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The Orphan
179 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 8, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 3, 2026
A terrific tale of hidden horrors both human and monstrous
Book Title: The Orphan
Author: Jason Ortiz
Synopsis: A botched industrial coverup exposes a small town’s terrible secrets and endangers the life, sanity, and humanity of a young boy.
Thoughts: Cosmic horror has long been a favorite genre of mine. So, when I learned Jason Ortiz frequently writes that type of terror, I figured The Orphan might be a worthwhile read.
And I’m glad to say it was. While its plot begins with the horrific results of a disgusting food and safety violation ravaging a small town, it soon turns into something more like a dark fairytale as its focus narrows to the main protagonist. That isn’t to say the scares diminish with this perspective and genre shift. Only that the horror changes form somewhat. Indeed, reading the story’s second half tapped into something psychological for me that I struggle putting into words. Like being a kid finding the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series (and all its wonderfully disturbing artwork) for the first time.
Long story short, I’m glad I gave The Orphan a home. Despite an occasional typo, its story is a breezy read and (provided you can stomach some gross body horror) quite hard to put down.
Reader Advisory: From the story’s start, characters die in very gruesome ways. Cannibalism (both intentional and accidental) also occurs in the plot. Readers with weak stomachs beware.
Recommendations: Fans of dark fairy tales, eco horror, and folk horror will likely find things to enjoy here.
Book Title: The Orphan
Author: Jason Ortiz
Synopsis: A botched industrial coverup exposes a small town’s terrible secrets and endangers the life, sanity, and humanity of a young boy.
Thoughts: Cosmic horror has long been a favorite genre of mine. So, when I learned Jason Ortiz frequently writes that type of terror, I figured The Orphan might be a worthwhile read.
And I’m glad to say it was. While its plot begins with the horrific results of a disgusting food and safety violation ravaging a small town, it soon turns into something more like a dark fairytale as its focus narrows to the main protagonist. That isn’t to say the scares diminish with this perspective and genre shift. Only that the horror changes form somewhat. Indeed, reading the story’s second half tapped into something psychological for me that I struggle putting into words. Like being a kid finding the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series (and all its wonderfully disturbing artwork) for the first time.
Long story short, I’m glad I gave The Orphan a home. Despite an occasional typo, its story is a breezy read and (provided you can stomach some gross body horror) quite hard to put down.
Reader Advisory: From the story’s start, characters die in very gruesome ways. Cannibalism (both intentional and accidental) also occurs in the plot. Readers with weak stomachs beware.
Recommendations: Fans of dark fairy tales, eco horror, and folk horror will likely find things to enjoy here.
April 19, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
You will truly never look at marshmallows the same way again.
The Orphan is a gripping deep-dive into a small-town nightmare. As the story unfolds, it masterfully captures the sheer potential for atrocity that stems from corporate greed and systemic malpractice.
I truly couldn't put this book down. The author’s use of ghastly imagery and heart-racing pacing makes for a wonderfully written, atmospheric experience. If you’re looking for a gut-wrenching story that forces you to think deeply about ethics, accountability and fate, The Orphan is the perfect read for you.
**possible spoilers below**
I did have two small things I noticed, not necessarily critiques, but interesting details that stood out:
• I found it a bit difficult to keep track of the characters at times because so many names are remarkably similar. Between Bob, Bobby, Robbie, and John Johnson, I found myself getting confused amidst the chaos
• One moment that also confused me a bit was Bob’s attempt at the cover-up of John’s death. For someone trying to hide and delete incriminating evidence, renaming the video “JOHN FALL VAT CAM” felt counterproductive. You’d think the corporate “villain” would choose something a little less suspicious to avoid getting caught, and that’s if he would even take the time to rename it at all
Overall, these quirks didn't take away from the impact of the story. It is a haunting thriller that I highly recommend.
You will truly never look at marshmallows the same way again.
The Orphan is a gripping deep-dive into a small-town nightmare. As the story unfolds, it masterfully captures the sheer potential for atrocity that stems from corporate greed and systemic malpractice.
I truly couldn't put this book down. The author’s use of ghastly imagery and heart-racing pacing makes for a wonderfully written, atmospheric experience. If you’re looking for a gut-wrenching story that forces you to think deeply about ethics, accountability and fate, The Orphan is the perfect read for you.
**possible spoilers below**
I did have two small things I noticed, not necessarily critiques, but interesting details that stood out:
• I found it a bit difficult to keep track of the characters at times because so many names are remarkably similar. Between Bob, Bobby, Robbie, and John Johnson, I found myself getting confused amidst the chaos
• One moment that also confused me a bit was Bob’s attempt at the cover-up of John’s death. For someone trying to hide and delete incriminating evidence, renaming the video “JOHN FALL VAT CAM” felt counterproductive. You’d think the corporate “villain” would choose something a little less suspicious to avoid getting caught, and that’s if he would even take the time to rename it at all
Overall, these quirks didn't take away from the impact of the story. It is a haunting thriller that I highly recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews