What do you think?
Rate this book
Forlorn Harbor
Squeaky-clean Martina Ramirez is about to commit her first crime with a group of six schoolmates—breaking and entering into an abandoned movie theater.
But the trespassers soon find themselves trapped inside, and while desperately trying to discover a way out, a projector starts playing a film introduction to a vintage episode of a horror series named Forlorn Harbor. When the introduction ends, one of the group becomes trapped within the film.
The only method of escape is to survive the episode, but Forlorn Harbor doesn’t play fair. As the terrifying night wears on, the projector displays more episodes, ensnaring the others one by one.
And as Martina’s turn arrives, she must face her own ominous trial…alone.
Fans of “The October Society” series by Christopher Robertson, “My Heart is a Chainsaw” by Stephen Graham Jones, or “The Hazel Wood” by Melissa Albert will enjoy “Forlorn Harbor” by Jim Doran.
But the trespassers soon find themselves trapped inside, and while desperately trying to discover a way out, a projector starts playing a film introduction to a vintage episode of a horror series named Forlorn Harbor. When the introduction ends, one of the group becomes trapped within the film.
The only method of escape is to survive the episode, but Forlorn Harbor doesn’t play fair. As the terrifying night wears on, the projector displays more episodes, ensnaring the others one by one.
And as Martina’s turn arrives, she must face her own ominous trial…alone.
Fans of “The October Society” series by Christopher Robertson, “My Heart is a Chainsaw” by Stephen Graham Jones, or “The Hazel Wood” by Melissa Albert will enjoy “Forlorn Harbor” by Jim Doran.
- GenresHorrorYoung Adult
ebook
Published May 26, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
June 3, 2026
The moment I opened Forlorn Harbor, I felt like I’d been lured into an abandoned movie theatre by a group of teenagers who clearly never watched a single horror film in their lives. And yet there I was, popcorn in hand, ready to judge every terrible decision they made while also secretly hoping the projector would start flickering ominously, because I live for that kind of chaos.
Martina Ramirez—sweet, squeaky clean, probably never even stole a pen Martina—decides to commit her first crime. And not even a glamorous crime. No diamonds. No heists. No mafia silver fox dragging her into danger by the wrist. No. She breaks into a dusty, decrepit theatre with six classmates who all have the survival instincts of damp toast.
And then the projector wakes up.
Not politely. Not gently. It possesses the room like it’s auditioning for a demonic talent show. Suddenly, they’re watching the intro to a vintage horror series called Forlorn Harbor, and before anyone can say “this seems like a terrible idea,” one of them gets sucked into the film like a human popcorn kernel.
And the rules? Oh, honey. Forlorn Harbor doesn’t have rules. It has vibes. Bad ones. The kind that smells like mildew and regret.
Every new episode traps another kid, and the only way out is to survive the plot, which is rude, because horror plots are specifically designed to murder people creatively. The tension builds, the stakes rise, and by the time Martina’s turn comes, she’s staring down her own personal nightmare with nothing but her wits, her courage, and the faint hope that the projector might spontaneously combust.
This book feels like The Hazel Wood got drunk with My Heart Is a Chainsaw and decided to raise a cursed child together. It’s eerie, atmospheric, and delightfully cruel. The pacing is tight, the concept is delicious, and the creeping dread is the kind that slithers under your skin and sets up a long term lease.
Your rating of 3.5–4 stars makes perfect sense—it’s clever, creepy, and original, but also one of those stories where you occasionally want to shake the characters and yell, “STOP TOUCHING THINGS IN THE HAUNTED BUILDING.”
Martina Ramirez—sweet, squeaky clean, probably never even stole a pen Martina—decides to commit her first crime. And not even a glamorous crime. No diamonds. No heists. No mafia silver fox dragging her into danger by the wrist. No. She breaks into a dusty, decrepit theatre with six classmates who all have the survival instincts of damp toast.
And then the projector wakes up.
Not politely. Not gently. It possesses the room like it’s auditioning for a demonic talent show. Suddenly, they’re watching the intro to a vintage horror series called Forlorn Harbor, and before anyone can say “this seems like a terrible idea,” one of them gets sucked into the film like a human popcorn kernel.
