Jellyfish Bloom

by J.J. Walker

There’s been a disappearance in Shiver. A woman is missing and all Anya Durand can think about is whether her husband, Theo, had something to do with it.

As she struggles to put together the pieces of a night when he slipped out and returned smelling like salt and seaweed, more uncertainty broods. She hears a leak behind the wall. Water in the attic. Starts seeing things so strange, it makes her wonder not just whether Theo is guilty, but why it feels like the ocean is haunting their house.

Jellyfish Bloom is a horror novella about a relationship unraveling. An oceanic terror about what lurks in the waters around a quiet seaside town, and the lengths people will go for love.

Genres: Horror

111 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication July 24, 2026

About the author

J.J. Walker is a horror author who loves writing unsettling stories about small towns, old houses, and characters that examine what it means to be human.

Originally from the UK, he currently calls Canada home.

Reviews

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read with a very interesting concept, but it left me wanting more.

Although the writing was clear and easy to read, I was hoping for stronger horror elements and more suspense overall. The ending also left me a little unsatisfied, with too many unanswered questions.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jordan Laurent Ramroop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eerie & mysterious - A good horror novella! Grabs you from the word go & throws you some fun little twists along the way. The jellyfish made me laugh more than anything but a fun quick read 🪼

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jellyfish Bloom is a fun and short horror read for the summer. I wasn’t expecting the aquatic life to be so eerie. Ultimately, I feel like the book could have been fleshed out a little further.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun little oceanic horror novella that was quick paced and eerily creepy. I did wish the ending was fleshed out a little more as I didn’t quite understand it, but the jellyfish creeped me out to no end. Thanks to BookSirens and the author for the ARC, all opinions are honest and my own.

[Rhea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, this was one incredibly eerie, trippy story, that pulls you right from the very first sentences like a riptide. Jellyfish Bloom starts out looking like a classic domestic thriller but quickly devolves into some seriously unsettling oceanic horror and psychological dread.

The Plot & Atmosphere
The story is told from the alternating perspectives of a married couple, Anya and Theo. It kicks off with Anya catching Theo sneaking back into the house late at night. He lies about where he was, and to make matters worse, that exact same night, Theo’s ex-lover (and their friend) Claire vanishes into thin air. Theo claims he didn't see her, but the police quickly bring proof proving they were together.

While Anya spirals into jealousy and insecurity, low-key wishing her husband was just a cheating bastard rather than dealing with the reality of the situation. She wants her husband to be the bad guy, even though the truth is so, so much different when you get to see things from Theo’s perspective. As things progress she and Martin (Claire’s partner) can't help but suspect Theo of murdering Claire.

To add even more suspense and oceanic horror and dread, their own house starts to experience strange events that play with their minds. I haven’t read any other works from this author in this universe, but it seems this is a common theme in them and they somehow connect. I’ll probably give it a try at some point. All these unnatural events in their house manage only to pin the guilt on Theo even more. It leaves you questioning if everyone is collectively losing their sanity, or if there is something way bigger, older, and more terrifying at play.

Perspective, Characters & Dialogue
There are times when the story feels a bit all over the place, blending psychological thriller elements with straight-up body horror. Honestly, though? It works. It fits the frantic pace and the overall premise perfectly.

Theo was hands down my favorite character. His chapters are a series of spiraling, unhinged events that eventually connect the dots, leaving you with a mix of sadness and pure horror. He felt deeply developed and carried so much emotional weight.

Anya, on the other hand, was a bit harder to root for. Her perspective is great for building tension, anxiety, and paranoia, but her primary traits are insecurity and self-centeredness. While a whole woman is literally missing, Anya is almost entirely consumed by whether her husband cheated on her, rather than actually caring about Claire's safety or whether her husband is a murderer.

I loved the dialogue, it felt mature, natural, like you were witnessing a discussion between actual people, not the type of dialogue one might find in many horror novels which feels puerile and mechanical.

The ending is a shocker, the type of ending that gives you goosebumps and leaves you scratching your head.

One quick side note: The book wraps up with one of those "No AI was used in the making of this book" disclaimers. Honestly, I'm starting to find these statements a bit elitist, unnecessary, and braggy. It feels like it just instills fearmongering and gatekeeping in the creative community rather than doing anything productive, and it kind of left a weird taste in my mouth at the very end.

Many, many thanks to J.J. Walker , After Dusk Press , and NetGalley for the ARC. This is a voluntary review, reflecting solely my opinion.

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and Afterdark Press for the opportunity to read this book. All thoughts and feeling presented here are of my own making.


J.J. Walker is a new author to me, and what drew me to this book was the cover art, kudos to Roderick Brydon it’s a stunning piece of art. The jellyfish in the bulb making it clear that the book wasn’t going to be necessarily a conventional horror. It did scream oceanic horror, and I am a sucker for a well written sea horror, there is something deliciously scary about the depths. In the forward Walker tells the reader about the other novella and book of short stories that are interconnected with Jellyfish Bloom. All being set in the same universe but assuring you that the books can be read as standalones, that being said I will now need to pick the others up to see how the universe expands.

Jellyfish Blooms starts following Anya who’s husband has come to bed late smelling of the sea, which is unusual purely because he insists that he was home all night simply watching TV. When Anya finds out the following morning that Claire her husband’s ex-girlfriend has gone missing she is filled with questions that Theo— her husband— either evades or answers sparingly. What follows is a unsettling, eerie haunting of their house and themselves by the ocean and its secrets. Is the ocean trying to warn Anya? Or Threaten Theo?

J.J. Walker’s writing was atmospheric suffocating in moments and heart wrenching in others. There is was a small bout of body horror that made my skin crawling. Overall the writing was well balanced, haunting and unnerving without being overwhelming. The ocean haunting the house was a unique take on both haunted houses and the use of thalassophobia in a narrative. There were scenes which gave that smothering horror of being buried under miles of water, only made worse because you should be safe in your own home. It has definitely piqued my interest in picking up his two other books and to keep an eye out for future instalments of Long Rain County.

For just over a hundred pages Walker managed to cram a decent story and a wonderful sense of panic and dread. The double POV helping to draw on the fear of both characters only enhancing the experience. The ending being left open to interpretation is the best kind in this type of book in my opinion, but if that is not something you like then this book is probably not for you. Because this book definitely leaves a number of things up to the reader’s clarification. The loss of a star was because I felt it really could have been fleshed out a bit, the characters had a strong start, but there could have just been a little more to them. That being said I am excited to see where this author takes his universe, and I hope for some longer novels.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Darcy Coates especially “From Below”.

[A Reader's Plight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Jellyfish Bloom by J.J. Walker

Thank you very much to NetGalley and After Dusk Press for the eARC copy of this book! This was such an amazing read.

Ratings out of 5 stars.
- Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Interest Rating: 📖📖📖📖📖
- Scare Rating: 👻👻👻
- Tension Rating: 🪢🪢🪢🪢🪢
- Predictability Rating: 💭
- Writing Style Rating: 🖋🖋🖋🖋🖋

Favorite character?
As usual, I want to say that the jellyfish were my favorite character because I can't help myself from liking the description of the animals more than the actual people. 😅 I'm honestly not sure I can pick a favorite character. I think all of them played integral parts in the story and they all had their own flaws and secrets. There wasn't one that had a personality that I liked more than the others.

Most memorable scene/moment?
I think the most memorable scene is when Theo goes out to sea and sees the corpse of Claire talking to him amongst all the jellyfish. That was such a well-described scene (along with the second time that Theo sees Claire's body) and definitely something I was not expecting.

Did the ending satisfy you?
Yes. I feel like for some the ending may be a little bit confusing because you kinda have to connect the dots to figure out what happened, but it's not something that is incredibly challenging to figure out. As long as you follow the story you'll understand the ending.

Would you read this book again?
Definitely! This was such a short and intriguing read that I would absolutely re-read it.

Additional Notes:
- I think that this was wonderfully written! I felt like the story was easy to follow and I really loved the way that things piece together in small bits. also really liked having the dual perspectives.
- The descriptions of this book were perfect and I felt like I was watching a movie in my head the whole time. It was tense and just the right amount of disturbingly impossible. Also, there's some really creepy things in here that left me squirm a bit.
- The tension was great throughout the book and it kept my interest throughout the book. I found myself questing what was going to happen next at the end of literally every single chapter. I was forming theories the whole time and not a single one was correct (as usual), but I found the twists to be very well-crafted and gave me many "no wayyyyy" moments throughout the read.
- Even though this is a standalone, it is set in a universe that other stories of the author also take place in and I most definitely will be reading those too because I'm intrigued and hooked now.
- Overall, an awesome, bite-sized book that is perfect to satisfy the horror/mystery itch!

[Paige Close]

Spoilers!!!

Jellyfish Bloom had the potential to be a very captivating book. I think the small page count did not do it justice. The story told in this book was very interesting and had it just been given the page count to fully fledge out the story it would’ve been great. I wish we had more time to go into Theo and Claire’s history from before he met Anya, or got more scenes of them interacting together around Anya and Martin to better understand why they felt their partners were cheating on them. We only get Anya and Martin’s conversation about how they both know what is going on between them. Had we gotten to see more interactions of Theo and Claire and these stolen touches and longing glances that Anya talks about, it would’ve driven the suspicion about Theo and where he went that night and if he did have anything to do with her disappearance.
I really enjoyed the ocean themed haunts throughout the book. At first I was very confused on why their house was being haunted and why it was sea creatures showing up and how this tied into the mystery surrounding Claire. Once we got to the final few chapters of the book and learned of the promise the sea had made and what actually happened to Claire, it all finally clicked. I loved it. Again with the length of the story, had the book been longer, I would’ve loved to get the full flashback of that day and the sea’s promise and how it affected Theo throughout his life.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and the story it portrayed. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the book at first but once we found out what happened that night I truly enjoyed it. To find out that nobody did anything to Claire, it was the ocean keeping its promise to Theo to hide his secrets, the secret that he never actually loved Anya and still loved Claire, so it got rid of Claire. The scenes of the ocean talking to him through Claire’s body was crazy and a very interesting and original plot. I really enjoyed reading this book, I just wish it was longer to give more time to details that would make this book amazing. The concept was so interesting and I’ve never read another book like it.

[Mireya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and After Dusk Press for the ARC copy of Jellyfish Bloom. This has not affected my review at all, which are my own thoughts.

Something strange is happening at Shiver, and it starts with a missing woman. Yet, all Anya can think about is the possibility of his husband, Theo, cheating on her. Or, even worse, being involved in said disappearance. Because Theo slipped out one night and came back smelling like the ocean, note telling her where he'd been. And now, she hears leakings all over her house, there's water in the attic and she's starting to notice so many things that Theo is the least of her problems since now it feels like the ocean itself is haunting her house. And, unless she makes something about it, they're all going to drown.

Well, this one surprised me for good, because the horror was far more subtle and it was far more mysterious than I expected. Anya and her POV sucked me in so much that even *I* ended up being suspicious of Theo😂

Short and direct to the point, what I liked most was how the haunting was done, it felt really on brand with Shiver and the characters and, as a fan of oceanic horror, I loved seeing it coming, growing and de-li-ve-ring. It was confusing, terrifying and with a spot-on mystery. Really, the truth of what was going on was far from what I was expecting😮

I wished the end would have hit more for me, 'cause it felt flat after all the spiking tension and drama going on, and I would have liked to see consequences for some characters actions...but I guess eternal moral guilt should be enough. Yet, I really liked this novella and I think horror fans are going to enjoy it. Anya is a lovely and relatable character that I would have follow even in a longer book; Theo can suck it for all I care😂 Both were written fantastically and their POVs were so well differentiated that I was never confuse, and that's to be appreciated!

[Mark Corrigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Jellyfish Bloom" is an atmospheric horror novella with striking ocean imagery that feels both grounded and unsettling.

