To Break a Pale Yolk

by Brandon Perras-Sanchez

1991, Easter weekend. In a devout rural town, a frail, colorblind teenager with a mysterious illness struggles to be accepted by an unforgiving community. But when a tragic accident gives her the ability to see color, it also unveils the origins of her affliction—and the terrifying destiny that accompanies it. As she resists the path laid before her, the monstrous forces responsible begin to reveal themselves in all their grotesqueries.



To Break a Pale Yolk is a nightmarish, psychedelic, religious, horror-fantasy that is sure to make you question your faith, or lack thereof.

Genres: Horror

188 pages, Paperback

Published September 5, 2025

About the author

Brandon Perras-Sanchez is a queer Cuban, writer, musician, filmmaker and actor who is inspired by 80s horror, folklore, mythology, metal and noise rock. He grew up in the woods of Vermont but now resides in Providence, RI. He is currently working on future horror projects such as the full length film Queen of the Rats and a fourth book timreH ehT which will be released next spring.

Brandon is part of the production company Monster Makeup who brought you the gory, campy, Drag Queen cult classic Death Drop Gorgeous, the nightmarish folk horror Saint Drogo.

Stay tuned for updates for these projects along with a few more surprises in the works.

Respect all animals and don't be an asshole.

Reviews

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessica lives in a small town and goes to church religiously. She suffers from a strange illness and is also colorblind. The townspeople treat her like she is trash, she turns to God for help and realizes he has a way different plan for her than she would ever imagine. She has an accident that makes me see colors again and also demons….she will have to figure out what God has really planned for her, this includes getting her revenge on the people who betrayed her the most. What an outstanding read, this book will really make you question what you honestly believe in and will show you how cruel people can truly be. Loved this so much, another 6 star!

[Phrique · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say never judge a book by its cover but who tf are “they” anyways & whateva, I do what I want. So when I saw the cover of BPS’s latest “To Break a Pale Yolk,” my first thought was it was gorgeous. My second thought was “mmmm but wtf am I looking @ sweetie?” with my head cocked to the side looking at a child’s artwork on the fridge. Then I started reading the story & it all clicked. More-so, it perfectly encapsulates another killer BPS book. It’s weird, folksy, creepy, yet still beautiful throughout…just don’t ask what it is. Just read the story & enjoy the ah-ha moment like I did.

Quick synopsis:
Jessica is a quiet preteen little church mouse living in a small town. She mainly keeps to herself, goes to school, helps her mom, & goes to church. Her only real friendship is her sole escape. So when a terrible accident happens, her world is rocked. Recovering, she begins to see things differently, including things that can’t be real, or can they?

This is one of BPS’s quieter works but what he lacked in volume he made up for in heart, prose, & a haunting plot; while still throwing some gruesome deaths in to keep the gore hounds @ bay. I’m not one to shy away from religious trauma/horror, but it seems like so much is used for shock factor & it never truly delivers the way…well…someone who GETS IT could make it sing. This was not the case with To Break a Pale Yolk @ all. Brandon “took me to church,” so much so I felt the tangible burning. The writing was beautiful, even through the heavy mood/imagery throughout. You feel for Jessica, you get pissed for her, then you watch her rise to the occasion & close the book with a “good for her” tear in your eye. 🥲 Highly recommend this one, as well as everything else BPS puts out. He never misses!

[Wren Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is religious trauma horror at its very deepest.

Jessica is a 16 year old girl, but she is underdeveloped by the standards of most teenage girls. She is flat chested, not had her monthly, and has developed no body hair.

Not to mention she is shockingly pale with naturally white blonde hair. But most shockingly, her vision leaves a lot to be desired as she cannot see most colors.

Regardless of all this, she is also part of an incredibly loving, and religiously devout family.

One day after church, a horrific accident occurs, and oddly enough, this event allows her to see colors, as vibrant and beautiful as they should be.

But after the accident, color is not the only thing she can see.

You see Jessica has been ridiculed for the way she looks, and accused of things by people close to her ever since her best friend’s father mysteriously passed away right in front of her.

Her friend’s mother has never been able to forgive her, and Jessica has felt the torture of blame for his death since a young and tender age.

But when her vision is corrected, she is granted unexplainable power with the help of some paranormal forces. But does their help mean that her prayers are being answered, or has Jessica been bound for a hellish end from the very beginning?

This book slaps. It was so incredibly good.

It had bits that were gorgeously gory, and other bits that were hauntingly beautiful and poetic. Branden Perras-Sanchez has truly done it again.