And the rules? Oh, honey. Forlorn Harbor doesn’t have rules. It has vibes. Bad ones. The kind that smells like mildew and regret.
Every new episode traps another kid, and the only way out is to survive the plot, which is rude, because horror plots are specifically designed to murder people creatively. The tension builds, the stakes rise, and by the time Martina’s turn comes, she’s staring down her own personal nightmare with nothing but her wits, her courage, and the faint hope that the projector might spontaneously combust.
This book feels like The Hazel Wood got drunk with My Heart Is a Chainsaw and decided to raise a cursed child together. It’s eerie, atmospheric, and delightfully cruel. The pacing is tight, the concept is delicious, and the creeping dread is the kind that slithers under your skin and sets up a long term lease.
Your rating of 3.5–4 stars makes perfect sense—it’s clever, creepy, and original, but also one of those stories where you occasionally want to shake the characters and yell, “STOP TOUCHING THINGS IN THE HAUNTED BUILDING.”
Currently Reading
January 18, 2025Jim's concepts are always so intriguing and creative, and I can't wait to dive into this book upon release!
May 31, 2026
A very noir creative and absorbing horror YA. They are trapped in an abandoned movie theater and must survive the episode. I like this author's writing style, it was very easy to see the images in my mind, the switch of colors, and the 4th wall (fun take on this element). Super scenic. We're turning the page for their doom hour. 4.5
May 27, 2026
what a great story!!
This book totally surprised me. I did not expect any of it. Martina, looking for acceptance from her friends in school, decides to go and be a lookout for them only to get their acceptance in school, which is so sad once inside this old theater they are trapped and placed in old horror segments this book was so good captivating I loved every bit of it
This book totally surprised me. I did not expect any of it. Martina, looking for acceptance from her friends in school, decides to go and be a lookout for them only to get their acceptance in school, which is so sad once inside this old theater they are trapped and placed in old horror segments this book was so good captivating I loved every bit of it
June 1, 2026
3.5 - 4 Stars
‘ The theater’s canvas displayed a turbulent sea, huge black-and-white waves cascading before their eyes, while a rushing tidal sound filled the auditorium. The water rose and soon crashed down. The darkness of the scene contrasted with a few whitecaps on the waves. To Martina, the whitecaps resembled shark’s teeth. She retreated to the wall and placed her palms behind her, flat against it. Heart pounding, she gripped the ridges of the cinderblocks, and then music suddenly cut across the building. The soundtrack played an organ note deep and loud enough to vibrate the ground. Martina sucked in a breath and held it in her lungs, frozen in place. Then the movie found its voice. Raspy, disquieting narration filled the chamber… ’
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran is another intriguing production that takes us on a YA horror themed adventure with plenty of drama, danger, mystery, high stakes, teen issues & angst, peer pressure, friendship, quirky characters, psychological tension, action, and dread.
Martina Ramirez, a straight-laced, rule-abiding teen, finds herself swept into a reckless plan with six of her classmates by breaking into an abandoned movie theatre, what could possibly go wrong … right? And so the ‘adventure’ begins’. What begins as a thrill-seeking mission soon spirals into a nightmare when the theatre’s old projector begins screening strange ‘episodes’ of horror-themed viewing which pulls the group into deadly ‘game’. The only way out is to survive each episode, but the rules are unclear, the stakes aren’t just high ---they’re lethal, and the harbor’s darkness seems to feed on their fears and flaws.
I don’t want to give too much away and spoil it for you, so I will just finish by saying that if you love moody horror, YA, and creepy vibes then you will definitely want to visit ‘Forlorn Harbor’ – as it’s not just about surviving the night — it’s about confronting the shadows within.
