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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
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
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is a great reminder of what makes the slasher genre so fun. Even though the reader is, of course, immediately suspicious of the "healing retreat" that just so happens to be completely remote, unplugged, and have a strict "no car keys and no phones rule", there is still a lot of twists and turns that carry you through this and keep you turning the page. I definitely wanted to know what was going to happen on the next page the whole book. Speed through this in 1 day as a result. Just great, campy, gorey fun!
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Okay, who doesn’t love a good slasher, am I right?! This one was filled with all of the good stuff. A secluded cult-like environment, overwhelming grief and guilt, brutal gore, twists and turns until the very end, and even a little humor sprinkled in throughout! I’d been having serious fomo seeing this book float around booksta with raving reviews, and I can assure you the reviews are spot on and this is not overhyped!
Described as a Midsommar night’s scream in a blood-soaked thriller set at a remote healing retreat, we follow Hannah as she is running from her demons after tragically losing her fiance during a life changing hike. No one knows how Ben died, and Hannah would like to keep it that way… even if her ghost haunts her with vivid waking nightmares that are ruining her life. Her college bestie, Tess, invites her to an all inclusive spiritual healing retreat with her past friend group. Soon after arriving to this desolate desert retreat, the peaceful atmosphere and healing energy brought by Guru Pax, shifts into what seems like a supernatural nightmare.
This was my first Brian McCauley book and will absolutely not be my last! Thank you @brianmcwriter, @poisonedpenpress, and @netgalley for this eARC!
Described as a Midsommar night’s scream in a blood-soaked thriller set at a remote healing retreat, we follow Hannah as she is running from her demons after tragically losing her fiance during a life changing hike. No one knows how Ben died, and Hannah would like to keep it that way… even if her ghost haunts her with vivid waking nightmares that are ruining her life. Her college bestie, Tess, invites her to an all inclusive spiritual healing retreat with her past friend group. Soon after arriving to this desolate desert retreat, the peaceful atmosphere and healing energy brought by Guru Pax, shifts into what seems like a supernatural nightmare.
This was my first Brian McCauley book and will absolutely not be my last! Thank you @brianmcwriter, @poisonedpenpress, and @netgalley for this eARC!
A blend of spiritual and horrific, perfect!
A story of the trauma of loss and the life where one must move on to continue being a part of the world. At times the story was heavy, really getting into Hannah’s head. Other times it was confronting the everyday demons her friends faced.
The twists were fun and every time I thought I had it figured out, I quickly realized I was probably wrong. It was like scream and Scooby Doo unleashed at a Yoga retreat.
I finished this all in one go because it was just thrilling.
What I got from this: Heal, grow, let go and most of all don’t get murdered
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC
A story of the trauma of loss and the life where one must move on to continue being a part of the world. At times the story was heavy, really getting into Hannah’s head. Other times it was confronting the everyday demons her friends faced.
The twists were fun and every time I thought I had it figured out, I quickly realized I was probably wrong. It was like scream and Scooby Doo unleashed at a Yoga retreat.
I finished this all in one go because it was just thrilling.
What I got from this: Heal, grow, let go and most of all don’t get murdered
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
I had so much fun reading this book, I read it all in one day which I haven’t done in forever. First off, I love the pulpy, nostalgic cover. It totally drew me in before I even started. Right from the first chapter I was hooked. This is a classic slasher horror that belongs in the same conversations as I Know What You Did Last Summer and Scream. It’s very witty and funny, and leans into LA/privileged stereotypes that add a good amount of social commentary. The twists and misdirection were so well done, I honestly did not see that ending coming. Overall, it was a super entertaining, bloody good read. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves horror, especially the millennium-era of horror.
I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.
I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this opportunity to read a digital ARC and provide my honest review.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
If you love slashers, read this book! (& do NOT pass up the author’s note)
This felt like a comfort slasher film as I laughed at the quips & banter between the characters while trying to guess who might be their killer. I was never bored!
Some characters were unlikable, but not insufferably so like I see in a lot of slasher films/books. In some ways I cared about them even when I didn’t like them!
I appreciate how the trauma the main character has previously experienced informs her experiences at the retreat. She is a strong, relatable, & realistic protagonist.
There was some great commentary on cultural appropriation, capitalism, mental health, cult tactics, etc.
It was also fun when the perspectives switched for some of the kills.
This is a fun, bloody, atmospheric time AND its narrative & characters have substance!
**Many thanks to Brian McAuley, NetGalley, & Poisoned Pen Press for access to the ebook!
This felt like a comfort slasher film as I laughed at the quips & banter between the characters while trying to guess who might be their killer. I was never bored!
Some characters were unlikable, but not insufferably so like I see in a lot of slasher films/books. In some ways I cared about them even when I didn’t like them!
I appreciate how the trauma the main character has previously experienced informs her experiences at the retreat. She is a strong, relatable, & realistic protagonist.
There was some great commentary on cultural appropriation, capitalism, mental health, cult tactics, etc.
It was also fun when the perspectives switched for some of the kills.
This is a fun, bloody, atmospheric time AND its narrative & characters have substance!
**Many thanks to Brian McAuley, NetGalley, & Poisoned Pen Press for access to the ebook!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for a complimentary early release copy of Breathe In, Bleed Out by Brian McAuley.
Breathe In, Bleed Out was a book that had me hooked from start to finish. From the first chapter I was immediately drawn into Hannah character and the events surrounding the mysterious wilderness trip. I found all of the characters in this story to be the unlikable type but they are all written in a nice weirdly likeable sort of way. I’m feeling a bit iffy about the spiritual retreat side of things but once the strange and mysterious killer is introduced I didn’t mind it as much. There was so much strange stuff going on in Breathe In, Bleed Out that it definitely kept me on edge, I tried to guess what was happening but none of my guesses were correct.
This was a decent slasher novel, the deaths were gory and rather unique. The story sometimes felt a bit slow but there was always something happening to keep me interested whether it was the strangeness of the retreat, drama/tension between characters, the mysterious killer lurking around, the mystery of what happened to Hannah’s fiancé, and of course the death scenes. I didn’t know who to trust during my whole read because all of these characters came off as unreliable. I was quite literally jumping back and forth about who to trust. Overall I’m landing on a 3.5 rating, while I was surprised with the ending of the book I’m having some mixed feelings about it.
Breathe In, Bleed Out was a book that had me hooked from start to finish. From the first chapter I was immediately drawn into Hannah character and the events surrounding the mysterious wilderness trip. I found all of the characters in this story to be the unlikable type but they are all written in a nice weirdly likeable sort of way. I’m feeling a bit iffy about the spiritual retreat side of things but once the strange and mysterious killer is introduced I didn’t mind it as much. There was so much strange stuff going on in Breathe In, Bleed Out that it definitely kept me on edge, I tried to guess what was happening but none of my guesses were correct.
This was a decent slasher novel, the deaths were gory and rather unique. The story sometimes felt a bit slow but there was always something happening to keep me interested whether it was the strangeness of the retreat, drama/tension between characters, the mysterious killer lurking around, the mystery of what happened to Hannah’s fiancé, and of course the death scenes. I didn’t know who to trust during my whole read because all of these characters came off as unreliable. I was quite literally jumping back and forth about who to trust. Overall I’m landing on a 3.5 rating, while I was surprised with the ending of the book I’m having some mixed feelings about it.
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
thank you to the publisher, author, and netgalley for having this title as part of the 2025 camp netgalley selection
i was hooked from the first page and the momentum kept going the entire book. this is exactly what i needed to get out of a slump and cannot recommend it enough, perfect slasher/summerween vibes. i loved that Hannah had the dominate pov and then as each character came to their untimely end they got their own third person pov. it fully immersed me into the story and made it impossible for me to stop reading. every time i thought i knew who it was i was wrong and i loved the guessing game. the only thing that prevented this from being a five star was the ending, i wanted more from the big reveal. there was so much anticipation that kind of just fizzled out. either way i will definitely be reading more from this author.
i was hooked from the first page and the momentum kept going the entire book. this is exactly what i needed to get out of a slump and cannot recommend it enough, perfect slasher/summerween vibes. i loved that Hannah had the dominate pov and then as each character came to their untimely end they got their own third person pov. it fully immersed me into the story and made it impossible for me to stop reading. every time i thought i knew who it was i was wrong and i loved the guessing game. the only thing that prevented this from being a five star was the ending, i wanted more from the big reveal. there was so much anticipation that kind of just fizzled out. either way i will definitely be reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence