We Are the Beasts by Gigi Griffis is a haunting yet empowering tale set against the grim backdrop of 1765 rural France. Drawing inspiration from the historical legend of the Beast of Gévaudan, the story masterfully intertwines dread and hope as it follows the journey of two brave teenage girls who rise to confront the true monsters in their lives.
Joséphine and her best friend, Clara, live quiet, hardworking lives tending sheep in their small village. But when a gruesome murder shakes their community and rumors of a deadly beast spread, the girls find themselves drawn into something far darker. After rescuing Charlotte, a young girl fleeing her abusive father, they stage her death to protect her, blaming it on the beast terrorizing the region. The plan succeeds, but it opens their eyes to the horrors many other girls endure. Determined to fight back, Joséphine and Clara take it upon themselves to rescue those trapped under the weight of cruelty and abuse.
Griffis paints a vivid, immersive portrait of rural France, its wild forests filled with both natural beauty and lurking danger. While the beast prowling the woods creates an atmosphere of terror, the true menace lies closer to home, embodied in the powerful, abusive men and the priest who uses fear and sin as tools of control. The novel’s tension is palpable, yet it’s balanced by moments of courage, solidarity, and the fierce determination of young women refusing to be victims.
The bond between Joséphine and Clara is the heart of the story. Their friendship, love, and quiet romance add warmth to a narrative otherwise steeped in fear and oppression. Clara’s Ethiopian heritage brings a layer of complexity, highlighting her resilience in a world where she faces both racial and gender-based challenges. Griffis delivers a poetic, emotionally charged narrative with a strong feminist core. The girls’ collective rage and resourcefulness become a source of empowerment, transforming them from victims into protectors. While the story doesn’t shy away from its darker themes, it ultimately celebrates the strength found in unity and defiance.
We Are the Beasts is a gripping, lyrical tale of survival, resistance, and the enduring power of sisterhood. It’s a story that lingers, a testament to the fury and hope of young women reclaiming their lives.
