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Red Walls
On the anniversary of her sister’s death, Talia returns home after curfew, bloodied and bruised. She’s desperate to keep it from her parents; she knows what they’ll do.
But when Autumn and Colin realize what’s happened to their daughter, they don’t intend to stay idle.
Leaving Talia with friends, her parents go after the monsters who hurt their child … but they never expected to find real monsters. They aren’t prepared for what is behind the urban legends of Red Walls House. Monsters with white eyes, clawed fingers, and sizzling tongues who ate pieces of their daughter.
Now it’s Talia and her friends who must return to Red Walls House on a rescue mission. Talia’s just praying she can get everyone out of there alive.
Graphic, gory horror with an emotional heart, Red Walls portrays family trauma as it both unites and almost destroys Talia’s family.
But when Autumn and Colin realize what’s happened to their daughter, they don’t intend to stay idle.
Leaving Talia with friends, her parents go after the monsters who hurt their child … but they never expected to find real monsters. They aren’t prepared for what is behind the urban legends of Red Walls House. Monsters with white eyes, clawed fingers, and sizzling tongues who ate pieces of their daughter.
Now it’s Talia and her friends who must return to Red Walls House on a rescue mission. Talia’s just praying she can get everyone out of there alive.
Graphic, gory horror with an emotional heart, Red Walls portrays family trauma as it both unites and almost destroys Talia’s family.
- GenresHorrorSupernatural
198 pages, Paperback
Published May 9, 2025
8 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Christina Bergling
28 books91 followersDrawn to the monstrous and macabre, Christina Bergling has been weaving nightmares since childhood. Her horror tales slither from post-apocalyptic (Savages, Screechers) to monster (Red Walls) psychological (The Waning) to comedy (The Rest Will Come) to mystery (Followers) and anything in between (various anthologies and zines including The Horror Collection series, 96th of October, Graveyard Girls, Demonic Wildlife).
Bergling is a member of the Horror Writers Association, Denver Horror Collective, and Midnight Monster Club and a dedicated voice in the horror genre. She has been featured on panels at Colorado Festival of Horror. She devours horror in all its forms—movies, books, festivals, conventions, stores, haunted attractions.
By day, she navigates the shadows of the IT world. By night, she turns trauma into art. When she’s not writing, she hikes rugged Colorado trails, dances wildly, and sucks out all the marrow of life with her family.
Bergling is a member of the Horror Writers Association, Denver Horror Collective, and Midnight Monster Club and a dedicated voice in the horror genre. She has been featured on panels at Colorado Festival of Horror. She devours horror in all its forms—movies, books, festivals, conventions, stores, haunted attractions.
By day, she navigates the shadows of the IT world. By night, she turns trauma into art. When she’s not writing, she hikes rugged Colorado trails, dances wildly, and sucks out all the marrow of life with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
April 29, 2025
I enjoyed this one a lot, and was very glad it went fully supernatural and didn't limit itself to human-caused mayhem. It's a chilling book about monsters, and it pulls no punches when it comes to realistic portrayals of what happens when common people go against experienced, merciless, supernatural, flesh-eating beings.
I especially liked the gore and the graphic violence, though the pacing of the relevant scenes was too slow for me; I'm used to organs flying left and right, and this felt more like surgery. The "bury your gays" trope is smartly used, the notion of "found family" provides the occasion for some really harrowing and heart-breaking scenes; some crucial moments in the book, however, didn't feel entirely convincing to me, psychologically speaking: would parents really go blind and without any training (just with some vague and never fully explained "old plan") against complete strangers, in a house with a bad reputation, in which they've never been before, without any detailed knowledge even, of what really happened to their daughter? (What if the freaks turned out to be armed, ripped, and baked?) Well, perhaps they would, having already lost one daughter. And perhaps I'm just not all that much for this kind of spontaneity. That said, the book is exceptionally well written, with a dark ending, unabashedly terrifying and brutal. A great read I eagerly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I especially liked the gore and the graphic violence, though the pacing of the relevant scenes was too slow for me; I'm used to organs flying left and right, and this felt more like surgery. The "bury your gays" trope is smartly used, the notion of "found family" provides the occasion for some really harrowing and heart-breaking scenes; some crucial moments in the book, however, didn't feel entirely convincing to me, psychologically speaking: would parents really go blind and without any training (just with some vague and never fully explained "old plan") against complete strangers, in a house with a bad reputation, in which they've never been before, without any detailed knowledge even, of what really happened to their daughter? (What if the freaks turned out to be armed, ripped, and baked?) Well, perhaps they would, having already lost one daughter. And perhaps I'm just not all that much for this kind of spontaneity. That said, the book is exceptionally well written, with a dark ending, unabashedly terrifying and brutal. A great read I eagerly recommend!
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 6, 2025
Oh, honey. This isn’t just a book—it’s a full-throttle, blood-boiling scream dipped in gasoline and set on fire with a mother’s fury. Christina Bergling didn’t write a novel. She summoned a war cry.
Let’s break this down, shall we?
Talia’s trauma isn’t delicately hinted at—it bludgeons you in the face like it did her. The horror isn’t the supernatural kind (though don’t get comfy), it’s the kind that festers in real-life suburbia, wearing the face of your neighbor, wrapped in privilege and immunity. The story kicks off with an assault, and no, it’s not symbolic. It’s real. It’s raw. It’s the beginning of a generational reckoning led by one of the most dangerous forces on Earth: a mother who’s done playing nice.
Enter Autumn. Black mother. Formerly grieving. Currently enraged. Armed with conditioner, a kill bag, and a history that’s finally had enough. Watching her go from cooing lullabies to strategizing murder like she’s the PTA’s John Wick? Chef’s kiss. That’s not character development—it’s a reckoning wrapped in a silk bonnet.
The writing is razor-sharp, the pacing surgical, and the emotional depth? Honey, it guts you while still holding your hair back like a good friend when you’re spiraling at 3 a.m. The tension builds until you’re sweating through your sheets and questioning whether you need a kill bag.
Spice Level:
Low on heat, but high on holy sht*—this isn’t a romance. It’s a love letter to rage, protection, and healing, all delivered with a twist of cold-blooded vengeance.
Trigger Warnings (seriously, don’t skip):
Sexual assault, trauma, PTSD, police negligence, racism, systemic injustice, grief over a lost child, vigilante justice, and morally gray murder plots (and honestly, they’re the least disturbing part).
Final Thoughts:
Red Walls is not for the faint of heart, but it is for anyone who’s ever wanted to burn down the patriarchy with their bare hands and a blowtorch from Home Depot. This is horror as resistance, trauma as weaponry, and motherhood as divine retribution.
Moral of the story:
If you hurt her baby? She’s not calling the cops. She’s calling her rage.
May 9, 2025
Every town has a place that locals avoid, the residents telling tales of horror that may or may not be based in fact. In Red Walls, the Monere house is part of the lore of the town, but the horror there are real and the history of the property is still being written. That is what Talia soon finds out on her way home from a party on the anniversary of her sister's death. Talia turned to alcohol to ease the hurt, but pain found her all the same.
What follows is a revenge tale unlike any other, with grief-stricken parents heading to the scene of the crime to avenge their living daughter, as well as to somewhat soften the pain of their other loss. Autumn and Colin quickly find out that the objects of their anger and grief are not entirely human.
Red Walls is a fast-paced horror tale taking place in a property that feels somehow expansive and claustrophobic all at the same time. The action comes thick and fast, as does the blood splatter, in what might be my favorite read of 2025 to this point.
What follows is a revenge tale unlike any other, with grief-stricken parents heading to the scene of the crime to avenge their living daughter, as well as to somewhat soften the pain of their other loss. Autumn and Colin quickly find out that the objects of their anger and grief are not entirely human.
Red Walls is a fast-paced horror tale taking place in a property that feels somehow expansive and claustrophobic all at the same time. The action comes thick and fast, as does the blood splatter, in what might be my favorite read of 2025 to this point.
May 6, 2025
BOOK REVIEW: I received this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review of this book.
This book took me back to my roots; to the very beginning of my book reading journey. I am a supernatural, horror and gore to the core person and this book fulfilled all of that. This book reminded me of why I love that genre so much. While this was a short story , I could have literally read a 600 page novel based on this.
You'll connect with Talia (our MC), Willow and Ricky. The characters were very well developed. I loved the development of Talia's story and how we got to learn more about her as time went on. This was the perfect story of revenge gone wrong while also dealing with grief and loss.
This literally satisfied the horror geek in me. I have absolutely missed reading books like this. I now want to read more from this author.
This book took me back to my roots; to the very beginning of my book reading journey. I am a supernatural, horror and gore to the core person and this book fulfilled all of that. This book reminded me of why I love that genre so much. While this was a short story , I could have literally read a 600 page novel based on this.
You'll connect with Talia (our MC), Willow and Ricky. The characters were very well developed. I loved the development of Talia's story and how we got to learn more about her as time went on. This was the perfect story of revenge gone wrong while also dealing with grief and loss.
