a ghost haunting people through screens is quite fascinating. The mixed media elements added to the story, and I liked the mental health and LGBTQ+ reps. Overall, it was a creepy and enjoyable read for me. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I'll post my review closer to the publication date.

This book is creepy from page one! It’s YA horror and fast-paced like a thriller. I flew through it in three sittings and hated to set it down to be a responsible adult.

I loved The Ring as a teen, so I was hooked by the premise. Teresa has a lot going on and I was immediately sympathetic. Teresa’s anxiety and grief, the way she feels like her parents don’t understand her, and her desire to simply hide in her room to avoid all her problems all felt realistic. And the realism of the characters made the monsters even scarier.

The irony isn’t lost on me that I read this on my iPad. After I read the last page, I clicked off the screen and immediately saw my shadowy reflection in the black screen, staring back at me.

This story is a fresh creepypasta that reminds readers how big and strange the internet can be. You can be connected to everyone, but still feel alone. And for every person with a million followers, there are many more with almost none. One thing we all have in common is leaving a trail of accounts and profiles across the internet, little pieces of ourselves that we might not even remember are out there.

This is the perfect read for gamers, especially fans of Sword Art Online.

Deadstream by [Author Name] is a YA horror novel that attempts to combine classic thriller vibes with modern digital-age anxiety. Billed as “Rear Window meets The Ring,” the premise holds a lot of promise: an agoraphobic teen, Teresa, witnesses strange and terrifying events unfold on her favorite streamer’s live feed, spiraling her into a mystery that merges digital horror with the isolation of modern internet culture. Unfortunately, while the setup is intriguing, the execution leaves much to be desired.

The novel begins strongly, drawing readers into Teresa’s confined world. Her struggle with agoraphobia, stemming from a traumatic car accident, is portrayed with sensitivity and detail, making her a relatable and sympathetic protagonist. Teresa’s reliance on online communities as her social outlet is a relevant and timely backdrop, especially for young readers immersed in the world of streaming and social media.

However, the story falters as it progresses. The pacing is inconsistent—rushing through key moments while lingering on repetitive internal monologues. The "horror" elements start out eerie and unsettling but quickly lose their edge, veering into melodrama and predictability. The reveal of the supernatural force haunting the streamers feels underwhelming, and the explanation, though inventive, is more convoluted than creepy.

The novel's reliance on mixed media elements like chat logs, live stream transcripts, and Reddit threads is a double-edged sword. While it adds a layer of realism and immersion for tech-savvy readers, those less familiar with internet culture may find it confusing or alienating. The constant use of online slang and "chat-speak" feels authentic but risks alienating a broader audience.

Where Deadstream shines is in its exploration of Teresa’s emotional and psychological journey. Her friendship with Becks, her struggles with guilt, and her yearning to reclaim control of her life are the heart of the story. The book also offers subtle commentary on the voyeuristic nature of streaming culture and the blurred lines between reality and performance in online spaces.

Unfortunately, these strengths are undermined by the rushed and overly dramatic resolution. The climax feels forced, and the final twist—while thematically fitting—leans into campy territory, leaving the narrative without the emotional or thematic payoff it seems to strive for.

For younger readers or fans of fast-paced, digitally infused horror, Deadstream might provide an entertaining, if uneven, experience. However, for those seeking a more nuanced or genuinely chilling take on modern horror, it falls short of its potential.

Well this book was definitely different. It was good but I didn’t care for the format it was written in. The chats were a little confusing to keep up with. I get why it’s written that way but it was hard for me to get through it because of that.

This book was honestly so unique and such a tense ride! I could see where it might have been inspired by things like Rear Window and The Ring but make no mistake - this book stands entirely on its own!

It's an amazingly well written depiction of someone dealing with post traumatic and anxiety disorders on top of just being a super creepy tale. I appreciated the realism there, as well as the portrayal of streamers seeking fame. Having watched a ton of streamers, it felt very familiar to me, especially since some of the ones I watch are blunt about the hard work that goes into making a streaming career and the drawbacks that come with it.

Overall, I thought the book was incredibly well done. It was well-written, the pacing was on point, the reasoning behind the antagonist made sense, the whole supernatural storyline made sense - it was one of the top books I read last year, hands down. On top of that, it would make an *amazing* horror movie with the right people working on it and if that happens, I'll be one of the first in line to see it!

This book was just not for me. While the premise of the story caught my attention, the actual story was a bit hard to get into and I honestly had a hard time finishing it. There might be a better audience for this book, but unfortunately it wasn't me.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Penguin Group for giving me the opportunity to read this ebook!

I was immediately drawn into the stories and the characters! I will say there are quite a few trigger warnings to be noted before reading the book, especially because this book is written for a younger audience, but the mental health issues were very well depicted throughout.

I was so invested, but when it got a bit over half way the book took a turn and then ending fell quite flat for me.

I loved the LGBTQ+ representation, but I felt the relationship aspect came a bit out of nowhere and felt shoehorned into the end of the story.

Overall, I think if you’re very into streaming, horror/thriller, psychological twists than you’d like this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This story was a quick YA thriller that I enjoyed. I thought the premise was unique and liked the way the author employed mixed media (although I do think that the changes in text format would read much better in a physical copy rather than a digital one). Definitely more creepy than outright scary and the ending was a bit of a letdown, but overall good!

Note: The portrayal of the main character's anxiety may be triggering to some readers.

I love that it was a unique story with a familiar bent to it. The characters were diverse and I found it difficult to not get engrossed in their lives (even the ones that we only viewed through MC's narrator eyes).

I could envision what the limited TV series would look like the whole way through due to the author's talent of description. It all flowed nicely from inner monologuing to setting to the world building.

Without any spoilers, this is a horror novel with hope.

This was a great YA ghost story thriller with unique use of multi-media elements to add to the horror. Reading this book at night gave me the chills, and I definitely understand “The Ring” reference. The LGBTQ+ representation added a fresh and fun perspective on the whole story, as well as the mental health representation. The epilogue was a nice way to wrap it up and leave the reader with an eerie feeling. Would definitely recommend for fans of YA.