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We All Rot Eventually: A horror novella
It's 2005 and Alexa wants to be famous.
Alexa Valentine came to LA to be an actress, what she found was something far darker. As her ambition grows insatiable, so does the shadow inside her, demanding blood for glory. In a story of fame, debauchery, carnage, and the fragile boundary between them, Alexa learns the hard truth: We all rot eventually.
Alexa Valentine came to LA to be an actress, what she found was something far darker. As her ambition grows insatiable, so does the shadow inside her, demanding blood for glory. In a story of fame, debauchery, carnage, and the fragile boundary between them, Alexa learns the hard truth: We all rot eventually.
97 pages, Paperback
Published January 10, 2025
166 people are currently reading
2226 people want to read
About the author
Mia Ballard
3 books338 followersMia Ballard is an American poet and fiction writer. She loves all things horror and is passionate about writing stories focused on feminine rage. She lives with her partner and dog in Northern California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews
July 29, 2025
I'M SORRY HUUUUUUH???
The term 'batshit-crazy' was originally created to be used in this very context.
I didn't read the summary before jumping in, and boy oh boy, did that elevate the twists and turns ten fold. If you're able to get ahold of this book without reading the synopsis, I would highly suggest it. I couldn't put it down.
WARNING: It does veer more into extreme horror. You should know that, but everything else can be discovered through reading. It's only 95 pages. What do you have to lose??
I put this down and had the genuine thought "Is Mia Ballard a new favorite author??" Having only read this one novella from her 😆 Guess I'll be picking up Sugar expeditiously. And waiting in fear of a cover redesign of Shygirl. Since I guess it's getting trad pubbed and I have to waaaaait (boo hiss) to read it until November now.
The term 'batshit-crazy' was originally created to be used in this very context.
I didn't read the summary before jumping in, and boy oh boy, did that elevate the twists and turns ten fold. If you're able to get ahold of this book without reading the synopsis, I would highly suggest it. I couldn't put it down.
WARNING: It does veer more into extreme horror. You should know that, but everything else can be discovered through reading. It's only 95 pages. What do you have to lose??
I put this down and had the genuine thought "Is Mia Ballard a new favorite author??" Having only read this one novella from her 😆 Guess I'll be picking up Sugar expeditiously. And waiting in fear of a cover redesign of Shygirl. Since I guess it's getting trad pubbed and I have to waaaaait (boo hiss) to read it until November now.
May 6, 2025
If you liked #Thighgap you'll probably like this one too, they have a lot of similar vibes, I liked this one a lot more though (mostly because Alexa is a lot more fun). The writing style is pretty solid even if things did get a little choppy at times. I had a pretty good time with it and I almost wish it had been longer.
June 20, 2025
set in 2005 but people were scrolling their phones
January 3, 2025
Mia, girlie...are you ok?
I read Sugar last year & gobbled it up so when I saw this little novella I knew I had to read it. It's bloody & more gory/graphic, in my opinion, than sugar was but such a quick read. Can't wait for 'Shy Girl' to come out.
Mia Ballard is quickly becoming an auto buy for me when it comes to femme rage & unhinged MCs.
3.5/5 just because I wish it was a little longer!
I read Sugar last year & gobbled it up so when I saw this little novella I knew I had to read it. It's bloody & more gory/graphic, in my opinion, than sugar was but such a quick read. Can't wait for 'Shy Girl' to come out.
Mia Ballard is quickly becoming an auto buy for me when it comes to femme rage & unhinged MCs.
3.5/5 just because I wish it was a little longer!
June 3, 2025
This novella started off really promising, and I was hopeful that it would deliver what I love to see in my gory horror outings - utterly repulsive descriptions of splatter relayed through interesting, competent, and thoughtful (I don't always need beautiful and incisive, though that's the ideal) storytelling. And the character work and descriptions evoking the underbelly of the Hollywood dream in the first quarter or so made it clear that the author had the ability to give me what I was looking for. Alas, as the blood and guts stacked up, the writing fell off into a very boring sort of "this happened, then that happened, and then this," pattern, almost as if the author was bored with the story as well.
After all that promise, I found the final half of this short read, and therefore the fate of Alexa Valentine, uninteresting, and of all the things I feel that a bloody, gory story shouldn't be, boring is probably at the top of the list. I'm still giving it three stars for the first half.
After all that promise, I found the final half of this short read, and therefore the fate of Alexa Valentine, uninteresting, and of all the things I feel that a bloody, gory story shouldn't be, boring is probably at the top of the list. I'm still giving it three stars for the first half.
November 3, 2025
This was just ok for me. The pacing was too quick and I had some issues connecting all the pieces with Alexa. It has some gore and interesting tidbits, but, as a whole, it just didn’t come together for me. I think that if the author took her time and let certain concepts simmer with the reader, as this ugly aspect of fame is further explored, the desired effect would have been there. Fans of The Substance will have an enjoyable experience here.
December 24, 2024
This little horror novella is so Maxxxine and Smile 2 coded - so if you like those movies you’ll enjoy this banger.
Mia’s writing is smoother than butter - I always breeze through her writing. Such a treat!
Mia’s writing is smoother than butter - I always breeze through her writing. Such a treat!
May 30, 2025
a wildly gory and entertaining lil horror novella!
after reading sugar, i feel i'm starting to see ballard's MO. she writes furious and tenacious women who make getting away with murder seem easy! like sugar, this story has a steady and bloody buildup to a bizarre finale.
the writing stumbles here and there, and there are certainly typos and errors, but i'm relieved that it's more clean and thoroughly edited than sugar. i was confused about when this book is set though, as myspace is referenced, yet the characters seem to have smartphones? it's pretty sloppy, and i wish it felt more firmly rooted in its era, whatever that may be.
but overall this was really fun - a violent meditation on power, attention, fame, and infamy. lust for recognition can be its own form of possession. the story is well-paced and neatly contained into its 100ish pages, which makes for a satisfying diversion.
after reading sugar, i feel i'm starting to see ballard's MO. she writes furious and tenacious women who make getting away with murder seem easy! like sugar, this story has a steady and bloody buildup to a bizarre finale.
the writing stumbles here and there, and there are certainly typos and errors, but i'm relieved that it's more clean and thoroughly edited than sugar. i was confused about when this book is set though, as myspace is referenced, yet the characters seem to have smartphones? it's pretty sloppy, and i wish it felt more firmly rooted in its era, whatever that may be.
but overall this was really fun - a violent meditation on power, attention, fame, and infamy. lust for recognition can be its own form of possession. the story is well-paced and neatly contained into its 100ish pages, which makes for a satisfying diversion.
February 14, 2025
NOW WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT TO SHANE WEST
April 29, 2025
this is a bit different than her other books, but i enjoyed it just as much if not more. this is super graphic and escalates very quickly, more of an short horror story than anything. follows a deranged young woman than will do anything to be famous
February 27, 2025
Definitely bloody and unhinged. Not a story you have to think too much about but you can count on to be a good time. About the descent into madness and what we will do for fame and recognition. A bit absurd but also…. Not…In some ways. The ending was absolutely wacky wild lol.
Could def tell it was Indie at times and sometimes inconsistencies with the time period threw me off a bit. But all in all, I had a good time and found it to be enjoyable!
Could def tell it was Indie at times and sometimes inconsistencies with the time period threw me off a bit. But all in all, I had a good time and found it to be enjoyable!
June 13, 2025
Boring, yawning, sloppy,…..LAZY
Read
April 16, 2025Um, potential spoiler territory here, but who invited Venom (of Marvel fame) to the party?!? Also, Ms. Ballard, are you actually ok??? I forever and ever cannot unsee the visuals created by certain parts of this train wreck, and for that I won't rate it - because did I love it? Yes! Did I hate it? Also yes!
April 28, 2025
1 star
None of this makes any sense as far as plotting and character development go. There is not enough on-page character development to support this character's decline into killing; it just takes a hard left turn into it. It's gratuitous for the sake of gore and has corny lines to make it seem deep. The ending was almost dumb. I did see promise in Mia Ballard and her writing. I believe this book is so terribly bad because it's a novella and not a book. I did pick up a full-length novel from Ballard, and I was right. She has some writing chops, and if given enough to develop the deep and complex character of what she is going for in developing unhinged woman narrators.
None of this makes any sense as far as plotting and character development go. There is not enough on-page character development to support this character's decline into killing; it just takes a hard left turn into it. It's gratuitous for the sake of gore and has corny lines to make it seem deep. The ending was almost dumb. I did see promise in Mia Ballard and her writing. I believe this book is so terribly bad because it's a novella and not a book. I did pick up a full-length novel from Ballard, and I was right. She has some writing chops, and if given enough to develop the deep and complex character of what she is going for in developing unhinged woman narrators.
April 15, 2025
Alexa Fucking Valentine! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 She was hella unhinged, and tbh, I loved it! 🤣 I had never read a novella before, and this quick read was recommended on TikTok based on another book I read (Camp Damascus). I couldn’t put it down. I’ve never read a book under 100 pages that satisfied me completely. Plus, the inclusion of a sadistic woman serial killer was 🔥. This book is gory and twisted, but in a way that makes you smirk while reading. I can’t wait to read more from this author because, judging by the reviews, her books seem addictive.
June 4, 2025
Full review linked at bottom of page. This review may include spoilers, please read at your own risk.
We All Rot Eventually written by Mia Ballard is a short (98 pages) horror novella, currently on kindle unlimited, that explores the mind and life of a dissatisfied woman who moved cross country, chasing a dream that doesn’t seem to be registering, until one day it seemingly chases her instead.
Our main character and narrator is named Alexa. When she is first introduced, we’re shown that she is struggling with self esteem and feeling as if she’s not good enough regardless of what she does. Not thin enough, not pretty enough, etc. Even though, Alexa is depicted as a conveniently attractive woman. But, when it comes to the life of fame and casting calls, even that is not enough. Sometimes blood sacrifice is in the cards.
The author definitely tries to push the female rage narrative, showing how minuscule parts of Alexa’s day starts to take a toll and nag at her, like a constant hum of fluorescent lights. Her internal monologue get’s more depraved and desperate for attention. We also see how her roommates are all just… there. Seemingly no true connection with her, besides the owner of the house, Danielle. Now, her roommate and friend’s character didn’t make complete sense to me. The narrative read as if all of her three roommates were disinterested and performative when it came to Alexa, one of them, Danielle, was apparently one of her good friends. Anyway, not a big deal.
Continuing on, we’re met with Alexa’s love interest, Lars. If you can even call it love. A man with a small reputation, amongst other things, who our main character entertains when she’s feeling bored. She makes it a point to tell us many times that this means nothing, and she just enjoys the company.
We’re shown many different sides of Alexa during this fast paced story, and we’re pushed in many directions in a short amount of time. The morning after she went to “support” Lars performing at a club, she wakes up to him mysteriously dead in her bed. There are no explanations, no build up, and unless I’ve missed them– no clues. We never learn what happened to him beyond our own interpretations.
Throughout this, I was predicting plots. Though, my predictions were not right, I think I would have preferred them. Earlier in the book, one of her roommates randomly mentioned the dark web. Alexa went off on a tangent how it’s going to change her life, and because of that, I was under the assumption she hired a hit on Lars from the dark web to kickstart her career since he was an infamous actor and musician. Again, I was so very wrong. Perhaps she ordered a deal from the devil on there.
The story gets a bit disturbing from this point on, as Alexa’s head gets clouded with darkness. After the death of Lars, she gets a call to be interviewed since she was apart of his life. Though, only accepting after exerting her dominance over a meek voice on the phone. This is where Alexa explicitly begins to spiral.
The interview is a calculated and planned performance, and as a result, her face goes viral. This leads to an exponential amount of fame and clout for Alexa, which viral clips often bring. Though, it was hard to believe that it brought her to the point of needing an agent and able to afford an expensive car plus a new luxury apartment. Regardless, this scene sets off for her dreams to become reality.
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE ♡
We All Rot Eventually written by Mia Ballard is a short (98 pages) horror novella, currently on kindle unlimited, that explores the mind and life of a dissatisfied woman who moved cross country, chasing a dream that doesn’t seem to be registering, until one day it seemingly chases her instead.
Our main character and narrator is named Alexa. When she is first introduced, we’re shown that she is struggling with self esteem and feeling as if she’s not good enough regardless of what she does. Not thin enough, not pretty enough, etc. Even though, Alexa is depicted as a conveniently attractive woman. But, when it comes to the life of fame and casting calls, even that is not enough. Sometimes blood sacrifice is in the cards.
The author definitely tries to push the female rage narrative, showing how minuscule parts of Alexa’s day starts to take a toll and nag at her, like a constant hum of fluorescent lights. Her internal monologue get’s more depraved and desperate for attention. We also see how her roommates are all just… there. Seemingly no true connection with her, besides the owner of the house, Danielle. Now, her roommate and friend’s character didn’t make complete sense to me. The narrative read as if all of her three roommates were disinterested and performative when it came to Alexa, one of them, Danielle, was apparently one of her good friends. Anyway, not a big deal.
Continuing on, we’re met with Alexa’s love interest, Lars. If you can even call it love. A man with a small reputation, amongst other things, who our main character entertains when she’s feeling bored. She makes it a point to tell us many times that this means nothing, and she just enjoys the company.
We’re shown many different sides of Alexa during this fast paced story, and we’re pushed in many directions in a short amount of time. The morning after she went to “support” Lars performing at a club, she wakes up to him mysteriously dead in her bed. There are no explanations, no build up, and unless I’ve missed them– no clues. We never learn what happened to him beyond our own interpretations.
Throughout this, I was predicting plots. Though, my predictions were not right, I think I would have preferred them. Earlier in the book, one of her roommates randomly mentioned the dark web. Alexa went off on a tangent how it’s going to change her life, and because of that, I was under the assumption she hired a hit on Lars from the dark web to kickstart her career since he was an infamous actor and musician. Again, I was so very wrong. Perhaps she ordered a deal from the devil on there.
The story gets a bit disturbing from this point on, as Alexa’s head gets clouded with darkness. After the death of Lars, she gets a call to be interviewed since she was apart of his life. Though, only accepting after exerting her dominance over a meek voice on the phone. This is where Alexa explicitly begins to spiral.
The interview is a calculated and planned performance, and as a result, her face goes viral. This leads to an exponential amount of fame and clout for Alexa, which viral clips often bring. Though, it was hard to believe that it brought her to the point of needing an agent and able to afford an expensive car plus a new luxury apartment. Regardless, this scene sets off for her dreams to become reality.
READ THE FULL REVIEW HERE ♡
December 29, 2024
Pouring one out for Shane West tonight 🍷
Well-written, descriptive and full of feminine rage. Really enjoyed this nasty little novella and will be checking out Sugar soon.
Well-written, descriptive and full of feminine rage. Really enjoyed this nasty little novella and will be checking out Sugar soon.
July 28, 2025
Way too many typos for me to even attempt to enjoy the writing.
August 8, 2025
"We All Rot Eventually" is a wild, bloody ride that feels like a horror movie pitched by someone who’s just discovered chaos or cocaine (maybe both). Alexa Valentine is equal parts rage-monster and trainwreck you can’t stop staring at. It’s messy, gory, and completely mad, which somehow makes it addictive. I blinked and suddenly I was 65 pages deep, only pulled away by the cruel tyranny of dinner plans.
That said, it’s rough around the edges and badly needs a sharp editor. The prose could use tightening, some moments don’t quite make sense, and name-dropping "The Real World" and "MySpace" as 2005 timestamps isn’t enough world-building, especially when characters are "scrolling" on their phones or "binge watching" TV. The story leans on familiar tropes and occasionally stumbles into cringe territory. But that imperfect, off-kilter energy is part of its charm. If you want polished, this isn’t it. If you want a chaotic dive into ambition, blood, and bad decisions, buckle up. And if you’re here for the scene… I don’t know, man. Call your therapist.
That said, it’s rough around the edges and badly needs a sharp editor. The prose could use tightening, some moments don’t quite make sense, and name-dropping "The Real World" and "MySpace" as 2005 timestamps isn’t enough world-building, especially when characters are "scrolling" on their phones or "binge watching" TV. The story leans on familiar tropes and occasionally stumbles into cringe territory. But that imperfect, off-kilter energy is part of its charm. If you want polished, this isn’t it. If you want a chaotic dive into ambition, blood, and bad decisions, buckle up. And if you’re here for the scene… I don’t know, man. Call your therapist.
August 13, 2025
*2.5⭐️
this was my 2nd book by this author and i think i preferred shy girl to this one. shy girl was better written and there was more unsettling horror. i still need to read sugar though!
i thought something was definitely wrong with alexa, she was unhinged for sure.
the writing style wasn't the best, the pacing was a little off and there were quite a few typos, but i absolutely loved the shortie chapters. definitely a book that you can read in a day.
i loved the main concept and the meaning behind the title, however, the fact that the gory parts were basically stacked in one go just didn't hit for me. it felt jumbled.
the tongue scene though ???? loved that.
i'm still glad i read this, mia ballard can definitely write some messed up stuff at times and i'm here for it!
this was my 2nd book by this author and i think i preferred shy girl to this one. shy girl was better written and there was more unsettling horror. i still need to read sugar though!
i thought something was definitely wrong with alexa, she was unhinged for sure.
the writing style wasn't the best, the pacing was a little off and there were quite a few typos, but i absolutely loved the shortie chapters. definitely a book that you can read in a day.
i loved the main concept and the meaning behind the title, however, the fact that the gory parts were basically stacked in one go just didn't hit for me. it felt jumbled.
the tongue scene though ???? loved that.
i'm still glad i read this, mia ballard can definitely write some messed up stuff at times and i'm here for it!
September 21, 2025
If you like gore, you’ll love this one. It was wild and all over the place but I enjoyed it. Didn’t expect the ending. Very similar to Smile 2
September 25, 2025
I support women's rights and women's wrongs uwu
July 26, 2025
Not sure I recommend this book?
But what a wild time it was.
But what a wild time it was.
July 16, 2025
I love whatever's wrong with Mia Ballard
April 8, 2025
3.5 Stars rounded up.
This was a good read after recently watching The Substance…
This was a good read after recently watching The Substance…
August 12, 2025
3.5 stars
Such a fun quick read with some really great writing that makes even the most gruesome scenes beautiful. This is twisted and brutal and highlights a lot of the prevalent issues 2000’s media devoured us all with. You’ll want to check the CW with this one as it’s definitely not for everyone.
I do however think there was some content in the novella that made the y2k setting a bit less believable and I felt the storyline had room for improvement. The writing had a bit of repetition but the vivid sensory details made up for it.
Overall, a really solid read for horror/body horror fans that I would recommend giving a shot!
Such a fun quick read with some really great writing that makes even the most gruesome scenes beautiful. This is twisted and brutal and highlights a lot of the prevalent issues 2000’s media devoured us all with. You’ll want to check the CW with this one as it’s definitely not for everyone.
I do however think there was some content in the novella that made the y2k setting a bit less believable and I felt the storyline had room for improvement. The writing had a bit of repetition but the vivid sensory details made up for it.
Overall, a really solid read for horror/body horror fans that I would recommend giving a shot!
August 11, 2025
Meh. I'm not going to write a full review on this one since it's just a novella and I can't say too much without spoiling. This book was just okay though. It follows a girl named Alexa in 2005 who will do anything to be famous. ANYTHING. I picked it up because a reviewer I follow gave this book 5 stars and I needed a pallet cleanser between all the small town romance I've been reading. I think I started it like two weeks ago though and stopped reading it around 80%. I just couldn't dnf it when I had so few pages left. Some people describe this as a "good for her" kinda thing, it wasn't that for me though. Good for her is only for me when the character is doing terrible horrible things but you can understand why she's doing the things she's doing and you still like her. You don't even have to agree with what she's doing. But she DOES need to be likeable. I found Alexa to be boring and flat. I didn't feel like I knew her at all to have any feelings towards her. Plus her justifications for what she did? BORING! I should also say some people classified this as extreme horror, I'm kind of in the middle. I don't really know when to classify books in this genre, but seeing as how I've read worse things I'd say this is on the lighter end of extreme. Go in with caution though and check triggers if you do pick it up.
Overall it was fine, but I'm probably going to end up forgetting everything that happened in this book by next month.
**Edit: OMG I forgot about this until reading someone else's review. The book is set in 2005 and the author writes about the characters scrolling on their phones...A LOT. Now, I didn't get my first cell phone until 2007 but I PROMISE you people weren't scrolling on their phones consistently back then either. If you had a phone in 2005 it was probably a flip phone of some kind or a Nokia and the only time you'd be "scrolling" would be through your text messages or your contacts log. If anyone tried to use the Internet on those phones it was very unpleasant, VERY slow and if I'm not mistaken expensive?? But yeah idk how old Mia Ballard is. Maybe she's not old enough to remember 2005 but yeah. Other than the low rise jeans mentioned, this book wasn't super accurate to the time period.
Overall it was fine, but I'm probably going to end up forgetting everything that happened in this book by next month.
**Edit: OMG I forgot about this until reading someone else's review. The book is set in 2005 and the author writes about the characters scrolling on their phones...A LOT. Now, I didn't get my first cell phone until 2007 but I PROMISE you people weren't scrolling on their phones consistently back then either. If you had a phone in 2005 it was probably a flip phone of some kind or a Nokia and the only time you'd be "scrolling" would be through your text messages or your contacts log. If anyone tried to use the Internet on those phones it was very unpleasant, VERY slow and if I'm not mistaken expensive?? But yeah idk how old Mia Ballard is. Maybe she's not old enough to remember 2005 but yeah. Other than the low rise jeans mentioned, this book wasn't super accurate to the time period.
August 10, 2025
A quick, fun, gory ride!
December 28, 2024
Oh, my femme, blood thirsty, rage filled, “Substance”loving, rage filled baddies will eat this one up!
Bloody, fast paced, & a fun read - “We All Rot Eventually” was my introduction to Mia Ballard. I don’t like books that are written in the first person, but this perspective worked for the story because it’s clear the MC carries deep detachment from the normalities (and abnormalities that seem normal) of society.
I’m curious to read “Sugar” by Ballard next month to see what else this author has cooking. Pretty fun, but overall would have appreciated a more fleshed out story - even for one as short as this. Still definitely recommend!
3.5/5
Bloody, fast paced, & a fun read - “We All Rot Eventually” was my introduction to Mia Ballard. I don’t like books that are written in the first person, but this perspective worked for the story because it’s clear the MC carries deep detachment from the normalities (and abnormalities that seem normal) of society.
I’m curious to read “Sugar” by Ballard next month to see what else this author has cooking. Pretty fun, but overall would have appreciated a more fleshed out story - even for one as short as this. Still definitely recommend!
3.5/5
February 13, 2025
2.75⭐️ rounded up. I loved Ballard’s book “Sugar”, but this didn’t hit the same. I loved the concept but not the execution. The pacing was off, there were several typos/formatting errors, and it was wordy. Some of the writing felt forced — I don’t think every sentence needs to sound poetic. Just a few (of many) examples:
”Dave’s words hang in the air like something alive”
“…holding the phone like it’s something fragile”
“He’s leaning against a bookshelf like it owes him money”
Overall, this one just didn’t do it for me.
”Dave’s words hang in the air like something alive”
“…holding the phone like it’s something fragile”
“He’s leaning against a bookshelf like it owes him money”
Overall, this one just didn’t do it for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 361 reviews