The Carnivorous Candy Factory

by L. Lestrange

They came for candy. They’ll leave in pieces.

Walter W. Wickedsnap once made joy. Now he makes monsters.
Inside the Carnivorous Candy Factory, bad parents don’t get second chances—they get rooms. Rooms that bite back. Stretchers. Boilers. Carousels that spin you into bloody confessions.

Nine sins. Nine punishments.
And the children?

They’re watching.

Welcome to the factory. Don’t mind the screams. That’s just the fudge boiling.

102 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2025

About the author

L. Lestrange writes splatterpunk horror and dark fantasy that twist childhood stories into blood-soaked nightmares.

When she’s not writing, she’s managing chaos, crafting Kindle inserts, or taking editorial notes from her fat cat, Norman better known as The Editor in Chonk.

Reviews

[Kendra Lynece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never read anything like Carnivorous Candy Land Factory by Le Strange! It’s twisted, creative, and honestly hilarious in the darkest way. The idea of bad parents getting what they deserve while Red 40 sings cheerleader-style songs about it?? Absolute chaos and I loved every bit of it. It’s like if Willy Wonka had a revenge era. 10/10 would read again just for the sweet, sinister fun.

[Kristen N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is based off the tale of Willy Wonka, but its more than just the funny little movie we all grew up on and loved. This story is a nightmare wrapped lollipop, giving you horror you wouldnt and couldnt even dream of.

Each parent holds their child in a way that no parent should. Each parent holding them in a way society might see them as perfect, only to destroy them from the inside. Whether its the way they sell them, to the way they make them believe in a higher power they are tortured in a way you wouldnt wish anyone to feel.

This story isnt a normal horror. It doesnt hold jump scares or things that hide in the shadows. It brings you gore like nothing you could ever imagine. It shows you that a parents so called love can be twisted into something rotten.

[chapters in moonlight · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely one of the best reads to start of my arc reading journey the story is very well written and it has the vibes of Charlie and the chocolate factory just make it messed up very much a thriller and so gripping
Thank you so much L.Lestrange for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to reading more
P.S Norman is the cutest ❤️

[LadyGrimmReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was a wild ride! Its dark, twisted and unexpectedly wicked! You get hunger, corruption and vengeance that will make your mouth water! If your looking for something that will keep you on your toes page after page, this is it!

[Shae Fontenot Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sickly sweet tale grabbed my attention from the start. I was held captive, watching in fascinated horror as the factory made its delirious delights.
Fans of this genre, this is a must read! I can't wait to see what L. Lestrange has for us in her next installment.

[Michelle Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

This gave me Willy Wonka vibes but with a twist of murder. Parents were dealt with when they treated their kids wrong. It was interesting to say the least lol.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.
if you're into extreme horror and or splatterpunk then give this a try.
It will give you a good laugh, and change you viewing experience for Wonka in the future.
This book is typically in the extreme horror aspects, details, lots and lots of death, gore and blood, lots of blood details, over the top in unliving, set in a place between reality and fantasy.
written descriptively, lyrically and very whitty.
the start feels a tad disjointed at first but as soon as we move into the story it's self it really hits hard and fast.
I enjoyed the ebb and flow of each person's incident. the continuity of each incident outlines and yet not feeling the same at all with each passing.
Honestly I really loved this book, sadly yes I did sing along in my head in tune with the songs.
This book is now in my top five extreme horror books.
Also never going to be able to watch the movie without thinking of this book and wanting to re-read it.
I can't wait for the next instalment to see how it's going to ruin the next classic for me.
thank you so much to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC.
this review is my own and voluntary because I really enjoyed this book.
I can't wait to see what else gets written by this author. They are now on my watch list for upcoming books.

[Timothy Emmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deliciously sweet, stickily gory, perfect for a Sunday reading day!! This book had all the screams, the slight uncomfortableness, with a touch of fun cringy, that nailed the lid on this candy jar, and made it the best twisted Willie Wonka memory you could ever want!! This is what would have happened if Roahl Dahl had a nightmare while writing Willie Wonka, woke up and put it out instead. Even with the catchy tune at the beginning. The Red 40s are the creepiest Oompaloompas I've ever encountered. I blew through this one. I received this book, free, in exchange for an unbiased review on goodreads Amazon and wherever else I can review, from Book Sirens. They have a lot of numerous books and are another great source of books like Net Galey if you're wanting to get advanced copies. Being a horror fan, and a newly found fan of Splatterpunk, this one really nailed all the boxes here. Disturbing, yet, unstoppable, I really enjoyed the feel of this and can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy. Read, if you dare. Just be careful. Not all candy factories are sugar sweet. Sometimes, blood makes it sweeter.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Carnivorous Candy Factory by L. Lestrange is an absolute delight for fans of quirky, dark, and thrilling stories! From the very first page, I was drawn into a world that’s as imaginative as it is twisted, filled with danger, humor, and a touch of macabre magic. Lestrange’s storytelling is inventive, fast-paced, and perfectly balanced between creepy thrills and dark comedy.

The characters are unique and memorable, each with quirks and secrets that keep you intrigued throughout the story. The suspense builds perfectly, with unexpected twists and moments that make you gasp, laugh, and cheer all at once. The combination of dark whimsy and thrilling danger gives this book a flavor that’s entirely its own.

[Christina Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ladies and gentlemen step right up to the candy factory of nightmares! This is a quick read with a lot of Splatterpunk punch! If you’ve ever seen Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder version) you are going to love this!

The names Lestrange gave each room was on point. The songs the Red 40’s sing are so clever! The parents and children are welcomed in but little do they know a surprise awaits. The factory is hungry and needs sins to eat to keep the treats so sickly sweet!

That’s it. I’m not giving anymore away because you gotta read this one to find out what happens. The novella is roughly 100 pages of gory fun! Check it out!

[Nicole Deanne Veracruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dark, twisted Willy Wonka parody. There are absolutely some traumatic memories that are brought up during the book. But I will say the nursery rhyme/song that starts at the beginning of the book and continues throughout is what really pulled me in. And I feel like each parent got exactly what they deserved. OMG I LOVE NORMAN. ❤️ 😍 💖



I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heaven Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is definitely not your everyday normal read. If you are looking for something different,a little cringey, and even traffic, or relatable , then this is the book for you. I loved that just was served in the end for these kids. Everything was so good. The gore, the story telling, the meanings behind them. Everything was just great.

[Lyndsey Gollogly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Willy Wonka this is NOT! It was way more fun a very good and gruesome reminder to be a better Parent. Honestly it was so refreshing that may not be the right word but read it and you may find it fits. Really enjoyed it.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like reading Willy Wonka on the dark side. From the first "trial" of the parents till the last, it was gory and terrifying. I am a fan of spatterpunk and this story had plenty.
I would never want to visit this candy factory.
Story flowed with characters you wanted to know more about.
I got this book for free and was not compensated.

[ChanaReadsHorror · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very dark and twisted take on Willy Wonka were the parents had to face the results of their actions towards their children. It was dark and gruesome in all the right places. I really enjoyed how it didn't once feel like a carbon copy. If you never had read Willy Wonka, this would seem like an original story. I can not wait to see what part 2 brings.

[Shay loves books · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this!

Revenge is so sweet, esp when that revenge is for children who had no one else to help them.

I ate this book up! When the people who were supposed to be taking care of protecting their children refused to do, the Candy Factory avenged those kids and the parents got what they deserved. Sometimes death is kinda glamorous.

[Aura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well that was a fun read.
Who doesn't like a little bit of sugar with their gore? Everything tastes better when it is sweet. Especially revenge against terrible parents.
That was interesting, and like I said, fun. I'd read more.

[Cat B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 STARS
L. Lestrange has put pen to paper and written a nightmare. There are trigger warnings for this story, heed them.
I received a copy of this book via the author and BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving my opinion of the tale.

[Jules unmuted · Rating 5 out of 5]

Willy Wonka meets Saw

What happens when parents are awful parents who have treated their children awful? The Carnivorous Candy Factory will deal with them, that’s what.

Some might find this gory and morbid, or wrong and strange. I find this validated for those that have been wronged and maybe never got any kind of justice for the wrong; this one is for you.

I loved it!!

[karen adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wild and crazy ride! This book gives Willy Wonka vibes but instead of the children getting what they deserve the parents do! This candy factory lets the children get revenge without having to do the work.

Definitely love this book and highly recommend if you like splatterpunk.

[Katlin Stokes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you booksirens for a copy of this ARC book. This book was like willy wonka straight horror! Amazing splatterpunk unhinged. Bad parents getting what they deserved!

[Elizabeth Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Willy Wonka and Saw teamed up to create this book. I don’t think I’ll ever look at candy the same way again. I did love the Red 40’s nod to the Oompa Loompa’s with their little songs.

[Brittney Mieling · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Jennifer King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely very gorey and entertaining LOL