Happy Reading…
‘ The theater’s canvas displayed a turbulent sea, huge black-and-white waves cascading before their eyes, while a rushing tidal sound filled the auditorium. The water rose and soon crashed down. The darkness of the scene contrasted with a few whitecaps on the waves. To Martina, the whitecaps resembled shark’s teeth. She retreated to the wall and placed her palms behind her, flat against it. Heart pounding, she gripped the ridges of the cinderblocks, and then music suddenly cut across the building. The soundtrack played an organ note deep and loud enough to vibrate the ground. Martina sucked in a breath and held it in her lungs, frozen in place. Then the movie found its voice. Raspy, disquieting narration filled the chamber… ’
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran is another intriguing production that takes us on a YA horror themed adventure with plenty of drama, danger, mystery, high stakes, teen issues & angst, peer pressure, friendship, quirky characters, psychological tension, action, and dread.
Martina Ramirez, a straight-laced, rule-abiding teen, finds herself swept into a reckless plan with six of her classmates by breaking into an abandoned movie theatre, what could possibly go wrong … right? And so the ‘adventure’ begins’. What begins as a thrill-seeking mission soon spirals into a nightmare when the theatre’s old projector begins screening strange ‘episodes’ of horror-themed viewing which pulls the group into deadly ‘game’. The only way out is to survive each episode, but the rules are unclear, the stakes aren’t just high ---they’re lethal, and the harbor’s darkness seems to feed on their fears and flaws.
I don’t want to give too much away and spoil it for you, so I will just finish by saying that if you love moody horror, YA, and creepy vibes then you will definitely want to visit ‘Forlorn Harbor’ – as it’s not just about surviving the night — it’s about confronting the shadows within.
Happy Reading…
June 15, 2026
This book was actually such a fun creepy read. The whole idea of a group of teens getting trapped inside an abandoned movie theatre and forced into deadly horror “episodes” was super unique and honestly hooked me right away.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts. The theatre felt eerie and unsettling from the start, and every new episode brought a different kind of horror. Changelings, Vampires, Monsters, etc.. It almost felt like watching a twisted horror anthology show where nobody is guaranteed to survive. I kept wanting to know what kind of nightmare would happen next.
I also liked that the group of teens didn’t all feel super close or perfect. They had tension, drama, and different personalities, which made everything feel more realistic. Martina was easy to root for too. She mostly got involved because she wanted to fit in, and things spiraled so badly from there. She quickly finds out that maybe humans are worse than anything the show can throw her way.
The pacing stayed fast the entire time, which made this really easy to binge in one sitting. Every chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep going. Some of the horror scenarios were genuinely intense, and I liked trying to figure out how the characters could survive each “episode.”
The story also had that classic cautionary tale feel where the characters are forced to face their fears and bad choices. It gave me creepy YA horror movie vibes in the best way.
The atmosphere was one of my favorite parts. The theatre felt eerie and unsettling from the start, and every new episode brought a different kind of horror. Changelings, Vampires, Monsters, etc.. It almost felt like watching a twisted horror anthology show where nobody is guaranteed to survive. I kept wanting to know what kind of nightmare would happen next.
I also liked that the group of teens didn’t all feel super close or perfect. They had tension, drama, and different personalities, which made everything feel more realistic. Martina was easy to root for too. She mostly got involved because she wanted to fit in, and things spiraled so badly from there. She quickly finds out that maybe humans are worse than anything the show can throw her way.
The pacing stayed fast the entire time, which made this really easy to binge in one sitting. Every chapter ended in a way that made me want to keep going. Some of the horror scenarios were genuinely intense, and I liked trying to figure out how the characters could survive each “episode.”
The story also had that classic cautionary tale feel where the characters are forced to face their fears and bad choices. It gave me creepy YA horror movie vibes in the best way.
June 19, 2026
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran.
4 of 5 Stars.
This YA horror story kept me hooked throughout. Martina just wants to ‘fit in’ with her schoolmates when she breaks into an abandoned movie theatre with six others. They then get trapped inside and whilst trying to find a way out, a projector suddenly turns on. It starts playing the introduction to a vintage episode of ‘Forlorn Harbor’, a horror series. Things then take an even darker turn when one of the group is imprisoned within the film. During the terrifying night, the projector plays more episodes, and one by one each of the schoolmates gets trapped in the film.
The only way to escape is to survive the episode, not easy to do in Forlorn Harbor. Martina is the last one to face her episode and is left all alone to face her trial. The descriptive narrative really brought the claustrophobic feeling abandoned movie theatre vividly to life, so much so I felt as though I was also trapped inside. Martina is a relatable character, especially to teenagers who the book is aimed at, with how she wants to be liked by her schoolmates. The suspense really built chapter by chapter as each person got trapped in the film, making this fast paced ominous story a real page turner.
4 of 5 Stars.
This YA horror story kept me hooked throughout. Martina just wants to ‘fit in’ with her schoolmates when she breaks into an abandoned movie theatre with six others. They then get trapped inside and whilst trying to find a way out, a projector suddenly turns on. It starts playing the introduction to a vintage episode of ‘Forlorn Harbor’, a horror series. Things then take an even darker turn when one of the group is imprisoned within the film. During the terrifying night, the projector plays more episodes, and one by one each of the schoolmates gets trapped in the film.
The only way to escape is to survive the episode, not easy to do in Forlorn Harbor. Martina is the last one to face her episode and is left all alone to face her trial. The descriptive narrative really brought the claustrophobic feeling abandoned movie theatre vividly to life, so much so I felt as though I was also trapped inside. Martina is a relatable character, especially to teenagers who the book is aimed at, with how she wants to be liked by her schoolmates. The suspense really built chapter by chapter as each person got trapped in the film, making this fast paced ominous story a real page turner.
June 16, 2026
Martina Ramirez and six of her friends have broken into an abandoned movie theatre. Prior to this adventure Martina has never gotten into any kind of trouble. What could go wrong? This gang of seven soon find themselves trapped inside with no way out. A projector starts to play a film series called Forlorn Harbor. By the time the introduction is over they are one crew member short. As new episodes start to play, another member of the crew goes missing and ends up in the film. There is only one way out: you survive the episode you have been sucked into. Will they all survive until the end? Horror takes up such a small section in my kindle and I couldn't pass this one up. Usually I pick books based on the title or the cover art but this time the synopsis caught me. It made me want to find out what horrors these kids were facing and whether or not they survived their episodes. I also wondered what happened if they didn't make it. Did they stay in the picture forever? I am glad I picked this one up.
June 20, 2026
What starts as a simple dare turns into the most terrifying movie night Martina and her classmates will ever face... if they survive the horror series called *Forlorn Harbor*.
When Martina and her friends sneak into an abandoned movie theater, they aren't expecting to watch a movie. They just want to explore the creepy old building. But the theater has other plans. Before they know it, they're trapped inside the horror series *Forlorn Harbor*, where they become part of the story. To make it through the night, they'll have to survive terrifying challenges, unravel eerie mysteries, and hope they can escape before the final credits roll.
What I loved most about this book is how everything played out like a real movie in my head. Every scene was so vivid that I could picture it unfolding on the big screen, making it impossible to stop turning the pages.
Grab some popcorn, buckle up, and get ready for a wild ride! When bedtime rolls around, you'll keep telling yourself, "Just one more chapter..." And you might want to leave a nightlight on when you're finally done. 👻🍿🎥
When Martina and her friends sneak into an abandoned movie theater, they aren't expecting to watch a movie. They just want to explore the creepy old building. But the theater has other plans. Before they know it, they're trapped inside the horror series *Forlorn Harbor*, where they become part of the story. To make it through the night, they'll have to survive terrifying challenges, unravel eerie mysteries, and hope they can escape before the final credits roll.
What I loved most about this book is how everything played out like a real movie in my head. Every scene was so vivid that I could picture it unfolding on the big screen, making it impossible to stop turning the pages.
Grab some popcorn, buckle up, and get ready for a wild ride! When bedtime rolls around, you'll keep telling yourself, "Just one more chapter..." And you might want to leave a nightlight on when you're finally done. 👻🍿🎥
June 16, 2026
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran. This is a horror young adult read and it I'm for sure not a young adult anymore but I really enjoyed this book. It's the story of 7 teens who break into an abandoned theater to steal copper but once they are in they realize they may never leave. Martina is the newest to the group and she only offered to be the lookout so that she could fit in. Once the projector wakes up it starts one by one taking the teens and entering them into their own show of an old horror show called Forlorn Harbor. The teen is not released until their show is over and then their fate is revealed. Martin is hoping that she has better survival skills than her so called friends. Once its her turn she in on and she is hoping she can rely on her wits and skills and a prayer that the projector will blow up before her show is over. This was a flipping the pages late into the night kind of read! I loved it!
June 18, 2026
5 out of 5 Stars
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. Forlorn Harbor is a tricky sort of story. Each character gets sucked into a different episode. The author had me sucked in from the first page to the last. I really didn’t want the book to end, but I was happy to know how it ended.
Martina isn’t really friends with anyone at the school and now she was asked to help with something. When her crush Liam and his brother have something planned they asked her to be the lookout. But then they needed her help with something and now she’s stuck in the movie theater with the rest of them. When it’s her turn to get sucked into an episode she gets to make a choice. Either save them all and they go back to how they were when they left their episodes or she can leave by herself and the rest of them stay. The quote I chose for her is: “I searched for your parable in several holy books and the internet. It doesn’t exist.”
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. Forlorn Harbor is a tricky sort of story. Each character gets sucked into a different episode. The author had me sucked in from the first page to the last. I really didn’t want the book to end, but I was happy to know how it ended.
Martina isn’t really friends with anyone at the school and now she was asked to help with something. When her crush Liam and his brother have something planned they asked her to be the lookout. But then they needed her help with something and now she’s stuck in the movie theater with the rest of them. When it’s her turn to get sucked into an episode she gets to make a choice. Either save them all and they go back to how they were when they left their episodes or she can leave by herself and the rest of them stay. The quote I chose for her is: “I searched for your parable in several holy books and the internet. It doesn’t exist.”
June 9, 2026
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran is a young adult horror story. The story centers on 7 teens who break into an abandoned theater to steal copper that is reportedly inside. Martina is new to the group and only agreed to be the lookout because she wanted to be accepted by the group. The theater quickly turns into a trap, pulling each of the teens into the episodes of an old show called Forlorn Harbor. As each teen enters the episode projected on the screen, the other watch to see their fate. Each teen is pulled in and not released back into the theater until their episode ends. Mr. Doran does an excellent job of world-building both in the theater and each episode of the show. The plot is quick-moving and will pull you in from the start. I recommend this book to all young adult and horror fans.
June 1, 2026
I enjoyed reading this horror story. This is a newer author for me in which I enjoyed their use of details that not only made the story come to life but had me sitting on the edge of my seat. This is a story about Martina and a group of her friends. They sneak into an older movie theater. Now they find themselves trapped inside. The only way out is to live through the episode. Will she survive the episode when it’s her turn? This is a story that you don’t want to miss. A story where the characters will keep you wanting to know more about what will happen to them. The growth of the plot is fast paced and kept me turning pages. I found this story to be engaging and hard to put down. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I highly recommend this story.
June 11, 2026
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran is unlike any other book I've ever read, and I loved it! This story has a wide variety of characters that you would not normally think to put together, but that's exactly what makes them so perfect together. This story is truly unique. When I say expect the unexpected, it really does ring true to what happens to each of the characters. This story grabbed my attention right from the beginning and held on tight. It was exciting and mysterious. I loved the twist at the end; it was just so perfect considering everything that the kids went through together. I cannot wait to read more books from this author; he wrote a masterpiece here for sure.
@Brandy Rymer
06/2026
@Brandy Rymer
06/2026
June 12, 2026
Ok this book HOOKS right away. I was immediately caught up and could not put the book down. It is super easy to read, making it a quick read, which is great since I had the hardest time putting it down for even little bits at a time to do adult responsibilities. I finished it in a day and could have done in one sitting if I didn't have to adult.
The storyline is unique and I love how each person gets a quick POV for their time in the "movie", but then cuts right back to main character. The ending was chilling, and I'm glad for a storyline that gives the villains, even if they don't show as villains in the traditional sense, a good dose of justice. Will definitely read more by this author.
The storyline is unique and I love how each person gets a quick POV for their time in the "movie", but then cuts right back to main character. The ending was chilling, and I'm glad for a storyline that gives the villains, even if they don't show as villains in the traditional sense, a good dose of justice. Will definitely read more by this author.
June 19, 2026
Imagine wanting to fit in so much that you're willing to do just about anything. That's where Martina was and she, along with a handful of others, decided to break into an old abandoned movie theater. Sounds like fun, eh? Well, it's all fun and games until the movie projector comes on and the band of trespassers find themselves involved in a game of sorts. Not the kind you really want to play though!
This was such a thrilling read and I believe that young adults as well as more mature adults will appreciate this story. The theater setting is unique and ominous for the parts to be played out. This is a great read and I will likely add this to the "re-read pile" to enjoy again down the road!
This was such a thrilling read and I believe that young adults as well as more mature adults will appreciate this story. The theater setting is unique and ominous for the parts to be played out. This is a great read and I will likely add this to the "re-read pile" to enjoy again down the road!
June 20, 2026
An absolute page-turner for young adults. How far would you go to fit into a group? Meet Martina Ramirez, the rule follower, the trustworthy one and now the one who gets caught up in the crazy and dangerous plan. Martina and a few of her classmates decide to break into the abandoned movie theater, it is then that they realize the danger they are all in. The teens are now trapped inside the movie theater, and an introduction episode of Forlorn Harbor has started playing. At the end of the episode one of their group is missing, and another episode has begun playing. The only way out is to survive the episode you have been sucked into. A can't put down horror that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
June 20, 2026
Martina is the new girl and her one night of bravery turns into something out of a nightmare. The group of teenagers have chosen the wrong place to cause havoc. When their night turns they each must fight to survive.
As Martina works to fit in with her new friends and all that is happening.
Readers are taken on a ride as the characters must find a way out of the fate that they find themselves in. As each teen is forced to deal with the horror that befalls them readers see the drama unfold. This is an interesting young adult horror story that has you hoping that Martina has what it takes to find her way out.
As Martina works to fit in with her new friends and all that is happening.
Readers are taken on a ride as the characters must find a way out of the fate that they find themselves in. As each teen is forced to deal with the horror that befalls them readers see the drama unfold. This is an interesting young adult horror story that has you hoping that Martina has what it takes to find her way out.
June 22, 2026
Forlorn Harbor has that dark, eerie energy that creeps in slowly and doesn’t let go. A group of teens breaks into an abandoned theater, only to find themselves pulled into a vintage horror serial where each “episode” forces them to face something terrifying and deeply personal. The shifting rules, the old‑film aesthetic, and the mix of monsters; from changelings to marionettes to the harbormaster himself; give the story a moody, cinematic feel.
It’s fast, unsettling, and full of that classic YA‑horror tension where every choice matters. A creepy, creative read that feels like stepping into a nightmare you can’t quite wake up from.
It’s fast, unsettling, and full of that classic YA‑horror tension where every choice matters. A creepy, creative read that feels like stepping into a nightmare you can’t quite wake up from.
June 23, 2026
Forlorn Harbor by Jim Doran
5 Star Review
This book tells of a group of six friends who find themselves breaking the law by breaking into a movie theater. However, this is no ordinary theater and the friends find themselves fighting individual trials in order to escape their new prison.
This YA book was a fascinating and entertaining read that made me feel like I was watching a movie in my head. The writing is creative and kept me reading from the first page to the last. Martina and her friends were wonderful characters and their storylines are unique to them. A wonderful read and I will be looking to read more by Jim Doran.
5 Star Review
This book tells of a group of six friends who find themselves breaking the law by breaking into a movie theater. However, this is no ordinary theater and the friends find themselves fighting individual trials in order to escape their new prison.
This YA book was a fascinating and entertaining read that made me feel like I was watching a movie in my head. The writing is creative and kept me reading from the first page to the last. Martina and her friends were wonderful characters and their storylines are unique to them. A wonderful read and I will be looking to read more by Jim Doran.
June 26, 2026
This is a fast-paced YA horror novel that follows seven teenagers who break into an abandoned theater to steal copper, only to become trapped inside. Once the building's projector unexpectedly roars to life, it forces the teens one by one into deadly, vivid "episodes" of an old horror show where survival is never guaranteed. The story is driven by realistic peer pressure and tension within the group, particularly through Martina, a relatable main character who only agreed to act as a lookout to fit in with her peers. Evoking the eerie, high-stakes feeling of a twisted horror anthology show, this ominous page-turner keeps readers hooked late into the night as Martina uses her wits to outlast both the nightmarish scenarios and the shifting loyalties of her friends.
June 22, 2026
I don’t normally read this genre, but the author has my maiden last name, so that caught my attention and the amazing reviews drew me in. It was unlike anything I’ve ever read, but again, not my typical genre. Regardless, I thought it was very creative- a group of teens break into an old abandoned theater and find themselves trapped. Each is pulled into a black and white episode and must survive to escape. The ending was perfect! Highly recommend, it says it’s a horror novel but it wasn’t scary to me. More like psychological thriller.
January 21, 2025
I had the pleasure of being an early reader of Forlorn Harbor, and I loved it! Each 'episode' of this horror novel is a thrill to read. It's a very unique book in that it feels like an anthology but with the same characters! Jim Doran pulls this twist off marvelously.
I can't wait for the official release so I can have a physical copy on my shelf!
I can't wait for the official release so I can have a physical copy on my shelf!
May 28, 2026
This is such a fun and unique read! The story follows a group of teenagers who break into an abandoned theater, and each person has to survive an episode of an old TV show called Forlorn Harbor. I love that this is similar to an anthology, but it's all contained within the main story. I enjoyed reading this one, and look forward to more from this author!
June 7, 2026
Forlorn Harbor is about a group of kids who break into a movie theater and they are there to steal, but instead they are sucked into these movies and the only way out is to survive the whole film. This book is an amazing story and easy to follow along. I would definitely recommend.
June 22, 2026
Getting trapped inside a film while breaking and entering an abandoned movie theater is not what was expected. The book caught my attention from the beginning. I will be looking for more books my this author.
June 23, 2026
What a fun quick YA read! First time reading this author. But I was sucked in right from the start. Great world building and a creative storyline.
June 23, 2026
So much fun, love the story. So very unique than other Young Adult stories I have read. Kept me turning the pages and was a quick easy and engaging read. Must give it try, would recommend.
June 16, 2026
Forlorn Harbor is an absolute page-turner of a teen horror book. A group of friends (although perhaps “friends” is not the right word for them) find themselves trapped in a cinema and forced to take turns trying to survive episodes of a twisted anthology show.
I like the episodic structure of the different stories the characters find themselves sucked into, with the framing narrative of trying to escape the theatre. There are some really clever stories and I enjoyed seeing the different characters trying to outsmart the narrative (because let's face it we all think we'd be cleverer than the characters in a scary movie).
This also has the feel of a cautionary tale. In some ways it reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, if the chocolate factory was a cinema and Willy Wonka a harbormaster.
This book gets four stars from me! I'd recommend it to fans of anthology TV shows and weird paranormal horror.
I like the episodic structure of the different stories the characters find themselves sucked into, with the framing narrative of trying to escape the theatre. There are some really clever stories and I enjoyed seeing the different characters trying to outsmart the narrative (because let's face it we all think we'd be cleverer than the characters in a scary movie).
This also has the feel of a cautionary tale. In some ways it reminded me of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, if the chocolate factory was a cinema and Willy Wonka a harbormaster.
This book gets four stars from me! I'd recommend it to fans of anthology TV shows and weird paranormal horror.
June 19, 2026
I loved the book. Great for YA and older readers. I thought it was cool and interesting how they were each sucked into their own episode. It felt like Twilight Zone to me. The only thing I found strange in the story was the Christianity part, I didn’t think the rest of the story was religious and I felt it still taught its lesson without it. I’ll add that it wasn’t much and was near the end for those readers who avoid stories with religion mentioned in them. I recommend to everyone because I really enjoyed the book. It kept me hooked and wondering if the kids were going to make it, it made me nervous in some spots and shocked in others; I also think the message of the story is good for middle school age and up readers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews