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Bleak Haven #4
Fear Farm
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Welcome to Bleak The town you won't (or can't!) leave...
The nail-biting conclusion to the Bleak Haven series, in Vincent Ralph's signature, terrifying style!
The Fear Farm fright-fest is the one night of the year when Bleak Haven’s residents are happy to be afraid.
Most people turn a blind eye to the "accidents" that have previously blighted the attraction, but seventeen-year-old Tori Swift has other ideas.
Convinced that there’s an aspiring killer in their midst, Tori auditions alongside her classmates, perfecting her role as the ideal villain while secretly searching for the real thing.
But when tragedy strikes, a murderer is suddenly on the loose in a place where everyone pays to be terrified.
The nail-biting conclusion to the Bleak Haven series, in Vincent Ralph's signature, terrifying style!
The Fear Farm fright-fest is the one night of the year when Bleak Haven’s residents are happy to be afraid.
Most people turn a blind eye to the "accidents" that have previously blighted the attraction, but seventeen-year-old Tori Swift has other ideas.
Convinced that there’s an aspiring killer in their midst, Tori auditions alongside her classmates, perfecting her role as the ideal villain while secretly searching for the real thing.
But when tragedy strikes, a murderer is suddenly on the loose in a place where everyone pays to be terrified.
240 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
Vincent Ralph
10 books769 followersVincent Ralph is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of YA thrillers 14 Ways to Die, Lock the Doors, Secrets Never Die, and One House Left. He is an Edgar Award nominee, winner of the Southern Schools
Book Award, and the author of picture book A Boy Called Book.
The first two novels in the Bleak Haven series - Dead Fake and Night Terror - will be published in January 2026.
Book Award, and the author of picture book A Boy Called Book.
The first two novels in the Bleak Haven series - Dead Fake and Night Terror - will be published in January 2026.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 4, 2026
Review to come upon release. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the pre-release copy.
The twist was so obvious and I didn’t see it coming! Huzzah for a book that pulled one over on me. And to think I was so convinced it was (redacted) the whole time!
The twist was so obvious and I didn’t see it coming! Huzzah for a book that pulled one over on me. And to think I was so convinced it was (redacted) the whole time!
Want to Read
April 1, 2026Thanks to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for this ARC! Fear Farm by Vincent Ralph comes out on September 15, 2026.
May 20, 2026
Fear Farm concludes the Bleak Haven series. In this cursed town, serial killers and tragedies are part of everyday life. Each year, the haunted attraction Fear Farm opens, and locals line up for a scare. Strange “accidents” happen each season, and after joining this year’s cast, Tori wants to uncover who is behind them. When a man in a pig mask appears at rehearsal and starts killing cast members, Tori must do whatever it takes to survive.
Fear Farm blends mystery and horror. After Tori’s sister nearly dies at the attraction, Tori is set on discovering who is behind the “accidents” that have happened for years. The first half of the book follows Tori’s investigation, while the second half becomes a slasher story when the man in the pig mask arrives and attacks the cast. Each cast member’s death was unique and especially brutal for a YA thriller. I was surprised when the killer behind the mask was revealed and was completely off in my assumptions. Overall, Fear Farm is the perfect conclusion to the Bleak Haven series.
Fear Farm is out September 15th.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review Fear Farm. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Fear Farm blends mystery and horror. After Tori’s sister nearly dies at the attraction, Tori is set on discovering who is behind the “accidents” that have happened for years. The first half of the book follows Tori’s investigation, while the second half becomes a slasher story when the man in the pig mask arrives and attacks the cast. Each cast member’s death was unique and especially brutal for a YA thriller. I was surprised when the killer behind the mask was revealed and was completely off in my assumptions. Overall, Fear Farm is the perfect conclusion to the Bleak Haven series.
Fear Farm is out September 15th.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review Fear Farm. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 12, 2026
3.5⭐️
June 27, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Wednesday Books for providing me with an advanced eBook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fear Farm is the fourth book in the Bleak Haven series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Every year, the Fear Farm Fright Fest puts on a terrifying attraction to scare the local residents. Over the years, there have been several “accidents,” but 17-year-old Tori Swift isn’t convinced they were accidents at all. She believes something far more sinister is happening, and that there’s a killer hiding in plain sight.
Determined to uncover the truth, Tori auditions to be part of the Fright Fest herself. But once she’s inside, she quickly realizes the situation is far more dangerous than she ever imagined…
I absolutely loved this fourth installment! It perfectly captured those classic ’90s slasher vibes while keeping the tension high from beginning to end. The story was fast-paced, suspenseful, and packed with anxiety-inducing moments that kept me turning the pages. I flew through this book because I had to know how it would end, and it definitely did not disappoint.
Fear Farm is the fourth book in the Bleak Haven series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. Every year, the Fear Farm Fright Fest puts on a terrifying attraction to scare the local residents. Over the years, there have been several “accidents,” but 17-year-old Tori Swift isn’t convinced they were accidents at all. She believes something far more sinister is happening, and that there’s a killer hiding in plain sight.
Determined to uncover the truth, Tori auditions to be part of the Fright Fest herself. But once she’s inside, she quickly realizes the situation is far more dangerous than she ever imagined…
I absolutely loved this fourth installment! It perfectly captured those classic ’90s slasher vibes while keeping the tension high from beginning to end. The story was fast-paced, suspenseful, and packed with anxiety-inducing moments that kept me turning the pages. I flew through this book because I had to know how it would end, and it definitely did not disappoint.
June 13, 2026
ARC review
Book 4 of the Bleak Haven series and we are back to good old bloody fun!
Fear farm is Bleak Haven’s yearly tradition and biggest money pull for one family, even if almost every year there is some sort of tragedy that takes place. Bleak Haven is cursed anyhow, with book 4 showing us that once again this town is full of killers and bad ideas
Tori is a teenager who wants to find out who exactly is behind these tragedies inside Fear Farm and takes a job as a “slicer” pretending to be a murderer within the haunt. However Fear Farm never gets to open this year, as a night of carnage occurs before the public even comes to the fright fest.
There aren’t many descriptions with these books, so details are foggy when it comes to characters, you don’t really get a visual of what you’re supposed to see with them, only a vague description of who knows who, who is friends with whom, and basic details. You will not know anyone’s facial features or hair color etc, a there are a lot of characters given. It works ok, as the details of the murders are very clear, gruesome at times, and the true focus of the book. But if you like your characters well described, this one is going to annoy you.
It is very easy to read, probably geared more for young adult, but still a quick easy story to get into. No deep plot, just pure mayhem. Good fun. Hopefully there will be more Bleak Haven novels as I have learned to enjoy this demented town.
Book 4 of the Bleak Haven series and we are back to good old bloody fun!
Fear farm is Bleak Haven’s yearly tradition and biggest money pull for one family, even if almost every year there is some sort of tragedy that takes place. Bleak Haven is cursed anyhow, with book 4 showing us that once again this town is full of killers and bad ideas
Tori is a teenager who wants to find out who exactly is behind these tragedies inside Fear Farm and takes a job as a “slicer” pretending to be a murderer within the haunt. However Fear Farm never gets to open this year, as a night of carnage occurs before the public even comes to the fright fest.
There aren’t many descriptions with these books, so details are foggy when it comes to characters, you don’t really get a visual of what you’re supposed to see with them, only a vague description of who knows who, who is friends with whom, and basic details. You will not know anyone’s facial features or hair color etc, a there are a lot of characters given. It works ok, as the details of the murders are very clear, gruesome at times, and the true focus of the book. But if you like your characters well described, this one is going to annoy you.
It is very easy to read, probably geared more for young adult, but still a quick easy story to get into. No deep plot, just pure mayhem. Good fun. Hopefully there will be more Bleak Haven novels as I have learned to enjoy this demented town.
May 29, 2026
My Thoughts
The story engaged me from its start to its startling reveals and a satisfying ending.
Following along with events from Tori Swifts past to her present-day experiences was a lesson learned once again at how Bleak Haven can hide their psychopaths in plain sight.
What started out in one direction became an entirely different tale once all the characters were in place and “Fear Farm” became a reality for Tori and the other cast members.
I finished easily in one day with only a few breaks to relieve my brain from the intensity and my eyes from reading fatigue.
The last book of the series is without a doubt its best offering in my reading preference.
[EArc from Netgalley]
May 31, 2026
3.75 stars ⭐️
I can't believe this is the last book in the Bleak Haven series. I really enjoyed this cursed town and would've loved to read more about it.
Fear Farm ends the series with a bang. It's your typical beloved slasher book. We have a group of teenagers stuck on a farm/horror attraction with a deranged killer and our main character has to stay alive long enough to unmask the said killer (maybe multiple) and find out the truth about mysterious accidents plaguing the farm.
Although I did enjoy FF, I'd say it was one of the weaker novels in the series. I just didn't feel that scared comparing to Dead Fake. I also didn't enjoy how didn't get a lot of answers in the series as a whole. Books #2 and #3 both talked a little about a mysterious book that's allegedly the cause of this whole ordeal and curse but we don't get a concrete explanation.
Overall, don't expect this to be the best slasher you'll ever read and you'll definitely enjoy it. (Because who doesn't like a quick murder spree?)
Thank you to Wednesday Books for my copy.
I can't believe this is the last book in the Bleak Haven series. I really enjoyed this cursed town and would've loved to read more about it.
Fear Farm ends the series with a bang. It's your typical beloved slasher book. We have a group of teenagers stuck on a farm/horror attraction with a deranged killer and our main character has to stay alive long enough to unmask the said killer (maybe multiple) and find out the truth about mysterious accidents plaguing the farm.
Although I did enjoy FF, I'd say it was one of the weaker novels in the series. I just didn't feel that scared comparing to Dead Fake. I also didn't enjoy how didn't get a lot of answers in the series as a whole. Books #2 and #3 both talked a little about a mysterious book that's allegedly the cause of this whole ordeal and curse but we don't get a concrete explanation.
Overall, don't expect this to be the best slasher you'll ever read and you'll definitely enjoy it. (Because who doesn't like a quick murder spree?)
Thank you to Wednesday Books for my copy.
May 17, 2026
4⭐️
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books Publishing for the ARC!
This book was absolutely insane. It completely transformed from the first half of the story. Currently watching Enchanted to heal myself after the sheer terror I felt reading this…
Thank you to Netgalley and Wednesday Books Publishing for the ARC!
This book was absolutely insane. It completely transformed from the first half of the story. Currently watching Enchanted to heal myself after the sheer terror I felt reading this…
June 11, 2026
3.5/5 stars. A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC. I was really excited about this one because the storyline sounded exactly like what I would look for in a thriller. This book was only a 3.5 star read for a few reasons.
I didn’t love any of the characters or Tori’s main reason for starting this journey to finding the killer. I thought her reasoning was a little lackluster. There was also a decent amount of minor characters to keep straight, which I didn’t love. The first 60% of the book was slow and boring for me. There were minor things happening here and there, but nothing that grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading.
However, the last 40% of the book was great and I loved every page. If the whole book could have been like that, it would have easily been a five star read. I really enjoyed the final reveal and how everything played out in the end. I would definitely recommend for a quick and fun spooky season thriller, but you have to get through the first half of the book to get to the good parts.
I didn’t love any of the characters or Tori’s main reason for starting this journey to finding the killer. I thought her reasoning was a little lackluster. There was also a decent amount of minor characters to keep straight, which I didn’t love. The first 60% of the book was slow and boring for me. There were minor things happening here and there, but nothing that grabbed my attention and made me want to keep reading.
However, the last 40% of the book was great and I loved every page. If the whole book could have been like that, it would have easily been a five star read. I really enjoyed the final reveal and how everything played out in the end. I would definitely recommend for a quick and fun spooky season thriller, but you have to get through the first half of the book to get to the good parts.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“Fear Farm” by Vincent Ralph, the last Bleak Haven book, is basically what happens when a creepy haunted attraction turns into an actual slasher movie; and honestly, it’s a pretty fun (and bloody) ride.
This is the final book in the Bleak Haven series, and while you can read it on its own, you’ll definitely get more out of it if you already know how messed up this town is. Bleak Haven has a history, and Fear Farm is just the latest addition to its long list of bad decisions. The series definitely goes out with a bloody bang with this book.
The story follows Tori, who takes a job at Fear Farm, which is a popular haunted attraction where teens act as killers and victims for customers. But immediately things start feeling off almost immediately. People have been getting hurt on this property for years, including Tori’s own sister, and Tori is convinced it’s not just “accidents.” So naturally, she decides to investigate from the inside.
Tori’s motivation adds a lot to the story. She’s not just trying to solve a mystery; she’s also dealing with her own trauma after surviving a past abduction. There’s this strong underlying theme of her wanting to take control and fight back against the kind of evil she couldn’t stop before, which makes her easy to root for (even when she makes some questionable decisions later on).
The first half leans more into mystery than horror. There’s a lot of setup, like learning the layout of the farm, meeting a lot of characters, dealing with weird training rituals and hazing, and noticing little red flags that something isn’t right. There’s even a documentary producer filming the place, which adds another layer of “something bad is definitely going to happen here.”
And then the second half hits—and it goes full slasher. No holding back, even for a YA book.
A killer in a pig mask starts hunting down the employees during a rehearsal, and from there it’s chaos. The deaths are brutal, creative, and nonstop, and the whole thing feels like you’re watching a horror movie play out in real time. If you like classic slasher vibes (final girl energy, masked killer, people dropping one by one), this part absolutely delivers.
Tori pretty much steps into that “final girl” role, and while she’s determined and tough, she also makes some frustrating choices in the heat of the moment, which, to be fair, is very on-brand for the genre.
The twists are another highlight. The killer’s identity is genuinely surprising, and there are a couple more turns near the end that keep things interesting. Some of it might stretch believability a bit (especially when you think too hard about the logistics), but it’s easy to overlook when you’re caught up in the action.
The ending wraps things up pretty well, especially for a series finale. It’s not completely happy, but it gives Tori some closure and shows her starting to heal, which feels earned after everything she’s been through. That said, it can feel a little rushed compared to how strong the buildup is.
Overall, “Fear Farm” is a solid, entertaining slasher with a good mix of mystery, tension, and emotional depth. It starts a bit slow, but once it gets going, it really gets going. If you’re into spooky season reads, masked killers, and chaotic final girl energy, this one is definitely worth picking up.
“Fear Farm” by Vincent Ralph, the last Bleak Haven book, is basically what happens when a creepy haunted attraction turns into an actual slasher movie; and honestly, it’s a pretty fun (and bloody) ride.
This is the final book in the Bleak Haven series, and while you can read it on its own, you’ll definitely get more out of it if you already know how messed up this town is. Bleak Haven has a history, and Fear Farm is just the latest addition to its long list of bad decisions. The series definitely goes out with a bloody bang with this book.
The story follows Tori, who takes a job at Fear Farm, which is a popular haunted attraction where teens act as killers and victims for customers. But immediately things start feeling off almost immediately. People have been getting hurt on this property for years, including Tori’s own sister, and Tori is convinced it’s not just “accidents.” So naturally, she decides to investigate from the inside.
Tori’s motivation adds a lot to the story. She’s not just trying to solve a mystery; she’s also dealing with her own trauma after surviving a past abduction. There’s this strong underlying theme of her wanting to take control and fight back against the kind of evil she couldn’t stop before, which makes her easy to root for (even when she makes some questionable decisions later on).
The first half leans more into mystery than horror. There’s a lot of setup, like learning the layout of the farm, meeting a lot of characters, dealing with weird training rituals and hazing, and noticing little red flags that something isn’t right. There’s even a documentary producer filming the place, which adds another layer of “something bad is definitely going to happen here.”
And then the second half hits—and it goes full slasher. No holding back, even for a YA book.
A killer in a pig mask starts hunting down the employees during a rehearsal, and from there it’s chaos. The deaths are brutal, creative, and nonstop, and the whole thing feels like you’re watching a horror movie play out in real time. If you like classic slasher vibes (final girl energy, masked killer, people dropping one by one), this part absolutely delivers.
Tori pretty much steps into that “final girl” role, and while she’s determined and tough, she also makes some frustrating choices in the heat of the moment, which, to be fair, is very on-brand for the genre.
The twists are another highlight. The killer’s identity is genuinely surprising, and there are a couple more turns near the end that keep things interesting. Some of it might stretch believability a bit (especially when you think too hard about the logistics), but it’s easy to overlook when you’re caught up in the action.
The ending wraps things up pretty well, especially for a series finale. It’s not completely happy, but it gives Tori some closure and shows her starting to heal, which feels earned after everything she’s been through. That said, it can feel a little rushed compared to how strong the buildup is.
Overall, “Fear Farm” is a solid, entertaining slasher with a good mix of mystery, tension, and emotional depth. It starts a bit slow, but once it gets going, it really gets going. If you’re into spooky season reads, masked killers, and chaotic final girl energy, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book: Fear Farm
Author: Vincent Ralph
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I want to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. This is my favourite in this series so far! I still have one more to go. These books remind me so much of the Fear Street series by RL Stine. They are spooky, twisty, and full of surprises.
Every year, the Fear Farm attraction draws the residents of Bleak Haven together for a night of scares and excitement. Most people ignore the tragic accidents that have been linked to the event over the years, choosing to believe they are nothing more than unfortunate coincidences. Seventeen-year-old Tori Swift is not convinced. Certain that someone is using the attraction to hide deadly crimes, she joins the cast of Fear Farm to investigate from the inside. While playing the part of a convincing villain, she quietly searches for the person responsible before anyone else gets hurt. When another tragedy shakes the town, Tori realises the danger is far more real than she imagined. To uncover the truth, she must face the darkness lurking within Fear Farm before she becomes the killer's next victim.
This book is dark and creepy. We have this farm where people sign up to scare people. However, bad things have been happening at this farm, and everyone seems to be looking the other way. Tori knows that something is very wrong, and that is why she signs up to be a part of this year’s Fear Farm. Only this year, things are very different. There is a camera crew; the cast isn’t large, and stranger-than-normal things seem to be happening everywhere she looks. The more she gets in, the more she comes to realise that this is not a game and the killer is with them.
This set-up is what had me hooked right away. Throughout the book, there is this sense of the unknown and of danger lurking everywhere. Most of the book takes place at night, which only adds to the creepiness of the story. We have people whose job it is to pretend like they are killing each other; the set is designed for these roles, and they are isolated. Plus, the farm has a history. All of this makes this story so good. The author has the right amount of mystery and horror to make it difficult to put this book down. Plus, we have a main character who is driven to find out just what is going on here and what happened to her sister.
Then, it turns more slasher-like. Now, if you are not a fan of that, then this may not be the book for you. It’s suspenseful and done in a way that you know everyone is not going to make it out okay. In fact, you know that none of the characters is ever going to be the same after leaving the farm. We see the killings start, which is done by someone in a pig mask. The pig mask is from a real pig, which adds a whole other level to the horror aspect.
The way we are given everything adds to the story as well. Right away, things are very uneasy. We know something bad is going to happen. It starts very slow, then things just blow up from there. Think Fear Street and 1990s horror books. That’s what this feels like. We have a main character on a mission, and that mission ends up being something bigger than they thought.
Overall, this is a great horror book. The best part about this series is you don’t have to read them in order. If you are looking for a short book that is similar to Fear Street to start your spooky season, then I encourage you to give this one a try.
This book comes out on September 15, 2026.
Author: Vincent Ralph
Rating: 4 Out of 5 Stars
I want to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. This is my favourite in this series so far! I still have one more to go. These books remind me so much of the Fear Street series by RL Stine. They are spooky, twisty, and full of surprises.
Every year, the Fear Farm attraction draws the residents of Bleak Haven together for a night of scares and excitement. Most people ignore the tragic accidents that have been linked to the event over the years, choosing to believe they are nothing more than unfortunate coincidences. Seventeen-year-old Tori Swift is not convinced. Certain that someone is using the attraction to hide deadly crimes, she joins the cast of Fear Farm to investigate from the inside. While playing the part of a convincing villain, she quietly searches for the person responsible before anyone else gets hurt. When another tragedy shakes the town, Tori realises the danger is far more real than she imagined. To uncover the truth, she must face the darkness lurking within Fear Farm before she becomes the killer's next victim.
This book is dark and creepy. We have this farm where people sign up to scare people. However, bad things have been happening at this farm, and everyone seems to be looking the other way. Tori knows that something is very wrong, and that is why she signs up to be a part of this year’s Fear Farm. Only this year, things are very different. There is a camera crew; the cast isn’t large, and stranger-than-normal things seem to be happening everywhere she looks. The more she gets in, the more she comes to realise that this is not a game and the killer is with them.
This set-up is what had me hooked right away. Throughout the book, there is this sense of the unknown and of danger lurking everywhere. Most of the book takes place at night, which only adds to the creepiness of the story. We have people whose job it is to pretend like they are killing each other; the set is designed for these roles, and they are isolated. Plus, the farm has a history. All of this makes this story so good. The author has the right amount of mystery and horror to make it difficult to put this book down. Plus, we have a main character who is driven to find out just what is going on here and what happened to her sister.
Then, it turns more slasher-like. Now, if you are not a fan of that, then this may not be the book for you. It’s suspenseful and done in a way that you know everyone is not going to make it out okay. In fact, you know that none of the characters is ever going to be the same after leaving the farm. We see the killings start, which is done by someone in a pig mask. The pig mask is from a real pig, which adds a whole other level to the horror aspect.
The way we are given everything adds to the story as well. Right away, things are very uneasy. We know something bad is going to happen. It starts very slow, then things just blow up from there. Think Fear Street and 1990s horror books. That’s what this feels like. We have a main character on a mission, and that mission ends up being something bigger than they thought.
Overall, this is a great horror book. The best part about this series is you don’t have to read them in order. If you are looking for a short book that is similar to Fear Street to start your spooky season, then I encourage you to give this one a try.
This book comes out on September 15, 2026.
Want to Read
April 10, 20264.5/5 – A Thrilling, Gory Finale That Delivers on the Bleak Haven PromiseVincent Ralph saves the best (or should I say, the most terrifying) for last with Fear Farm, the nail-biting conclusion to his Bleak Haven series. If you've made it through Dead Fake, Night Terror, and Corpse Creek, this one feels like the chaotic payoff the cursed town has been building toward all along.The premise is deliciously sinister: Fear Farm is the one night a year when the residents of Bleak Haven actually want to be scared. It's their annual fright-fest, a Halloween-style event where "accidents" are politely ignored and the line between fun and fear blurs into something far more dangerous. Ralph leans hard into his signature style—twisty, gory, and relentlessly tense—turning what could have been a standard slasher setup into a town-wide nightmare that ties together the lingering horrors, curses, and secrets from the previous books.
@StMartinsPress
What works brilliantly here is how Ralph uses the festival setting to ramp up the stakes. The atmosphere is thick with dread from the opening pages: corn mazes (or whatever twisted attractions await), masked figures, screaming crowds, and that constant underlying sense that something in Bleak Haven is feeding on the fear itself. The pacing is breakneck, with short, punchy chapters that make it almost impossible to put down once the "accidents" start turning deadly for real. Ralph's teen protagonists feel authentic—flawed, scared, and increasingly desperate as they realize the town won't let them escape its grip.The gore level is satisfyingly high without feeling gratuitous; it's classic Vincent Ralph horror that echoes the visceral thrills of his earlier YA standalones like 14 Ways to Die and Lock the Doors, but with the added depth of a shared universe. The way he weaves in callbacks to the earlier installments—echoes of deepfakes, night terrors, and whatever fresh hell Corpse Creek introduced—gives the whole series a satisfying cohesion. By the end, many of the town's darkest mysteries click into place in ways that feel earned rather than convenient.If there's a minor critique, it's that some threads resolve a touch quickly in the final act (a common challenge in series finales), and readers completely new to Bleak Haven might feel a bit lost without the context of the prior books. But for fans, it's pure catnip.Overall, Fear Farm is a strong, scary capstone that cements Bleak Haven as one of the most fun and creepy YA horror settings in recent years. It has modern Goosebumps energy with sharper teeth and real emotional weight. If you're into twisty, atmospheric horror with a cursed-town vibe, this series (and especially its finale) is a must-read.Highly recommended— just don't plan on sleeping easy afterward. Welcome to Bleak Haven... the town you won't (or can't) leave.
@StMartinsPress
What works brilliantly here is how Ralph uses the festival setting to ramp up the stakes. The atmosphere is thick with dread from the opening pages: corn mazes (or whatever twisted attractions await), masked figures, screaming crowds, and that constant underlying sense that something in Bleak Haven is feeding on the fear itself. The pacing is breakneck, with short, punchy chapters that make it almost impossible to put down once the "accidents" start turning deadly for real. Ralph's teen protagonists feel authentic—flawed, scared, and increasingly desperate as they realize the town won't let them escape its grip.The gore level is satisfyingly high without feeling gratuitous; it's classic Vincent Ralph horror that echoes the visceral thrills of his earlier YA standalones like 14 Ways to Die and Lock the Doors, but with the added depth of a shared universe. The way he weaves in callbacks to the earlier installments—echoes of deepfakes, night terrors, and whatever fresh hell Corpse Creek introduced—gives the whole series a satisfying cohesion. By the end, many of the town's darkest mysteries click into place in ways that feel earned rather than convenient.If there's a minor critique, it's that some threads resolve a touch quickly in the final act (a common challenge in series finales), and readers completely new to Bleak Haven might feel a bit lost without the context of the prior books. But for fans, it's pure catnip.Overall, Fear Farm is a strong, scary capstone that cements Bleak Haven as one of the most fun and creepy YA horror settings in recent years. It has modern Goosebumps energy with sharper teeth and real emotional weight. If you're into twisty, atmospheric horror with a cursed-town vibe, this series (and especially its finale) is a must-read.Highly recommended— just don't plan on sleeping easy afterward. Welcome to Bleak Haven... the town you won't (or can't) leave.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Actual rating: 3.75 stars.
Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Wednesday Books for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Fear Farm is the final book in the Bleak Haven horror series. The town of Bleak Haven has always been known for the monsters that lurk in their midst. A farmer chooses to let the town let off some steam with a fear festival they host every October. Only accidents keep happening at the Fear Fest: a guy falls off of a roof and breaks his legs, gasoline has been slipped into the sodas, and an actress is nailed into her fake coffin. But the actress's sister, Tori, doesn't think these accidents are truly accidents. She thinks there's a killer just waiting for their moment. To try to find this soon to be murderer, Tori joins the cast. Will Tori be able to unmask the murderer? Will she, and the rest of the cast, make it out alive? Fear Farm comes out on September 15th and is available for preorder now.
It was surprising to me that the final book in the series ended up being my favorite. I think the author has taken the time to ask the questions everyone has been wondering: why live in this town full of serial killers and accidents? Why choose to stay when all of the bad things keep happening? And how would you cope in a town that is constantly grieving? We also finally had a character who felt like a person I could really get behind. She was strong and stubborn and she also never stopped questioning everything. I loved that she never truly let her guard down until the Fear Farm of it all was over. There were also some 90s references which I really enjoyed. There weren't so many that it dated the book but it definitely got me feeling some nostalgia. I think between all of that and the pace it was easy to fly through this one.
I struggle with Horror in that everything is always so over the top. The mustache twirling villain of it all lowered the rating for me. I also didn't love the bigger twist of it all. It felt very Scream movie and it made all of the deductive work that we the readers have done up to this point feel wasted. I think it could have made sense if we had laid out a few more breadcrumbs or even just expanded the conversation when the big reveal for it happened.
Overall, I had a good time with this series. I think Bleak Haven is a great choice for anyone looking to get those autumnal vibes with some short, fast paced reads.
Before I get into the review, a quick thank you to both NetGalley and the publishers over at Wednesday Books for allowing me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Fear Farm is the final book in the Bleak Haven horror series. The town of Bleak Haven has always been known for the monsters that lurk in their midst. A farmer chooses to let the town let off some steam with a fear festival they host every October. Only accidents keep happening at the Fear Fest: a guy falls off of a roof and breaks his legs, gasoline has been slipped into the sodas, and an actress is nailed into her fake coffin. But the actress's sister, Tori, doesn't think these accidents are truly accidents. She thinks there's a killer just waiting for their moment. To try to find this soon to be murderer, Tori joins the cast. Will Tori be able to unmask the murderer? Will she, and the rest of the cast, make it out alive? Fear Farm comes out on September 15th and is available for preorder now.
It was surprising to me that the final book in the series ended up being my favorite. I think the author has taken the time to ask the questions everyone has been wondering: why live in this town full of serial killers and accidents? Why choose to stay when all of the bad things keep happening? And how would you cope in a town that is constantly grieving? We also finally had a character who felt like a person I could really get behind. She was strong and stubborn and she also never stopped questioning everything. I loved that she never truly let her guard down until the Fear Farm of it all was over. There were also some 90s references which I really enjoyed. There weren't so many that it dated the book but it definitely got me feeling some nostalgia. I think between all of that and the pace it was easy to fly through this one.
I struggle with Horror in that everything is always so over the top. The mustache twirling villain of it all lowered the rating for me. I also didn't love the bigger twist of it all. It felt very Scream movie and it made all of the deductive work that we the readers have done up to this point feel wasted. I think it could have made sense if we had laid out a few more breadcrumbs or even just expanded the conversation when the big reveal for it happened.
Overall, I had a good time with this series. I think Bleak Haven is a great choice for anyone looking to get those autumnal vibes with some short, fast paced reads.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this book. I truly appreciate it.
I have had the absolute privilege of being able to also arc read the previous books in this series, and I'm so sad to see this series end, but my gosh is this book and this entire series truly fantastic!
If you've read the previous books in this series, then you know, you're never quite sure what you'll stumble upon in Bleak Haven. Or in this case that what you might choose to stumble upon could be worse than your nightmares!
This book is the absolute darkest and goriest of the entire series. Well I say that, it's not Stephen King level gore or darkness, it's still tame in comparison, but it is still gory and I loved it! This book also lightly touches on a lot of dark moments that are a true reality today unfortunately, but they're done really well, and are a good reminder that even a friendly person can mean harm. The ending though doesn't quite have to do with that moment, but it is truly amazing! It's like if scream had a 14a rated baby with Texas chainsaw massacre. Those are the vibes you might feel and I loved absolutely every single moment of it! Regardless of the YA rating which it totally is for upper ya ages, this is also a fantastic book and series for any adult reader of horror to love and enjoy!
However I would highly suggest you read this series out of order for the most chronological impact by reading 2, 4 (this one), 3, and then 1. As always there are a lot of nods to the other books in this series, and so you don't feel possibly a little clueless about what they're referencing (as some of the referenced moments are in other books), I would highly suggest reading in this order for the biggest Easter egg emotional impact. However if you want the biggest cliffhanger impact of an ending for a series ever read 2,4,1, and then 3!
So if you really love horror books with a great story and a fantastic plot but you might need a lot less or a little less gore or true darkness, you're going to love this one and this series!
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this entire series! I loved every minute of it!
I have had the absolute privilege of being able to also arc read the previous books in this series, and I'm so sad to see this series end, but my gosh is this book and this entire series truly fantastic!
If you've read the previous books in this series, then you know, you're never quite sure what you'll stumble upon in Bleak Haven. Or in this case that what you might choose to stumble upon could be worse than your nightmares!
This book is the absolute darkest and goriest of the entire series. Well I say that, it's not Stephen King level gore or darkness, it's still tame in comparison, but it is still gory and I loved it! This book also lightly touches on a lot of dark moments that are a true reality today unfortunately, but they're done really well, and are a good reminder that even a friendly person can mean harm. The ending though doesn't quite have to do with that moment, but it is truly amazing! It's like if scream had a 14a rated baby with Texas chainsaw massacre. Those are the vibes you might feel and I loved absolutely every single moment of it! Regardless of the YA rating which it totally is for upper ya ages, this is also a fantastic book and series for any adult reader of horror to love and enjoy!
However I would highly suggest you read this series out of order for the most chronological impact by reading 2, 4 (this one), 3, and then 1. As always there are a lot of nods to the other books in this series, and so you don't feel possibly a little clueless about what they're referencing (as some of the referenced moments are in other books), I would highly suggest reading in this order for the biggest Easter egg emotional impact. However if you want the biggest cliffhanger impact of an ending for a series ever read 2,4,1, and then 3!
So if you really love horror books with a great story and a fantastic plot but you might need a lot less or a little less gore or true darkness, you're going to love this one and this series!
Thank you so very much again from the bottom of my heart to the publisher, the author and Netgalley for allowing me the absolute privilege of being able to arc read this entire series! I loved every minute of it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Wednesday Books and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. This one was a thrill! Through 2 books we’ve heard of the Fear Farm Massacre and now we get to hear what happened that night! Tori Swift has audition to be a part of Bleak Haven’s Fear Farm for the last two years, this year her third, she finally gets a part. Fear Farm is the town’s answer to all the horrors that have occurred in Bleak Haven, a horror attraction that brings the scary. But Tori knows there is something seriously wrong with Fear Farm, has been for years. There’s a killer there and Tori is going to catch them. You she knows what kind of evil can lurk in the shadows. Once before she had the chance to stop a monster and didn’t, now it haunts her everyday. She’s not about to let it happen again. As this year’s Fear Farm gets underway it’s clear, to Tori at least, that someone is once again up to their old tricks. Props being where they shouldn’t, oh and someone stabbed her. Then on the night of the cast’s dress rehearsal the first person dies. Soon the remaining cast is being stalked by someone in a pig mask. Tori was right all along. But who are they and why are they doing this? Tori’s determined to make it out alive, both her and her best friend. But with danger at every turn, and no idea who to trust, can they survive? A super intense story that had me hooked from the beginning! It’s fast paced and intriguing and I read it in one day! Vincent Ralph does an excellent job with another dark and twisted tale from Bleak Haven! Tori’s history and her determination to catch a killer no one even believed existed was captivating! And once the killings started I had to know who was behind the mask! Definitely one of my favorites of the Bleak Haven series!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Plagued by tragedy for decades, the town of Bleak Haven looks forward to the annual Fear Farm Fright Fest as an outlet. Tori is excited to join the 1999 Fright Fest cast, as she suspects sinister forces are at play. The annual event has a history of mysterious accidents befalling the cast members- one of which almost killed Tori’s sister. She has let a monster get away in the past, and she will not let that happen again. As preparations begin, a documentary crew starts filming to capture the town’s resilience. Tori’s suspicion (and dread) continues to grow, culminating in a night of bloodshed.
This is a pretty solid, fast-paced slasher that will have readers unsure of who to trust. There are some side plots that feel a bit out of place, like Tori’s past trauma and her current family life. They make sense in the grand scheme of things, but also feel kind of forced. The ending feels rushed and tidy, but as a YA horror, it’s fine.
Now that I have reached the end of the Bleak Haven series (finally!) I will comment on them as a whole. Each book is fine. I would recommend them to teen horror readers. But also, each book is a different genre, so fans of book one might not like the others. Dead Fake is a technology-inspired thriller. Night Terror is a zombie horror. Corpse Creek is a psychological thriller. And Fear Farm is a slasher horror. I appreciate that they aren’t all just carbon copies of each other, but aside from the shared town history or references to past events, the books feel so disjointed. I’ve read several of Ralph’s books now, and I think he’s just not the author for me. But all that being said, I will still recommend his books to teens seeking horror books.
Plagued by tragedy for decades, the town of Bleak Haven looks forward to the annual Fear Farm Fright Fest as an outlet. Tori is excited to join the 1999 Fright Fest cast, as she suspects sinister forces are at play. The annual event has a history of mysterious accidents befalling the cast members- one of which almost killed Tori’s sister. She has let a monster get away in the past, and she will not let that happen again. As preparations begin, a documentary crew starts filming to capture the town’s resilience. Tori’s suspicion (and dread) continues to grow, culminating in a night of bloodshed.
This is a pretty solid, fast-paced slasher that will have readers unsure of who to trust. There are some side plots that feel a bit out of place, like Tori’s past trauma and her current family life. They make sense in the grand scheme of things, but also feel kind of forced. The ending feels rushed and tidy, but as a YA horror, it’s fine.
Now that I have reached the end of the Bleak Haven series (finally!) I will comment on them as a whole. Each book is fine. I would recommend them to teen horror readers. But also, each book is a different genre, so fans of book one might not like the others. Dead Fake is a technology-inspired thriller. Night Terror is a zombie horror. Corpse Creek is a psychological thriller. And Fear Farm is a slasher horror. I appreciate that they aren’t all just carbon copies of each other, but aside from the shared town history or references to past events, the books feel so disjointed. I’ve read several of Ralph’s books now, and I think he’s just not the author for me. But all that being said, I will still recommend his books to teens seeking horror books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the kind of slasher that has those good ol' throwback vibes which made us all love that genre in the first place.
I've read several books about slashers set against the backdrop of a haunt near Halloween. And, for me, that just gives me all the creepy feelings I'm looking for. This one does that but it goes deeper as well.
Our protagonist is a teenage girl who had something traumatic happen as a child. Something she barely escaped from. She's applying to be an actor in the local "haunt" because there have been a series of accidents there over the years which everyone seems to ignore. But she believes it was something more and she's determined to stop what she believes will be a massacre.
Her backstory is her motivation and it serves the story well. Since the book is set in the world of Bleak Haven, a town with a history of extreme violence and death, it adds to the overall terror.
And soon, people will die in horrific ways as the employees find themselves trapped and being stalked one by one. But who's doing the killing and why?
With several interesting characters to give your suspicions a nudge throughout the book you'll be left wondering until the ultimate reveal. This is just a great slasher with all those horrific vibes and the kills are as gruesome as you would want. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
I've read several books about slashers set against the backdrop of a haunt near Halloween. And, for me, that just gives me all the creepy feelings I'm looking for. This one does that but it goes deeper as well.
Our protagonist is a teenage girl who had something traumatic happen as a child. Something she barely escaped from. She's applying to be an actor in the local "haunt" because there have been a series of accidents there over the years which everyone seems to ignore. But she believes it was something more and she's determined to stop what she believes will be a massacre.
Her backstory is her motivation and it serves the story well. Since the book is set in the world of Bleak Haven, a town with a history of extreme violence and death, it adds to the overall terror.
And soon, people will die in horrific ways as the employees find themselves trapped and being stalked one by one. But who's doing the killing and why?
With several interesting characters to give your suspicions a nudge throughout the book you'll be left wondering until the ultimate reveal. This is just a great slasher with all those horrific vibes and the kills are as gruesome as you would want. I highly recommend it. I received an ARC of this book through Netgalley. This review is voluntary and is my own personal opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Vincent Ralph for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also thank you publishers for your hard work!
I seem to be doing this more recently. I start either in the middle of a series or at the end of one. Oh well. Sometimes that happens and you dont have to know what happens before to know what goes on in the book you're reading. Anyway this was definitely a book I enjoyed. I loved the main character and how she strived to want to figure out what was going on. She wouldnt let anything stop her or get in her way. All the characters were so different from one another and of course the book left you guessing right until the very end. I guessed right at the very end and was like how did i not know!? It made me chuckle.
This book certainly had a twist at the end i didn't expect and I love it when books fool me like that. Also fair warning there are some gruesome deaths in this book but not so bad it had me gaging. So no animal deaths or children deaths. Also no rape. There are no real bad trigger warnings that I can think of. I just really enjoyed this book i mean it took me less than two days to read.
Im reading less books like this as it seems like this was the only kind I was reading for a long time there so I was burnt out there so it was a nice return to this trope. Ill ease back into it again.
I seem to be doing this more recently. I start either in the middle of a series or at the end of one. Oh well. Sometimes that happens and you dont have to know what happens before to know what goes on in the book you're reading. Anyway this was definitely a book I enjoyed. I loved the main character and how she strived to want to figure out what was going on. She wouldnt let anything stop her or get in her way. All the characters were so different from one another and of course the book left you guessing right until the very end. I guessed right at the very end and was like how did i not know!? It made me chuckle.
This book certainly had a twist at the end i didn't expect and I love it when books fool me like that. Also fair warning there are some gruesome deaths in this book but not so bad it had me gaging. So no animal deaths or children deaths. Also no rape. There are no real bad trigger warnings that I can think of. I just really enjoyed this book i mean it took me less than two days to read.
Im reading less books like this as it seems like this was the only kind I was reading for a long time there so I was burnt out there so it was a nice return to this trope. Ill ease back into it again.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book can best be described as every horror lovers ideal book. I love the slasher vibes and the final girl trope. Definitely a book that gives a nod to Halloween. In the fourth installment of the Bleak Haven series you’ll be reminded why some small towns should be avoided.
Fear Farm is Bleak Haven’s main attraction people have come from all over to be scared out of their mind. Wanda Myers along with her husband George and her daughter Layla keeps the fear and spookiness running like a fine tune engine. Although there have been complaints that they tend to go far with the horror they keep going. Insert our main character Tori, a young woman that is motivated by her own personal reasons to audition for a role at the farm and discover if the accidents that keep occurring or truly accidents or if something more sinister behind the scenes.
Overall the book was a an enjoyable read there were small things that happened in the book but about 60% mark it picked up fast. I definitely was shocked by the ending as I didn’t see that coming. This books reads like a slasher novel hunting their prey on a farm. Definitely give this one a read.
Thank you, Vincent Ralph, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
Fear Farm is Bleak Haven’s main attraction people have come from all over to be scared out of their mind. Wanda Myers along with her husband George and her daughter Layla keeps the fear and spookiness running like a fine tune engine. Although there have been complaints that they tend to go far with the horror they keep going. Insert our main character Tori, a young woman that is motivated by her own personal reasons to audition for a role at the farm and discover if the accidents that keep occurring or truly accidents or if something more sinister behind the scenes.
Overall the book was a an enjoyable read there were small things that happened in the book but about 60% mark it picked up fast. I definitely was shocked by the ending as I didn’t see that coming. This books reads like a slasher novel hunting their prey on a farm. Definitely give this one a read.
Thank you, Vincent Ralph, St. Martin's Press, Wednesday Books and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books, Vincent Ralph, and NetGalley for an eARC and pARC of of Fear Farm!
4.5⭐️
What better way to end this story than with Ms. Swift’s past! We get to see Tori Swift as a teenager as she seeks to find out what happened to her sister that almost killed her.
This is a classic slasher novel that had me hooked from the beginning. I’m pretty sure I sat down on my couch and read it in one sitting. And honestly, I couldn’t figure out who the killer is. I was genuinely lost and going in a completely different direction.
One of the things that made this a strong book for me was the set up. The series up to this point, specifically Dead Fake, has built the anticipation surrounding Tori’s story. We learn in the first book that she survived a killer and watched her friends die. So we know, in essence, what is going to happen, but we don’t know how, who, or why. It’s kind of intense actually because I got scared that something was going to happen to her, but I knew that that couldn’t be possible.
I read Fear Farm in one sitting and I’m sad to be leaving Bleak Haven. I highly, highly recommend for fans of Goosebumps!
4.5⭐️
What better way to end this story than with Ms. Swift’s past! We get to see Tori Swift as a teenager as she seeks to find out what happened to her sister that almost killed her.
This is a classic slasher novel that had me hooked from the beginning. I’m pretty sure I sat down on my couch and read it in one sitting. And honestly, I couldn’t figure out who the killer is. I was genuinely lost and going in a completely different direction.
One of the things that made this a strong book for me was the set up. The series up to this point, specifically Dead Fake, has built the anticipation surrounding Tori’s story. We learn in the first book that she survived a killer and watched her friends die. So we know, in essence, what is going to happen, but we don’t know how, who, or why. It’s kind of intense actually because I got scared that something was going to happen to her, but I knew that that couldn’t be possible.
I read Fear Farm in one sitting and I’m sad to be leaving Bleak Haven. I highly, highly recommend for fans of Goosebumps!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Readers Copy.
Disclaimer: I did not read any of the previous books in the series and did not find myself confused with the characters, and who was whom.
I enjoyed the mix of mystery and horror, it felt like a new type of genre that I thoroughly enjoyed. This was a good YA mystery/horror book.
The book itself was fine, I did not find this book life-changing or a series I would continue reading, though. Nothing felt special about this book.
I found the descriptions to be few and vague, which I actually enjoyed. I often find in most romance books that there is too much detail, and find myself skipping over the details (that I typically feel like don't matter).
This felt light and an easy to read book. This felt like an extremely binge-able book because of how light and easy this book was to read. I read this book within 36 hours because of the bingeable-ness to the book.
Disclaimer: I did not read any of the previous books in the series and did not find myself confused with the characters, and who was whom.
I enjoyed the mix of mystery and horror, it felt like a new type of genre that I thoroughly enjoyed. This was a good YA mystery/horror book.
The book itself was fine, I did not find this book life-changing or a series I would continue reading, though. Nothing felt special about this book.
I found the descriptions to be few and vague, which I actually enjoyed. I often find in most romance books that there is too much detail, and find myself skipping over the details (that I typically feel like don't matter).
This felt light and an easy to read book. This felt like an extremely binge-able book because of how light and easy this book was to read. I read this book within 36 hours because of the bingeable-ness to the book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of Advanced Copy Received from NetGalley
In “Fear Farm”, we follow Tori as she goes on a journey to find out if there is a serial killer causing havoc to the annual fright-fest, and we read along as she dives head-in to the action. Instead of staying on the outskirts, she auditions to be an actual part of the fright-fest. This book reads as a slasher film-turned book, and I greatly enjoyed that! It was fun to go through each chapter knowing that someone was the “bad guy”, but not quite knowing who. It definitely kept me guessing!
The premise of this book drew me in, despite not having read the other books in the series. I believe you can read this one as a stand-alone, though I'm sure you definitely miss some context and plot points. It was a short read, and I wish it was just a little longer!
In “Fear Farm”, we follow Tori as she goes on a journey to find out if there is a serial killer causing havoc to the annual fright-fest, and we read along as she dives head-in to the action. Instead of staying on the outskirts, she auditions to be an actual part of the fright-fest. This book reads as a slasher film-turned book, and I greatly enjoyed that! It was fun to go through each chapter knowing that someone was the “bad guy”, but not quite knowing who. It definitely kept me guessing!
The premise of this book drew me in, despite not having read the other books in the series. I believe you can read this one as a stand-alone, though I'm sure you definitely miss some context and plot points. It was a short read, and I wish it was just a little longer!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Tori knows that something sinister is behind the "accidents" that happen every season at Fear Farm. Despite her sister's near-death experience, Tori auditions for this season's event with the determination to solve the mystery. When Tori's suspicions become true and a masked assailant starts picking them off one by one, Tori may not survive the night to solve the mystery.
Fear Farm is my first read in the Bleak Haven universe. I didn't feel confused having not read the other books. While this one will definitely appeal to seasoned horror fans, I think the slasher style is a bit much for younger readers or readers who "think" they want to read horror. I think the ending wrapped up a little too nicely and lacked the necessary backstory to make it believable. Definitely a solid pick for horror fans, but probably not one I plan on purchasing.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
Fear Farm is my first read in the Bleak Haven universe. I didn't feel confused having not read the other books. While this one will definitely appeal to seasoned horror fans, I think the slasher style is a bit much for younger readers or readers who "think" they want to read horror. I think the ending wrapped up a little too nicely and lacked the necessary backstory to make it believable. Definitely a solid pick for horror fans, but probably not one I plan on purchasing.
I read an ARC from Edelweiss.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book definitely brings the fear! Fear Farm is an annual scare fest and you have to audition before the owner of the estate it's held on but this year it's going to be filmed with a smaller crew and it's harder to get accepted. Tori's older sister was almost killed when she was a cast member on fear farm and their family doesn't want anyone even attending but Tori is determined to be accepted to work there so she can see if she can find out more about her sisters accident. Well, the book gets crazy and it turns into a horror fest. The book certainly keeps you guessing in who is the crazed killer and why are they doing this. So many times you'll think you have it figured out just to be surprised again. I received this book as an ARC and I am leaving this review totally voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a classic slasher- anyone who enjoys a 90s slasher movie would probably like this one. Tori is a great character, and I liked reading about the relationship with her and her sister/family. There did seem to be some sacrificing of detail for the sake of pacing. For example, I got to learn a lot about Tori’s family, but almost nothing about her peers who were being hunted. I just wish we got a little more background about the people on the farm that night. I also wish the author leaned into the nostalgia a little bit more (I think this was a critique I had about Night Terror as well). However, I do think that overall this might be my favorite in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this novel!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 out of 5 stars
YA Horror
This is my third book I've read from this author and I loved this one just as much as they other two. Vincent Ralph writes horror in a way that I can put the book down. I would never want to visit Bleak Haven. Bleak Haven has always been a place where fear is currency, but the annual Fear Farm fright-fest pushes that idea to its limit. 17 year old, Tori refuses to accept that the town just keeps having accidents happening. She auditions for Fear Farm so she can play a villain to maybe catch one instead. What happens when Tori comes face to face with a murderer, will she make it out alive?
YA Horror
This is my third book I've read from this author and I loved this one just as much as they other two. Vincent Ralph writes horror in a way that I can put the book down. I would never want to visit Bleak Haven. Bleak Haven has always been a place where fear is currency, but the annual Fear Farm fright-fest pushes that idea to its limit. 17 year old, Tori refuses to accept that the town just keeps having accidents happening. She auditions for Fear Farm so she can play a villain to maybe catch one instead. What happens when Tori comes face to face with a murderer, will she make it out alive?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The final book of the bleak haven series! I guess all good things must come to an end, but I could have kept reading more of these stories. As for the series itself, they are all most reads, and while you could read any of them as a stand alone (including this book) you definitely benefit from reading them in sequential order!
I loved the atmosphere of this book, it made for a perfect conclusion and really helped wrap things up in a way this series deserved. A great book and a standout series
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!! Such a privilege to get to review this series!
I loved the atmosphere of this book, it made for a perfect conclusion and really helped wrap things up in a way this series deserved. A great book and a standout series
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!! Such a privilege to get to review this series!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC!
This was my third bleak haven book(I know it’s the fourth in the series) and so far this one was my favorite. Darker than the last two that I’ve read, which were dead fake and corpse creek. I love stories that are set in a town with a dark past or secrets, and this one didn’t disappoint. Glad I still have one more to read before I’m done with this series but when I finish It will be bitter sweet that there will be no more bleak haven to read more stories about. I give this one 4.5/5⭐️
This was my third bleak haven book(I know it’s the fourth in the series) and so far this one was my favorite. Darker than the last two that I’ve read, which were dead fake and corpse creek. I love stories that are set in a town with a dark past or secrets, and this one didn’t disappoint. Glad I still have one more to read before I’m done with this series but when I finish It will be bitter sweet that there will be no more bleak haven to read more stories about. I give this one 4.5/5⭐️
April 8, 2026
This was such a satisfying ending to the series
I think out of all 4 this was my favourite I think mainly because it reminded me of a good old fashioned slasher which is always my favourite and this one also included a creepy farm a pig mask two killers and lots of dropped bodies’
I really didn’t suspect the killer until almost the end which was great because it added to the suspense of the book!
I think out of all 4 this was my favourite I think mainly because it reminded me of a good old fashioned slasher which is always my favourite and this one also included a creepy farm a pig mask two killers and lots of dropped bodies’
I really didn’t suspect the killer until almost the end which was great because it added to the suspense of the book!
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