Youthjuice

3.5 stars

Sophia starts a new job at cosmetics and skincare company, Hebe (whose baby pink branding is very on par with Glossier), and soon finds out some of the horrors that go on behind the scenes in Hebe's mission to develop the ultimate anti-aging product.

This was a very gloopy horror novel with some incredibly vivid body horror and gore but isn't at all scary. It's not the kind of horror that fills you with dread but instead you're thrown into the mind of Sophia as she slowly unravels. I feel like this will do incredibly well in the Booktok community upon its release especially with "weird girl" book readers. Our main character Sophia isn't particularly likeable and is completely unhinged but I think that works because it makes more sense that she makes the decisions she does.

It's flooded with modern-day references and trends that make it very relatable to a millennial that's chronically online (a.k.a. me) and whose algorithm is constantly spoon-feeding me ways to avoid fine lines and cases for Botox.

The language in the book is very flowery but I dig that. The intricate detailing of morning routines is so vivid and I really enjoy Sathue's way with words. The only thing that I did find a bit confusing was the way things jumped around. I'm not sure if it was the e-copy I received which was a bit messy but I sometimes ended up a bit lost.

I am excited for its release and anticipate everyone's thoughts on it.

A slick and clever horror read that felt fresh and relevant particularly with the "horror" towards ageing. I felt drawn into the novel immediately, the pacing was good and the horror was so brilliantly done - not your typical scary read - this one goes a little deeper with nudges to societies obsession with youth and wellness culture. I always enjoy a morally grey main character, as it gives you more twists and this novel had a great one where my opinions changed rapidly as I read the book. There are some scenes in the book that are pretty graphic in terms of body horror - and also as another trigger quite a few mentions of vomiting. I liked the glimpses into the main characters history which helped give understanding to her actions. The setting and very close to reality/dystopian "world" made it feel very Black Mirror-esque. Overall I felt it was a story that gets under your skin, makes you think - with an ending that I found very satisfying. This would be a good read for anyone who enjoys a horror with a dash of reality, pokes at wellness culture and beauty standards - but reads like a contemporary fiction. 5/5 - thanks to the publishers for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A really good modern female centred horror.
Reminds me of Boy Parts, American Psycho etc
Loved some of the body horror aspects and the theme of youth and vanity especially as someone who loves skincare!
Would definitely read more by this author.
Solid 3.75 stars from me x

A really enjoyable book touching on elements of youth, vanity, the beauty industry as a whole with an added sprinkling of creepy elements.

Told from the POV of Sophia, our main character it follows her present, her past and her slow decline as a seemingly normal new job all of a sudden gets a little bit weird. I felt really engaged with Sophia's mental state and thought process throughout the read, this was amplified by the somewhat choppy writing style and regular flashbacks.

It had a nice balance of mystery, body horror, and popular themes (skincare and beauty) to be a highly recommended read on my list.

this book definitely made me question the beauty industry, the story really resonates with a reality that is similar to where we are headed with the beauty industry and multi level marketing / pyramid schemes.

Has HEBE, a cosmetics company for the GOOP generation, solved the problem of ageing forever? Testing a new moisturiser, recent hire Sophia thinks they have. But she discovers that ageless founder Tree is hiding something sinister. As is Sophia when she falls out with a school friend and her flatmate. Juxtapose Gen Z's obsession with healthy, trendy eating against gore and blood, and you get a novel that's deliciously different.

Thanks to NetGalley, Soho Press and EK Sathue for the preview copy.

A glam horror for the TikTok generation, Youthjuice manages to achieve a compelling yet repulsive story whilst also critiquing the beauty industry and society’s obsession with perfection.

I really enjoyed this, I am not normally a horror reader but the book had me hooked and struggling to look away even when it was far more gory than I am normally comfortable with.