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The Need: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 22 Sep 26Every family has its secrets. But in this provocative and dizzyingly fast-paced horror debut, some families the Need.
THE NEED is a rare genetic disorder. Those who have it must consume human flesh, or die. For some The Need is power. For others it is a curse.
Talia's been on the run with her two teenagers since the kids were babies, changing names and identities every time someone gets close to discovering her family's tragic secret. Sam is her son, tormented by The Need, unable to stop giving in to his darkest desires, much to his mother's chagrin. While Rosie, his twin sister, who's escaped her mom and brother's genetic curse, is desperate for a life of normalcy— like a Tik Tok account, Homecoming or a kiss with her mysterious new friend Naomi. But her brother keeps eating people and frankly, it's ruining her life.
Vera, a former supermodel and member of New York City's elite Armstrong family, lives a life of luxury, haute couture and eating people. Yes, unlike Talia, the Armstrongs secretly pride themselves on their genetic abnormality. But beneath Vera's opulent lifestyle is a woman who's ruthlessly haunted by a mistake from her past. It's corrupted her standing with the Armstrongs, ruined her relationship with her kids and is slowly unraveling her sanity. Vera will do whatever it takes to correct it.
On the surface, these two families have nothing in common. But Talia is harboring a secret from the twins—one that will bring them crashing into the Armstrongs. And when the truth comes out, no one will ever be the same.
THE NEED is a rare genetic disorder. Those who have it must consume human flesh, or die. For some The Need is power. For others it is a curse.
Talia's been on the run with her two teenagers since the kids were babies, changing names and identities every time someone gets close to discovering her family's tragic secret. Sam is her son, tormented by The Need, unable to stop giving in to his darkest desires, much to his mother's chagrin. While Rosie, his twin sister, who's escaped her mom and brother's genetic curse, is desperate for a life of normalcy— like a Tik Tok account, Homecoming or a kiss with her mysterious new friend Naomi. But her brother keeps eating people and frankly, it's ruining her life.
Vera, a former supermodel and member of New York City's elite Armstrong family, lives a life of luxury, haute couture and eating people. Yes, unlike Talia, the Armstrongs secretly pride themselves on their genetic abnormality. But beneath Vera's opulent lifestyle is a woman who's ruthlessly haunted by a mistake from her past. It's corrupted her standing with the Armstrongs, ruined her relationship with her kids and is slowly unraveling her sanity. Vera will do whatever it takes to correct it.
On the surface, these two families have nothing in common. But Talia is harboring a secret from the twins—one that will bring them crashing into the Armstrongs. And when the truth comes out, no one will ever be the same.
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Expected publication September 22, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
March 9, 2026
Thank you to #netgalley for my Advanced Reader copy of this book!
Where to start with this, I’ll first say I absolutely loved this book from start to finish; the thrill of the world building and escalating suspense of the family being caught made it hard to put down for me.
You follow twins Rosie and Sam as they navigate a secretive world of genetic cannibalism and what it means to stay alive for Sam - a constant stream of lies and running to the next town to evade a pile of bodies he leaves behind.
The graphic descriptions of their eating and just how passionate/disgusted they are with themselves (depending on the character!) really had me intrigued with the concept of what it would mean to be a moral cannibal - not a question I’ve ever asked myself.
Added to all this, is the mystery and suspense of the obsessed paternal family trying to catch up with our main characters. Every POV brings the story closer together in the best way.
It’s a perfect blend of horror and heart, with a touch of humour that really pulls everything together. Definitely something I’d want to buy physically!
If you were on the fence about adding this to your TBR - this is your sign to add it!
Where to start with this, I’ll first say I absolutely loved this book from start to finish; the thrill of the world building and escalating suspense of the family being caught made it hard to put down for me.
You follow twins Rosie and Sam as they navigate a secretive world of genetic cannibalism and what it means to stay alive for Sam - a constant stream of lies and running to the next town to evade a pile of bodies he leaves behind.
The graphic descriptions of their eating and just how passionate/disgusted they are with themselves (depending on the character!) really had me intrigued with the concept of what it would mean to be a moral cannibal - not a question I’ve ever asked myself.
Added to all this, is the mystery and suspense of the obsessed paternal family trying to catch up with our main characters. Every POV brings the story closer together in the best way.
It’s a perfect blend of horror and heart, with a touch of humour that really pulls everything together. Definitely something I’d want to buy physically!
If you were on the fence about adding this to your TBR - this is your sign to add it!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Big thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC copy of The Need! This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.
I didn't read this book, I inhaled it; a fast-paced horror indeed! What a book, what a book. And, for a book about, simply put, cannibals, I truly had the time of my life xD
Anyway, I consumed this book just like our main characters need to consume human meet to keep themselves alive. All because of the Need, a rare genetic disorder that makes them crave it on a regular basis or, eventually, they'll die no mater how much of something else they feed themselves with.
There are people that consider the Need a power, a proof of their superior status, like the Amrstrong family, represented in the present by Vera, a famous model of the nineties, living in opulence as she feed on other people and a ruthless person, who is now haunted by a mistake of her past that has ruined her relationship with her children and grandchildren. yet, she's working hard to fix it, and she'll do anything for it.
On the other hand, there's Talia, who's on the run with her twin children, Sam, who's inherited the Need from her, and Rosie, who longs to be a normal teenager since she didn't inherited it. Feeding from dead people that reaches Talia's funeral parlor, she thinks they can make it through life with a low profile and with intact morality. Yet, Sam's tendencies to murder people to feed on them, to consume fresh meet, takes them constantly from city to city, from new names to new names, never staying long in one place. And so, it seems like they'll never have peace no matter what.
Moreover, because Talia's secret, the most dangerous of them, is about to step into the light and ruin everybody's lives even more.
So, what I liked most about this book were definitely the world and the twists, yes, in plural. There were a couple of moments of revelations and final truths spoken aloud that let me open-mouthed in shock for a moment and re-reading to make sure I had gotten it right. On that part, I think the revelations were well written and built up properly; or, in other words, for me, it didn't felt like anything came out of nowhere, it all got explained in the end and, in book like this, is always good to see ;)
When it comes to the world, is our little Earth, yet the Need exists and it is past down families and generations, creating people like the Armstrong family, or like Talia, that try to live without causing too much harm to others. And this contrast is what really drives the novel towards its completion, with rich conflict, different points of view on ethics and medical experiments, while bringing forward a tale of family and looking for human connection.
And, what can I say, Talia's character made the book for me. Nothing like a mother who runs a funeral parlor to feed her family and is trying her best for her children and herself, even if she could just ditch them in nowhere-town and be free of it all. She just moved me so much...
I don't have much to complaint about, yet I would have liked the secondary characters to be more deeply develop so that their actions became more impactful at the time of the confrontation and such, 'cause, though the main characters do come across as realistic and full people, the others where just there, with their roles and relationships to the main characters, but I feel like i don't know them much by the end of the book, so I don't really care whatever happens to them.
In the end, with it good parts and bad parts, The Need is definitely a debut to keep on our radars and look forward to. Fun, familiar, surprising and shocking, it kept me glue to its pages, so much that I read it in a day. Didn't think I could liked a book about cannibals so much, but I did, because the Need is far more than that, of course, so I hope y'all give it a try because it well deserves it. Hope y'all enjoyed this review and I'll see you on the next one ;)
I didn't read this book, I inhaled it; a fast-paced horror indeed! What a book, what a book. And, for a book about, simply put, cannibals, I truly had the time of my life xD
Anyway, I consumed this book just like our main characters need to consume human meet to keep themselves alive. All because of the Need, a rare genetic disorder that makes them crave it on a regular basis or, eventually, they'll die no mater how much of something else they feed themselves with.
There are people that consider the Need a power, a proof of their superior status, like the Amrstrong family, represented in the present by Vera, a famous model of the nineties, living in opulence as she feed on other people and a ruthless person, who is now haunted by a mistake of her past that has ruined her relationship with her children and grandchildren. yet, she's working hard to fix it, and she'll do anything for it.
On the other hand, there's Talia, who's on the run with her twin children, Sam, who's inherited the Need from her, and Rosie, who longs to be a normal teenager since she didn't inherited it. Feeding from dead people that reaches Talia's funeral parlor, she thinks they can make it through life with a low profile and with intact morality. Yet, Sam's tendencies to murder people to feed on them, to consume fresh meet, takes them constantly from city to city, from new names to new names, never staying long in one place. And so, it seems like they'll never have peace no matter what.
Moreover, because Talia's secret, the most dangerous of them, is about to step into the light and ruin everybody's lives even more.
So, what I liked most about this book were definitely the world and the twists, yes, in plural. There were a couple of moments of revelations and final truths spoken aloud that let me open-mouthed in shock for a moment and re-reading to make sure I had gotten it right. On that part, I think the revelations were well written and built up properly; or, in other words, for me, it didn't felt like anything came out of nowhere, it all got explained in the end and, in book like this, is always good to see ;)
When it comes to the world, is our little Earth, yet the Need exists and it is past down families and generations, creating people like the Armstrong family, or like Talia, that try to live without causing too much harm to others. And this contrast is what really drives the novel towards its completion, with rich conflict, different points of view on ethics and medical experiments, while bringing forward a tale of family and looking for human connection.
And, what can I say, Talia's character made the book for me. Nothing like a mother who runs a funeral parlor to feed her family and is trying her best for her children and herself, even if she could just ditch them in nowhere-town and be free of it all. She just moved me so much...
I don't have much to complaint about, yet I would have liked the secondary characters to be more deeply develop so that their actions became more impactful at the time of the confrontation and such, 'cause, though the main characters do come across as realistic and full people, the others where just there, with their roles and relationships to the main characters, but I feel like i don't know them much by the end of the book, so I don't really care whatever happens to them.
In the end, with it good parts and bad parts, The Need is definitely a debut to keep on our radars and look forward to. Fun, familiar, surprising and shocking, it kept me glue to its pages, so much that I read it in a day. Didn't think I could liked a book about cannibals so much, but I did, because the Need is far more than that, of course, so I hope y'all give it a try because it well deserves it. Hope y'all enjoyed this review and I'll see you on the next one ;)
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is horror with teeth — sharp, stylish, and emotionally precise — but what lingers most is not the shock. It’s the humanity.
At its core, this novel takes a wildly inventive premise and grounds it in something deeply recognisable: family, survival, and the complicated ways love can look when it is shaped by fear. The Need becomes more than a genetic condition — it becomes metaphor, inheritance, burden, and power all at once.
The story moves with confidence between two families whose lives mirror and challenge each other. Talia’s world is defined by motion, secrecy, and the exhausting work of protecting her children from themselves and from discovery. In contrast, the Armstrong family embodies privilege and control, reframing the same condition as status and identity. The tension between these perspectives gives the novel its momentum and thematic depth.
What stands out immediately is the voice. The book is provocative and darkly funny without losing emotional clarity. Rosie’s desire for normal teenage milestones brings levity and ache in equal measure, while Sam’s struggle captures the frightening intimacy of living with an impulse you cannot fully control. The writing allows these contradictions to exist side by side — horror and humour, tenderness and transgression — without diluting either.
Vera is a particularly striking presence. Her sections add texture, scale, and a sense of generational consequence that expands the novel beyond a single family narrative. Through her, the story explores shame, legacy, and the cost of maintaining power inside a system built on secrecy.
The pacing is propulsive, but never careless. Each perspective adds new emotional information, gradually revealing how these lives are connected and why those connections matter. When the narrative threads converge, the impact feels earned — not just narratively, but thematically.
What elevates the novel is its control of tone. The premise is bold, but the storytelling is intentional. The horror functions as both spectacle and language: a way to examine hunger, belonging, inheritance, and the impossible choices parents make to protect their children.
This is a debut that understands its voice and trusts its readers. Stylish, unsettling, and unexpectedly moving, it delivers the thrill of high-concept horror alongside a story about family that feels intimate and resonant.
A daring, darkly funny exploration of appetite — for survival, for love, for identity — that marks a striking and memorable arrival.
At its core, this novel takes a wildly inventive premise and grounds it in something deeply recognisable: family, survival, and the complicated ways love can look when it is shaped by fear. The Need becomes more than a genetic condition — it becomes metaphor, inheritance, burden, and power all at once.
The story moves with confidence between two families whose lives mirror and challenge each other. Talia’s world is defined by motion, secrecy, and the exhausting work of protecting her children from themselves and from discovery. In contrast, the Armstrong family embodies privilege and control, reframing the same condition as status and identity. The tension between these perspectives gives the novel its momentum and thematic depth.
What stands out immediately is the voice. The book is provocative and darkly funny without losing emotional clarity. Rosie’s desire for normal teenage milestones brings levity and ache in equal measure, while Sam’s struggle captures the frightening intimacy of living with an impulse you cannot fully control. The writing allows these contradictions to exist side by side — horror and humour, tenderness and transgression — without diluting either.
Vera is a particularly striking presence. Her sections add texture, scale, and a sense of generational consequence that expands the novel beyond a single family narrative. Through her, the story explores shame, legacy, and the cost of maintaining power inside a system built on secrecy.
The pacing is propulsive, but never careless. Each perspective adds new emotional information, gradually revealing how these lives are connected and why those connections matter. When the narrative threads converge, the impact feels earned — not just narratively, but thematically.
What elevates the novel is its control of tone. The premise is bold, but the storytelling is intentional. The horror functions as both spectacle and language: a way to examine hunger, belonging, inheritance, and the impossible choices parents make to protect their children.
This is a debut that understands its voice and trusts its readers. Stylish, unsettling, and unexpectedly moving, it delivers the thrill of high-concept horror alongside a story about family that feels intimate and resonant.
A daring, darkly funny exploration of appetite — for survival, for love, for identity — that marks a striking and memorable arrival.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Need is a wild, clever, and unexpectedly heartfelt horror novel that manages to be both darkly funny and genuinely moving. It takes a premise that should feel outrageous — a genetic disorder that forces people to consume human flesh — and grounds it in family dynamics, identity, and the messy, complicated ways we try to protect the people we love.
Talia’s life on the run has a weary tenderness to it. She’s a mother doing everything she can to shield her twins from a truth that terrifies her, even as Sam’s hunger grows harder to control and Rosie longs for the kind of normal teenage life she’s never been allowed to have. Their dynamic is sharp, chaotic, and full of love and resentment in equal measure. Rosie’s exasperation — trying to navigate crushes and Homecoming while her brother keeps, well, eating people — gives the book a brilliant streak of humour that never undercuts its emotional weight.
Across the country, Vera’s world is the perfect foil: opulent, curated, and rotting from the inside. The Armstrongs treat The Need as a birthright, a privilege, a mark of superiority. Vera’s storyline is glossy on the surface but deeply tragic underneath, her guilt and desperation slowly unravelling the life she’s built. Watching these two families move inevitably toward each other gives the novel a propulsive, almost cinematic energy.
The story shines in the way it balances tones — horror threaded with wit, satire softened by genuine heart. Beneath the cannibalism and chaos is a thoughtful exploration of inheritance, shame, and the lengths we go to in order to belong. When the truth finally pulls the families together, the collision is as emotional as it is explosive.
A sharp, fast-paced, and surprisingly poignant debut that blends horror with humour and heart. Perfect for readers who love their genre fiction bold, character-driven, and just a little unhinged.
With thanks to Megan Mostyn-Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Talia’s life on the run has a weary tenderness to it. She’s a mother doing everything she can to shield her twins from a truth that terrifies her, even as Sam’s hunger grows harder to control and Rosie longs for the kind of normal teenage life she’s never been allowed to have. Their dynamic is sharp, chaotic, and full of love and resentment in equal measure. Rosie’s exasperation — trying to navigate crushes and Homecoming while her brother keeps, well, eating people — gives the book a brilliant streak of humour that never undercuts its emotional weight.
Across the country, Vera’s world is the perfect foil: opulent, curated, and rotting from the inside. The Armstrongs treat The Need as a birthright, a privilege, a mark of superiority. Vera’s storyline is glossy on the surface but deeply tragic underneath, her guilt and desperation slowly unravelling the life she’s built. Watching these two families move inevitably toward each other gives the novel a propulsive, almost cinematic energy.
The story shines in the way it balances tones — horror threaded with wit, satire softened by genuine heart. Beneath the cannibalism and chaos is a thoughtful exploration of inheritance, shame, and the lengths we go to in order to belong. When the truth finally pulls the families together, the collision is as emotional as it is explosive.
A sharp, fast-paced, and surprisingly poignant debut that blends horror with humour and heart. Perfect for readers who love their genre fiction bold, character-driven, and just a little unhinged.
With thanks to Megan Mostyn-Brown, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Megan Mostyn-Brown for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Wow. Just… wow. I’m going to start by saying I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that is The Need. This is Megan Mostyn-Brown’s first thriller, and if this is how she starts, I am officially terrified (and excited) to see what she does next.
The story follows a high-stakes game of survival between two families, and it’s honestly "horror with teeth." But beneath the blood and the chase, it’s a deeply recognizable story about family and the messy ways we try to protect the people we love when fear is the driving force.
I felt so much for Thalia. It’s hard enough being a mom without the added stress of, you know, a genetic horror condition and running a funeral home. She’s such a layered character—struggling to do her best while also low-key dreaming of running away from it all. Her kids, Rosie and Sam, were equally compelling; one just wants to be a normal teenager while the other is fighting a battle within himself that he can't quite control.
I also loved the inclusion of Vera. Her perspective gave the story a much-needed sense of scale and showed how these "needs" are passed down through generations like a dark inheritance.
If I’m being 100% honest, I wish some of the side characters had been a bit more fleshed out. By the time we got to the big showdowns, I realized I didn't care quite as much about what happened to the "extras" as I did about the main family. However, the writing is so evocative—blending tenderness with transgression—that I still found myself holding my breath until the final page.
If you like your horror with a side of dark humor and a lot of heart, do not miss this one!
Wow. Just… wow. I’m going to start by saying I was not prepared for the emotional rollercoaster that is The Need. This is Megan Mostyn-Brown’s first thriller, and if this is how she starts, I am officially terrified (and excited) to see what she does next.
The story follows a high-stakes game of survival between two families, and it’s honestly "horror with teeth." But beneath the blood and the chase, it’s a deeply recognizable story about family and the messy ways we try to protect the people we love when fear is the driving force.
I felt so much for Thalia. It’s hard enough being a mom without the added stress of, you know, a genetic horror condition and running a funeral home. She’s such a layered character—struggling to do her best while also low-key dreaming of running away from it all. Her kids, Rosie and Sam, were equally compelling; one just wants to be a normal teenager while the other is fighting a battle within himself that he can't quite control.
I also loved the inclusion of Vera. Her perspective gave the story a much-needed sense of scale and showed how these "needs" are passed down through generations like a dark inheritance.
If I’m being 100% honest, I wish some of the side characters had been a bit more fleshed out. By the time we got to the big showdowns, I realized I didn't care quite as much about what happened to the "extras" as I did about the main family. However, the writing is so evocative—blending tenderness with transgression—that I still found myself holding my breath until the final page.
If you like your horror with a side of dark humor and a lot of heart, do not miss this one!
March 15, 2026
ARC provided by NetGalley
The Need is a fast‑paced, high‑concept horror novel built around a provocative premise: a rare genetic disorder that forces those who carry it to consume human flesh or die. The book follows two families—one trying desperately to hide the condition, the other embracing it as a twisted point of pride—and their eventual collision.
The setup is undeniably intriguing. Talia has spent years on the run with her twins, constantly reinventing their lives to keep their family secret buried. Sam struggles with the disorder’s violent pull, while Rosie, unaffected genetically, just wants a normal teenage life—TikTok, homecoming, maybe a crush—if only her brother would stop eating people and ruining everything. On the other side is Vera, a glamorous former model from the elite Armstrong family, who treats the disorder as a privilege but is unraveling under the weight of her own past mistakes.
Despite the dark and compelling premise, the story stays on the lighter, quicker side. It’s an easy read—short chapters, brisk pacing, and a plot that moves without lingering too long on world‑building or emotional depth. While that makes it accessible, it also means some of the more fascinating ideas never fully develop. The characters, too, are intentionally messy and flawed, but not particularly lovable, which may work for some readers and frustrate others.
Still, the concept is fresh, the tension is steady, and the intersecting family secrets kept me turning pages. If you’re looking for a horror novel that’s more about momentum and premise than deep character exploration, this one fits the bill.
The Need is a fast‑paced, high‑concept horror novel built around a provocative premise: a rare genetic disorder that forces those who carry it to consume human flesh or die. The book follows two families—one trying desperately to hide the condition, the other embracing it as a twisted point of pride—and their eventual collision.
The setup is undeniably intriguing. Talia has spent years on the run with her twins, constantly reinventing their lives to keep their family secret buried. Sam struggles with the disorder’s violent pull, while Rosie, unaffected genetically, just wants a normal teenage life—TikTok, homecoming, maybe a crush—if only her brother would stop eating people and ruining everything. On the other side is Vera, a glamorous former model from the elite Armstrong family, who treats the disorder as a privilege but is unraveling under the weight of her own past mistakes.
Despite the dark and compelling premise, the story stays on the lighter, quicker side. It’s an easy read—short chapters, brisk pacing, and a plot that moves without lingering too long on world‑building or emotional depth. While that makes it accessible, it also means some of the more fascinating ideas never fully develop. The characters, too, are intentionally messy and flawed, but not particularly lovable, which may work for some readers and frustrate others.
Still, the concept is fresh, the tension is steady, and the intersecting family secrets kept me turning pages. If you’re looking for a horror novel that’s more about momentum and premise than deep character exploration, this one fits the bill.
March 1, 2026
Oh I ate this UP.
What at first seemed to be a quiet, Americana road trip coming of age story, where cannibalism is a fact of life but certainly not the only thing going on in these teenagers’ emotional lives (think Bones and All), this became an enthralling and well-paced horror/thriller where I was emotionally invested in all the characters’ storylines - yes, even the ones eating other characters. Despite being overtly about cannibalism - the book opens on a main character having just eaten his friend - this is a story that ultimately feels very grounded and human.
There are multiple POVs, multiple timelines, multiple locations, and characters whose names change, which may not be for everyone, but the author employs these variations in voice to say something affecting about our relationship to grotesque acts, the ways we harm each other, our desire to protect those “like us,” and how human values can shift according to proximity to power and the need to belong. This was a delicious work of horror and I’m hungry for whatever this author dishes out next.
Also I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but THAT COVER. *licks lips*
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the advanced copy. These are my honest thoughts.
What at first seemed to be a quiet, Americana road trip coming of age story, where cannibalism is a fact of life but certainly not the only thing going on in these teenagers’ emotional lives (think Bones and All), this became an enthralling and well-paced horror/thriller where I was emotionally invested in all the characters’ storylines - yes, even the ones eating other characters. Despite being overtly about cannibalism - the book opens on a main character having just eaten his friend - this is a story that ultimately feels very grounded and human.
There are multiple POVs, multiple timelines, multiple locations, and characters whose names change, which may not be for everyone, but the author employs these variations in voice to say something affecting about our relationship to grotesque acts, the ways we harm each other, our desire to protect those “like us,” and how human values can shift according to proximity to power and the need to belong. This was a delicious work of horror and I’m hungry for whatever this author dishes out next.
Also I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover but THAT COVER. *licks lips*
Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for the advanced copy. These are my honest thoughts.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, and Inklore for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown. This is Megan’s debut novel and will be available on September 22, 2026.
Within the first few pages, I was hooked and knew I’d love it. It’s not filled with pretentious artsy filler for the sake of padding the word count. It’s written in a simple, easy to understand language and the plot is straight to the point.
The ‘need’ is a genetic disorder where you need to consume human flesh, or die. It’s that simple. We’re introduced to Talia and her twins, Rosie and Sam. Talia and Sam have the disorder, though Rosie does not. Once we’re introduced to Vera, we learn the connection she has with Talia. As for the secrets Talia is hiding from her kids, you’ll just have to read it to find out.
The narration is in the first person from the standpoint of each character. Many times, that could lead to an unreliable narrator but in the case of this book, I found the characters to be both honest and reliable. This was a fast-paced read that had a lot of heart. And liver. And kidneys. And…
Within the first few pages, I was hooked and knew I’d love it. It’s not filled with pretentious artsy filler for the sake of padding the word count. It’s written in a simple, easy to understand language and the plot is straight to the point.
The ‘need’ is a genetic disorder where you need to consume human flesh, or die. It’s that simple. We’re introduced to Talia and her twins, Rosie and Sam. Talia and Sam have the disorder, though Rosie does not. Once we’re introduced to Vera, we learn the connection she has with Talia. As for the secrets Talia is hiding from her kids, you’ll just have to read it to find out.
The narration is in the first person from the standpoint of each character. Many times, that could lead to an unreliable narrator but in the case of this book, I found the characters to be both honest and reliable. This was a fast-paced read that had a lot of heart. And liver. And kidneys. And…
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Need by Megan Mostyn-Brown is a novel about a family living with a rare genetic disorder which compels them to eat human flesh, or else they will die. The story follows the family on the run, constantly changing names and identities in order to evade Vera, the wealthy matriarch of the family who is in search of a cure for being “normal”.
The story is told from multiple points of view, and Vera’s scenes absolutely stole the show. I would read her memoirs in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, the other characters did not captivate me as much as she did. I found myself counting down the pages until I could get back to a Vera segment (I think I’m personally just a little too old to get invested in high school drama).
I enjoyed the grizzly cannibalistic violence, cool goth band name-dropping, casual nonbinary representation, and every single thing about Vera (love of my life), but it also felt like a particularly moody Lifetime movie. The pace is quick, and the plot is chaotic and exciting, and while it didn’t hit all of my buttons, I had fun reading it, and I hope you will too.
Thank you Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The story is told from multiple points of view, and Vera’s scenes absolutely stole the show. I would read her memoirs in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, the other characters did not captivate me as much as she did. I found myself counting down the pages until I could get back to a Vera segment (I think I’m personally just a little too old to get invested in high school drama).
I enjoyed the grizzly cannibalistic violence, cool goth band name-dropping, casual nonbinary representation, and every single thing about Vera (love of my life), but it also felt like a particularly moody Lifetime movie. The pace is quick, and the plot is chaotic and exciting, and while it didn’t hit all of my buttons, I had fun reading it, and I hope you will too.
Thank you Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing this advance copy for review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Need - A rare genetic disorder that requires those inflicted to consume human flesh or die. We follow two separate families that both have the Need but see it very differently. Talia's life consists of constantly moving her family around to escape the fallout of her son's hunger while his twin sister who does not have the Need feels she is being robbed of a typical teenager life. Meanwhile Vera, of the prominent Armstrong family who treats the Need as a birthright and privilege, is struggling with guilt and her life she has unraveling. A secret slowly brings these two families together.
This book drew me in quickly. The pace is fast and exciting. It is a great mix of horror, humor, family struggles, and chaos. The story is very character driven. The characters are really enjoyable. When the families finally come together there's a lot of chaos and emotion that played out well for the story. I would recommend this book to horror fans who enjoy a fast paced and exciting book. Thank you Megan Mostyn-Brown, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book drew me in quickly. The pace is fast and exciting. It is a great mix of horror, humor, family struggles, and chaos. The story is very character driven. The characters are really enjoyable. When the families finally come together there's a lot of chaos and emotion that played out well for the story. I would recommend this book to horror fans who enjoy a fast paced and exciting book. Thank you Megan Mostyn-Brown, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was hooked immediately by the premise: The Need is a rare genetic disorder where those who have it must consume human flesh or die. A cannibal thriller? I was instantly intrigued. The story follows Talia, who is on the run with her teenage twins, one of whom suffers from The Need. We also meet Vera, a former supermodel who proudly embraces the condition in ways that Talia fears. With multiple perspectives woven throughout the story, I loved getting to know the characters and how their lives intersect.
I read this in one sitting and immediately told my husband all about it. The pacing is fast, the cat-and-mouse tension keeps the story moving, and the worldbuilding around The Need was fascinating. Even though the premise is dark, the book doesn’t lean too heavily into graphic horror, which made it a really fun thriller to fly through. I especially enjoyed Vera and the secrets surrounding her wealthy family as they are chaotic in the best way.
Overall, I loved the wild ride and will probably preorder a finished copy because I can definitely see myself rereading it. The only reason it wasn’t a full five stars is that I wish it had been just a little longer.
I read this in one sitting and immediately told my husband all about it. The pacing is fast, the cat-and-mouse tension keeps the story moving, and the worldbuilding around The Need was fascinating. Even though the premise is dark, the book doesn’t lean too heavily into graphic horror, which made it a really fun thriller to fly through. I especially enjoyed Vera and the secrets surrounding her wealthy family as they are chaotic in the best way.
Overall, I loved the wild ride and will probably preorder a finished copy because I can definitely see myself rereading it. The only reason it wasn’t a full five stars is that I wish it had been just a little longer.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book! This was such an interesting story ! I really liked the multiple POVs because it helped us understand all the motivations behind the characters’ actions. This story was fast paced and has high stakes. I understood all of the characters’ actions. The need as a disease was very interesting and I liked seeing how each character had different ways of dealing with this condition. To see how the Armstrongs could go far and have little to no consequences was quite shocking. It depicted well how rich people have power and are able to do whatever they want. There were many more metaphors that I really enjoyed. I finished this book in a few hours, I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t wait to know the ending !
Overall this book is really well thought out and engaging. With its fast pace and high stakes, it is a book that will stick with you and make you wonder what sacrifices are you willing to make and just how far would you go to protect your family !
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
Overall this book is really well thought out and engaging. With its fast pace and high stakes, it is a book that will stick with you and make you wonder what sacrifices are you willing to make and just how far would you go to protect your family !
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I just finished this wild cannibal-family-drama thing, and honestly? It was a solid ride. The concept is super fun—cannibalism is a genetic condition, so try drawing a Punnet square for that—and it follows Talia, who’s on the run with her twin kids (one inherited the Need, one didn’t), stealing bodies from the funeral parlor where she works to keep them fed. The POVs jump around between family members, and while I’m not sure it always added something deeper, some of them were just plain entertaining, like the evil grandma who’s convinced she’s too beautiful to be from Toledo, Ohio. There’s good action, some genuinely horrifying kills, and a couple of twists that actually made me stop and reread because they landed so well. Talia really carried the emotional weight for me—loved her—but I did wish the side characters had more depth so I cared about them too. Still, it’s fast, fun, shocking, and surprisingly heartfelt in places. Read it in a day, which basically never happens. Would recommend!
March 20, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I ate this story right up, a fast paced thriller following Talia and her twin children, Sam and Rosie who live a peculiar life, Talia and her son have a genetic condition called ‘The need’ where they need to consume human meat to live. Yeah, genetic cannibalism; wild. And wild it was.
Sam can’t help himself, the meat his mum brings home isn’t enough to satisfy his cravings, so he tends to eat his classmates. Much to Rosie’s disappointment as each time she has to help clean up a murder and then their mum moves them to a new town. Talia has another reason to be running, her horrible mother In law is searching for Rosie, Rosie is a normal mark on their lineage and Vera, wants to rectify this with gene therapy.
This is such a fun read. Horrifying, quick paced with a lot of perspectives,they all complimented each other so well it really worked to tell this story with complexity and connect characters together seamlessly.
If you’re looking for a new book to add to your tbr I highly recommend this.
I ate this story right up, a fast paced thriller following Talia and her twin children, Sam and Rosie who live a peculiar life, Talia and her son have a genetic condition called ‘The need’ where they need to consume human meat to live. Yeah, genetic cannibalism; wild. And wild it was.
Sam can’t help himself, the meat his mum brings home isn’t enough to satisfy his cravings, so he tends to eat his classmates. Much to Rosie’s disappointment as each time she has to help clean up a murder and then their mum moves them to a new town. Talia has another reason to be running, her horrible mother In law is searching for Rosie, Rosie is a normal mark on their lineage and Vera, wants to rectify this with gene therapy.
This is such a fun read. Horrifying, quick paced with a lot of perspectives,they all complimented each other so well it really worked to tell this story with complexity and connect characters together seamlessly.
If you’re looking for a new book to add to your tbr I highly recommend this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Did not want to stop reading as soon as I started. The pacing of this book kept me glued to every word. I loved the characters. Every characters' POV felt real for them. The writing shifts between each character was so brilliant. I loved the metaphors used to explain very difficult things to relate to, so eventhough we were watching through the eyes of cannibals, they were still easy to relate to. I loved all of the music references. Even the less likable characters were so intriguing. I loved Sam, and his plight was something I think we have all experienced as teens, minus the eating people part, but the hollow, lonliness part, yes. Vera was kind of my favorite. Her outbursts cracked me up, and she had such a different experience than anyone else in the book. The ending brought things full circle! There was delicious karma, and surprisingly touching moments with themes of family, sacrifice and acceptance. I really enjoyed this book!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was an interesting take on the current cannibalism trend in literature. Here, cannibalism is a genetic condition, and all goes awry when a member of the powerful Armstrong family marries someone whose one parent did not have the genetic condition. (Try drawing a Punnet square for inheriting the trait !)
The story follows three members of the Armstrong family—Talia and her two children. The novel jumps between POVs between the chapters to give different characters’ perspectives on events as they unfold. I don’t know that it contributed as much to the story as one really solidly written narrator would have. But some of the POvs were plain fun. The over-the-top evil grandmother telling us that she was too beautiful to be born in Toledo, Ohio, actually made me cackle.
This novel has good action, some really horrifying killings, and a pretty heart-pounding ending. Really all you can ask for in a thriller like this. It was a solid read!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
The story follows three members of the Armstrong family—Talia and her two children. The novel jumps between POVs between the chapters to give different characters’ perspectives on events as they unfold. I don’t know that it contributed as much to the story as one really solidly written narrator would have. But some of the POvs were plain fun. The over-the-top evil grandmother telling us that she was too beautiful to be born in Toledo, Ohio, actually made me cackle.
This novel has good action, some really horrifying killings, and a pretty heart-pounding ending. Really all you can ask for in a thriller like this. It was a solid read!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A family jumps around from town to town escaping the fact the son - Sam kills and eats people. However this time his sister Rosie struggles to leave everything behind.
Through multiple POV’s the reader can take a view into each person’s and interpersonal relationships with each other and how they view Sam’s killing spree’s.
The writing is extremely dark yet witty and I loved the music references weaved into the plot, they really set an ambience for how the scene will play out.
I really enjoyed how “the need” show up in every persons perspective and they could never escape it and haunted the narrative and proved you can never run from your past.
The plot was easy to get into and was filled with plot twists tied into the extremely dark and expected family. Despite the interesting premise, it felt a little too fast paced for my liking (especially towards the end ).
thankyou Netgalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, & Inklore for the arc. all opinions and thoughts are my own <3
Through multiple POV’s the reader can take a view into each person’s and interpersonal relationships with each other and how they view Sam’s killing spree’s.
The writing is extremely dark yet witty and I loved the music references weaved into the plot, they really set an ambience for how the scene will play out.
I really enjoyed how “the need” show up in every persons perspective and they could never escape it and haunted the narrative and proved you can never run from your past.
The plot was easy to get into and was filled with plot twists tied into the extremely dark and expected family. Despite the interesting premise, it felt a little too fast paced for my liking (especially towards the end ).
thankyou Netgalley, Del Rey, Random House Worlds, & Inklore for the arc. all opinions and thoughts are my own <3
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you in advance to NetGalley for my ARC of The Need. I literally read this book in less than 24 hours and Megan Mostyn Brown, made that possible. Short chapters, utter chaos along with a heavy dose of snark and witty banter. You are instantly hyper fixated on understanding all of the characters and their need or total disregard for human flesh. Talia and her two children, twins Sam & Rosie have been on the run for a long time after the death of their father, she has been trying to protect the from their Grandma Vera, who never liked or appreciated Talia and was angry because while Sam was just like her, Rosie didn't have the need. They changed names and locations frequently because Sam would do something to draw attention to them, or Talia would feel like Vera was closing in. All poor Rosie wanted was to be a normal teenage girl, have friends and social media, but she kept getting uprooted. Lots of cool nods to the music of my youth. This book was a quick ride and very enjoyable.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed The Need — it struck a great balance between gore and a genuinely intriguing storyline. The horror elements were intense without feeling excessive, and the “grossness” added to the atmosphere rather than taking away from the plot.
What kept me hooked was the central mystery and how the narrative unfolded. It had that slightly unsettling, addictive quality where I kept wanting to read just one more chapter to figure out what was going on.
My only criticism would be the number of POVs. At times, I found it a little difficult to keep track of whose perspective I was reading, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. That said, this may be more of a personal preference, as I tend to prefer a more focused narrative.
Overall, I found this to be a compelling and memorable read, particularly for those who enjoy horror with substance. I’d definitely recommend it to readers looking for something dark, unsettling, and engaging.
What kept me hooked was the central mystery and how the narrative unfolded. It had that slightly unsettling, addictive quality where I kept wanting to read just one more chapter to figure out what was going on.
My only criticism would be the number of POVs. At times, I found it a little difficult to keep track of whose perspective I was reading, which occasionally pulled me out of the story. That said, this may be more of a personal preference, as I tend to prefer a more focused narrative.
Overall, I found this to be a compelling and memorable read, particularly for those who enjoy horror with substance. I’d definitely recommend it to readers looking for something dark, unsettling, and engaging.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. 3.25 ⭐️ The concept of this story really hooked me, a family of three on the run, with two that have a genetic disorder that leaves them craving human flesh? Colour me intrigued!
That said, anything with more than four POVs tends to lose me a bit, and this one clocks in at six. While I enjoyed the overall story and most of the characters, Joaquin’s and Carolyn’s chapters were a bit of a slog for me, and I found myself wanting to rush through them to get back to the others.
The climax was satisfying, but it felt a little rushed compared to the slower, more deliberate buildup. Still a compelling read but one that might’ve benefited from a bit more focus (and maybe fewer narrators).
That said, anything with more than four POVs tends to lose me a bit, and this one clocks in at six. While I enjoyed the overall story and most of the characters, Joaquin’s and Carolyn’s chapters were a bit of a slog for me, and I found myself wanting to rush through them to get back to the others.
The climax was satisfying, but it felt a little rushed compared to the slower, more deliberate buildup. Still a compelling read but one that might’ve benefited from a bit more focus (and maybe fewer narrators).
March 23, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for letting me read this arc.
⤷ “a human who needs the meat of other humans to survive”
I usually don’t read horror novels but this one…oh my god…that was so good. So good I read this in one go…
The story follows a single mom, Talia and his two kids, Sam and Rosie, who are running away because two of them have The Need, a disease making them eat humans.
This story was very fascinating and consuming, and I really liked the presence of different POV. Each character had their own, and we were able to see how they were dealing with The Need, each differently.
I really liked how this was a family drama horror story that was at the same time touching but also in a horror way.
⤷ “a human who needs the meat of other humans to survive”
I usually don’t read horror novels but this one…oh my god…that was so good. So good I read this in one go…
The story follows a single mom, Talia and his two kids, Sam and Rosie, who are running away because two of them have The Need, a disease making them eat humans.
This story was very fascinating and consuming, and I really liked the presence of different POV. Each character had their own, and we were able to see how they were dealing with The Need, each differently.
I really liked how this was a family drama horror story that was at the same time touching but also in a horror way.
March 2, 2026
I loved this book! This was the first time I’ve read of twins not having some kind of psychic connection, and I feel that’s more realistic in real life. The story was fast paced kept you engaged. Parts of the story reminded me of a VC Andrews novel about a rich family with dark secrets for generations. Loved reading from multiple POVs. I feel like the only character that we didn’t really get closure with was Naomi. They and Sam could have been good for each other if they could have both opened up more. It may have even stopped Sam from his demise IMO. Overall, it was a great story and I look forward to reading more from this author! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
thank you to netgalley for a copy of this arc!
this was a really interesting read. i thought that the concept was really cool, and the way it was written was engaging. the first chapter was difficult to get into, it was immediately a lot of violence, but the story pulls you in in a way that makes it hard to put the book down. i will say that the switching of points of view mid chapter makes the book feel a bit more chaotic but also longer so it can be seen as a positive or a negative. also, this book is not for the faint-hearted, there is a lot of gore and grotesque detail; which is expected given the subject content. overall, i enjoyed it but it’s probably an acquired taste.
this was a really interesting read. i thought that the concept was really cool, and the way it was written was engaging. the first chapter was difficult to get into, it was immediately a lot of violence, but the story pulls you in in a way that makes it hard to put the book down. i will say that the switching of points of view mid chapter makes the book feel a bit more chaotic but also longer so it can be seen as a positive or a negative. also, this book is not for the faint-hearted, there is a lot of gore and grotesque detail; which is expected given the subject content. overall, i enjoyed it but it’s probably an acquired taste.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC provided by NetGalley
The Need is a fast-paced horror novel about a rare genetic disorder that forces people to eat human flesh to survive. The story follows two families—one hiding the condition and another embracing it—until their lives eventually collide.
The premise is unique and intriguing, and the short chapters make it a quick, easy read. While the idea is fascinating, the story doesn’t spend much time on deeper character development or world-building. Still, the tension and family secrets keep the pages turning. A good choice if you want a horror story with a strong concept and fast pacing.
The Need is a fast-paced horror novel about a rare genetic disorder that forces people to eat human flesh to survive. The story follows two families—one hiding the condition and another embracing it—until their lives eventually collide.
The premise is unique and intriguing, and the short chapters make it a quick, easy read. While the idea is fascinating, the story doesn’t spend much time on deeper character development or world-building. Still, the tension and family secrets keep the pages turning. A good choice if you want a horror story with a strong concept and fast pacing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
OMG, this was SO good!!
This completely caught me off guard in the best way. It was funny, eerie, gory, tense, and genuinely wild. The tone balanced dark humour with unsettling moments perfectly, and I was hooked from start to finish. I honestly haven’t read anything quite like this, it felt fresh, sharp, and wildly entertaining. I loved every minute of it and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy horror with bite, humour, and intensity.
The characters felt real to me, I was rooting for them and watched them grow. This was just so good!
This completely caught me off guard in the best way. It was funny, eerie, gory, tense, and genuinely wild. The tone balanced dark humour with unsettling moments perfectly, and I was hooked from start to finish. I honestly haven’t read anything quite like this, it felt fresh, sharp, and wildly entertaining. I loved every minute of it and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend for readers who enjoy horror with bite, humour, and intensity.
The characters felt real to me, I was rooting for them and watched them grow. This was just so good!
March 11, 2026
The Need had a strong opening that pulled me in immediately, the concept is genuinely interesting and the setup had me hooked. Unfortunately it lost momentum as it went on, and by the end I felt like it didn't quite deliver on the promise of those early pages. The pacing in the middle section dragged in a way that was hard to push through. A solid read and I don't regret picking it up, but it's one I'll likely forget sooner rather than later. Would suit readers who enjoy a slower burn and aren't as plot-driven as I tend to be.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is crazy-good! Rosie and Sam are twins and don't realize they are "different" until the dead bodies begin piling up! Being born a cannibal is something they can't explain or get away from as the taste of human flesh and blood is all they've ever known. It's captivating in its originality and the subject is handled delicately as well. It's worth reading even if it's out of your comfort zone as it's a fascinating tale!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the digital review copy.
Blending horror with a surprising amount of heart, The Need is a standout debut that is as poignant as it is "unhinged." While the plot centers on a visceral genetic hunger, the soul of the book lies in its exploration of family dynamics and the lengths we go to for love.
It’s dark, it’s funny, and it’s incredibly sharp. If you like your genre bending fiction with a side of emotional depth, don't miss this one.
Blending horror with a surprising amount of heart, The Need is a standout debut that is as poignant as it is "unhinged." While the plot centers on a visceral genetic hunger, the soul of the book lies in its exploration of family dynamics and the lengths we go to for love.
It’s dark, it’s funny, and it’s incredibly sharp. If you like your genre bending fiction with a side of emotional depth, don't miss this one.
March 5, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this arc!! The first couple chapters were difficult for me to get into, but I was immediately interested and pulled into the violence and cannibalism that happens through out this book. The switching of the POV's throughout each chapter, at times made it feel chaotic, but I enjoyed getting to see the multiple perspectives.
Rating: 3.75/5
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this arc!! The first couple chapters were difficult for me to get into, but I was immediately interested and pulled into the violence and cannibalism that happens through out this book. The switching of the POV's throughout each chapter, at times made it feel chaotic, but I enjoyed getting to see the multiple perspectives.
Rating: 3.75/5
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Really enjoyed this !
The Need by Megan Mostyn‑Brown was such an easy book to sink into 😉 *pun intended*. I loved how each character’s perspective actually felt like them — every voice fit their personality perfectly, which made the story feel really grounded. The pacing kept me interested the whole way through, and the ending wrapped things up in a way that felt clean and satisfying without being cheesy. Overall, a solid, memorable read that I’m glad I picked up.
The Need by Megan Mostyn‑Brown was such an easy book to sink into 😉 *pun intended*. I loved how each character’s perspective actually felt like them — every voice fit their personality perfectly, which made the story feel really grounded. The pacing kept me interested the whole way through, and the ending wrapped things up in a way that felt clean and satisfying without being cheesy. Overall, a solid, memorable read that I’m glad I picked up.
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