Beast: A Novel

Returning to his favourite setting of Fort Simmer, Northwest Territories, Richard Van Camp brings his exuberant style to a captivating teen novel that blends the supernatural with 1980s-era nostalgia to reflect on friendship, tradition and forgiveness.

For as long as Lawson can remember, his life in a small Northwest Territories town has revolved around “the Treaty” between the Dogrib and the Chipewyan, set down centuries ago to prevent the return of bloody warfare between the two peoples.

On the Dogrib side, Lawson and his family have done their best to keep the pact alive with the neighbouring Cranes, a family with ancestral ties to a revered Chipewyan war chief. But even as Lawson and his father dutifully tidy the Cranes’ property as an act of respect, their counterparts offer little more than scowls and derision in return, despite the fact that both families are responsible for protecting the treaty.

Worse still, it seems that one of the Cranes’ boys is doing all he can to revive the old conflict: Silver, fresh out of jail, has placed himself in the service of a cruel, ghoulish spirit bent on destroying the peace. Now it's up to Isaiah Valentine, a Cree Grass Dancer, Shari Burns, a Metis psychic, and Lawson Sauron, a Dogrib Yabati—or protector—to face what Silver Cranes has called back.

This latest feat of storytelling magic by celebrated author Richard Van Camp blends sharply observed realism and hair-raising horror as it plays out against a 1980s-era backdrop replete with Platinum Blonde songs and episodes of Degrassi Junior High. Unfolding in the fictional town of Fort Simmer—the setting of previous Van Camp stories—Beast delivers a gripping, spirited tale that pits the powers of tradition against the pull of a vengeful past.

“Beast is a singular force. It’s the offspring of Stranger Things, Stephen King, and vintage Van Camp. Rich in lore, terror, pop culture, and traditional knowledge, this novel is a page-turning, spine-tingling delight.”

“Beast by Richard Van Camp is an enthralling blend of horror and heritage, set against the evocative backdrop of the Northwest Territories. This young adult novel follows Lawson, a Tłı̨chǫ (Dogrib) warrior, as he faces a malevolent spirit threatening his community. Infused with ’80s nostalgia, Van Camp’s chilling and lyrical prose creates a dark tapestry where youthful innocence clashes with primordial evils. Beast is a spellbinding journey that will worm its way into the darkest corners of your mind, lingering long after the last page is turned.”

“Richard Van Camp’s Beast takes us deep into the heart of the Northwest Territories. There, against the backdrop of the 1980s, tradition and supernatural forces collide as Van Camp—as always—masterfully weaves a tale of friendship, duty, and the haunting legacies of the past. Lawson’s journey to uphold a centuries-old peace treaty is compelling and profound, making Beast a standout in contemporary young adult fiction. Van Camp’s storytelling is vivid and chilling, seizing the essence of a community grappling with its history and the unknown. Beast is another testament to Van Camp’s exceptional longevity and talent as a writer. Van Camp has blessed us with another must-read, one filled with a story so indelibly crafted that years later, we will all undoubtedly recall this work as a memory, an experience.”

“Reading Richard Van Camp is like coming home. It’s like pushing your chair back from the family dinner table with a full belly, sore face from laughing and eager ears still hungry for more stories. No one does horror, and no one does a funny, awkward, gangly teen hero, like Richard Van Camp. Is Beast like the Indigenous Stranger Things?! Kind of, but also with Ceremony, community, and even more metal! This book is as cool as an Iron Maiden album cover. It’s the literary equivalent of Corey Hart and Sebastian Bach having a baby. This book is like a mixed tape with lots of AC/DC. I love this book!”

“With canny references to Indigenous and Métis languages, practices, and traditions throughout, Van Camp creates an intimacy and shared experience with the reader … Van Camp’s world is one of medicine and magic where the power of relationships and the coming together of traditions trumps the will of the individual who would destroy everything for personal gain.”

“With so many well-known and well-loved stories, Van Camp’s reputation precedes him in a way that seems difficult to continue living up to. Yet, with each new offering, Van Camp reminds us of his remarkable gift for storytelling. Beast is no exception … Set in the 1980s, with each chapter titled after an iconic ’80s song, Beast immediately comes alive with a classic, coming-of-age narrative that has a bittersweet sense of nostalgia, while also appealing to fans of the more recent period pieces, such as Stranger Things. Following the energetic pace of vintage synth pop, Beast hits the ground running, and Van Camp wastes no time getting into the action … Like most of Van Camp’s novels, the setting swiftly becomes the star of the show … His rich cultural and geographical knowledge lends the story an immense level of detail that helps those—me, for one—who have never visited the Northwest Territories feel at home … The novel is written with a character voice that is warm, welcoming, and impossible to put down. Not only does Van Camp’s writing bring forward the conversational tone of oral storytelling, but he balances this with the awkward, uncomfortable thoughts and feelings of a teenage boy. The result is a protagonist who is brave, charming, foolish, and dorky, like many teenage boys … the most stunning thing about Beast is how full of heart the story manages to be ... a story that is equal parts painful and profound. The experience of reading Beast reminded me of catching up with loved ones, heading home later into the night than expected with a sore face from talking and a chest full to bursting with care and appreciation for those around me. Beast is a book I itch to share with anyone who will listen—not just like-minded readers who enjoy a good book, or those horror fanatics who always welcome a scare. Beast is a story with a lot of heart—and we’ve all got one of those.”

“Tłı̨chǫ Dene author Richard Van Camp’s new novel Beast is a strange and wonderful reading experience … a gifted storyteller with a unique and compelling authorial voice … This novel is a remarkably fluent and effective use of the genre conventions to inform a story of profound human depth and meaning … Like the best young adult work, this is accessible to readers of all ages and will reward the adult as well as the teen audience … This is a book that will move, inform and change readers whether they enjoy it in middle school or the old folks home.”