A review by perfictionist19
The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert

3.0

Goddess, goddess, count to five
In the morning, who’s alive?

Melissa Albert’s *The Bad Ones* is a masterclass in claustrophobic magical realism, blending horror and fantasy in a way that only she can. Set in a small town where four people mysteriously vanish in single night, the story unravels through Nora's desperate search for her estranged best friend, Becca. What starts as a quest to find a friend spirals into a dark exploration of local folklore, childhood games turned sinister, and the fine line between make-believe and the actual reality.

Albert’s storytelling is as gripping as ever, weaving a tale that’s as much about the occult power of childhood and creation as it is about a MURDEROUS RAMPAGE! The eerie presence of a forgotten goddess is unsettling add layers of intrigue, making this book impossible to put down. I don't want to spoil the story by giving away too much cause you need to read it to EXPERIENCE the grim !

I've read nearly all of Melissa Albert's twisted tales and have had polar opinions but one thing is for sure - each one is a labyrinth of wonder and dread, and every plot of hers leaves me speechless! The Bad Ones... oh, it sings a different tune. It has to be my favourite so far.

If you're craving a read that screams FEMALE RAGE, occult mysteries, and a deadly game set against a backdrop of small-town dread, *The Bad Ones* is DEFINITELY IT!!