Thank you to NetGalley, Romasco-Moore, and Penguin Group for the eARC. A creepy, fast-paced thriller that had my head spinning from start to finish! With plenty of twists and turns, this one keeps you on the edge of your seat. If you're into gaming and streaming, you'll love the unique and immersive take on those worlds.

3.75, I actually had no idea what direction this would go based on synopsis but I thought that the premise was deeply clever. There were some things that felt a little too on the nose but the chills factor skyrocketed the deeper the mystery unfolded. Self identity, grief, and loneliness were also core themes and I feel that this is definitely a rare gem for representation.

Deadstream has a great premise. It’s very fitting for the world we live in. It seems like everyone is streaming and posting on some type of platform. Everyone wants to make it big online as a streamer or influencer. People with a lesser following can be jealous of the ones with huge followings. In this book, Teresa watches as one of her favorite live streamers is possessed by something. How did this happen? Other streamers are turning into spaced out zombies too. It’s up to Teresa, an agoraphobic teenager to figure out what is happening. The premise was good but it got a little wild in the end. Maybe I’m just not the audience for this book. I did enjoy the first half a lot. I just got a little lost at the end. Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers for the digital arc.

This is the kind of horror I love, and Dead Stream has me hooked from page 1.

Following Theresa aka Replay as she tries to figure out what is going on with Brick, this streamer she watches.
Something fishy is definitely going on and it might be spreading. Theresa seems to be the only one who believes this isn't fake, and trying to figure out exactly what's going on and how to stop it.
I found this fast-paced, I flew through it in just a couple hours, entertaining, sufficiently spooky, and I found Theresa to be a compelling MC. We get chat streams from the videos and other mixed media that drew me in even more. I would absolutely watch this as a movie.
I will definitely be reading more from this author!

This was such a fun read! I loved it and it wasn’t too cheesy as some y.a. books can be. I thought it got really spooky at first! The video game genre is really coming through and I’m loving that!

Didn't you know? Everyone wants to be famous.

"The internet is a graveyard. Full of broken links. Inactive forums. Unloadable images. Ghost traffic from automated processes churning out useless data. The social media profiles of the dead."

4.5 stars rounded up^
Thank you, Mar Romasco-Moore, for getting me out of a reading slump. AND a very happy belated pub day to you!
Thank you to both Netgalley and Viking Books for the ARC! I had been lying in wait for this one for months.


Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore

"The internet makes dead things live on."

Woo-wee, this one, y'all. This one did it for me. Marketed as Rear Window meets The Ring, Deadstream does not miss a beat. It is 300+ pages of pure suspense. All influences are paid homage to in a thoughtfully curated way, and the dread will keep you holding on while await what happens next. I see the comparisons for both Rear Window and The Ring, but I think fans of the movie Smile will really enjoy this. While reading, I couldn't help think of the movie Unfriended, as well. The elements of horror aren't too heavy either. Its only when sh*t hits the fan that is gets only a little gruesome - so if you have an issue with gore and body horror, this one won't be too heavy for you.

"So many people, so many eyes. She's got them in this moment. Now she needs to keep them. She needs to stay up in the air for as long as she can. She can't fall."

In the current state of the online world, streaming is a super popular way to become famous online. Gaming streamers, influencers, game channels, etc. are all over the likes of Youtube, Twitch, Discord, etc. This is probably the most modern, first-world problems type of horror niche you could get. But what happens when you die on-stream? What if your soul belongs to the internet? All these questions are entertained in Deadstream.

"This is ridiculous. But the door looks like a threat now. It has been reclassified in her mind and there's nothing she can do. It's gone the same way as the stairs, the first floor, the backyard, the street, the rest of the world: It isn't safe anymore."

"She thought the bad part was over. She thought they were safe. She didn't know that danger can be invisible, quiet, and soft as a cat padding through the night. We are all mice all the time. We are never safe."

The exploration of the main character goes into depth of multiple elements: the first being, the loss and grief of their best friend and subsequent PTSD and agoraphobia that develops as a response. Teresa is having such a hard time after losing Becks that she hasn't been outside in months, she has no real friends outside of her streaming group and can only find true solace and peace being online and within the game. Her primary gig is to upload clips of other streamers in the hopes of gaining traction and followers. When a very popular streamer starts acting weird, seeing something in the viewfinder of his video and ends up catatonic for hours, Teresa feels they are the only one who can find answers. This expedition turns out to be the fight of everyone's literal and metaphorical lives.
Nothing will be the same after this.

Here, I am taking a moment to acknowledge the vast LGBTQIA+ representation. The whole groups of the Rainbros group falls under the umbrella and we love this, so, so much.

I would recommend exploring the trigger warnings beforehand, just to be sure it won't have a harming effect on you.

"We are watching you, too. We can get inside your outline, the shape you have made for us with the questions you ask and the pictures you post, the things you buy, the things you watch. The shape of your gaze, the shape of your desire. Not quite a full person, but enough to get an idea of you. A ghost of you."

I highly, highly recommend Deadstream to everyone; those thinking about it, not thinking about it, some it from across the bar and are wondering if they could take them home, or whatever. Just do it. I loved it, it got me out of a reading slump and it is freaking cool.

***ARC from NetGalley***

I would like to thank the author and their publisher for sending me this ARC. I did not know anything about the book, but was hooked within the first few pages. This was my fastest read of the year! The book is described as Rear Window meets The Ring. I would add, for the digital age.

Teresa is a 17 year old gaming streamer with agoraphobia. Recovering from a traumatic event in the recent past, she is terrified to leave the house. One night, while watching another streamer, she and thousands of others see something that does not make sense. Is it real? A prank? A ploy to get more views? Teresa, in her desperate attempt at connection with others and to feel normal, begins to investigate and watches in horror as more and more streamers have the same thing happen to them. At first it is just a puzzle to solve, then it becomes personal.

I won't say anymore, but I loved this book and could visualize a film adaptation for it as I was reading. Get on it Netflix!

The writing is taut and full of suspense, while the characters are enigmatic, relentless, and resolute. The narrative swiftly unfolds into an enthralling story.
Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore is a great YA horror story.
Such a well paced and suspenseful book!

Mar Romasco Moore’s Dead Stream is a spine-chilling, genre-bending horror novel that taps into modern fears of digital isolation, online communities, and the blurred lines between the virtual and the supernatural. Equal parts psychological thriller and eerie ghost story, this book is a gripping, unsettling read that lingers long after the final page.

Teresa, haunted by the trauma of a car accident that killed her best friend, has retreated into the safety of her bedroom, finding solace in streaming culture. But when a shadowy figure begins appearing in live streams, its presence tied to a series of disturbing deaths, her world of screens and safety starts to unravel. As the entity draws closer, compelling victims to “open the door,” Teresa is forced to confront both her deepest fears and the terrifying mystery behind the ghostly presence.

Moore crafts a tension-filled narrative that expertly balances psychological depth with supernatural horror. The novel’s slow-burn dread builds masterfully, keeping readers on edge as reality and nightmare blur. The concept of an internet-age haunting—where fear spreads like a virus through screens—feels both timely and deeply unsettling.

With its chilling premise, deeply human protagonist, and a creeping sense of doom that seeps through every chapter, Dead Stream is a must-read for horror fans who love unsettling mysteries and psychological depth. A modern ghost story for the digital age, it’s as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.

Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore is billed as a YA version of Rear Window meets The Ring. And I’d that’s a fair assessment. After surviving a car accident, Teresa has become agoraphobic and now lives her life in a self-imposed exile. Her only outlet is the online streaming community. As if the accident wasn’t trauma enough, one night while watching one of her favorite streamers she witnesses the appearance of a strange shadow figure, and days later she and other viewers watch as that streamer dies before their eyes. But this is just the beginning, and Teresa soon finds she’ll need to face her fears and push herself beyond her comfort zone. Interesting characters with a ‘fun’ premise and a fast paced plot. This is twisted little tale that is sure to entertain. I’d like to thank Penguin Young Readers Group | Viking Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Deadstream.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R38TAFMPOOPEXU/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

ARC Review!!
Thank you to NetGalley!!!

This was such an interesting concept!!! I enjoyed it very much, at first I thought it was going to be an actual person but for it to be a ghost was so cool! It flowed nicely throughout. The end was a little eh for me. Felt kind of rush but overall I enjoyed this very much!! A very quick read.

The Rear Window comparison drew me in as I loved the film. I also love current and modern technology horror books so this was a perfect combination for me and it had me immersed throughout.

eadstream was a modern ghost story that used technology as a medium to produce some frights. It also dealt with mental illness, suicidal thoughts, panic disorder, family dynamics, and in a loose way, explored the dangers of the internet and the dark net in our society. After a car accident, the MC suffers from panic disorder and has difficulty leaving the comfort of her room so she turned to social media and other online platforms to make connections with other people. When she streams a live video of something terrifying, she doesn't know what to think so she asks the community their thoughts, something that propels her own account to explode, leaving her susceptible to everything that entails in the online world.

I thought the book was fun and interesting, and I really loved the format. While I am not really all that familiar with the gaming side of things, I have seen enough when my son is online to understand Twitch and ARGs, etc..., so I liked how the author really highlighted the messaging and comments that would be made in such a scenario. The story flipped from what was happening in Teresa's world to the online world, a flip that was easy to follow. Personally, I liked the formatting and though it was well done.

I think there are very few people who don't have social media platforms anymore, so this one certainly made me think about a lot of things. While not overt, the theme of technology in our lives and how much we rely on it is subtly explored as well as the abuse. Personally, I don't think the consequences of the technology was explored enough; I know it will be here to stay, but we really need to understand how much of our privacy is undermined by the technology and how much we are willing to put up with before we say, enough! While the story was fairly predictable, and I don't necessarily think the horror went deep enough for what was occurring, it was still riveting. And when I say the horror didn't go far enough, I am not only talking about actual horror elements, although it was those too, but the effects of people who obsess about their stats and their numbers and will do anything to improve them.

I did think the mental health aspect was well done, and I appreciated the glimpse into anxiety/panic disorder/trauma that was explored in this book. While I don't think it is quite that easy to do the things that Teresa did, the author did write them well and with compassion. I would have liked to have seen a bit more character development, not just from Teresa, but from some of the secondary characters as well as more in-depth formation on the relationships that are developed online.

Deadstream definitely made me think about the technology that I use in my life as well as the friendships I have made online. The author highlighted how important these online platforms are for people who suffer from trauma and panic disorders, but at the same time, was warning about the consequences, so it begs the questions, How much time should we spend on our technology? How real is the online world? How do we learn to teach young people how to be critical thinkers when it comes to technology? While we know technology is here to stay, we do need to stay in touch with those around us and live in the real world. Lots to ponder, that's for sure. And while I don't think it went far enough and the character development was a bit lacking, I would recommend this book for anyone interested in a technological horror novel.

I thought this was a pretty good YA horror read. The story reminded me a little of Pulse, that early 2000s horror movie. This was my first time reading something by this author, and I really enjoyed their writing. I loved the use of mixed media in the story, which included text messages and livestream chats. I love when books include mixed media; it makes the story more immersive and engaging. I thought the main character was relatable—she struggles with anxiety and agoraphobia, and having experienced anxiety attacks myself, I really connected with her. I loved the paranormal elements throughout the story, but I wasn’t a fan of the ending—it was a little strange.

3.5⭐️

Dead stream
By Mar Romasco-Moore
Viking Books
(04/01/25)
4⭐️

🔘Paranormal Thriller
🔘Horror
🔘Young Adult

In this young adult novel, we get to meet young Teresa, who struggles with PTSD after a tragic accident. Now suffering from agoraphobia, her only social contact with the outside world is through social media streaming. When one of her ‘friends’ is stalked and murdered (while streaming online) by an unknown figure in the shadows, Teresa finds herself in danger not knowing whether she will be next.

This story is very entertaining and relatable for young adults, especially due to the social media aspect. Mar does an excellent job developing the story. The only thing this story could use would be a glossary for some of the chatroom lingo. But then again, the target audience is most likely familiar with these terms. Very thrilling and realistic which makes it that much more believable. I highly recommend.

Thank you to Mar Romasco-Moore, Viking Books and Net Galley for providing me an advanced e-book copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tropes:
🔪 Violence
☠️ Murder
🕵️‍♂️ Mystery
👻 Paranormal

This book had me screaming out loud on several occasions. Creepy, disturbing and intense, I enjoyed the whole ride this story took me on!

Deadstream is a YA horror/thriller where a young girl watches her favorite streamer begin to act strangely and wonders if he is actually in trouble or putting on a show. As she begins to unravel the mysteries behind his behavior, Teresa comes across something even more sinister than she could have ever imagined...
Right away I was hooked when reading this. I could not put it down! The mixed media elements really sold this for me and made this such a fun read. Being able to see the streamers' chats and various Reddit threads sprinkled throughout the novel really made me feel like I was on the internet watching this all unfold.
The imagery throughout really made this creepy! I was very spooked at some parts. The author did a great job starting the novel off with such an unsettling beginning from the famous streamer's POV. I even laughed at a couple points because the author captured the obnoxiousness of certain live stream chatters and Redditors perfectly.
If someone read this who did not know much about streamer culture, then you might struggle a little bit with this as a LOT of streamer terms are used throughout. But, if you love tech horror or internet settings, I would highly recommend this novel. It gave a little bit of "The Ring" or "Unfriended" vibes and I loved every second of it. While I found the ending somewhat lackluster, I think the journey to get there more than made up for it. Not to mention, Teresa is very relatable to me. She suffers from extreme anxiety/agoraphobia. Sometimes her constant swirling thoughts of what ifs made ME feel anxious too! I think exactly like that sometimes so I could definitely relate to her and I appreciate her character growth. Not just with her anxiety, but also with her gender identity. I thought it was handled in a well written way and very mature for a YA book.
Overall I give this a 4/5. I had a great time and I recommend this to anyone who loves tech horror. Make sure to grab a copy when it publishes April 1st!
Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

My thanks to NetGalley and Viking/Penguin Random House for the ARC of "Deadstream" in exchange for an honest review.

Here's a thoroughly unnerving cautionary tale for social media streamers and everyone who's addicted to them worse than opioids. What happens when you come across a literal Ghost In The Machine.......and you end up with a site whose only 'live' part is the equipment still trained on your dead body.

By the time the dust, clicks and corpses settle, you're thinking a whole bunch of these people would've been better off if they slammed their laptops shut and stuck to reading a good book.

Probably not this book, though, since it would give them Deja Views all over again......and once again put them in cross hairs of the entity who uses click bait as live bait........

Since there's already been a host of movies using this very same premise, I understand what author Rom Romasco-Moore was trying to accomplish here. In book form, our lead character could be rendered with far more nuance and depth than we'd ever find in a 90 minute horror movie

And that in fact is what 'Deadstream' does for teen Teresa.. She's been deeply traumatized by a car accident that left her with severe injuries and killed her best friend. Now terrified of the world outside her room, she's self-imprisoned herself there, spending her days on her own streaming site and following others who've achieved cyber-superstardom..

But what's going with 'Brick' the most followed and admired of those stars? What's that shadowy dark figure sneaking up behind him? What happened and why does Brick now spend endless hours in an eyes wide open catatonic state? An elaborate prank? Or something way too scary to think about......

As other streamers fall victim to the same otherworldly phenomenon, Teresa soon finds herself in a desperate battle with a horrific entity whose predatory stalkings show up clearly on the livestreams, but not in the real eyesight of its prey. The stuff of nightmares for sure.

For me, there were equal amounts of 'likes' and 'dislikes' here. As you would expect in this story, the author laboriously replicates all the online chatter surrounding the catastrophic events unfolding in real time. I guess this would count as a plus for people who think the online chats shown in movies go by too fast to read..........but after pages and pages,of that dross you may find yourself skimming through it like I did.

What gripped me far more - when book gives the stream comments a rest and goes back to the plain old fashioned telling of Teresa's dangerous duels with the world-wide-web wraith.

A perfectly suitable choice, if you'd rather spend a cozy Friday night home instead of rushing out to the multi-plex to see this week's new horror movie.......(which you could probably stream a few weeks later with your own home-cooked popcorn......)

**Initial Reaction**: 8
**Characters:** 9
**Setting:** 10
**Plot:** 8
**Pace:** 7
**Style:** 8
**Ending:** 10
**Enjoyment:** 10
**Oh Snap!:** 3/5
70 + 3 = 73 / 16 = 4.5625
Rounded Rating = 4.5

After witnessing a supernatural entity attack her favorite streamer on livestream, Teresa tries to get to the bottom of what's happening before the entity claims more lives, those of her online friends and even her own.

First of all, I did have fun reading this. I read it in two sittings, and I really enjoyed the mixed media aspects and the focus on online interaction. I thought those things were integrated well and felt mostly organic, and the concept of the story itself was fun.
However, while I loved the concept, the execution fell a little flat for me. As a horror story, a lot of the horror elements felt arbitrary and while I think they wanted to connect to the larger theme they never really quite got there for me in any way that felt satisfying or made sense. While it touched on a lot of interesting topics (internet addiction, online community, parasocial relationships, mental health issues, death, grief, afterlife, etc.) it never really brought any of them home or into a clear focus. It all just felt a bit scattered and never fell into a coherent structure for me.
Still, I had fun reading it. I would recommend it as a fun little popcorn read, because who doesn't love an internet based horror story.

Thank you to Penguin Teen and Netgalley.