The Taking of Jake Livingston

by Ryan Douglass
The Taking of Jake Livingston cover
Good Books rating 4.17
Young Adult (YA)
Technical:
  • ID: 984
  • Added: 2025-09-24
  • Updated: 2025-09-24
  • ISBN: 9781787612235
  • Publisher: Andersen Press Limited
  • Published: 2021-10-12
  • Formats: 20
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99

Sixteen-year-old Jake Livingston is no ordinary teenager; he's a medium who sees dead people replaying their final moments. Attending St Clair Prep as one of the few Black students, Jake faces both the challenges of racism and the eerie presence of ghosts. His life takes a dramatic turn when Allister, a new Black student, arrives, sparking a potential romance. However, Jake's abilities as a medium draw the attention of Sawyer Doon, a vengeful ghost with a dark past. Sawyer, who was a troubled teen responsible for a school shooting before taking his own life, now has sinister plans for Jake. As Jake's high school experience becomes a battleground between the living and the dead, he must find a way to survive both the supernatural and the real-world threats that surround him. The Taking of Jake Livingston blends horror, social commentary, and a touch of romance in a gripping YA thriller that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Reviews
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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