Beast by Richard Van Camp
Douglas & McIntyre
Publisher summary: For as long as Lawson can remember, his life in a small Northwest Territories town has revolved around “the Treaty” between the Dogrib and the Chipewyan, set down centuries ago to prevent the return of bloody warfare between the two peoples.
On the Dogrib side, Lawson and his family have done their best to keep the pact alive with the neighbouring Cranes, a family with ancestral ties to a revered Chipewyan war chief. But even as Lawson and his father dutifully tidy the Cranes’ property as an act of respect, their counterparts offer little more than scowls and derision in return, despite the fact that both families are responsible for protecting the treaty.
Worse still, it seems that one of the Cranes’ boys is doing all he can to revive the old conflict: Silver, fresh out of jail, has placed himself in the service of a cruel, ghoulish spirit bent on destroying the peace. Now it’s up to Isaiah Valentine, a Cree Grass Dancer, Shari Burns, a Metis psychic, and Lawson Sauron, a Dogrib Yabati—or protector—to face what Silver Cranes has called back.
This latest feat of storytelling magic by celebrated author Richard Van Camp blends sharply observed realism and hair-raising horror as it plays out against a 1980s-era backdrop replete with Platinum Blonde songs and episodes of Degrassi Junior High. Unfolding in the fictional town of Fort Simmer—the setting of previous Van Camp stories—Beast delivers a gripping, spirited tale that pits the powers of tradition against the pull of a vengeful past.
My Thoughts: Thrillers and horror stories are not my typical reading pick, but I just could not pass on a book by Richard Van Camp and the stunning cover art by Chief Lady Bird really drew me in too. I appreciated that the title lets you know that there is a seriously creepy being in the book, but we don’t have a specific visual of it. The beast is described vividly enough in the book that an illustration wasn’t needed anyway.
Aside from visuals, this book has a tremendous amount of 80s muscial references so audio may play a part in your reading. There’s a link to a Spotify playlist at the end of the book. While I was reading, I was dipping into some of the music and was thinking a playlist would be amazing. I would likely have used it had I known and maybe on a re-read would do that.
Like the main character, I started my senior year of high school in 1986, so the pop culture references were a delight in the midst of the horror unfolding. As much as it pains me to say it, this is also a work of historical fiction and readers can feel it in the absence of cell phones and the backdrop of the many 80s songs mentioned randomly and contents of mixtapes. The author paints a vibrant picture of the time and place even down to the smell of Aquanet. I was also delighted by the inclusion of the muffaloose that reminded me of the jackalope in Wyoming.
The heart of the story centers on the treaty that Lawson and others have been holding and protecting and is now at risk. The being that his nemesis Silver has been serving is truly hideous and the stakes are high. Like many hero stories, Lawson has a quest and has limitations on who he can share the burden with and the odds seem to be against him.
That’s another way that the cover speaks about the story. The night is dark, but there are many lights showing the way. Things appear to be insurmountable and the story develops as Lawson attempts to solve the puzzle and find a way to stop the horror. As he faces newer and more terrifying twists and turns, Lawson also strengthens connections with others around him and learns more about himself.
Although it is a thriller and has some truly terrifying creatures along with pain and loss, this is also a story of love, hope, and community. Even when outside forces try to shatter everything and everyone, there is knowledge from elders and young people that can help if someone is willing to ask in a good way and put in the time and effort with each other.
There’s a specificity here with how Lawson asks others for help. He has put in the time over the years listening, doing what has been asked of him, and showing that he honors the teachings of his elders and ancestors. He is respectful towards all he interacts with and he also brings pouches of fireweed. His mom had taught him that they had used it as tobacco in the past. In addition to his offerings, he also commits to doing things for others. There’s an understanding that people do things with and for each other rather than in isolation. There’s not just one superhero swooping in and taking care of everything.
Recommendation: Get this one as soon as you can if you gravitate toward horror, but even if you don’t, I recommend it for anyone who reads to find connection with others in this world.
Pages: 312
Review copy: Digital copy via publisher
Availability: On shelves now
Extras:
Teacher’s Guide
Discussion with Author