Carousel

by Sarah McKnight

Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin…

All Laura Fitzpatrick wanted to do was tell her lab partner, Maddie, how she really feels about her, but when a perfect opportunity falls into her lap, Laura does what she does best – chickens out.  

Then, Laura is dared to check out the abandoned carnival grounds outside of town, and she seizes the opportunity to prove to herself and others that she can be brave after all. To her surprise, Maddie isn’t about to let her go alone.

As they explore the eerie property, they’re thrust into an endless night of terror, where danger lurks around every corner. With a century-old mystery waiting to be uncovered, Laura must learn what true bravery means if she hopes to get herself – and Maddie – out of the Plum Creek Carnival alive.

Whatever you do, don't let the Carnival Man see you...

Praise for CAROUSEL

"Step right up and enter The Carnival Man’s shadow world, where each page will leave you with chills while wanting more. McKnight masterfully blends quick wit and spine-tingling teen screams while providing a fresh new take on terror that will leave even the bravest readers perched at the edge of their seats. With a distinctive storyline, a plethora of endearing characters, and a nightmare-inducing villain, Carousel is a masterfully crafted horror novel that executes the plot without disappointment. You’ll definitely want to add this book to your shelves for Spooky Season."

Rob Loveless
Author, Eleftheria

"Once you get on the McKnight Carousel of terror, you won't be able to get off until you have read every last word. And even then you will be begging for more. You simply won't be able to put the book down, so beware... it might be bewitched."

Tara Platt
Author, Prep School for Serial Killers


"McKnight's Carousel spins with pulse-pounding thrills and chills. It's The Carnival Man's world, and McKnight's characters are along for the perilous ride, taking the reader on the same horrifying roller coaster. Carousel is a thrilling, twisted story from this established horror author and if you are a fan of Steven King or Clive Barker, you’ll love this horrific tale."

J.V. Hilliard
Author, The Warminster Series

Accolades:
FIRST PLACE - The BookFest Awards 2024
FINALIST - Next Generation Indie Book Awards 2024

Genres: Horror, Paranormal

274 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2024

About the author

Sarah McKnight is an award-winning multi-genre author with an interest in contemporary young adult, coming-of-age, and horror fiction. After spending two years teaching English to middle schoolers in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, she came back to the US to pursue her next dream – to finish writing all of the books taking up valuable space on her hard drive.

Her most popular book by far, The Reaper’s Quota, has placed in several awards, including the Next Generation Indie Book Awards and the Book Blogger’s Novel of the Year Award. While some of her books lean more toward the fantastical, she always incorporates elements of realism and mental health, hoping that everyone can find something they relate to.

Sarah holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in creative writing. She currently lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and five cats.

You can find her on:
Twitter/X @mcknight_writes
Instagram @sarahmcknightwrites
TikTok @sarahmcknightwrites

Reviews

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the show is about to begin… 🤡🎪🩸

Carousel is a terrifying, carnival-based, horror. It is well-written, the horror and suspense builds up so well and grabs you right from the very beginning! This is exactly how a horror novel should be paced. It goes from sapphic teen drama into full-blown horror at the drop of a hat!

Laura Fitzpatrick thought the scariest thing she would have to do is tell her lab partner, Maddie, how she really feels… admitting that she is her high school crush! But little does she know about the horrors that await her when she and Maddie are dared to check out the abandoned Plum Creek Carnival. A night of terror is about to begin for the two girls, they may even face the dreaded Carnival Man. Whatever you do, don’t let him see you…!

Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for the ARC !! 5 stars 💀🔪🖤

tw:// gore, suicide, mentions of self-harm

[Bon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carousel is a thrilling horror story featuring a supernatural game of hide and seek in the ruins of a long-abandoned, rusting carnival. A creepy enough setting for a harmless game - but the stakes in this one are life and death.

Thank you to the author for a review copy of this awesome book. If you'd enjoy a Goosebumps-like story, readable but modernized with YA vibes and Sapphic main characters, this is it. Carousel is available now!

I love carnival horror. It’s a perfect setting, the coexistence of cheerful decor and danger providing great opportunities to explore horror tropes. In this story, Laura is dared to enter the carnival grounds and retrieve a souvenir as proof. To her delight, her crush from school, Maddie, volunteers to accompany her. And when they encounter the Carnival Man for the first time, a night of juvenile antics becomes a race for survival. They’re trapped within the grounds, forced to keep moving and cooperating with other long-trapped victims of the Carnival Man, some from eras gone by.

The particulars of the plot were absolutely thrilling. The girls’ story unfolds within the carnival, interspersed with some very well written passages describing the news coverage of their disappearance. It kept everything speeding along. The tension was impeccable; much like the cycle of a carousel our characters can only keep moving within the limited space, and I felt as if I was in there with them. The descriptions of forgotten game booths and deserted rides all added so much to the creepy ambience. And though there is some gore at times, I want to say the largely psychological nature of the horror in this story, the slow but steady pursuit of the main characters, goes to show that extreme horror isn’t needed for something to still be incredibly scary.

The ending is quite satisfying and the lore introduced could easily indicate series potential!

Five stars to a well-written, thoroughly entertaining Friday night horror movie of a book.

[♡ A ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super scary YA horror set in an abandoned carnival with a captivating premise.

Carousel follows Laura Fitzpatrick as she goes to a Halloween house party to admit her feelings to her lab partner, Maddie. But when a game of truth or dark begins, her world is turned upside down. Laura is dared to go to the abandoned carnival grounds and bring back a souvenir and Maddie volunteers to go with her. They explore the creepy property only to be shoved into a night of terror with danger lurking around every ride. A centuries-old mystery lies at the heart of their situation and Laura and Maddie have to be brave enough to get out of the Plum Creek Carnival alive without letting the Carnival Man see them.

Carousel is such a good carnival horror! This is the perfect Halloween read but its also so enjoyable any time of year if you love horror. There’s something so terrifying and eerie about abandoned carnivals and amusement parks. It’s such a good setting for horrors and this book delivers so well in atmosphere. The whole concept of the Carnival Man was terrifying and such a good villain to this story. His antics keep you on the edge of your seat as he terrorizes Laura, Maddie, and the others trapped in the carnival.

Laura is a really good main character with a lot of growth. She starts off quite shy and unconfident but when she’s faced with danger and protecting Maddie, she rises to the occasion. She’s so optimistic and steadfast in getting out of the carnival that she’s always actively moving the plot along and working to get out. There’s such a good cast of side characters and it was so tense to see which ones the Carnival Man might catch. It was super gasp-worthy and creepily terrifying whenever the Carnival Man was around!

The twist at the end was interesting and a good explanation for horrors happening. I also really liked that there are news segments scattered throughout the novel as their families have marked them as missing. It’s a really good horror and I’d definitely recommend picking this up!

I received an advance review copy for free from BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[tiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing screams horror more than an abandoned carnival with a Carnival Man waiting to consume you whole.

Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with the ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

Carousel is a YA horror which starts off with Laura Fitzpatrick attending a Halloween party. But her world is turned completely upside down as a game of truth or horror starts. Maddie offers to accompany Laura when she dares to visit the deserted funfair grounds and bring back a souvenir. After exploring the eerie property, they are thrust into a terrifying night where peril lurks around every corner of the rides. The core of their predicament is a centuries-old mystery, and Laura and Maddie must have the courage to escape the Plum Creek Carnival unseen by the Carnival Man.

This book was so scary and so gripping. The gore imagery was immaculate and I’ve never had chills like this before. Horror books tend to pipe down on the horror but this definitely amplified it. The setting alone, being a carnival is so creepy and would give anyone a fright!

I love how much Laura’s character develops throughout the book. I see myself in her in several ways and I appreciate it when I relate to book characters. All of these characters fit perfectly including the relevance of the Carnival Man.

This is a fantastic book if you’re looking to ease your way into the horror genre. And definitely if you’re a fan of gore and sneak attacks!

[Eryn McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic. I will review properly as soon as I processed it!

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"One of the Carnival Man's long legs extended onto the pathway from behind the booth, and Laura's heart leapt into her throat. One more step from him, and she would be exposed."




Just in time for spooky season, here's my long overdue review of Sarah McKnight's pageturner of a young adult horror novel, Carousel!

Fans of nineties teen horror in the vein of Urban Legend and I Know What You Did Last Summer are going to eat this one up, but it'll likely also appeal to contemporary young people (eep, I'm old!) eager for something fresh. While Carousel boasts shades of the underrated Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Carnival of Doom (seriously--I was surprised by how much I enjoyed that miniseries), and draws on a wealth of tried and true horror motifs and scenarios, the way it combines its disperate elements is unique and inventive. Carousel is fun, campy, and gorey in equal measure, with a cast of characters you can cheer for and whose adventures you'll want to follow long after you've finished the book.

Carousel has a classic opening and setup: on Hallowe'en night a group of teens dresses up in costumes and sits down for a game of truth or dare. Our MC, the somewhat shy and mousy Laura, is immediately nervous, something that isn't helped by the fact that when her turn rolls around she's tasked with kissing her secret crush, Maddie. Laura chickens out, and on a replacement dare agrees to visit the abandoned carnival by herself. Maddie (who was, perhaps, a tad disappointed not to get kissed) isn't about to let Laura visit the haunted carnival alone and insists on accompanying her. The girls venture out alone and begin to explore, all the while learning more about one another and playfully edging around the question of their obvious chemistry. The sequence also provides ample opportunity to explore the backstory of the carnival itself: after a tragic fire on the ferris wheel about a hundred years ago, the fair was permanently closed. It's been left to rust since that day, serving as a fun spot for teenagers to sneak inside and get up to trouble.

Laura and Maddie are having a grand old time, but when they decide to fool around on the carousel, the fairground attraction suddenly comes alive and the world (literally and phantasmagorically) begins to spin. A sinister ringmaster--a figure who'll come to be known as the Carnival Man--appears before them. Laura and Maddie try to run, but an invisible barrier blocks their exit, and as they'll soon discover, both they and a number of other long-lost teens are trapped inside the Carnival Man's personal playground. Not only are the teens (and the one adult victim) stuck inside the Carnival Man's disturbed wonderland, but they're also caught in a temporal prison of another kind. Within the carnival, time appears not to have moved at all, but the characters themselves hale from a variety of time periods.

The fairground, Laura and Maddie learn, was also once much more populous, but over time the Carnival Man has picked his captives off one by one. When the Carnival Man catches you--and you really don't want to be caught--the whole population is transported to a huge circus tent to watch the victim be dispatched in some creatively disturbing new way. All the more upsetting is the fact that the spectators are under the Carnival Man's control during these episodes, meaning they're forced to sit frozen in place and applaud the deaths of their friends and lovers.

One of my favourite parts of Carousel is how well McKnight builds up her ensemble cast, and this fact makes the aforementioned kill scenes all the more impactful. Laura and Maddie are likeable and easy to follow, but for me it's the tragedy of the carnival's other denizens that captured me most (and I'm a sucker for a strong supporting cast). With the carnival having been in operation so long, the Carnival Man has had decades upon decades from which to draw his victims, which means the characters Laura encounters range from an elusive child of the 20s, to 50s sweethearts, to 90s hooligans. The book is incredibly fast-paced, with action taking place over the course of a short time span, yet despite that, McKnight manages to make you care about the motley population of the fairground in short time. Part of this, I feel, is down to the smart reliance on the characters' interpersonal relationships as shorthand to get us rooting for them. When one of the 50s sweethearts starts to mentally crumble under the weight of their trauma, for example, there's a real danger they could slip up and get caught--it's a danger we feel all the more keenly because of the impact it could have on their lover. The network of relationships, friendships, and alliances amongst those trapped is one of the most fun (and nervewracking) parts of the book, the already brutal kill scenes made all the more heartwrenching because we genuinely care about the people doing the dying. To some degree, there's an ease and a lightness to the characterization that I would call typical of horror of this type--an archetypal quality to the cast that prepares us to enjoy them. When done well--which it is here--this use of archetype can be a powerful yet economic way to invest the audience in the story and characters.

Laura and Maddie are similarly well-characterized, and there's a strong throughline for Laura in particular that involves a continued wrestling with her fears and her struggle to be brave not only in the face of abject horror and death, but in terms of her own emotional vulnerability. It's tremendously satisfying to watch Laura come into her own, seeing her rise to the occasion and unite (as much as possible) the Carnival Man's victims.

"Feel the fear and do it anyway . . .. It means that even though we're afraid, we're going to stop the Carnival Man from hurting anyone else. No matter what it takes."

Additional tension is added by the threat that if should Laura and Maddie escape, they may emerge in some far-distant future. Indeed, for much of the novel, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see if a new victim would turn up, fresh from the year 2040! I'll leave a mystery whether this happens, but regardless of the eventual outcome(s), the possibility of Laura and Maddie becoming unmoored in time remains an implicit one that McKnight keeps subtle and tense throughout.

The plot is far more of a focus in Carousel than the prose, though it's worth mentioning that McKnight's writing doesn't get in its own way. This is a book that understands its genre and is careful not to overburden the text when it would hinder the pacing. There's some fun found fiction elements to the story as well, which keeps it structurally interesting. As Laura and Maddie struggle to learn the "rules" of surviving the fairground, the audience becomes privy a series of news segments documenting the girls' disappearance and the desperate search for them. Part of me did expect these to play slightly more of a role in the narrative, either influencing the outcome of events inside the carnival, or revealing information to the reader to heighten the tension, but nonetheless they were a fun addition and became a way through which to characterize Laura and Maddie's home lives before the incident.

While Carousel itself isn't a straight-up slasher, it evoked genuine feelings of nostalgia in me, with a story and cast that felt fresh out of a nineties teen slasher, but with a unique plot full of devilish mystery and even a (small) dash of queer romance. Carousel doesn't skimp on the gore during its kill scenes, but McKnight's judicious use of them means there's plenty of room for the story and characters to breathe. The storyline here goes some exciting and unexpected places that open it up to future interconnected works. I for one would love to see McKnight return to the world of Carousel to explore more of the lore at the heart of the novel.

[Elizabeth M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and I can't wait to add it to my physical library! Carousel is a sapphic young adult horror following Laura, a senior in high school who gets dared to explore the allegedly cursed and abandoned amusement park in her small town. Her lab partner and crush, Maddie, insists on joining Laura as she attempts to prove her bravery to her classmates by actually agreeing to follow through with the dare. Little do they know, they'll be swept up into a sick game hosted by the Carnival Man, and they'll have to fight to survive, and hopefully escape.

If there is one thing I know for certain from reading this book is that Sarah McKnight knows how to tell a damn good story! I was constantly going "one more chapter..." until I was at the end! That's what made this book hit five stars for me. I just couldn't put it down, and when life forced me to, all I could think about was what was going to happen in the book next.

Now this is a YA, but it doesn't feel like it was written for "younger" or teen audiences at all. Sometimes I find that YA feels a bit dumbed down when it comes to the actual writing, but this book is not anything like that at all. It's YA done right, and I loved every minute. I liked all the characters, but Laura was my favorite. I related to her a lot, and I loved the growth she had throughout the book. The characters are well fleshed out and relatable, each action and plot point made sense, and I was definitely a little scared of the Carnival Man! If you've got a weak stomach, maybe skip some of the scenes, as it got a bit gory. I love horror, and I was pleasantly surprised at how good the scenes were done.

All in all, I really recommend this book if you're a fan of a fast-paced, well written YA horror. Bonus points if you're a fan of curses, monsters, and abandoned places.

Don't let the Carnival Man see you!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Adana Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a long line of romantasy reads, Carousel was a refreshing step back into the horror/thriller space. This story follows two teenagers dared to enter infamous abandoned carnival grounds in search of a "souvenir" during a twisted game of truth or dare. What follows is nothing short of a nightmare. What began as harmless fun turns into a struggle for survival as the teens face a villain with an appetite for suffering amidst the backdrop of an eternal fun fair. Can the pair survive the carnival - and if so, can their budding feelings do the same?

You'll have to read it to find out.

Carousel is an incredible debut for this author. The characters were well-written, and the story was well-paced. The villain had an interesting origin story, and the magic surrounding the story was well thought out. Little details were well thought out and acknowledged in smart fashion. Breaks to news coverage and modern discussions serve as a clever marker of the passage of time in what would otherwise be an endless blur.

Readers take care. As mentioned in the content warnings of the book itself, this story does contain some graphic scenes and discussions of blood, gore, murder, self-harm, suicide, and suicidal ideation.

I received an advanced copy of this work in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are given freely.

[Christina Wissman · Rating 5 out of 5]

TLDR: Although I am not a horror fan, I really enjoyed Carousel! I loved the characters, it kept me wondering what was going to happen next, and overall just a well-crafted intriguing tale.

Long Version: Although I am not usually a horror fan, I decided to give this one a try because I’m a fan of this author’s other works. I’m glad I did! Lots of reasons I liked this one.

First, our main characters are very likable and relatable. I love a good teen romance, and this hit the spot. As with her other books, I love how McKnight excels at creating a diverse cast of ensemble characters. Everyone has their own personalities and they all add something to the tale.

Second, the villain is successfully creepy/horrifying and has a compelling lore surrounding his existence. I definitely would not want to come face-to-face with this guy. Not to give too many details away, I think McKnight does a good job of building him up as the story goes on and I love how we are still learning more about him all the way until the very end.

Third, just a well-written story. For me a sign of a good book is when I can’t put it down, and that was definitely the case here. Even if you are someone like me who doesn’t usually read horror, I think you will at least appreciate the story-telling that happens here.

Highly recommend you give this one a try!

I received an ARC copy of this book, I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rachelreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks so much to Book Sirens for this ARC. I was really hoping for a scary carnival book and I feel like this really delivered. I’ve heard this is YA but can’t confirm. Some parts did feel a bit YA but then other parts were pretty graphic and disgusting, which I loved! I thought it was a really interesting concept, there were a few things that I felt were a bit clunky and didn’t make a lot of sense but all in all I thought this was well written. My complaint is that I wanted more horror but that’s my complaint with most things. This was a solid book and I would absolutely read more from this author.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies and gentlemen, the show is about to begin…

All Laura Fitzpatrick wanted to do was tell her lab partner, Maddie, how she really feels about her, but when a perfect opportunity falls into her lap, Laura does what she does best – chickens out.

Then, Laura is dared to check out the abandoned carnival grounds outside of town, and she seizes the opportunity to prove to herself and others that she can be brave after all. To her surprise, Maddie isn’t about to let her go alone.

As they explore the eerie property, they’re thrust into an endless night of terror, where danger lurks around every corner. With a century-old mystery waiting to be uncovered, Laura must learn what true bravery means if she hopes to get herself – and Maddie – out of the Plum Creek Carnival alive.

Whatever you do, don't let the Carnival Man see you…

The blurb doesn’t give the book justice. I went by this story a few times before finally deciding that, yes, this might be something I wanted to read. And I’m glad I did. My YA reading has been lax as of late but I needed a good horror book that was going to keep me interested without delving into themes I am uncomfortable with.

Laura is an 18-year-old high School Senior who decided to break out of her introvert shell and attend a Halloween party to which she’d been invited. She’s been invited to parties before but this is the first one she’d decided to go to. It had nothing everything to do with the fact that Madison Walker, her lab partner and secret crush was going to be at the same party.

While there Laura gets pulled into a game of Truth or Dara and is dared to go to the local abandoned carnival grounds and bring back a souvenir. Maddie offers to go with her and together they begin a journey that takes place over thirteen days. Though a series of terrifying events both Laura and Maddie become trapped in the abandoned carnival, unable to get out and relentlessly chased in a macabre game of Hide and Seek with a being known as The Carnival Man but is a being called The Wish Granter. Maybe.

Once Laura and Maddie entered the carnival, I enjoyed how the story took a turn. I wasn’t expecting a pocket dimension as a way of keeping people hidden and trapped. Laura and Maddie meeting the other people in the carnival also involved in the game was reminiscent of many coming of age stories, especially with the three boys, Alex, Trey, and Simon who had been trapped there since 1995. One of the best characters, for me, was Muriel. She became the lore teller of this book and despite how long she had been there and how terrified she had been, deciding that now was the time to step up and seeing Laura as the person who could help her, spurred her into actions she hadn’t tried for a long time.

The story bounces between the horror happening in the carnival and what is happening in the outside world with both Laura and Maddie’s families and friends who are viewing this as a kidnapping and missing persons case.

There is an overarching theme in this story, especially with Laura who picked the wrong time to try to change her image. “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” From the moment Laura stepped into the Halloween party to the time she and the others stepped out of the abandoned carnival grounds, that phrase served her well in every move she made. While some didn’t help at all and hindered, other moves catapulted her and the others she convinced to help her to their conclusion of this story. This was the Final Girl trope subverted.

The ending was the best. It didn’t just leave off like other horror stories, but instead went into a bit of detail of what happened after the nightmare was over. Closure is always an important thing in these stories. And I’m almost positive that nobody will be going back.

What I especially liked about this story was the author placing content warnings at the beginning of the book. This is a YA book and while I would put it in the older YA genre, placing content warnings is a clever idea to give anyone who reads it an idea of what they’re about to walk into. People read horror for a variety of several reasons; it doesn’t necessarily mean that they need to go into those book blind to anything that might be disturbing to them.

I very much enjoyed this story and found it suitable for anyone who enjoys horror stories and is of the age of 16 and older.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sayer Spruell · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It’s showtime!"

Laura Fitzpatrick receives an invitation to a party, challenging her to break free from her shell if only to impress Maddie, her crush. However, a simple game of truth or dare pushes her to go to Plum Creek Carnival, feared by locals. No one would dare go there, believing the place haunted. Unbeknownst to her, the carnival is haunted, and run by a mysterious figure known simply as the Carnival Man. As she navigates the eerie attractions with the help of others, she must summon her courage to confront the unknown and find a way to escape the clutches of the Carnival Man.

A horror novel that treads familiar territory, following in the veins of Stephen King. It evokes memories of the Fear Street movies on Netflix, bringing in young, relatable characters with modern sensibilities. It was refreshing to see a character as shy and insecure as Laura grows into a strong and independent individual in the face of adversity.

The book maintains a brisk pace and never slows down, thanks to its smooth prose. The description used was sparse but enough to convey the character’s feelings and experiences without hindering the plot. This makes the story feel all the more real for those immersed in it.

The inclusion of in-between chapters showing news footage and messages through social media was an interesting choice. At first, there was confusion, but the chapters added a favor that these things were happening while giving perspective to those from the outside on what could have happened to those stuck at the Carnival. The notion that there could not be a possible way to escape was especially intense, making the reader constantly guess as to how they could survive and leave when the Carnival Man has a power beyond them.

The Carnival Man is quite horrifying. He could be lurking in a corner without you knowing, or even knowing he was there, all it takes is to run and hide. A character who takes pleasure in breaking his victims rather than dispatching them quickly. The concept is reminiscent of Pennywise the Clown from the novel IT but with a unique and engaging backstory.

The backstory added layers to the supernatural without going overboard. I would have loved to have seen more touches of the supernatural, but that might slow down the fear factor, something the author successfully avoided.

It was shocking to realize that this book falls under the YA demographic without knowing it, because the book contains some scenes of gore and violence, while also touching on suicidal thoughts and tendencies. Although the scenes mentioned are brief, they can leave a lot to the imagination. It was smart for the author Sarah to give a warning ahead of time since this is a serious subject that may not sit well with many.

The book is fast-paced, and engaging, with very likable characters and a threatening villain who delivers more surprises than expected, especially around the climax of the book when Laura and the others have to make the ultimate choice to succeed. It culminates in a highly satisfactory ending, completing a definitive journey from beginning to end. Things come full circle; no pun intended.

I’m sure you will have quite a ride, no pun intended. Actually yes, the pun was intended.

Enjoy the ride!

[Bee_thebookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

When eighteen-year-old Laura Fitzpatrick decides to attend a Halloween party, she thinks the scariest thing she will have to face is admitting her feelings to her crush. When she is dared to retrieve a souvenir from an abandoned carnival ground, the night takes a horrifying turn. Carousel by Sarah McKnight is a spine-tingling horror novel that will have you holding your breath from the very first chapter.

The characters are very well written and reflect the eras they came from, adding layers of intrigue to the story. I felt the author used the relationships between characters very well, making the reader invested in their stories. Using characters from different eras also helped to emphasise the horror and hopelessness of the situation. As a reader, I felt invested in the stories of each character and what would happen to them. Using the characters to further the story and having them explain the situation using their understanding of it added to the haunting and distressing feeling of disorientation. I enjoyed learning more about the setting from the perspectives of different characters throughout the story, instead of having one set explanation from the beginning. This helped to emphasise that none of the characters understood what was happening, and they were just trying their best to survive in the terrifying place they had unknowingly wandered into.

The pacing is great, the book is fast-paced without feeling rushed, and the use of news stories and reports from outside the carnival grounds added a stark contrast of time passing while our characters were suspended in time. The writing style also added to the mystery, making this book frightening, creepy, and, at times, utterly devastating. The overall feeling of the book, including the uncertain and macabre nature, made me feel as though I was experiencing the events alongside the characters, which is what made it such a (horrifying) joy to read.

I also appreciated the inclusion of content warnings at the beginning of the book and felt that these accurately reflected the content of the story, especially content and themes that could be distressing.

Overall, I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys horror, mystery, intrigue, and suspenseful stories and doesn’t mind a bit of gore. The story was very well written; I didn’t want to put this book down and finished it in less than a day. I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Diversity Horror · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Sarah McKnight, you had me at sapphic horror set in a creepy carnival.

Laura is an introverted highschooler riddled with anxiety and self-doubt. Instead of staying home watching horror movies (a girl after my own heart) she forces herself out of her comfort zone and attends a Halloween party hoping to run into her crush, Maddie. Even with her social battery almost completely depleted, Laura ends up staying for a game of Truth or Dare and a chance to confess her feelings. But when she’s dared to make out with Maddie in front of her classmates, Laura chickens out and instead chooses to go to the town’s old, abandoned carnival grounds for her dare. Maddie, a fan of urbex, volunteers to go with her. Will this be Laura’s chance to confess? Well, it’s a horror story, so of course it goes badly. The moment the two share a kiss on the carousel, they’re ripped into a reality outside of time where they, along with the other teens trapped there, are continuously hunted by the enigmatic Carnival Man.

Maddie is Laura’s opposite. She’s outgoing, adventurous, and is perfectly happy to visit a creepy, abandoned park, despite Laura’s misgivings. Interestingly, while initially appearing to be the braver of the two, Maddie is the first to give up when the two girls are trapped in the carnival, and Laura is forced to take charge. Laura does her best to find solutions that will allow them to escape their magical prison, while Maddie does her best to be supportive while not truly believing they’ll ever escape. The other teens trapped there are also hesitant to encourage Laura, as most of them have already lost all hope of escape. Some have even given into their grief and despair which causes them to behave desperately. But despite the odds, and everyone telling her it’s impossible, Laura refuses to give up.

I liked how Laura was terrified but still did what needed to be done, or as she says “feel the fear and do it anyway.” Brave characters conquering their fears are always more relatable than fearless ones. I found Laura’s undying hope endearing rather than irritating, as, despite her optimism, she was still practical and cautious. Her determination was inspiring and I absolutely loved her character growth as the story unfolded. My only complaint is I wish we had gotten to know the other characters a little better so their deaths would have more impact, but this is not uncommon in horror. Luckily, Laura and Maddie were extremely likable and relatable. As an anxiety-ridden, introverted, horror fan myself, it felt like Laura was written just for me. Meanwhile, I found Maddie’s adventurous spirit admirable because I’m often the one egging friends into exploring abandoned locations (and I would totally visit a creepy old carnival if I could). But once they were actually in danger, Maddie turned out to be the more practical of the two, discouraging Laura from taking unnecessary risks.

This was a particularly fun, creepy read. The pacing was perfect; the tension never let up and the story never dragged. The entire experience was like riding one of the carnival’s decrepit roller coasters, even when you weren’t screaming as you sped down a perilous drop or took a bank turn, you felt the dread of going up a lift hill, waiting for the inevitable fall. I read the entire book in one sitting, unable to put it down because I was so desperate to know how the Carnival Man’s prisoners escaped. (Would they escape??) Plus, it had the perfect horror story setting.

[Emm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for free, in exchange for my honest opinion via Booksirens.

18 year old Laura Fitzpatrick has decided to break out of her introvert shell and attend a classmates Halloween party. She finds this the perfect place to tell her lab partner Maddie, exactly how she feels. But when her golden opportunity falls into her lap, Laura does what she does best, chickens out. Laura then is dared to check out the old abandoned carnival outside of town, she snatches up the opportunity to prove to herself and others that she is, in fact, capable of being brave. To her surprise, Maddie isn't about to let Laura go alone. Once on the grounds, Laura and Maddie are tossed into a world of terror and macabre, where danger lurks around every corner. With a mystery waiting to be uncovered, Laura must learn what true bravery is if she hopes to get herself and Maddie out of the carnival alive.

When I read the synopsis I was really excited to read this. However, I didn't quite enjoy the book in the way I thought I would. I did enjoy the mystery aspect of it, and the way the story took a turn once in the carnival grounds. I also enjoyed how the story bounced from what was happening in the carnival to what was happening in the outside world. Both Laura and Maddie's friends and family are viewing their disappearance as a kidnapping.

I keep going between a 'good' read and an 'okay' read. I'm so conflicted. The characters bounced from being well written to being mediocre. The story was there, but I think it was a little too fast of pace, it felt like a blur sometimes. But the ending was really good. It didn't just abruptly end and actually touched on what happened after. Which is great, because not a lot of books do that.

In the end, I've decided to rate this a "3." The parts were there, but for me, it just didn't fully jive with me.

Thank you, Booksirens and Sarah McKnight for allowing me to review! As always, my review is my own opinion and thoughts. This review will be shared to my Instagram @fictionluxblog shortly.

[Horror Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I her first full length novel, Sarah McKnight delivers a heart pounding, horrifying thrill ride set at an abandoned carnival In the woods. If there's a more atmospheric setting for a horror novel, I don't know what it is.

When two high school girls are "dared" to get a souvenir from the long abandoned carnival grounds on Halloween night, they think nothing of it. The rumors surrounding the place are just that... right? But of course they're going to find out the terrifying secrets of this evil place and they're soon trapped by an invisible barrier as the broken rides and crumbling buildings come to life. And chasing them is someone inhuman. And he's very very hungry.

We'll meet other people who have been trapped inside from different eras and it becomes apparent that there is no way out and the only chance at survival is to run and hide as long as you can or else you'll wind up in this creature's "show".

This is a rip roaring supernatural ride that delivers on the scares, the hopelessness of the situation, and the creepy setting. The characters are well written and they each have different reasons for being trapped there (some for as long as 100 years). I love how this place works. They never age, never need food, drink, or sleep, and the only way to survive is running and hiding from this unhuman beast stalking them. It creates a real sense of dread and terror throughout the novel.

There are also shorter chapters from the outside of this carnival detailing the police investigation into the missing girls and interviews with friends and family. These chapters really drive home that this is really happening and gives the book an extra emotional punch.

I highly recommend this book.

I received an ARC of this book from the author with no consideration. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.

[Dani Kass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carousel absolutely blew me away. I was expecting it to be a gripping, but probably low-quality, horror story, and man was I wrong.

It's the story of Laura, a shy teenager, who goes to a party to confess her love to her lab partner, Maddie. Through a game of truth or dare, they end up breaking into abandoned carnival grounds outside of town, and then becoming trapped in the carnival, and stuck in an endless, life-or-death game of hide and seek with a monster known only as The Carnival Man.

There are many aspects of the premise that I feel I've read before, mainly the overall setting reminding me of Hide by Kiersten White, or even the Hunger Games arena. But it veered off those expectations enough that even when things felt familiar, it still felt fully original. And the quality of the imagery put things on another level.

While trapped at the carnival, Laura and Maddie meet the handful of others trapped there. The dynamics between those groups and their various levels of coping were one of my favorites parts. I particularly loved Alex, Trey and Simon, and how they protect the others.

The horror and violence when someone loses the game, or takes themself out of it, was always so much darker than I expected. Most often the story would be focused on coming of age or escape-focused problem solving, so when the darkness appeared it was always deeply bone chilling and awful. That's not even including the darkness of living as prey at the carnival with no end, relief or hope in sight.

And to top it off, there is a wonderful lesbian love story that avoids the negative tropes often used in media with sapphic romances.

I'm not sure if everyone will find it as brilliant as I did, but I really highly recommend it.

Thank you to BookSirens for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being an arc reader for "Carousel by Sarah McKnight." , I will admit I totally forgot I had signed up to be an arc reader for this book, so when it appeared in my emails I was really confused and almost deleted the email...serves me right for doing arc read sign ups in January.

Tw: self harm including suicide, blood and gore.

Sarah, how dare you give your main character the name "Laura"..as a Laura whose an introvert and prefers the company of one, the first 5% felt like an attack on me. 😅😂

The further this story got, the further twisted and heartbreaking it'd go.

I love how at the heart of this story, it's about grief, self growth and finding love and friendship in the worst of places. Plus the power of never giving up can be worth saving many.

My heart was broken for Dean while my stomach was ready to bring up breakfast.

It got to the point that I almost wanted to give up due to those pure twisted torture scenes.

The best way to describe Carousel is a game of "truth or dare gone wrong.", it's full of twists and turns. Each character will make the reader feel for them, even if the characters hit a-hole mode, you'll still feel for the character.

Okay...reader honesty here..Carousel won't be for the fainted of heart. As much as I want to recommend it to other readers, I know the graphical murder/suicide scenes will get too much. Like I mentioned already, I almost gave up reading purely based on the torture scenes, unfortunately in order to get this story as is, those scenes are needed otherwise the story would just read as a "meh, it's okay.." type of story.

I can't wait to see what else Sarah McKnight does with her author career..but if Carousel is any indication, I can guarantee that I'll be struggling.

[Summer R Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and the publisher or publishers for all your hard work! I'm leaving this review voluntarily and happily!

I truly enjoyed reading this. Of course, the only issue I had was I wish there was a little more information on the evil monster in the story. Then again, he wasent the entire focus of the story. This book was written wonderfully. The emotions had me gripping the edge of my seat and just feeling how each character felt was gutwretching. Sadness, despair, agony, terror, and so much emotion go into this writing, and you feel it as you get deeper into the story.

Grief can make you do things, peer pressure, and other things as well. Of course, what would it be for you to end up at a haunted carnival? For the main characters, a dare that changes their lives forever. They experience the most horrible creature to ever exist, and it's hunting them and others in its hunting grounds, not only that it parades its kills for them all every time. What will they have to do to escape, will they escape, and how did this all come to pass?

I love a great horror involving the carnival and demons. Gore, death, and the supernatural are always a favorite of mine. On top of it, characters who don't give up even if things seem entirely hopeless. Let's not forget she's a horror fan, too! And this all started because of a stupid book!

[R.H. Gründ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah McKnight's CAROUSEL (2024) follows Laura Fitzpatrick, a high-school senior whose decision to take up a Halloween dare results in a night of terror.

Trapped in a nightmarish carnival by the villainous, supernatural Carnival Man, Laura must devise a way to escape along with her fellow captives.

CAROUSEL is a fast-paced read plotted like a slasher movie, punctuated by both grisly character deaths and flourishes of action and romance. The character of the Carnival Man steals the show (no pun intended) during his every scene, and McKnight is smart to use him sparingly to heighten the impact and danger of his appearances. Laura is a compelling foil, and her internal conflicts and anxieties are well-detailed throughout the novel.

Although this book can sometimes read like a thriller and has splashes of romance, there are moments of impactful, graphic violence--make no mistake about it being a horror novel! The imagery is evocative, although there are spots throughout where some of the dialogue and character beats could be trimmed for an even brisker pace.

Highly recommend this book to horror fans, especially fans of slashers who enjoy compelling villains! Looking forward to McKnight's other horror offerings.

[Niyyah Ruscher-Haqq · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to BookSirens to providing me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a great introduction to this author. There was a great amount of tension built into this novel. The carnival aspect made it just campy enough while giving a good amount of attention to the romance without it going overboard. The gore was well 'executed' (come on, let me have ONE pun). The villain was spooky, I loved the arc of the MC and letting her embrace and try to make it through.
I appreciated the use of the sporadic breaking news, which helped ground me in what was happening in time in our world and carnival world.

The only minor critique I have (and only because I was asked to share) was that there were a few parts that were drawn out a bit - like a theory on how to get out that lasted a bit too long. I wasn't a fan of the social media inclusion because it didn't happen enough - I would have either added more or just put these conversations in an interview.

That said, this was a 4+ star novel that had no problem holding my attention and I'll be reading more from McKnight.

[Callie Kakascik · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an ARC read I received directly from the author, who I found on X (formerly Twitter, blah blah blah), So I went in pretty blind. This review is 100% my opinion, and I was not swayed in any way. Thank you to Sarah for allowing me to read and review.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was solid, but the story is was really sold me. I was hooked pretty early on, and that's important in reading an author I haven't read before. So kudos to Sarah there.

We have Laura, the school "mouse," as she's referred to. She ends up going to a Halloween party and gets involved in a game of truth or dare. When she gets dared, she is supposed to go to the abandoned carnival near them and bring back a souvenir. When her crush, Maddie, offers to join her, she is extra excited to go. However, when they get there and decide to sit on the dilapidated carousel, everything changes.

There was plenty of suspense and some gore. The main characters were built well, and the ones who weren't didn't really matter...

I definitely give it a strong 4 stars and I will read more from this author.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I've been trying to get into reading horror for ages and this was the perfect book to do it! It was a relatively short read but a lot was packed in. I loved the main characters and the romantic element of the book. I thought the plot was very good and it was far from predictable. There were definitely a few plot points that surprised me! While I didn't find it massively frightening, the plot kept me hooked and I raced through the book within a day! I thought there was a good ammount of horror and gore throughout the book: it was enough to feel like a horror book but without going overboard. The author painted a good picture of the scene without any long or boring descriptions and I could really picture everything that was happening. The book was really engaging all the way through and I thought the ending was really satisfying. I would definitely recommend this book, particularly for those like me who haven't read much in the genre and want a good book to get started!

[Bruce Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was in the mood for a Halloween read this October, and I got exactly what I wanted in CAROUSEL! This YA horror is all kinds of spooky fun.

While attending a high school party, teens Laura and Maddie answer a dare to explore an abandoned old carnival left to rot in the woods. But when they do, they find themselves trapped in the amusement park, which suddenly has returned to life. Their captor—the demonic Carnival Man—serves as the sinister ringmaster of this three ring horror show. Will Maddie and Laura find a way to escape the Carnival Man’s clutches?

Author Sarah McKnight delivers the scares, with great scene-setting and tension-building. The Carnival Man is scary enough. But the real terror comes from sitting with Laura and Maddie as they hope this isn’t the moment when the villain finds them. And the supporting characters are well-developed, which makes it even more heartbreaking when the Carnival Man takes a victim.

If you want a fast-paced, page-turning horror this spooky season, then step right up! CAROUSEL is just the book you are looking for.

[Isabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Sarah Mcknight; it did not disappoint at all!!

Carousel is a horrifying thriller that takes place at an abandoned carnival. Eighteen-year-old Laura attends a Halloween party. She thinks that admitting her feelings for her crush will be the scariest thing she will do that night however, that is far from it. When she is dared to get a souvenir from an abandoned carnival she takes the dare and things take a horrifying turn.

This book is amazing! This novel is a page-turner, sitting on the edge of your seat, heart pounding, and everything in between kind of a book. This is one of the first Horror books I have read and will remember because of how engaging it is. You will not regret reading this book whatsoever. If you are a fan of Horror or Thriller books pick this one up and give it a chance. The writing is so good and the characters are very well written. 100% recommend.

[Rebecca Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute thrill ride of a novel! I don't normally read in the horror genre, but I couldn't put Carousel down! The underlying mystery of the abandoned carnival hooked my interest from the moment Maddie and Laura set foot past the entrance gate. Sarah McKnight has a knack for making characters feel real and relatable, and these protagonists are no exception. Near the end of the story, I had to remind myself to breathe as the characters fought for their lives! The "monster" of the story is both scary and dangerous. There's a good deal of gore in a few scenes, so if you're squeamish, be aware. I'm stunned that McKnight has never written horror before. She comes across as well-versed in dark suspense! I hope she continues writing in this genre because Carousel was the gateway horror novel I needed, and now I need MORE!

[Vicky Ball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant and compulsive reading!
I loved this book and it's one of those that I don't feel I have enough of the right words to explain how good it is. I couldn't put it down. If I could have taken a few days off work to finish it I would have. I couldn't stop thinking about it. The character of the carnival man was so creepy and the horror elements were definitely horrifying. I loved the idea of it. It worked well as a story and there was plenty of tension to keep you reading on. The ending was good and the right one I think but it did get me thinking how it could have ended differently. I didn't want it to end. I was so involved in the characters lives that I didn't want to leave them and would have happily read more on them. What I want to know is when is this going to be made into a movie because in my head it already is? Wholeheartedly recommend this one. It's amazing!!

[Annette Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carousel by Sarah McKnight is everything I hoped it would be and more. I love a story with a circus or carnival setting , especially when it comes to horror stories as I think the setting can add so much to a darker tale, so when I saw this delightfully creepy cover I was immediately intrigued.
This is ostensibly a YA horror, but I'm a little older that that target demographic and I can definitely say that it is dark enough for adult readers to enjoy just as much as their younger counterparts.

When Laura chickens out of telling her lab partner and crush Maddie how she really feels about her she finds herself dared to visit the site of an old abandoned Carnival as part of a game of truth or dare. Of course Maddie is not going to let her go alone and so the pair find themselves heading into the wilderness with no idea of the nightmare that is in store for them. Before the night is out they will be trapped in a cursed carnival populated by the unfortunate souls who cross the path of the Carnival Man, a carnival with a difference as becoming part of the show usually has fatal consequences. In order to escape Laura and Maddie will have to defeat the Carnival Man, no easy feat and one that has not been accomplished in almost a hundred years.

This was such a page turning book with a fantastic blend of jump scare moments, gore and paranormal thrills that sent shivers up my spine. This kind of horror needs a strong distinctive villain and in the Carnival Man McKnight has crafted one that will haunt my dreams , his sadistic pleasure in the suffering of his prisoners is truly terrifying. I loved Laura as a main character, and I was impressed with how well crafted her character was and how much it developed as the story unfolded. The sweetness of her crush on Maddie was a nice contrast to the darker moments in the book and provided some much needed lightness.
One of the best horror books I've read in quite some time and one that I would definitely recommend to fans of the genre.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tracy Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like horror and you like carnivals, then step right up. This book is exactly what you’ve been looking for. When I first started to read this book, I was afraid that it wasn’t going to catch my attention. I was happily mistaken. I didn’t know what to expect with this book, but it was a real page turner. Once I started reading more and more, I couldn’t put the book down. I fell in love with the characters. I got angry when they got angry. I cried when they cried. I felt fear when they felt fear. Not many books have been able to make me feel like I was part of the story, but that’s exactly what this book did. I felt like I was right there with the characters. I highly recommend this story and would one hundred percent read it again.

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kerry]

Halloween and dares go together in Sarah McKnight’s creepy YA horror thriller, Carousel. When our lead, Laura, accepts a dare to visit an abandoned, depression-era carnival, she and her friend, lab partner, and crush, Maddie, climb on a carousel and ride into a trap. Along with others also trapped through the decades, the pair must play a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the resident demonic Carnival Man to survive. Those unfortunate souls caught by the creature become “stars” in a demented “show” the others are forced to witness. Between some of the fast-paced action chapters are brief news stories that help the readers understand what those searching for the missing girls endure, too. And to think, poor, mousey Laura thought the scariest thing she’d encounter was admitting her feelings for her lab partner! This is a grisly tale of strength, friendship, and determination.