Cover

Praise for
The Taking of
Jake Livingston

A 2022 ALA Rainbow Book List Pick

A 2021 Black Caucus American Library Association Best of the Best Booklist Pick

A 2021 Tor.com Young Adult Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Best Book Pick

“Spine-chilling YA horror.”

—The Boston Globe

“This book is absolutely incredible, chilling, and a must-read.”

—BuzzFeed

★ “An exceptional blend of genres—horror, mystery, thriller and contemporary—that brilliantly captures how Jake, a Black gay teen medium, copes with the varying kinds of violence threatening him . . . Douglass creates a clever and effective parallel between what Jake can’t control—racism and how his body is perceived, a toxic father, an irresponsible brother, his mother’s expectations—and his fight against Sawyer. The story builds to a rewardingly chilling and sentimental climax, as Jake must look deep within himself for the power to break the cycles of harm entrapping him . . . An extraordinarily crafted exploration of agency during Black gay teenhood.”

—Shelf Awareness, starred review

“A teenage version of Get Out, and you will not be disappointed . . . Douglass looks at race and trauma and death with a comical and horror-esque twist.”

—The Root

“Crucial social commentary and insight into the ways discrimination can isolate and depress young adults. Lush and emotive prose chronicles Jake’s journey . . . Spooky, atmospheric, and layered.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“There are many layers to navigate in this fast-paced trip to and from the world of the dead, including identity, violent and sexual traumas, and the stigma of mental illness, all with a supernatural and often gory twist . . . Ultimately, this is a satisfying addition to the supernatural horror section.”

—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“YA readers looking for thrills and chills this summer will find them here.”

—Brightly

“Captures the pain of navigating teenagerhood when no one around you sees the world the way you do . . . A quick, worthwhile read that manages to pack a lot of dark themes into a tight space.”

—The Young Folks

“Chilling, edgy . . . spooky and layered . . . A wonderful genre-meld . . . This is an excellent debut.”

—Cinelinx

“Racial and sexuality themes undercut this gripping novel where a teen is haunted by the repercussions of his own sixth sense.”

—Cultured Vultures

“A unique and terrifying world built on tension and ghosts.”

—The Seattle Times

“This YA debut from Ryan Douglass is a mix of genres—horror, mystery, thriller, and contemporary—that explores how a Black gay teen medium copes with the various kinds of violence that threaten him.”

—Culturess

“Tackl[ing] mental illness, rejection, and loneliness . . . this novel takes a hard look at brutality in many forms, racism, homophobia, and consequences of the choices that we make.”

—School Library Journal, review of the audiobook

Dedication

For everyone fighting a silent battle.

Jake

I’d hate to be that kid who died in PE class.

Steven Woodbead never saw it coming. He was body-rolling to a trap song when the javelin hit his skull.