One of the things I appreciated most was the symbolism. The sea is more than just a setting, it's a presence. The recurring images and descriptions of saltwater, jellyfish, barnacles, tides and currents create a sense of dread while also reflecting the emotional distance between the characters. The symbolism felt purposeful rather than heavy-handed, and it added depth psychologically rather than it being a straight up horror story.

The novella also excels at providing atmosphere. The strange occurrences happen subtly to begin with before escalating into mounting dread, disturbing events, and persistent unease. I enjoyed how Walker blended domestic tension with supernatural horror, making the house itself an extension of the characters' fears and anxieties.

Anya and Theo's deteriorating relationship kept me invested throughout. The mystery behind the disappearance adds to the tension, and I found myself wanting to know what was happening both literally and within the characters' minds.

My main criticism is with the pacing. While the novella is relatively short, there were sections of the story that felt repetitive, and other places where it moved too fast. I occasionally felt either left too long in a scene or taken away from it too quickly to keep up.

That said, the strong atmosphere, compelling symbolism, and emotional undercurrents outweighed those issues for me. "Jellyfish Bloom" is a creative and immersive story at will appeal to reader who enjoy character-driven psychological horror.

A solid and remarkable read overall.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have finished this in one sitting if it wasn’t for my job 😅

One thing this book absolutely nails is the atmosphere.

Jellyfish Bloom follows Anya and Theo, a couple trying to hold together a marriage that’s already beginning to fracture. They live in Theo’s old family home by the sea, but after a tragic accident, strange visions and an ever-growing presence from the ocean begin creeping into their everyday lives.

What stood out most to me was how this blended ocean horror with psychological horror. You don’t need terrifying sea monsters or the deep ocean to make the sea feel threatening. Instead, the ocean slowly invades a place that should feel safe. Water appears where it shouldn’t. Barnacles grow overnight. The house toys with its occupants before everything slips back to normal, leaving both the characters and the reader questioning what was real. It was incredibly atmospheric.

I also felt for Anya. She clearly loved Theo, but there was always this feeling that she knew their relationship was falling apart long before the events in the book begin. That tension made the horror feel even more unsettling.

The ending happened so quickly that I was left wanting a little more explanation before it wrapped up.

Overall, I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a short, atmospheric horror novella. If you enjoy psychological horror that builds tension through creeping dread rather than monsters or gore, this is well worth picking up.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to BookSirens and JJ Walker for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[✩｡°⋆ Lala ⋆｡°✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

• 4 ☆ •



── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
Jellyfish Bloom genuinely surprised me. It’s a compact, eerie little horror novella with a simple setup: a missing woman in a quiet seaside town, a husband who comes home smelling like salt and seaweed, and a house that feels like it’s leaking ocean water from the inside.

Anya’s suspicion toward her husband Theo builds slowly, and watching her try to make sense of what happened to claire gives the book a steady tension. The water dripping behind the walls and the dampness spreading through the house create this claustrophobic, almost cosmic terror that works beautifully with the story’s atmosphere.

The oceanic horror here is quiet and invasive rather than loud or monstrous, which honestly makes it more unnerving. The book leans into subtle details instead of big dramatic moments, and that approach makes everything feel stranger and more intimate. I could’ve easily read another few hundred pages of this seaside nightmare, but the shorter length actually suits what the story is doing.

A strange little seaside nightmare that absolutely earned its 4 stars.
── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

If you like:

✔️ oceanic horror
✔️ atmospheric horror
✔️ small town mysteries
✔️ relationship horror
✔️ surreal, unsettling stories
✔️ Subtle horror

── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──

📅 Pub Day: Jul 24, 2026 📚
💌 Thank you to BookSirens and After Dusk Press for gifting this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

[Nocturne Pages · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jellyfish Bloom is a Horror NOVELLA with aquatic themes. I don't know about you, but all my oceanic horror experiences have been limited to sirens. How cool is it to have one with jellyfish? The possibilities are endless with creative juices. This Novella was written by JJ Walker and is set to release on July 24th, 2026. Still in my Horror era and this one being less than 150 pages is a big yes from me. Thank you Netgalley and Victory Editing for this opportunity to read and review early. This book wasn't just about the spooky stuff that goes bump in the night like most horror. It was also a reflection of the horrors of domestic life. The uncertainty, the doubt, the scary bits that come with trusting someone so completely with your day to day details. One of my bookish pet peeves however, is MISCOMMUNICATION. JUST SAY WHAT YOU MEAN. SAY WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND. Doing that would quite literally solve most of the problems here. I guess I was hoping for more gloomy water scenes, but it got overshadowed by the lack of true feelings between the couple. The oceanic elements that were incorporated over time did manage to give me shivers. The POV switch halfway through was also a nice touch. But that character deserved everything they got. Was left wanting more horror and more explanation. 3 ⭐ 

[that bookish ghoul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and After Dusk Press for my advanced reader copy in return for my honest review.

Jellyfish Bloom is an oceanic themed horror novella filled with secrets.
Overall rating 3.5, rounded up to 4.

I've read a few horrors themed around the sea and creatures but this is the first to centre around jellyfish, not to mention giving me a new found fear of barnacles! The descriptive writing had me fully immersed and had me constantly wondering what on earth was going to happen next, honestly I felt like I might defend into madness along with them and the story took a turn I wasn't expecting!

The first half of this novella really captured my attention however after reaching around 48% when we get the POV switch it felt for me that there was a change in pacing and I sometimes felt like taking the time for a little more explanation was needed, Especially because a lot of things start happening quite and the information being fed seemed slightly, out of the blue.
I'm also not sure I fully understood the ending although maybe that was the point? I did re-read the last few chapters again to see if there was something I didn't pick up on but still left like I'd missed something important.

Overall an enjoyable eerie, uncomfortable read and I look forward to reading more from JJ. Walker in the future!

[Jessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jellyfish Bloom is a creepy, atmospheric horror novella that blends psychological tension with supernatural dread. The story follows a woman who begins to suspect her husband may be connected to a local disappearance, but as strange events start occurring around their home, the truth becomes far more unsettling than she imagined.

The strongest part of this book was its immersive atmosphere. The ocean feels like a living presence throughout the story, and the descriptions of water, shadows, and the house itself create an unsettling sense that something is deeply wrong. Even when the characters are indoors, it feels as though they're slowly being pulled beneath the waves.

I also enjoyed the way the mystery unfolds. The story kept me questioning what was real and what wasn't, and the mounting tension made it difficult to put down. The relationship between the main characters adds another layer of unease as secrets and suspicions begin to surface.

The ending left me with a few questions, and I'm not sure I fully grasped all of its implications, but I still found it satisfying and thought-provoking. Overall, this was a fun, eerie read with strong atmosphere and a lingering sense of dread that stayed with me after I finished.

Thank you, Book Sirens for the eARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually go for the horror genre, but the intriguing cover and the fact that it’s a novella made me willing to give Jellyfish Bloom a try.

This is the story of Anya and Theo, who are about to have their relationship tested. A woman named Claire goes missing. Of course, she just so happens to be Theo’s ex-girlfriend. After a few suspicious details surface, Anya is left to determine whether Theo had anything to do with Claire’s disappearance…or if he still had feelings for her. If I were to stop there, it would sound like the plot of other thrillers; however, this story takes a bizarre turn that sets it apart. Anya and Theo begin experiencing what I can only describe as freaky oceanic events within their home. In fact, the ocean itself emerges as a major (and quite menacing) “character” in the story and plays a big part in the unraveling of secrets.

The ending is one you'll either love or hate because it doesn't spell everything out for you. You never get the satisfaction of knowing exactly what happened (which is frustrating), but it also leaves plenty of room for you to draw your own conclusions (which I really appreciated). I have my own theories about what happened and why, but I'll leave that for you to decide.

Thank you very much to Victory Editing for granting me the opportunity, via NetGalley, to read and review this book.

[Aex · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rise of horror tied to the ocean in recent years brought me to this book. There’s always something so fascinating about the vast darkness of the sea, and the creatures we know so little about that inhabit it.

Jellyfish Bloom is a suspenseful horror novella that taps into the lives of Anya and Theo Durand, a married couple whose already fraying marriage splinters with the disappearance of Claire, Theo’s old flame. Soon, it becomes apparent Theo is hiding secrets from Anya, secrets that are literally seeping into their house.

As a fan of cosmic horror, I thought it was an interesting take on the concept of the horrors of the sea. I did find it a bit strange that we continued to have Anya-centric chapters during the ‘Theo’ part of the book. Anya and Theo are definitely solid characters, both with their own insecurities that come out strongly and embed themselves in their relationship.

I do wish there was more of the haunting of the house and its inhabitants, as those were the highlight of the book. All in all, a quick read for those looking to scratch that ocean-themed horror itch.

Thank you to J.J Walker, After Dusk Press, and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Michael F Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jellyfish Bloom is a unique approach to the ghost story that, combined with its compelling, if a little cliche, character drama, offered an easily readable story that never outstayed its welcome.

J.J. Walker's greatest success with this story is in its descriptive writing, colouring what might otherwise have been a more conventional ghost horror with oceanic flair that shines brilliantly in the book's most descriptive passages, presenting tangible scenes of salt water and, as the title would suggest, jellyfish, rather than the ghosts of a more traditional haunting.

The prose writing left something to be desired here, some of the phrasing being at odds with the intended emotional responses, while a couple of moments, especially in the second half, felt more cliche than I would have liked.

Luckily, the originality of the story's haunting dominated the first half, and also returned for an effective last few chapters, providing an impactful ending to this relatively short tale. Finding out that this one is part of a greater world also does a lot to raise its intrigue. Recommended for fans of the ghost story looking for something a little different.

[Advanced Reader Copy provided by the author]

[Zoey M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of this novella really captured me. The synopsis's description of Anya beginning to see and hear unexplainable things in her house fit right in with the sort of horror that I love, and the first half of the novella delivered on that. I would have loved if the entire novella fit that theme. However, the second half of the novella felt less developed than the beginning, and it didn't fit what I expected from the synopsis as well. With how limited the novella is in length, I didn't like switching between two different POV characters, and didn't think that Theo's perspective added very much to the book. The flashbacks weren't integrated very smoothly into the rest of the novella, and it felt a bit jarring as a reader when I came across them. At the end I was left with more questions than answers as to what was happening in the town of Shiver, and I think that the novella would have benefited from being developed into a slightly longer work that kept more of the atmosphere of the first half of the novella.
Rating: 3.75/5, rounded to 4/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

[Vix · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an incredible ARC read. I used to think jellyfish were cute but after reading this oceanic horror I safely say I no longer hold that opinion of them. This story is so brilliantly written. I was hooked (pardon the pun) as always within the first chapter . Theo and Anya seem to be happy in love but all is not what it seems . After strange and bizzare going on in their dream home to then a friend going missing and how the story unfolds , its a gripping and dark tale of love, betrayal, and a past that has a way of catching up with you but in such a scary and unhinged way . Walkers writing conjours so many visceral images of hidous jelly creatures . My imagination ran wild with this one. I also love that the authors previous books and The flowers at flood house and this story are all part of a universe called Long rain County. These books can be read as stand alone but each book is unique and having read them all seems so fitting to have them in my mind as I went into this book. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is a horror lover like me . This was a refreshing change to the usual haunted house and other horror I usually read. 5 star 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Advance Reader Copy

3.5 ⭐️for this ocean themed horror novella

This was a very eerie, creepy horror story with just the right amount of discomfort to make you keep going to try to get out of it, making it feel quite real.

I love the concept that the ocean is alive, and it plays very well on people’s fears of the ocean and taking it that one step further to really make it justified. It is a little disturbing in parts but that’s what makes it a horror….it is truly horrifying, and I think the parts where you ask WHY and the answer is simply just because, makes it even more haunting.

