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The Nightmare King
Nightmare on Elm Street meets Tuck Everlasting in this psychological thriller with a spicy and hauntingly romantic twist
A girl falls in love with the man in her nightmares.
He meets her every night, spinning sweet words mixed with horrifying and steamy encounters. But is he real or just a figment of her imagination?
A girl falls in love with the man in her nightmares.
He meets her every night, spinning sweet words mixed with horrifying and steamy encounters. But is he real or just a figment of her imagination?
99 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2024
101 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
About the author
Kat Blackthorne
34 books1,083 followersKat Blackthorne is a bestselling author of haunting romance. She writes passion, characters, and worlds that linger past the last page. Her tales embrace cozy darkness with magical and spooky twists. Catnip for her is banter, begging, challenging norms, and beings who worship their women.
Kat lives somewhere deep in the mountains in a witch's cottage with her talking feline. She has a collection of quotes and character names a mile long, her favorite holiday is Halloween, and her favorite book is whatever she read last.
Join her spooky reader coven on Facebook: Kat Blackthorne and The Black Hearts Coven
Follow her on Tiktok where The Halloween Boys hashtags have over six million views: @katblackthorne
Find her on Instagram: @katblackthorneauthor
Kat lives somewhere deep in the mountains in a witch's cottage with her talking feline. She has a collection of quotes and character names a mile long, her favorite holiday is Halloween, and her favorite book is whatever she read last.
Join her spooky reader coven on Facebook: Kat Blackthorne and The Black Hearts Coven
Follow her on Tiktok where The Halloween Boys hashtags have over six million views: @katblackthorne
Find her on Instagram: @katblackthorneauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews
August 15, 2024
I got this one as a surprise release and immediately dived in because I love Kat’s work. This book… this book I’m telling you it was RAW. How this book was written, the emotions put into it and the emotions felt were probably the deepest I’ve felt within the page of a book. I went in blind and cheerful and came out with an almost cathartic sense of awe and a whole lot of crying for a while. When I tell you I’ve been wrecked by this book, I mean it. Take the triggers into account and don’t go in thinking you might not be a crying mess. But even crying this book was amazing!
October 30, 2025
Перша половина книжки якось не дуже сподобалась, було багато запитань, а ось друга вже стала зрозумілішою, і мені було сумно якось.
August 15, 2024
One of my favorite reads of this year! This book wrecked me. Emotional and spicy. I have felt what Lilac felt. Honestly this novella touched my heart so much. I could feel the heartache and grief, but also the hopefulness. Kat, I hope you see this review because I want to say thank you. By the end I could feel the hope in my chest, the light, and gratefulness. Tragedy is something I am very familiar with, depression and anxiety as well. This book gives such a dark and powerful look inside that, but it also shines a light that everyday is a new start and a new chance. Every second is precious and needs to be celebrated. Thank you so much Kat!
August 18, 2024
Came for the spicy Halloween smut… left with TEARS!!!!
This was much deeper than I expected. 🥲
Kat Blackthorne has been on my TBR for a while, and this just bumped up her Halloween Boys series for me!!
This was much deeper than I expected. 🥲
Kat Blackthorne has been on my TBR for a while, and this just bumped up her Halloween Boys series for me!!
December 21, 2025
This book came out of nowhere and left me in tears. Absolutely LOVED this novella and how perfectly set up the storyline is.
For context: I’m one of those readers who doesn’t read trigger warnings or the back of the book. I don’t have triggers (trust me, I’ve tested that), and I live for the shock factor when something hits that I did not see coming.
This book delivered that shock spectacularly.
I finished it in tears, sobbing and clinging to my pillow, just sitting there emotionally ruined. Exactly the kind of pain I love in a read.
For context: I’m one of those readers who doesn’t read trigger warnings or the back of the book. I don’t have triggers (trust me, I’ve tested that), and I live for the shock factor when something hits that I did not see coming.
This book delivered that shock spectacularly.
I finished it in tears, sobbing and clinging to my pillow, just sitting there emotionally ruined. Exactly the kind of pain I love in a read.
June 8, 2025
my eyes hurt
Never have I ever cried so hard while reading a book.
What in the heart-shredding five stars was this.
Tragic and beautiful.
10/10 snotty noses
Never have I ever cried so hard while reading a book.
