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The Wildes of Rouge
In the wooded hills of Hollygrove, the Wildes women have lived secluded for centuries. Ostracized, whispered about, and feared, Selene Wildes is the last of her mysterious bloodline as she spends days alone in her cabin with her rat and her herbs.
When a local teen vanishes, suspicion quickly turns towards her. The townsfolk talk of witchcraft, of a loneliness that has been waiting for centuries to be broken.
Detective Bennett arrives with questions, but Selene offers only warmth and tea. Yet beneath the quiet firelight, something darker stirs ... a secret as old as Holly Hills itself.
When a local teen vanishes, suspicion quickly turns towards her. The townsfolk talk of witchcraft, of a loneliness that has been waiting for centuries to be broken.
Detective Bennett arrives with questions, but Selene offers only warmth and tea. Yet beneath the quiet firelight, something darker stirs ... a secret as old as Holly Hills itself.
87 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 88 reviews
May 28, 2026
This was delectable! The details, the scenery and the characters pull you into this story. It was so well displayed that I was able to visualise every setting within this story.
The main character is bewitching, smart and cunning. Don't cross her.
The main character is bewitching, smart and cunning. Don't cross her.
September 29, 2026
This book grabbed me right away!
As a kid i've always loved movies about witches, books about witchcraft and that haven't changed since.
Give me anything that involves spells, magic potions etc.
I've never read anything by this author but I really enjoyed the writing style. It flowed really well.
Everything made sense and this book gave all the right vibes for me. easy 5⭐
As a kid i've always loved movies about witches, books about witchcraft and that haven't changed since.
Give me anything that involves spells, magic potions etc.
I've never read anything by this author but I really enjoyed the writing style. It flowed really well.
Everything made sense and this book gave all the right vibes for me. easy 5⭐
September 1, 2026
Selene Wildes comes from a long line of women living quietly alone in the family cottage in the woods, with just her pet rat for company. When a young man in the local village goes missing, the metaphorical pitchforks come out and the villagers claim witchcraft with all eyes and accusations directly aimed at Selene. Because, of course, a women living outside of societal norms is something abnormal. Something to fear. When the local detective gets involved he must try to prove her innocence before the locals take justice into their own hands.
This was perfection for me, and so impressive to have captured such a well-rounded story in just 87 pages. The characters were great (Selene was fantastic) and the imagery and writing so good. I was able to visualise it all so clearly. I also really appreciated how well the small-town mentality was captured, and at times I really wasn't sure what direction the story was going to take. The ending was satisfying and I would welcome a full length version so we can learn more of Selene and her family.
If you're craving a short, witchy, story, then I can't recommend this enough.
This was perfection for me, and so impressive to have captured such a well-rounded story in just 87 pages. The characters were great (Selene was fantastic) and the imagery and writing so good. I was able to visualise it all so clearly. I also really appreciated how well the small-town mentality was captured, and at times I really wasn't sure what direction the story was going to take. The ending was satisfying and I would welcome a full length version so we can learn more of Selene and her family.
If you're craving a short, witchy, story, then I can't recommend this enough.
September 6, 2026
3.75 rounded up.
If you're expecting a whimsical fairytale, you're in the wrong place!!
Selene Wildes, a young women, in a long line of generational witches, is at the centre of a modern day witch hunt! Why? Well, a young man (Jason) is missing. Of course the townsfolk and his parents are quick to point the finger. Detective Bennett is on hand to aid Selene. The detective finds himself enamored with her, he wants to protect her.
What is Selenes true motive? Is she just an innocent, or is there something cooking?
I did enjoy this novella. It was bippity boppity woo!
#Indietron
If you're expecting a whimsical fairytale, you're in the wrong place!!
Selene Wildes, a young women, in a long line of generational witches, is at the centre of a modern day witch hunt! Why? Well, a young man (Jason) is missing. Of course the townsfolk and his parents are quick to point the finger. Detective Bennett is on hand to aid Selene. The detective finds himself enamored with her, he wants to protect her.
What is Selenes true motive? Is she just an innocent, or is there something cooking?
I did enjoy this novella. It was bippity boppity woo!
#Indietron
September 1, 2026
88 pages of a witch hunt mystery.
Selene is your everyday modern witch who just wants to stay away from the townspeople. Her family has lived in the woods for generations. She keeps to herself, runs her online shop and plays with her pet rat.
But one day, a young boy goes missing and everyone is quick to blame her. The sheriff is persistent on proving her innocence; and kinda falls for her in the process.
Highly recommend for those that want a quick, witchy read 🖤🔥
Selene is your everyday modern witch who just wants to stay away from the townspeople. Her family has lived in the woods for generations. She keeps to herself, runs her online shop and plays with her pet rat.
But one day, a young boy goes missing and everyone is quick to blame her. The sheriff is persistent on proving her innocence; and kinda falls for her in the process.
Highly recommend for those that want a quick, witchy read 🖤🔥
September 6, 2026
OMG these authors packing in SOOO MUCH in a short story will always impress me!
I've just finished up my second book in the Indie Horror-tron, which was "The Wilds of Rouge" by R J Powell and I LOVED IT! This had everything I love in a book, and witchy stories are always a yes!
It was an absolute ROLLERCOASTER of a story, and my only complaint is I wish this were a longer book 🤣 This is one I wish I could read again for the first time. Loved it and I'll definitely be checking out the other books from this author!
I've just finished up my second book in the Indie Horror-tron, which was "The Wilds of Rouge" by R J Powell and I LOVED IT! This had everything I love in a book, and witchy stories are always a yes!
It was an absolute ROLLERCOASTER of a story, and my only complaint is I wish this were a longer book 🤣 This is one I wish I could read again for the first time. Loved it and I'll definitely be checking out the other books from this author!
August 31, 2026
An amazingly modern gruesome twist on the Salem's Witch trails.
I couldn't put it down, just wish it was longer.
As usual with RJ Powell's book, it's weird and wonderful and so horrendously graphic it's wise not to read as you're eating 😅
I couldn't put it down, just wish it was longer.
As usual with RJ Powell's book, it's weird and wonderful and so horrendously graphic it's wise not to read as you're eating 😅
September 13, 2026
I enjoyed the characters in this story, and loved the writing. But I found the story to be just meh...I didn't hate this book, it's a decent read it's just middle of the road and nothing really moved me or made me react in this book.
September 4, 2026
Witch hunts, small towns, a missing boy, and teasing magic.
At first, I was going to give this a 3/5, because the first half of the book seemed like it was going nowhere. It almost felt like the magic was teasing you, making you second guess whether it was actually magic in the first place.
Then we get to the second half, and everything comes together! Everything I thought I had figured out was wrong, and our MC had actually made sure everything was set up from the very beginning. Very clever!
Also, that damn bookshelf made me laugh out loud by the end. You’ll see what I mean when you read this!
The gore was light, but when it rains, it pours. ❤️
At first, I was going to give this a 3/5, because the first half of the book seemed like it was going nowhere. It almost felt like the magic was teasing you, making you second guess whether it was actually magic in the first place.
Then we get to the second half, and everything comes together! Everything I thought I had figured out was wrong, and our MC had actually made sure everything was set up from the very beginning. Very clever!
Also, that damn bookshelf made me laugh out loud by the end. You’ll see what I mean when you read this!
The gore was light, but when it rains, it pours. ❤️
September 7, 2026
At this point I think we just need to accept that R.J. Powell owns a small portion of my soul.
Because WHAT THE HECK WAS THIS???
The Wildes of Rouge is such a short, seemingly simple little horror story and somehow R.J. managed to have me completely hooked, thoroughly confused, defending Selene with my ENTIRE CHEST...
And then absolutely smacked me across the face with the ending.
FIVE STARS. TAKE THEM. TAKE EVERYTHING.
What I loved most about this one was how incredibly subtle the horror felt for SO much of the story.
R.J. wasn't throwing insanity at me from page one.
She was giving me tiny little morsels.
A strange detail here.
A suspicious little moment there.
Just enough information to make me go:
"...Okay, something isn't right."
But never enough to actually figure out WHAT wasn't right.
And I ate up every freaking crumb.
The whole story has this quiet, eerie atmosphere hanging over it where everything feels mysterious without immediately feeling outright horrifying.
It's calm.
It's creepy.
It's unsettling.
It's almost weirdly cozy at times.
And then—
IT IS VERY MUCH NOT CALM ANYMORE.
Because when this book finally decides to show its hand???
OH MY GOOOOOOSH.
Apparently all that quiet was just R.J. Powell politely allowing me to get comfortable before she flipped the table over.
I did NOT see it coming.
AT ALL.
She had me so convinced by the way Selene's story was presented that I was firmly on this woman's side. I was sitting there getting irritated at the judgment, assumptions, and way everyone was treating her like:
LEAVE THIS WOMAN ALONE???
Surely we're just blindly accusing the mysterious woman because she's different.
Surely there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.
Surely—
Oh.
OH.
R.J. Powell, I owe you an apology.
The way everything comes together toward the end had my head REELING. Suddenly those tiny little pieces she'd been quietly handing me throughout the story weren't random anymore, and I was mentally scrambling backward trying to reconsider EVERYTHING I'd just read.
And THAT is what impressed me so much about this one.
Because I already knew R.J. Powell could write horror that is despicable.
Nasty.
Unhinged.
Creative.
Completely in your face and somehow so horrifying that you're simultaneously thinking WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??? and PLEASE WRITE ANOTHER ONE IMMEDIATELY.
But The Wildes of Rouge showed me she can also do THIS.
She can slow everything down.
She can make the atmosphere itself feel wrong.
She can give you barely enough information to keep you curious, let the dread quietly simmer underneath everything, and then wait until exactly the right moment to unleash the insanity.
Apparently R.J. Powell doesn't even need to traumatize me graphically anymore.
She can just put a mysterious woman in a cottage, make the vibes suspicious, and I'll follow her anywhere.
Wonderful.
Good to know.
And honestly, I think that's why I finished this one wanting MORE despite loving how short and effective it was.
I didn't necessarily need another hundred pages of this particular story.
I just wanted more R.J. POWELL.
More of her writing.
More of the creepy little details.
More of whatever horrifying nonsense is happening inside that wonderfully unhinged brain.
Because whether she's crafting the most disgusting, in-your-face horror imaginable or quietly whispering "something is wrong here" into my ear for an entire story before completely blindsiding me...
I AM APPARENTLY GOING TO EAT IT UP.
Five stars.
Infinity stars.
One small piece of my soul.
Whatever.
At this point, if R.J. Powell writes anything, I'm reading it.
I don't even need to know what it's about.
Just hand it over.
Because WHAT THE HECK WAS THIS???
The Wildes of Rouge is such a short, seemingly simple little horror story and somehow R.J. managed to have me completely hooked, thoroughly confused, defending Selene with my ENTIRE CHEST...
And then absolutely smacked me across the face with the ending.
FIVE STARS. TAKE THEM. TAKE EVERYTHING.
What I loved most about this one was how incredibly subtle the horror felt for SO much of the story.
R.J. wasn't throwing insanity at me from page one.
She was giving me tiny little morsels.
A strange detail here.
A suspicious little moment there.
Just enough information to make me go:
"...Okay, something isn't right."
But never enough to actually figure out WHAT wasn't right.
And I ate up every freaking crumb.
The whole story has this quiet, eerie atmosphere hanging over it where everything feels mysterious without immediately feeling outright horrifying.
It's calm.
It's creepy.
It's unsettling.
It's almost weirdly cozy at times.
And then—
IT IS VERY MUCH NOT CALM ANYMORE.
Because when this book finally decides to show its hand???
OH MY GOOOOOOSH.
Apparently all that quiet was just R.J. Powell politely allowing me to get comfortable before she flipped the table over.
I did NOT see it coming.
AT ALL.
She had me so convinced by the way Selene's story was presented that I was firmly on this woman's side. I was sitting there getting irritated at the judgment, assumptions, and way everyone was treating her like:
LEAVE THIS WOMAN ALONE???
Surely we're just blindly accusing the mysterious woman because she's different.
Surely there's a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.
Surely—
Oh.
OH.
R.J. Powell, I owe you an apology.
The way everything comes together toward the end had my head REELING. Suddenly those tiny little pieces she'd been quietly handing me throughout the story weren't random anymore, and I was mentally scrambling backward trying to reconsider EVERYTHING I'd just read.
And THAT is what impressed me so much about this one.
Because I already knew R.J. Powell could write horror that is despicable.
Nasty.
Unhinged.
Creative.
Completely in your face and somehow so horrifying that you're simultaneously thinking WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU??? and PLEASE WRITE ANOTHER ONE IMMEDIATELY.
But The Wildes of Rouge showed me she can also do THIS.
She can slow everything down.
She can make the atmosphere itself feel wrong.
She can give you barely enough information to keep you curious, let the dread quietly simmer underneath everything, and then wait until exactly the right moment to unleash the insanity.
Apparently R.J. Powell doesn't even need to traumatize me graphically anymore.
She can just put a mysterious woman in a cottage, make the vibes suspicious, and I'll follow her anywhere.
Wonderful.
Good to know.
And honestly, I think that's why I finished this one wanting MORE despite loving how short and effective it was.
I didn't necessarily need another hundred pages of this particular story.
I just wanted more R.J. POWELL.
More of her writing.
More of the creepy little details.
More of whatever horrifying nonsense is happening inside that wonderfully unhinged brain.
Because whether she's crafting the most disgusting, in-your-face horror imaginable or quietly whispering "something is wrong here" into my ear for an entire story before completely blindsiding me...
I AM APPARENTLY GOING TO EAT IT UP.
Five stars.
Infinity stars.
One small piece of my soul.
Whatever.
At this point, if R.J. Powell writes anything, I'm reading it.
I don't even need to know what it's about.
Just hand it over.
September 6, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓮
N/A - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸- 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮
🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Selene Wildes & Defective Bennet
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕witchcraft
📕false accusations
📕missing persons
📕psychological thriller
📕twist endings
🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤
“Call her what she is. A witch!”
“Every wet, squelching mouthful seemed to feed a force darker inside her, and she had never felt happier than at that moment.”
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
This was a quick and pacing story that has a twist towards the ending that changes everything you believed was going on so far. A clever missing person story that cooperates stereotypes and the weight passed down from it. We needed more stories that were centered on witchcraft and the witch hunts, and Powell delivered in this emotional and riveting story that you can finish in one sitting.
*spoilers*
First of all, Selene Wildes comes from a long generation of women who have all grown up in her home. Away from society. Detective Bennett shows up to Selene’s property to ask about a missing persons case. Jason, who has been deemed missing by his parents, Carlita and Mick, is an individual who is prone to get himself into trouble. But that’s not the case. See, his parents are heavily persistent that Selene is a witch and she took their son.
Now, Bennett, doesn’t take into consideration what their saying because after showing up at her place, doesn’t seem like she would be the type of woman to just take someone and keep them hostage in her house. Her house that had been passed down to her through older generations. The very house she has only left a few times to re-up on food and supplies.
But Jason’s parents are too livid with their emotions and keep pressuring Bennett about her being a witch. And they’ll stop at nothing, even broadcasting their claim on local news stations, to make their point valid. By the time you reach the climatic ending, you are just on your toes for the unexpected ending that just is the icing on the cake.
🖤𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵🖤
A one-sitting read that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go of its grasp until the end. Powell writes so you care about these characters and you want to believe either side. The pacing is perfectly blending into the mystery. And the bleak atmosphere completes the ominous tone that the writer uses to put us there during the events. If you’re looking for a page-turner that will send a small shiver down your spine, this is it.
**no AI was used to generate any part of this review**
N/A - 𝓼𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮
🔥🔥🔥 - 𝓹𝓵𝓸𝓽
🩸- 𝓰𝓸𝓻𝓮
🖤 𝓶𝓪𝓲𝓷 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓽𝓮𝓻𝓼🖤
Selene Wildes & Defective Bennet
🖤 𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓹𝓮𝓼🖤
📕witchcraft
📕false accusations
📕missing persons
📕psychological thriller
📕twist endings
🖤𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼🖤
“Call her what she is. A witch!”
“Every wet, squelching mouthful seemed to feed a force darker inside her, and she had never felt happier than at that moment.”
🖤 𝓻𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀🖤
This was a quick and pacing story that has a twist towards the ending that changes everything you believed was going on so far. A clever missing person story that cooperates stereotypes and the weight passed down from it. We needed more stories that were centered on witchcraft and the witch hunts, and Powell delivered in this emotional and riveting story that you can finish in one sitting.
*spoilers*
First of all, Selene Wildes comes from a long generation of women who have all grown up in her home. Away from society. Detective Bennett shows up to Selene’s property to ask about a missing persons case. Jason, who has been deemed missing by his parents, Carlita and Mick, is an individual who is prone to get himself into trouble. But that’s not the case. See, his parents are heavily persistent that Selene is a witch and she took their son.
Now, Bennett, doesn’t take into consideration what their saying because after showing up at her place, doesn’t seem like she would be the type of woman to just take someone and keep them hostage in her house. Her house that had been passed down to her through older generations. The very house she has only left a few times to re-up on food and supplies.
But Jason’s parents are too livid with their emotions and keep pressuring Bennett about her being a witch. And they’ll stop at nothing, even broadcasting their claim on local news stations, to make their point valid. By the time you reach the climatic ending, you are just on your toes for the unexpected ending that just is the icing on the cake.
🖤𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓵𝓵🖤
A one-sitting read that grabs you from the beginning and doesn’t let go of its grasp until the end. Powell writes so you care about these characters and you want to believe either side. The pacing is perfectly blending into the mystery. And the bleak atmosphere completes the ominous tone that the writer uses to put us there during the events. If you’re looking for a page-turner that will send a small shiver down your spine, this is it.
**no AI was used to generate any part of this review**
September 15, 2026
A missing teenager, a mysterious woman in the woods, centuries of secrets, and enough witchy vibes to make me question every herbal tea I’ve ever touched. 😂☕ The Wildes of Rouge pulled me in with that perfect small town mystery where everyone knows something, nobody is talking, and the woods are definitely hiding more than squirrels. Selene Wildes is the last of her mysterious bloodline, living a secluded life in her cabin with her rat and her herbs. She’s already the subject of local whispers and suspicion but when a local teen disappears, those whispers get a whole lot louder. Naturally, the town starts pointing fingers at Selene. Because apparently, being the mysterious woman living alone in the woods is enough to get you promoted to Suspect #1. 😂 Then Detective Bennett arrives looking for answers, and Selene responds with warmth and tea.
Detective: “Where were you?”
Selene: “Would you like some tea?” ☕😂
But beneath that quiet, almost cozy surface is something much darker. There are secrets buried in Rouge that reach back generations, and the more the mystery unfolds, the more it feels like the past isn’t finished with Selene or the town. What I really enjoyed was the atmosphere. The isolated cabin, the woods, the whispers about witchcraft, the missing teenager, and the feeling that something ancient is sitting just beneath the surface all work together to create a wonderfully eerie setting. The Wildes of Rouge is a great choice for readers who enjoy witchy mysteries, folk horror, atmospheric suspense, creepy woods, family secrets, and small towns that absolutely cannot mind their own business.
And after this book, I’m keeping my distance from mysterious cabins in the woods.
Especially if the owner offers me tea. 😂
Detective: “Where were you?”
Selene: “Would you like some tea?” ☕😂
But beneath that quiet, almost cozy surface is something much darker. There are secrets buried in Rouge that reach back generations, and the more the mystery unfolds, the more it feels like the past isn’t finished with Selene or the town. What I really enjoyed was the atmosphere. The isolated cabin, the woods, the whispers about witchcraft, the missing teenager, and the feeling that something ancient is sitting just beneath the surface all work together to create a wonderfully eerie setting. The Wildes of Rouge is a great choice for readers who enjoy witchy mysteries, folk horror, atmospheric suspense, creepy woods, family secrets, and small towns that absolutely cannot mind their own business.
