I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call

I turned out to enjoy this book more than I thought I would. I loved Laure, Andor and Keturah. Jamison really put her all in this i can tell. This is a twisted and unforgettable read and I loved getting wrapped up in Laure's story.

This is very different than what I expected. In the last book, everyone made their deals to gain something and now they have to deal with it and figure out what comes next. I liked the various ways that people were dealing with what came next. There weren’t any easy answers. It was complicated, sometimes good and sometimes bad. There was a lot more depth than I expected. I think I would have liked it more knowing that there was some deep character work going on. I did enjoy it and I am still thinking about it days later though.

This is a haunting, visceral conclusion to a duology that masterfully weaves horror with social commentary. With their signature poetic prose, Shea transforms terror into something both beautiful and deeply unsettling, making this book an unforgettable journey into the monstrous and the human alike.Shea doesn’t shy away from heavy themes, but the supernatural lens makes these explorations both accessible and eerily magnified. The horrors of the story are not limited to the otherworldly monsters; they reflect societal issues that feel all too real, especially in the current political climate. And it was REALLY something that I needed this week.Laure’s continued battle to reclaim her power resonates profoundly. The characters are phenomenally developed, with each carrying their own scars and complexities. Laure shines as a deeply flawed, powerful protagonist whose journey is both painful and empowering.This story took so many unexpected turns. Shea’s ability to balance horror with hope, destruction with resilience, and the monstrous with the human makes this a standout in YA horror. It’s particularly satisfying to see Lovecraftian horror reclaimed and reimagined in a way that challenges the legacy of its problematic origins.If you’re looking for a gripping, thought-provoking read with stunning writing, compelling characters, and a much-needed platform for diverse voices, this book is a must. It's the perfect read for anyone who craves horror that cuts deep.Thanks so much to the author and Fierce Reads for the complimentary copies. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

Laure’s life has been turned upside down as she looks to navigate a world without the ballet and all she has known. To make matters worse, Elysium is dying and new recruits to this otherworld are causing problems. As Laure tries to stay in power, balance her personal life and control the dark within her, she discovers a new depth to herself. Will she be strong enough to have it all?First, this was a well done audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job of creating unique voices for the many characters in this novel without it being distracting. Laure’s character also had great depth conveyed with her many internal voices. All was very clear and easy to follow at 1.5x audio speed.Second, this was a good conclusion to an entertaining YA horror/thriller novel. There are a lot of messed up things that are either addressed or actually happen in this novel. There are a few good things too. But ultimately Laure’s character goes through some intense personal growth and the journey she takes is an entertaining ride. 5 stars.Review based on an Advanced Audiobook provided by Macmillan Audio/Macmillan Young Listeners and NetGalley. Thank you!

If you enjoyed the first book in this series, you will enjoy this one too. This YA horror novel follows Laure as she searches for herself and for the cause of the dead body she finds after spending a night in the club. She has to wrestle with who she is, her growing feelings for Andor, and an evil threatening to consume everything she cares about.I was not sure how to feel about the fact there was even a sequel because I felt enough of the story was wrapped up in the first book. Even though I only had a three week break in between reading the first and second book, there were some details I missed that it took a second to place (a problem I do not typically have with stories). I enjoyed this book overall, but I still do not feel that it is a horror. I would consider this more of a thriller with elements of gore. Perhaps this is because Laure's character can be a little bit shallow at times or because Acheron is not fully explained. That being said, it was still an interesting read.I loved this narrator! Her name is Kristolyn Lloyd. Her voice is passionate, and she reads with an animated voice. She does slight character voices, enough to tell the differences between characters but not so much that it is distracting. She voice is a little dramatic, but this is a dramatic story filled with bold, theatrical statements, so the narrator rose to the occasion. I listened to this audiobook on a trip, and it made the long drive feel short and fun. It was pretty easy to tell the chapter breaks without interrupting the flow of the story. Some of the fast cuts are a product of the novel itself and not the reader.I did not get the opportunity to read this novel in print, but the audiobook helped move through some of the rare slower parts of the story to keep me engaged. I definitely listened to the author sped up, but that is purely a personal preference; I did not listen to it that much faster and she does not talk slow. I would definitely recommend you listen to this narrator, especially if you prefer listening to audiobooks!