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Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women
Move over Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Lovecraft—it’s time to let the Scream Queens howl. In Sadie Hartmann’s follow-up book to the Bram Stoker Award-winner 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered, horror fans will be delighted to discover a whole new list of horror recommendations—all by women writers.
Taking a cue from the popular practice of mood reading, the most common requests she gets on social media, and the overwhelming positive reaction to the icons included in her first book, Sadie has carefully curated and organized her 200+ recommendations into reading lists based on, well, vibes. Are you in your “Gothic Era?” Sadie has a list for that. Going on vacation and need some good dark beach reads? There’s a list for that. Just finished Mexican Gothic and need more “Sporror in your life?” You guessed it, there’s a list for that too! Each book on every list will include its title, author(s), date of publication, publisher, page count, theme, a spoiler-free description alongside Sadie’s recommendation.
Featuring five brand-new essays from popular and rising voices in the genre—Alma Katsu, Alexis Henderson, Christina Henry, Rae Knowles, and Laura Purcell, this illustrated reader’s guide is perfect for anyone looking to get out of a reading slump or diversify their TBR pile.
Taking a cue from the popular practice of mood reading, the most common requests she gets on social media, and the overwhelming positive reaction to the icons included in her first book, Sadie has carefully curated and organized her 200+ recommendations into reading lists based on, well, vibes. Are you in your “Gothic Era?” Sadie has a list for that. Going on vacation and need some good dark beach reads? There’s a list for that. Just finished Mexican Gothic and need more “Sporror in your life?” You guessed it, there’s a list for that too! Each book on every list will include its title, author(s), date of publication, publisher, page count, theme, a spoiler-free description alongside Sadie’s recommendation.
Featuring five brand-new essays from popular and rising voices in the genre—Alma Katsu, Alexis Henderson, Christina Henry, Rae Knowles, and Laura Purcell, this illustrated reader’s guide is perfect for anyone looking to get out of a reading slump or diversify their TBR pile.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2025
54 people are currently reading
9277 people want to read
About the author
Sadie Hartmann
23 books7,729 followersSadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror is the co-owner of the monthly horror fiction subscription company, Night Worms and the Bram Stoker Awards® winning author of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered from Page Street Publishing.
She lives in the PNW with her husband of 20+ years where they stare at Mt Rainier, eat street tacos, and hang out with their 3 kids. They have a Frenchie named Owen.
She lives in the PNW with her husband of 20+ years where they stare at Mt Rainier, eat street tacos, and hang out with their 3 kids. They have a Frenchie named Owen.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
August 19, 2025
“Women are the ‘feral’ and ‘hysterical’ ; our bodies flailing against restraint—captive. Our voices unleashed into the void from scratched, raw throats—unheard. So, by the first light of the day, by candlelight or firelight, during any time free from expectation or duty, dark and disturbing stories are written by the very people defined by powerful words. Women.”
While author Sadie Hartmann’s last book ( 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered) was an appreciation of contemporary horror fiction on the rise during this current and glorious horror renaissance, this newest addition to her bibliography is all about the ladies, women in horror who take a hatchet to the myth that a genre centering scares is not for them.
This book is everything! It’s a "vibey" horror reference guide, perfect for readers’ advisory. It’s a reading checklist. It’s a curation of horror essays. It’s a breakdown and spotlight on niche horror sub-genres. It’s an acknowledgement of women writers’ dismantling and reimagining of worn out horror tropes. And Hartmann lays it all out in a way that’s accessible to readers’ both seasoned and new to the horror genre. You feel like you’re sitting down to a cup of coffee with her as she brings you into her beautiful, dark, twisted world of horror fiction.
Feral & Hysterical is a celebration of the reclusive witchy woman in the woods, the vampire thirsting for her own desires, the spectral maiden seeking revenge, the unhinged women reclaiming their power, the bold women navigating the dark unknowns, the lost women freefalling into the void, the women going through “monstrous” metamorphosis, the women figuratively and literally eating hearts out. It is a spotlight on the women wielding axes, brewing potions, slaying zombies, beating odds, starting trouble, making messes, taking names, breaking bones, spilling blood. Hartmann puts women writers on their rightful pedestal as masters of the macabre.
And as she so rightfully put it, “Women are overqualified to write fictional horror. Period.”
Words cannot describe how truly ecstatic I am to make this book a permanent and prized possession in my home library when it comes out in August!
(Thank you to NetGalley for this early read!)
While author Sadie Hartmann’s last book ( 101 Horror Books to Read Before You're Murdered) was an appreciation of contemporary horror fiction on the rise during this current and glorious horror renaissance, this newest addition to her bibliography is all about the ladies, women in horror who take a hatchet to the myth that a genre centering scares is not for them.
This book is everything! It’s a "vibey" horror reference guide, perfect for readers’ advisory. It’s a reading checklist. It’s a curation of horror essays. It’s a breakdown and spotlight on niche horror sub-genres. It’s an acknowledgement of women writers’ dismantling and reimagining of worn out horror tropes. And Hartmann lays it all out in a way that’s accessible to readers’ both seasoned and new to the horror genre. You feel like you’re sitting down to a cup of coffee with her as she brings you into her beautiful, dark, twisted world of horror fiction.
Feral & Hysterical is a celebration of the reclusive witchy woman in the woods, the vampire thirsting for her own desires, the spectral maiden seeking revenge, the unhinged women reclaiming their power, the bold women navigating the dark unknowns, the lost women freefalling into the void, the women going through “monstrous” metamorphosis, the women figuratively and literally eating hearts out. It is a spotlight on the women wielding axes, brewing potions, slaying zombies, beating odds, starting trouble, making messes, taking names, breaking bones, spilling blood. Hartmann puts women writers on their rightful pedestal as masters of the macabre.
And as she so rightfully put it, “Women are overqualified to write fictional horror. Period.”
Words cannot describe how truly ecstatic I am to make this book a permanent and prized possession in my home library when it comes out in August!
(Thank you to NetGalley for this early read!)
August 12, 2025
ARC for review. To be published August 19, 2025.
5 stars
What a great title for this wonderful collection of horror (and some horror-adjacent) book selections from female writers both well-known and new (even though I feel like it’s another great title for my autobiography gone before I even had time to come up with it.) The book is divided in many of your favorite tropes (plus a state-by-state feature that I loved! Who would have guessed that there is at least one horror title written by a woman for each of the fifty states in the U.S.?) and even the best read will find some new gems to add to your TBR lists.
Sadie knows her stuff and her writing is breezy and easy…the only negative is that she makes you sure you’re going to like every book! I loved the illustrations too, what a welcome addition. A must for anyone who likes horror. Seriously. I’m pretty spare with my five star reviews, but this book deserves one.
5 stars
What a great title for this wonderful collection of horror (and some horror-adjacent) book selections from female writers both well-known and new (even though I feel like it’s another great title for my autobiography gone before I even had time to come up with it.) The book is divided in many of your favorite tropes (plus a state-by-state feature that I loved! Who would have guessed that there is at least one horror title written by a woman for each of the fifty states in the U.S.?) and even the best read will find some new gems to add to your TBR lists.
Sadie knows her stuff and her writing is breezy and easy…the only negative is that she makes you sure you’re going to like every book! I loved the illustrations too, what a welcome addition. A must for anyone who likes horror. Seriously. I’m pretty spare with my five star reviews, but this book deserves one.
July 3, 2025
If you loved Sadie’s first book, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered, you’re going to LOVE Feral and Hysterical. Whereas her first book emphasized contemporary horror fiction in general, Feral and Hysterical is all about the wealth of great horror and dark fiction written by women. While there are many contemporary, newer books here, she also includes plenty of older books and classics, too.
The books are divided up into common themes and “vibes” as Sadie articulates at the beginning of the book. Basically there are lists of several books that all delve into similar areas or themes, so if you like one book in that list, it gives you several others to try as well. There is also a really cool 50 Books in 50 States list, several other features including YA book recs, and a few fantastic essays by some fantastic women writing dark fiction today. The illustrations are amazing too and add so much to the book.
Every book includes a spoiler free synopsis and a paragraph of Sadie’s thoughts on the book. Her style is so conversational like you’re sitting down having a nice cup of tea with Sadie as she tells you about all these fantastic books.
This is another essential non-fiction book on horror fiction. Beware though, your TBR is about to get a lot bigger. Feral and Hysterical is out on August 19th.
Thank you to Page Street Publishing for approving me for the eARC on NetGalley!
The books are divided up into common themes and “vibes” as Sadie articulates at the beginning of the book. Basically there are lists of several books that all delve into similar areas or themes, so if you like one book in that list, it gives you several others to try as well. There is also a really cool 50 Books in 50 States list, several other features including YA book recs, and a few fantastic essays by some fantastic women writing dark fiction today. The illustrations are amazing too and add so much to the book.
Every book includes a spoiler free synopsis and a paragraph of Sadie’s thoughts on the book. Her style is so conversational like you’re sitting down having a nice cup of tea with Sadie as she tells you about all these fantastic books.
This is another essential non-fiction book on horror fiction. Beware though, your TBR is about to get a lot bigger. Feral and Hysterical is out on August 19th.
Thank you to Page Street Publishing for approving me for the eARC on NetGalley!
August 4, 2025
Starred review in the August 2025 issue of Booklist and on the blog: https://raforall.blogspot.com/2025/08...
Three Words That Describe This Book: conversational tone, books about books, participatory
This is the follow up to 101 Horror Books to Read Before You Are Murdered-- which I gave a star in the June 2023 issue of LJ, and while I still stand by that star-- this book is better.
Why?
Because it is about how the books "vibrate" with readers. Because it is only about women Horror authors who Hartmann notes (and I agree) are "overqualified to write horror fiction." Because Hartmann's expressed mission is to take you on a journey that she went on, one that shaped her entire world view, and along he way she shares all the books and what she learn about herself while also leaving you space to find a truth for yourself. Because men and women will love it. Because it will showcase the breadth of Horror written by women. Because it will end the argument that people don't know any women horror writers-- there are HUNDREDS of titles here, HUNDREDS. Because it uses her awesome conversational tone to draw readers in. Because she does not sacrifice the "facts" for the conversational tone. Because there is awesome side bar material. Because there are essays by Christian Henry, Laura, Purcell, Alexis Henderson, and Alma Katsu charing their stories. Because there is a book list in the back where you can keep track of what you have read and or want to read.
Because it is fun to read and easy to use either as a reader yourself, or (and this review is going to be in Booklist so this second part matters) to help readers find the right book for them.
What Hartmann has added to the conversation about matching the right book with a readers is this idea of explaining the vibes of a book and how vibes are different from mood or even tropes. Hartmann is a big user of EBSCO's NoveList through her library, so she has thought about the "why" someone likes a book quite a lot. From the opening section entitled "Why is Vibes Reading?"
Mood: a temporary state of mind or feeling.
Vibes: a distinctive feeling or quality capable of being sensed.
Moods are fickle, but vibes? Vibes are forever.
As you read the book these definitions become clear. The 36 lists found within this book are not lists of books by text trope or subgenre-- no-- they are based on the vibes.
The best examples are The lists centered around books from the Gothic and Motherhood Horror subegnres. She does not have 1 list of Gothics and 1 list of Motherhood Horror as many resources normally would. No, she has 5 that contain books that would be classified as Gothic and 3 for Motherhood. That is 8 lists where there normally would be 2.
This opened my mind. Hartmann is showing how the patriarchy has made all of us file all horror titles that deal with motherhood as the same or all Gothics as the same. And these are subgenres that historically have been where women appeared in higher numbers than men. But normally, they would get 1 list. Not here. The vibes of all of these lists are different. The frame might be Gothic-ish and Motherhood, but the vibes most certainly are not. And Hartmann titles each and explains why.
The entire book is great but these 2 specific areas are why this book is not only getting a star but needs to be seen as a new way to talk about Horror in general.
And I haven't even talked about the title yet. From the Introduction:
The definition of horror isn“. . . an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.”
The definition of feral is “. . . in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication.”
The definition of hysterical is “. . . uncontrolled or unrestrained extreme emotion.”
Women are the “feral” and “hysterical;” our bodies flailing against restraint—captive. Our voices unleashed into the void from scratched, raw throats—unheard. So, by the first light of the day, by candlelight or firelight, during any time free from expectation or duty, dark and disturbing stories are written by the very people defined by powerful words.
By flipping FERAL and HYSTERICAL-- words used to box in women for centuries-- women who did not conform to the way men wanted them to be-- and using them to explain why women are "overqualified" to write horror-- Hartman sets the stage for every reader-- no matter how they identify-- to engage with this book with their eyes wide open-- understanding that all readers beed to rethink their own preconceived notions about horror, about reading, and about women in general.
Fun bonus list in the middle-- 50 states, 50 books. A great way for her to add 50 more horror titles that didn't make it in the other lists.
You need this book in all libraries where people check out any creepy books ever-- so every library. And I would argue you need 2. One for the 800s and one to put in an area near your fiction. You should create a books about books sections so readers can find tools to help them find their own great reads.
Hand this book off to any reader-- from any gender identity-- who wants to be exposed to hundreds of new voices who write Horror stories from creepy to terrifying. And anyone who wants to read about books.
Three Words That Describe This Book: conversational tone, books about books, participatory
This is the follow up to 101 Horror Books to Read Before You Are Murdered-- which I gave a star in the June 2023 issue of LJ, and while I still stand by that star-- this book is better.
Why?
Because it is about how the books "vibrate" with readers. Because it is only about women Horror authors who Hartmann notes (and I agree) are "overqualified to write horror fiction." Because Hartmann's expressed mission is to take you on a journey that she went on, one that shaped her entire world view, and along he way she shares all the books and what she learn about herself while also leaving you space to find a truth for yourself. Because men and women will love it. Because it will showcase the breadth of Horror written by women. Because it will end the argument that people don't know any women horror writers-- there are HUNDREDS of titles here, HUNDREDS. Because it uses her awesome conversational tone to draw readers in. Because she does not sacrifice the "facts" for the conversational tone. Because there is awesome side bar material. Because there are essays by Christian Henry, Laura, Purcell, Alexis Henderson, and Alma Katsu charing their stories. Because there is a book list in the back where you can keep track of what you have read and or want to read.
Because it is fun to read and easy to use either as a reader yourself, or (and this review is going to be in Booklist so this second part matters) to help readers find the right book for them.
What Hartmann has added to the conversation about matching the right book with a readers is this idea of explaining the vibes of a book and how vibes are different from mood or even tropes. Hartmann is a big user of EBSCO's NoveList through her library, so she has thought about the "why" someone likes a book quite a lot. From the opening section entitled "Why is Vibes Reading?"
Mood: a temporary state of mind or feeling.
Vibes: a distinctive feeling or quality capable of being sensed.
Moods are fickle, but vibes? Vibes are forever.
As you read the book these definitions become clear. The 36 lists found within this book are not lists of books by text trope or subgenre-- no-- they are based on the vibes.
The best examples are The lists centered around books from the Gothic and Motherhood Horror subegnres. She does not have 1 list of Gothics and 1 list of Motherhood Horror as many resources normally would. No, she has 5 that contain books that would be classified as Gothic and 3 for Motherhood. That is 8 lists where there normally would be 2.
This opened my mind. Hartmann is showing how the patriarchy has made all of us file all horror titles that deal with motherhood as the same or all Gothics as the same. And these are subgenres that historically have been where women appeared in higher numbers than men. But normally, they would get 1 list. Not here. The vibes of all of these lists are different. The frame might be Gothic-ish and Motherhood, but the vibes most certainly are not. And Hartmann titles each and explains why.
The entire book is great but these 2 specific areas are why this book is not only getting a star but needs to be seen as a new way to talk about Horror in general.
And I haven't even talked about the title yet. From the Introduction:
The definition of horror isn“. . . an intense feeling of fear, shock, or disgust.”
The definition of feral is “. . . in a wild state, especially after escape from captivity or domestication.”
The definition of hysterical is “. . . uncontrolled or unrestrained extreme emotion.”
Women are the “feral” and “hysterical;” our bodies flailing against restraint—captive. Our voices unleashed into the void from scratched, raw throats—unheard. So, by the first light of the day, by candlelight or firelight, during any time free from expectation or duty, dark and disturbing stories are written by the very people defined by powerful words.
By flipping FERAL and HYSTERICAL-- words used to box in women for centuries-- women who did not conform to the way men wanted them to be-- and using them to explain why women are "overqualified" to write horror-- Hartman sets the stage for every reader-- no matter how they identify-- to engage with this book with their eyes wide open-- understanding that all readers beed to rethink their own preconceived notions about horror, about reading, and about women in general.
Fun bonus list in the middle-- 50 states, 50 books. A great way for her to add 50 more horror titles that didn't make it in the other lists.
You need this book in all libraries where people check out any creepy books ever-- so every library. And I would argue you need 2. One for the 800s and one to put in an area near your fiction. You should create a books about books sections so readers can find tools to help them find their own great reads.
Hand this book off to any reader-- from any gender identity-- who wants to be exposed to hundreds of new voices who write Horror stories from creepy to terrifying. And anyone who wants to read about books.
November 25, 2025
i found this randomly at the book store and i am ecstatic that i did!!! the mother of all reading guides, this one is everything and more. i have literally added all the books to my tbr i can’t lie, such a fun thing to read through and explore horror by women
August 10, 2025
I had never heard of this author before I saw her book on NetGalley, but apparently she has quite a following on social media. Hartmann knows her stuff! She has organized this book into different themes and each entry begins with a summary followed by Hartmann’s thoughts. There’s a lot of stories here that I had never heard of, and I’m always up for supporting women authors. My to-read list really didn’t need to be any longer, but I’m very happy to add some new books, especially in a genre that I’ve only read from time to time.
Get this! You’re sure to find new reading material!
Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Get this! You’re sure to find new reading material!
Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
June 18, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley for this free ARC.
I blame Sadie for my huge TBR list! Another great collection of authors that fit every vibe you are feeling at that moment in time. I was happy to see I had already read a few books on the list and have done a few for my horror book club.
I blame Sadie for my huge TBR list! Another great collection of authors that fit every vibe you are feeling at that moment in time. I was happy to see I had already read a few books on the list and have done a few for my horror book club.
June 12, 2025
Sadie Hartmann's "Feral and Hysterical: Mother Horror's Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women" promises to be an indispensable resource for any horror fan looking to expand their literary horizons and delve into the chilling depths of women's contributions to the genre. Set to release in August 2025, this isn't just another listicle; it's a meticulously curated guide, a passionate reclamation, and a celebration of "scream queens" who have been, and continue to be, "overqualified to write horror fiction."
Hartmann, known to her fans as "Mother Horror" and a Bram Stoker Awards winning author, brings her characteristic enthusiasm and deep knowledge to this project. The very title, "Feral and Hysterical," is a brilliant subversive stroke, reclaiming terms historically used to dismiss and control women, and flipping them on their head to showcase the raw power and untamed brilliance of female horror writers.
The book is structured as a comprehensive reading guide, featuring recommendations from classic authors like Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and Daphne du Maurier, alongside a wealth of modern indie voices and underrated talents. Each entry is promised to include a spoiler-free synopsis, along with essential details like publication date, publisher, and page count. What truly sets this guide apart, however, are the thematic reading lists. Whether you're in your "Gothic Era," fascinated by the gruesome unraveling of marriages, or seeking more "Sporror" (spiritual horror), Hartmann has a list to satisfy your darkest desires. This thoughtful categorization will undoubtedly be a godsend for readers looking for specific subgenres or moods.
Adding another layer of depth and insight, "Feral and Hysterical" includes a foreword by prolific horror author Ania Ahlborn, and five essays from other leading voices in the genre: Alma Katsu, Alexis Henderson, Christina Henry, Rae Wilde, and Laura Purcell. These contributions promise to offer unique perspectives and further illuminate the richness of women's horror.
Readers can expect a conversational, engaging tone that feels less like a dry academic text and more like a lively discussion with a knowledgeable friend.
Ultimately, "Feral and Hysterical" looks set to be more than just a reading list; it's a rallying cry, a testament to the diverse and powerful narratives that women have brought to horror, and a vital tool for diversifying any horror fan's TBR pile. Prepare to discover your next terrifying read, and perhaps, a whole new appreciation for the fierce and fearless voices of women in horror.
Hartmann, known to her fans as "Mother Horror" and a Bram Stoker Awards winning author, brings her characteristic enthusiasm and deep knowledge to this project. The very title, "Feral and Hysterical," is a brilliant subversive stroke, reclaiming terms historically used to dismiss and control women, and flipping them on their head to showcase the raw power and untamed brilliance of female horror writers.
The book is structured as a comprehensive reading guide, featuring recommendations from classic authors like Mary Shelley, Shirley Jackson, and Daphne du Maurier, alongside a wealth of modern indie voices and underrated talents. Each entry is promised to include a spoiler-free synopsis, along with essential details like publication date, publisher, and page count. What truly sets this guide apart, however, are the thematic reading lists. Whether you're in your "Gothic Era," fascinated by the gruesome unraveling of marriages, or seeking more "Sporror" (spiritual horror), Hartmann has a list to satisfy your darkest desires. This thoughtful categorization will undoubtedly be a godsend for readers looking for specific subgenres or moods.
Adding another layer of depth and insight, "Feral and Hysterical" includes a foreword by prolific horror author Ania Ahlborn, and five essays from other leading voices in the genre: Alma Katsu, Alexis Henderson, Christina Henry, Rae Wilde, and Laura Purcell. These contributions promise to offer unique perspectives and further illuminate the richness of women's horror.
Readers can expect a conversational, engaging tone that feels less like a dry academic text and more like a lively discussion with a knowledgeable friend.
Ultimately, "Feral and Hysterical" looks set to be more than just a reading list; it's a rallying cry, a testament to the diverse and powerful narratives that women have brought to horror, and a vital tool for diversifying any horror fan's TBR pile. Prepare to discover your next terrifying read, and perhaps, a whole new appreciation for the fierce and fearless voices of women in horror.
August 8, 2025
“Women are overqualified to write fictional horror. Period.”
I’m really going to need Sadie to stop coming out with these reading guides because honestly my TBR can’t handle it. Her book recommendations are just SO GOOD. She breaks down each book with a short, spoiler free synopsis that you’ll definitely end up adding to your list if you haven’t already read it. I think this is going to be a good tool to use for my bookclub as well when it comes to book selections! Super excited to go out and pick some of these recs up!
I’m really going to need Sadie to stop coming out with these reading guides because honestly my TBR can’t handle it. Her book recommendations are just SO GOOD. She breaks down each book with a short, spoiler free synopsis that you’ll definitely end up adding to your list if you haven’t already read it. I think this is going to be a good tool to use for my bookclub as well when it comes to book selections! Super excited to go out and pick some of these recs up!
August 25, 2025
4.5/5
It’s rare for a book to exceed my expectations but Feral and Hysterical does just that! Mother Horror has curated a truly ghastly compendium of literary female terror. There are so many little details within that thrill and delight the senses. The real cherry on top are the 25 full-page illustrations by artist, Maria Amaya. They’re stunningly gorgeous and reminiscent of Dame Darcy’s Meatcake comics from the late 90’s that I devoured.
A feature I enjoyed utilizing is Sadie’s book checklist resource. I’ve read 90 of the 279 books listed thus far, with physical copies of another 40 sitting upon my TBR shelf. If you’re not already following Mother Horror on Instagram, what the hell are you waiting for?! Sadie’s recommendations have provided me with a ceaselessy expanding literary horror goldmine that I’m frightfully grateful for.
It’s rare for a book to exceed my expectations but Feral and Hysterical does just that! Mother Horror has curated a truly ghastly compendium of literary female terror. There are so many little details within that thrill and delight the senses. The real cherry on top are the 25 full-page illustrations by artist, Maria Amaya. They’re stunningly gorgeous and reminiscent of Dame Darcy’s Meatcake comics from the late 90’s that I devoured.
A feature I enjoyed utilizing is Sadie’s book checklist resource. I’ve read 90 of the 279 books listed thus far, with physical copies of another 40 sitting upon my TBR shelf. If you’re not already following Mother Horror on Instagram, what the hell are you waiting for?! Sadie’s recommendations have provided me with a ceaselessy expanding literary horror goldmine that I’m frightfully grateful for.
August 10, 2025
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mother Horror does it again. With recommendations of spooky reads by women authors, I guarantee you'll be hankering to hit up your library app and wondering when you'll ever make a dent in your TBR. With spoiler-free synopses and witty insights, she provides sneak peaks into must-reads by women. The recommendations are categorized by theme/trope; the lists of titles are available at the of the book.
Mother Horror does it again. With recommendations of spooky reads by women authors, I guarantee you'll be hankering to hit up your library app and wondering when you'll ever make a dent in your TBR. With spoiler-free synopses and witty insights, she provides sneak peaks into must-reads by women. The recommendations are categorized by theme/trope; the lists of titles are available at the of the book.
August 16, 2025
Anyone who follows Sadie knows she is a fantastic source for horror recs. She reads without bias, and you can trust her thoughts are genuine. This book is further proof of her earned moniker, "Mother Horror."
The book is divided into sections based upon different horror vibes, and the reader is encouraged to use it as a guided tour, paying attention to what vibes speak to them at the moment. I took advantage of this, skipping just a few sections that weren't resonating with me at that time. But that's the beauty of this book - I KNOW I will revisit it in the future as my vibes shift and change. It was a wonderful feeling knowing I would come back to these pages when the time is right.
Please listen to me when I say, YOUR TBR IS GOING TO GROW!! The way Sadie succinctly sums up her thoughts about each book is guaranteed to entice you to check them out. I added DOZENS of books to my Libby and my local library holds, and I even ordered a few physical copies. When the vibes are strong, you can't ignore them.
One last thing to mention, and it's an important one, every story recommended in this book is written by a woman. Every. Single. One. I was at times overcome with awe at this simple fact.
Thank you, Sadie, for giving us readers this book.
The book is divided into sections based upon different horror vibes, and the reader is encouraged to use it as a guided tour, paying attention to what vibes speak to them at the moment. I took advantage of this, skipping just a few sections that weren't resonating with me at that time. But that's the beauty of this book - I KNOW I will revisit it in the future as my vibes shift and change. It was a wonderful feeling knowing I would come back to these pages when the time is right.
Please listen to me when I say, YOUR TBR IS GOING TO GROW!! The way Sadie succinctly sums up her thoughts about each book is guaranteed to entice you to check them out. I added DOZENS of books to my Libby and my local library holds, and I even ordered a few physical copies. When the vibes are strong, you can't ignore them.
One last thing to mention, and it's an important one, every story recommended in this book is written by a woman. Every. Single. One. I was at times overcome with awe at this simple fact.
Thank you, Sadie, for giving us readers this book.
September 1, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ Rounded Up.
This is phenomenal for someone who hasn’t read much horror but if you’re already immersed in the genre it’s redundant and I honestly thought there were some gems that were missing. This had hype around it so I bit…I wish I hadn’t. For $25 I wanted a little more. Thank you for putting this together and representing horror-I do appreciate that. 🖤 Again I’m biased if you’re starting off in horror this is probably a must have.
This is phenomenal for someone who hasn’t read much horror but if you’re already immersed in the genre it’s redundant and I honestly thought there were some gems that were missing. This had hype around it so I bit…I wish I hadn’t. For $25 I wanted a little more. Thank you for putting this together and representing horror-I do appreciate that. 🖤 Again I’m biased if you’re starting off in horror this is probably a must have.
August 13, 2025
I read what I believed to be a LOT of horror, so going into this, I thought I would have already read a majority of the books that would be featured. I was completely wrong. Sadie dug deep. I have a whole new list of TBR titles. Thank you, Mother.
August 26, 2025
I don't want to rate this like a regular book, since this is a reference book. There is not real narrative structure to it. Mostly a small blurb about a book, followed by a spoiler free review of sorts. I read a lot of horror, and I still had not heard of most of these books. The books all tend to blur together after a while and I can't say I found many I want to read because of how bland the descriptions were.
July 22, 2025
Sadie Hartmann (Mother Horror throughout the rest of the review) has once again destroyed my “To-Be-Read” list with the selection of books in “Feral and Hysterical, Mother Horror’s Ultimate Reading Guide to Dark and Disturbing Fiction by Women”, This is Mother Horror’s Sophomore Book to “101 Books To Read Before You’re Murdered”, a Bram Stoker’s Award recipient.
The ARC Book Fairy provided me an opportunity to read a digital copy and have a physical copy on pre-order. The Artwork reminded me of art from Gothic House Horror Book Covers or art from “In a Dark, Dark, Room and Other Scary Stories”. María Amaya gothic artwork opens each chapter and section on your journey of finding more books all written women.
Each Chapter and sections of books are a vibe, did you read “Yellow Wallpaper” and felt more connected to the Narrator the more times you read it as you age? Mother Horror has brought a gift basket of books to read that fit that vibe. Do you like your Erotica with Monsters in the story? Mother Horror has more Horrormance for you to enjoy your Frankenstein Shoe Diaries (The Horror version of “Red Shoe Diaries’). Do you live across the street from a Gothic House that you nicknamed and read horror books under her shadow, so the ghosts stay there? (only me) The book begins with a “Twisted Haunted Houses”. All the creaks your house make will only amplify the unanswered question if you have a Ghost in the house. Did you grow up in a cult and stay away from the “overly” friendly people you met in the woods? There are books that prove you are right about running away from the friendly people.
One standout section and I am very happy to see is a Chapter dedicated to LATAM Authors who are writing Horror Fiction in response to “Femicide” that is happening in Latin-America. As a Chicana, seeing LATAM Authors have an entire section was a joy to see representation and these books have been moved to the top of my long list of “TBR”. Some of the best Horror I have read in the last 5 years are in this section.
I don’t want to give away any titles as some of the fun is to see the titles included or the Authors in this collection. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I have. An idea that came from Mother Horror’s previous book, bring it with you to Author’s Events in this list and have them sign their section, like a Femme Horror Yearbook.
Enjoy, I have more books to read under the Shadow of Gothic House to please her.
The ARC Book Fairy provided me an opportunity to read a digital copy and have a physical copy on pre-order. The Artwork reminded me of art from Gothic House Horror Book Covers or art from “In a Dark, Dark, Room and Other Scary Stories”. María Amaya gothic artwork opens each chapter and section on your journey of finding more books all written women.
Each Chapter and sections of books are a vibe, did you read “Yellow Wallpaper” and felt more connected to the Narrator the more times you read it as you age? Mother Horror has brought a gift basket of books to read that fit that vibe. Do you like your Erotica with Monsters in the story? Mother Horror has more Horrormance for you to enjoy your Frankenstein Shoe Diaries (The Horror version of “Red Shoe Diaries’). Do you live across the street from a Gothic House that you nicknamed and read horror books under her shadow, so the ghosts stay there? (only me) The book begins with a “Twisted Haunted Houses”. All the creaks your house make will only amplify the unanswered question if you have a Ghost in the house. Did you grow up in a cult and stay away from the “overly” friendly people you met in the woods? There are books that prove you are right about running away from the friendly people.
One standout section and I am very happy to see is a Chapter dedicated to LATAM Authors who are writing Horror Fiction in response to “Femicide” that is happening in Latin-America. As a Chicana, seeing LATAM Authors have an entire section was a joy to see representation and these books have been moved to the top of my long list of “TBR”. Some of the best Horror I have read in the last 5 years are in this section.
I don’t want to give away any titles as some of the fun is to see the titles included or the Authors in this collection. I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I have. An idea that came from Mother Horror’s previous book, bring it with you to Author’s Events in this list and have them sign their section, like a Femme Horror Yearbook.
Enjoy, I have more books to read under the Shadow of Gothic House to please her.
September 24, 2025
Feral and Hysterical focuses on female horror writers. The book is broken up into vibes/ subgenres of horror to help you narrow down what you’re looking for. Each section has atleast five books, with a synopsis and Sadie’s take on the book. As someone who is a big reader, and usually has already read the new releases before them come out, I was happy to see she put some older books into the mix. Not quite classics, but definitely stuff that came out before Stephen King was in the game. And again, all by women!!!!
The whole time I was flipping through the book, I was thinking it would be really smart to have a little box by each book to check off what I have read. THERE IS A WHOLE CHECKLIST IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK!freaking brilliant! She really has thought of everything with this book.
The whole time I was flipping through the book, I was thinking it would be really smart to have a little box by each book to check off what I have read. THERE IS A WHOLE CHECKLIST IN THE BACK OF THE BOOK!freaking brilliant! She really has thought of everything with this book.
October 4, 2025
okay, i absolutely loved this book!! book recs are split up between “vibes” or common themes and give a spoiler free summary of each. also the artwork inside is incredible, (as well as the recs!)
whether you’re looking to get out of a reading slump or wanting to diversify your reading, i wholeheartedly recommend this book!!
whether you’re looking to get out of a reading slump or wanting to diversify your reading, i wholeheartedly recommend this book!!
September 4, 2025
I love a good book about books and Sadie Hartmann has knocked it out of the park with this one. Full of recommendations of "dark and disturbing fiction by women", I'm holding this book responsible for my next few trips to the book store. I love the way she has organized the book, with a series of "vibes" or groupings and 5-7 recommendations for each. Themes like "maternal instincts", The Kids Are Not Alright", "An Escape to a Beautiful Estate with Unexpected Darkness", gives you a feel for the style and tone of the book. Absolutely excellent recommendations in here - I'd love to take a section or grouping a week and read one of her recommendations (or maybe more) for the next six moths or so. An excellent reference for someone who loves to find a hidden gem.
September 4, 2025
A fantastic reference title compiling horror books written by women. Broken into subgenres with helpful summaries of each book recommended, finding your next spooky read just got a whole lot easier!
July 16, 2025
Thank you so much to Page Street Publishing for providing me with an eARC of Feral and Hysterical by Sadie Hartmann via NetGalley!
In 2023, Sadie released 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered and I LOVED it; the perfect source for discovering new horror titles & one I keep nearby at all times. When she announced Feral and Hysterical, another handy source but this time shining light on women, I knew I needed to add it to go with my copy of 101 Horror Books..
Feral and Hysterical felt even more well-thought out. Each recommendation list is based off of “vibes,” perfect for picking out your next read. There are so many books I haven’t even heard of & loved hearing her synopsis’ along with her thoughts on each one! I officially made my own list of books I NEED to read based off of Sadie’s vibe-y lists! & let me tell ya, the list is a lengthy one.
Ania Ahlborn does a beautiful introduction for Feral and Hysterical, and she’s not the only author that shows up for this! In some in-between sections, Sadie has invited authors to come in with their own essays that are perfectly fitting for a book about women, along with some curated recommendation lists!
& my goodness, Sadie has a way with words. I love reading her thoughts on books and how much love and care goes into each word!
I also feel it’s worth noting that the book itself is gorgeous. The layout, the artwork, etc. Feral & Hysterical is phenomenal & 100% worth getting!
In 2023, Sadie released 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered and I LOVED it; the perfect source for discovering new horror titles & one I keep nearby at all times. When she announced Feral and Hysterical, another handy source but this time shining light on women, I knew I needed to add it to go with my copy of 101 Horror Books..
Feral and Hysterical felt even more well-thought out. Each recommendation list is based off of “vibes,” perfect for picking out your next read. There are so many books I haven’t even heard of & loved hearing her synopsis’ along with her thoughts on each one! I officially made my own list of books I NEED to read based off of Sadie’s vibe-y lists! & let me tell ya, the list is a lengthy one.
Ania Ahlborn does a beautiful introduction for Feral and Hysterical, and she’s not the only author that shows up for this! In some in-between sections, Sadie has invited authors to come in with their own essays that are perfectly fitting for a book about women, along with some curated recommendation lists!
& my goodness, Sadie has a way with words. I love reading her thoughts on books and how much love and care goes into each word!
I also feel it’s worth noting that the book itself is gorgeous. The layout, the artwork, etc. Feral & Hysterical is phenomenal & 100% worth getting!
October 1, 2025
Consider my TBR blown up after all the goodies showcased in this guide! Mother Horror knows how to pick out the best of the best and I cannot wait to dive in to so many wonderful books featured. Loved all the artwork and just the flow of the book itself. It feels like sitting down on the couch with a cup of coffee and just gushing about books with a best friend!
September 4, 2025
This isn’t a horror novel but rather a book about horror novels. Specifically, it’s a list of female-authored horror, with each book given both a short description of about a paragraph followed by an additional paragraph or so of discussion. Not quite a review, but sort of a word about why the author of this collection thinks it’s a worthy entry.
This isn’t necessarily the sort of thing I’d normally like to read. I never struggle to find books I’m interested in so I don’t really ever need this kind of list. However, because the books are grouped by subgenre, even if not always in the way I’d choose to group them, it could be a useful reference for someone looking for particular types of books, or “vibes,” as the author describes them.
As a book in and of itself, it’s beautifully presented with full-color layouts and a friendly and accessible format. The descriptions of the books themselves are a bit more minimalist than I might prefer, but I appreciate that the author has managed to give the reader a taste of what each book is like without ever spoiling anything. That’s not always an easy thing to do, so she should be commended for that.
Where I had some trouble with it, though, was in the selections themselves. Many of them are great novels, so I’m not questioning everything. However, I did notice that the book skews so heavily toward modern books that it seems to forget that there’s a long history of horror. Even such giants as Mary Shelley and Shirley Jackson are mentioned only in passing. While reading most of it I thought perhaps that was because the classics were to be grouped together. I was partially right. There is a chapter devoted to “vintage” books, but even that is devoted to relatively modern works, defining “vintage” as only on the order of thirty years old or so.
We could argue that maybe it was focused on modern works just to save space, but the fact of the matter is despite many of the featured books being genuinely great, it also includes several whose inclusion frankly makes me question the author’s judgment when it comes to some of the books I don’t know anything about. Tastes do differ, and that’s fine, but a couple of the recommended books are so genuinely and objectively terrible I questioned why they were chosen in place of any of the literally thousands of other titles which were omitted. I won’t mention which ones those are (a review of this book isn’t a place to badmouth specific titles it recommends), but I will point out that including some of those while completely omitting the entire bodies of work of some undisputed classic and even award-winning authors is troublesome.
One also wished the various essays included throughout the book might shed greater light on horror literature, but while they do a decent job of cheering for the genre, they never really go very deep or provoke any thoughts attentive readers haven’t already had.
That said, while some of my thoughts have been critical, I’m not saying it’s terrible. Despite some flaws, biases, and questionable judgments, I certainly wouldn’t warn people away from any book that might help turn readers on to some new horror novels, and this book will do that. I may have already read a good portion of the books featured, but even I managed to find a few new ones to add to my reading list, and that’s always a good thing.
This isn’t necessarily the sort of thing I’d normally like to read. I never struggle to find books I’m interested in so I don’t really ever need this kind of list. However, because the books are grouped by subgenre, even if not always in the way I’d choose to group them, it could be a useful reference for someone looking for particular types of books, or “vibes,” as the author describes them.
As a book in and of itself, it’s beautifully presented with full-color layouts and a friendly and accessible format. The descriptions of the books themselves are a bit more minimalist than I might prefer, but I appreciate that the author has managed to give the reader a taste of what each book is like without ever spoiling anything. That’s not always an easy thing to do, so she should be commended for that.
Where I had some trouble with it, though, was in the selections themselves. Many of them are great novels, so I’m not questioning everything. However, I did notice that the book skews so heavily toward modern books that it seems to forget that there’s a long history of horror. Even such giants as Mary Shelley and Shirley Jackson are mentioned only in passing. While reading most of it I thought perhaps that was because the classics were to be grouped together. I was partially right. There is a chapter devoted to “vintage” books, but even that is devoted to relatively modern works, defining “vintage” as only on the order of thirty years old or so.
We could argue that maybe it was focused on modern works just to save space, but the fact of the matter is despite many of the featured books being genuinely great, it also includes several whose inclusion frankly makes me question the author’s judgment when it comes to some of the books I don’t know anything about. Tastes do differ, and that’s fine, but a couple of the recommended books are so genuinely and objectively terrible I questioned why they were chosen in place of any of the literally thousands of other titles which were omitted. I won’t mention which ones those are (a review of this book isn’t a place to badmouth specific titles it recommends), but I will point out that including some of those while completely omitting the entire bodies of work of some undisputed classic and even award-winning authors is troublesome.
One also wished the various essays included throughout the book might shed greater light on horror literature, but while they do a decent job of cheering for the genre, they never really go very deep or provoke any thoughts attentive readers haven’t already had.
That said, while some of my thoughts have been critical, I’m not saying it’s terrible. Despite some flaws, biases, and questionable judgments, I certainly wouldn’t warn people away from any book that might help turn readers on to some new horror novels, and this book will do that. I may have already read a good portion of the books featured, but even I managed to find a few new ones to add to my reading list, and that’s always a good thing.
August 28, 2025
Mother Horror never disappoints! I loved everything about this book and have a whole list of books that I will be adding to my tbr, once again!
I love the connections and thoughts shared about all of these awesome stories and I’m 100% proud to be both feral and hysterical for horror books! 📚
Thank you, Sadie!!
I love the connections and thoughts shared about all of these awesome stories and I’m 100% proud to be both feral and hysterical for horror books! 📚
Thank you, Sadie!!
November 3, 2025
These books are the bane of my TBR, I lost count of how many new-to-me books I added.
July 13, 2025
If there’s one book influencer that’s to blame for increasing my TBR more than any other, it’s Mother Horror, and I’m honestly not mad about it at all. Not only does Sadie love horror more than any other person I’ve ever seen, but she truly respects it as an art form and as a platform for philosophical and cultural discourse.
Feral and Hysterical is a fantastic and natural follow-up to her first nonfiction tome, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered. I’ve been following Sadie for a couple of years now and have seen her curate this book right before my eyes. As someone who prefers to read books written by women, I’ve been feral to see which books, out of the hundreds I’ve seen Sadie post about on Instagram, would make it into this book and why.
Mother Horror would never expect her readers to sit through a dry book with yet another rote list of books broken up into boring categories, so she chose to break it up into vibes, which is something I appreciate so much. Mood reading is great for genres like romance, but I find that horror is something much more dependent on the vibes of a book. As to be expected from such a dedicated fan, Sadie’s suggestions are completely on point.
The book includes a fantastic introduction/foreword speaking on the topic of the usage of the word “hysterical” when it comes to women over time, a complete list of all books mentioned at the end of the text and before the acknowledgments, a section on how to go about and sustainably build your own home library, and an index (thank goodness). It’s truly a reference book for any lover of horror fiction or for those who love women authors and want to read more horror without reading books by men that are recommended so often. 5⭐️
I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Review/Nonfiction
Feral and Hysterical is a fantastic and natural follow-up to her first nonfiction tome, 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered. I’ve been following Sadie for a couple of years now and have seen her curate this book right before my eyes. As someone who prefers to read books written by women, I’ve been feral to see which books, out of the hundreds I’ve seen Sadie post about on Instagram, would make it into this book and why.
Mother Horror would never expect her readers to sit through a dry book with yet another rote list of books broken up into boring categories, so she chose to break it up into vibes, which is something I appreciate so much. Mood reading is great for genres like romance, but I find that horror is something much more dependent on the vibes of a book. As to be expected from such a dedicated fan, Sadie’s suggestions are completely on point.
The book includes a fantastic introduction/foreword speaking on the topic of the usage of the word “hysterical” when it comes to women over time, a complete list of all books mentioned at the end of the text and before the acknowledgments, a section on how to go about and sustainably build your own home library, and an index (thank goodness). It’s truly a reference book for any lover of horror fiction or for those who love women authors and want to read more horror without reading books by men that are recommended so often. 5⭐️
I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.
File Under: 5 Star Review/Nonfiction
August 19, 2025
Whether you’re a mood or vibe reader, laser-focused, in a reading slump, or have no clue what to read next, this book is like getting recommendations from a trusted friend who knows you well.
Sadie Hartmann, aka Mother Horror, masterfully shines a light on women authors in horror literature. She makes it clear that women authors are more than qualified to delve into this topic of the female psyche. Sadie beautifully curates a collection that will appeal to anyone based on what vibe you’re feeling next!
Mother Horror also has us covered on trigger warnings. If there’s something specific that will really set you over the edge, she asks that you reach out on social media and she will do her best to inform. If that isn’t a mother’s love, then I don’t know what is!
The vibes that called to me immediately upon first glance were:
Psychic Trauma
Sisterhood
What Women Say About Femicide in Latin America Through Horror Fiction
Feral and Hysterical is a must-have resource for any avid horror fan or a casual reader of the genre who wants to expand their arsenal of female-centric horror reads.
The only downside is your TBR growing exponentially, but is that really a bad thing?
All hail @motherhorror! Thank you to @netgalley, @mother.horror, and @pagestreethorror for the ARC copy.
Sadie Hartmann, aka Mother Horror, masterfully shines a light on women authors in horror literature. She makes it clear that women authors are more than qualified to delve into this topic of the female psyche. Sadie beautifully curates a collection that will appeal to anyone based on what vibe you’re feeling next!
Mother Horror also has us covered on trigger warnings. If there’s something specific that will really set you over the edge, she asks that you reach out on social media and she will do her best to inform. If that isn’t a mother’s love, then I don’t know what is!
The vibes that called to me immediately upon first glance were:
Psychic Trauma
Sisterhood
What Women Say About Femicide in Latin America Through Horror Fiction
Feral and Hysterical is a must-have resource for any avid horror fan or a casual reader of the genre who wants to expand their arsenal of female-centric horror reads.
The only downside is your TBR growing exponentially, but is that really a bad thing?
All hail @motherhorror! Thank you to @netgalley, @mother.horror, and @pagestreethorror for the ARC copy.
August 4, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book! My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
I found so many new books to put on my to read list, most of which I had never heard of. In the hundreds of books mentioned, I believe there was only one book I had read, which is so crazy. Although I really haven't been reading much gothic fiction lately, so maybe not (can only read so many books at a time).
Loved how everything was organized in the book, and especially loved the inclusion of the list of Amazon specials based on book series. I will definitely be looking into some of those at some point.
Definitely would recommend this book!
I found so many new books to put on my to read list, most of which I had never heard of. In the hundreds of books mentioned, I believe there was only one book I had read, which is so crazy. Although I really haven't been reading much gothic fiction lately, so maybe not (can only read so many books at a time).
Loved how everything was organized in the book, and especially loved the inclusion of the list of Amazon specials based on book series. I will definitely be looking into some of those at some point.
Definitely would recommend this book!
August 10, 2025
My TBR is stacked with women’s horror from Feral and Hysterical by Sadie Hartmann. I’m a big fan of Mother Horror, Sadie Hartmann’s instagram, as well. This book is fascinating and fantastic. The way this book is compiled, the contents and the concept is fabulous. I was shocked to find a lot of books that I have already read in this tome. Of course I discovered so many more that I want to read. I loved the illustrations and essays. I recommend this guide of women authors to anyone interested in reading horror. ARC was provided by Page Street Publishing via NetGalley. I received an advance reading copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 24, 2025
'Dedicated to us, the global sisterhood & coven. The “weaker,” “fairer,” “softer” sex. Let them underestimate us. Our stories tell the truth.'
Thoughtfully curated book-about-books, written with enthusiasm! The author's passion for the topic comes through on the page. I'd heard of many of the titles in here, read some, but a ton of these were entirely new-to-me. There are years' worth of books in here to work through, and I'm excited to mark them all off as 'read'.
'Some important discussions happen within and because of horror books.'
Thoughtfully curated book-about-books, written with enthusiasm! The author's passion for the topic comes through on the page. I'd heard of many of the titles in here, read some, but a ton of these were entirely new-to-me. There are years' worth of books in here to work through, and I'm excited to mark them all off as 'read'.
'Some important discussions happen within and because of horror books.'
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