The October Trials

by Gianna Black

One Halloween night. Seven contestants. Six rounds. How far is she willing to go to win?

For the last few years, I’ve been worn down to the bone. Rotting from the slow anguish of watching my mother decay right before my eyes.

I can't sit by while it devours her any longer.

So, when the devil comes knocking with an offer I can’t refuse—one night, seven contestants, and a prize dark enough to save her life—

I sign my name in blood.

Because desperation doesn't make you brave, it makes you stupid.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

Now I’m trapped in a Victorian mansion, where the wealthy hide behind porcelain masks to watch people like me destroy each other for sport.

But the real danger isn’t the blood spilled inside these haunted walls.

It’s the masked devil who decides I’m his favorite prey.

One single taste of my fear and he becomes ravenous. A bloodthirsty monster who won’t stop until I’m caught, claimed, and utterly ruined.

Well, if it’s blood he’s after, I’ll make him choke on mine.


The October Trials is a dark romance with a gothic atmosphere, cult-like secret society, masked man, and horror elements some may find disturbing.

Genres: Dark Romance, Halloween, Dark

Kindle Edition

Expected publication October 31, 2026

About the author

𝐃𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫. 𝐆𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐭𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬.

Gianna Black writes haunting romances for the scream queens who root for the villain—because villains f*ck better.

Her stories blend the high-stakes terror, gore, and depravity of horror with the romantic tension, sheet-grabbing spice, and hard-earned happy endings of dark romance. All wrapped up in a gothic, macabre atmosphere.

Growing up, she’s always had an obsession with slasher films, ghostly legends, and twisted psychological mind-fucks. But while everyone else rooted for the final girl to escape, she found herself wondering what it would be like for the villain to ruin her instead. So, she started writing it.

Now she spends her evenings creating thrilling, blood-soaked worlds for the readers who crave hot psychos, masked killers, and the haunting love that exists between the carnage. Her orange tabby, Cinnamon, right by her side.

To keep up with the delicious depravity, follow her on Instagram @giannablackauthor

Reviews

[Katie]

5⭐️ I LOVED THIS!! This isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely for a dark romance girlie that likes her FMC to be chased by a masked man with a blood kink like me 🙂‍↕️ the PERFECT Halloween read. I can’t tell you how many times I put my hand over my mouth and said “W.T. F. DID I JUST READ?” 👀 I couldn’t look away. This gave Saw x Fear Factor vibes. Cage though >

🩸bl00d & gore
🔪secret society
🩸cult rituals
🔪masked man
🩸haunted manor
🔪knife play
🩸haunted mansion
🔪primal play

Thank you for the ARC!!! 🙂‍↕️🖤

[Ashhh]

It was short… fucked up… and I absolutely lovedddddd it! There were so many moments where I had to pick my jaw up off floor🤪 And Cage??? Dude. CAGE…🫠… This man is fucking psychotic and apparently that is exactly what I needed. I haven’t had this much fun reading a dark romance in so long. This just reminded me exactly why I love this genre and unfortunately for me, why I will continue supporting the rights and wrongs of completely unhinged, psychotic fictional men.😅

This is SUCH a quick and perfect spooky season read. “Welcome to your cage, little bird.” YUPPPPPP I need more immediatelyyyyyy brother🖤

Thank you so much for the ARC!💜💀🥀⛓️🔪🩸

[Kenia Coronado]

This was so much fun!! Perfect novella for Halloween! I did not see the plot twist coming at all!

[Kase Zarbano]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This was delicious!! 🖤 🗡️ 🥩

At roughly 145 pages, I absolutely ate this book up, and not just because cannibalism is apparently becoming one of my favorite fictional tropes. Which probably warrants some self-reflection, but I don't fcking care.

The writing was SO seamless and addictive that every time I checked my reading progress, I was genuinely offended by how close I was getting to the end. I didn't want it to be over! Not a single page felt wasted, and I loved every twisted second of it.

The trials themselves? Morbid little games orchestrated by a cult where survival is the ultimate prize? YES. PLEASE. The FMC is sharp, relentless, and takes absolutely no shit, which made her incredibly easy to root for. And our MMC? A cult leader's son with a talent for manipulation and getting exactly what he wants? Unfortunately for my moral compass, I'm in love & obsessed.

And THAT ENDING?!

I went from happily devouring this book to metaphorically crawling on my hands and knees, begging for more like some pathetic little literary simp.

Gianna Black, I am asking respectfully, disrespectfully, and with whatever dignity I have left... PLEASE tell me there's more.

Because I am not done with this world.
Not even CLOSE 🖤🔥

[Ally Butler]

This one was… okay. I enjoyed the darker elements of the story, and the MMC definitely brings the morally grey—and honestly, sometimes just straight-up ruthless—energy. The darkness worked for me, but I’m not sure I would classify this as a romance.

The non-con was a shock and, for me, was quite brutal.
The FMC really had no choice in the situation, while the MMC essentially got exactly what he wanted, which made it difficult for me to view their relationship as romantic.

I also felt like the ending was rushed. There were things that could have been explained and explored so much more, and by the time everything wrapped up, I was left feeling like I was missing pieces of the story. A little more explanation and development would have made the ending much more satisfying.

Overall, I liked the darkness and the plot but I felt bad for the FMC mostly and would’ve preferred more of an explanation at the end.

[Scarlet]

Absolutely devoured 😍 I didn't know what to expect within this novella but it consumed my night. This book is on the dark side involving gore and some sexually explicit scenes so be forewarned. This book follows Blair who is convinced to enter The October Trials to get the money to help her mom. She enters..... but does she make it? You'll have to read to find out more. The plot twist in this novella had me gasping because I truly never saw it coming. The characters having such descriptive mannerisms and how those effect how the story progresses was truly the icing on the cake for me. If you love your romance black with gore and a plot twist ending that'll have gasping then this is the read for you. Highly Recommend! I got this arc via the author and this is my voluntary review.

[Charlotte Price]

This arc book had me gripped and I mean gripped, I read this in one sitting and I freaking loved it. Its more on the darker side of smut/ romance ( if we can call it that).The twists and turns keep it going. Lots of shock factors. I would definitely read the warnings carefully and really consider them. I cant wait for more of this .

[morallyblackbooks]

I really liked the concept; it’s an engaging, fast-paced, and intriguing read.
However, it felt more like a horror than a dark romance, which was a bit disappointing. I would have loved a few more dark romance scenes, especially between the main characters. Overall, though, it was a great read!

[Elle Amarie]

ARC Review: The October Trials by Gianna Black
⭐⭐️⭐️⭐ (4/5 Stars)
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️1/2 (4.5/5 Spice - Unhinged & High Frequency)

Pitch-black, unhinged, and completely addictive.
I devoured The October Trials by Gianna Black in just two sittings! It’s like Saw meets high-spice paranormal horror, and it was impossible to put down.

Make no mistake: this isn't a morally grey read, it is pitch black. The dark elements aren't just glossed over in passing; they are front and center with detailed, relentless scenes of CNC, dubcon, cannibalism, and degradation. Please check your trigger warnings before diving in. Also, a heads-up for my fellow severe arachnophobes: I don't recall seeing a TW for spiders, and there is one scene in particular that was extra creepy, involving a hairy eight-legged friend 🕷️.

Despite how intense this book gets, the sheer tension and pacing make it so easy to fly through. The trial setup creates an incredible, suffocating atmosphere where you genuinely don't know what unhinged thing is going to happen next, and that late-game plot twist was wild, shocking, and just the right amount of unpredictable.
One of my favorite parts was watching Blair, the FMC, gradually discover her own depraved desires and accept just how dark her tastes truly were as the trials progressed. And don’t even get me started on the MMC, Cage— the man… demon… devil himself is completely morally black. He’s only in this to get what he wants and doesn’t care who he has to hurt to get her. He is brutal and unapologetic, but he is so far gone for her that he’s willing to break all the rules and burn it ALL down for her. And really, what more could we ask for in an MMC? He’ll take you on a total roller coaster ride where you’ll love to hate him and hate to love him... just how Blair feels throughout the trials.

