You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
I’ve been eyeing this book for quite some time because of the cover, so when it became available for Camp NetGalley I snatched the opportunity to give it a read.
The first chapter in itself is wild, setting you up for the ride you’re about to take when you dive in.
Hannah is experiencing hallucinations and nightmares of her dead boyfriend Ben, who died a traumatic death in the wilderness, that are causing her to spiral. When her best friend signs their friend group up for a healing retreat isolated in the desert, Hannah thinks it might be a good idea to help move on from the past that’s haunting her.
Not long after they arrive, things quickly go south as the friends are picked off one by one. When you find out who the killer is your mind will be blown.
I normally don’t enjoy slasher books as much because I feel like they don’t build up enough suspense, however, Brian McAuley delivered! The gore was excellent. I definitely got goosebumps while reading. Could not put it down. Breathe In, Bleed Out is a BLOODY good time!
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC opportunity. This is an honest and voluntary review.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At a remote Joshua Tree wellness retreat, Hannah—still reeling from the trauma of her fiancé’s mysterious death—seeks healing with old friends. Instead, the weekend turns into a nightmare when a masked killer begins picking them off in gruesome, creative ways.
Brian McAuley delivers a fast-paced slasher that blends horror, dark humor, and a sharp critique of the self-help industry. Hannah’s grief and emotional scars add depth to the tension, making the blood-soaked chaos feel both brutal and personal.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for allowing me to read this arc!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
5/5 stars. Thank you to Mr. McAuley, the publisher, and Netgalley for the eARC!
Is this book perfect? No. Is this exactly what every slasher film lover needs to read? Yes. I could picture this being a summer slasher flick a la Scream (with a little more humor added to it).
The way McAuley writes is so easy to read and to visualize. I have other books from him already on my TBR that I'll have to move up. Will I read it again? Definitely. Making this easily a 5/5 for me. Even if the title makes me sing "Machinehead" by Bush every. damn. time.
We follow Hannah, recovering from the death of her fiance Ben, as she finally agrees to go on a trip with her college friends. This trip is to Avidya, a spiritual retreat outside of Joshua Tree. And sometimes the trip is literal... As her friends disappear one by one (in ways that remind me of some sort of crystal-infused <i> Final Destination</i> scenes), Hannah has to figure out if it's all in her head or there really is something going on at Avidya.
For anyone looking for a really fun, quick read that feels like the typical summer slasher movie, this is for you.
Is this book perfect? No. Is this exactly what every slasher film lover needs to read? Yes. I could picture this being a summer slasher flick a la Scream (with a little more humor added to it).
The way McAuley writes is so easy to read and to visualize. I have other books from him already on my TBR that I'll have to move up. Will I read it again? Definitely. Making this easily a 5/5 for me. Even if the title makes me sing "Machinehead" by Bush every. damn. time.
We follow Hannah, recovering from the death of her fiance Ben, as she finally agrees to go on a trip with her college friends. This trip is to Avidya, a spiritual retreat outside of Joshua Tree. And sometimes the trip is literal... As her friends disappear one by one (in ways that remind me of some sort of crystal-infused <i> Final Destination</i> scenes), Hannah has to figure out if it's all in her head or there really is something going on at Avidya.
For anyone looking for a really fun, quick read that feels like the typical summer slasher movie, this is for you.
If you’re a fan of slasher novels with a delightful twist, "Breathe In, Bleed Out" is a must-read. From the very first page, I was drawn into a world filled with suspense and unexpected turns. The protagonist, Hannah, is incredibly relatable and lovable, making it easy to root for her throughout her harrowing journey.
What sets this novel apart are the intriguing characters that surround Hannah. Each of her friends comes with their own unique quirks, adding depth and humor amidst the dark theme of the story. The author does a fantastic job of developing their personalities, making them memorable and engaging.
The murders are as macabre and gory as any horror fan could hope for, creating a visceral reading experience that kept my heart racing. Just when I thought I had figured out the killer's identity, the plot took an unexpected turn that completely caught me off guard.
Overall, "Breathe In, Bleed Out" is an excellent addition to the slasher genre. It's perfect for those who enjoy a mix of suspense, quirky characters, and a well-executed twist. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and the author, Brian McAuley, for this ARC. The book is released on September 2, 2025. You can get it them from your local bookstore.
What sets this novel apart are the intriguing characters that surround Hannah. Each of her friends comes with their own unique quirks, adding depth and humor amidst the dark theme of the story. The author does a fantastic job of developing their personalities, making them memorable and engaging.
The murders are as macabre and gory as any horror fan could hope for, creating a visceral reading experience that kept my heart racing. Just when I thought I had figured out the killer's identity, the plot took an unexpected turn that completely caught me off guard.
Overall, "Breathe In, Bleed Out" is an excellent addition to the slasher genre. It's perfect for those who enjoy a mix of suspense, quirky characters, and a well-executed twist. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat!
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and the author, Brian McAuley, for this ARC. The book is released on September 2, 2025. You can get it them from your local bookstore.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
YESSSS THIS IS WHAT I NEEDED!!! A lil retreat topped with ghost stories and murder! I loved how this book went and getting an amazing final girl moment was even better!!!! The murder scenes were the perfect amount of graphic and I truly felt pulled in and part of the story as I was reading! 10/10 recommend!!!
*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*
*I received a free ARC from NetGalley*
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
First of all, let’s all take a moment to appreciate this stunning cover 🤌✨
Horror slashers aren’t usually my cup of tea, I tend to prefer spooky over gory, but this cover was just too pretty to resist, so I picked this one up for Camp NetGalley.
Breath In, Bleed Out is a slasher thriller set at an exclusive wellness retreat tucked away in the mountains, where a masked killer is on the loose, leaving behind a trail of violent, graphic and incredibly detailed murders. It’s fast-paced, terrifying and packed with secrets. While the overall plot didn’t feel particularly unique, what did stand out to me were the death scenes.
Brian McAuley truly shines in the way he crafts these kills. The language, the detail, the sheer creativity. His killer’s methods are disturbingly vivid and for someone like me, extremely graphic. Some of those murder scenes honestly sent chills down my spine and I’m not exaggerating. The twist at the end was also well-done, I didn’t see it coming.
I personally enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to. It was fun, scary and definitely something I wouldn’t be able to watch on screen (in the best way possible).
Would I Recommend? Yes
For readers who like: Graphic horror, Creepy retreats, Slasher tropes, Scream vibes
Thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Brian McAuley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Horror slashers aren’t usually my cup of tea, I tend to prefer spooky over gory, but this cover was just too pretty to resist, so I picked this one up for Camp NetGalley.
Breath In, Bleed Out is a slasher thriller set at an exclusive wellness retreat tucked away in the mountains, where a masked killer is on the loose, leaving behind a trail of violent, graphic and incredibly detailed murders. It’s fast-paced, terrifying and packed with secrets. While the overall plot didn’t feel particularly unique, what did stand out to me were the death scenes.
Brian McAuley truly shines in the way he crafts these kills. The language, the detail, the sheer creativity. His killer’s methods are disturbingly vivid and for someone like me, extremely graphic. Some of those murder scenes honestly sent chills down my spine and I’m not exaggerating. The twist at the end was also well-done, I didn’t see it coming.
I personally enjoyed this a lot more than I expected to. It was fun, scary and definitely something I wouldn’t be able to watch on screen (in the best way possible).
Would I Recommend? Yes
For readers who like: Graphic horror, Creepy retreats, Slasher tropes, Scream vibes
Thanks to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press and Brian McAuley for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Brian McAuley has done it again! He has given us yet another slasher with gnarly kills and gotten me all emotional!! Hannah has had a rough year. She lost her fiancé in a horrible accident and now her job is on the line. Her friend Tess decides they need to go to a wellness retreat in Joshua Tree and let the slasher shenanigans commence!! This book was a blast! I read this in two days, I just couldn’t put it down. So many fun creative kills and great one liners that had me cracking up. I just love Brian’s style and he really nailed the look at the fake wellness culture but with a whole lot of bodies thrown in! Five giant stars for this awesome romp through the desert. Also, his note at the end just got me, I love a good horror origin story.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC! Opinions are totally my own this is just me screaming into the void about books I love (or don’t).
Content warnings: self-harm, addiction, suicide ideation, grief, emotional abuse, medical horror, hallucinations, gore, cult-like manipulation
Breathe In, Bleed Out is a psychological horror-thriller that sinks its axe in early and doesn’t let go. Set against the sun-scorched, isolating backdrop of a desert retreat in Joshua Tree, the story creates an atmosphere that’s both beautiful and brutally unrelenting. McAuley doesn’t flinch from the psychological rot at the heart of human healing, he still leaves space for haunting beauty and small glimmers of hope.
Hannah felt real, spiraling, and hanging on by threads. The details and ambiance were so grounded and vivid, I could feel the grit of the desert air, hear the buzz of heat, and sense the quiet dread in every silence. I often wasn’t sure if I was in her dreams and hallucinations or the waking world, and that’s the magic of it. The transitions were so seamless and immersive that I stopped trying to separate the two and just let the story take over.
The retreat guru? A full-on yoga-branded nightmare! He was equal parts spiritual charlatan and manipulative creep. His calm-bro energy made my skin crawl in all the right horror-thriller ways.
The gore was handled perfectly. It was visceral enough to make you squirm, but never tipping into gratuitous or over-the-top. It served the story, heightening the tension without distracting from the core.
And the ending? It hit me like a runaway mine cart. Really? I had to sit with it, stunned, asking myself what just happened, and why it worked so damn well.
The characters? Messy, maddening, magnetic, and I absolutely loved them for it. Even when I wanted to scream at them, I never stopped caring. A chilling, smart, and deeply human horror-thriller.
Content warnings: self-harm, addiction, suicide ideation, grief, emotional abuse, medical horror, hallucinations, gore, cult-like manipulation
Breathe In, Bleed Out is a psychological horror-thriller that sinks its axe in early and doesn’t let go. Set against the sun-scorched, isolating backdrop of a desert retreat in Joshua Tree, the story creates an atmosphere that’s both beautiful and brutally unrelenting. McAuley doesn’t flinch from the psychological rot at the heart of human healing, he still leaves space for haunting beauty and small glimmers of hope.
Hannah felt real, spiraling, and hanging on by threads. The details and ambiance were so grounded and vivid, I could feel the grit of the desert air, hear the buzz of heat, and sense the quiet dread in every silence. I often wasn’t sure if I was in her dreams and hallucinations or the waking world, and that’s the magic of it. The transitions were so seamless and immersive that I stopped trying to separate the two and just let the story take over.
The retreat guru? A full-on yoga-branded nightmare! He was equal parts spiritual charlatan and manipulative creep. His calm-bro energy made my skin crawl in all the right horror-thriller ways.
The gore was handled perfectly. It was visceral enough to make you squirm, but never tipping into gratuitous or over-the-top. It served the story, heightening the tension without distracting from the core.
And the ending? It hit me like a runaway mine cart. Really? I had to sit with it, stunned, asking myself what just happened, and why it worked so damn well.
The characters? Messy, maddening, magnetic, and I absolutely loved them for it. Even when I wanted to scream at them, I never stopped caring. A chilling, smart, and deeply human horror-thriller.