We Are the Beasts, Gigi Griffis
We Are the Beasts, Gigi Griffis
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We Are the Beasts

Author: Gigi Griffis

Narrator: Imani Jade Powers, Graham Halstead

Unabridged: 9 hr 35 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 12/10/2024

Synopsis

Deaths and disappearances pile up as a mysterious beast stalks the French countryside and two girls seize an unlikely opportunity that just might save them all—or serve them up on a platter.

Step into this chilling, historical horror inspired by the unsolved mystery of the Beast of Gévaudan.

When a series of brutal, mysterious deaths start plaguing the countryside and whispers of a beast in the mountains reach the quiet French hamlet of Mende, most people believe it’s a curse—God’s punishment for their sins. 

But to sixteen-year-old Joséphine and her best friend, Clara, the beast isn’t a curse. It’s an opportunity. 

For years, the girls of Mende have been living in a nightmare—fathers who drink, brothers who punch, homes that feel like prisons—and this is a chance to get them out.

Using the creature’s attacks as cover, Joséphine and Clara set out to fake their friends’ deaths and hide them away until it’s safe to run. But escape is harder than they thought. If they can’t brave a harsh winter with little food… If the villagers discover what they’re doing… If the beast finds them first... 

Those fake deaths might just become real ones.

About The Author

Gigi Griffis writes edgy, feminist historical stories for adults and teens, including The Wicked Unseen and The Empress, a Netflix tie-in. She’s a sucker for little-known histories, “unlikable” female characters, and all things Europe. After almost ten years of semi-nomadic life, she now lives in Portugal with an opinionated Yorkie mix named Luna and a fancy blender that cost more than her couch. Her main hobbies are righteous anger, swearing, and gazing lovingly at the dog or the blender.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Nilufer on May 19, 2024

Look at this thrilling cover and intriguing plotline: girls who have suffered abuse, harassment, abandonment, and starvation unite to fight against a beast no more dangerous than the real beasts - the abusive men of the town hiding in human clothing. The most captivating aspect of this book, among it......more

Goodreads review by Gigi on December 17, 2024

Author here. Now that there's a draft on the page, let me just say that I have such a soft spot for this book. A book that I wanted to write for some time and couldn't quite figure out how. A book that is a monster story, but not about the monster. A monster story not about killing girls but about s......more

Goodreads review by Denise on December 09, 2024

We Are The Beasts is historical fiction and horror novel inspired by the mystery of the the Beast of Gévaudan. Knowledge of the Beast of Gévaudan initially drew me to this book, but it was the feminist themes and the compelling story that maintained my interest. Set in eighteenth century France, We......more

Goodreads review by Sharon on December 10, 2024

CW: violence, blood, injury description, violence against animals, misogyny, classism, homophobia/lesbophobia, religious bigotry, sexual violence, sexual assault, (mentioned) torture and execution of witches I received an ARC for free via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This has not impac......more

Goodreads review by Madi on January 24, 2025

5/5⭐️ “Wolves aren’t the only predators in the forest.” “Face the monsters we know, or risk the ones we don’t.” “I am not your friend, your toy, your pet. I am not a quiet thing for the taking. I am a feral thing. A bitey, clawing, screaming thing. And the more people that know it, the better.” “Men fan......more

Quotes

Praise for We Are the Beasts:

"Full of courage, heart, and danger, We Are the Beasts is a thoroughly engrossing read about the lengths young women must go to to survive when confronted by beasts of all kinds. I gasped, I smiled, I was enraged—this book is triumphant."—Kendare Blake, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Three Dark Crowns

"Like sharp teeth in the dark, We Are the Beasts takes hold of you and never lets go. A compelling, tense, and thoughtful exploration of what it means to be girls in a world of monsters."—Kiersten White, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein

"We Are the Beasts is a love letter to girlhood and a vicious anthem of survival turned up loud. Griffis has deftly woven rage and resistance into the historical French countryside while gifting us bold and tender sapphic heroines who slay the most terrifying of monsters. It's everything YA needs."—Jamison Shea, author of I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me

“With a raw and riveting main character to match the setting, this historical YA horror dives into threats that face young women in 18th century rural France. What is scarier, the beasts among us or the beasts outside us? I flew through the last half of this rollercoaster of a book, and the last act twist does not disappoint.”—Wendy Heard, author of She's Too Pretty To Burn

"A haunting, beautifully written tale, infused with fears and truths that transcend time."—Eva V. Gibson, Edgar-nominated author of Frightmares

"With lush prose and a vivid historical setting, Griffis weaves a compulsive tale of monsters and men, and the blurry line between the two. Lovers of feminist horror will devour this one whole."—MK Pagano, author of Girls Who Burn

"A loveably brutal historical horror novel about a monster in the woods that's actually an earnest ode to the inherent claustrophobia of being a teenaged girl in a trenchcoat."—Sami Ellis, author of Dead Girls Walking

★ "A wild thing of a girl furiously protects her own against men worse than monsters in this savagely feminist YA horror tale."—Shelf Awareness, starred review

"Breathes new life and intrigue into the historical tale of the Beast of Gévaudan. Griffis has an eye for historical detail and a deft hand when it comes to plotting."—CrimeReads

"Immersive and rich. A dread-filled yet inspiring tale of the power that angry girls can wield."—Kirkus

"Full of sharp turns and fast-paced action with a ­fiery, feminist heart."—School Library Journal

"Merciless and triumphant, the end will offer a catharsis for anyone who has found humans to be far more vicious than nature."—The Bulletin

"Griffis reimagines the historical beast of Gévaudan attacks into a tale of female rage and empowerment after abuse...sweet moments of queer romance and affirming female friendships round out this heart-pounding and gruesome historical thriller."—PW

"With compelling twists and turns, this is a well-written story of control, overcoming trauma, and standing up for what’s right."—Historical Novels Society

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