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A Thousand Monstrous Forms: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Bluebeard gets a gothic horror and sapphic romance twist in this fairytale retelling from the author of Serial Killer Support Group and Trad Wife.
A young ceramic artist moves into her new wife’s isolated manor and gets drawn into dark discoveries that stain her marriage—and her very soul.
Artist Poppy Reed doesn’t care if others think her marriage to Celia Marie Fox, a wealthy art dealer, is impulsive. Sure, they’ve only known each other for six months, and Celia has an infamous romantic reputation, but Poppy is brimming with excitement when she moves across the country to Celia’s home: a formidable, isolated, and art-filled manor called Busirane.
As Poppy tries to celebrate her first weeks of marriage and enjoy her new home, Busirane seems intent on rebuffing her every attempt to settle in. Strange noises and confounding occurrences lead Poppy to believe the house is haunted, a suspicion worsened by Celia’s insistence that Poppy avoid the locked basement.
When Celia leaves for a work trip, Poppy is left alone in the house, then finds herself snowed in. Surrounded by secrets, stalked by faceless statues, and beset by bodiless whispers, she struggles to trust her wife—and her own mind. When Poppy is eventually drawn to the forbidden basement, dark truths shatter everything she thought she knew, throwing her into a desperate bid for survival.
Drenched in dread, this contemporary gothic folktale retelling will have you checking all the locks. Twice.
A young ceramic artist moves into her new wife’s isolated manor and gets drawn into dark discoveries that stain her marriage—and her very soul.
Artist Poppy Reed doesn’t care if others think her marriage to Celia Marie Fox, a wealthy art dealer, is impulsive. Sure, they’ve only known each other for six months, and Celia has an infamous romantic reputation, but Poppy is brimming with excitement when she moves across the country to Celia’s home: a formidable, isolated, and art-filled manor called Busirane.
As Poppy tries to celebrate her first weeks of marriage and enjoy her new home, Busirane seems intent on rebuffing her every attempt to settle in. Strange noises and confounding occurrences lead Poppy to believe the house is haunted, a suspicion worsened by Celia’s insistence that Poppy avoid the locked basement.
When Celia leaves for a work trip, Poppy is left alone in the house, then finds herself snowed in. Surrounded by secrets, stalked by faceless statues, and beset by bodiless whispers, she struggles to trust her wife—and her own mind. When Poppy is eventually drawn to the forbidden basement, dark truths shatter everything she thought she knew, throwing her into a desperate bid for survival.
Drenched in dread, this contemporary gothic folktale retelling will have you checking all the locks. Twice.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
Saratoga Schaefer
6 books577 followersSaratoga Schaefer (they/them) is the USA Today Bestselling and Indie Press Bestselling author of vicious horrors and twisted thrillers. Their books have been featured in Variety, People Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and Glamour, and their writing has appeared in Writer’s Digest, CrimeReads, and more. Originally from Brooklyn, Saratoga now lives upstate with several needy animals and a haunted clown table.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
June 15, 2026
When I got an email that I was pre approved to read a book by Saratoga Schaefer I was honored! So thank you to Crooked Lane books and NetGalley for this arc.
How to describe the feeling this book gave me…It’s like when you’re a kid and you get up in the middle of the night to get a drink from the kitchen. Your house looks completely different at night and you run up the stairs on all fours because you think someone is watching you…Maybe that was just me?? Anyway the spooky scary vibes are immaculate. I don’t think I can look in a mirror at night ever again.
For me, I had a very hard time envisioning Celia as a woman. Every time abuse was present, my mind kept wanting to envision a man. I think the main theme, that abuse can come from anyone regardless of sex or gender, is such an important topic that needs more acknowledgment especially in same sex couples. That when its a woman being abused or even doing the abusing we are inclined not to believe it. Its a solid message that is executed oh so well.
How to describe the feeling this book gave me…It’s like when you’re a kid and you get up in the middle of the night to get a drink from the kitchen. Your house looks completely different at night and you run up the stairs on all fours because you think someone is watching you…Maybe that was just me?? Anyway the spooky scary vibes are immaculate. I don’t think I can look in a mirror at night ever again.
For me, I had a very hard time envisioning Celia as a woman. Every time abuse was present, my mind kept wanting to envision a man. I think the main theme, that abuse can come from anyone regardless of sex or gender, is such an important topic that needs more acknowledgment especially in same sex couples. That when its a woman being abused or even doing the abusing we are inclined not to believe it. Its a solid message that is executed oh so well.
June 6, 2026
After a quick elopement, Poppy moves into her new wife’s family home and discovers the beautiful mansion is a nightmare.
Full of scary images and twists, this book is perfect for haunted house fans. It’s all that and more with relationship red flags and moving statues. Nothing is as it seems.
Not as disturbing as Trad Wife, though few things are, but I think horror fans will enjoy it! I especially loved everything from the faerie book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Saratoga Schaefer, and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity. I have written this voluntarily and honestly.
Full of scary images and twists, this book is perfect for haunted house fans. It’s all that and more with relationship red flags and moving statues. Nothing is as it seems.
Not as disturbing as Trad Wife, though few things are, but I think horror fans will enjoy it! I especially loved everything from the faerie book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Saratoga Schaefer, and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity. I have written this voluntarily and honestly.
May 30, 2026
Yeah baby! I was sucked-in, reading this book over the course of four days. This book has all the feels. This story explores the pain of investing yourself into another human, while they build you up into their own work of art and then break you down with their metaphorical sledgehammer.
I found literal jump scares…as I’m reading it on my phone (thanks to the Crooked Lane and NetGalley ARC)….alone in my quiet house…and my phone suddenly chirps a notification cause me to jump out of my skin! There is the fire, complications, and messiness of human relationships that made me squirm (for more). I was wholeheartedly triggered and reexamining my own relationships.
I also found imbedded humor, I love Saratoga Schaefer for that. They are an author you can devour in appreciation for their raw love of literature, storytelling, and gothic-horror depictions. This book is definitely my fav of her four books (so far!)
kindle-tbr
May 25, 2026um hello i need this?! I've been dyyyying for a Bluebeard retelling
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
“A Thousand Monstrous Forms” by Saratoga Schaefer is one of those horror novels that gets under your skin almost immediately and never really lets go. Equal parts gothic haunted house story, toxic relationship horror, and sapphic Bluebeard retelling, this book had me completely hooked from the start. The atmosphere is so thick with dread that I felt uneasy for most of the reading experience, and I mean that as a compliment.
The story follows Poppy, a ceramic artist who has recently married the beautiful and charismatic Celia after a whirlwind six-month romance. Together they move into Celia's family manor, where Poppy hopes to focus on her art and start a new chapter of her life. But almost from the moment she arrives, things feel wrong. Strange reflections move on their own, the wallpaper seems alive, faceless statues watch her from the garden, and the house itself feels less like a setting and more like a living, breathing presence with its own agenda.
The manor is easily one of the strongest parts of the book. Saratoga Schaefer creates a setting that feels genuinely haunted, not just by ghosts but by secrets, memories, and something much darker lurking beneath the surface. Every hallway, mirror, statue, and shadow seems loaded with tension. The mirror scenes in particular were absolutely fantastic. They were creepy, unsettling, and often had me waiting for the next horrifying thing to happen. The faceless marble statues were another standout element that I don't think I'll be forgetting anytime soon (they reminded me of the Weeping Angels in Doctor Who, and they were absolutely terrifying).
What makes the horror especially effective is how closely it's tied to Poppy's relationship with Celia. From the beginning, the red flags are impossible to ignore. There's the significant age gap, the rushed marriage, the isolation from friends and family, the constant love bombing, the gaslighting, and the alarming revelation that Celia has had multiple wives before Poppy. As readers, we can see the warning signs immediately, but Poppy's desperate need to be loved and accepted keeps her overlooking things she probably shouldn't. At times I wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up for herself, but her people-pleasing tendencies and lack of confidence felt painfully realistic, especially since Poppy is aware of her own issues.
The book does an excellent job exploring emotional abuse alongside its supernatural horror. As Poppy begins uncovering more about Celia and the manor, the two forms of horror become deeply intertwined. The story constantly keeps you questioning whether the house is trying to hurt Poppy, protect her, or warn her. The tension builds steadily as both the haunting and Celia's increasingly strange behavior escalate.
And speaking of escalation, once the book starts revealing its secrets, it absolutely takes off. One major revelation arrives much earlier than I expected, and it completely changed how I viewed everything that came before. From there, the story only becomes more bizarre, horrifying, and unpredictable. There are some genuinely creepy moments throughout, along with some body horror, gore, and several scenes that had my anxiety levels climbing. Horror books rarely make me physically tense, but this one absolutely succeeded.
I also loved the artistic elements woven throughout the story. Poppy's work with ceramics adds a unique layer to the narrative, and the imagery surrounding art, sculpture, and creation fits perfectly with the novel's themes of control, identity, and transformation. The visuals are stunning throughout. There were multiple scenes that felt so vivid I could practically see them playing out as a movie.
The climax is chaotic, emotional, and deeply satisfying. While the story embraces its supernatural horror roots, it never loses sight of Poppy's personal journey. At its core, this is a story about reclaiming yourself after manipulation and abuse, learning to fight back, and refusing to let someone else define who you are. Watching Poppy grow into her own strength was one of the most rewarding parts of the book.
The ending delivers both closure and one final unsettling note that suggests the story may not be completely finished with Poppy just yet. It's the kind of ending that lingers after you close the book.
Overall, “A Thousand Monstrous Forms” is a beautifully written gothic horror novel packed with creepy imagery, toxic relationships, haunted house terror, folklore influences, and unforgettable atmosphere. It's unsettling, emotional, visually stunning, and surprisingly empowering beneath all the horror. If you enjoy gothic fiction, sapphic horror, haunted mansions, and stories where the monsters are both supernatural and painfully human, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
“A Thousand Monstrous Forms” by Saratoga Schaefer is one of those horror novels that gets under your skin almost immediately and never really lets go. Equal parts gothic haunted house story, toxic relationship horror, and sapphic Bluebeard retelling, this book had me completely hooked from the start. The atmosphere is so thick with dread that I felt uneasy for most of the reading experience, and I mean that as a compliment.
The story follows Poppy, a ceramic artist who has recently married the beautiful and charismatic Celia after a whirlwind six-month romance. Together they move into Celia's family manor, where Poppy hopes to focus on her art and start a new chapter of her life. But almost from the moment she arrives, things feel wrong. Strange reflections move on their own, the wallpaper seems alive, faceless statues watch her from the garden, and the house itself feels less like a setting and more like a living, breathing presence with its own agenda.
The manor is easily one of the strongest parts of the book. Saratoga Schaefer creates a setting that feels genuinely haunted, not just by ghosts but by secrets, memories, and something much darker lurking beneath the surface. Every hallway, mirror, statue, and shadow seems loaded with tension. The mirror scenes in particular were absolutely fantastic. They were creepy, unsettling, and often had me waiting for the next horrifying thing to happen. The faceless marble statues were another standout element that I don't think I'll be forgetting anytime soon (they reminded me of the Weeping Angels in Doctor Who, and they were absolutely terrifying).
What makes the horror especially effective is how closely it's tied to Poppy's relationship with Celia. From the beginning, the red flags are impossible to ignore. There's the significant age gap, the rushed marriage, the isolation from friends and family, the constant love bombing, the gaslighting, and the alarming revelation that Celia has had multiple wives before Poppy. As readers, we can see the warning signs immediately, but Poppy's desperate need to be loved and accepted keeps her overlooking things she probably shouldn't. At times I wanted to shake her and tell her to stand up for herself, but her people-pleasing tendencies and lack of confidence felt painfully realistic, especially since Poppy is aware of her own issues.
The book does an excellent job exploring emotional abuse alongside its supernatural horror. As Poppy begins uncovering more about Celia and the manor, the two forms of horror become deeply intertwined. The story constantly keeps you questioning whether the house is trying to hurt Poppy, protect her, or warn her. The tension builds steadily as both the haunting and Celia's increasingly strange behavior escalate.
And speaking of escalation, once the book starts revealing its secrets, it absolutely takes off. One major revelation arrives much earlier than I expected, and it completely changed how I viewed everything that came before. From there, the story only becomes more bizarre, horrifying, and unpredictable. There are some genuinely creepy moments throughout, along with some body horror, gore, and several scenes that had my anxiety levels climbing. Horror books rarely make me physically tense, but this one absolutely succeeded.
I also loved the artistic elements woven throughout the story. Poppy's work with ceramics adds a unique layer to the narrative, and the imagery surrounding art, sculpture, and creation fits perfectly with the novel's themes of control, identity, and transformation. The visuals are stunning throughout. There were multiple scenes that felt so vivid I could practically see them playing out as a movie.
The climax is chaotic, emotional, and deeply satisfying. While the story embraces its supernatural horror roots, it never loses sight of Poppy's personal journey. At its core, this is a story about reclaiming yourself after manipulation and abuse, learning to fight back, and refusing to let someone else define who you are. Watching Poppy grow into her own strength was one of the most rewarding parts of the book.
The ending delivers both closure and one final unsettling note that suggests the story may not be completely finished with Poppy just yet. It's the kind of ending that lingers after you close the book.
Overall, “A Thousand Monstrous Forms” is a beautifully written gothic horror novel packed with creepy imagery, toxic relationships, haunted house terror, folklore influences, and unforgettable atmosphere. It's unsettling, emotional, visually stunning, and surprisingly empowering beneath all the horror. If you enjoy gothic fiction, sapphic horror, haunted mansions, and stories where the monsters are both supernatural and painfully human, this one is absolutely worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
USA Today bestselling author
Saratoga Schaefer
is having already having a stellar year with
Trad Wife
and
The Last Time We Drowned
, but it continues with their latest novel.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms
, a dread-filled, creepy, and terrifying horror tale that had me reading with my back to the wall.
Artist Poppy Reed doesn’t care if others think her marriage to Celia Marie Fox, a wealthy art dealer, is impulsive. Sure, they’ve only known each other for six months, and Celia has an infamous romantic reputation, but Poppy is brimming with excitement when she moves across the country to Celia’s home: a formidable, isolated, and art-filled manor called Busirane.
As Poppy tries to celebrate her first weeks of marriage and enjoy her new home, Busirane seems intent on rebuffing her every attempt to settle in. Strange noises and confounding occurrences lead Poppy to believe the house is haunted, a suspicion worsened by Celia’s insistence that Poppy avoid the locked basement.
When Celia leaves for a work trip, Poppy is left alone in the house, then finds herself snowed in. Surrounded by secrets, stalked by faceless statues, and beset by bodiless whispers, she struggles to trust her wife—and her own mind. When Poppy is eventually drawn to the forbidden basement, dark truths shatter everything she thought she knew, throwing her into a desperate bid for survival.
I have read my fair share of haunted house stories over the years and while I don't tend to go for them first, I do tend to enjoy them. What makes this haunted dwelling story stand out is the author. I have now convinced myself that I would read the instructions on making an apple pie if it was written by Schaefer. There is something about the way Saratoga crafts their stories, no matter the genre or plot, that draws me in and keeps me around.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms was one I was heavily looking forward to reading and it didn't disappoint. Not only is this story filled with dread and unease, it has a few jump scares that will make you yelp out loud, something I find hard to accomplish in prose novels at times. This story is one of those tales that is hard to read inside your own house, especially one like mine which is over 100 years old. What creepy, unsettling things have happened in the history of this house that might rear its ugly face in moments of quiet and tranquility, making you utterly frightened.
What made A Thousand Monstrous Forms even more terrifying was the fast-paced nature of the story as well. Schaefer wasted no time allowing these frightening moments to appear, not letting us settle in at all. Saratoga does wonderfully balance this scares with a real sense of foreboding unease, building on tension and dread throughout the story as well.
I feel most people have had or know of someone who has had a relationship that has moved extremely quickly, ignoring any red flags, rules, or questions that may arise. With A Thousand Monstrous Forms, Schaefer builds a story that is more than just one that frightens, but has deeper story to tell. When things get creepy after moving into an ld house with someone, let's be honest, you barely know and they don't take it seriously, how could you not question everything. It can be good to trust someone, but how far does that trust go when this unsettling house proves to be too much.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms is a modernized and horrifying take on the classic French folktale Bluebird by Charles Perrault. Taking stories from the 1600s and twisting them to fit a modern tale feels like an undertaking that I would not want to try, but Schaefer seems to do with ease.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms is a chilling haunted house tale filled with a sense of dread, a ton of tension, and some pretty frightening scares, all while exploring trust and relationships. Saratoga Schaefer once again proved they are one of the more compelling voices in storytelling today. A Thousand Monstrous Forms is dread-soaked horror story that made me happy I read with the lights on.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms hits bookstores everywhere on September 15, 2026 from Crooked Lane Books.
NOTE: We received an advance copy of A Thousand Monstrous Forms from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
Artist Poppy Reed doesn’t care if others think her marriage to Celia Marie Fox, a wealthy art dealer, is impulsive. Sure, they’ve only known each other for six months, and Celia has an infamous romantic reputation, but Poppy is brimming with excitement when she moves across the country to Celia’s home: a formidable, isolated, and art-filled manor called Busirane.
As Poppy tries to celebrate her first weeks of marriage and enjoy her new home, Busirane seems intent on rebuffing her every attempt to settle in. Strange noises and confounding occurrences lead Poppy to believe the house is haunted, a suspicion worsened by Celia’s insistence that Poppy avoid the locked basement.
When Celia leaves for a work trip, Poppy is left alone in the house, then finds herself snowed in. Surrounded by secrets, stalked by faceless statues, and beset by bodiless whispers, she struggles to trust her wife—and her own mind. When Poppy is eventually drawn to the forbidden basement, dark truths shatter everything she thought she knew, throwing her into a desperate bid for survival.
I have read my fair share of haunted house stories over the years and while I don't tend to go for them first, I do tend to enjoy them. What makes this haunted dwelling story stand out is the author. I have now convinced myself that I would read the instructions on making an apple pie if it was written by Schaefer. There is something about the way Saratoga crafts their stories, no matter the genre or plot, that draws me in and keeps me around.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms was one I was heavily looking forward to reading and it didn't disappoint. Not only is this story filled with dread and unease, it has a few jump scares that will make you yelp out loud, something I find hard to accomplish in prose novels at times. This story is one of those tales that is hard to read inside your own house, especially one like mine which is over 100 years old. What creepy, unsettling things have happened in the history of this house that might rear its ugly face in moments of quiet and tranquility, making you utterly frightened.
What made A Thousand Monstrous Forms even more terrifying was the fast-paced nature of the story as well. Schaefer wasted no time allowing these frightening moments to appear, not letting us settle in at all. Saratoga does wonderfully balance this scares with a real sense of foreboding unease, building on tension and dread throughout the story as well.
I feel most people have had or know of someone who has had a relationship that has moved extremely quickly, ignoring any red flags, rules, or questions that may arise. With A Thousand Monstrous Forms, Schaefer builds a story that is more than just one that frightens, but has deeper story to tell. When things get creepy after moving into an ld house with someone, let's be honest, you barely know and they don't take it seriously, how could you not question everything. It can be good to trust someone, but how far does that trust go when this unsettling house proves to be too much.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms is a modernized and horrifying take on the classic French folktale Bluebird by Charles Perrault. Taking stories from the 1600s and twisting them to fit a modern tale feels like an undertaking that I would not want to try, but Schaefer seems to do with ease.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms is a chilling haunted house tale filled with a sense of dread, a ton of tension, and some pretty frightening scares, all while exploring trust and relationships. Saratoga Schaefer once again proved they are one of the more compelling voices in storytelling today. A Thousand Monstrous Forms is dread-soaked horror story that made me happy I read with the lights on.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms hits bookstores everywhere on September 15, 2026 from Crooked Lane Books.
NOTE: We received an advance copy of A Thousand Monstrous Forms from the publisher. Opinions are our own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up. thank you to Netgalley for access to this eARC!
A Thousand Monstrous Forms is a relatively quick-paced, easily digestible horror retelling of Bluebeard. Poppy, a young ceramic artist who has left an abusive relationship, quickly falls in love with and marries a generationally wealthy art dealer, Celia, despite her best friends concerns. after moving to a manor in the middle of nowhere, with no car and no job, Poppy begins to be tormented by the house--maybe its in her head, or maybe its a warning?
it is difficult to write a book like this--one where your main character stays in a situation we all can recognize she shouldn't for some emotional reason. dread needs to build slowly, but fast enough to keep the reader engaged, and the relationship holding the premise of the book together needs to at first appear strong enough for us to understand why our protagonist continues to make irrational choices. most of this Schaefer does wonderfully, particularly the pacing of the novel.
however, my biggest gripe with this book is that the author does not trust the reader to make connections, and things are overly spelled out. there is almost TOO MUCH of the main character's interiority to the point where nothing is left up to our interpretation. this reads like a movie you would watch on a second screen, where the main characters keep verbally explaining their plans over and over instead of letting you watch the plot unfold because (1) the characters actions don't make complete sense and mostly are a function of pushing the plot forward and (2) they don't trust you to be paying attention.
in reading Trad Wife, i had a similar problem, which makes me think that this is just the style Schaefer likes to explore her main characters through. since this was my main point of contention with the novel, if you enjoyed the narration of Trad Wife, you will definitely like this! the premise is really cool, and it is obvious that the author took care with connecting the plot and motifs with classic literature.
readers who enjoy easy reads but are open to horror elements in their thrillers would enjoy this novel a lot. if you are looking for a queer retelling that highlights women as the antagonists, protagonists, and saviors, this is for you.
A Thousand Monstrous Forms is a relatively quick-paced, easily digestible horror retelling of Bluebeard. Poppy, a young ceramic artist who has left an abusive relationship, quickly falls in love with and marries a generationally wealthy art dealer, Celia, despite her best friends concerns. after moving to a manor in the middle of nowhere, with no car and no job, Poppy begins to be tormented by the house--maybe its in her head, or maybe its a warning?
it is difficult to write a book like this--one where your main character stays in a situation we all can recognize she shouldn't for some emotional reason. dread needs to build slowly, but fast enough to keep the reader engaged, and the relationship holding the premise of the book together needs to at first appear strong enough for us to understand why our protagonist continues to make irrational choices. most of this Schaefer does wonderfully, particularly the pacing of the novel.
however, my biggest gripe with this book is that the author does not trust the reader to make connections, and things are overly spelled out. there is almost TOO MUCH of the main character's interiority to the point where nothing is left up to our interpretation. this reads like a movie you would watch on a second screen, where the main characters keep verbally explaining their plans over and over instead of letting you watch the plot unfold because (1) the characters actions don't make complete sense and mostly are a function of pushing the plot forward and (2) they don't trust you to be paying attention.
in reading Trad Wife, i had a similar problem, which makes me think that this is just the style Schaefer likes to explore her main characters through. since this was my main point of contention with the novel, if you enjoyed the narration of Trad Wife, you will definitely like this! the premise is really cool, and it is obvious that the author took care with connecting the plot and motifs with classic literature.
readers who enjoy easy reads but are open to horror elements in their thrillers would enjoy this novel a lot. if you are looking for a queer retelling that highlights women as the antagonists, protagonists, and saviors, this is for you.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Absolutely devoured this book, my 2nd book by this author and i am enamoured by it.
I love the historical setting of the mansion, i could imagine all these old dusty rooms with time period features.
Poppy is embarking on a new chapter in her life and luckily has met her beautiful wife who has given her a great opportunity to develop her sculptures and clay work from home. Her wife is a free spirit and they are going with the flow of everyday life.
Poppy starts to settle in and this is where the tension and eerieness starts to emerge. Especially when odd things start happening and its very subtle to start with. The mirror scenes were creepy but brilliant, as a reader your constantly awaiting whats coming next. At times Poppy notices a few changes in her wife but tries not to think nothing of it .
I dont want to give to much away but this needs to be turned into a film as I think it would be great, where is the nearest movie director.
I loved this, the statues, the overall horror vibe reminds me so much of why i love this author and its genre features. I think its has the emotional balance of life and married life and moving on , friendships tested and of course the horror elements. It feels actions packed at times too.
Last few chapters had me up reading , an absolute entertaining read ! I havent read anything along these lines for a while but it will certainly stay with me. I wont be looking at belljars anytime soon.
We need more from this author, pure entertainment !
I love the historical setting of the mansion, i could imagine all these old dusty rooms with time period features.
Poppy is embarking on a new chapter in her life and luckily has met her beautiful wife who has given her a great opportunity to develop her sculptures and clay work from home. Her wife is a free spirit and they are going with the flow of everyday life.
Poppy starts to settle in and this is where the tension and eerieness starts to emerge. Especially when odd things start happening and its very subtle to start with. The mirror scenes were creepy but brilliant, as a reader your constantly awaiting whats coming next. At times Poppy notices a few changes in her wife but tries not to think nothing of it .
I dont want to give to much away but this needs to be turned into a film as I think it would be great, where is the nearest movie director.
I loved this, the statues, the overall horror vibe reminds me so much of why i love this author and its genre features. I think its has the emotional balance of life and married life and moving on , friendships tested and of course the horror elements. It feels actions packed at times too.
Last few chapters had me up reading , an absolute entertaining read ! I havent read anything along these lines for a while but it will certainly stay with me. I wont be looking at belljars anytime soon.
We need more from this author, pure entertainment !
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I previously read Tradwife by Saratoga Schaeffer, so when I was offered the opportunity to read A Thousand Monstrous Forms I was beyond excited!
Poppy has found herself in a whirlwind romance with Celia. After they get married, Poppy moves into Celia’s manor. She is nervous and anxious, but ultimately excited to start her life with her new wife. After arriving, unpacking and saying goodbye to her best friend, Poppy tries to settle into her new home but there is a strange feeling and she’s seeing some strange things. Ultimately, Poppy dismisses it as being tired and in a new place. Once Celia arrives home, Poppy is comforted, but her unease never really goes away. The longer Poppy stays in this house and the more that is revealed about their pasts the more she can’t decide if she’s going crazy, Celia isn’t who she said she is, or something more paranormal is going on.
The way this book had me creeped out is truly impressive. I even feel at one point there was a jump scare, and I didn’t even know that was possible while reading (lol). I felt so submerged in the story and could not stop turning the pages. The setting of this house was so clear in my mind that everything played out like a movie. I needed to know what was happening and enjoyed every second of this ride.
I am truly a Saratoga Schaeffer fan at this point and will be reading whatever they put out next!!
Poppy has found herself in a whirlwind romance with Celia. After they get married, Poppy moves into Celia’s manor. She is nervous and anxious, but ultimately excited to start her life with her new wife. After arriving, unpacking and saying goodbye to her best friend, Poppy tries to settle into her new home but there is a strange feeling and she’s seeing some strange things. Ultimately, Poppy dismisses it as being tired and in a new place. Once Celia arrives home, Poppy is comforted, but her unease never really goes away. The longer Poppy stays in this house and the more that is revealed about their pasts the more she can’t decide if she’s going crazy, Celia isn’t who she said she is, or something more paranormal is going on.
The way this book had me creeped out is truly impressive. I even feel at one point there was a jump scare, and I didn’t even know that was possible while reading (lol). I felt so submerged in the story and could not stop turning the pages. The setting of this house was so clear in my mind that everything played out like a movie. I needed to know what was happening and enjoyed every second of this ride.
I am truly a Saratoga Schaeffer fan at this point and will be reading whatever they put out next!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5: A Thousand Monstrous Forms
If Saratoga writes it, I'll read it!
Ceramic artist Poppy gets married to Celia, a wealthy art dealer (with a shady past). Poppy's friends aren't sure about Celia; it was a quick dating-to-marriage turnaround, plus Celia lives in a remote manor far away from the life Poppy knows. At first Celia seems to dote on Poppy's every whim, even installing a ceramic studio within the manor - but something about the strictly off-limits basement starts to make Poppy wonder if there is more to Ceila than she knows.
Vibes:
-Gothic horror meets sapphic romance meets fairytale
-Bluebeard retelling
-SO many red flags!
-Fast paced
-Weeping Angels (Doctor Who) viiiiibes
-Creepy, feeling of dread (but not terrifying)
-cool historical manor home setting
I absolutely enjoyed this! YES for the Bluebeard vibes, but also the commentary on toxic relationships, control, and identity was on point. If you are a fan of horror folklore and sapphic relationships, this one is for you!
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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All views expressed are my own.
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PS: New here? Hi! 👋 FYI: I don’t sugarcoat my reviews. Peek at my pinned post to see how my rating system works. 😘🖤
If Saratoga writes it, I'll read it!
Ceramic artist Poppy gets married to Celia, a wealthy art dealer (with a shady past). Poppy's friends aren't sure about Celia; it was a quick dating-to-marriage turnaround, plus Celia lives in a remote manor far away from the life Poppy knows. At first Celia seems to dote on Poppy's every whim, even installing a ceramic studio within the manor - but something about the strictly off-limits basement starts to make Poppy wonder if there is more to Ceila than she knows.
Vibes:
-Gothic horror meets sapphic romance meets fairytale
-Bluebeard retelling
-SO many red flags!
-Fast paced
-Weeping Angels (Doctor Who) viiiiibes
-Creepy, feeling of dread (but not terrifying)
-cool historical manor home setting
I absolutely enjoyed this! YES for the Bluebeard vibes, but also the commentary on toxic relationships, control, and identity was on point. If you are a fan of horror folklore and sapphic relationships, this one is for you!
.......
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher Crooked Lane Books for the ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All views expressed are my own.
.......
PS: New here? Hi! 👋 FYI: I don’t sugarcoat my reviews. Peek at my pinned post to see how my rating system works. 😘🖤
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Oh, I am never going to shut up about his book. Saratoga Schaefer has crafted an atmospheric, dread-filled, compulsively readable nightmare. I read the majority of this novel in a library with horribly bright overhead lighting… during the middle of summer… in Texas, and yet my brain was fully existing within the realm of a crumbling gothic estate in the belly of an East Coast winter. Unarguably my favorite horror of the year. Schaefer makes excellent use of the source material while also creating something so brilliantly new and exciting. I LOVED Poppy. It was so easy to root for her and fully immerse myself in her fear.
With my (now) second favorite horror of the year being Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson, it’s clear I can narrow my reading taste to atmosphere centered sapphic horror with creepy basements, doomed relationships, and seriously flawed women. I will definitely be recommending this one and I can’t wait to read Trad Wife.
(also, this is going on the list of books I will have to purchase a personal physical copy of when it comes out because of the STUNNING cover and title) (obsessed)
thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read early <3
With my (now) second favorite horror of the year being Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson, it’s clear I can narrow my reading taste to atmosphere centered sapphic horror with creepy basements, doomed relationships, and seriously flawed women. I will definitely be recommending this one and I can’t wait to read Trad Wife.
(also, this is going on the list of books I will have to purchase a personal physical copy of when it comes out because of the STUNNING cover and title) (obsessed)
thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read early <3
June 1, 2026
3.6 rounded up
I was pleasantly surprised when the publisher sent me Saratoga Schaefer's new book! I love this author's work: it is always exciting, dark, and fast-paced. A Thousand Monstrous Forms is no exception. I thought it was cool that the main character is a ceramic artist; that is something I haven't read about very often—certainly not in horror books. It's nice to see such an art form mixed with literary art. Schaefer has also created an interesting mix of being haunted by a haunted house as well as by a potentially toxic relationship. There were not many twists for me in the book, but that is what happens when you are familiar with the classic story this is based upon. The creepy atmosphere is very well portrayed. Sometimes I lost the thread a bit during the more action-packed scenes, but that might also be because I don't find those particularly interesting to read. The mirror scenes, on the other hand, I found captivating. I read this story almost in one sitting and am already looking forward to the next book!
I was pleasantly surprised when the publisher sent me Saratoga Schaefer's new book! I love this author's work: it is always exciting, dark, and fast-paced. A Thousand Monstrous Forms is no exception. I thought it was cool that the main character is a ceramic artist; that is something I haven't read about very often—certainly not in horror books. It's nice to see such an art form mixed with literary art. Schaefer has also created an interesting mix of being haunted by a haunted house as well as by a potentially toxic relationship. There were not many twists for me in the book, but that is what happens when you are familiar with the classic story this is based upon. The creepy atmosphere is very well portrayed. Sometimes I lost the thread a bit during the more action-packed scenes, but that might also be because I don't find those particularly interesting to read. The mirror scenes, on the other hand, I found captivating. I read this story almost in one sitting and am already looking forward to the next book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I feel like this one started off just a bit slow, but once it gripped me, I had as much fun with it as I did with Trad Wife and The Last Time We Drowned. I can't believe this is Saratoga Schaefer's third book release in less than a year. With this book, they have firmly landed a spot on my list of favorite authors.
Busirane is such a creepy place. The writing is super atmospheric. I felt the oppressiveness of the manor as I read. The whole book, Poppy kept coming up with reasons for all the creepy stuff going on and I was like, yelling at her to stop making excuses and RUN. It was a very good time.
There's talk of domestic violence between queer couples that I found very interesting. I mean, I knew that DV between two women especially is often not taken seriously, but the way it was presented in A Thousand Monstrous Forms was very thought-provoking.
Overall a solid banger from Saratoga Schaefer that left me hoping they get enough rest with all these book releases!
Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!
Busirane is such a creepy place. The writing is super atmospheric. I felt the oppressiveness of the manor as I read. The whole book, Poppy kept coming up with reasons for all the creepy stuff going on and I was like, yelling at her to stop making excuses and RUN. It was a very good time.
There's talk of domestic violence between queer couples that I found very interesting. I mean, I knew that DV between two women especially is often not taken seriously, but the way it was presented in A Thousand Monstrous Forms was very thought-provoking.
Overall a solid banger from Saratoga Schaefer that left me hoping they get enough rest with all these book releases!
Thanks so much to Crooked Lane Books for the ARC!
June 24, 2026
Thank you so much to crooked lane books and Netgalley for this early copy!
WOW, bravo. Saratoga is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me. She warned this would be her darkest yet, and she delivered. This book explores themes of domestic violence, especially in a queer couple, and the different forms that abuse may take. It was done tastefully and tragically, which I can genuinely appreciate. It also leans heavily into the growth of a people pleaser to a woman that stands up for herself, no matter the cost.
Surface level, it’s a haunted house story. The eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere really kept me drawn in + the terrifying things happening to Poppy and Celia’s waving it off was definitely spooky. The scariest part of this book though, is the reality.
I can’t say much more, but 10/10 pick this one up!
WOW, bravo. Saratoga is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me. She warned this would be her darkest yet, and she delivered. This book explores themes of domestic violence, especially in a queer couple, and the different forms that abuse may take. It was done tastefully and tragically, which I can genuinely appreciate. It also leans heavily into the growth of a people pleaser to a woman that stands up for herself, no matter the cost.
Surface level, it’s a haunted house story. The eerie, claustrophobic atmosphere really kept me drawn in + the terrifying things happening to Poppy and Celia’s waving it off was definitely spooky. The scariest part of this book though, is the reality.
I can’t say much more, but 10/10 pick this one up!
June 24, 2026
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Net Galley for a copy of this arc
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up for good reads
A thousand monstrous forms is a compelling novel that manages to pay homage to the tale it is a loose retelling of but also feel fresh and new and very much its own thing.
My main struggle with the book is honestly my main struggle with the original tale I suppose. Why not leave, and I am not saying once the abuse starts explicitly happening i just mean when things start getting weird. I found my self having to suspend some disbelief BUT once I did i was pretty thoroughly hooked.
The story really shines in its final act when the blood really starts flowing and I wish we could have gotten a bit more or that horror element, HOWEVER if you like a thriller I think this will work even better for you.
This strikes me as a perfect companion to CG Drews You Did Nothing Wrong.
3.5 ⭐️ rounded up for good reads
A thousand monstrous forms is a compelling novel that manages to pay homage to the tale it is a loose retelling of but also feel fresh and new and very much its own thing.
My main struggle with the book is honestly my main struggle with the original tale I suppose. Why not leave, and I am not saying once the abuse starts explicitly happening i just mean when things start getting weird. I found my self having to suspend some disbelief BUT once I did i was pretty thoroughly hooked.
The story really shines in its final act when the blood really starts flowing and I wish we could have gotten a bit more or that horror element, HOWEVER if you like a thriller I think this will work even better for you.
This strikes me as a perfect companion to CG Drews You Did Nothing Wrong.
May 28, 2026
ARC Review
OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD
I swear Saratoga puts visual crack in these books bc I read this in two days. Also, the amount of art inspiration I got from this is insane, and I’ve had art block for YEARS
This story was so in depth and had so many moving parts, I found myself annotating for the first time ever
This relationship is TOXIC, but the visuals were so detailed I couldn’t look away. The ceramics 😮💨 chefs kiss
This is the second horror book ever to raise my blood pressure. Books don’t normally make me react with fear or nerves, but I was so tense reading it and I legit thought about it all day
I don’t really want to go into too much of this story bc there’s a LOT and I will not give into any spoilers, this ate and went back for seconds
OHMYGOD OHMYGOD OHMYGOD
I swear Saratoga puts visual crack in these books bc I read this in two days. Also, the amount of art inspiration I got from this is insane, and I’ve had art block for YEARS
This story was so in depth and had so many moving parts, I found myself annotating for the first time ever
This relationship is TOXIC, but the visuals were so detailed I couldn’t look away. The ceramics 😮💨 chefs kiss
This is the second horror book ever to raise my blood pressure. Books don’t normally make me react with fear or nerves, but I was so tense reading it and I legit thought about it all day
I don’t really want to go into too much of this story bc there’s a LOT and I will not give into any spoilers, this ate and went back for seconds
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Bluebeard retelling, with a touch of The Silent Patient with zero misogyny and beautiful women made of marble. This is gender flipped and sapphic, with folklore and haunted house tropes. I loved the everything but the kitchen sink genre palette provided here- while it didn't work for me in this author's previous book, this beautifully told Gothic story kept my attention and engaged me at every turn. I love how we learned domestic abuse isn't only initiated by men, further making this story more relevant, especially told from a Classics perspective. All in all, such a stellar piece I'd absolutely reread- the stunning Gothic iconography is worth a mention in my ending line. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Thank you Edelweiss for the ARC!
Appeal factors: haunted house, art and artists, crimson peak/Gothic horror
This started out as a pretty cut and dry haunted house story, a large Gothic mansion out in the woods with an overly cautious wife and increasing madness! I enjoyed the pacing and direction, and Poppy was a believable main character, gullible, but not to the point of being infuriating. The end rang as a little goofy to me however, it had almost two endings? One was cartoonish and took a bit of the wind out of the story's sails, the final one in the epilogue was predictable, but more satisfying. All in all I enjoyed the angle and the storytelling!
Appeal factors: haunted house, art and artists, crimson peak/Gothic horror
This started out as a pretty cut and dry haunted house story, a large Gothic mansion out in the woods with an overly cautious wife and increasing madness! I enjoyed the pacing and direction, and Poppy was a believable main character, gullible, but not to the point of being infuriating. The end rang as a little goofy to me however, it had almost two endings? One was cartoonish and took a bit of the wind out of the story's sails, the final one in the epilogue was predictable, but more satisfying. All in all I enjoyed the angle and the storytelling!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Welcome to Busirane, a gothic nightmare of a manor just dripping with beauty and dark secrets. Easily my new favorite Saratoga book, A Thousand Monstrous Forms had me genuinely scared while reading, hoping the house wasn't coming for me next. But this book is so much deeper than the jump scares and weeping angel statues, the real horror is in the abuse.
Poppy would do anything and become anyone to make Celia happy. But to Celia, Poppy is a mold to manipulate into her own creation.
Alone in this remote manor, Poppy starts to lose herself and questions her relationship and the secrets Celia is hiding from her. But can she uncover the truth before it's too late?
Poppy would do anything and become anyone to make Celia happy. But to Celia, Poppy is a mold to manipulate into her own creation.
Alone in this remote manor, Poppy starts to lose herself and questions her relationship and the secrets Celia is hiding from her. But can she uncover the truth before it's too late?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hello readers,
I need to give you a big ol’ content warning for this one. Because, at its core, ATMF is about the cyclical nature of and how being in can color the way we see ourselves and others. Please make sure you’re in a safe headspace—especially if you have a history of —before reading this book.
You can find a CW list on the ATMF page on my website to learn more.
Thank you for reading. Be bold, be bold, be not too bold.
- Saratoga
I need to give you a big ol’ content warning for this one. Because, at its core, ATMF is about the cyclical nature of and how being in can color the way we see ourselves and others. Please make sure you’re in a safe headspace—especially if you have a history of —before reading this book.
You can find a CW list on the ATMF page on my website to learn more.
Thank you for reading. Be bold, be bold, be not too bold.
- Saratoga
May 29, 2026
I decided for the first time ever to pace myself with Saratoga’s book instead of consuming it all at once. It was the right decision, but now I feel lost without it.
As an insomniac, I spend a lot of time making lists in my head. My mother and I have a running list of “books we wish we could read again as if for the first time”. Well, congratulations! A Thousand Monstrous Forms has made it onto the list (joining the ranks of Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, John Irving’s The World According to Garp, Donna Tartt’s the Secret History etc etc)
Ready for the next one, please and thank you!
As an insomniac, I spend a lot of time making lists in my head. My mother and I have a running list of “books we wish we could read again as if for the first time”. Well, congratulations! A Thousand Monstrous Forms has made it onto the list (joining the ranks of Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles, John Irving’s The World According to Garp, Donna Tartt’s the Secret History etc etc)
Ready for the next one, please and thank you!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was such a unique take on a haunted house story. And I really enjoyed it.
I liked that the spookiness was happening, but it was being filtered through a different lens. Due to how this book started, I was looking more for domestic spookiness. And that initial tension mixed with the haunting type of spookiness was very effective for me as a reader.
I really do love Saratoga Schaefer's writing. I speed through it so fast and am always so engaged.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I liked that the spookiness was happening, but it was being filtered through a different lens. Due to how this book started, I was looking more for domestic spookiness. And that initial tension mixed with the haunting type of spookiness was very effective for me as a reader.
I really do love Saratoga Schaefer's writing. I speed through it so fast and am always so engaged.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
WOW. I started and finished this in one sitting. What a wild ride. I was scared, I was horrified, I was anxious. I love a good sapphic romance and this just took it up to a new level with a sapphic horror romance. It took me until about halfway to figure out the big twist but the execution was done so well to keep the build up and anticipation. I’m quickly becoming a huge Saratoga Schaefer fan, especially since they are a local author!
Thank you to Crooked Lane for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Crooked Lane for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wow, this book is a crazy gothic thriller like no other! Poppy moves into Busirane mansion with new wife, Celia. It's a huge estate with unbelievable sculptures.. Of course Poppy is curious when she discovers Celia has had 4 or 5 previous wives she's unaware of, but doesn't ask as she's in love and can't believe this beautiful place she's living in. Her only warning is "don't go in the basement!" That's all you need (but maybe don't read after dark)!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
June 12, 2026
Having read and enjoyed Trad Wife, I was excited to start this one! Like the authors previous book, this was dark, creepy and fast paced. I loved the horror and jump scare aspects, the author did a great job creating that tense atmosphere/setting, you feel as on edge as the FMC. A good twist on the Bluebeard tale, one I didn’t know anything about before starting this book. Recommend giving this a read! Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I tore through this gothic, sapphic reimagining of Bluebeard! I love the way Schaefer builds tension. I appreciate this being truly "gothic" in the sense that the house is a character of its own. Nothing felt too predictable, even when I picked up the clues that certain this would be either important later or were red herrings. I will certainly be recommending this; I think it is a perfect late fall/winter gothic read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the arc! I was immediately sucked into the story, it was easy to follow and become interested and invested in the characters and their story. It had ME gaslighting myself at points trying to figure out what was going on! A very whimsical, spooky, LGBTQIA+ story. With lots of points that I related to and feel many others will be able to identify with as well
May 29, 2026
I devoured this!! Saratoga Schaefer is a brilliant writer. The Bluebeard retelling aspect was SO good. Add in a haunted house and I couldn’t put it down. I also appreciated the theme of toxic and abusive relationships and how this story shown a light onto different types of relationships that often get overlooked or underreported when it comes to abuse (lgbtq+).
June 9, 2026
3.5!! The first half was too slow for me, but the last half was very well done 🤌🏻
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
'Celia collected wives like she collected art'
Wow. This sapphic horror novel was definitely a 5⭐️ read.
Chock full of twists that you wont expect.
This will be the book to read this fall.
Wow. This sapphic horror novel was definitely a 5⭐️ read.
Chock full of twists that you wont expect.
This will be the book to read this fall.
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