The Taking of Jake Livingston by Ryan Douglass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Taking of Jake Livingston, by Ryan Douglass, is a YA horror novel that follows the eponymous Black, gay, teen medium as he attempts to stop Sawyer Doon, a school shooter turned vengeful ghost, from continuing his killing spree and possessing Jake.
Jake attends St. Clair Prep, a prestigious private school where he is one of only two Black students there and is often the target of racist comments and actions from students and teachers alike.
Jake lacks confidence in himself and rarely speaks up, the former of which Sawyer plays on to torment and possess him.
I connected with Jake’s selective mutism as I was bullied in school too and stopped speaking completely unless I was forced to talk by teachers.
Only by finding his voice and confidence in himself can Jake banish Sawyer for good.
I was on the fence about continuing this book after learning Sawyer was a POV character, and I could see how others would be put off by reading about a psychopathic killer who ultimately kills himself during his school shooting.
However, Douglass wrote Sawyer’s chapters in such a way to humanize him without condoning his actions or painting him in a sympathetic light.
Though, I think this book could have benefited from content warnings regarding scenes depicting the school shooting and a sexual assault later in the book.
Overall, I loved this book and devoured it in three days. All I have to say is wow and when’s the sequel coming out.
I Give The Taking of Jake Livingston five out of five stars. Definitely read this one.
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