[Kristen Mendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, this book was SOMETHING. What a crazy story. So it starts off kinda slow imo. A lot of it is pretty brain washy feeling for our main character Jessica. But near the end, it picks up immensely. The last 50% of the book, I was basically like -hell ya, you go girl.

It gets VERY gorey. But in a solid like, they deserved it way.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in what is basically a cult and has long since escaped, reading religious horror is very cathartic to me. Reading it especially from one of my most favourite horror writers is just balm to my troubled soul.

Brandon Perras-Sanchez has outdone himself. Religious horror done extremely well, with demons who look like they came straight out of Alice in Wonderland (At least that's how I pictured them). Jessica, the protagonist, is someone who's been bullied and shunned her entire life, just because she was different; something that I could relate to.

This story makes me look forward to the author's next one, as I've been telling him countless times. 😅

[Iva IRL · Rating 5 out of 5]

OBSESSED with every work of Brandon Perras-Sanchez. This man can spin a tale. To Break A Pale Yolk is religious based horror that preys on the fears we all keep buried. Impossible to put down, this is a quick read full of gore, vengeance, and salvation, told in a way that will keep you glued to the page.
The artwork on both the paperback and hard cover editions are delightfully morbid. I wish I could follow Jessica on her journey just to see where it ends up. In hell, of course, eventually. But the path would be a gruesome delight of martyrdom and suffering. Exquisite.

[Jenn BookishWormish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you grow up in a church full of hypocrites?

Have you ever been treated like an outcast,been physically harmed,or taken advantage of even though you’ve done nothing to deserve it?

Have you ever wished you could summon a council of smelly demons to help you exact revenge?

Have you ever dyed Easter eggs???

If you answered yes to any of these questions then this is the book for you!

[Emma Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had it all. Eerie, gore, creepy, but also a softness and sadness through the main character Jessica. I just loved her and wanted to hug and look after her. The book brought out so many emotions and messages too. Don’t mess with Jessica!! A great read.

[Ren · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book felt like a fever dream but in a good way

genuinely it was PHENOMENAL the writing style was beautiful the author sure does have a way with words the unique chapter titles the plot EVERYTHING was genuinely incredible 😭 second book I’ve read by this author and ive adored both.

[Kevia · Rating 4 out of 5]

she was colorblind, along with other comorbidities including hallucinations (also visible to the public), two altar boys make multiple attempts of sexual assault and the father of their church who witnesses doesn't protect her. her best friend Ashley and her are drinking where she falls out of a climbed tree (dies). her protectors (the council) protect her and help kill the boys, Ashley's mom and cop bf (who attempted to burry her alive) and the father of the church, she disappears from the family.

[Spooky Loz Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brandon Perras-Sanchez’s To Break a Pale Yolk is a quiet, unsettling novella that builds its power slowly and beautifully. Jessica, a sixteen-year-old girl who has always felt out of step with everyone around her, lives a simple life shaped by school, home, and her family’s deep faith. After a tragic accident, her world shifts, colors appear where there were none, and with them come strange new abilities that don’t fit neatly into any earthly explanation.
Perras-Sanchez handles Jessica’s journey with a thoughtful balance of emotion and atmosphere. The religious trauma woven into the story never feels forced or sensational; instead, it adds depth to Jessica’s struggle to understand herself in a town that has judged her for years. The horror elements appear in careful doses, some moments sharp and memorable, others quietly eerie, but the novella’s strength lies in its heart. You genuinely feel for Jessica as she tries to make sense of what’s happening to her and to decide whether these new “gifts” are a blessing or something far darker.

[Jeni G · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came back to give this another star because I keep thinking about it. Very creepy.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had me hooked at the beginning, and I was just turning page after page. I wanted this to be a 4-star read but after getting around 30–40% in I felt that it got repetitive. I don't quite understand the chapter titles and how it correlates to the content in the chapters.

But I had a decent time and will definitely recommend you try this out for yourself.

[Jamie Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🥚To Break a Pale Yolk reads like horrific mash up infamous Clive Barker monsters with a raw, indie edge. 🐣

I could feel the admiration that BPS has for Clive throughout this novella, with it's mysterious "Council", jarring violence & repressed main character.

If you enjoy the darker side of fantasy & horror, absolutely bursting with carnage, dripping with viscous fluids & rupturing with WTF moments... TBaPY is a riveting read. In fact, I recommend picking up anything Brandon writes as he is truly a fresh voice in the genre.

[Dan Shrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything by Brandon is a auto purchase and 5 star read!

[Kaylee Koonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! I can still smell it!