The Beasts We Bury: Exploring Shadows and Strength in D.L. Taylor’s Debut
Sometimes, a book captures your imagination with a concept so unique that it’s hard to resist diving in. For me, The Beasts We Bury by D.L. Taylor did just that. The idea of harboring animal souls within oneself after engaging in battle? Intriguing. And with a cover as stunning as this one—flowers merging with a jaguar—it was no surprise that I was eager to explore this new world, even if it ultimately left me feeling a little bit ambivalent.
Set against a backdrop of political intrigue, Mancella, a sixteen-year-old girl, is thrust into a role that forces her to wrestle with her conscience. Her father—a villain whose cruelty knows no bounds—tasks her with a seemingly insurmountable burden: to kill to protect their kingdom. This father-daughter dynamic was one of my biggest emotional touchpoints; every appearance of Mancella’s father made my blood boil. He is the quintessential villain, devoid of morality, which makes Mancella’s struggle all the more poignant. As she grapples with her sense of self and her unwillingness to hurt innocent lives, I found myself rooting for her fiercely.
The central theme of battling one’s inner beasts resonated deeply. Mancella’s journey epitomizes the struggle of maintaining hope and goodness in the face of overwhelming darkness. As she reflects, “And that, just like he can never stomp the flowers out fully, I won’t let that spark of goodness in me die completely either.” This line encapsulates her determination to resist being consumed by her circumstances, a sentiment that many can relate to in our own struggles.
Kudos to D.L. Taylor for crafting complex emotions and layers within Mancella’s character. Her conflicting instincts—seeking freedom yet bound by obligation—add a rich depth to her personality. However, I did feel that some aspects fell slightly flat. The pacing and tone sometimes felt uneven, perhaps reflective of its young adult roots. At times, the story veered into darker territory that truly grabbed my interest, while other moments felt lighter and less consequential.
Silver, Mancella’s love interest, could have been fleshed out more fully. While he served as a compelling ally, his narrative lacked the oomph I was hoping for. I appreciated their budding romance and the chemistry they shared, but I wanted more depth to fully invest in him as a character.
The world-building itself felt slightly lacking. I craved more details about the realms Mancella navigates; it often felt like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the fantasy elements and elaborate on key players. Still, the surprise ending was a delightful twist that caught me off guard and left me eager for the next installment.
In conclusion, I’d recommend The Beasts We Bury to anyone who enjoys a compelling coming-of-age tale wrapped in fantasy with hints of romance and moral complexity. It beautifully illustrates the battle between good and evil, both in the external world and within ourselves. While I was left with some lingering questions and yearnings for richer side characters and world-building, I am undoubtedly intrigued enough to follow Mancella’s journey into the sequel. Taylor has laid a solid foundation, and I look forward to seeing how she continues to explore the intricate dance of light and dark in her next book.
If you’re a fan of YA fantasy that wrestles with darker themes set against a backdrop of political unrest, this book could be your next favorite read. Let’s keep an eye on Mancella, shall we? 🌸🖤
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