A review by kala_b_reviews
When The Steps Run Red by Izzy Ravas

challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I feel like this book totally counts as a book out of my comfort zone for the month! As per usual, I just picked the book up without reading what it was about. To be honest though, I chose this book because I wanted to read this author’s work but I also knew I wanted a quick read so, I settled on this one.

*WARNING: LITE SPOILERS*

So, what I found out about this book? It’s a horror. Listen, I know that the title and cover pretty much screamed horror but I was like nah, there’ll be some type of romance and happiness in this, at least at the end of it…no, this book is straight up horror. Yes, there’s some semblance of romance and yes, there’s “spice” in it —and I use that term VERY loosely but also to not get banned (you’ll understand when you read it)— but there will be no happy ending to this…unless you consider the epilogue a happy ending LOL.

*END OF LIGHT SPOILERS*

While I was wholly unprepared for what I was getting myself into, I did find the story to be unique. I don’t think I’ve ever read a horror story to this level so I was pleasantly surprised by that. I mean, geez Damien needed to get a grip! Poor Theo really deserved so much better in this story and Alma, the horrors she had to face all for it to end that way?! I’m disgusted and disappointed for her! As a romance reader, I wanted more for these characters. But as this is a horror and a very short read, unfortunately, some characters don’t get their happy ending.

4 stars because it’s a new genre to me so I’m being gentler but also because I know this story is going to stay with me for a while!!!