What in the heart-shredding five stars was this.
Tragic and beautiful.
10/10 snotty noses
June 10, 2025
5 ⭐️
uhm hello? wtf i cried 🥲
this was totally not what i was expecting oh my god.
so fucking good it has me at a loss for words.
HUGE thanks to manu for making me read it 😭🫂 ily boo.
quotes
“When will you just leave her alone?”
“Until there are no more nights. Until every star falls from the sky, and even after, I will search for her amongst the long-forgotten black.”
”Why do you accept a life of lies when you’re capable of swimming through the night stars for me?”
’Mare had avoided eternal bliss just to chase me through my nightmares.’
”Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure to grief is to grieve.” Earl Grollman
uhm hello? wtf i cried 🥲
this was totally not what i was expecting oh my god.
so fucking good it has me at a loss for words.
HUGE thanks to manu for making me read it 😭🫂 ily boo.
quotes
“When will you just leave her alone?”
“Until there are no more nights. Until every star falls from the sky, and even after, I will search for her amongst the long-forgotten black.”
”Why do you accept a life of lies when you’re capable of swimming through the night stars for me?”
’Mare had avoided eternal bliss just to chase me through my nightmares.’
”Grief is not a disorder, a disease, or a sign of weakness. It is an emotional, physical, and spiritual necessity, the price you pay for love. The only cure to grief is to grieve.” Earl Grollman
November 8, 2025
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
🎃🖤My Last Spooky Season Read of 2025🧡💀
💔“𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓽𝓱, 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵. 𝓣𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀 𝓯𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓸𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓸𝓷.”🦋
🎶Song: Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson 🎵
✎𓂃📝THOUGHTS --|
• Kat Blackthorne is a new author for me, and wow I am impressed! I’ve had her Halloween Boys series on my TBR list for a while now. After this, I am even more excited to read the series. It is definitely on the radar for next Spooky Season.
• “Why do you accept a life of lies when you’re capable of swimming through the night stars for me?” 😭😭
And yes, I am sobbing again. This book was initially NOT going to be an easy 5☆ rating for me due to some evident inconsistencies UNTIL I sobbed my dark little heart out at midnight on a work night. The emotional depth, the trauma, and that unexpected twist really took it out of me. Expect to question what is really going on the entire time and for your logic to be alerted, but trust me the emotional wave will hit you so hard and is so worth it.
Highly recommend!
🎃🖤My Last Spooky Season Read of 2025🧡💀
💔“𝓛𝓲𝓴𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓽𝓱, 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵 𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓻𝓮𝓼 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓬𝓾𝓻𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓻𝔂 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓵𝓸𝓸𝓴 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓲𝓯𝓾𝓵. 𝓣𝓸 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓭𝓮𝓪𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓼𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓸𝔀 𝓯𝓵𝔂 𝓽𝓸𝔀𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓸𝓸𝓷.”🦋
EXPECT↓
🥀Gothic Romance Vibes
🖤Trigger Warnings List
🥀Spicy Scenes
🖤A Love Letter to Halloween
🥀Grief, Loss, Trauma, and Mental Health Concepts
🖤Novella Length
🥀Relatable FMC
🎶Song: Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson 🎵
✎𓂃📝THOUGHTS --|
• Kat Blackthorne is a new author for me, and wow I am impressed! I’ve had her Halloween Boys series on my TBR list for a while now. After this, I am even more excited to read the series. It is definitely on the radar for next Spooky Season.
• “Why do you accept a life of lies when you’re capable of swimming through the night stars for me?” 😭😭
And yes, I am sobbing again. This book was initially NOT going to be an easy 5☆ rating for me due to some evident inconsistencies UNTIL I sobbed my dark little heart out at midnight on a work night. The emotional depth, the trauma, and that unexpected twist really took it out of me. Expect to question what is really going on the entire time and for your logic to be alerted, but trust me the emotional wave will hit you so hard and is so worth it.
Highly recommend!
December 15, 2024
I thought this was going to be a spicy Halloween short story but I got so much more including unwanted tears! This story was so good that I immediately wanted to reread it especially now that I understand what was going on 🥺
August 16, 2024
“Those we love are never lost— they’re simply waiting a dream away. Someday, the waking up part will feel easier.” This wasn’t even a quote from the story just from the authors note.
Hello? Are you kidding me? As a long time ARC reader I randomly received this book and I was like “oh, a new Kat book? Don’t mind if I do” I expected spice and monsters and terror and she had me in the first half not gonna lie. Mare could get it. Um the ending? I’m sitting here ugly crying over a 100 page book because it hit so close to home. What a story, I am speechless. Thank you Kat, you really hit it with this one.
Hello? Are you kidding me? As a long time ARC reader I randomly received this book and I was like “oh, a new Kat book? Don’t mind if I do” I expected spice and monsters and terror and she had me in the first half not gonna lie. Mare could get it. Um the ending? I’m sitting here ugly crying over a 100 page book because it hit so close to home. What a story, I am speechless. Thank you Kat, you really hit it with this one.
February 15, 2025
This book broke me. It was a surprise release where I started reading with a smile, because it’s a book by Kat! I ended the book crying. I could (unfortunately) relate to several parts in this book. It was a hauntingly beautiful story, I love the characters and there was even a little spice.
A longer review may follow. Maybe not. Go read it for yourself.
I’m currently blown away.
PS: loved the slasher aspects in here 🖤
PPS: Editing because I have listened to the audiobook now. The narration by K.D. Wilde was great and the book hit even harder.
A longer review may follow. Maybe not. Go read it for yourself.
I’m currently blown away.
PS: loved the slasher aspects in here 🖤
PPS: Editing because I have listened to the audiobook now. The narration by K.D. Wilde was great and the book hit even harder.
August 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
I went in blind and I gotta say this was a sad one.. we have Lucy going through nightmares trying to live life and meeting someone in her dreams. We get hints about the person I knew if someone was important. And when you find out we'll, your heart breaks more.
This 100-page novella is. Good.. I don't wanna give much away. Please check Triggers. :)
Reminder this is not a romance. Maybe a tragicish one lol.
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶
Prologue
Death
Truama
Mental health
Knife play
Axes
Zombies
Violence
Blood
Blood play
Sexual use of medical equipment
Mask
Drowning
Medication
Depression
Attempt SA
Body horror
Body gore
Witchcraft
Ehhhhh sorta maybe afterlife hea.
I went in blind and I gotta say this was a sad one.. we have Lucy going through nightmares trying to live life and meeting someone in her dreams. We get hints about the person I knew if someone was important. And when you find out we'll, your heart breaks more.
This 100-page novella is. Good.. I don't wanna give much away. Please check Triggers. :)
Reminder this is not a romance. Maybe a tragicish one lol.
Recommend-maybe
Cover-⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶
Prologue
Death
Truama
Mental health
Knife play
Axes
Zombies
Violence
Blood
Blood play
Sexual use of medical equipment
Mask
Drowning
Medication
Depression
Attempt SA
Body horror
Body gore
Witchcraft
Ehhhhh sorta maybe afterlife hea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2024
For me this book was brilliantly written, the attention to our FMCs mental state was explained so well. It’s a short read but boy does it pack a punch, the emotional ride was something else.
That’s it, I can’t give you anymore, it is one of those books you just have to read yourself 😉
That’s it, I can’t give you anymore, it is one of those books you just have to read yourself 😉
October 18, 2024
Wow wow wow!
Just wow. What a beautifully tragic story. It was a short quick read but it definitely packed a powerful punch. I can’t say enough good things about this book. It definitely touched me and is one I’ll never forget. 10000% recommend just be mindful of triggers.
Just wow. What a beautifully tragic story. It was a short quick read but it definitely packed a powerful punch. I can’t say enough good things about this book. It definitely touched me and is one I’ll never forget. 10000% recommend just be mindful of triggers.
August 27, 2024
The Nightmare King
I am speechless. I am completely blown away by this book! Girl you had me sobbing from 80% to the end of the book 😭 I could not keep it together when reading the end of this.
It's a super quick read and you are definitely going to need a box of tissues sitting next to you
I am speechless. I am completely blown away by this book! Girl you had me sobbing from 80% to the end of the book 😭 I could not keep it together when reading the end of this.
It's a super quick read and you are definitely going to need a box of tissues sitting next to you
August 17, 2024
I went in blind to this book. When Kat asked a while back if anyone wanted an advance copy of a surprise book with no details, I signed up quick af.
I’m not even gonna take the time to format this review all pretty like because honestly, I just wanna get to the point.
For a 100 page book that I thought would just be a cute little read, I just spent the last 30 minutes sobbing quietly in bed while my husband sleeps next to me, trying to keep myself from waking him up just to hold him. I will be doing that as soon as I finish this review.
This was a hauntingly tragic, beautiful book. This invoked more emotion in me than I care to admit, even harder sobbing during the one sad part in the Ravenhood series that rocked me to my core.
Check your triggers going into this book. It is not for the tender hearted. It deals with grief, deep depression, trauma, death, pain, and graphic nightmares.
I will genuinely never forget this book. Thank you, Kat, for sharing Mare with us lucky ones.
“Don’t be late. Promise?”
“Don’t be early. Promise?”
I’m not even gonna take the time to format this review all pretty like because honestly, I just wanna get to the point.
For a 100 page book that I thought would just be a cute little read, I just spent the last 30 minutes sobbing quietly in bed while my husband sleeps next to me, trying to keep myself from waking him up just to hold him. I will be doing that as soon as I finish this review.
This was a hauntingly tragic, beautiful book. This invoked more emotion in me than I care to admit, even harder sobbing during the one sad part in the Ravenhood series that rocked me to my core.
Check your triggers going into this book. It is not for the tender hearted. It deals with grief, deep depression, trauma, death, pain, and graphic nightmares.
I will genuinely never forget this book. Thank you, Kat, for sharing Mare with us lucky ones.
“Don’t be late. Promise?”
“Don’t be early. Promise?”
October 10, 2024
The Nightmare King was... wow, kind of hard to put into words. Right from the start, I was really captivated by the story. I wanted to read it all in one sitting, but... I can’t stay up past my bedtime on work nights, haha.
I wasn’t sure what the big reveal would be, and while others might guess it more easily, I wasn’t sure how much of a fantasy this actually was, which left a lot of possibilities open in my mind. I didn’t see the truth until the end, and when it hit, I sobbed. I mean... I was losing it, but in the best way possible. The grief was so raw and real, but not overdone. Even from the start, I found Lily’s depression so relatable. I really felt connected to her mind and emotions throughout the whole book.
That said, there were some downfalls. I wish the writing had been a bit stronger. Even as a novella, some parts could have been more developed. Maybe fewer dream sequences with more detail in each one. I felt her connection to Mare, but I wanted to feel it even more deeply. That would’ve made it even better.
Overall, though, this was a unique and impactful read, and I’m glad I gave it a shot
I wasn’t sure what the big reveal would be, and while others might guess it more easily, I wasn’t sure how much of a fantasy this actually was, which left a lot of possibilities open in my mind. I didn’t see the truth until the end, and when it hit, I sobbed. I mean... I was losing it, but in the best way possible. The grief was so raw and real, but not overdone. Even from the start, I found Lily’s depression so relatable. I really felt connected to her mind and emotions throughout the whole book.
That said, there were some downfalls. I wish the writing had been a bit stronger. Even as a novella, some parts could have been more developed. Maybe fewer dream sequences with more detail in each one. I felt her connection to Mare, but I wanted to feel it even more deeply. That would’ve made it even better.
Overall, though, this was a unique and impactful read, and I’m glad I gave it a shot
August 22, 2024
This book was DEVASTATING. Beautiful, but devastating.
When Lucy sleeps, she dreams of the nightmare king. He always finds her, and is always ripped away from her. She tries and tries to find a way to keep him by her side.
I wouldn't consider this a romance book, but rather a bittersweet tragedy. It was haunting and tbh, I think Mare might invade my dreams.
The Nightmare King is available on KU, definitely check the TW!
#indieauthor #thenightmareking #katblackthorne #halloweenread #nightmare
When Lucy sleeps, she dreams of the nightmare king. He always finds her, and is always ripped away from her. She tries and tries to find a way to keep him by her side.
I wouldn't consider this a romance book, but rather a bittersweet tragedy. It was haunting and tbh, I think Mare might invade my dreams.
The Nightmare King is available on KU, definitely check the TW!
#indieauthor #thenightmareking #katblackthorne #halloweenread #nightmare
September 11, 2024
Nightmare king by Kat Blackthorne is a fast emotional, mysterious story filled with raw dark emotions. This beautiful, tragic story that goes into grief, depression, struggles with loss and coping after tragedy. This is not a romance, but a soul stirring, beautiful spicy nightmare. As the mystery unravels and more about our characters is revealed we follow the emotional struggles and sob over the bittersweet tragedy. This is like nothing I’ve before and will sit with me for quite some time.
September 16, 2024
Love Kat Blackthorne and her work, so I was very excited to dive into this story. Spooky and smutty I was prepared for, I was not prepared to have my heart ripped out. This story was so raw and emotional. I know the pain Lilac had to go through and how it can stay with you for an eternity. “You live in the knowing that you’ll see me again… and I want so many stories about your life when you do. Someday, baby, when you’re old and gray… fall asleep and wait for me, and I’ll come get you.”
This story will definitely stay with me.
This story will definitely stay with me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2024
What a beautiful surprise this was for me. I went in rather blindly and left an emotional mess. I was expecting a spooky Halloween treat (and there were some definite creepy moments) but what I didn’t expect was the deep emotional love and loss that came with this. Beautifully written with a lasting impression for me for sure. And to think so much can be packed into so few pages.
August 18, 2024
What a beautiful tragedy. I loved how Mare’s final costumes were apart of her nightmares. I enjoyed how every little details like his violet eyes, the way Lucy was barefoot in all her dreams, pulled the book together. This book made me sob.
August 22, 2024
Absolutely amazing!! If you're looking for a sticky sweet rom com.....scroll away! But if you enjoy the dark and twisted paths covered in cobwebs that don't always land you in a castle full of the warm fuzzies, buckle up!! This is absolutely the book for you!
August 27, 2024
Lucy lives a Groundhog Day style series of nightmares where she’s always haunted by the same soul but appearing as various classic horror movie characters like Freddy and Jason.
I genuinely had no idea what to expect for this novella but @katblackthorneauthor truly outdid herself with this one! I expected nothing but spooky & creepy but the overall plot itself was actually beautiful & immensely emotional. Like Kat’s other novellas that drew me into her writing & dubbed her as one of my top 3 authors of all time, this novella has SO MUCH depth.
Thank you to Kat Blackthorne for sending me an early copy!
I genuinely had no idea what to expect for this novella but @katblackthorneauthor truly outdid herself with this one! I expected nothing but spooky & creepy but the overall plot itself was actually beautiful & immensely emotional. Like Kat’s other novellas that drew me into her writing & dubbed her as one of my top 3 authors of all time, this novella has SO MUCH depth.
Thank you to Kat Blackthorne for sending me an early copy!
June 21, 2025
This novella was everything😭🖤
I actually don’t have words to express how much I loved it! And Lucy and Mare need to be protected at all cost! The entire 99 page story blew me away! It confused me, it made me giddy and it broke my F-ing heart into a million pieces!!
GO READ IT!!!
I actually don’t have words to express how much I loved it! And Lucy and Mare need to be protected at all cost! The entire 99 page story blew me away! It confused me, it made me giddy and it broke my F-ing heart into a million pieces!!
GO READ IT!!!
August 15, 2024
This, this Is... RAW.
This wreck me, this just made a bit, honestly i dont know i cant say i loved It because its something else, this Is really... Wreking.
Do read the trigger warning
This wreck me, this just made a bit, honestly i dont know i cant say i loved It because its something else, this Is really... Wreking.
Do read the trigger warning
August 15, 2024
Omg this had me in tears. I absolutely devoured it and as with all of Kats books absolutely a must read 💜
August 15, 2024
If I could give this book 10 stars I would 😭 I was so lucky to have received an arc of this book and when I tell you I devoured it in one evening, I’m not even kidding. This book is a perfect mix of spooky romance and heart ache! The nightmare king is now my go to comfort read when my heart just really needs it.
August 18, 2024
Sobbing ugly at 1am in the dark.
I'm fine. It's fine. *sniffles
I'm fine. It's fine. *sniffles
August 21, 2024
Well I certainly wasn't expecting my soul to be crushed but here we are. I really really enjoyed this! It had me hooked with the smutty nightmare love and stayed for the heartbreaking reality. Such a unique story!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 298 reviews