Beholder by Ryan La Sala (review)

Abstract

Reviewed by: Beholder by Ryan La Sala April Spisak La Sala, Ryan Beholder. PUSH/Scholastic, 2023 [352p] Trade ed. ISBN 9781338745344 $18.99 Reviewed from digital galleys R Gr. 9-12 Athan has grown up knowing that terrors can hide within mirrors, and that his beloved Yiayia has spent much of her life consumed with whatever is within a small mirror she carries everywhere. After witnessing gruesome murders at a party, Athan stumbles home only to find his grandmother is missing. Enter Dominik, a handsome boy with a request: he wants Athan to help investigate the murders, which are actually part of a whole web of deaths associated with the art world elite. To do so, Athan must use his powers of scrying to peer into reflective surfaces (e.g., the side of a cooking pot) and watch the past unfold. When Athan begins to piece together how Dom is involved in the mysteries, he is both horrified and sympathetic, but they need each other now against formidable human and monstrous foes. There are tidbits of Greek immigrant culture, disturbing glimpses into what the mega rich may get into to keep themselves amused, and given the murder-dense circumstances, a surprisingly tender connection between Athan and Dominik. However, the heart of this novel is Athan's ferocious determination to save his grandmother, even at the cost of his own safety or mental well-being. New York, mostly at night, is a suitably gritty and expansive setting for this dark urban fantasy; it is not difficult to imagine that an ancient monster may lurk within the endless reflective surfaces of the city. Horror fans and folklore or fantasy buffs that don't mind a sturdy amount of gore will likely be captivated from the first scene. Copyright © 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois