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Say Uncle
HE’S CRUDE. HE’S CRASS. HE’S FAMILY.
AND HE’LL TEAR YOUR SOUL APART.
It’s 2005 and 15-year-old Braden O’Riley is hoping for the best summer of his life. Instead, he finds himself sleeping on an air mattress next to his brother. In the wake of a marriage separation, their vulgar, misogynist uncle has moved in, bringing along a mysterious book full of strange occult symbols. What could this book mean? Who, exactly, is this man sleeping in Braden’s bedroom? And what other devastating secrets could he be hiding?
AND HE’LL TEAR YOUR SOUL APART.
It’s 2005 and 15-year-old Braden O’Riley is hoping for the best summer of his life. Instead, he finds himself sleeping on an air mattress next to his brother. In the wake of a marriage separation, their vulgar, misogynist uncle has moved in, bringing along a mysterious book full of strange occult symbols. What could this book mean? Who, exactly, is this man sleeping in Braden’s bedroom? And what other devastating secrets could he be hiding?
- GenresHorror
200 pages, Paperback
Published April 29, 2025
2 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 31, 2025
This was just not for me, I was not a fan of any character except for the main character’s girlfriend. The core family was infuriating and the plot was pretty predictable. It felt like a more adult version of Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson; a coming-of-age horror but without lovable characters or a satisfying ending.
June 22, 2025
Family. First love. And weird black magic. A coming-of-age horror that balances the frights with the humor.
April 25, 2025
"A Monster Is Just a Man Trying On His Daddy’s Skin."
That opening quote from Say Uncle is a goddamn warning shot. Ryan C. Bradley’s latest horror novel doesn’t mess around with creaky floorboards or jump-scare ghosts. Nope, this is an indictment to the toxic masculinity that slinks through family trees like a venereal disease. It’s about the kind of uncle who rolls in with a six-pack, a shit-eating grin, and a vibe that screams, “I’m fun, but also, I might ruin your life.” Think Uncle Buck if John Candy was secretly summoning demons in the guest room.
This book is a family photo album where the guy front and center—the one teaching you how to throw a punch or talk to girls—is the villain in everyone’s story. And yet, the bastard makes killer pancakes and hooks you up with your first date. Say Uncle is a gut-punch of a novel, equal parts coming-of-age cringe, cosmic horror dread, and a scathing autopsy of what it means to “be a man” in a world that keeps handing out the wrong playbook.
Ryan C. Bradley, the twisted mind behind Saint’s Blood and the gloriously named Dumb Bullshit for Brilliant Idiots, isn’t here to hold your hand. He’s more like the older cousin who slips you a beer and a firecracker, then laughs when you blow your fingers off. His prose is sneaky—chatty and conversational, like a late-night AIM chat, but laced with emotional shrapnel that’ll leave you bleeding when you least expect it. Bradley grew up on John Hughes movies, but he’s the guy who figured out that Ferris Bueller was probably a sociopath and the Breakfast Club kids were doomed to repeat their parents’ mistakes.
This is Bradley’s most ambitious swing yet. Unlike his earlier work, which leaned harder into grotesque shocks, Say Uncle is a surgical strike on the American male psyche. It’s got the pacing of a thriller, the creep factor of a cursed family heirloom, and the emotional weight of realizing your role model is a walking red flag. If punk rock had a horror novel, this would be it—snarling, raw, and pissed off at the right people.
Meet Braden, a fifteen-year-old kid stuck in a house that’s less “home sweet home” and more “dysfunction junction.” His older brother Sam is a knuckle-dragging bully who’d rather punch than talk. His parents are too busy playing referee to notice the cracks in the foundation. And then there’s Uncle Pauly, the human equivalent of a Molotov cocktail wrapped in a Hawaiian shirt. Fresh off a divorce and some shady business, Pauly crashes into Braden’s life for the summer, taking over his bedroom and his sense of reality.
Pauly’s the cool uncle every kid thinks they want—charismatic, crude, and always ready with a life lesson. He’s got a handshake that could crush walnuts and a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. But as Braden falls under his spell, the cracks start showing. There’s a weird-ass book in Pauly’s duffel, filled with diagrams that look like IKEA instructions for human sacrifice. There’s a mossy stench that follows him like around. And there’s the way he talks about “being a man”—like it’s a blood oath you sign with someone else’s soul.
The story follows Braden’s summer as he navigates Pauly’s mentorship, which ranges from “how to scam a date” to “how to ignore the screams in your nightmares.” It’s a slow burn that builds to a climax that’ll make you want to shower with bleach. This isn’t about ghosts or goblins—it’s about the monsters we inherit and the ones we risk becoming.
Say Uncle is about rot—family rot, brain rot, cultural rot. Bradley takes a flamethrower to the myth of “boys will be boys,” exposing it as a toxic hand-me-down that turns men into predators and boys into pawns. Uncle Pauly is the poster child for this shitshow: the guy who teaches you how to charm a girl while slipping you a playbook for control, entitlement, and cruelty. He’s a walking indictment of every dude who ever thought “alpha male” was a personality trait.
The knife Pauly wields, with its creepy-ass skull handle is the physical manifestation of generational violence, sharp and ready to carve up the next kid in line. That freaky book he keeps hidden? It’s not just a Necronomicon knockoff; it’s the secret knowledge men pass down under the guise of wisdom, designed to break the world while calling it love. The Bryophyto, the mossy monstrosity that lurks in the shadows, is masculinity itself—faceless, insatiable, and built from the tangled roots of every bad decision your dad and his dad made.
Bradley’s horror isn’t cheap thrills. It’s the kind that makes you question who taught you to be you. It’s the dread of realizing the men who raised you thought they were gods, and you were just the altar they practiced on.
Bradley’s prose is like a dive bar conversation—casual, sharp, and hiding a switchblade. The chapters are peppered with AIM away messages, planting you firmly in the mid-2000s, when MySpace was king and your dial-up modem sounded like a dying fax machine. These snippets add humor, nostalgia, and a gut-wrenching intimacy that makes Braden’s unraveling hit like a brick.
The dialogue is so real it hurts. Braden’s voice is pure teenager—awkward, horny, and desperate for approval, but never cartoonish. Even when the story veers into dark magic and cosmic horror, Bradley keeps it grounded, which makes the freaky shit freakier. He doesn’t spoon-feed you the dread; he trusts you to feel the slow-motion trainwreck and scream internally.
Strengths:
- Tone Wizardry: Bradley juggles funny, cringe, and holy-shit terrifying like a circus clown with a death wish. One minute you’re chuckling at Braden’s Penthouse obsession; the next, you’re staring into the abyss of Pauly’s true nature.
- Real-Ass Characters: Nobody’s a cartoon. Sam’s a prick, but you get why. The parents aren’t monsters, just flawed humans who don’t know they’re failing. And Pauly? He’s the kind of villain you’ll hate yourself for liking, a monster so charismatic you almost miss the blood on his hands.
- Social Horror Done Right: This isn’t about spooks; it’s about the systems that spawn them. Bradley nails the sociology of toxic masculinity without preaching.
- Subtle Supernatural: The slide from gritty realism to “what the fuck is that moss monster” is so smooth you won’t see the cliff until you’re falling.
Critiques
- Midsection Bloat: The middle drags like a hungover Sunday. Braden’s horny teen subplot with the Penthouse and his awkward crush on Ancy is thematically on-point, but it could’ve been slashed by 15 pages without losing its punch. Less wanking, more terror, please.
- Rushed Climax: No spoilers, but the final act leans hard into supernatural horror, and it feels like Bradley ran out of runway. The buildup is a slow-cooked nightmare; the payoff is more like a microwave burrito—still good, but not great.
Say Uncle is not reinventing the wheel, but it’s pimping the hell out of the ride. If Bradley tightens the screws on his next book, we’re looking at a potential classic. This is smarter than most “literary” fiction from the Big Five, with sharper teeth and a better sense of humor.
TL;DR: Say Uncle is a coming-of-age horror novel that asks: What if the guy teaching you to be a man was turning you into a monster? With prose that cuts like a switchblade, characters you’ll love to hate, and a middle finger to toxic masculinity, Bradley’s book is a savage, smart addition to modern horror. It’s not perfect, but it’s got more balls and brains than most.
Recommended For: Fans of Boy Parts who want more knives and less pretentious art school wank. Anyone who had That One Uncle and still isn’t sure whether to laugh, cry, or burn the family album. Readers who like their horror with a side of social commentary and a sprinkle of 2000s nostalgia.
Not Recommended For: People who want happy endings, competent parents, or horror that doesn’t make you question your entire upbringing. Dudes who unironically say “alpha male” or think “boys will be boys” is a legal defense.
That opening quote from Say Uncle is a goddamn warning shot. Ryan C. Bradley’s latest horror novel doesn’t mess around with creaky floorboards or jump-scare ghosts. Nope, this is an indictment to the toxic masculinity that slinks through family trees like a venereal disease. It’s about the kind of uncle who rolls in with a six-pack, a shit-eating grin, and a vibe that screams, “I’m fun, but also, I might ruin your life.” Think Uncle Buck if John Candy was secretly summoning demons in the guest room.
This book is a family photo album where the guy front and center—the one teaching you how to throw a punch or talk to girls—is the villain in everyone’s story. And yet, the bastard makes killer pancakes and hooks you up with your first date. Say Uncle is a gut-punch of a novel, equal parts coming-of-age cringe, cosmic horror dread, and a scathing autopsy of what it means to “be a man” in a world that keeps handing out the wrong playbook.
Ryan C. Bradley, the twisted mind behind Saint’s Blood and the gloriously named Dumb Bullshit for Brilliant Idiots, isn’t here to hold your hand. He’s more like the older cousin who slips you a beer and a firecracker, then laughs when you blow your fingers off. His prose is sneaky—chatty and conversational, like a late-night AIM chat, but laced with emotional shrapnel that’ll leave you bleeding when you least expect it. Bradley grew up on John Hughes movies, but he’s the guy who figured out that Ferris Bueller was probably a sociopath and the Breakfast Club kids were doomed to repeat their parents’ mistakes.
This is Bradley’s most ambitious swing yet. Unlike his earlier work, which leaned harder into grotesque shocks, Say Uncle is a surgical strike on the American male psyche. It’s got the pacing of a thriller, the creep factor of a cursed family heirloom, and the emotional weight of realizing your role model is a walking red flag. If punk rock had a horror novel, this would be it—snarling, raw, and pissed off at the right people.
Meet Braden, a fifteen-year-old kid stuck in a house that’s less “home sweet home” and more “dysfunction junction.” His older brother Sam is a knuckle-dragging bully who’d rather punch than talk. His parents are too busy playing referee to notice the cracks in the foundation. And then there’s Uncle Pauly, the human equivalent of a Molotov cocktail wrapped in a Hawaiian shirt. Fresh off a divorce and some shady business, Pauly crashes into Braden’s life for the summer, taking over his bedroom and his sense of reality.
Pauly’s the cool uncle every kid thinks they want—charismatic, crude, and always ready with a life lesson. He’s got a handshake that could crush walnuts and a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. But as Braden falls under his spell, the cracks start showing. There’s a weird-ass book in Pauly’s duffel, filled with diagrams that look like IKEA instructions for human sacrifice. There’s a mossy stench that follows him like around. And there’s the way he talks about “being a man”—like it’s a blood oath you sign with someone else’s soul.
The story follows Braden’s summer as he navigates Pauly’s mentorship, which ranges from “how to scam a date” to “how to ignore the screams in your nightmares.” It’s a slow burn that builds to a climax that’ll make you want to shower with bleach. This isn’t about ghosts or goblins—it’s about the monsters we inherit and the ones we risk becoming.
Say Uncle is about rot—family rot, brain rot, cultural rot. Bradley takes a flamethrower to the myth of “boys will be boys,” exposing it as a toxic hand-me-down that turns men into predators and boys into pawns. Uncle Pauly is the poster child for this shitshow: the guy who teaches you how to charm a girl while slipping you a playbook for control, entitlement, and cruelty. He’s a walking indictment of every dude who ever thought “alpha male” was a personality trait.
The knife Pauly wields, with its creepy-ass skull handle is the physical manifestation of generational violence, sharp and ready to carve up the next kid in line. That freaky book he keeps hidden? It’s not just a Necronomicon knockoff; it’s the secret knowledge men pass down under the guise of wisdom, designed to break the world while calling it love. The Bryophyto, the mossy monstrosity that lurks in the shadows, is masculinity itself—faceless, insatiable, and built from the tangled roots of every bad decision your dad and his dad made.
Bradley’s horror isn’t cheap thrills. It’s the kind that makes you question who taught you to be you. It’s the dread of realizing the men who raised you thought they were gods, and you were just the altar they practiced on.
Bradley’s prose is like a dive bar conversation—casual, sharp, and hiding a switchblade. The chapters are peppered with AIM away messages, planting you firmly in the mid-2000s, when MySpace was king and your dial-up modem sounded like a dying fax machine. These snippets add humor, nostalgia, and a gut-wrenching intimacy that makes Braden’s unraveling hit like a brick.
The dialogue is so real it hurts. Braden’s voice is pure teenager—awkward, horny, and desperate for approval, but never cartoonish. Even when the story veers into dark magic and cosmic horror, Bradley keeps it grounded, which makes the freaky shit freakier. He doesn’t spoon-feed you the dread; he trusts you to feel the slow-motion trainwreck and scream internally.
Strengths:
- Tone Wizardry: Bradley juggles funny, cringe, and holy-shit terrifying like a circus clown with a death wish. One minute you’re chuckling at Braden’s Penthouse obsession; the next, you’re staring into the abyss of Pauly’s true nature.
- Real-Ass Characters: Nobody’s a cartoon. Sam’s a prick, but you get why. The parents aren’t monsters, just flawed humans who don’t know they’re failing. And Pauly? He’s the kind of villain you’ll hate yourself for liking, a monster so charismatic you almost miss the blood on his hands.
- Social Horror Done Right: This isn’t about spooks; it’s about the systems that spawn them. Bradley nails the sociology of toxic masculinity without preaching.
- Subtle Supernatural: The slide from gritty realism to “what the fuck is that moss monster” is so smooth you won’t see the cliff until you’re falling.
Critiques
- Midsection Bloat: The middle drags like a hungover Sunday. Braden’s horny teen subplot with the Penthouse and his awkward crush on Ancy is thematically on-point, but it could’ve been slashed by 15 pages without losing its punch. Less wanking, more terror, please.
- Rushed Climax: No spoilers, but the final act leans hard into supernatural horror, and it feels like Bradley ran out of runway. The buildup is a slow-cooked nightmare; the payoff is more like a microwave burrito—still good, but not great.
Say Uncle is not reinventing the wheel, but it’s pimping the hell out of the ride. If Bradley tightens the screws on his next book, we’re looking at a potential classic. This is smarter than most “literary” fiction from the Big Five, with sharper teeth and a better sense of humor.
TL;DR: Say Uncle is a coming-of-age horror novel that asks: What if the guy teaching you to be a man was turning you into a monster? With prose that cuts like a switchblade, characters you’ll love to hate, and a middle finger to toxic masculinity, Bradley’s book is a savage, smart addition to modern horror. It’s not perfect, but it’s got more balls and brains than most.
Recommended For: Fans of Boy Parts who want more knives and less pretentious art school wank. Anyone who had That One Uncle and still isn’t sure whether to laugh, cry, or burn the family album. Readers who like their horror with a side of social commentary and a sprinkle of 2000s nostalgia.
Not Recommended For: People who want happy endings, competent parents, or horror that doesn’t make you question your entire upbringing. Dudes who unironically say “alpha male” or think “boys will be boys” is a legal defense.
June 4, 2025
Fun book told threw the eyes of a young lad named Braden. His Uncle Pauly is nothing less than pure evil. Enjoyed this and the rollercoaster it took me on!
March 8, 2025
This book was a lot of fun. Told from the perspective of a realistic teenager we go from some general weirdness and family drama to cosmic horror. Throughout there's a pervasive sense of humor that never gets fully lost. Any comparison with this and Uncle Buck fits perfectly.
The progression of plot and stakes kept things entertaining as things get more concerning and the web gets thicker, but it never loses the fact that our main characters still act like teens.
Very much recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The progression of plot and stakes kept things entertaining as things get more concerning and the web gets thicker, but it never loses the fact that our main characters still act like teens.
Very much recommended.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 6, 2025
Extremely well written, unique story. Throughly enjoyed, I never had any inkling which way the story was going so this was a fun, wild ride!
June 21, 2025
Most 15-year-olds get excited when it’s finally summer vacation, but for Braden, his summer vacay is ruined after he learns he must give up his room for his uncle Pauly, who is staying with the family after some marital problems develop between him and his wife. Then Braden discovers a mysterious book in his room that can only belong to his uncle, a book with scary drawings in it. As he struggles to keep everything on the downlow and act cool about losing his room while also dealing with bullying from his older brother Sam, Braden nearly loses control as things go from bad to worse real fast. It doesn’t help that his parents always defer to Sam every time the brothers have a fight or that his uncle’s strange behavior could mean serious trouble for him. The summer he had hoped would be the typical teen summer vacation swiftly turns into a nightmare after someone is killed, the police start asking questions and Braden is trying to keep his friendship with a girl he has a crush on.
Say Uncle by Ryan C. Bradley was an amazing read! Filled with some family trauma in addition to truly terrifying events that are hard to believe, this is definitely a must-have novel for every horror fan to read.
This may be a story containing a lot of family trauma, but it’s certainly the kind of stuff I was able to relate to. Parents holding up a favored sibling no matter how they act, parents who were previously neglectful reacting with shock when being called out and asking the kid why they never said anything, and the bullying sibling being so much of a threat that the main character feels like they’re walking on eggshells around them. Oh, yeah. Definitely relatable stuff!
But that’s the good thing about this story. The family dynamics are real. This is stuff that a lot of readers can relate to because it’s stuff they have also lived through.
Braden is not only accustomed to how he’s treated in the family, he also is so damn complacent about it. I really wondered just how much that kid was willing to take before exploding at everyone. And when he does “explode” by telling his mom that he’s upset because she just willingly kicked Braden out of his room for her brother and how Sam had just beat the ever-loving crap out of him should not be explained away as “your brother’s under a lot of stress.” What, so it’s okay for him to be so violent to his younger sibling? I mean, she doesn’t even hear him. She doesn’t even care. So uncool.
Still, at some point, Braden and Sam do find a way to work together after getting into trouble with the police. It wasn’t enough to make me hopeful that Sam might finally come around and start treating his brother better, but that part of the story was still nice to see.
But all this family BS is NOT the horror of the story. The REAL horror of this story is the deadly magic that is used.
Yes, magic. The thing that lots of people don’t believe in and think is just a bunch of fantasy. But some people DO know how to use magic, especially in a deadly way. And those people are in this story.
This is not a fantasy story. It’s a horror story. This is a story where magic is used in a malicious and evil way. And it’s written into the story so well that I didn’t think for one minute it was all just fantasy. As it is, there are some VERY secretive books out in the world with powerful stuff in them that goes back to ancient times where magic was safely used without persecution. One of those books is what gives the uncle in this story the power to use magic, and he has some terrible ways of using it. Braden tries to stop him, but his uncle seems to keep being two steps ahead of him, and he keeps getting himself into danger.
Say Uncle was a book that was hard to put down! The horror and chaos in this story kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I kept reading each terrifying chapter. Yes, the story had a slow start, but once it picks up, it grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the very end.
A frightening and gripping story!
Say Uncle by Ryan C. Bradley was an amazing read! Filled with some family trauma in addition to truly terrifying events that are hard to believe, this is definitely a must-have novel for every horror fan to read.
This may be a story containing a lot of family trauma, but it’s certainly the kind of stuff I was able to relate to. Parents holding up a favored sibling no matter how they act, parents who were previously neglectful reacting with shock when being called out and asking the kid why they never said anything, and the bullying sibling being so much of a threat that the main character feels like they’re walking on eggshells around them. Oh, yeah. Definitely relatable stuff!
But that’s the good thing about this story. The family dynamics are real. This is stuff that a lot of readers can relate to because it’s stuff they have also lived through.
Braden is not only accustomed to how he’s treated in the family, he also is so damn complacent about it. I really wondered just how much that kid was willing to take before exploding at everyone. And when he does “explode” by telling his mom that he’s upset because she just willingly kicked Braden out of his room for her brother and how Sam had just beat the ever-loving crap out of him should not be explained away as “your brother’s under a lot of stress.” What, so it’s okay for him to be so violent to his younger sibling? I mean, she doesn’t even hear him. She doesn’t even care. So uncool.
Still, at some point, Braden and Sam do find a way to work together after getting into trouble with the police. It wasn’t enough to make me hopeful that Sam might finally come around and start treating his brother better, but that part of the story was still nice to see.
But all this family BS is NOT the horror of the story. The REAL horror of this story is the deadly magic that is used.
Yes, magic. The thing that lots of people don’t believe in and think is just a bunch of fantasy. But some people DO know how to use magic, especially in a deadly way. And those people are in this story.
This is not a fantasy story. It’s a horror story. This is a story where magic is used in a malicious and evil way. And it’s written into the story so well that I didn’t think for one minute it was all just fantasy. As it is, there are some VERY secretive books out in the world with powerful stuff in them that goes back to ancient times where magic was safely used without persecution. One of those books is what gives the uncle in this story the power to use magic, and he has some terrible ways of using it. Braden tries to stop him, but his uncle seems to keep being two steps ahead of him, and he keeps getting himself into danger.
Say Uncle was a book that was hard to put down! The horror and chaos in this story kept me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I kept reading each terrifying chapter. Yes, the story had a slow start, but once it picks up, it grabs the reader and doesn’t let go until the very end.
A frightening and gripping story!
November 19, 2025
Woah! What a find! Easily one of my favorite books I read this year. Also, dammit, this is the second traded book in a row where I can say easily that I got the best deal in the trade. This book rocked.
Where it Lives: high school MC, family drama, suburbia, rituals, forbidden books, short book, fast read
“Say Uncle” is a Goose-bumpy story about fifteen year old facing some big challenges. Braden has spent a year in boy’s school, so he’s been away from his friends. Now that he’s back, he has to contend with a mean older brother who’s prone to lashing out physically at him. At the same time, his aunt and uncle are breaking up, so his Uncle Pauly is coming to his house for at least the summer, and Uncle Pauly is being given Braden’s room while Braden gets to sleep on an air mattress in his older brother Sam’s room. With that setup, the plot gets laced with supernatural events when Braden discovers an ancient spellbook belonging to his uncle. However, the magic in this world is less Harry Potter and more Jennifer’s Body/Lovecraft. Power is granted to people who make sacrifices, and the ancient tome is more akin to a how-to guide for rituals.
Ryan gets the tone right. He pulls together family drama, comedy, teen angst, and black arts into a story that’s probably darker than most Goosebumps tales. I was invested in the family power dynamics early on. I was a little shocked how quickly and easily Say Uncle pulled me into its premise, drove me along its road, and delivered me to its final pages.
The writer in me was impressed with Ryan’s ability to keep the story moving and the characters interesting while throwing in little twists. I wish I could write like this.
I have to talk about Uncle Pauly. Uncle Pauly is the guy in your family who’s a little conservative, a little old-world, and very patriarchal, but as a male you get sucked into his advice because he is so confident and his advice works so well. It isn’t until you really start to examine what he’s doing that you realize there’s a lot of bullying and misogyny and selfishness at his core. For Braden, it’s hard to oppose him because right off the bat Uncle Pauly helps him do something he’s never done before, which is get a girlfriend. He tells Braden exactly what to say and do on the date, and it works. And I think this is the challenge that Braden goes through. Why confront what is working?
But he sees the cracks in Uncle Pauly’s philosophies, and so do we. As a guy, I really appreciated how this story brings in the conflict of what it means to be a male (and learn to be a male) in the twenty-first century. I do wish it dug a little deeper here, but that’s more my own preference than anything else. You gave me something good, and I crave more. Likewise, I look forward to the rest of Ryan’s work.
But is it scary? I would classify the terrors here as mild. I would tell you if you can handle lite PG-13, you are okay. Yes, there are things lurking in the dark, and yes, people die, but I think you’d be just as likely to stay up at night after watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is my point to remind everyone that not every book has to be It or The Exorcist to be enjoyable. And that’s the word I think should be used most for this book. Enjoyable.
Where it Lives: high school MC, family drama, suburbia, rituals, forbidden books, short book, fast read
“Say Uncle” is a Goose-bumpy story about fifteen year old facing some big challenges. Braden has spent a year in boy’s school, so he’s been away from his friends. Now that he’s back, he has to contend with a mean older brother who’s prone to lashing out physically at him. At the same time, his aunt and uncle are breaking up, so his Uncle Pauly is coming to his house for at least the summer, and Uncle Pauly is being given Braden’s room while Braden gets to sleep on an air mattress in his older brother Sam’s room. With that setup, the plot gets laced with supernatural events when Braden discovers an ancient spellbook belonging to his uncle. However, the magic in this world is less Harry Potter and more Jennifer’s Body/Lovecraft. Power is granted to people who make sacrifices, and the ancient tome is more akin to a how-to guide for rituals.
Ryan gets the tone right. He pulls together family drama, comedy, teen angst, and black arts into a story that’s probably darker than most Goosebumps tales. I was invested in the family power dynamics early on. I was a little shocked how quickly and easily Say Uncle pulled me into its premise, drove me along its road, and delivered me to its final pages.
The writer in me was impressed with Ryan’s ability to keep the story moving and the characters interesting while throwing in little twists. I wish I could write like this.
I have to talk about Uncle Pauly. Uncle Pauly is the guy in your family who’s a little conservative, a little old-world, and very patriarchal, but as a male you get sucked into his advice because he is so confident and his advice works so well. It isn’t until you really start to examine what he’s doing that you realize there’s a lot of bullying and misogyny and selfishness at his core. For Braden, it’s hard to oppose him because right off the bat Uncle Pauly helps him do something he’s never done before, which is get a girlfriend. He tells Braden exactly what to say and do on the date, and it works. And I think this is the challenge that Braden goes through. Why confront what is working?
But he sees the cracks in Uncle Pauly’s philosophies, and so do we. As a guy, I really appreciated how this story brings in the conflict of what it means to be a male (and learn to be a male) in the twenty-first century. I do wish it dug a little deeper here, but that’s more my own preference than anything else. You gave me something good, and I crave more. Likewise, I look forward to the rest of Ryan’s work.
But is it scary? I would classify the terrors here as mild. I would tell you if you can handle lite PG-13, you are okay. Yes, there are things lurking in the dark, and yes, people die, but I think you’d be just as likely to stay up at night after watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This is my point to remind everyone that not every book has to be It or The Exorcist to be enjoyable. And that’s the word I think should be used most for this book. Enjoyable.
May 16, 2025
In Ryan C. Bradley's "Say Uncle," we are introduced to Braden O'Riley, a fifteen-year-old poised on the cusp of what he hopes will be an unforgettable summer of freedom and fun.
His expectations are swiftly dashed when the family dynamic is irrevocably altered by his `the unexpected arrival of his Uncle. This isn't just any houseguest; this man, is vulgar and misogynistic. The unsettling presence of the uncle is further amplified by a peculiar book he possesses, filled with strange occult symbols that ignite Braden's curiosity and unease.
Bradley skilfully crafts a narrative that explores themes of family disruption, the loss of innocence, and the unsettling intrusion of the unknown. The story builds a palpable sense of tension, leaving the reader wondering about the significance of the occult book and the potential impact of the uncle's actions on Braden and his family.
Despite its engaging premise and exploration of complex family dynamics, "Say Uncle" falls slightly short in its execution. The treatment Braden receives from his family, particularly in light of the circumstances, can be disconcerting at times. Moreover, the ending feels somewhat rushed, lacking the detailed resolution that the intriguing setup deserves.
Nevertheless, "Say Uncle" remains an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, prompting reflection on the complexities of family relationships and the unsettling presence of hidden truths. It's a quick dip into a summer turned sour, leaving the reader with lingering questions about the characters and their fates.
His expectations are swiftly dashed when the family dynamic is irrevocably altered by his `the unexpected arrival of his Uncle. This isn't just any houseguest; this man, is vulgar and misogynistic. The unsettling presence of the uncle is further amplified by a peculiar book he possesses, filled with strange occult symbols that ignite Braden's curiosity and unease.
Bradley skilfully crafts a narrative that explores themes of family disruption, the loss of innocence, and the unsettling intrusion of the unknown. The story builds a palpable sense of tension, leaving the reader wondering about the significance of the occult book and the potential impact of the uncle's actions on Braden and his family.
Despite its engaging premise and exploration of complex family dynamics, "Say Uncle" falls slightly short in its execution. The treatment Braden receives from his family, particularly in light of the circumstances, can be disconcerting at times. Moreover, the ending feels somewhat rushed, lacking the detailed resolution that the intriguing setup deserves.
Nevertheless, "Say Uncle" remains an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, prompting reflection on the complexities of family relationships and the unsettling presence of hidden truths. It's a quick dip into a summer turned sour, leaving the reader with lingering questions about the characters and their fates.
August 25, 2025
The synopsis of Ryan C. Bradley’s Say Uncle is intriguing, but the story is mind-blowing! This is not at all a slow-burn, it captivates and holds your attention from the get-go, but the way the story relentlessly builds is enthralling.
The main character, Braden, is delightfully realistic, as are the other characters, from Braden’s perspective, and the first-person writing is spot on. The character interactions, ranging from humorous to disturbingly dark, are very entertaining. But the messed-up family dynamics are also frustratingly realistic, adding an additional undercurrent of darkness to this already intense tale.
This excellent story of mystery, intrigue, and supernatural horror is fleshed out with subplots of friendship, budding romance, and familial relationships; subtext regarding racial perceptions and misogyny; and engaging characters, making for an immersive reading experience.
I truly enjoyed this book. The story is fantastic and the twist is wicked. It’s a fun, fast read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/08/25/say-uncle/
The main character, Braden, is delightfully realistic, as are the other characters, from Braden’s perspective, and the first-person writing is spot on. The character interactions, ranging from humorous to disturbingly dark, are very entertaining. But the messed-up family dynamics are also frustratingly realistic, adding an additional undercurrent of darkness to this already intense tale.
This excellent story of mystery, intrigue, and supernatural horror is fleshed out with subplots of friendship, budding romance, and familial relationships; subtext regarding racial perceptions and misogyny; and engaging characters, making for an immersive reading experience.
I truly enjoyed this book. The story is fantastic and the twist is wicked. It’s a fun, fast read, and I cannot recommend it enough.
A Bibliophilia Templum review
https://bibliophiliatemplum.wordpress.com/2025/08/25/say-uncle/
March 20, 2025
Take the concept of Uncle Buck (an uncle showing up and staying at your house) add in some Hellraiser (an uncle doing demon shenanigans and willing to sacrifice for it) and mix in some post 9/11 life, male emotion suppression, and you get Say Uncle. Ryan delivers a great story about a 15-year-old boy dealing with typical teen stuff, getting a girlfriend, an older brother that's a bully (though there's some undiagnosed behaviors that add to this, still, as a 15 year old all you know is your getting wailed on), parents that just don't listen, and a crazy uncle.
The story does an excellent job at straddling horror, family tension, and humor. I'll say the humor isn't in the forefront, but an added spice to help break up the stress. I think all of us can see ourselves in Braden in some aspect, especially all of the teen stuff. I was really impressed with how real it all felt, not the demon stuff, unless you also deal with demons, then maybe that feels real. But, if you cut out the demon things, you would still have a great story about a family and growing up.
Anyway, this is a great book and totally something you should read!
The story does an excellent job at straddling horror, family tension, and humor. I'll say the humor isn't in the forefront, but an added spice to help break up the stress. I think all of us can see ourselves in Braden in some aspect, especially all of the teen stuff. I was really impressed with how real it all felt, not the demon stuff, unless you also deal with demons, then maybe that feels real. But, if you cut out the demon things, you would still have a great story about a family and growing up.
Anyway, this is a great book and totally something you should read!
March 4, 2025
First off, thank you to BookSirens and Ghoulish Books for the ARC read.
Creepy. The creepiness starts right away with the aunt and uncle excited about a murder that took place in their apartment bathroom and the boy cousin with a knife. Worst yet the creepy uncle moves in due to divorce bringing a mysterious book. So our 15 year MC looses his bedroom to his uncle for the summer while he is forced to bunk with his brother. There are family issues, PTSD post 9/11 and secrets that lead to horror.
This story moves very fast. At some points too fast and that it felt a bit awkward. Like I had missed something and I found myself going back to verify I didn’t. Some of the chapters seem to end abruptly and left me wanting or should I say expecting more. There is a lot of potential in this story though. I enjoyed it and maybe that is why I expected, or should I say wanted more. I liked the cosmic horror aspect of this story as well.
Overall this is an interesting story with a nice balance of humor, awkward teenagers and creepy uncle! It was a fun read.
Creepy. The creepiness starts right away with the aunt and uncle excited about a murder that took place in their apartment bathroom and the boy cousin with a knife. Worst yet the creepy uncle moves in due to divorce bringing a mysterious book. So our 15 year MC looses his bedroom to his uncle for the summer while he is forced to bunk with his brother. There are family issues, PTSD post 9/11 and secrets that lead to horror.
This story moves very fast. At some points too fast and that it felt a bit awkward. Like I had missed something and I found myself going back to verify I didn’t. Some of the chapters seem to end abruptly and left me wanting or should I say expecting more. There is a lot of potential in this story though. I enjoyed it and maybe that is why I expected, or should I say wanted more. I liked the cosmic horror aspect of this story as well.
Overall this is an interesting story with a nice balance of humor, awkward teenagers and creepy uncle! It was a fun read.
March 17, 2025
Ghoulish Books keeps publishing weirdly original, gripping and entertaining horror books, where you never really know from which side the horror is going to strike. Ryan C. Bradley's "Say Uncle" has that disorienting element, plotted tightly yet wildly messy, precisely fitting the awkward teenager first person POV it's told in: the story starts as a coming-of-age tale, but the author keeps adding twists and surprises, from family horror to cults and sorcery, to the point that I was indeed saying uncle at some point, so to speak. The novel is smart, funny, yet not hilariously funny - the issues it broaches are real and the narrator, 15-yo Braden, has a lot to learn about life, girls, and family, but his uncle Pauley seems to be the worst place he could go to if he's going to pick up firsthand what's needed. Uncle Pauley is the Cringe! reaction walking. But that's just the tip of the inceberg: because Uncle Pauley has The Book. And all hell breaks loose right after!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 23, 2025
2.5
This book had such an intriguing premise that I couldn’t pass it up. At first, it delivered exactly what I hoped for, I was really invested in how the story would unfold. It wasn’t overly creepy, but it had just the right dose of eeriness to keep me hooked. The characters were quirky and fun, and I especially loved the 2005 setting, which added a nostalgic charm.
However, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest. It started to drag while also feeling rushed at times, making the pacing feel uneven. The plot became somewhat ridiculous, and by the end, I realized I didn’t care much about how it all wrapped up. The first half, with its buildup and anticipation, was far more engaging than what followed.
That being said, the book did a great job portraying family tension and toxic masculinity, which added depth to the narrative. While it didn’t fully stick the landing for me, I still appreciate the themes it explored.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book had such an intriguing premise that I couldn’t pass it up. At first, it delivered exactly what I hoped for, I was really invested in how the story would unfold. It wasn’t overly creepy, but it had just the right dose of eeriness to keep me hooked. The characters were quirky and fun, and I especially loved the 2005 setting, which added a nostalgic charm.
However, as the story progressed, I found myself losing interest. It started to drag while also feeling rushed at times, making the pacing feel uneven. The plot became somewhat ridiculous, and by the end, I realized I didn’t care much about how it all wrapped up. The first half, with its buildup and anticipation, was far more engaging than what followed.
That being said, the book did a great job portraying family tension and toxic masculinity, which added depth to the narrative. While it didn’t fully stick the landing for me, I still appreciate the themes it explored.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 24, 2026
Say Uncle is a suspenseful tale told from the perspective of 15 year old Brayden. He’s a shy boy who is trying to find both his voice and his place in this world. He is often overshadowed by his siblings but perseveres until his world gets turned upside-down. His Uncle has moved in for an undetermined amount of time and Brayden has to give up his bed to sleep on the floor in his brother’s room.
Brayden starts to notice his Uncle has some strange quirks. He has secrets that Brayden is determined to discover.
Meanwhile, Brayden is smitten with a young girl he knew from his previous school. Bradley takes us through all the awkwardness of dating for the first time and reminds us of the teen angst we all survived.
Bradley keeps us on our toes with a lot going on at once. The individual arcs of the characters fit together well. The topics of murder, the occult, sacrifice, and the supernatural kick this story up a notch.
If you are ready to take this journey with Brayden to discover if family is truly thicker than blood, you gotta check this one out!
Brayden starts to notice his Uncle has some strange quirks. He has secrets that Brayden is determined to discover.
Meanwhile, Brayden is smitten with a young girl he knew from his previous school. Bradley takes us through all the awkwardness of dating for the first time and reminds us of the teen angst we all survived.
Bradley keeps us on our toes with a lot going on at once. The individual arcs of the characters fit together well. The topics of murder, the occult, sacrifice, and the supernatural kick this story up a notch.
If you are ready to take this journey with Brayden to discover if family is truly thicker than blood, you gotta check this one out!
June 5, 2025
Hi there folks,
This is Stephen (Lee) Louderback, writing a review as promised for the book Say Uncle, by Ryan C. Bradley.
Short answer: I enjoyed reading the book.
Long answer: The author intended to write (at least partly) about toxic maleness, and it delivered without interfering with a good non-formula story line.
As usual with me, it took a little time to sync to the teen mindset of the protagonist, but that's an issue with me, my age, and my reading choices, not this book.
Overall, I enjoyed the read.
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POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW
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not really a spoiler but I couldn't find a way to reach you privately...
A couple of sentences are missing words:
"She wants to (missing word) how I provoked him.
"When I was (missing word) kid...
This is Stephen (Lee) Louderback, writing a review as promised for the book Say Uncle, by Ryan C. Bradley.
Short answer: I enjoyed reading the book.
Long answer: The author intended to write (at least partly) about toxic maleness, and it delivered without interfering with a good non-formula story line.
As usual with me, it took a little time to sync to the teen mindset of the protagonist, but that's an issue with me, my age, and my reading choices, not this book.
Overall, I enjoyed the read.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
\
not really a spoiler but I couldn't find a way to reach you privately...
A couple of sentences are missing words:
"She wants to (missing word) how I provoked him.
"When I was (missing word) kid...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2025
teenage braden is trying to make the best of his summer despite his abusive brother and infuriating, clueless parents, but when his piece of shit uncle starts staying with them during his divorce, he brings along a violent, dangerous occult mess that, frankly, really fucks with braden's plans. this was fun! i was absolutely raging at the protag's family the entire time bc they were all (except for his little sister) horrible, awful, bad people. like, the uncle was The Bad Guy, but he was really just bad in a different way to all the other bad people. i loved braden's relationship with his best friend who was a huge nerd and way too cool for braden, and i thought the way he was attempting to navigate things with his first girlfriend was very sweet. the ending of it all infuriated me so much that as soon as i put the book down i started texting a friend about it furiously lol. 3/5.
March 4, 2025
Ryan C. Bradley does a fantastic job in writing this book, it had that cosmic horror element that I was hoping for. I was engaged with what was happening and enjoyed the overall feel of this. It had that dark humor that I was looking for and had that element that worked. The characters worked well in this world and was glad I got to read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 5, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is a spooky cosmic horror novel with some coming of age elements - the world-building is really good, and as someone who was also 15 in 2005, it definitely feels like how growing up as a teenager was during that time. Viewing toxic masculinity and privilege from the book's perspective was super interesting, and brought to mind Black Christmas (2019) for me. Overall, I enjoyed it and highly recommend.
This is a spooky cosmic horror novel with some coming of age elements - the world-building is really good, and as someone who was also 15 in 2005, it definitely feels like how growing up as a teenager was during that time. Viewing toxic masculinity and privilege from the book's perspective was super interesting, and brought to mind Black Christmas (2019) for me. Overall, I enjoyed it and highly recommend.
March 6, 2025
SAY UNCLE starts like the best of coming-of-age story: one about family, young love, and identity. Then the rot rears its head. Cultists, murder, unwanted obligations, and your favorite uncle stealing your bedroom – then trying to sacrifice your girl. Bradley has dropped an absolute wrecking ball of a story. Thoroughly recommended.
May 1, 2025
When 15-year-old Braden’s crass, chauvinistic uncle Pauly moves in, Braden discovers he's more than just a misogynist. He finds an occult book filled with strange symbols and disturbing rituals. A wild time ensues as Pauly is hellbent on safeguarding his power and legacy.
May 10, 2025
Not usually into monster horror, but SAY UNCLE has a fun one! 🍃Meanwhile, teenager Braden falls in love for the first time and has his eyes opened to some harsh truths about family, marriage, and magic all over the course of one summer in 2005.
June 20, 2025
If Uncle Buck was evil and in a Creepshow comic or TV episode, you'd have Say Uncle. I love Ryan's writing and this novel was really propulsive, cosmic, darkly funny, and coming-of-age. Will read whatever other horrors Ryan C. Bradley has up his sleeve.
November 20, 2025
I absolutely laughed out loud and cringed at times. Ryan C. Bradley knows how to make you feel like you’re hanging out with friends and get under your skin at the same time. I highly recommend reading this book.
June 7, 2025
Say Uncle had a brilliant blend of horror, fantasy, and downright WTF moments! A great read from Ryan, had me genuinely worried about where it was going and kept me guessing.
July 16, 2025
This book really brought me back to my childhood times. Very spooky read. Highly recommend it!
March 12, 2026
Propulsive. I couldn’t put it down. Finished it in a day.
May 20, 2025
A delightfully cracked bit of nostalgia looking back at what are, for many of us, simultaneously the best and worst years of our lives. The brilliant bit about Say Uncle, as with many horror stories, is that this could easily be a human drama piece if it weren't for the black magic swirling under the surface. Think of it like a very special episode of "The Wonder Years" where Kevin finds that box from Hellraiser.
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