Imagine your father is a monster. Would that mean there are monsters inside you, too?

Nineteen-year-old Ry Burke, his mother, and little sister scrape by for a living on their dying family farm. Ry wishes for anything to distract him from the grim memories of his father’s physical and emotional abuse. Then a meteorite falls from the sky, bringing with it not only a fragment from another world but also the arrival of a ruthless man intent on destroying the entire family. Soon Ry is forced to defend himself by resurrecting a trio of imaginary childhood protectors: kindly Mr. Furrington, wise Jesus, and the bloodthirsty Scowler.

Hardcover, 304 pages  Published March 12th 2013 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Ry’s father is currently in prison and Ry and his family are still trying to cope with the abuse he caused them all. They live in a secluded farmhouse on land that is the prize of their fathers heart. But after years of having to run the farm on her own, Ry’s mother has finally decided it’s time for them to move now that it’s been desolated and dried out. Meteorites begin to fall from the sky and one lands on their property, bringing with it not only memories of the past, but also some bad characters as well.

This story is told with several flashback scenes in which we learn more about our characters and the events that lead to the present day. This story does take place over a matter of a few days and chapters are sequenced by counting down to the time of the meteorite landing and immediately after.  The whole book is told from Ry’s perspective and his flashbacks take us through his youth to present day events.

With this writing style the reader is introduced to Ry’s mother and little sister, their growth throughout the years and the events that have lead them to the current situation with them fighting for their lives. Each character is fully rounded out to the point that you hate them, you love them, and your heart will break for them.

Scowler is one of the scariest young adult books I have ever read. Author Daniel Kraus makes no attempt to guard the readers from the events that unfold. It’s a bloody, terrifying and emotionally wrenching story that can and will cause loss of sleep. A deeply disturbing and well-crafted novel of suspense, and a thriller that any horror lover will enjoy.