📖 Bookish Thoughts:
I expected blood, horror, and a little sapphic tension—but this book surprised me in the best way. Yeah, it’s gory and intense (seriously, mind your triggers), but I wasn’t prepared for how emotional it got. The ending had me full-on sobbing. I was worried there for a second.
Also… Shenyu. My king. He carried this book with his one-liners and antics—especially when he was trolling Liya. I was living for their dynamic. And Tian and Liya were so adorable. The flashbacks and dual timeline actually worked (which is rare for me), and their childhood scenes were so sweet. They just needed one honest conversation... wild how communication works 😭

🖤What You Can Expect:
• Graphic horror & body horror
• Sapphic romance
• Childhood friends
• Cult island
• Creepy rituals

🗓️ Release Date: November 4, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC.

This book was described as a feral fairy tale and what a perfect description that is for this book. It's beautiful and enchanting, but also brutal and raw. 

I loved the three main characters in this so much. They had great banter, both the friendly kind and the flirty kind. 

The mystery that was set up in the b ginning of the book was extremely intriguing and I'm satisfied with where the story went to answer my question. 

The book is a very fast read. The epilogue is very cute. 

I'd recommend this book to people who are looking for an atmospheric YA book with culty vibes.

Thank you Netgalley and Roaring Brook Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Beautiful Brutal Bodies” is a haunting and unforgettable YA folk horror novel that weaves supernatural terror, sapphic romance, and East Asian mythology into a rich, blood-soaked tapestry. With visceral storytelling and lyrical writing, Linda Cheng delivers a chilling follow-up to “Gorgeous Gruesome Faces”—one that stands on its own but is enriched by connections to her previous work.

The story centers on Tian, a famous but reclusive singer-songwriter whose hypnotic livestreams spark a bizarre and deadly phenomenon: some viewers begin to spontaneously combust. What follows is a descent into occult horror and self-discovery as Tian is sent to a “healing retreat” on a remote island alongside her childhood friend and bodyguard, Liya, and their charismatic companion, Shenyu. But the island is no sanctuary—it pulses with eerie rituals, heavy surveillance, cult-like control, and the looming threat of human sacrifice. As Tian’s past unfurls through unsettling flashbacks to her childhood in a controlling, fairy tale-like castle, the threads of mythology and reality begin to blur.

Cheng masterfully balances her genre-bending elements: part supernatural thriller, part gothic romance, and part fairytale nightmare. The story draws inspiration from the legend of the Celestial Maiden’s daughter, giving the book a folkloric depth that is at once familiar and twisted into something wholly original. A second narrative, told in a mythic, story-within-a-story style, parallels the main plot, adding a dreamlike dimension that enhances the central mystery.

The heart of the book lies in its complex, evolving relationships. Tian is a compelling protagonist—vulnerable yet determined to reclaim her agency. Liya, harboring monstrous secrets beneath her human shell, embodies the “beast” trope with refreshing emotional depth. Their romance is a slow burn laced with tension and tenderness, as childhood friendship blossoms into something more amidst terror and transformation. Shenyu, with his golden-retriever charm and troubled past, adds levity and loyalty to the trio’s dynamic.

While the narrative structure—frequently shifting between past and present—can sometimes be disorienting, it ultimately serves to deepen your understanding of Tian's psychological imprisonment and the generational trauma she must overcome. Those sensitive to body horror should be aware: Cheng doesn’t shy away from visceral detail. The grotesque body transformations and eerie imagery are both fascinating and disturbing, evoking true folk horror vibes.

As the climax nears, familiar characters from “Gorgeous Gruesome Faces” make cameo appearances, tying the novels together without requiring prior knowledge. The ending, while brutal, lands with a sense of catharsis—highlighting love, liberation, and moving forward from trauma.

Overall, “Beautiful Brutal Bodies” is a feral fairytale of self-liberation, love, and mythic monstrosity. Linda Cheng has crafted a vivid, skin-crawling tale that is equal parts horrifying and heartening. Fans of sapphic horror, East Asian folklore, and gothic thrillers will devour this one whole.

Beautiful Brutal Bodies
By: Linda Cheng
Expected by: 11//04//2025
YA, Mystery & Thriller, Sci-fi & Fantasy.

Beautiful brutal bodies was not what I expected to read for several positive reasons. The author Linda Cheng chooses a very interesting way for writing this book.

This folk horror takes you on a ride with Tian as the main character, she frees herself and those around her following a series of events after arriving on a cursed island.

While the story sucks you in right from the start, the only thing that would have made this a 5 star read for me, would have been if the back and forth from past, present was less. This transition made it a bit hard to follow at times.

If you enjoy a good thriller, this book is definitely one for your TBR. I absolutely look forward to what ever else Linda Cheng has in store for us!

Thank you NetGalley & MacMillan Children’s publishing group for allowing me to review this ARC, these are my own opinions, and honest review.

This was not what I expected, in a wonderful way. What started out as a story about a sad girl who loses her mother , is sent to live with family friends , faces difficulties so goes to find herself turns into a heartfelt retelling of the maidens daughter. It had an Asian folk lore, fairytale vibe that I loved. The main character Tian , her best friend, among other things Liya and Tian’s number two Shenyu have the kind of relationships that will keep readers engaged. The plot was interesting, had just the right amount of twists and little extras that made it not your average retelling. Will definitely be reading more by this author.
I was able to read this as an eARC from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and thank you to the publisher Macmillian Children’s Publishing, Roaring Book Press

Feral fantasy at its best mysteriously and suspenseful leaves you guessing while things get crazy ! Romance and thriller all in one what an awesome read !

This isn't really my genre, but I branched out. I rally enjoyed the setting, the lore, and the characters. Great character development and a really intriguing backstory but it just didn't catch my attention and wasn't something I really enjoyed.

Anyone who has read more than a few YA inspired by Asian myth has likely encountered some retelling of the daughter of the Celestial Maiden, this dark horror/romance interpretation is different enough from the rest that I found it interesting. Part of the backstory is told almost as a story within a story; told in a fairytale-like style parallel to the action of the main thread. Tian, Liya, and Shenyu are all fascinating characters in their own way and the dynamics of their relationships and the way those relationships change are fun to follow. There is an interesting fusion between Chinese folklore, gothic-style horror, and youthful romance in this short novel that should absorb readers of any of these genre. Though the original description that I saw categorized this as a standalone, there are some references that seem to link back to another story, not in such a way that I couldn't follow but since I enjoyed this story so much, I think that I'll be looking to read the prior one too.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group - Roaring Brook Press) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.