Amy Efaw Libri

As a newly arrived freshman at West Point, seventeen-year-old Andi finds herself gaining both confidence and self esteem as she struggles to get through the grueling six weeks of new cadet training known as the Beast. Welcome to Beast: Six weeks of intensive basic training for incoming West Point cadets. The thought of never-ending commands, drills, and predawn runs might scare some people, but not seventeen-year-old Andi Davis. After being yelled at for her entire life, Andi is sure she can handle anything that West Point can dish out. But as the days wear on, orders are barked faster, the work gets harder, push-ups pile up, and Andi is nearly destroyed by the grueling routine. Will she find a way to make it through this living nightmare? Or will Beast devour her?

In a gripping narrative, Devon Davenport, a high-achieving student-athlete, faces the unimaginable consequence of her desperate actions when charged with attempted murder. The story unfolds through the days leading up to the incident and its aftermath, revealing Devon's inner turmoil and the complexities of her character. Amy Efaw masterfully explores themes of empathy and the pressures that lead to such drastic measures, inviting readers to understand the circumstances that can drive even the most seemingly perfect individuals to the brink.