The characters themselves each bring their own form of chaos from start to finish, and at one point, you do genuinely start to think if each of them have lost their mind. I love the change of the character viewpoint halfway through, it rolls really well going from quiet, haunting build up to outright chaos and a downward spiral. The emotions feel very real. And the ending….. without giving anything away, a shocker that sends shivers!

“He was looking out into an ocean’s vast and unrelenting deep.”

[Ocean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerising's the word! This is the story of Anya who hears her husband Theo coming back home late one night and finds out the next morning that his ex, Claire, has vanished. Anya's unease grows as she can't help but think he might have something to do with the disappearance and worse the house starts to feel haunted by an ominous oceanic presence.

The writing is effective and the pacing exceptional. I could not stop reading until the story was over. It swallowed me whole and spit me right out feeling chewed. It's been at least fifteen minutes since I read the aknowledgements and I'm still sitting on the couch with a rapidly thumping heart trying to get back to reality.

I could not recommend Jellyfish Bloom enough if you like horror and/or magical realism. I felt my hair raise at the back of my neck on several occasions and once thought I was going to be sick. The barnacles!! For some reason it wasn't the blown up corpse it was the barnacles *shudders*.
From the scary disappearance, the creeping doubt and the jealousy that permeate these pages to the supernatural elements this felt entirely real and original! Brilliant!!

[Bo.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jellyfish Bloom was a surprisingly creepy, immersive novella that kept me constantly wondering what was going to happen next. I don’t read a lot of horror, so there were definitely a few moments that had me wide-eyed.

What stood out most to me was how strongly everything felt tied to the ocean — not just the jellyfish and the horror elements, but the language too. There were all these repeated references to swimming, drowning, and being pulled under, and I couldn’t help wondering if that was meant to mirror the relationship at the centre of the story.

I was completely hooked during the first half, and while the second half took the story in an unexpected direction, I found myself trying to piece together what was really happening as events became even more strange and unsettling. I wasn't entirely sure how to interpret everything by the end, but it definitely left me with plenty to think about afterwards.

Overall, this was a solid horror novella with some genuinely eerie moments and atmospheric writing that made it hard to put down.

Thank you to After Dusk Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

[Cynthia Brendel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Net Galley, After Dusk Press, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC!

This was a very well done little oceanic horror novella. It centers on Anya and her husband Theo. Theo's ex goes missing the same night he sneaks out of the house and comes home smelling like the ocean. He likes to Anya and tells her that he never left.

My absolute favorite parts of this book all of the little weird marine haunting things that pop up. Jellyfish in the lightbulbs, saltwater coming out of the shower, the hallway looking like being underwater. Waking up with barnacles on your skin? So creepy, I love it! This novella was very atmospheric and had a really strong sense of pace. If you've ever lived oceanside you can literally smell this town coming off the pages.

Most of this novella is the buildup of both suspicion around Theo and the intensity of the supernatural marine elements. We get some answers about what's been happening, but I think there are a lot of unanswered questions. I loved the very very end though!

[Balthazarinblue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuck the ocean. It's not the first time I've felt this way but Jellyfish Bloom makes my opinion even more emphatic. It brought everything terrible and terrifying about the deep sea into your home. NO. Do not like. By which, of course, I mean I loved this. It made me feel so uncomfortable in the best possible way. It's such a concise story that I don't want to spoil the exact plot point but there was one moment that legitimately made my skin crawl. It was the barnacles. Shudder.

What I love about JJ Walker's novellas is that they're so full of emotion. The Long Rain County books are saturated with small town melancholy. In Jellyfish Bloom we follow Anya as she confronts the cracks in her marriage when a local woman goes missing and even she suspects her husband is involved. The supernatural elements give the story an otherworldly, eerie cast but Jellyfish Bloom doesn't rely on the horror aspect to be intriguing. I was fully invested in Anya and Theo's situation.

I think this is my new favourite JJ Walker book! I read it in basically one sitting!

[Two Odd Socks · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Jellyfish Bloom” - J.J. Walker

Summary: When a mutual friend of a married couple, Theo and Anya, goes missing, all eyes are on Theo. But things start unravelling not just in their marriage, but the house as well. Just what did Theo do that night when he returned smelling of the ocean?

Thoughts:
This is an ARC given by the author, and Booksirens. Leaving my review voluntarily! Thank you!

This is a horror novella, packing in a lot within a hundred pages. Split into two parts, the story follows Theo and Anya and the aftermath of their friend, Claire's disappearance. Having a previous relationship with her, Theo is under suspicion from Anya and also Claire's partner, Martin.

Tension builds, especially as unusual events happen within their home. A thriller mixed with horror elements, this was a good wee read.

I couldn’t stop reading. I almost missed my stop on the train, because I was so engrossed.

I believe this book comes out next month, July 24th 2026. I wish the author luck with it and as of writing, there are still spots remaining to read the book early.

[Stormie Barton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jellyfish Bloom, a horror novella, which I am calling oceanic horror, is one of my strangest reads of the year thus far!

Anya and Theo are married but it is not marital bliss. The reader feels the tension between this married couple immediately.

The local bartender has gone missing and the small seaside town is turned upside down as the inhabitants work together to find her.

Anya is already beside herself with worry as Theo was out the night the woman went missing and lied to her about it. Besides this, the woman is a prior love of Theo’s. Then the cops arrive and begin asking questions.

Amidst this unfolding tragedy, a Lovecraftian fever dream has unleashed itself within their household. Water is dripping from the ceiling and reality is bending right before their eyes.

Walker unleashes a torrent of angst, awe, and terror that leaves the reader breathlessly, horrifically confused. The horror concept is unlike anything I’ve ever read before and while I’m not sure it scared me, it did fascinate me!

[RobbyReadsActually · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and After Dusk Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars
What originally drew me to request this book was the stunning cover. Props to the cover artist for a beautiful cover. As a huge fan of horror novellas and someone who has been craving oceanic horror lately, I jumped at the chance to read this.

This novella packs a lot into such a short read and there is a lot to like about it. I thought the writing was well done, and it really did a great job of establishing an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. A lot of the descriptions and imagery were also vivid and well done. However, I wasn't quite sold on the reveal/twist at the end, as it felt a bit rushed and left me wanting more. I think that if the book were a bit longer, there would have been more time to flesh things out and give the plot more room to breathe.

Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys atmospheric horror novellas or oceanic horror in general. This definitely scratched the oceanic horror itch I've had lately.

[Alison Faichney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dope freaky novella. This is a shorter read that could easily be devoured in one sitting due to the length and flow of the prose. I won’t go too much into the plot but Anya and Theo are married and one evening Theo slips out. The next day Theo’s ex girlfriend comes up missing. The writing is accessible and the sea elements are creepy and add a taste of peculiarity to a standard trope. I vibed with the entire story and even enjoyed the ending.

I agree with other reviewers that I would have loved more from this story. That’s not implying Jellyfish Bloom is lacking, but expanding the story to include more dimension regarding the connections between the islanders and any potential lore would have elevated this read. I would have loooooved more with the weird sea bits as those were super creepy but brief. The story still feels complete, but I was captivated with this one and more book would only have endeared me further. Highly recommend if you like horror novellas. There are hints of psychological and folk horror intertwined and it makes for a quick yet interesting book.

[Lisa Cook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jellyfish Bloom had an intriguing premise and some genuinely eerie ideas, but ultimately it left me wanting much more. The seaside setting and oceanic horror elements created an unsettling atmosphere, yet the story never fully capitalised on its potential.

I kept waiting for the horror to intensify, for the mystery surrounding the disappearance and the strange happenings in the house to develop into something truly chilling, but it never quite got there. The characters also felt underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect with their struggles or care about the outcome.

As a novella, I expected a tighter, more focused story, but instead I was left with too many unanswered questions and not enough explanation. The concepts were interesting, but the plot felt undercooked and lacked the depth needed to make a lasting impact.

A creepy premise with plenty of promise, but for me it needed more horror, more character development, and a stronger, more satisfying storyline.