This literally satisfied the horror geek in me. I have absolutely missed reading books like this. I now want to read more from this author.
May 26, 2025
There wasn't a single second while reading this book I knew, or could predict, what would happen next. The story was twisty and unpredictable in all the best ways!
Bergling does an amazing job building tension and suspense at the start of the book as we are trying to find out what in the world is going on.
Once we're in the Red Walls House, complete chaos, and a whole lotta bloodshed, ensues. I squirmed my way through the action and loved it.
This needs to be your next monster read. Right now please 😉
Bergling does an amazing job building tension and suspense at the start of the book as we are trying to find out what in the world is going on.
Once we're in the Red Walls House, complete chaos, and a whole lotta bloodshed, ensues. I squirmed my way through the action and loved it.
This needs to be your next monster read. Right now please 😉
May 11, 2025
I really enjoyed how this book kept me guessing. It hooked me quickly and kept me hungry for more.
May 3, 2025
Everyone knows the legends surrounding Red Walls House. And everyone keeps their distance.
The house has a macabre reputation outside of it's walls but what resides inside is much, much worse.
"They are monsters. Monsters take many forms"
This short story is crammed packed with action, shock and gore. And is thoroughly entertaining. Considering its length, and that it moves between a Friday and Saturday timeline (with some throwbacks to the past) it really delivers a satisfying tale.
The story plays out like a horror movie: victims running through a house trying to escape their fate, whilst monsters toy with them and revel in the chase. However, the story holds more than your typical horror/monster/slasher movie vibe.
The characters are represented well, all have their own stories and are well written. There are some brilliant flashes and merging of scenes. Particularly around the MC, Talia, where we see the lines blur between what she is currently experiencing to scenes when she lost her sister. And these scenes build on each other giving the reader more insight into the past and what has brought the characters to this particular point.
Her best friends, Willow and Ricky are absolutely brilliant. I loved Ricky as soon as he made his entrance into the story. He's the kind of guy, that as a bestie, has your back despite the trials that his own life throws at him. It makes you wish you had friends like them as they rally around Talia. They put aside fear to go with her on a rescue mission that can only go horribly wrong.
The story is about vengeance gone wrong. If her parents had stayed home after Talia had returned home (after a horrifying experience at the house) events might have gone differently. But as with loss and grief, thinking isn't always clear and the writer explores this concept really well.
The monsters are well written, although I would love to know more about their origin. They bring a viking era feel, with a twist of cannibal- vampire.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style which felt bold, built tension and created some intense imagery.
I would absolutely recommend Red Walls to horror fans, and encourage curious readers to check trigger warnings before entering the tale of Red Walls.
My heart-felt thanks to the author for allowing me to read and review "Red Walls" and be thoroughly entertained by the most sinister of monsters.
Red Walls is unleashed on the 9th May 2025
The house has a macabre reputation outside of it's walls but what resides inside is much, much worse.
"They are monsters. Monsters take many forms"
This short story is crammed packed with action, shock and gore. And is thoroughly entertaining. Considering its length, and that it moves between a Friday and Saturday timeline (with some throwbacks to the past) it really delivers a satisfying tale.
The story plays out like a horror movie: victims running through a house trying to escape their fate, whilst monsters toy with them and revel in the chase. However, the story holds more than your typical horror/monster/slasher movie vibe.
The characters are represented well, all have their own stories and are well written. There are some brilliant flashes and merging of scenes. Particularly around the MC, Talia, where we see the lines blur between what she is currently experiencing to scenes when she lost her sister. And these scenes build on each other giving the reader more insight into the past and what has brought the characters to this particular point.
Her best friends, Willow and Ricky are absolutely brilliant. I loved Ricky as soon as he made his entrance into the story. He's the kind of guy, that as a bestie, has your back despite the trials that his own life throws at him. It makes you wish you had friends like them as they rally around Talia. They put aside fear to go with her on a rescue mission that can only go horribly wrong.
The story is about vengeance gone wrong. If her parents had stayed home after Talia had returned home (after a horrifying experience at the house) events might have gone differently. But as with loss and grief, thinking isn't always clear and the writer explores this concept really well.
The monsters are well written, although I would love to know more about their origin. They bring a viking era feel, with a twist of cannibal- vampire.
I really enjoyed the author's writing style which felt bold, built tension and created some intense imagery.
I would absolutely recommend Red Walls to horror fans, and encourage curious readers to check trigger warnings before entering the tale of Red Walls.
My heart-felt thanks to the author for allowing me to read and review "Red Walls" and be thoroughly entertained by the most sinister of monsters.
Red Walls is unleashed on the 9th May 2025
June 9, 2025
When the book first opened, I thought I knew what had happened to Talia. I was wrong, very wrong. I fell into the same trap as Talia's mother, and so the revelation of Red Walls House caught me completely off guard.
The first part of the book is told out of order, jumping between flashbacks of the day leading up to her attack, and her parents and friends responding in the aftermath, up until what really happened to Talia is revealed, and then everything after that is told in chronological order.
The author does a great job of describing the physical sensations of fear and anger -- they're visceral and immersive. Bergling doesn't just say that "Talia wanted to cry," but she instead describes the tingling in her sinuses and the tightness in her chest. The same goes for motherly rage and mortal terror.
The monsters are unique. I liked that we aren't given a name for what they are, with only vague allusions to their origin. Sometimes, that's more effective for building suspense and fear, and I thought it worked well here.
This could have been a 5-star read for me, but I found the ending a little lackluster. I wanted to see that final conflict, and it felt like it cut off a bit abruptly. This book is also the result of two characters making a string of bad decisions. Even though those decisions were made from a combination of trauma, panic, and revenge, I still found myself wanting to smack both of them. They make these decisions, and everyone else has to pay the price, too.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The first part of the book is told out of order, jumping between flashbacks of the day leading up to her attack, and her parents and friends responding in the aftermath, up until what really happened to Talia is revealed, and then everything after that is told in chronological order.
The author does a great job of describing the physical sensations of fear and anger -- they're visceral and immersive. Bergling doesn't just say that "Talia wanted to cry," but she instead describes the tingling in her sinuses and the tightness in her chest. The same goes for motherly rage and mortal terror.
The monsters are unique. I liked that we aren't given a name for what they are, with only vague allusions to their origin. Sometimes, that's more effective for building suspense and fear, and I thought it worked well here.
This could have been a 5-star read for me, but I found the ending a little lackluster. I wanted to see that final conflict, and it felt like it cut off a bit abruptly. This book is also the result of two characters making a string of bad decisions. Even though those decisions were made from a combination of trauma, panic, and revenge, I still found myself wanting to smack both of them. They make these decisions, and everyone else has to pay the price, too.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 29, 2025
Autumn and Colin are barely holding it together. After losing their daughter to a drunk driver, it's taking everything for them to keep their remaining family together. So when their daughter, Talia, comes home bloody, bruised, and with her jeans ripped, they know what they need to do. They're parents who want revenge, but when they finally do break into Red Wall house, they find something beyond their worst nightmares. The creatures in the house are hungry, and the only thing that has a chance of saving them is the strength only a parent knows.
I absolutely adored this book! For the first 25%, the book jumps around in the timeline, switching between Talia's moments leading to her attack and Autumn storming the house. And while I found this sort of annoying at first, it completely pays off. Talia's reveal of what really happened and Autumn's gruesome discovery of the *things* inside the house is done perfectly. The pacing in the book is perfect, the characters are fleshed out, and the monsters are absolutely horrifying. This creature feature will show you what hopelessness feels like, and you'll be screaming at your Kindle the entire time. Easy 5/5 read for me, and perfect for a creepy summer afternoon.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely adored this book! For the first 25%, the book jumps around in the timeline, switching between Talia's moments leading to her attack and Autumn storming the house. And while I found this sort of annoying at first, it completely pays off. Talia's reveal of what really happened and Autumn's gruesome discovery of the *things* inside the house is done perfectly. The pacing in the book is perfect, the characters are fleshed out, and the monsters are absolutely horrifying. This creature feature will show you what hopelessness feels like, and you'll be screaming at your Kindle the entire time. Easy 5/5 read for me, and perfect for a creepy summer afternoon.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 9, 2025
When their teenage daughter, Talia, comes home bruised and hurt, Autumn and Colin fear that someone assaulted their daughter. They go to seek revenge at the Red Walls House, only to learn that their daughter encountered something much more terrifying and otherworldly than what they had originally thought.
This was a fast-paced read that doesn’t shy away from the supernatural aspect. It’s told during a less than 24 hour span, with alternating time points as we find out what exactly happened. If you’re a fan of YA horror, it does have that vibe at times due to the ages of the main characters. The parents do seem a bit more one-dimensional relative to Talia and her friends, as they aren’t explored much past their shared trauma and anxiety, but the teens themselves are a blast to read and take up the bulk of the story. I particularly liked Ricky’s character, and Lina and Lamont make terrifying villains that I certainly wouldn’t want chasing me through the woods!
Overall, it was a very fun, fresh, and engaging read. I’d be excited to read more in the Red Walls universe as the book definitely left room for more to be explored in the future!
This was a fast-paced read that doesn’t shy away from the supernatural aspect. It’s told during a less than 24 hour span, with alternating time points as we find out what exactly happened. If you’re a fan of YA horror, it does have that vibe at times due to the ages of the main characters. The parents do seem a bit more one-dimensional relative to Talia and her friends, as they aren’t explored much past their shared trauma and anxiety, but the teens themselves are a blast to read and take up the bulk of the story. I particularly liked Ricky’s character, and Lina and Lamont make terrifying villains that I certainly wouldn’t want chasing me through the woods!
Overall, it was a very fun, fresh, and engaging read. I’d be excited to read more in the Red Walls universe as the book definitely left room for more to be explored in the future!
December 7, 2025
RED WALLS by Christina Bergling is a brutal, breathless plunge into horror, and every page I turned kept me wanting for more.
The story follows Talia, a young woman who heads to a party with her friends and ends the night not only intoxicated, but forever changed. She returns home bloodied and scarred, and keeps quiet about what really happened. Her parents and best friends, desperate for justice, decide to take matters into their own hands. But they have no idea what they’re walking into. Only Talia knows the truth, and the monsters waiting in the dark are far worse than anyone imagines.
This book is a relentless, gory thrill ride through the woods and into the heart of something primal and terrifying. Christina Bergling doesn’t hold back, delivering a story that’s as emotionally charged as it is blood-soaked. If you’re into horror with teeth...monsters, vengeance, a haunted house, and a fierce female lead, RED WALLS is a must-read.
I highly recommend this five-star read!
The story follows Talia, a young woman who heads to a party with her friends and ends the night not only intoxicated, but forever changed. She returns home bloodied and scarred, and keeps quiet about what really happened. Her parents and best friends, desperate for justice, decide to take matters into their own hands. But they have no idea what they’re walking into. Only Talia knows the truth, and the monsters waiting in the dark are far worse than anyone imagines.
This book is a relentless, gory thrill ride through the woods and into the heart of something primal and terrifying. Christina Bergling doesn’t hold back, delivering a story that’s as emotionally charged as it is blood-soaked. If you’re into horror with teeth...monsters, vengeance, a haunted house, and a fierce female lead, RED WALLS is a must-read.
I highly recommend this five-star read!
May 20, 2025
This book was an incredible, absolutely terrifying ride through a forest I never want to take. When I first started reading this book I was not sure what I was going to encounter. Vampires? Zombies? Cannibals? Nope, It was so much worse. I will never unsee what happened to Talia. Nor will I ever recover Willow had to endure. Each scene needed a moment to breathe and then go back in. I felt so much sorrow for all the people involved in this book. Well, except for Lamont and Lina. They deserve nothing less than death. And if things were not bad enough now Ricky is becoming something else. The way the author wrote each person’s perspective made the emotional toil worse. I only hope there is another book coming to find out what happens next.
May 5, 2025
‼️ARC READ‼️
📚 Red Walls // Christina Bergling 📚
Rating 5🔪
Publication date : 05/09/25
Well I’m still processing this book !!!
I was hooked since the first page !
That book is soooo intense !!
I was et prepared for this but I’m glad I read it !!
Very well written and very suspenseful and still very horrible and horrifying so that makes an amazing combo.
Just one advice : don’t eat before reading this book 😳
📚 Red Walls // Christina Bergling 📚
Rating 5🔪
Publication date : 05/09/25
Well I’m still processing this book !!!
I was hooked since the first page !
That book is soooo intense !!
I was et prepared for this but I’m glad I read it !!
Very well written and very suspenseful and still very horrible and horrifying so that makes an amazing combo.
Just one advice : don’t eat before reading this book 😳
May 12, 2025
Thank you BookSprout and Christina Bergling for the advance reader copy of Red Walls by Christina Bergling in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book and how it shows how much one night can change everything. I loved how well written the characters grief and rage were shown. This book built up the suspense by flipping back and forth between Friday night and early Saturday morning. I would recommend this book.
May 19, 2025
It took me a beat to settle into this one, but when I did, it delivered! I'm not normally a fan of hardcore gore, unless it has a captivating story. Red Walls House was a thoroughly entertaining read, with real no-holding-back monsters. With its roots grounded in family trauma, there's also a bloody, raw beating heart to this story.
It reminded me of a good old school horror movie at times. In parts of the story I'd literally be thinking "No! Don't do that! Don't go that way!" If you can't stand yelling at the screen when characters do something naive... Maybe prepare yourself to scream at this book...
It reminded me of a good old school horror movie at times. In parts of the story I'd literally be thinking "No! Don't do that! Don't go that way!" If you can't stand yelling at the screen when characters do something naive... Maybe prepare yourself to scream at this book...
April 29, 2025
Bergling has a knack for depicting realism in horror, and Red Walls is no exception. When a family decides to get revenge on a couple of freaks who mutilated their daughter, the plans don't go as expected--unless you live in reality, in which case they go EXACTLY as you would think. This quick read is as full of blood and gore as it is heartbreak and disappointment and I was thrilled to read the ARC. Thanks Christina!
June 21, 2025
‘Monsters take many forms’
This is a good read for anybody who likes, blood, guts, and the supernatural.
Beginning with the aftermath of an attack on the MC, Talia, the early chapters piece the events together before her parents embark on a revenge mission that, well, does not go the way they anticipated.
While humans may generally be as bad a monster as anything, sometimes there’s something worse hiding in plain sight.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a good read for anybody who likes, blood, guts, and the supernatural.
Beginning with the aftermath of an attack on the MC, Talia, the early chapters piece the events together before her parents embark on a revenge mission that, well, does not go the way they anticipated.
While humans may generally be as bad a monster as anything, sometimes there’s something worse hiding in plain sight.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 16, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I liked the characters. I had no idea how this story would end- what a surprise!
May 23, 2025
I loved this book! I was immediately drawn to the character and their relationships. The author's writing style reminded me of Ann Rice. Very descriptive; you feel like you're in the story along side them. You hear the sounds, feel the smells entering your soul!
Absolutely wonderful -- I couldn't put it down, so it's a fast read. And the ending creates new possibilities 💀
Absolutely wonderful -- I couldn't put it down, so it's a fast read. And the ending creates new possibilities 💀
May 31, 2025
This book brought to life all the scary stories you tell yourself as a kid about the abandon house. It kept my heart pounding the whole way!
May 29, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book about supernatural creatures in a house that makes everyone in town uneasy. The bond between Willow, Talia, and Ricky was expertly shown through their actions and conversations, both feeling natural and sincere. I love the ending and the resilience in all of the characters. Would definitely recommend for a bloody good read!
July 21, 2025
A very creepy story, I really enjoyed the use of dual timelines to slowly reveal what happened to Talia, although it did throw me off in the beginning as I didn’t realise it was going back and forth 😅 a very cleverly written story and I liked the surprise ending.
April 26, 2025
Familial love, found family and cannibal monsters combine in this novella about a teen girl trying to save her parents from the monsters down the street.
The family and found family vibes were delightful to me and the character remained true to themselves all the way up to the end.
A part of me is hoping to see more from this world.
The family and found family vibes were delightful to me and the character remained true to themselves all the way up to the end.
A part of me is hoping to see more from this world.
September 21, 2025
Why is there no 2.5?! 😅
I had read Christine Bergling's The Rest Will Come in a horror book club a couple of years ago. While it ended up being less horror than we expected, I enjoyed the main character's joy for running (I'd just started again myself), and was curious to try more Bergling.
Red Walls is kind of an action-heavy prose riff on Night of the Demons. I think there's some subtext at work, but it isn't too on the nose or crucial to see. Ultimately, it's a story of people trying to survive against monsters.
I enjoyed this as a brisk, fun read, but I couldn't score it higher because the story feels inconsequential. No one learns, grows, or develops. Characters are introduced; some live, some die. Maybe the intent was to make a fast-paced novel that operates more like a schlock horror film, but in book form, such a story is bound to feel forgettable.
Still, this is a gorier affair than The Rest Will Come, definitely horror, and if you need a book that's not asking for a major commitment that you can tear through in an afternoon, I would def. recommend this one. I would totally read more from this author.
I had read Christine Bergling's The Rest Will Come in a horror book club a couple of years ago. While it ended up being less horror than we expected, I enjoyed the main character's joy for running (I'd just started again myself), and was curious to try more Bergling.
Red Walls is kind of an action-heavy prose riff on Night of the Demons. I think there's some subtext at work, but it isn't too on the nose or crucial to see. Ultimately, it's a story of people trying to survive against monsters.
I enjoyed this as a brisk, fun read, but I couldn't score it higher because the story feels inconsequential. No one learns, grows, or develops. Characters are introduced; some live, some die. Maybe the intent was to make a fast-paced novel that operates more like a schlock horror film, but in book form, such a story is bound to feel forgettable.
Still, this is a gorier affair than The Rest Will Come, definitely horror, and if you need a book that's not asking for a major commitment that you can tear through in an afternoon, I would def. recommend this one. I would totally read more from this author.
November 9, 2025
A sense of dread fills the space around Talia from the moment Red Walls opens, as she drags herself home from being brutally assaulted (although we don’t know the whole story yet). Talia doesn’t tell her parents what happened at that house. It’s the anniversary of her sister’s death, and she can’t bear to destroy them again. Talia also knows how her parents, specifically her mother, would react. However, despite her best efforts, her parents find out what happened to her and who is responsible. Her parents want revenge, and they make a plan. What happens next is terrifying.
The author does a fantastic job of setting the scene from the very beginning. You will know that this is a tale of horror, trauma, family, supernatural events, and simultaneously, a lot of heart and love. I had to put the book away when the parents took off for revenge because I knew what was coming. That’s how good the author is. I felt the dreadful anticipation of something awful that was about to happen. Kudos to Ms. Bergling for writing a super scary, bone-chilling, bloody, and fast-paced horror story. Reading this book is an experience of all the emotions. And then crying out, “What?!” when it ends. No, I’m not going to tell you how it ends. You’ll have to read it for yourself and see! Five stars!.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author does a fantastic job of setting the scene from the very beginning. You will know that this is a tale of horror, trauma, family, supernatural events, and simultaneously, a lot of heart and love. I had to put the book away when the parents took off for revenge because I knew what was coming. That’s how good the author is. I felt the dreadful anticipation of something awful that was about to happen. Kudos to Ms. Bergling for writing a super scary, bone-chilling, bloody, and fast-paced horror story. Reading this book is an experience of all the emotions. And then crying out, “What?!” when it ends. No, I’m not going to tell you how it ends. You’ll have to read it for yourself and see! Five stars!.
I received a free copy of this book via Graveside Press and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 8, 2025
If you crave horror that doesn't hold back, Red Walls by Christina Bergling delivers in blood-soaked buckets. This is not a slow-burn thriller—it’s an unapologetic descent into terror that wastes no time getting to the carnage.
From the opening pages, Bergling keeps you guessing. Our protagonist, Talia, faces horrors beyond imagination, and just when you think the monsters are depraved humans she encounters, they become so much worse. The pacing is sharp, with flashbacks woven into the early chapters, building tension before plunging headfirst into chaos. When the action hits its peak, there’s no turning back—you’re in it until the bitter, brutal end.
Make no mistake, Red Walls is not for the faint of heart. Blood is spilled, bodies are eviscerated, and death is as relentless as the terror itself. Bergling doesn’t shy away from the grisly details, ensuring that survival comes at a steep, gut-wrenching cost. Talia and the other characters have endured horrors before the book even begins—but Bergling drags them through hell, and not everyone makes it out.
Gory, unrelenting, and deeply unsettling, Red Walls is a must-read for horror fans who thrive on sheer terror. The creatures lurking in this story aren’t just metaphors for human depravity—they’re real, and they’re absolutely terrifying. Bergling crafts a nightmare where survival means facing the unimaginable, and not everyone makes it out alive. If you love horror that embraces its monsters in all their gruesome glory, this one will haunt you long after the final page. But heed the trigger warnings—this book doesn’t pull punches. Dead Dove Don’t Eat.
From the opening pages, Bergling keeps you guessing. Our protagonist, Talia, faces horrors beyond imagination, and just when you think the monsters are depraved humans she encounters, they become so much worse. The pacing is sharp, with flashbacks woven into the early chapters, building tension before plunging headfirst into chaos. When the action hits its peak, there’s no turning back—you’re in it until the bitter, brutal end.
Make no mistake, Red Walls is not for the faint of heart. Blood is spilled, bodies are eviscerated, and death is as relentless as the terror itself. Bergling doesn’t shy away from the grisly details, ensuring that survival comes at a steep, gut-wrenching cost. Talia and the other characters have endured horrors before the book even begins—but Bergling drags them through hell, and not everyone makes it out.
Gory, unrelenting, and deeply unsettling, Red Walls is a must-read for horror fans who thrive on sheer terror. The creatures lurking in this story aren’t just metaphors for human depravity—they’re real, and they’re absolutely terrifying. Bergling crafts a nightmare where survival means facing the unimaginable, and not everyone makes it out alive. If you love horror that embraces its monsters in all their gruesome glory, this one will haunt you long after the final page. But heed the trigger warnings—this book doesn’t pull punches. Dead Dove Don’t Eat.
May 13, 2025
Review: Red Walls by Christina Bergling
Rating: ★★★★★
Red Walls is a tense, eerie psychological horror that pulled me in right away. It centers on a young girl and her parents as their world slowly unravels in deeply unsettling ways. The horror builds with a steady, creeping dread, and the twists kept me guessing until the end.
What I really loved was the originality of the concept and how well the author developed the characters. The family dynamic—especially between the parents and daughter—felt real and emotionally grounded. The teenage friend group was a great addition, adding depth and contrast. The dialogue was believable and natural, which made the horror even more effective.
Christina Bergling has a talent for giving just enough detail to spark your imagination while leaving room for your own interpretation. It made the atmosphere even more haunting.
If you're a fan of horror or psychological thrillers, this one's a must-read. Highly recommended!
checkout my substack for more in-depth reviews. trevorortez.substack.com
Rating: ★★★★★
Red Walls is a tense, eerie psychological horror that pulled me in right away. It centers on a young girl and her parents as their world slowly unravels in deeply unsettling ways. The horror builds with a steady, creeping dread, and the twists kept me guessing until the end.
What I really loved was the originality of the concept and how well the author developed the characters. The family dynamic—especially between the parents and daughter—felt real and emotionally grounded. The teenage friend group was a great addition, adding depth and contrast. The dialogue was believable and natural, which made the horror even more effective.
Christina Bergling has a talent for giving just enough detail to spark your imagination while leaving room for your own interpretation. It made the atmosphere even more haunting.
If you're a fan of horror or psychological thrillers, this one's a must-read. Highly recommended!
checkout my substack for more in-depth reviews. trevorortez.substack.com
May 6, 2025
I don't know if realistic supernatural is a subgenre, but if it is, this novel does it amazingly. This is a fantastically crafted story about all kinds of spooky and scary things. I love the way that the reader can imagine themselves in the scenario the characters are put in. Realistic fiction is one of my favorite genres, and this book puts a great spooky twist on it.
I received this as an ARC directly from the author and publisher.
I received this as an ARC directly from the author and publisher.
May 27, 2025
Family trauma, grieving, feeling like you’re left to fend for yourself after tragedy strikes… organ donation… this book has it all. Blood, guts and heart; and most importantly good friends and good family.
August 7, 2025
Red Wall's follows a hurt, bloodied Talia on the anniversary of her sister's death. Her parents will not let another daughter's pain go unpunished.
The opening chapter sets a tone of unease, luring you in with vague horrors. The night is retold initially out of order, until we learn what happened in Red Walls House, when Talia's parents are primed to take their revenge. Not everything is as it seems and the horrors are beyond human.
I found this slow in pace at times and, to be honest, my attention waxed and waned. There was good tension at times, such as when Talia first encounters the house residents, but others where I wished it would just get on with it. There was some good gore and imagery, but it could've gone harder for my sake. Talia was the best part of the book, and I liked her friends more than her parents, though 'chicas' was getting old.
Spoilers: the premise of eating organs to keep young was interesting, but I have to wonder how word didn't get out? How they lasted so long without the torches and pitchforks descending? The ending also felt quite rushed, despite the previous slow pacing, suddenly turning Ricky and Talia abandoning him. Her mum should've been hurt more for her brazenness, though perhaps losing her husband and her child's best friends will be somewhat of a punishment. Other than a thirst for revenge (and admittedly an unexpected foe), she didn't seem to have that much of a plan.
Overall, it was good and enjoyable with decent gore but I prefer a quicker pace. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
The opening chapter sets a tone of unease, luring you in with vague horrors. The night is retold initially out of order, until we learn what happened in Red Walls House, when Talia's parents are primed to take their revenge. Not everything is as it seems and the horrors are beyond human.
I found this slow in pace at times and, to be honest, my attention waxed and waned. There was good tension at times, such as when Talia first encounters the house residents, but others where I wished it would just get on with it. There was some good gore and imagery, but it could've gone harder for my sake. Talia was the best part of the book, and I liked her friends more than her parents, though 'chicas' was getting old.
Spoilers: the premise of eating organs to keep young was interesting, but I have to wonder how word didn't get out? How they lasted so long without the torches and pitchforks descending? The ending also felt quite rushed, despite the previous slow pacing, suddenly turning Ricky and Talia abandoning him. Her mum should've been hurt more for her brazenness, though perhaps losing her husband and her child's best friends will be somewhat of a punishment. Other than a thirst for revenge (and admittedly an unexpected foe), she didn't seem to have that much of a plan.
Overall, it was good and enjoyable with decent gore but I prefer a quicker pace. Thank you to the author for the ARC.
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