Quite the galling novella, as thirteen-year old Abdi is guiding himself and his five year old sister Alva to a port from where they can get a boat to find their dad. There is no mother – or not any more, as the horrid, black, clawed, hooved, yet still thinly-described beasts have put paid to her as they have to society as a whole. Yes, this is one of those post-apocalyptic survival reads, where the power long went out, the food long ago became scarce, and it is definitely every man for himself. And that's fine – it makes for an enjoyable read, unless done dreadfully, and this is a far way from that. Until, that is – the ending. And I can't forgive that. I can bypass the way the beasts (so important to the world they never even get a capital letter) have a varying list of talents and abilities, so they are clever at one point and then just brute force the next, and that there is absolutely no talk of how they got here – but I can't forgive the ending, which makes a lot of this feel a waste of time. Like I said, galling.

A great dystopian novella that is equal parts intriguing and suspenseful. With a little bit of the movie 'Quiet' and a little bit of 'The Road', we follow brother and sister Aldi and Alva as they attempt to make their way to the coastline and a boat to safety from the beasts who are ravaging the country. You never quite know who to trust, or where to hide, or whether to just give up. A great afternoon read.

This short horror novel translated from Norwegian takes place in a society that has recently collapsed due to the arrival of creatures referred to simply as “beasts.” They have long, sharp teeth; long legs that end in hooves; long arms with slender hands; and thick claws that spiral inward but can unfurl into “long, razor-sharp swords.” They are covered in black fur. Perhaps most terrifying, in my opinion, is that they seem to possess humanlike cunning; in one scene, a beast peers through a glass door into a house, knocks on the door, conceals itself in the shadows, and then kills the person who opens the door before entering the house.

The story follows a 13-year-old boy, Abdi, and his 5-year-old sister, Alva. They are trying to survive on their own. They saw their mother killed by a beast in their yard, and their father is away on an island; they’re hoping to make their way there to join him. As they take temporary shelter in an abandoned house, Abdi recalls some of the events that took place before his mom was killed: a trip to the chaotic local market with neighbors, some of whom insisted on bringing guns; marking the presence of the beasts on maps and strategizing about where to go.

Later they take shelter with an older woman, Lucy, whose family was killed. She takes them to her remote cabin, where they stay for a while. Though she offers them a place to stay permanently, Abdi and Alva want to reach their father.

I was totally gripped by this story. It has great pacing, and the concept of the beast is fascinating. Character development is well done for such a short book. I did want to know more—Where did the beasts come from?--but I also recognize that this is an unknown for Abdi and Alva, so it makes sense that it wasn’t explained. The not-knowing adds to the scariness. There were some genuinely frightening, tense scenes, which I loved.

Wow, the story was intense for such a short novella. Beasts follows 13-year-old and 5-year-old siblings and their journey to escape the beasts and reunite with their father. Throughout their journey, they meet other humans, who may or may not have the best intentions. The story was compelling, and it kept me engaged. I really felt for the characters and the hardships they had to experience at such a young age. I have to dock some points due to the abrupt ending. I wanted to read more!

Beasts is everything I want a post-apocalyptic tale to be. It’s fast paced, it has characters you want to root for, an air of mystery and never ending uncertainty. I absolutely tore through this YA translated novella.

I felt an immediate connection with siblings Abdi and Alva who we follow as the two try to navigate this new world after their mother is killed by the mysterious “beasts”. Similar to other stories that echo this theme, we get some glimpses of these beasts but not nearly enough to truly understand and make sense of what we are seeing.

Even though this story was short I appreciate that the author still takes the time to effectively build suspense. We don’t know who Abdi and Alva can trust and we aren’t sure they have much hope of surviving when you’re reminded throughout that the siblings are 13 and 5 years old.

If you’re in the mood for something reminiscent of A Quiet Place and The Last of Us then you need to pick this one up!

Thank you to netgalley for making this eARC available in exchange for an honest review.

Beasts is out today!

4⭐️

**REVIEW**

BEASTS
By: Ingvild Bjerkeland
Release: 4/1/25
Page count: 124
KU: No Hoopla: No

Synopsis: Billed as A QUIET PLACE meets THE ROAD. Adbi - thirteen, and his sister, Alva - five, must try to make it to their father but can they escape the monsters - both human and not?

First line: “The crows gathered around the body like a black eiderdown.”

Favorite line: “I missed grownups.”

Thoughts: This is written for upper middle grade/YA but I gotta tell ya, it’s remarkable. I can’t count how many times I held my breath and cussed the author because of what was happening in the story. I haven’t turned pages that fast in a long time. Part creature feature, part social commentary - the standouts are the characters and how you fall in love with them.

Rating: 4.5/5

Beasts is a YA apocalyptic horror novel following a boy and his younger sister after the appearance of strange beasts has caused widespread panic and lead to deaths everywhere. When the siblings lose their mother to the creatures, 13-year-old Abdi must take on the role of primary caregiver to his 5-year-old sister, Alva. The two face monsters both human and not in their fight to survive and reunite with their father.

This was very fast-paced, and the writing was easy to digest, making it a great read for the younger audience. The story wastes no time getting started and the author does a great job of setting the tone and also setting up the reader to be connected with the characters. The horror elements, specifically the descriptions of these creatures, were well executed and even spooked me a bit! This would make a great introduction to creature horror/apocalyptic horror. The only thing that I disliked about this one was the ending, because it was non-existent. There is no resolution or conclusion to the story and seems to end abruptly, leaving our characters in the middle of a scene. In the end, I wanted a bit more than this.

TBH, I didn't realize this was a ya/teen book until I started it. I probably would not have requested this if I had realized that sooner, so I just wanted to note that I am not the intended audience for this book!

A short, but impactful story about a girl and her sister who live in a world surrounded by hungry beasts. Fleeing for their lives, the goal is to find the boats and then their father. I like that the story ends on a cliffhanger and leaves room for predictions as to what happened to the boat.

I loved these young characters and felt so invested in their survival! I liked the level of horror here and feel like it could be very sucessful for all kinds of readers.

Very compelling novella about the end of the world when “beasts” come and kill almost all of the population. This tale comes from Norway, and it is author Ingvild Bjerkeland’s first novel that has been translated into English (by Rosie Hedger). It follows Abdi and his little sister Alva (13 and 5, respectively), as they make their way through the forests and abandoned landscape in search of the sea. Their father was on an island when the collapse happened, so when the children hear about a location by the sea where boats come to rescue stranded people, they immediately start their journey.

This is bleak, as you might imagine. It makes you think about what kind of person you would be if something like this happened. There are plenty of bad guys in situations like these…and not many good ones.

Be a good one.

4.5 stars, with a half star removed because the ending is abrupt. I want to know what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Levine Querido for the eARC. I am writing this review voluntarily.

A dystopian where the world has been invaded by these creatures that kill everything in their way. We follow 2 siblings that are trying to escape and survive. Really enjoyed it. Just wished it was longer and that the ending wasn't open.

Quick and nerve-wrecking novella about two siblings running away from the beasts that have invaded their country.
It is fast-paced, with short chapters full of action that keeps you attached to the pages to know if the two protagonists are going to make it. It is targeted to a younger audience, but if anything, to read it as an adult is scarier.
The book follows two Norwegian siblings, 13 yo Abdi and 5yo Alva, trying to reach a port city so that they can leave their beast-infested country behind and reach safety. It is a classic apocalyptic story, but the world view and attitude of the protagonists separate it from the more pessimistic ones. Through all the book, they always try to keep their humanity and hope for a better future.
It is an emotional story. Abdi does everything he can for his little sister, taking responsibility and providing for her, but he is still 13 and the world is a difficult place. And Alva is a strong little girl, but she still wants to play and to cuddle. Maybe the story itself is not unique, but I cared so deeply for the characters.
The story starts and finishes in the middle, but you catch glimpses of how the beasts came to be. I liked this mostly open ending, it gives you enough to be satisfied, but no certainties, you can still have your own theories.
The translation was good. The prose fluid and simple, but full of profound images.
I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick but intense read, with adventure and tension, and ready to escape in the Norwegian countryside.

I read this book in one sitting, because I simply could not take my eyes off the pages! It had shades of The Road in it, but with the characters being 13-yo Abdi and his 5-yo sister Alva. The beasts in question were eery and unsettling, seemingly with quite a bit of human-like intelligence. Extremely spooky stuff, but wrapped up in a not-too-gory package for people who aren't too into the more bloody aspects of horror, or for teenagers/young adults.

I don't read too much horror, but I venture into it occasionally when I want a good fright, and this delivered a nice and short horror story without being so scary that it haunts your dreams when you go to sleep.

The translation was good, it seemed faithful to the original and the language flowed very well. It was a book that demanded my attention, and my eyes were glued to the pages until I'd read the very last word. Definitely well worth a read!

I didn't actually know this was a middle-grade book when I requested it, but I had a really good time reading it. Short, at under 200 pages, and very easy to read. The idea of the beasts arriving in the world and immediately sending everything into a panic felt very accurate to how people would react.
The main characters absolutely felt like the anxious, trying the best they could children that they were, and you couldn't help but root for them to get to safety. In such a world, even people become unsafe, and the sense that they couldn't trust anyone was very prevalent, and made you worried for them at all times.
There could have been more to do with the actual beasts, but it works as a kind of mysterious presence that you must be wary about but very rarely actually see. The designs that we did see were creepy enough to get that across.
The ending is very abrupt, but on some levels it works to give readers a sense that everything is going to be okay in the character's futures and that there is hope in such a bleak world.

I was drawn to Beasts because the premise sounded intriguing, but unfortunately, it just didn’t work for me. The pacing was so rushed that there was barely any time to connect with the characters—they felt more like sketches than real people. Without that depth, it was hard to feel invested in their journey.

The biggest disappointment, though, was the ending. It didn’t feel like a conclusion—just a sudden stop that left me staring at the last page, wondering if I was missing something. I don’t mind open-ended stories, but this one didn’t give me enough to hold onto. If there was a deeper allegory or message, it never fully came through, leaving me confused and unsatisfied.

I wanted to like this, but it felt underdeveloped in too many ways. There was potential, but it needed more time and depth to make a real impact.

Not gonna lie—I didn’t realize this was a YA novel when I picked it up! But looking at it from that perspective, I think younger me would’ve loved it. It’s got all the makings of a great horror story: a terrifying apocalyptic setting, mysterious creatures, and two kids trying to survive against impossible odds. The plot is gripping, the scares are solid, and while the themes are pretty straightforward, they work well for a younger audience.

That said, it’s definitely on the sadder side for the 10-14 age group, but I think kids who are into horror and monsters will eat this up. A strong, suspenseful read for young horror fans!

Ingvild Bjerkeland's Beasts is a thrilling young adult horror novel that masterfully combines suspense, emotion, and a haunting post-apocalyptic world. The story follows 13-year-old Abdi and his younger sister Alva as they navigate a world ravaged by the sudden appearance of terrifying two-legged creatures. After losing their mother, the siblings embark on a perilous journey to reach a port and reunite with their father on Fair Isle, facing constant danger along the way.

Bjerkeland's depiction of the beasts creates a palpable sense of danger, propelling the narrative forward and maintaining a fast pace. The author’s concise writing style ensures each moment is impactful, keeping readers engaged throughout. While the novel’s brevity means there's limited character development, Abdi’s perspective provides enough insight to make the reader emotionally invested in the siblings' survival.

The translation by Rosie Hedger captures the intensity of the original, making it accessible to a wider audience. The story’s themes of survival, sibling relationships, and the loss of innocence add depth, making the book appealing to both younger readers and adults alike.

However, some readers may feel that the novel doesn’t provide enough background on the origins of the beasts or the world before their appearance. The focus on immediate survival leaves some questions unanswered, which could be a downside for readers looking for more extensive world-building.

Overall, Beasts is a gripping and fast-paced novel that stands out in the horror genre. Bjerkeland’s storytelling, combined with Hedger’s translation, creates an immersive experience that will captivate those looking for a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

Title and Author: Beasts by Ingvild Bjerkeland
Diversity and Representation: translated fiction (Norwegian author)
Genre: horror, survival, Teens & YA
Length: novella
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pub Date: April 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Read This if you enjoyed: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

Summary (spoiler free): The story begins in medias res, following thirteen-year-old Abdi and his five-year-old sister Alva as they traverse an apocalyptic Norway that has been thrown into chaos by the arrival of "beasts"- creatures of unknown origin with seemingly one goal- attacking and destroying humans.

This novella uses familiar survival and apocalypse tropes, elevated by the quality of writing and pacing throughout. The brother/sister and other familial relationships are well-established, and Abdi's development from modern spoiled tween to world-wary protector of his family is well done.

Thank you so much to Ingvild Bjerkeland and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of this book.

Charmingly eerie, folkloric and atmospheric, the writing was beautiful and immersive, especially for a book meant for a younger audience. I did feel like that the story ended perhaps a bit too abruptly which was a bit jarring and ultimately brought my enjoyment of the book down quite a bit. Overall, a wonderful sweet little work of horror that is well translated and well written.

⭐⭐⭐

This novella was well written and highly entertaining. Albeit middle grade, it did have some genuine scary parts in it that I loved and would disturb the average reader. It definitely has the vibes of "A Quiet Place", and "The Road", but because it's middle grade, these themes are watered down a bit to suit younger readers. As an adult reading this novella it still was a highly enjoyable and quick story. For more avid horror readers, you may find this story a bit too tame for your tastes.

Bjerkeland's talented writing in this story really stuck with me, and I'd be excited if they'd ever write anything for an adult audience.
 
Thank you NetGalley and Levine Querido for a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.