A chilling Gothic horror novel set at a coed boarding school in Scotland, where a teen girl must not only fight against her monstrous male classmates but the monster growing within her after being cursed.
Every wish granted comes with strings attached. That’s how Catriona Cameron gets a scholarship to Floodbane Academy—an elite boarding school in the Scottish Lowlands she never applied to—where she’ll be one of only six girls to enter the castle’s unwelcoming halls.
She’s not looking for trouble, but after a violent attack, mischievous dark fairies grant cruel wishes made against her. Catriona is blessed with devastatingly good looks and unpredictable new powers, but cursed with an insatiable hunger to devour anyone who preys upon women.
As the carnage mounts, Catriona faces the possibility that she is becoming as monstrous as those she hunts. Ultimately, is vengeance worth the loss of her humanity?
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, featuring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun and engaging read, but it didn’t completely win me over.
The premise immediately pulled me in, and Erica Ridley’s writing style is easy to get through, which made this a quick and enjoyable read overall. There’s a good mix of romance and intrigue, and I liked the dynamic between the main characters—there were definitely moments where the chemistry worked well.
However, this was marketed as YA horror, and that aspect didn’t really come through for me. While there are some darker elements, it never quite builds that eerie or unsettling atmosphere I was expecting, so it felt more like a light paranormal/romance than horror.
I also found myself wanting a bit more depth, both in the characters and the plot. Some emotional beats felt a little rushed, and I didn’t always feel fully invested in the relationship or the stakes
Absolutely enthralling and hauntingly empowering — Insatiable by Erica Ridley is a Gothic horror masterpiece that captivated me from the very first page to the last. This novel is a dark, visceral exploration of revenge, femininity, and the monstrous within us all, wrapped in an atmospheric Scottish Gothic setting that feels both timeless and terrifying.
From the outset, I was immediately pissed — and immediately hooked. Ridley's portrayal of Catriona Cameron is masterful; her sarcastic wit and fierce independence shine through despite the oppressive patriarchy surrounding her. The fairies’ cruel, justice-seeking magic is a brilliant twist, injecting a dark humor that keeps the tone biting and intense. The way her mother supports her, aiding her in landing the scholarship to Floodbane Academy, adds a layer of emotional depth and highlights the importance of female solidarity amidst a sea of toxic masculinity.
Floodbane Academy itself is an evocative setting — a seemingly idyllic yet sinister castle with secrets lurking behind every stone. The contrast between its grandeur and the sinister undercurrents creates a perfect backdrop for this Gothic horror tale. The character of Mr. Ross, the conflicted driver, adds an intriguing moral complexity, hinting at the broader themes of choice and constraint within a patriarchal society.
Roderick, the antagonistic male figure, embodies toxic masculinity at its most vile. His vile, manipulative behavior and the threats he makes toward Catriona are stomach-churning. Ridley doesn’t shy away from depicting the horror of male violence and the danger women face — a stark reminder of how patriarchy can trap and threaten those who dare to challenge it. It’s infuriating, yes, but also painfully real, and I found myself rooting fiercely for Catriona’s burgeoning strength and resilience.
The representation of Ishbel, the lesbian female character with strong feelings for Catriona, is a refreshing and much-needed addition to YA horror. Her jealousy and affection add emotional nuance and diversity that enrich the story, making it even more compelling.
Catriona’s internal struggle with her newfound power is poignant. She yearns to be a protector of women, yet her fear of her monstrous side reveals her vulnerability — perhaps reminiscent of Medusa’s tragic curse. Her journey from vengeance to self-awareness is raw and emotionally charged, culminating in a heartbreaking realization about the true cost of her actions. The killing of her own follower, which shatters her belief in her righteous purpose, is a gut-wrenching moment that underscores the moral complexities of justice and revenge.
A crucial aspect of Catriona’s story is her ongoing battle with her own fears and insecurities. Despite her incredible growth and the formidable power she wields, she remains a young woman grappling with self-doubt, vulnerability, and the terrifying uncertainty of her path. Her internal conflicts are a constant thread throughout the novel, reminding us that even the strongest can be haunted by their fears. Her friends’ coming to her rescue provides much-needed support and moments of relief, but it also underscores her ongoing struggle — she must confront and overcome her own doubts to truly protect herself and those she cares about. Her growth is phenomenal, but she’s still learning to trust herself and face the terrors within, which makes her journey all the more authentic and relatable.
The growth of the Phoenix Sisterhood, the collective strength of the girls at Floodbane, is an inspiring conclusion. Their unity and resilience serve as a powerful reminder that women supporting women can overcome even the darkest of forces. Ridley’s portrayal of their bond is both uplifting and empowering, reinforcing the novel’s feminist themes.
Overall, Insatiable is a beautifully dark and thought-provoking novel that combines Gothic horror with sharp social commentary. Ridley’s evocative writing, complex characters, and haunting atmosphere kept me enthralled and emotionally invested throughout. It’s a story that will resonate with anyone who loves a blend of horror, feminism, and supernatural intrigue. I wholeheartedly give it five stars — a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and Gothic horror alike.
Thank you NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
If someone pitched me "1885 Scottish boarding school but make it feminist fairy horror," I would've picked this up immediately. And honestly? “Insatiable” by Erica Ridley was such a fun surprise. I do want to provide content warnings for extreme bullying/misogyny as well as some blood and gore.
First things first: don't let the word fairy fool you. These are not your sparkly Disney fairies. In this world, fairies grant wishes, but they always twist them into something horrifying. Want to fly? Congrats, you're a chicken now. It's one of my favorite takes on fairy folklore because every wish feels like a terrible idea waiting to happen. And it can happen in an instant as soon as the word “wish” comes out of your mouth; the fairies are always listening.
Catriona, the protagonist, has always dreamed of getting an education, but in 1885 that's not exactly encouraged when you're a woman. Thanks to one very unfortunate fairy wish, she ends up attending an elite boys' boarding school alongside a handful of other girls. Instead of celebrating, they're met with nonstop bullying, harassment, and blatant misogyny from both the students and many of the teachers. The boys are absolutely insufferable, and I spent a good chunk of this book wanting to throw them directly into the nearest loch.
Thankfully, the best part of this book is the girls. The friendships between Catriona and the other female students completely stole the show. Every girl has her own personality, they genuinely support one another, and watching them build each other up in such a hostile environment was incredibly satisfying. There are also some sweet LGBTQ+ elements as Catriona develops feelings for another student, Ishbel, which I really enjoyed.
Then things take a very dark turn.
After a brutal attack in the woods, Catriona is transformed into a baobhan sith, which is a monstrous fairy from Scottish folklore that survives by feeding on men. Suddenly she's caught between trying to hold onto her humanity and giving in to the violent instincts demanding revenge against the men who have made her life miserable. And, honestly, the revenge is pretty satisfying.
While there is blood, gore, and plenty of death, especially in the second half, but the focus is much more on female rage, empowerment, and surviving in a society built to keep women powerless than on trying to constantly scare the reader.
I also really appreciated Catriona's character growth. She starts off shy and uncertain but gradually becomes more confident and willing to stand up for herself and others. At the same time, the story asks whether that confidence is turning into something much darker as she begins embracing the monster she's becoming.
The plot itself isn't especially twisty (I guessed most of where things were headed), but that didn't really bother me because the journey was so entertaining. The pacing is quick, the writing is easy to fly through, and I was completely invested in seeing these awful boys finally get what was coming to them.
The ending also caught me off guard. I expected a fairly straightforward conclusion, but it goes somewhere much darker while still staying true to the book's biggest strength: women supporting women no matter what.
Overall, “Insatiable” is less about terrifying monsters and more about what happens when women who've been told to stay quiet finally stop playing nice. Add in creepy wish-twisting fairies, gothic boarding school vibes, Scottish folklore, a dash of romance, and plenty of righteous revenge, and you've got a thoroughly entertaining feminist dark fantasy that was way more fun than I expected.
Thank you NetGalley and Erica Ridley for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also thank you publishers for your hard work!
This book was phenomenal. This was the first book ive read by this author and im definitely going to be reading more by them. This us definitely a book based on men thinking they are above women and in the 1880s. So definitely in the past. There are some dark themes in this that some won't like and there is some gore, but not so detailed that itle make you loose your lunch. I absolutely loved that this was darker times and dealing with fairies and wishes. Don't let that fool you though this iaent sweet and cute, it dark, dangerous, and foreboding. The face are not here to play nice they are horrid. The boys are even worse.
I really lived the characters especially the main one: Catriona. She definitely goes through so much in this syory. She makes such great friends along the way, learns so much and becomes stronger as she goes. She also faces so many challenges. This book was such a great read and it made me tear up a couple times.
The fact that men were so horrible in this book ugh I just wanted to strangle them and make them suffer! Ahhhh! Well I got what I wanted in some forms. Reading this book still today we face similar problems and its sad, but nowhere near as bad thank the gods. But this book i just loved how detailed it is and just emotional it was.
I truly just loved everything about this book the characters, monsters, the plot, all of it. I cant stop gushing about it. This author has another fan. I cant wait to read more of their work and see what they come out next with.
This Gothic Horror novel hooks you right from the start. Set in the late 1800s in Scotland, it paints a picture of a time when women were groomed for marriage and little else. The story delves into the dark side of fairies and their twisted wish granting so be careful what you wish for! If you’re a fan of Feminist Dark Academia, Horror, Scottish Folklore, or Brom’s Slewfoot, this book is definitely for you.
Catriona Cameron, a young woman that has always aspired to be something greater than the cruel limitations that society has placed on her. She seeks to have an opportunity at an education like her brother Hamish. Then one day her dreams come true by means of an unconventional way. She is accepted on a full scholarship to an all male boarding school named Floodbane Academy. Alongside five other women from diverse backgrounds, they faces the harsh treatment from their male peers. One day she is transformed into a monster that eats the hearts out of men that prey on women. She must ask herself is she becoming a monster?
This book was a page turner. The character development was absolutely phenomenal, I love the connections and how each woman has their own personality. The banter was everything! While reading the book I laughed out loud and at times my heart broke. The ending !!??? loved it didn’t see that one coming. Overall definitely a must read.
Thank you Erica Ridley, Random House Children's Books, Delacorte Press and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Catriona Cameron has always wished for a life greater and more rich than the Highland farm she labors on with her parents while her younger brother receives his education in Edinburgh. But wishes are dangerous things, because the fairies are always listening and delight in twisting the words of foolish mortals.
In the recent parade of "Good For Her" and "Women deserve to have little a murder, as a treat" feminist horror we've all been enjoying comes a version for the YA crowd, with the added delight of a Black sapphic protagonist. Yes, Catriona literally eats the hearts of men who turn a cruel eye or tongue towards women, and sure she starts to like it, but above all this is a story about finding your place in the world, what it means to be a human or a monster, and forging strong bonds with the women around you.
thank you netgally for providing this for me to read ♡
This is my first read from Erica ridley and I enjoyed it! I recently read another story where the story was male centric and all the other girls in the story had some negative trait (jealousy, aggressive, unfriendly) and it was a shame that the author did not give any female friendships center but Insatiable does so wonderfully!!! I think that was my favorite part all the women! From the fmc, to the other girls that come into the school with her, and her mother.
It was so fast paced and easy to read, it flowed so nicely.
Loved reading the spellbinding and mesmerizing paranormal story. When Catriona's brother's wish granted by the fairies comes true, Catriona gets a scholarship to Floodbane Academy, an all boys school, where only six girls get to attend, but when Catriona is attacked by four boys and wishes are granted by the boys, Catriona's life is forever changed but not in a good way. Read the highly recommended, wonderfully written full of twists and turns, and another must read riveting story by the phenomenal author, Erica Ridley.