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MARKED BY THE OUIJA: ONCE MARKED, THERE'S NO TURNING BACK
A chilling mystery, inspired by true events…
When a group of friends stumble upon a brand-new Ouija board, a night of harmless fun spirals into a terrifying encounter with the unknown. Spooked by the pleas of restless spirit “Peter”, they burn the board — which reappears the next day, without a trace of the fire.
Haunted by cryptic warnings, unexplainable phenomena, and a message they can’t ignore, the thrillseekers find themselves tangled in ghostly vengeance. As the line between the natural and the supernatural blurs, they face a life-altering Can they trust the board, or are they unleashing a darkness far beyond their control?
Perfect for fans of paranormal thrillers and spine-tingling horror, Marked by the Ouija explores the sinister consequences of unchecked curiosity.
When a group of friends stumble upon a brand-new Ouija board, a night of harmless fun spirals into a terrifying encounter with the unknown. Spooked by the pleas of restless spirit “Peter”, they burn the board — which reappears the next day, without a trace of the fire.
Haunted by cryptic warnings, unexplainable phenomena, and a message they can’t ignore, the thrillseekers find themselves tangled in ghostly vengeance. As the line between the natural and the supernatural blurs, they face a life-altering Can they trust the board, or are they unleashing a darkness far beyond their control?
Perfect for fans of paranormal thrillers and spine-tingling horror, Marked by the Ouija explores the sinister consequences of unchecked curiosity.
71 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2025
6 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 9, 2025
This book haunted me—in the best way possible. I devoured it in one sitting, unable to look away as the darkness unfolded. I’ve always been drawn to the paranormal, but Marked by the Ouija took it to another level. The way Scott Wells explores the dangers of messing with forces we don’t understand sent shivers down my spine. The presence of the Ouija board wasn’t just creepy—it was downright terrifying. The suspense is relentless, the horror is bone-chilling, and the atmosphere is soaked in dread. A terrifying and unforgettable read. 5 stars, without hesitation. I’m already craving more nightmares from this author.
August 15, 2025
A group of friends, a brand new Ouija board, a persistent ghost named Peter, a mysterious car, enigmatic events, and a spooky abandoned old house; sounds like a recipe for trouble, doesn’t it? Put those very elements in the gifted mind of Scott Wells and brace yourself for the teen/YA horror story Marked by the Ouija: Once Marked, There’s No Turning Back.
Wells’ classic tale of teenagers innocently playing with a Ouija board has a great sense of atmosphere. I was little surprised fog didn’t magically ooze out of my e-reader. The period here is intentionally tough to navigate. It feels modern, and still decades old at the same time. The author has included amazing color drawings that have a very retro feel, adding to that sense of temporal liquidity while providing clues to the reader who takes the time to study them.
These pictures are an echo of the old kids’ mysteries from the mid-twentieth century, like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. These classics provided readers a sense of the action, but not necessarily an accurate depiction of such, having given in to the artistic side of the scene. These elements are very subtle yet help to create an unsettling sense for readers as they question what is reality as opposed to a teen’s active imagination.
When Jason and Nathan sit down to play with a Ouija board game they discover at Matt’s house, they have no idea how their lives are about to change. To them, this is just a silly way to spend a little time and have a few laughs, nothing more. But as the board starts to send cryptic messages to them, panic sets in. They’re trying to convince themselves it’s just a very good hoax, but—it’s so real…
If a heart attack was the result of the overpowering terror that surged through his soul, then Jason made a promise to come back and scare the bejesus out of anyone and everyone who thought they were in control of their Ouija board experience. He would make sure, in no uncertain terms, that they were not in control and at his mercy.
The experience of Jason and Nathan has them reeling and wanting to destroy the Ouija board. They set it on fire with the help of another neighbor, Trent, and burn it to ash. Nathan and Jason have no intention of ever messing with that nonsense again. Yet this tale is far from over, as the board reappears the next morning, unharmed and looking brand new.
Now Matt, Trent, and his sister Darcy want to see what the big deal is about, and there’s no turning back. Before they can draw a breath, they’re being virtually yelled at by the ghost Peter, chased by a sinister car, and scared half to death. Unlike the board’s first victims, however, the frightened trio feels obligated to rescue Peter’s sister from certain death. So, they bravely continue their terrifying encounters.
Marked by the Ouija explores such deep themes as fate, choices, and the prospect of free will while providing readers a spine-tingling glimpse of the paranormal. Each of the characters within this novella experiences unexplainable and significant terror, yet they display their own personalities in their responses to the ghostly events. Adding even more depth to the story, Wells provides great layering with metaphorical imagery, especially in the dark and terrifying scenes that take place in the yard of the house Peter sends them to.
This is a great spooky read for teen and young adult readers who enjoy thrillers, horror stories, or paranormal novellas designed to give you the creeps. It’s a fairly quick read at 83 pages, and one that won’t let you go until the story is told. I suspect many readers will want to turn around and read it again to see how many clues and foreshadowing events they might have missed in their first read through. I highly recommend Scott Wells’ Marked by the Ouija for its depth while still providing readers with a shockingly and frightfully fun story.
Wells’ classic tale of teenagers innocently playing with a Ouija board has a great sense of atmosphere. I was little surprised fog didn’t magically ooze out of my e-reader. The period here is intentionally tough to navigate. It feels modern, and still decades old at the same time. The author has included amazing color drawings that have a very retro feel, adding to that sense of temporal liquidity while providing clues to the reader who takes the time to study them.
These pictures are an echo of the old kids’ mysteries from the mid-twentieth century, like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys. These classics provided readers a sense of the action, but not necessarily an accurate depiction of such, having given in to the artistic side of the scene. These elements are very subtle yet help to create an unsettling sense for readers as they question what is reality as opposed to a teen’s active imagination.
When Jason and Nathan sit down to play with a Ouija board game they discover at Matt’s house, they have no idea how their lives are about to change. To them, this is just a silly way to spend a little time and have a few laughs, nothing more. But as the board starts to send cryptic messages to them, panic sets in. They’re trying to convince themselves it’s just a very good hoax, but—it’s so real…
If a heart attack was the result of the overpowering terror that surged through his soul, then Jason made a promise to come back and scare the bejesus out of anyone and everyone who thought they were in control of their Ouija board experience. He would make sure, in no uncertain terms, that they were not in control and at his mercy.
The experience of Jason and Nathan has them reeling and wanting to destroy the Ouija board. They set it on fire with the help of another neighbor, Trent, and burn it to ash. Nathan and Jason have no intention of ever messing with that nonsense again. Yet this tale is far from over, as the board reappears the next morning, unharmed and looking brand new.
Now Matt, Trent, and his sister Darcy want to see what the big deal is about, and there’s no turning back. Before they can draw a breath, they’re being virtually yelled at by the ghost Peter, chased by a sinister car, and scared half to death. Unlike the board’s first victims, however, the frightened trio feels obligated to rescue Peter’s sister from certain death. So, they bravely continue their terrifying encounters.
Marked by the Ouija explores such deep themes as fate, choices, and the prospect of free will while providing readers a spine-tingling glimpse of the paranormal. Each of the characters within this novella experiences unexplainable and significant terror, yet they display their own personalities in their responses to the ghostly events. Adding even more depth to the story, Wells provides great layering with metaphorical imagery, especially in the dark and terrifying scenes that take place in the yard of the house Peter sends them to.
This is a great spooky read for teen and young adult readers who enjoy thrillers, horror stories, or paranormal novellas designed to give you the creeps. It’s a fairly quick read at 83 pages, and one that won’t let you go until the story is told. I suspect many readers will want to turn around and read it again to see how many clues and foreshadowing events they might have missed in their first read through. I highly recommend Scott Wells’ Marked by the Ouija for its depth while still providing readers with a shockingly and frightfully fun story.
January 19, 2026
Marked by the Ouija pulled me in quickly and never really let go. What starts as a familiar horror setup, a group of friends messing around with a Ouija board, evolves into something far more unsettling and emotionally grounded than I expected. Scott Wells takes a well-known paranormal trope and gives it real weight by focusing on consequences, guilt, and the creeping sense that some doors, once opened, don’t close.
One of the strongest elements of the book is atmosphere. The tension builds steadily rather than relying on constant shocks. The reappearance of the burned Ouija board is genuinely chilling, and from that moment on, the story carries a persistent sense of dread. The spirit “Peter” is especially effective, not because of over-the-top horror, but because of how ambiguous his intentions remain. I found myself constantly questioning whether the warnings were meant to help or manipulate, which kept me engaged all the way through.
