Review of The Devouring Light by Kat Ellis
When I first heard about The Devouring Light, I was immediately intrigued—particularly because Kat Ellis had already established herself as a maestro of nail-biting horror in her previous works. As a longtime fan, the idea of diving into another one of her terrifying tales was simply irresistible. I often find myself wandering through eerie landscapes in the pages of a book rather than facing the jump scares of a horror movie. Thankfully, this ARC from the publisher gave me the chance to explore this bone-chilling narrative.
Set against the backdrop of a rock festival, we follow Haden and Kizi as they journey toward stardom, only to face unforeseen challenges. Haden has never been fond of her rival, Deacon Rex, but after a freak accident leaves them stranded in a swampy forest, they must band together for survival. It’s the ultimate twist: former enemies thrust into a terrifying scenario—who could resist that premise?
What ensues is a descent into a labyrinthine and eerie house, filled with unnatural smells and hints of the supernatural. Ellis brilliantly crafts an atmosphere that feels heavy with dread, a skill that absolutely had me devouring the pages as fast as I could. The vivid descriptions made me feel the oppressive weight of that haunted mansion, complete with its spiders and dust, as if I were right there alongside Haden and Deacon.
The pacing of the novel is remarkably tight; I appreciated how the narrative seamlessly weaves dream sequences and video transcripts into the main plot. These interludes serve not just as moments of intrigue but also offer glimpses into the tragic history of the mansion. It’s this careful juxtaposition of present terror and past tragedy that makes the horror genuinely resonate. To quote Haden, “In this house, it seems you can never truly escape your past,” which solidifies the eerie connection between the characters’ present plight and the house’s chilling history.
If you’re someone like me who usually finds it hard to be genuinely scared while reading, The Devouring Light might just change that. There’s something about Ellis’ ability to incorporate body horror and creepy insect imagery that really upped the ante for me. While I’m usually the first to back away from gruesome visuals, I found myself drawn deeper into the narrative’s dark embrace. There were moments that made my spine tingle, prompting me to take breaks just to calm my racing thoughts!
The conclusion? Oh, it was delightfully chilling—an ending that ties together the threads of the ominous atmosphere and the characters’ arcs in a manner that left me pondering long after I turned the last page. It’s the kind of ending that satisfies yet leaves a residual feeling of unease, which is exactly what you look for in a horror novel.
If you enjoy YA lit that leans into the darker side of storytelling, I think you will find The Devouring Light to be positively captivating. This spooky season, immerse yourself in its chilling pages; it’s an experience that just might make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I came away feeling like I had consumed a devouring tale that will linger in my mind—perfectly fitting for a book that releases on October 7, 2025.
Overall, I give The Devouring Light a hearty 4.5 out of 5 stars!