Because it’s a novella, her shift into total acceptance does happen pretty quickly—an extra page or two diving into her mindset, or an epilogue showing her fully stepping into her fate would have given her arc the perfect closure (especially since we got more of that depth from Cage). I also wished the world-building was a bit clearer on the lore behind "The Legion" and what these men actually are—whether Cage is a man, a demon, or the actual devil. Beyond that and a few minor, easily fixable typos, this was a fantastic, fast-paced read.

If you love pitch-black horror romance with brutal vibes, high stakes, and wild twists, it's definitely worth picking up! 🖤

*I was given the privilege to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jean]

I debated on giving either one or two stars & untimely decided on two. Warning there will be spoilers in this review.

One of my biggest pet-peeves is continuity errors. There are several throughout this book that drove me nuts. Things like knowing she's heading to the dining room when no one said it was a dining room. Knowing Cages name before she ever learned it. And my personal favorite... being able to tell when someone is smirking/raising a brow/glaring/anything behind a full face mask.
Any editing whatsoever should have caught those issues. Hell, a single read through should have caught those.

Another issue i have with this book is the lack of storytelling. The author throws us into this setting and gives us nothing. We have no idea what is going on & there's no explanation for it.
What does the demon do for them?
Why do they worship it?
What happens if they didn't sacrifice a virgin?
Do they worship other demons or just the one?
How does her mom go from being hooked up to tubes/looking like death to being completely healthy looking? Do they have a special effects make-up artist?
Did they not have a funeral for her dad? Cause it sounds like she just blindly trusted her brother to handle everything. He could have "died in a car crash" and been presented as a jar of dirt & that would have been more believable.

With the super rushed ending and the lack of chemistry between the MCs I wouldn't even label this is "romance". Dark smut, maybe. Romance, no.

If we ignore allllll of that. The book is okay. There's plenty of dark, twisted fun to keep to entertained but that's really all it has going for it.

Overall this book won't be added to my "wish I read it for the first time" list.

[Brianna Gamble]

⭐️⭐️⭐️¾
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

October Trials by Gianna Black 🎃📖

I had a really good time with this one! There was a lot that I enjoyed about the story, and I was definitely invested enough to keep turning the pages. The overall concept was interesting, and there were plenty of moments that kept me hooked.

That being said, I did have some issues with the execution. I noticed several plot inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story at times, and there were quite a few story jumps that made it feel like I was missing pieces along the way. I also felt like there was a lack of background information and explanation surrounding the secret society, Slone and Briar’s friendship, the demon the Legion worshiped and the Legion themselves, which left me wanting more context and a better understanding of its history and purpose.

The pacing also felt somewhat rushed, especially toward the end. Some plot points and character developments could have benefited from more time to breathe and develop naturally. The ending also included a plot twist that felt somewhat random to me rather than something that had been sufficiently built up throughout the story.

Despite those criticisms, I still enjoyed the book overall and thought there were some really interesting ideas here. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it as an ARC, and I think readers who enjoy dark romance with darker and more disturbing elements may want to check this one out. 🖤

⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Detailed cannibalism, CNC, degradation, necrophilia, blood & gore, arachnophobia, sexual assault/SA, and death. Please check your personal boundaries before reading.

Thank you to Gianna Black for the ARC! 🫶🏻

3.75 ⭐️ — I enjoyed it, but I wanted more background, development, and consistency throughout the story.

[Ravin Rose]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (100/10 if i could lol)

I received This as a ARC and I devoured it in two days and to be honestly, I would have finished it in a single sitting if adult responsibilities hadn't gotten in the way!

First off, I loved how fast paced it was. The story dives straight into the action without dragging out the setup. The overall vibe is incredibl if you like the movie Would You Rather mixed with dark cult tropes, you are going to absolutely love this book!!

Lets talk about the Characters.

Blair: I loved her energy and character progression. Her character shift throughout the story is top-tier, and my favorite line from her "fuck a duck" had me laughing out loud. (I’m definitely adding that to my everyday vocabulary!)

Cage: Ahh cage, cage MF CAGE 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 I am utterly obsessed with him. He is a deranged psychopath in the best way possible, and he is hot as hell. I would fold on command for this man if he were real and honestly, I feel like Cage would appreciate that kind of devotion.

Plot & Ending:
The book is packed with unpredictable twists and turns. So many books in this genre become predictable, but This book kept me guessing until the very end. The ending had me shocked for a moment I genuinely thought it might turn out to be a non HEA but thank goodness, it delivered!


You do not want to miss this release. It’s available October 31st! On kindle Unlimited, so once released go read it, you will devour it! I PROMISE YOU

[Stephanie Barman]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was definitely an interesting read! The whole premise of a girl entering Halloween trials to win enough money to pay off her mother’s medical debt and save her was really intriguing. The trials themselves were decent—not necessarily the most intense or mind-blowing, but they kept things interesting enough to keep me reading.

I thought the writing was good overall, although there were definitely some areas where I felt things could have been explained or written a little better. Some parts felt like they needed a bit more depth or development. The spice was good and thoroughly written.

But that ENDING?! I genuinely did NOT see some of those twists coming. Finding out that the mom was actually okay and had never been as sick as she made it seem, that the dad wasn’t actually dead, AND that the brother was in on everything too?! I was sitting there like… WHAT?!

The fact that they let her go through all of that suffering because it was part of making her into the woman the MMC wanted her to become was honestly such a wild reveal. I did not see that coming at all.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the twists definitely made the ending memorable. The trials were interesting, the spice was plentiful, and that plot twist had me questioning everything I had just read. 😭

Definitely worth picking up if you like dark romance, trials/games, spice, and a good WTF ending!

[Mrs. K. Book Reviews]

Okay this started out at 3 stars but suddenly took a few wrong turns and I couldn't bring myself to give it more than 2.5 stars.

The FMC is thrust into a secret society world and given very little choice in the matter. Supposedly she loves the darkness, but there is little evidence of that, especially after the trial when she wakes up in a hospital room to find that the whole thing was planned from the start. The fact that her family was in on it and didn't bat an eye at selling off their daughter makes me cringe a little bit. That's too twisted for my taste. Add-in the degrading references like p*ssing on someone, forced S/A, f*cking over a bloody (recently deceased) body, a bit of necr*philia, and a startling mother-son (slightly inc*stual) relationship ... I wasn't feeling this one.

This was a good attempt at Dark Romance / Er*tic Horror. The writing is definitely on par with Jodi King, Nova Kane, and Sky Blu. There are an ample amount of nods to books like The Ritual and Little Stranger. There is the slight paranormal inclusion in a style that reminds me of Pen Pal.

However, the fact that all this leads absolutely nowhere except where the FMC was already supposed to go (unwillingly, I might add) just made me mad and upset rather than screaming with horror and slightly depraved delight at the end.

[Paula P]

📚🥀 ARC BOOK REVIEW🥀📚

My Overall Rating: 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

TROPES

Blood & Gore
Secret Society
Cult Rituals
Masked Man
Haunted Manor
Survival Games
Knife Play
Primal Play

What a plot twist if there ever was one. I can honestly say I was not expecting that ending. I could not put this down and read this in one sitting and I recommend putting this on your TBR. The amount of betrayal in this book is chaotic. I have read some unhinged MMCs but Cage isn’t even morally grey at this point he is honestly so dark that my jaw actually dropped.

Pros in my opinion:
For a short novella, this book was well written that you had time to love and hate characters. The twists and turns were perfect that it keeps you hooked. Blair had a so much growth from the beginning to the end of the book and I loved seeing her hold her own ground. Cage is one dark MMC I loved him and loathed him but mostly love him and his need to protect Blair is his redeeming quality.

Cons in my opinion:
I would have preferred one more chapter to wrap loose ends in the sense that Blair’s family needed a bit more exploration. My main issue is that it was too short and I want more to Blair and Cage and the dynamic they share.

[Samantha Alejandro]

Okay… Squid Game vibes. That was my first thought going into this.

And considering this is under 200 pages, the pacing is pretty straightforward, but somehow this book still kept me on the edge of my seat.

There were so many moments where I thought I had everything figured out.

Yeah… I was wrong.

Wrong wrong WRONG.

The lies. The manipulation. The power. The whole idea of ownership and what people are willing to do when they believe they have control over someone else.

And then there’s Cage.

Deliciously dangerous.

And Blair? They thought they had a quiet little lamb, but they seriously underestimated her.

The chemistry between these two was FIRE. Their scenes had me completely hooked, and the tension was there. Some of their moments were… umm… definitely not consensual or were forced upon her, and I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but they were written so well. I was conflicted, uncomfortable, intrigued, and somehow still unable to look away.

And just when I thought I understood what was happening, the story would throw something else at me.

For such a short read, it packed in A LOT.

I started this book with the thought can she survive the October Trials?”

But after that ending…

Can the October Trials survive HER?

Okay, Gianna.

I need book two.

[Bella]

ARC Review 🖤💀🔪

This novella had absolutely NO business being this addictive. I went in thinking I’d have a quick little Halloween read and now I’m completely feral over it. The twists, the betrayal, the secrets, the sheer amount of WHAT THE HELL moments… I was hooked from beginning to end.

And Cage. CAGE. 🥵
I genuinely do not know whether I wanted to kiss him, fck him, slap him, or run for my life, but apparently the answer was all three. He is dark, obsessive, unhinged, and absolutely the kind of MMC who has you questioning every single decision you’ve ever made while simultaneously screaming, “I NEED MORE OF HIM.”

Blair deserves her flowers here too because watching her find her strength and stop backing down was everything to me. Their dynamic was chaotic in the best possible way, and the tension kept me turning pages regardless of what I had going on around me.

For only 149 pages, this book PACKED A FUCKING PUNCH. I enjoyed the pacing, the twists actually caught me off guard, and that ending??? Excuses-moi????? I was not expecting that BUT I am happy with it

This is exactly the kind of dark, twisted, slightly unhinged read I want for Halloween. 🖤💀🔪

10/10. I’m officially ruined by Cage

Thank you Gianna for this ARC I’m so happy I got to read this 🖤🖤🖤

[Unhinged Readers Club]

Let me just take a second here to compose myself after binging this novella in one sitting and being absolutely flabbergasted at what just went down. Before we start, please know that this book is absolutely for those dark romance girlies who want it deep, dark, and deprived. Check the triggers, buckle in, and enjoy the ride.

Now. For those who want to know, this book was so absolutely delicious that I’m questioning what I need in life, what I want to only fantasize about, and honestly questioning my mental health. My mouth was agape the entire dang time and I wouldn’t have recognized if anyone was even around because I was DEEP into this book.

Clearly, from my perfect rating, we can all know see who I need to befriend and who should be questioning our friendship. I LOVED this book. It was quick, delicious, and the whiplash I received was absolutely consensual. The amounts of highlights I have from this is probably concerning, I’m glad that those aren’t public unless I choose them to be.

Thank you so much to the author for allowing me on the ARC Team for this book. I’m blown away, and I need more of your mind.

[Tia Rusher]

Okay… this book was TWISTED.

Spicy as hell, gruesome as hell, and absolutely not for the faint of heart. I gagged more times than I care to admit, so yes—this is definitely horror wearing a dark romance disguise. 😂

The characters are completely messed up, but somehow they’re messed up in a way that feels true to who they are. And I LOVED watching the FMC go from scared and vulnerable to absolute bad@ss b*tch. That character development was everything.

And that ending… 😮‍💨

HEA? Yes. Sorta. Was it the HEA I wanted? Nope. BUT—and this is where the author got me—if I'd gotten the ending I wanted, it wouldn't have made sense for these characters. As much as I wanted to throw the book across the room, the ending fit them. And it left room for what I hope is more to come!

Five stars for making me uncomfortable, making me gag, making me clutch my pearls, and somehow making me root for a bunch of seriously messed-up people.

10/10 would willingly subject myself to the psychological damage again. 🖤

[Paige]

If you are looking for a fast, twisted seasonal read, The October Trials delivers an easy-flowing, unapologetically dark ride.

It brings a sharp mix of high-stakes cruelty, autumn atmosphere, and psychological and physical degradation.

It gave off strong Would You Rather (2012) vibes wrapped in a spooky acult house in October setting.

My Highlights:
This was a fast paced and addictive read. An effortless page-turner that didn't bog itself down in unnecessary fluff. Once the games started it kept going! With unfiltered thrills this is perfect for readers who lean into extreme themes, psychological torment, and heavy trigger warnings without reservation.

My Faults:
The subplot featuring the ghost mother feels entirely disconnected from the core tension. Rather than adding emotional weight or eerie atmosphere, her presence lands as slightly cringe and adds little to no value to the main plot. Sorry ghost Mom...

Overall, this was a fun, deranged October pick for me and especially for those who love high-intensity psychological thrillers with a dark streak.

[Sara Shelton]

ARC review


This novella was the perfect spooky read for the Halloween season! 👻🎃

Blair is forced to face terrifying trials and challenges she never could have imagined in order to save her mother. The deeper she gets into the trials, the more I was on the edge of my seat.

There were definitely moments when I was sitting there thinking, “What the hell am I reading?!” 😂 But somehow, I absolutely could not put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen next!

The story was filled with creepy, eerie Halloween vibes that kept me completely hooked. Just when I thought I had things figured out, BOOM—the plot twist hit me, and I did NOT see it coming! 😱

For such a short read, this novella packed in so much suspense, mystery, emotion, and unexpected twists. If you’re looking for something quick, creepy, and perfect for spooky season, definitely add this one to your Halloween TBR! 🎃🕯️🖤

[Abigail]

recieved this novella as an E-ARC.

Thank you to Gianna Black for allowing me to read it ahead of time. The review is entirely of my own opinions and ideas.


First off: The whole premise of the novella had me in a chokehold. I was at the edge of my seat flipping through pages (on my kindle) like crazy.

Now please view the trigger warnings if you have sensitivity to things. Usually urination is a hard no for me but it wasn't as bad as I was expecting so I could deal with it. Someone else may not be okay with it.

Overall though, I am obsessed with this.

The FMC is a little stabby, jumpy and panicky but as she should be. But the MMC he's wicked, captivating and sick in the best of ways.

I wasnt expecting so much packed in less thank 150 pages. But I am hooked.

The story was fantastic. AND THE PLOT TWIST... I'm gagged (in a good way).

Its been one of my favorite arcs I've received yet! I juat truly wish there was more! I want more of Blair and Cage.

[Cheryl Louise]

"Nice guy? Don't start insulting me now, little bird."

And even then, that's a complete understatement for Cage & The October Trials.

It's a fast-paced, bloody, chaotic read taking place over one Halloween night - at times a little rushed, but the relentless pacing works with the amount of madness Blair is thrown into.

The Trials are gruesome, violent and completely unhinged. Actually, scratch that - there are NO hinges here.

Cage is SINFULLY morally black & I love that the book committed to that. There are some clever reveals and little details that take on a whole new meaning by the end.

Overall this is a twisted, "dafuq did I just read??" kind of ride that could easily be devoured in one sitting.

If you like masked men, horror with your dark romance and obsessive morally black MMCs?
Step inside, little bird. Your Cage is ready to lock you away. 🖤


ARC provided by the author

[Athena, the goddess of books]

I loved this story because it was exactly the right length for this kind of plot: short enough that it felt easy to read, but long enough to make me love some of these characters, hate others, and become completely invested in what was happening to them.
I also liked that this wasn't one of those stories where the guy suddenly changes just because he falls for the girl, instead, he remained exactly the kind of psycho you get to dream about sometimes.
But if I had to choose one single thing I loved most about this book, it would be the twists because every time I thought I understood what was really happening, another revelation changed everything. And those final pages were top tier because we finally get to see the whole picture.

A really huge THANK YOU to the author for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! I hope I get the chance to do it again!

[Freckles]

🥀🖤ARC REVIEW🖤🥀

Blair is a gothic baddie who bites back & the Queen of thrifting.

Cage is a 6ft 2 cannibal cult commander with a pierced peen 😜 and a pet spider!

With her mom sick in the hospital and her dad unsubscribed from life, Blair and her brother sonny struggle to afford to pay rhe medical bills.
Blair’s boyfriend Parker insists they’re 1 contestant short for the “games”, the prize 100K to the last man standing!! So Blair relents and joins the October trials.

Cage’s family is the hierarchy of the cult, his father being Archon.
There are Human sacrifices to Asmodeous, desecration of a corpse, and forced cannibalism. And that’s only in trial 1 of 6!!

It’s fast paced, brutal and bloody, yet everything is not as it seems…


🩸blood & gore
🖤secret society
🩸cult rituals
🖤masked mmc
🩸haunted manor
🖤survival games
🩸knife play
🖤primal play

[Cole]

Review of advance copy received from Author

This story was short and I wanted more. So much more. I think the dynamics between Cage and Blair were set up nicely but I wanted to see more of them. I wanted more background, however, for a short story I really can’t complain. It was a ride from start to finish and I was so excited to get the chance to read it.

I wanted to see how Blair develops with all the new information she has, does she take it on and rule or does she fight every step of the way.

The author gives the nice details about The Legion, the house, the paranormal aspects but it only left me with wanting further explanation. The hows and the whys.

Overall, and even though I want to keep reading more, this story was a great little Halloween tale that I will definitely be adding to my collection.

Great job!

[SiSi ❤️]

Wow, so this was intense. Not in a bad way though, it was definitely interesting from start to finish and the twist was certainly something.

This book was dark and less romantic than I thought it would be but still kept me wondering what was going to happen next. This was a read I couldn't really predict, it was just one thing after another.

I did like the bite from Blair, she knew how to fight back to survive.
I did feel bad for her throughout though, I think she deserved better.

Cage, he was depraved. There was really no telling what his next action would be, all you know is he'd do anything for Blair.

Now for the ending, I honestly would've liked more. There should've been more backstory to it and I felt a little disappointed because it seemed rushed.

All in all, if you like darker, fast reads then this is it. Definitely read the triggers before digging into this one!

[Kristin K.]

I was really excited for this book, read it in a day. The only thing I wish was there was a little more world/character building. The characters felt a little rushed because we know nothing about them before this night or the night itself. What is Cage’s backstory? Where did the Legion even come from? What is Blaire’s deal? How close were her and Sloane really before that night? There’s no backstory to help you really feel that betrayal from Sloane. It left me feeling a little lost and disconnected because I couldn’t know the characters before we jumped into this intense night of blood, sex, and betrayal.
All in all it wasn’t a bad read. I enjoyed the intensity of it, and I know there’s a lot more room to continue on. Maybe we will get to know the story behind the characters in the next one, I look forward to it.

[Mary K]

This book was a fun read. I am an avid reader. Dark romances and anything horror. With that said this is NOT a dark romance. This is a secret society with a love interest. The gore was great. The story would have been a bit better if there was some more background info on the society. The story jumps around in places. Overall it was a decent book. I really hope this is like not a one and done. This story could be great. Could be. If it is unfinished in its current state. Follow up books with more info on the Legion and maybe a book explaining how the families are involved. Maybe even a book about mothers death. Overall about 3/4 out of 5. Not terrible just not finished.
Forgot to add the writing style is great! Very easy to follow. Very clear. Will be looking forward to reading more from this author!!!

[Kayleigh Owen]

The October trials
Gianna Black
Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Tropes-
🖤 Blood and gore
❤️ secret society
🖤 Cult rituals
❤️ knife play
🖤 Primal play

Short and seriously fucked up is what this book was which also explains me!
This was fun and short. Cage is a psychotic asshole and I’m so here for it🤣 the perfect spooky read for Halloween. I had so many “wtf did I just read” moments but good wtf did I just read moments!
What a plot twist my goodness I did not expect that! Blair had such good growth within this! Cage, oh my cage. I need more from him and immediately.
This would be such a good starter book for an insane series!!
Ps, give me more.



“Good girl,” he murmurs. “Keep being good, and maybe you’ll survive the night.”

“Run, little bird. I’ll give you a head start. Consider it mercy, because it’s all you’re getting tonight.”