And after this book, I’m keeping my distance from mysterious cabins in the woods.
Especially if the owner offers me tea. 😂
September 27, 2026
RJ had been on my radar for awhile (I mean, you haven't been into indie horror for that long if you don't know that iconic cherry), but I just hadn't gotten around to here yet.
Well, wouldn't you have it that I am perusing Kindle Unlimited looking for something short and sweet when this little ditty pops up on my screen.
In the wooded hills of Hollygrove, the Wildes women have lived in seclusion for centuries. Selene, the last of her bloodline, lives alone in a cabin with her rat and her herbs, feared and ostracized by the locals.
When a teenager goes missing, suspicion falls on Selene, drawing Detective Bennett to her door. But beneath her quiet hospitality lies a centuries-old secret that may explain why the Wildes have been feared for so long.
I was looking for something witchy to start spooky season reading off and this scratched that itch in the EXACT right way.
Short and sweet, it backs a wallop and all the vibes you need to get into the Ber months (it's always spooky season for me, but I call it extra spooky season). It's fun, titillating, sexy and whimsical with the absolute perfect amount of horror.
It also kept me guessing, which is refreshing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I realized it was something else that I was also wrong about.
I had a whole lot of fun with this one!
Definitely recommend.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Well, wouldn't you have it that I am perusing Kindle Unlimited looking for something short and sweet when this little ditty pops up on my screen.
In the wooded hills of Hollygrove, the Wildes women have lived in seclusion for centuries. Selene, the last of her bloodline, lives alone in a cabin with her rat and her herbs, feared and ostracized by the locals.
When a teenager goes missing, suspicion falls on Selene, drawing Detective Bennett to her door. But beneath her quiet hospitality lies a centuries-old secret that may explain why the Wildes have been feared for so long.
I was looking for something witchy to start spooky season reading off and this scratched that itch in the EXACT right way.
Short and sweet, it backs a wallop and all the vibes you need to get into the Ber months (it's always spooky season for me, but I call it extra spooky season). It's fun, titillating, sexy and whimsical with the absolute perfect amount of horror.
It also kept me guessing, which is refreshing. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I realized it was something else that I was also wrong about.
I had a whole lot of fun with this one!
Definitely recommend.
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
September 30, 2026
The Wildes Of Rouge - RJ Powell
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you've never read the Dollface books or any of RJ's more extreme work, you would struggle to believe this was her - and I mean that as a compliment!
This was such a different vibe to her usual books and I am so pleasantly surprised. We all love a witchy vibe and The Wildes Of Rouge delivers it on a plate.
As with all of her books, this was well written, cleverly plotted, and full of twists and turns. Who done it?! Who done what?! Well, you best read it to find out, hadn't you?!
It was just really cool for me personally, to read something from RJ on a totally different path to her usual books. This is an author you need to watch out for and I'd like to congratulate her again for her recent publishing deal, so well deserved! And on her even more recent engagement! Finally, to the dickheads who got some of her books banned in the last week or so, a big fuck you!
In short, go read this book if you want a witchy vibe, missing, people, a 'who done it', and a twisty plot!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#indietron #indieauthor #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #witchy
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you've never read the Dollface books or any of RJ's more extreme work, you would struggle to believe this was her - and I mean that as a compliment!
This was such a different vibe to her usual books and I am so pleasantly surprised. We all love a witchy vibe and The Wildes Of Rouge delivers it on a plate.
As with all of her books, this was well written, cleverly plotted, and full of twists and turns. Who done it?! Who done what?! Well, you best read it to find out, hadn't you?!
It was just really cool for me personally, to read something from RJ on a totally different path to her usual books. This is an author you need to watch out for and I'd like to congratulate her again for her recent publishing deal, so well deserved! And on her even more recent engagement! Finally, to the dickheads who got some of her books banned in the last week or so, a big fuck you!
In short, go read this book if you want a witchy vibe, missing, people, a 'who done it', and a twisty plot!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#indietron #indieauthor #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #witchy
September 6, 2026
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this book through #indietron. All opinions are my own, and I am writing this review voluntarily.
Rumors live in small towns, and word spreads fast. Living alone in a cabin in the woods, Selene spends her time crafting tea for her online shop… But that’s not what the locals believe. After a local man goes missing, Selene receives a visit from the town detective. Everyone believes there’s evil lurking in the woods, but will they understand the truth in the mess of historic allegations? This story follows the search for the man, and the murky lines of tangled legends.
I could never guess what was going to happen next in this story. I love strong women, and that’s the best way to describe Selene. The intertwinement of the witch trials to the story adds such a fun touch, and I absolutely loved her rat. The ending is exactly what I hoped for, and I could not get enough of the way everything fell into place. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!
Rumors live in small towns, and word spreads fast. Living alone in a cabin in the woods, Selene spends her time crafting tea for her online shop… But that’s not what the locals believe. After a local man goes missing, Selene receives a visit from the town detective. Everyone believes there’s evil lurking in the woods, but will they understand the truth in the mess of historic allegations? This story follows the search for the man, and the murky lines of tangled legends.
I could never guess what was going to happen next in this story. I love strong women, and that’s the best way to describe Selene. The intertwinement of the witch trials to the story adds such a fun touch, and I absolutely loved her rat. The ending is exactly what I hoped for, and I could not get enough of the way everything fell into place. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author!
September 28, 2026
First of all...
I support women's rights, but more importantly... I support women's vengeance. 😌
I had such a good time with this book.
It went in a completely different direction than I expected, and I absolutely loved that. That ending was so satisfying.
This is only my second book by R.J. Powell, but I'm already impressed with how versatile they are as an author. This had a completely different feel to what I was expecting, and it really worked.
The atmosphere was the standout for me. It was creepy, eerie, and didn't need excessive gore to make an impact. I also loved the way it drew inspiration from the witch trials and touched on how women who don't fit society's idea of "normal" are still judged and ostracised today. It added a lot more depth than I was expecting from such a short book.
At just 99 pages, I flew through it. Honestly, I would've happily read another 300 pages... but I'm also an ADHD girlie, so novellas are always a win. 😂
Overall, this was a fantastic read, and I'll definitely be picking up more from R.J. Powell.
I support women's rights, but more importantly... I support women's vengeance. 😌
I had such a good time with this book.
It went in a completely different direction than I expected, and I absolutely loved that. That ending was so satisfying.
This is only my second book by R.J. Powell, but I'm already impressed with how versatile they are as an author. This had a completely different feel to what I was expecting, and it really worked.
The atmosphere was the standout for me. It was creepy, eerie, and didn't need excessive gore to make an impact. I also loved the way it drew inspiration from the witch trials and touched on how women who don't fit society's idea of "normal" are still judged and ostracised today. It added a lot more depth than I was expecting from such a short book.
At just 99 pages, I flew through it. Honestly, I would've happily read another 300 pages... but I'm also an ADHD girlie, so novellas are always a win. 😂
Overall, this was a fantastic read, and I'll definitely be picking up more from R.J. Powell.
September 30, 2026
I love a good witch story especially one that plays on modern witchcraft and the truth of witch trials in history. I think the way the author reveals the main characters nature is well done; showing a modern woman living modernly but keeping us guessing as to the truth of a town's rumour mill of the witch in the woods.
While much of the writing is adequate, and even delightful, (especially as we get to the end), there are certainly some recurring issues that i would have liked to see tightened. Enough that it pulled me out of the moment from time to time. Mostly in redundancy and (imo) unnecessary play-by-plays.
Despite enjoying the writing more near the end, it felt rushed. Or maybe more like the transition wasn't smooth.
There are a few things I took personal issue with, but I am not allowing them too much weight in my rating as they are very minor, very personal pet peeves. For risk of spoiler I will not discuss them here.
Overall, I think this was a fun concept: one part modern witchcraft, one part malleus maleficarum, one part murder mystery.
While much of the writing is adequate, and even delightful, (especially as we get to the end), there are certainly some recurring issues that i would have liked to see tightened. Enough that it pulled me out of the moment from time to time. Mostly in redundancy and (imo) unnecessary play-by-plays.
Despite enjoying the writing more near the end, it felt rushed. Or maybe more like the transition wasn't smooth.
There are a few things I took personal issue with, but I am not allowing them too much weight in my rating as they are very minor, very personal pet peeves. For risk of spoiler I will not discuss them here.
Overall, I think this was a fun concept: one part modern witchcraft, one part malleus maleficarum, one part murder mystery.
September 2, 2026
I was given a free copy of The Wildes of Rouge in exchange for an honest review.
While the premise of this novella is intriguing, the prose left a lot to be desired. Although there were moments of brilliance the sentences were often clunky and disjointed. Sometimes, it seemed like the author was combining metaphors or messing them up entirely, leading to phrases that didn't make much sense. There were a lot of filler words, and way too many adjectives and adverbs. I think if the editing was cleaner, it would go a long way in making this a much more enjoyable read.
The story itself was interesting and I did find myself eager to see where it was all leading. But the length of this novella left something to be desired. At just 88 pages, the story and characters felt underdeveloped. I think the mythology was really cool, but I think the author could have taken more time to explore it.
All in all, The Wildes of Rouge needed at least one more editing pass and maybe a couple hundred more words to do the story justice.
While the premise of this novella is intriguing, the prose left a lot to be desired. Although there were moments of brilliance the sentences were often clunky and disjointed. Sometimes, it seemed like the author was combining metaphors or messing them up entirely, leading to phrases that didn't make much sense. There were a lot of filler words, and way too many adjectives and adverbs. I think if the editing was cleaner, it would go a long way in making this a much more enjoyable read.
The story itself was interesting and I did find myself eager to see where it was all leading. But the length of this novella left something to be desired. At just 88 pages, the story and characters felt underdeveloped. I think the mythology was really cool, but I think the author could have taken more time to explore it.
All in all, The Wildes of Rouge needed at least one more editing pass and maybe a couple hundred more words to do the story justice.
September 12, 2026
This book had me completely fooled in the best possible way.
I was certain I knew where the story was heading, with all the suspicion, rumours, and fear surrounding Selene. But just when I thought I had it figured out, the story delivered something entirely different. The misdirection was so well done, keeping me guessing until the very end.
What I loved most was the feminist thread running throughout the novella. The theme of feminine rage wasn't loud or obvious. Instead, it was explored through the experiences of women being feared, misunderstood, and judged simply for existing outside of society's expectations. It felt powerful, thought-provoking, and incredibly relevant.
Dark, atmospheric, and beautifully unsettling, The Wildes of Rouge is a short read that packs a punch and leaves you with plenty to think about long after you've finished.
I was certain I knew where the story was heading, with all the suspicion, rumours, and fear surrounding Selene. But just when I thought I had it figured out, the story delivered something entirely different. The misdirection was so well done, keeping me guessing until the very end.
What I loved most was the feminist thread running throughout the novella. The theme of feminine rage wasn't loud or obvious. Instead, it was explored through the experiences of women being feared, misunderstood, and judged simply for existing outside of society's expectations. It felt powerful, thought-provoking, and incredibly relevant.
Dark, atmospheric, and beautifully unsettling, The Wildes of Rouge is a short read that packs a punch and leaves you with plenty to think about long after you've finished.
September 27, 2026
I'm pissed, I'm delighted, I'm satisfied, I'm in shambles...This was such a powerful and clean story. Well penned down to the fringes of the ink on the last letter. I was absolutely captivated by this tale of witchcraft and love. I truly was deeply invested in the mystery and in every way possible convinced and certain I knew where this was going. I was wrong, and honestly, In observing the finer details of the story, I'm marveling at the meticulous craftsmanship on display from a storytelling perspective. I think any assessment of this book, below that of, fantastic, would truly be a profound disservice to RJ Powell's artistry. I love this book and it's easily one of my favorite things I've read this year. I'm so lucky to have to have it on my shelf, so I can share it with anyone who dares to ask for a recommendation. 🌕 Masterful Work displaying Fear N Dread!
June 12, 2026
This beautifully written horror novella felt like a Witch Trials-esque true crime story, and I was so locked in, I couldn’t put it down.
Our FMC is a whimsical woman living a solitary life in her cozy cottage that has been passed down for generations. A young man in the small town she lives in has gone missing, and folks in town are looking for someone to blame.
I was absolutely delighted by how descriptive this was. It’s one of those books that feels like a movie while reading, and everything flows perfectly. The twists were fun. The MC was lovable. The atmosphere felt cozy yet eerie. And the story took a deliciously dark turn.
10/10 recommend if you’re looking for a short, moody, suspenseful read.
Our FMC is a whimsical woman living a solitary life in her cozy cottage that has been passed down for generations. A young man in the small town she lives in has gone missing, and folks in town are looking for someone to blame.
I was absolutely delighted by how descriptive this was. It’s one of those books that feels like a movie while reading, and everything flows perfectly. The twists were fun. The MC was lovable. The atmosphere felt cozy yet eerie. And the story took a deliciously dark turn.
10/10 recommend if you’re looking for a short, moody, suspenseful read.
September 1, 2026
This had just the right amount of witchiness in a horror book.
Selene Wildes has lived alone in a cabin in the woods, and she prefers it that way. The only real contact with the townsfolk she has is the mail carrier who picks up packages she places in her mailbox for her online tea business. So when Detective Bennett from the Hollygrove Police Department arrives looking for a missing man, we have flashbacks to when her ancestors were persecuted before her. All women. All living alone in the cabin. And now an angry mob wants her to be held accountable.
The anticipation was perfect. I loved the secret rooms, the descriptions of herbs and flowers, and the atmospheric vibe of the cabin, all told at a perfect pace for this novella that I read as part of Horror Indie-tron .
Selene Wildes has lived alone in a cabin in the woods, and she prefers it that way. The only real contact with the townsfolk she has is the mail carrier who picks up packages she places in her mailbox for her online tea business. So when Detective Bennett from the Hollygrove Police Department arrives looking for a missing man, we have flashbacks to when her ancestors were persecuted before her. All women. All living alone in the cabin. And now an angry mob wants her to be held accountable.
The anticipation was perfect. I loved the secret rooms, the descriptions of herbs and flowers, and the atmospheric vibe of the cabin, all told at a perfect pace for this novella that I read as part of Horror Indie-tron .
September 24, 2026
The Wildes of Rouge is a "cozy" witchy horror, following Selene, a woman who's bloodline has been ostracized by the the community. A young man vanishes, and the blame is immediately pointed at her, but is she really the villain? Or is she discriminated against because of her blood? This was such an easy book to fly through! I love RJ Powell, she's actually my most-read author so far this year, and there's good reason for it. This was cozy in such a creepy and slightly unsettling way, the imagery carries a gothic vibe to it, but it just felt so right. The last 20 pages had my heart racing, but it was such a cool way for the story to go. Obviously I'm recommending this to everyone, especially with Halloween around the corner, witchy books are in season!!
