D.L. Taylor’s The Beasts We Bury is a YA fantasy novel that weaves together magic, political tension, and personal struggles. At its heart, the novel follows Mancella, heir to the throne, who possesses the power to summon an army of animals, ones she has previously killed. Opposing her is Silver, a skilled thief whose motives initially revolve around self-preservation and the survival of his found family. As their fates intertwine, the novel explores themes of power, morality, and the consequences of one’s choices. While the premise is intriguing and the world is vividly described, the novel struggles to leave a lasting impact due to its limitations within the YA genre and underdeveloped elements of its magic system.
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Will he steal her heart… or her chance at the throne?
Daughter and heir to the throne, Mancella Cliff yearns for a life without bloodshed. But as a child, she emerged from the Broken Citadel with the power to summon animals—only after killing them with her bare hands. Her magic is a constant reminder of the horrors her father, the ruler of the realm, has forced upon her to strengthen their power.
Silver is a charming thief struggling to survive in a world torn apart by Mancella’s father’s reign. When a mysterious benefactor recruits him for the heist of a lifetime, a chance to rob the castle, Silver relishes the opportunity for a real future—and revenge. But he’ll have to manipulate Mance and earn her trust to pull it off.
As the deception and carnage mount, Mance must find a way to save her realm without becoming the ruthless monster she’s been bred to be. And when Silver discovers that his actions are fueling the violence that Mance wants to prevent, he’ll have to choose between his ambition and the girl he’s falling for.
Mancella (Mance) is an intriguing protagonist who subverts the expectations of a powerful heir. Rather than embracing her abilities as a weapon of war, she actively resists them, longing for peace rather than destruction. Her internal conflict between what she wants for herself and what her father demands drives much of the story, making her struggle both compelling and frustrating at times.
Silver, on the other hand, is a thief caught up in a dangerous heist that brings him into Mance’s world. His loyalty lies with his found family, Rooftop and Vie, and his only goal is to secure a safe future for them. His relationship with Mance is built on manipulation at first, but as he grows to care for her, his internal conflict becomes more interesting. The shift from using her to protect his own to realising his actions may cause harm adds layers to his character.
Mance’s father is a looming presence, his political manoeuvres and desire for war creating the overarching tension in the novel. He pushes Mance to embrace her power, seeing her as a tool rather than an individual, making him a classic but effective antagonist.
Mance’s sister is a mystery throughout much of the book. As the eldest daughter, she should have been the rightful heir, but her lack of powers means Mance has taken her place. There are hints that she may have secrets of her own, but they aren’t fully explored, leaving questions about her role in the wider story.
The novel’s political landscape is one of its strongest aspects. Mance’s father is preparing for war against another clan, using his daughter’s powers as a key weapon. His goal is to make her stronger, forcing her to kill more animals and harness their strength, a process that horrifies Mance and fuels her desire to escape his control.
Mance’s resistance and determination to forge her own path create a strong coming-of-age element. She doesn’t want to be a weapon, yet she is constantly manipulated by those around her, whether it’s her father pushing her toward violence or Silver using her for his own gain.
Silver’s storyline adds a different perspective, as he is a thief with simple desires: a home and a safe future for his friends. The heist that draws him into Mance’s world is a dangerous one, but it offers him a chance at a better life. However, his growing feelings for Mance complicate his initial plans, and his betrayal leads to emotional conflict rather than a straightforward romance.
One of the novel’s strongest moments comes at the end, when the true leader of the rebels is revealed. The twist is well executed, adding a final burst of excitement and shifting perspectives on who the real threats in the kingdom are.
That said, some aspects of the story feel underdeveloped. The origin of the heirs’ powers, for example, is vaguely explained, leaving many unanswered questions. We know that Mance and her sister were younger than usual when they underwent the process, and that not everyone survives, but the mechanics of how powers are granted and why only certain people can receive them remain frustratingly unclear.
Taylor’s descriptions are one of the highlights of the novel. The imagery of the world is captivating, particularly the opening scenes featuring glass trees, remnants of Mance’s grandfather’s power. The shards that litter the outskirts of the city, where the poorest citizens live, add an extra layer of world-building that reinforces the stark class divide.
The metaphor of Mance’s flowers, which bloom every evening only for her father to tear them out the next day, is beautifully executed. It serves as a poignant symbol of hope and resistance, showing that no matter how much her father tries to break her, she still finds a way to hold onto her identity.
However, the novel’s pacing occasionally drags, and certain elements feel rushed or lacking in depth – particularly the magic system. The way heirs receive their powers and the consequences of those powers could have been explored in more detail to enhance the stakes of the story.
The novel delves into several thought-provoking themes:
- Power and morality: Mance’s ability to summon animals she has killed is both a strength and a curse. She despises what her power demands of her, and her struggle to retain her humanity while being pressured into violence is a key conflict.
- Coming of age and self-identity: Both Mance and Silver undergo journeys of self-discovery, realising that their choices define them more than their circumstances. Mance refuses to be her father’s weapon, while Silver must confront the morality of his actions when his manipulations turn into genuine affection.
- Hope and resilience: The recurring imagery of the blooming flower reinforces the idea that hope persists even in the darkest situations. Mance’s quiet acts of defiance show her determination to create a better world.
- The cost of survival: Silver’s motivations are rooted in survival and securing a future for his friends, making his moral dilemmas all the more compelling. His decisions aren’t always honourable, but they are understandable given his circumstances.
While Beasts We Bury fits comfortably within the YA fantasy genre, it feels like a story that could have benefited from being written for an older audience. The darker elements, Mance’s brutal power, the political intrigue, and the moral grey areas, are intriguing but could have been explored more deeply with a more mature tone. The novel sometimes holds back from fully embracing its darker themes, which makes it feel somewhat restrained.
Beasts We Bury is an engaging fantasy novel with a strong premise and compelling themes. Mance’s struggle against her father’s control, Silver’s internal conflict, and the political tension create an intriguing story. However, the lack of depth in the magic system and some underdeveloped elements prevent it from being truly memorable. The writing is beautifully descriptive, and the twist at the end is satisfying, but it’s a book that doesn’t leave a lasting impact after reading.
Positives of The Beasts We Bury
- Unique magic system with an intriguing (though underexplored) concept.
- Strong themes of power, morality, and coming of age.
- Beautifully descriptive writing, especially in world-building details.
- The rebel twist at the end was well executed.
Negatives of The Beasts We Bury
- The magic system lacks depth and explanation.
- Pacing is inconsistent, with some slow sections.
- Certain characters, like Mance’s sister, feel underdeveloped.
- The novel might have been more effective if it wasn’t confined to YA.
If you enjoy YA fantasy with morally complex characters and a strong focus on personal struggles, it’s worth a read. However, if you’re looking for a deeply developed magic system and a more intense exploration of its darker themes, you may find it lacking.
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The Beasts We Bury by D.L. Taylor 📖 Book Review | Uptown Oracle
D.L. Taylor’s The Beasts We Bury is a YA fantasy novel that weaves together magic, political tension, and personal struggles. At its heart, the novel follows Mancella, heir to the throne, who possesses the power to summon an army of animals, ones she has previously killed. Opposing her is Silver, a skilled thief whose motives initially revolve around self-preservation and the survival of his found family. As their fates intertwine, the novel explores themes of power, morality, and the consequences of one’s choices. While the premise is intriguing and the world is vividly described, the novel struggles to leave a lasting impact due to its limitations within the YA genre and underdeveloped elements of its magic system.
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D.L. Taylor
