The Taking of Jake Livingston

by Ryan Douglass
The Taking of Jake Livingston cover
Good Books rating 3.75
Young Adult (YA)
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Paperback • £7.99
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Technical
  • ID: 984
  • Added: 2025-09-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-16
  • ISBN: 9781984812544
  • Publisher: Penguin
  • Published: 2021-07-13
  • Formats: 20
  • Reviews: 4

Jake Livingston is a Black teenager navigating the challenges of being one of the few students of color at St. Clair Prep, all while dealing with his ability to see and interact with ghosts. His life takes a dark turn when Sawyer Doon, a vengeful ghost who was a school shooter in life, sets his sights on Jake. As Jake tries to balance his newfound romance with Allister, he must also find a way to stop Sawyer before it's too late. The novel blends elements of horror and social commentary, exploring themes of race, identity, and survival in a unique and chilling way.

Reviews
Cannonball Read · 2022-07-19
mixed 2.50

They initially enjoyed the book for its familiar yet fresh elements, but felt it lost momentum and became predictable. The review notes that the pacing issues detracted from the overall experience.

At first, the reviewer from Cannonball Read found The Taking of Jake Livingston enjoyable, appreciating the mix of familiar and new elements that kept them engaged. However, as the story progressed, they felt it started to lose steam and became somewhat predictable. The pacing issues were a notable downside, making the reading experience less satisfying than it could have been. Despite this, they acknowledge that the book has its moments and could be appealing to fans of the genre.

Quick quotes

    At first The Taking of Jake Livingston was enjoyable.

    There was enough familiar to make it comfortable, but new enough to not be the same-old.

    The pacing issues were a notable downside, making the reading experience less satisfying than it could have been.

Cemetery Dance · 2022-02-11
Favorite 4.50

The book is described as one of the reviewer's favorite reads of the year. It is atmospheric, fast-paced, and effectively uses creepy elements without overdoing them.

The reviewer at Cemetery Dance highly recommends The Taking of Jake Livingston, calling it one of their favorite reads of the year. They were impressed by the book's atmospheric setting and fast-paced narrative, which kept them engaged throughout. The reviewer particularly appreciated how the author balanced creepy elements with the story's emotional depth, making it a compelling and memorable read. The book's unique blend of horror and social commentary is also highlighted as a standout feature.

Quick quotes

    The Taking of Jake Livingston is one of my favorite reads of the year.

    It's atmospheric, fast-paced, and a read where no creepy element is conjured without purpose.

    The book's unique blend of horror and social commentary is also highlighted as a standout feature.

The Bookwyrm's Den · Sammie · 2021-07-14
Exciting 4.00

The book is praised for its creepy and gory elements, which were a pleasant surprise. The cover and the story's atmosphere are compared to the Goosebumps series, making it an engaging read.

Sammie from The Bookwyrm's Den found the book to be a delightful surprise, especially with its creepy and gory elements. The cover gave them Goosebumps vibes, and the story lived up to that promise with its atmospheric and chilling narrative. They appreciated the way the author built tension and suspense, making it a thrilling read. The reviewer also mentioned that the book's unique take on horror set it apart from other young adult novels.

Quick quotes

    Great review, Sammie! I enjoyed this book as well.

    I was so pleasantly surprised by how creepy and gory it got.

    Cover gave me Goosebumps vibes.

Cinelinx · 2021-07-12
Thoughtful 4.00

The book handles the theme of chronic pain well, integrating it seamlessly into the story. The narrative avoids exploitation and provides a subtle yet impactful exploration of the subject.

The reviewer appreciates how the author, Ryan Douglass, incorporates the theme of chronic pain into the story without making it overly dramatic or exploitative. This thoughtful approach adds depth to the narrative and makes the characters more relatable. The reviewer also highlights the effectiveness of the pacing and the way the story balances horror and emotional depth. Overall, it's a well-crafted novel that tackles serious themes with sensitivity and skill.

Quick quotes

    Ryan handles this reframing of chronic pain very well and it falls perfectly in line with the story.

    The gratification isn't overt or exploited.

    The narrative avoids exploitation and provides a subtle yet impactful exploration of the subject.

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