Beholder

This is like, a 2.5 for me. It genuinely hurts how much I didn't like this because this is so up my alley. An interdimensional spider that attacks you through cursed wallpaper? A shady organization within the snooty NY art scene? And I DIDN'T like it??? Yeah, this hurts. This hurts a lot. I think, for me, I don't really do the insta-love thing and I feel like that's what went on between Athan & Dom, not that I think they couldn't come to care for each other in just a few days but I feel like the feelings just developed too fast. I also loathe to compare Beholder to The Honeys (I'm going to do it anyway tho lmao) but The Honeys blew my mind, like twist after twist and my jaw was just on the floor the last 20% of the book. With Beholder I just felt like I saw everything coming, I wasn't surprised by anything. Unless that was the point, in which case I never said anything lol. I feel like this low review is going to anger the Ryan La Sala fans, but I'm a fan, too! I'm not going to hold my punches just because I would let Ryan snap my spine over his knee at the first opportunity presented to me. This work did not speak to me but that doesn't mean this work can't or won't speak to you. Either way, I eagerly anticipate the new Ryan La Sala book, I am really digging the vibe of centering horror stories around insects.* *Shut up, I know a spider is an arachnid and not an insect.

I didn't realize the copy I got was an Uncorrected Proof. I wish it was better advertised that this was the version being sent. I would not have bought it.