BOOKRIOT ''ALL THE BOOKS!'' SELECTION CRIMEREADS ''MOST ANTICIPATED'' KIRKUS ''EDITOR''S PICK'' INDIGO ''BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR'' FOREWORD INDIES BOOK OF THE YEAR AWARD FINALIST "Van Camp, a member of the Dogrib (Tlich) Dene Nation, weaves ''80s pop culture references and supernatural elements into a page-turning thriller. [Beast] delicately balances a gripping storyline with well-rendered cultural elements and accessible writing." --Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW, Editor''s Pick "An eerie thriller. The cast of characters offers a unique glimpse into some of the more intimate practices of various Indigenous cultures, and fun pop culture nods firmly cement this supernatural work in its 1980s setting." --Booklist "A rousing supernatural novel." --Foreword Reviews "Richard Van Camp''s Beast takes us deep into the heart of the Northwest Territories. There, against the backdrop of the 1980s, tradition and supernatural forces collide as Van Camp--as always--masterfully weaves a tale of friendship, duty, and the haunting legacies of the past. Lawson''s journey to uphold a centuries-old peace treaty is compelling and profound, making Beast a standout in contemporary young adult fiction.
Van Camp''s storytelling is vivid and chilling, seizing the essence of a community grappling with its history and the unknown. Beast is another testament to Van Camp''s exceptional longevity and talent as a writer. Van Camp has blessed us with another must-read, one filled with a story so indelibly crafted that years later, we will all undoubtedly recall this work as a memory, an experience." --Morgan Talty, national bestselling author of Night of the Living Rez and Fire Exit: A Novel "Reading Richard Van Camp is like coming home. It''s like pushing your chair back from the family dinner table with a full belly, sore face from laughing and eager ears still hungry for more stories. No one does horror, and no one does a funny, awkward, gangly teen hero like Richard Van Camp. Is Beast like the Indigenous Stranger Things?! Kind of, but also with Ceremony, community, and even more metal! This book is as cool as an Iron Maiden album cover. It''s the literary equivalent of Corey Hart and Sebastian Bach having a baby.
This book is like a mixed tape with lots of AC/DC. I love this book!" --katherena vermette, author of A Girl Called Echo "Beast by Richard Van Camp is an enthralling blend of horror and heritage, set against the evocative backdrop of the Northwest Territories. This young adult novel follows Lawson, a Tlich (Dogrib) warrior, as he faces a malevolent spirit threatening his community. Infused with ''80s nostalgia, Van Camp''s chilling and lyrical prose creates a dark tapestry where youthful innocence clashes with primordial evils. Beast is a spellbinding journey that will worm its way into the darkest corners of your mind, lingering long after the last page is turned." --Shane Hawk, editor of Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology "Beast is a singular force. It''s the offspring of Stranger Things, Stephen King, and vintage Van Camp. Rich in lore, terror, pop culture, and traditional knowledge, this novel is a page-turning, spine-tingling delight.
" --David A. Robertson, author of The Barren Grounds "Perfect for the horror-driven teen reader in your life who was obsessed with Stranger Things. It is a thrill ride in a convertible while blasting hair-metal tunes and also peering over your shoulder to see what is following." --Anna Hersh, Wild Rumpus Books, Minneapolis, MN "Most Anticipated Crime Fiction of Summer 2025," CrimeReads "Best Books of the Year," Indigo Books Finalist, Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards "Van Camp, a member of the Dogrib (Tlich) Dene Nation, weaves ''80s pop culture references and supernatural elements into a page-turning thriller. [Beast] delicately balances a gripping storyline with well-rendered cultural elements and accessible writing." --Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW, Editor''s Pick "An eerie thriller. The cast of characters offers a unique glimpse into some of the more intimate practices of various Indigenous cultures, and fun pop culture nods firmly cement this supernatural work in its 1980s setting." --Booklist "A rousing supernatural novel.
" --Foreword Reviews "Richard Van Camp''s Beast takes us deep into the heart of the Northwest Territories. There, against the backdrop of the 1980s, tradition and supernatural forces collide as Van Camp--as always--masterfully weaves a tale of friendship, duty, and the haunting legacies of the past. Lawson''s journey to uphold a centuries-old peace treaty is compelling and profound, making Beast a standout in contemporary young adult fiction. Van Camp''s storytelling is vivid and chilling, seizing the essence of a community grappling with its history and the unknown. Beast is another testament to Van Camp''s exceptional longevity and talent as a writer. Van Camp has blessed us with another must-read, one filled with a story so indelibly crafted that years later, we will all undoubtedly recall this work as a memory, an experience." --Morgan Talty, national bestselling author of Night of the Living Rez and Fire Exit: A Novel "Reading Richard Van Camp is like coming home. It''s like pushing your chair back from the family dinner table with a full belly, sore face from laughing and eager ears still hungry for more stories.
No one does horror, and no one does a funny, awkward, gangly teen hero like Richard Van Camp. Is Beast like the Indigenous Stranger Things?! Kind of, but also with Ceremony, community, and even more metal! This book is as cool as an Iron Maiden album cover. It''s the literary equivalent of Corey Hart and Sebastian Bach having a baby. This book is like a mixed tape with lots of AC/DC. I love this book!" --katherena vermette, author of A Girl Called Echo "Beast by Richard Van Camp is an enthralling blend of horror and heritage, set against the evocative backdrop of the Northwest Territories. This young adult novel follows Lawson, a Tlich (Dogrib) warrior, as he faces a malevolent spirit threatening his community. Infused with ''80s nostalgia, Van Camp''s chilling and lyrical prose creates a dark tapestry where youthful innocence clashes with primordial evils. Beast is a spellbinding journey that will worm its way into the darkest corners of your mind, lingering long after the last page is turned.
" --Shane Hawk, editor of Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology "Beast is a singular force. It''s the offspring of Stranger Things, Stephen King, and vintage Van Camp. Rich in lore, terror, pop culture, and traditional knowledge, this novel is a page-turning, spine-tingling delight." --David A. Robertson, author of The Barren Grounds.