Writhe

by Abby Vail

Banner Price is a bullied boy who hopes his drunken mother’s nightly absences will bring him something new, something he’s never had before.

A Father.

With every failure, the disdain and disgust for the other grows, pushing Banner into the open arms of violence as vengeance.

Banner has a plan. His mother has suspicions.Who will be the first to flinch?

Genres: Horror

167 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 28, 2025

Reviews

[Trevor Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure Statement: I received an ARC of this novella from the author. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own and have not been influenced by the author in any way.

Writhe hit me and hurt me in the same way as Emma Murray's Crushing Snails, both books focusing on our society's irredeemables--the kinds of people that show up in news stories with abridged life histories and problematic presentations. But what makes someone truly irredeemable?

Vail sets up her main character, 8-year-old Banner, with a convincingly tragic backstory; he's not necessarily abused, but neglected, which leaves him open to all of the hurts the world has to offer him. But what makes Banner such a tragic figure is that when given the opportunity to turn away from the path he's on, he consistently makes the wrong choices. He's not equipped for the world, a monster in the making, but he's also responsible for his own thoughts, his own decisions. When given opportunities to turn anything around, he chooses not to.

And it is this pathologizing of his problem that makes this story compelling. Because it is, ultimately, about decision-making; how our decisions influence the life or lives of those around us, but also in how we choose to shape our own directions. What happens when we no longer decide to choose the right thing? What, if anything, can deflect that path?

This is horror. So don't go in expecting easy answers. But I think that in itself is the hope that lingers for me after reading. There's no real choosing how a horror novel will end. But there is choice in what we do outside of the story. And if anything, the book illustrates the importance of being able to choose well.

[Christine Harrold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to start this review by writing about the brutal and breathtakingly stark opening of this novella, but really, Vail never lets up in this story about a sad and desperate mother and son and their lives of poverty and violence on the fringe of society.

Vail is very adept at capturing the simmering anger and despair in the bullied and lonely main character, 8 year old Banner, who is constantly watching and judging his careless loser of a young single mother.

Banner spends his time nursing his grudges, pining for a father and working on his grand plan of vengeance on those who have wronged him. Vail teases us with glimpses of humanity and pity, but young Banner must make sure he destroys things before others destroy his hopes first.

As the tension ratchets up and Banner and his mom begin to really see each other, Banner feels his life spinning out of his control. Then this story hits you with a mind-blowing twist and an ending that had me blinking and raw.

Abby Vail is a writer to watch.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oof! This was a gut-wrenching read. Dread oozed from the pages, but I couldn't help but keep reading. I'll be thinking about the ending for a while.

It's an amazing debut. I will keep my eye on Abby Vail.

[Kasey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Repugnant sympathy or contentious concern? It is hard to put into words the emotional tug of war that Abby Vail puts you through in this intense psychological horror. Banner is just a young boy who wants nothing more in the world than to be someone’s son. Deep in his heart he holds out hope that getting a father could turn his life around. Maybe the cruelty of his classmates would be assuaged if he had someone to talk to. Maybe his thoughts would be less disturbing and dangerous if he weren’t left alone with them all the time. How much disappointment does it take though to extinguish a child’s flame of hope? How much darkness results when it is gone?

This book is an absolute heart-wrenching panic attack. With every opportunity you lose a little piece of something. First your hope gets a slight shake, but a few pages further your sympathy wobbles a tad. You eventually learn not to hope for anything or side with anyone. However, you still hurtle toward the conclusion because you have to know what happens! As dark and crazy as the journey is, I did still chuckle at the end; the cherry on top, honestly. If you know, you know. Abby’s gift for taking you to all ends of the emotional spectrum in less than 200 pages is amazing. Highly recommend this book!

[Adam Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book review - Writhe by @abbyvailwrites

I really didn’t know what to expect when I received this ARC, but I was absolutely floored by this gut-wrenching novella. Writhe follows Banner, a boy whose entire life is made up of almost constant pain and misery. His mother is rarely home, out doing things that earn her a reputation Banner has to deal with from the other kids at school, where he is constantly bullied. His teacher does nothing to help, which leads to Banner making a terrible plan.

This book absolutely crushed my heart in the ways that only a very well written story can. Vail uses potential hope to devastating effect, and none of it would work if all of the characters and situations weren’t grounded in relatability and honesty.

I devoured this book in one sitting and sat for a while after finishing, thinking about what it meant. Abby Vail is a talent to watch, and this is one I recommend picking up on October 28th from @sobelobooks

[BookishBiologist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to be absolutely destroyed in the best way possible. WRITHE is by far the most raw, honest, harrowing story. Abby Vail does not shy away from exposing the ugliest parts of humanity in her characters on page. What's even more devastating is the way in which Abby Vail unveils the worst parts of humanity in YOU, the reader, for the ways in which you absolutely must root for the objectively troubling main character. Banner Price is a mess of a boy and his mother is no better. They're both truly terrible people, but it's a joy and delight to descend into villainy along with them.

Writhe pushes the envelope with lyrical prose, the most hellish plot, and spine-chilling reality. The horror is universal. Do yourself a favor and start reading right now; this story will stick with you forever.

[SpinelessBookReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This debut novel was a rough read that will kick you in the heart with a steel toe boot (in a good way)

Banner is a troubled boy, he's bullied at school and he lives in squalor with his ill equipped, neglectful mother. What he wants more than anything is for his mom to finally bring home a "papa" for him to take all his troubles away and make his life complete.

Without getting into trauma dumping category, this story resonated with me in ways that hurt. We're given this sad but deeply messed story from Banner's perspective complete with his frightening, terrible, violent fantasies. What I can say is that although we've both lived similar circumstances, I'm very glad I turned out nothing like the deeply disturbed protagonist. After all, I've thankfully never done some of the awful things that Banner does when nobody is watching.

This book has its content warnings and although it's not too gratuitous, it will push you close to the edge of good taste and test your sensibilities. Abby Vail leaves a deep impression with her first book that will leave you feeling cold and worse for wear

[Daria Pipkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vail’s voice is powerful, with vivid, unique descriptions that set the scene and evoke emotion throughout this story. Some of my favorite quotes:
“I pull a tack from my flimsy wood paneling, which arches ever so slightly as if being tickled by the wall behind it,”
“The man goes on, my attention stuck to his words like a fly in a beautiful, sticky web of story.”
“This must be the life of a candle. Imagine burning just for the smell of it. Because someone wants the death of you to fill the room.”
Readers who enjoy dark themes will quickly find themselves immersed in this novella.

[Lisa Meehan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading an ARC copy of Writhe.

In Writhe, Abby Vail takes you to a dark place: inside the head of an eight-year-old boy who is as disturbing as he is intelligent. Banner Price flows from the page in vivid strokes of often gut-wrenching prose. And his journey, as he navigates through a life of torment and neglect with little space for refuge, is a twisting path of clashing emotions. But it’s a path you won’t want to leave until the end.

Don’t miss this book!

[Rebecca Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark and (at times) disturbing, I literally couldn't put Abby Vail's debut novella down. Banner's life hasn't done him any favors: he's bullied at school, neglected by his mother, and has always longed for a father figure to call his own. Through the progression of his story, we witness Banner descend into hopelessness. Writhe captures the aftermath of a lifetime of abuse and invisibility. You won't be able to rip your eyes away, and I guarantee the conclusion will make you flinch.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect with this and that’s how I think you should go into it.
It was so emotional on so many levels, I felt for Banner, then I found myself screaming at him “go with Sam!”
This was my first read of Abby Vail’s and she is definitely on my authors to watch list!!

[Elle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely chilling story. I was tense the whole time leading up to the ending! The descriptions were so vivid and my skin was crawling! This is a quick read and definitely worth it.

[John Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unhinged and disturbing, Veil has written a winner.

[Bree]

Horrifically immersive, you’ll root for Banner to take everyone down ✂️

If you liked Imaginary Friend, then you might want to give this a go!