May 31, 2026
In Hollygrove, the Wildes women have lived secluded for centuries. Ostracized, whispered about, and feared. Selene Wildes is the last of her bloodline, spending her days alone in her cabin with her rat and her herbs, unbothered and unbroken.
Then a local teen vanishes, and suspicion turns to her. It always does.
What follows is a slow, satisfying unraveling of small-town history, deep-rooted fear, and the kind of mob mentality that doesn't need much to ignite. Powell layers in centuries of tension and lets it breathe, which is no small feat for 87 pages. The town feels lived in, the history feels real, and Selene feels like someone you've been waiting to meet.
September 4, 2026
Selene comes from a long line of witches who remain in their cabin isolated from the town below. Jason, a teenage boy, goes missing and the storyline follows the investigation of finding him. I thought it was well written with great imagery, though I would not classify this as horror. There was tension throughout the book, but nothing that made me sit on the edge of my seat. There are a slight feelings of anger (at the townspeople), curiosity (whodunit, will Bennette and Selene form a relationship), and surprise (the ending). Curiosity was my strongest emotional reaction. It is a nice short read.
September 5, 2026
This is my 2nd book of the Indie-Tron event.
I was so excited to read this novella by RJ Powell and I was not disappointed!
I was aware this was not her usual splatterpunk/horror style, but a very beautifully horror witchy tale. It was everything I wanted and more! What can’t this woman do?
The FMC is so whimsical and loveable and I want her cottage and herb room so badly! 😍
This was not only beautifully written but so descriptive, it felt like watching a movie. I was picturing everything and could not put this book down.
This would be incredible as a movie!
The delicious twist at the end was perfection 👌🏻
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would!
5✨
I was so excited to read this novella by RJ Powell and I was not disappointed!
I was aware this was not her usual splatterpunk/horror style, but a very beautifully horror witchy tale. It was everything I wanted and more! What can’t this woman do?
The FMC is so whimsical and loveable and I want her cottage and herb room so badly! 😍
This was not only beautifully written but so descriptive, it felt like watching a movie. I was picturing everything and could not put this book down.
This would be incredible as a movie!
The delicious twist at the end was perfection 👌🏻
If I could give this more than 5 stars I would!
5✨
September 8, 2026
The Wildes of Rouge by RJ Powell
“They resembled skin melting from bone, with crystalized dewdrops giving the landscape a shimmer in the evening.
The main character Selene lives alone, does her witchy things and doesn’t want to be bothered. Until a young boy goes missing and the town people and a naive detective get involved.
This short novella was so beautifully written. I was able to visualize everything that was going on in this story. This is my first read in Indie-Tron journey, highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a short, witchy vibe book. I’m looking forward to reading more of this author.
“They resembled skin melting from bone, with crystalized dewdrops giving the landscape a shimmer in the evening.
The main character Selene lives alone, does her witchy things and doesn’t want to be bothered. Until a young boy goes missing and the town people and a naive detective get involved.
This short novella was so beautifully written. I was able to visualize everything that was going on in this story. This is my first read in Indie-Tron journey, highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a short, witchy vibe book. I’m looking forward to reading more of this author.
September 5, 2026
this one is definitely on the less gory side of RJ’s books but still had everything I love about her writing/stories and at only 87 pages it was packed with such visual details that just sucks you in and made you feel every bit of the atmosphere and also had me guessing with the twisted it held one thing I do wish for would be if it was a longer read just so I could of stayed in the world little while longer because I just loved everything about it
This one is perfect for the spooky season when you just want a quick witchy small town vibe read 👻
This one is perfect for the spooky season when you just want a quick witchy small town vibe read 👻
September 6, 2026
What?? WHAT?? What kind of witchcraft is it that this book is a novella, coz I swear it was a full length book? I don’t understand how so much story and build up could have taken place in a one hour read.
I spent the majority of this book (which I went into completely blind as part of the 2026 horror indietron) thinking, I know this is a horror, but it’s clearly a mystery with potential to be a love story - and I was equal parts desperate and dreading getting to the horror!
But my god did it deliver. 5 stars, easy, loved it.
I spent the majority of this book (which I went into completely blind as part of the 2026 horror indietron) thinking, I know this is a horror, but it’s clearly a mystery with potential to be a love story - and I was equal parts desperate and dreading getting to the horror!
But my god did it deliver. 5 stars, easy, loved it.
September 9, 2026
WOW! This story was so suspenseful and so wonderfully written. RJ definitely deserves a round of applause for this one! If you like stories that give Salem Witch Trials vibes then you’ll definitely love this. Especially with all of the historical Easter eggs. (I won’t say because I totally loved them and it made the story so much more once I realized it!) AND THEN THE PLOT TWIST! I definitely was not expecting! RJ Powell just became one of my auto read authors! I definitely recommend adding this book to your spooky season TBR!
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