The characters feel believable in the way they react to fear, denial, curiosity, panic, and eventually desperation. Their skepticism fades at a realistic pace, and the group dynamic adds to the tension as trust begins to fracture. I appreciated that the paranormal elements were balanced with emotional stakes; the hauntings aren’t just scary, they’re personal.
Wells’ writing style is accessible and visual, making it easy to imagine each scene without bogging the story down in unnecessary detail. The horror is more psychological than graphic, which makes it linger longer. By the final act, the sense of inevitability is heavy, and the choices the characters face feel genuinely life-altering.
Overall, Marked by the Ouija is a solid paranormal thriller that understands what makes ghost stories effective: mystery, restraint, and consequences. It’s a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys supernatural horror that builds slowly and leaves you uneasy even after you’ve closed the book.
One of the strongest elements of the book is atmosphere. The tension builds steadily rather than relying on constant shocks. The reappearance of the burned Ouija board is genuinely chilling, and from that moment on, the story carries a persistent sense of dread. The spirit “Peter” is especially effective, not because of over-the-top horror, but because of how ambiguous his intentions remain. I found myself constantly questioning whether the warnings were meant to help or manipulate, which kept me engaged all the way through.
The characters feel believable in the way they react to fear, denial, curiosity, panic, and eventually desperation. Their skepticism fades at a realistic pace, and the group dynamic adds to the tension as trust begins to fracture. I appreciated that the paranormal elements were balanced with emotional stakes; the hauntings aren’t just scary, they’re personal.
Wells’ writing style is accessible and visual, making it easy to imagine each scene without bogging the story down in unnecessary detail. The horror is more psychological than graphic, which makes it linger longer. By the final act, the sense of inevitability is heavy, and the choices the characters face feel genuinely life-altering.
Overall, Marked by the Ouija is a solid paranormal thriller that understands what makes ghost stories effective: mystery, restraint, and consequences. It’s a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys supernatural horror that builds slowly and leaves you uneasy even after you’ve closed the book.
August 21, 2025
So… you thought a Ouija board from Walmart couldn’t kill you?
Marked by the Ouija is what happens when “squad goals” meets “paranormal trauma.” Scott Wells serves us a vintage-style teenage horror ride with a modern twist, where a group of kids gets all up in spirit business they have no clearance for. What starts as a curious finger-tickle on the planchette turns into a full-blown demonic game of hide and seek.
We’ve got haunted game night, malfunctioning chandeliers, mystery girl kidnappings, and one ghost who is not done haunting. Add in small-town nosiness, a weirdly cursed game that keeps resurrecting itself like your toxic ex, and you’ve got a recipe for campfire chaos meets true crime podcast bait.
And let’s talk Trent for a second. Baby boy said, “No, we won’t” to a ghost… and the ghost said, “Bet.” ICONIC. Matt? The prankster MVP with a secret altar of Christmas decorations in a closet trapdoor. And Darcy? She’s our blonde queen, part-time ghost whisperer, full-time detective with the energy of a caffeinated Buffy Summers.
Now, is this book super deep and literary? No. But is it the kind of thing that makes you go double-check your closet and swear you heard your toaster whisper “help her”? Absolutely.
☠️ Trigger Warnings:
• Paranormal activity
• Death
• Claustrophobia
• Descriptions of emotional trauma and past grief
• Possible demonic possession
• Teens doing wildly unsafe things with zero adult supervision
Summary Vibes (Quick Takes):
• Impact: Engaging
• Research: Unbiased
• Structure: Cohesive
• Characters: Relatable, though sometimes “teenager dumb”
• Plot: Addictive with a twist of “WTF”
• Setting: Eerie suburban nostalgia
• Writing Style: Easy to read, cinematic
• Content Warning Shorthand: grief, death, haunting, emotional distress
Marked by the Ouija is what happens when “squad goals” meets “paranormal trauma.” Scott Wells serves us a vintage-style teenage horror ride with a modern twist, where a group of kids gets all up in spirit business they have no clearance for. What starts as a curious finger-tickle on the planchette turns into a full-blown demonic game of hide and seek.
We’ve got haunted game night, malfunctioning chandeliers, mystery girl kidnappings, and one ghost who is not done haunting. Add in small-town nosiness, a weirdly cursed game that keeps resurrecting itself like your toxic ex, and you’ve got a recipe for campfire chaos meets true crime podcast bait.
And let’s talk Trent for a second. Baby boy said, “No, we won’t” to a ghost… and the ghost said, “Bet.” ICONIC. Matt? The prankster MVP with a secret altar of Christmas decorations in a closet trapdoor. And Darcy? She’s our blonde queen, part-time ghost whisperer, full-time detective with the energy of a caffeinated Buffy Summers.
Now, is this book super deep and literary? No. But is it the kind of thing that makes you go double-check your closet and swear you heard your toaster whisper “help her”? Absolutely.
☠️ Trigger Warnings:
• Paranormal activity
• Death
• Claustrophobia
• Descriptions of emotional trauma and past grief
• Possible demonic possession
• Teens doing wildly unsafe things with zero adult supervision
Summary Vibes (Quick Takes):
• Impact: Engaging
• Research: Unbiased
• Structure: Cohesive
• Characters: Relatable, though sometimes “teenager dumb”
• Plot: Addictive with a twist of “WTF”
• Setting: Eerie suburban nostalgia
• Writing Style: Easy to read, cinematic
• Content Warning Shorthand: grief, death, haunting, emotional distress
August 8, 2025
When I read the premise of this story I was really intrigued because I am a real huge fan of horror and Ouija is one of my favorite movies. So I thought this book would be right up my alley.
Unfortunately, to my surprise this was kind of a let down for a paranormal thriller. There were a few moments where there was some suspense but this book went from 0 to 100 when it came to the speed things were progressing in just a few paragraphs and the pace of the story.
There was no real fix to the problem the characters were given to try to solve. Plus the explanations of the Ouija board rules or research was lacking. The ending was also confusing given that it was wrapped up abruptly because to this story's status as a novella.
Other than that it was an okay read, helped me kill a few hours.
I received a free copy of this book via Plot Twist Ink & WPR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Unfortunately, to my surprise this was kind of a let down for a paranormal thriller. There were a few moments where there was some suspense but this book went from 0 to 100 when it came to the speed things were progressing in just a few paragraphs and the pace of the story.
There was no real fix to the problem the characters were given to try to solve. Plus the explanations of the Ouija board rules or research was lacking. The ending was also confusing given that it was wrapped up abruptly because to this story's status as a novella.
Other than that it was an okay read, helped me kill a few hours.
I received a free copy of this book via Plot Twist Ink & WPR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 7, 2025
A thriller in which a simple pastime game turns into something far bigger than intended. The questions, asked initially at random, don’t just bring expected answers—they seem to bargain with the players, suggesting things they may not even be ready to confront. Being inspired by real events adds even more weight to the story, making it feel like our new urban legend.
Just like the advice we’ve heard since childhood: never ask who’s knocking at the door, if you’re alone in a room never answer when someone calls your name, never insist on finding out where a call from a stranger is coming from… Perhaps it’s best not to start something if you’re not ready to deal with it.
I received a free copy of this book via Plot Twist Ink & WPR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Just like the advice we’ve heard since childhood: never ask who’s knocking at the door, if you’re alone in a room never answer when someone calls your name, never insist on finding out where a call from a stranger is coming from… Perhaps it’s best not to start something if you’re not ready to deal with it.
I received a free copy of this book via Plot Twist Ink & WPR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 9, 2025
A pulse-pounding, spine-tingling descent into teenage fear and supernatural reckoning. Marked by the Ouija expertly blends classic ghost story vibes with modern teen drama. Think Stranger Things meets The Craft, with a deeply personal and haunting twist.
September 19, 2025
Overall, the story was fun, and I always love a good yarn involving the supernatural. I wish it had been a little longer to flesh out some bits here and there, but it was still a good scary tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Plot Twist Ink & WPR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Plot Twist Ink & WPR and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 17, 2026
It leaves a lot of unanswered questions.
Why wasn't the killer brought to justice?
Why does Peter think the girl is alive?
Have others suffered the same fate as Trent?
Why wasn't the killer brought to justice?
Why does Peter think the girl is alive?
Have others suffered the same fate as Trent?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews