Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
Firstly, I’m so appreciative to of had a chance to read this on NetGalley for their camp they do once a year. NetGalley is honestly a book lovers dream for ARCs.
I’ve never been a huge slasher reader. Slasher movies? 100% yes. But for some reason I’ve never been drawn to slasher books.
However, when I saw this cover on NetGalley and read the description, I decided to give one a chance and I am really glad I did.
I finished this book in around 4 hours, maybe 3.5? Because I just couldn’t put it down.
The first sentence drew me in. The first chapter had me questioning everything straight away. So the rest of the book definitely had me drawn in.
We have an untrustworthy narrator which always makes things more interesting as you never know what to believe.
And at first I didn’t enjoy the 3rd person pov, but the further we got into the book. The more I understood it and the more of an impact it had.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and was completely shocked by the ending.
It wasn’t what I expected at all.
I’m definitely going to have to look into this author more and maybe expand into reading more slashers too!
I’ve never been a huge slasher reader. Slasher movies? 100% yes. But for some reason I’ve never been drawn to slasher books.
However, when I saw this cover on NetGalley and read the description, I decided to give one a chance and I am really glad I did.
I finished this book in around 4 hours, maybe 3.5? Because I just couldn’t put it down.
The first sentence drew me in. The first chapter had me questioning everything straight away. So the rest of the book definitely had me drawn in.
We have an untrustworthy narrator which always makes things more interesting as you never know what to believe.
And at first I didn’t enjoy the 3rd person pov, but the further we got into the book. The more I understood it and the more of an impact it had.
I thoroughly enjoyed this and was completely shocked by the ending.
It wasn’t what I expected at all.
I’m definitely going to have to look into this author more and maybe expand into reading more slashers too!
I've never read this author before and now I need to add his back catalogue to my ever growing TBR. I'm obsessed.
This is my first NetGalley ARC and I truly did not expect to hit upon something so excellent this quickly. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for introducing me to a new favourite.
Hannah is an immediately sympathetic character. She's smart, but struggling and unwilling or unable to accept help. Her difficulty isn't just believable, but relatable. The way her trauma impacts her life is handled well. She doesn't make poor decisions because the plot needs her to. She does it because she's battling with her experiences for her mental health. Her group of friends are a mixed bag that make for unique characters while still being a realistic group of friends. Some of them start out more likable than others, but when the book breaks from Hannah's first person perspective to let us check in with some of them in third person, they become more rounded. Each of them carries a burden of their own. Some of these drop insightful glimpses into Hannah's last relationship in a way that made me feel like I was casually getting to know her ex.
The writing pulls you in quickly. The pacing lures you into the classic 'one more page' trap. The mystery convinces you that any one of these people could be a killer.
This one is an easy recommendation to anyone who enjoys slashers, mysteries, or thrillers.
This is my first NetGalley ARC and I truly did not expect to hit upon something so excellent this quickly. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for introducing me to a new favourite.
Hannah is an immediately sympathetic character. She's smart, but struggling and unwilling or unable to accept help. Her difficulty isn't just believable, but relatable. The way her trauma impacts her life is handled well. She doesn't make poor decisions because the plot needs her to. She does it because she's battling with her experiences for her mental health. Her group of friends are a mixed bag that make for unique characters while still being a realistic group of friends. Some of them start out more likable than others, but when the book breaks from Hannah's first person perspective to let us check in with some of them in third person, they become more rounded. Each of them carries a burden of their own. Some of these drop insightful glimpses into Hannah's last relationship in a way that made me feel like I was casually getting to know her ex.
The writing pulls you in quickly. The pacing lures you into the classic 'one more page' trap. The mystery convinces you that any one of these people could be a killer.
This one is an easy recommendation to anyone who enjoys slashers, mysteries, or thrillers.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
**NetGalley ARC** thank you!
I kind of loved this book. Breath In, Bleed Out delivers a fast-paced, pulp-soaked slasher that manages to feel both familiar and fresh. Sure, it follows the classic slasher blueprint, but there’s something uniquely compelling in how Brian McAuley executes it, like he knows the rules and is having a damn good time bending them just enough.
The twist? Solid. The death scenes? Bloody fun. And that author’s note at the end? It pulled the whole story into sharper, more personal focus in a way I didn’t expect.
I’m also a sucker for an unreliable narrator, especially in horror, it amps up the surreal, disorienting tone I crave in the genre. McAuley leans into that beautifully, keeping you on edge and unsure of what’s real right up until the final gasp.
Highly recommended for fans of gritty, psychological slashers with a heart (and a blade).
I kind of loved this book. Breath In, Bleed Out delivers a fast-paced, pulp-soaked slasher that manages to feel both familiar and fresh. Sure, it follows the classic slasher blueprint, but there’s something uniquely compelling in how Brian McAuley executes it, like he knows the rules and is having a damn good time bending them just enough.
The twist? Solid. The death scenes? Bloody fun. And that author’s note at the end? It pulled the whole story into sharper, more personal focus in a way I didn’t expect.
I’m also a sucker for an unreliable narrator, especially in horror, it amps up the surreal, disorienting tone I crave in the genre. McAuley leans into that beautifully, keeping you on edge and unsure of what’s real right up until the final gasp.
Highly recommended for fans of gritty, psychological slashers with a heart (and a blade).
This was a well-executed slasher— full of LA stereotypes, comical, over-the-top, and each character dies poetically doing what they love.
That said, the psychiatrist doing weekly talk therapy with the main character threw me off from the very introduction of his character, since psychiatrists traditionally just prescribe meds, which is all she wanted. Their retreat was supposed to be a weekend, but they spent more than two nights there, so that was off.
I also found all the constant descriptions of LA in the first few chapters superfluous. A riveting horror story though!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC!
That said, the psychiatrist doing weekly talk therapy with the main character threw me off from the very introduction of his character, since psychiatrists traditionally just prescribe meds, which is all she wanted. Their retreat was supposed to be a weekend, but they spent more than two nights there, so that was off.
I also found all the constant descriptions of LA in the first few chapters superfluous. A riveting horror story though!
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the eARC!
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
It's a Midsommar night's Scream in this blood-soaked thriller set at a remote healing retreat from horror author Brian McAuley.
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐.5, rounding up!️
Rock-bottom and in search of healing, Hannah agrees to a wellness retreat in California, hoping to get over the traumatic death of her fiancé. She finds herself off the beaten path with her friends and her new hosts, Guru Pax and Kimi, who promise to reach inside their minds and aid them in their path to self-discovery.
This was such a quick read, but in the best way. McAuley notes himself as a fan of horror, and you can feel so much of his love and appreciation woven into this story (and definitely has me interested in reading his other books!).
From the start you so feel for Hannah, trying to pick up the pieces after the death of her fiancé. Her road to healing ends up taking the path to a "wellness retreat" with her almost-estranged friends, with the promise of transformative experiences. Only for things to not be quite what they seem, as her friends slowly start disappearing, and leaving Hannah to guess what is dreams and what is real when she thinks she spots the ghost of local legend Waylon Barlow.
Without spoiling too much, we are really kept guessing throughout the book! There were definitely a couple times where I thought I for sure knew what was going on, only for the plot to divert and thicken. I enjoyed the supernatural elements woven throughout, and how they involved local folklore. The additional POVs were so fun as well, and the deaths were all clever, along with the big reveal at the end. The only thing I wish was a little different was the reveal of what happened with Ben, after the build-up throughout it didn't quite have the weight I was expecting (though it was still a satisfying conclusion).
And some parts had me grinning - the "please, I'm an empath" had me chuckling out loud. This was such a fun read, and absolutely nails the slasher horror experience.
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press! 📖]
Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐.5, rounding up!️
Rock-bottom and in search of healing, Hannah agrees to a wellness retreat in California, hoping to get over the traumatic death of her fiancé. She finds herself off the beaten path with her friends and her new hosts, Guru Pax and Kimi, who promise to reach inside their minds and aid them in their path to self-discovery.
This was such a quick read, but in the best way. McAuley notes himself as a fan of horror, and you can feel so much of his love and appreciation woven into this story (and definitely has me interested in reading his other books!).
From the start you so feel for Hannah, trying to pick up the pieces after the death of her fiancé. Her road to healing ends up taking the path to a "wellness retreat" with her almost-estranged friends, with the promise of transformative experiences. Only for things to not be quite what they seem, as her friends slowly start disappearing, and leaving Hannah to guess what is dreams and what is real when she thinks she spots the ghost of local legend Waylon Barlow.
Without spoiling too much, we are really kept guessing throughout the book! There were definitely a couple times where I thought I for sure knew what was going on, only for the plot to divert and thicken. I enjoyed the supernatural elements woven throughout, and how they involved local folklore. The additional POVs were so fun as well, and the deaths were all clever, along with the big reveal at the end. The only thing I wish was a little different was the reveal of what happened with Ben, after the build-up throughout it didn't quite have the weight I was expecting (though it was still a satisfying conclusion).
And some parts had me grinning - the "please, I'm an empath" had me chuckling out loud. This was such a fun read, and absolutely nails the slasher horror experience.
[I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, thank you so much NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press! 📖]
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Boring. Cliche. Campy in a bad way.
Slashers can be done so incredibly well, this was not one of them. Which is a huge shame since the opening chapter was amazing. Everything was just downhill from there. The writing was surface level at best and too "explainy". I like when I'm shown the plot, not really told. Everyone sucks in this book. The one upside was the red herring thrown in for the killer but other than that I was bored. I cared for no one and the rating lost an entire star when apparently Elk grow horns now. So either the original animal changed species and they didn't change it to antlers or they don't know the appendages of Elk.
Sure if you want a cookie cutter, cultish, insecure crazy men plot then read it. But if you're a huge horror fan who loves when they are actually scary and you feel the thrill, hard pass.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this early.
Slashers can be done so incredibly well, this was not one of them. Which is a huge shame since the opening chapter was amazing. Everything was just downhill from there. The writing was surface level at best and too "explainy". I like when I'm shown the plot, not really told. Everyone sucks in this book. The one upside was the red herring thrown in for the killer but other than that I was bored. I cared for no one and the rating lost an entire star when apparently Elk grow horns now. So either the original animal changed species and they didn't change it to antlers or they don't know the appendages of Elk.
Sure if you want a cookie cutter, cultish, insecure crazy men plot then read it. But if you're a huge horror fan who loves when they are actually scary and you feel the thrill, hard pass.
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this early.
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I loved this book! I’ll add a proper review shortly, but yeah, I dug this a great deal.
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Spoiler free
I will be the first to say that a slasher is not my usual genre but oh my goodness this book might make it one.
I devoured this within one day. I could not put it down.
In a nutshell: addictive, fast paced, atmospheric and tense.
Plot:
Now as I said I’m not usually one for slashers so for me this plot was addictive in all the best ways. I could not put it down and found myself trying to read at every chance I could (even while standing making tea).
The journey of our FMC grief and the vulnerability that led her to the state that she is in and the events that follow as a result of that grief was so profound in a sense that you just wanted to see her get through it.
I loved the twists and turns, I did NOT predict this ending even though at one point I did think I had it sussed. I in fact did not!
Characters:
All characters were well flushed out and all have believable albeit “stereotypical “ personalities and connections to each other.
I loved that we aren’t sure ever step of the way who is reliable and who isn’t.
My only other note is “justice for miles”.
Setting:
I found the setting MADE this book as creepy and tense as it was. The vastness of the desert and the isolation that you imagine just conjures up a real feeling of tension and on the edge of your seatness (definitely not a word) as you make your way through this book. My heart was definitely in my mouth on more than on occasion.
I really really enjoyed this book and I think I’ll start exploring this genre more, if my heart can take it.
Thank you to the author and Netgally for providing me with this earc review copy at this time.
All opinions are my own.
I will be the first to say that a slasher is not my usual genre but oh my goodness this book might make it one.
I devoured this within one day. I could not put it down.
In a nutshell: addictive, fast paced, atmospheric and tense.
Plot:
Now as I said I’m not usually one for slashers so for me this plot was addictive in all the best ways. I could not put it down and found myself trying to read at every chance I could (even while standing making tea).
The journey of our FMC grief and the vulnerability that led her to the state that she is in and the events that follow as a result of that grief was so profound in a sense that you just wanted to see her get through it.
I loved the twists and turns, I did NOT predict this ending even though at one point I did think I had it sussed. I in fact did not!
Characters:
All characters were well flushed out and all have believable albeit “stereotypical “ personalities and connections to each other.
I loved that we aren’t sure ever step of the way who is reliable and who isn’t.
My only other note is “justice for miles”.
Setting:
I found the setting MADE this book as creepy and tense as it was. The vastness of the desert and the isolation that you imagine just conjures up a real feeling of tension and on the edge of your seatness (definitely not a word) as you make your way through this book. My heart was definitely in my mouth on more than on occasion.
I really really enjoyed this book and I think I’ll start exploring this genre more, if my heart can take it.
Thank you to the author and Netgally for providing me with this earc review copy at this time.
All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Murder, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail