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Cherry Kills
Not yet published
Expected 13 Feb 26Cherry Kills wants to be left alone.
Unfortunately, her Alternates: an overprotective lug, a happy-go-lucky child, and a mute rabbit the size of a man, have other plans. They’ve haunted her since her father’s violent death, following her from grimy punk clubs to the TV-static halls of her apartment building. The doctor calls them hallucinations, symptoms of trauma.
But when her Alternates start interacting with the world around her, Cherry realizes it might not be all in her head.
Unfortunately, her Alternates: an overprotective lug, a happy-go-lucky child, and a mute rabbit the size of a man, have other plans. They’ve haunted her since her father’s violent death, following her from grimy punk clubs to the TV-static halls of her apartment building. The doctor calls them hallucinations, symptoms of trauma.
But when her Alternates start interacting with the world around her, Cherry realizes it might not be all in her head.
178 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 13, 2026
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Sean Thomas McDonnell
6 books27 followersSean Thomas McDonnell is a contest-winning Bay Area horror writer who specializes in blending visceral imagery with moments of quiet dread. His stories delve into themes of powerlessness vs. agency, moral ambiguity, and human fragility.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 24, 2026
ARC REVIEW
What a gloriously weird little book. I mean that in the best possible way. This zany, fast-paced read will have you scratching your head, wondering what's real and what's just Cherry's wild imagination. I did snort with laughter in a few spots, but I also found it tackled some pretty heavy stuff. I'm super excited to dive into more of this author's offbeat adventures.
Thanks to Book Sirens for sending me an advanced copy to read and review
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was one of the lucky few to read this novella early. This was a fast paced read perfect for when you are deep in that reading hangover.
The main character is painted in vivid rebellion and gut punch decision making. Cherry is being stalked and forced to face unimaginable horrors, but are they even real? This book keeps you guessing what truly is haunting Cherry. Is it her memories, her grief, or actual eldritch monsters? This book is a potent mix of fantasy, noir mystery, cosmic horror, and a dose of mythos. As the reader you will find yourself questioning what is real, and what is just in her head. Normal, sane, crazy, it's all the same in the world of Cherry Kills.
The main character is painted in vivid rebellion and gut punch decision making. Cherry is being stalked and forced to face unimaginable horrors, but are they even real? This book keeps you guessing what truly is haunting Cherry. Is it her memories, her grief, or actual eldritch monsters? This book is a potent mix of fantasy, noir mystery, cosmic horror, and a dose of mythos. As the reader you will find yourself questioning what is real, and what is just in her head. Normal, sane, crazy, it's all the same in the world of Cherry Kills.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cherry Kills is very outside my genre comfort zone of “mystery/thriller” but I was very pleasantly surprised by this fast paced, fantastical adventure.
Cherry is like a more irreverent Buffy Summers. Issuing quips while trying to solve a mystery and stay alive. All of this while she continues to feel grief over the horrible death of her ambiguously employed single father eight years prior.
Cherry has an endearing crew of friends (much like Buffy’s Scooby Gang) who follow her everywhere. But unlike Willow and Xander, these friends are all in Cherry’s head, manifested the night of her father’s death.
There is more to “The Alternates”, as Cherry calls them, as well as the new bizarre incidents happening to Cherry after she met a woman named Mai at her favorite restaurant but you will need to check out Cherry Kills to find out more as I am attempting a spoiler free review!
On a total side note, I sometimes have issues with the novella format. They always seem to leave me feeling like the story was either under developed or too rushed. Cherry Kills felt like neither of these things, it was a perfect story for the length.
(I received a copy of this book to review ahead of publication, thank you to the author!)
Cherry is like a more irreverent Buffy Summers. Issuing quips while trying to solve a mystery and stay alive. All of this while she continues to feel grief over the horrible death of her ambiguously employed single father eight years prior.
Cherry has an endearing crew of friends (much like Buffy’s Scooby Gang) who follow her everywhere. But unlike Willow and Xander, these friends are all in Cherry’s head, manifested the night of her father’s death.
There is more to “The Alternates”, as Cherry calls them, as well as the new bizarre incidents happening to Cherry after she met a woman named Mai at her favorite restaurant but you will need to check out Cherry Kills to find out more as I am attempting a spoiler free review!
On a total side note, I sometimes have issues with the novella format. They always seem to leave me feeling like the story was either under developed or too rushed. Cherry Kills felt like neither of these things, it was a perfect story for the length.
(I received a copy of this book to review ahead of publication, thank you to the author!)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I had the distinct pleasure of pre-reading Cherry Kills. I have read several short stories from Sean and he has knack for writing imaginative stories that are really tethered to matters of the heart. My biggest take away from Cherry Kills is how we deal with grief especially when losing the ones we love. I think Cherry Kills has a resonant message of how grief can sometimes define us-only if we let it. If we persevere we can use that grief to become stronger and learn to love ourselves. I was excited to read this story and Cherry Kills didn't disappoint. Sean has a real gift.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cherry Kills is a little bit horror, a little bit punk noir, and a whole lot of heart. At first Cherry seems to be losing her mind, interacting with imaginary friends, her Alternatives, but then something sinister and supernatural starts tracking her, and she starts to believe that these Alternatives might actually be real. She's also trying to deal with the trauma of her father's death and the dark powers he may or may not have been involved with. It's pulpy in a great way, and the mystery's resolution is super satisfying.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cherry Kills is a ride you've never been on before. At once nostalgic and totally unexpected, it is an exciting, inventive, and emotionally resonant read. McDonnell is so good at creating characters you want to fight for, and I wanted to fight for (and alongside) Cherry and her alternates from the first page. I hope I'll get to see her on a another adventure one day.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Cherry Kills is a metaphysical tour-de-force that never feels pretentious. Big ideas arrive dressed as pop culture and dark humor. I finished it and immediately wanted to talk to someone about it. That’s the mark of a dangerous, memorable book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Cherry Kills is a page turner! A little mystery, a lot of suspense, great characters and just the right touch of magic.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews