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Halloween Fiend
Strang isn’t the small, quaint town it appears to be. It’s haunted every night by a creature the townsfolk refer to as Halloween. Once the sun sets each day, Halloween emerges to collect its a small, live offering from each household. The residents comply because no one wants to be the target of Halloween’s tricks. But the nightmare of residing in Strang is nothing compared to the yearly ritual Halloween demands of the citizens on All Hallows’ Eve.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2019
130 people are currently reading
6450 people want to read
About the author
C.V. Hunt
36 books589 followersC.V. Hunt lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio, is the owner of Grindhouse Press, and writes unpopular fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 470 reviews
May 16, 2021
A dying American small town is haunted by a terrible monster named Halloween. Every night the fiend is taking treats from the cowed inhabitants. Every Halloween Night a big festival is planned with a human sacrifice to Halloween. Is it possible to get rid of this ancient enemy? Two carnies and Barry, the main character, try their luck. Will they succeed? A gripping tale on an insidious monster (his rhyming conversation is quite cynical) combined with a satire on a passive small town crowd that doesn't want to change anything, even if it's evil and harms the population. To me the story worked quite well. Page turning action, eerie moments and a good shot of social criticism. Highly recommended!
September 14, 2020
There are a few rules to living in Strang:
Stay indoors after dusk
Under no circumstances do Outsiders find out what happens here and
Leave a nightly offering of flesh and blood for Halloween
Not the All Hallows Eve you’re thinking of but, an offering to the entity that torments this small community on a nightly basis that it’s citizens call “Halloween”.
Members in the small town of Strang live a lonely and isolated life. Houses remain on the market for long periods of time or have been abandoned altogether and there seem to be no real relationships amongst any of the inhabitants. Barry Johnson is not one of the fortunate folks to up and flee this godforsaken place. After the passing of his mother, Barry is left to care for his father who is wheelchair-bound and as stubborn as they come. On one particular evening, while awaiting Halloween’s inevitable arrival, Barry’s curiosity gets the best of him and sets forth a string of events he is not entirely equipped to handle.
This is the first story I have read by C.V. Hunt and it was quite fun. The author has created an environment that oozes desperation while writing tersely. I like that, especially in a novella. She has taken a certain time of year that horror fans love to use as an excuse to pull out all of the stops when displaying their vast collection of skulls and bones (don’t even pretend this isn’t you) and has given us a reason for the electricity in the air. She has turned Halloween into a tangible being that seeks to drive its victims insane with fear and then feeds itself on that fear.
As I was reading this, I was completely enthralled with this idea of Halloween as a menace instead of the best holiday ever. I kept waiting to catch glimpses of how the people of Strang came to the conclusion of leaving critters on their porches as offerings every night instead of everyone abandoning this hell hole altogether. How long had Halloween been tormenting these people? How did he initially let his presence be known? As you get further into the story, pieces that didn’t make sense the first few times they were mentioned, questions surrounding Barry’s mother’s death and why “receiving a dot” is a daunting task, were revealed at just the right moment. However, the author never addresses Halloween’s origins.
The idea for this story is so original that I was able to easily overlook this minor frustration. The setting is perfect and atmospheric for fall and certainly sets a fantastic chilly stage for the Halloween season.
Stay indoors after dusk
Under no circumstances do Outsiders find out what happens here and
Leave a nightly offering of flesh and blood for Halloween
Not the All Hallows Eve you’re thinking of but, an offering to the entity that torments this small community on a nightly basis that it’s citizens call “Halloween”.
Members in the small town of Strang live a lonely and isolated life. Houses remain on the market for long periods of time or have been abandoned altogether and there seem to be no real relationships amongst any of the inhabitants. Barry Johnson is not one of the fortunate folks to up and flee this godforsaken place. After the passing of his mother, Barry is left to care for his father who is wheelchair-bound and as stubborn as they come. On one particular evening, while awaiting Halloween’s inevitable arrival, Barry’s curiosity gets the best of him and sets forth a string of events he is not entirely equipped to handle.
This is the first story I have read by C.V. Hunt and it was quite fun. The author has created an environment that oozes desperation while writing tersely. I like that, especially in a novella. She has taken a certain time of year that horror fans love to use as an excuse to pull out all of the stops when displaying their vast collection of skulls and bones (don’t even pretend this isn’t you) and has given us a reason for the electricity in the air. She has turned Halloween into a tangible being that seeks to drive its victims insane with fear and then feeds itself on that fear.
As I was reading this, I was completely enthralled with this idea of Halloween as a menace instead of the best holiday ever. I kept waiting to catch glimpses of how the people of Strang came to the conclusion of leaving critters on their porches as offerings every night instead of everyone abandoning this hell hole altogether. How long had Halloween been tormenting these people? How did he initially let his presence be known? As you get further into the story, pieces that didn’t make sense the first few times they were mentioned, questions surrounding Barry’s mother’s death and why “receiving a dot” is a daunting task, were revealed at just the right moment. However, the author never addresses Halloween’s origins.
The idea for this story is so original that I was able to easily overlook this minor frustration. The setting is perfect and atmospheric for fall and certainly sets a fantastic chilly stage for the Halloween season.
November 28, 2020
In the town of Strang, every night is Halloween. They don't celebrate it like most people do though, no, they're not quite so fortunate. You see, a creature roams the town after sunset, killing anyone on the street. It's called Halloween, and the only way for it not to break into your house and kill you as well, is to leave a treat on your doorstep (a living treat of course. Cats and guinea pigs work quite nicely). On Halloween night though, people can leave their homes and spend the entire evening outside. Most will be fine, after all, it will only take one person on that night, not all of them...
This is one of those stories that had an intriguing set up. One part Dark Harvest, one part The Lottery and a little bit of its own thing. Sounded great. I was down to see what it had in store for me.
Well, the book is short (only like 110 pages) and the majority of that is set up. There's a lot of setting the tone, and slow build to Halloween night. I was down, after all, you don't build up to something like this and not deliver...
Okay, so the book didn't deliver. Yeah, there is the inevitable confrontations with Halloween , but all in all it builds up to not a whole lot. Perhaps the book might have gotten three stars out of me (just barely though) if it wasn't for the last chapter. The very end of the book was the most obvious ending possible. The idea that it could end that way even crossed my mind, but I dismissed it as being too cliched for what the book was going for. Sadly I was very much mistaken.
This one is the barest definition of an "okay" book. I'm sure it has its fans and some people will really enjoy it, but it's was too little and too much of a let down after such a promising start. 2/5 stars
This is one of those stories that had an intriguing set up. One part Dark Harvest, one part The Lottery and a little bit of its own thing. Sounded great. I was down to see what it had in store for me.
Well, the book is short (only like 110 pages) and the majority of that is set up. There's a lot of setting the tone, and slow build to Halloween night. I was down, after all, you don't build up to something like this and not deliver...
Okay, so the book didn't deliver. Yeah, there is the inevitable confrontations with Halloween , but all in all it builds up to not a whole lot. Perhaps the book might have gotten three stars out of me (just barely though) if it wasn't for the last chapter. The very end of the book was the most obvious ending possible. The idea that it could end that way even crossed my mind, but I dismissed it as being too cliched for what the book was going for. Sadly I was very much mistaken.
This one is the barest definition of an "okay" book. I'm sure it has its fans and some people will really enjoy it, but it's was too little and too much of a let down after such a promising start. 2/5 stars
September 16, 2019
3.5. Well, now i'm in the Halloween spirit if I wasn't already.
June 25, 2019
3.5 Stars
This horror novella would be a good story to read on Halloween Eve. The narrative was quite slow paced, building to a good climax with a creepy monster. Trigger warnings for anyone who is sensitive to harm to animals.
This horror novella would be a good story to read on Halloween Eve. The narrative was quite slow paced, building to a good climax with a creepy monster. Trigger warnings for anyone who is sensitive to harm to animals.
June 5, 2021
The suitably spooky, and of course Halloween themed, cover art of Halloween Fiend (plus a recommendation and its availability on KU) made me eager to pick this one up earlier instead of saving it for the Halloween season… 💀🎃
The town of Strang is in the throes of a creature simply known as Halloween.
Each All Hallow’s Eve, a festival takes place and a sacrifice is made to this monster.
The town itself is destitute, there are hardly any residents left and no children live there.
Enter Barry Johnson, a middle aged man who (at the beginning of our tale) lives at home with his wheelchair-bound Father.
Barry, and some others he meets, take it upon themselves to rid Strang of this entity that keeps them all trapped by fear. Can they break this cycle?
This tale is fast paced and very creepy in parts. I would consider it to contain good social commentary on small town life and feeling trapped witthin said town. Perhaps this is what the Halloween creature itself represents.
The town of Strang is in the throes of a creature simply known as Halloween.
Each All Hallow’s Eve, a festival takes place and a sacrifice is made to this monster.
The town itself is destitute, there are hardly any residents left and no children live there.
Enter Barry Johnson, a middle aged man who (at the beginning of our tale) lives at home with his wheelchair-bound Father.
Barry, and some others he meets, take it upon themselves to rid Strang of this entity that keeps them all trapped by fear. Can they break this cycle?
This tale is fast paced and very creepy in parts. I would consider it to contain good social commentary on small town life and feeling trapped witthin said town. Perhaps this is what the Halloween creature itself represents.
October 9, 2019
HALLOWEEN FIEND, by C.V. Hunt was the perfect book to start October off with. Although only novella length, this one really packed a punch. In the town of Strang, the residents had a secret that they somehow managed to hide from outsiders. They had to--or the repercussions to the others and themselves would be swift and dire.
. . . Only a sadist would intentionally inflict the dreadful things we lived through every day onto innocent people."
A . . . creature . . . they call "Halloween" comes to their homes each night. If there isn't a live "treat" left out for it, he'll go in and take one.
The writing really impressed me, especially considering how "difficult" you would think this type of secret would be to keep. Yet Hunt managed to convey the how these residents continued on, and why everyone didn't just get up and leave.
". . . When you lived a certain way day in and day out you became desensitized to it and complacent . . . "
Combined with images of some of the residents' lives, you can almost see getting lulled into that routine--no matter how obscene it may be.
This one felt like a twist on a familiar tale, yet Hunt contorted and magnified the appetites on this creature so that it stood out on its own--more persistent and permanent than any story I'd heard before. Even the description didn't give much away in terms of detail, making it all the more dreadful--what you can't understand and visualize is infinitely more frightening than something "understood".
". . . It confused the mind to look directly at it. The shadow was what you had to pay attention to."
I only got a feel for a couple of the characters, but I believe that was the author's intention. We're not really being told the story of the town, but of one man's lifelong existence in it. Again, the routine and apathy come into play in a big way here. When you walk the same rut day by day, you get to where you can't see beyond it if you tried.
The only thing I wasn't satisfied with was the lack of backstory to this town's predicament. Was it necessary?
Not really.
This was simply a personal preference of mine, to get some sort of insight into the how and why, for myself--irregardless of the characters' given knowledge.
". . . Sometimes Mother Nature doesn't play by the rules."
Overall, a great Halloween novella, full of mystery, suspense, gore, supernatural, and human evil. This was a great way to start off October, and I really enjoyed Hunt's writing style.
Recommended.
. . . Only a sadist would intentionally inflict the dreadful things we lived through every day onto innocent people."
A . . . creature . . . they call "Halloween" comes to their homes each night. If there isn't a live "treat" left out for it, he'll go in and take one.
The writing really impressed me, especially considering how "difficult" you would think this type of secret would be to keep. Yet Hunt managed to convey the how these residents continued on, and why everyone didn't just get up and leave.
". . . When you lived a certain way day in and day out you became desensitized to it and complacent . . . "
Combined with images of some of the residents' lives, you can almost see getting lulled into that routine--no matter how obscene it may be.
This one felt like a twist on a familiar tale, yet Hunt contorted and magnified the appetites on this creature so that it stood out on its own--more persistent and permanent than any story I'd heard before. Even the description didn't give much away in terms of detail, making it all the more dreadful--what you can't understand and visualize is infinitely more frightening than something "understood".
". . . It confused the mind to look directly at it. The shadow was what you had to pay attention to."
I only got a feel for a couple of the characters, but I believe that was the author's intention. We're not really being told the story of the town, but of one man's lifelong existence in it. Again, the routine and apathy come into play in a big way here. When you walk the same rut day by day, you get to where you can't see beyond it if you tried.
The only thing I wasn't satisfied with was the lack of backstory to this town's predicament. Was it necessary?
Not really.
This was simply a personal preference of mine, to get some sort of insight into the how and why, for myself--irregardless of the characters' given knowledge.
". . . Sometimes Mother Nature doesn't play by the rules."
Overall, a great Halloween novella, full of mystery, suspense, gore, supernatural, and human evil. This was a great way to start off October, and I really enjoyed Hunt's writing style.
Recommended.
July 5, 2020
Save this one for Halloween....or not! It's July 4th and I'm reading a Halloween story and enjoying every minute of it!
Every night is Halloween in the small creepy town of Strang. Doesn't that sound like fun?
Nope! Not where the HALLOWEEN FIEND lurks. All remaining 100 residents, except the embittered Barry, know to abide by the strict curfew, keep their traps shut if a visitor comes to town, and most importantly never, ever, forget to leave out a treat!
"Barry, Barry, how much does your life blow? With grim farewells and demons from hell and your mother screaming no, no, no!"
Now once a year on All Hallows' Eve, there's a special festival and a special dot offering for the thing that is Halloween. All must participate, but only one lucky 'dot-ee' will experience the whole enchilada.
Really did enjoy this little creep-fest novella. (except for the animal offerings) It has an interesting storyline with a nasty bullying sheriff, an old nosey busybody neighbor with a revealing 'catty' costume (meow), a friendly waitress with healthy cleavage, fun carny characters, and a menacing supernatural entity....a thing you do not want to encounter....albeit it recites wonderfully ominous warnings.
The moon shines on a frightful scene. Ghouls and goblins to make you scream. Jack-o-lanterns with eerie light, to illuminate the darkest night. In the witching hour, the banshees wail. Black cats lash their bushy tails. Reverse the number in thirteen. And then you'll know it's Halloween."
Recommend to my GR horror-lover friends.
October 4, 2019
The town called Strang is very odd. Betcha thought I was gonna say strange, maybe? Well, it’s that too. This reminded me a bit of a Norman Partridge tale I found a few years ago, in certain aspects, called Dark Harvest.
This was very good and had some twists. It’s a good Halloween tale, though I prefer the Partridge. The writing is cleaner and the plot is more feasible.
Here though, the ending did get to me. It really did. I had to read it a few times to make sure I wasn’t misunderstanding. It’s clear, I just guess I was like ... wait... wait.. wait.
This was very good and had some twists. It’s a good Halloween tale, though I prefer the Partridge. The writing is cleaner and the plot is more feasible.
Here though, the ending did get to me. It really did. I had to read it a few times to make sure I wasn’t misunderstanding. It’s clear, I just guess I was like ... wait... wait.. wait.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2019
This is a pretty quick read to get you in the Halloween spirit. The story is good but the ending is great.
October 31, 2025
reading this on Halloween day is an iconic experience tbh
April 24, 2019
Good characters and a steady narrative propel this fun little monster spooker forward. There's just a dash of Lovecraft in this. Mostly, we're dealing with some unknowable small town terror, as they are trapped by Halloween, and the extremes they must go to to appease the beast. It's an quick read, and I liked it quite a bit.
October 1, 2019
Fun story to read to kick off the Halloween season. It kept its focus and didn't blather on with too much backstory and nonsense. Creepy and fun with a nice twist at the end.
October 22, 2022
So simple and so much FUN 😆 5 stars, easy!
June 16, 2019
Right in the middle of a California summer heat wave, I decide to read a Halloween book. What a weirdo.
Halloween roams the streets of Strang in the dark of night. Don’t look at it. Don’t let it see you. And whatever you do DO NOT forget to leave Halloween it’s nightly treat. Especially around its favorite holiday.
Barry Johnson may be stuck in a Kafkaesque looping nightmare of a life. He may also be the only one in Strang that can save town from the torment of Halloween.
I like C.V. Hunt’s work. She’s really good. I would have liked to know a little more about the origins of Halloween though and think the end could have been expanded a bit, but nonetheless a very good and entertaining tale.
Halloween roams the streets of Strang in the dark of night. Don’t look at it. Don’t let it see you. And whatever you do DO NOT forget to leave Halloween it’s nightly treat. Especially around its favorite holiday.
Barry Johnson may be stuck in a Kafkaesque looping nightmare of a life. He may also be the only one in Strang that can save town from the torment of Halloween.
I like C.V. Hunt’s work. She’s really good. I would have liked to know a little more about the origins of Halloween though and think the end could have been expanded a bit, but nonetheless a very good and entertaining tale.
February 21, 2019
When you love Halloween so much, enough to share it with the world in February, it’s gotta be a special story. There was a definite Lottery feel to the whole thing as others have stated, in fact I reread the short story from Jackson to compare, but I appreciate that Hunt went beyond the creepy and ambiguous to deliver a more thorough, scary read. Sure, ancient traditions still choke the life from an old town, but it was clever how the idea was expanded and altered just enough to make it her own. Modernized and given a little twist to make it something new. And it was fun. There were groans and laughs, even the underlying threat of some good feels, but she delivered in the end with a satisfying conclusion that only adds to the mystery. A bit different from my other experiences with the author’s writing, but definitely not the last. Halloween in February was good choice. No spoilers here, it’s a quick read so pick one up. Plus, it’s currently available on KU which is a huge bonus for those of you with reading problems like me.
March 8, 2025
[TW/CW: Language, smoking, animal deaths, death of parents, gory scenes, blood, violence ]
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Strang isn’t the small, quaint town it appears to be. It’s haunted every night by a creature the townsfolk refer to as Halloween. Once the sun sets each day, Halloween emerges to collect its treats: a small, live offering from each household. The residents comply because no one wants to be the target of Halloween’s tricks. But the nightmare of residing in Strang is nothing compared to the yearly ritual Halloween demands of the citizens on All Hallows’ Eve.
Release Date: February 16th, 2019
Genre: Horror
Pages: 112
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Halloween vibes
2. Enjoyable writing style
3. Very atmospheric
4. Serious creepy scenes
5. Quick read
What I Didn't Like:
1. Predictable
2. Plot of letting outsiders in
3. Rushed ending
Final Thoughts:
If you love the TV show From you'll get the same kind of vibes from this book. It's so creepy
I will say the book was predictable but entertaining. I was so wrapped onto this story that I kind of wished we coukd gave gotten another 100 pages to flush out the characters more and not gave such a rushed ending.
I couldn't understand why after a day of knowing Barry complete strangers would risk their lives for him. Seemed pretty far fetched but in a book where evil Halloween monsters exist so could people like that.
I did find the biggest plot hole I couldn't get behind was this overly secreted town allowing strangers to stay in it for the sake of two fair rides. Also letting them stay over night with Barry when a motel is a few miles out. I can appreciate though that it wasn't the standard "random stranger stumbles into town" storyline that we usually get, so that's something.
I enjoyed that Barry was now replaced with the Halloween monster and I suppose that's how new ones are chosen when the old one is done.
IG | Blog
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
Strang isn’t the small, quaint town it appears to be. It’s haunted every night by a creature the townsfolk refer to as Halloween. Once the sun sets each day, Halloween emerges to collect its treats: a small, live offering from each household. The residents comply because no one wants to be the target of Halloween’s tricks. But the nightmare of residing in Strang is nothing compared to the yearly ritual Halloween demands of the citizens on All Hallows’ Eve.
Release Date: February 16th, 2019
Genre: Horror
Pages: 112
Rating: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Halloween vibes
2. Enjoyable writing style
3. Very atmospheric
4. Serious creepy scenes
5. Quick read
What I Didn't Like:
1. Predictable
2. Plot of letting outsiders in
3. Rushed ending
Final Thoughts:
If you love the TV show From you'll get the same kind of vibes from this book. It's so creepy
I will say the book was predictable but entertaining. I was so wrapped onto this story that I kind of wished we coukd gave gotten another 100 pages to flush out the characters more and not gave such a rushed ending.
I couldn't understand why after a day of knowing Barry complete strangers would risk their lives for him. Seemed pretty far fetched but in a book where evil Halloween monsters exist so could people like that.
I did find the biggest plot hole I couldn't get behind was this overly secreted town allowing strangers to stay in it for the sake of two fair rides. Also letting them stay over night with Barry when a motel is a few miles out. I can appreciate though that it wasn't the standard "random stranger stumbles into town" storyline that we usually get, so that's something.
I enjoyed that Barry was now replaced with the Halloween monster and I suppose that's how new ones are chosen when the old one is done.
IG | Blog
November 29, 2023
“Trick or treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat. Crackers, fruit will not do. Give me candy, I want two. Candy, candy I want four. Candy, candy I want more.”
I've had this novella on my Halloween TBR for a few years in a row now and I'm really happy that I finally picked it up! It was a lot of fun and super unique. I don't believe I've ever read a story quite like this where Halloween is an entity to despise and fear instead of a fun holiday. I do wish we had gotten more of an understanding as to where this entity came from and what the details of its "deal" with the town were, but as it is, I thought this was a fun, tense little read and I liked it. 3.5 stars!
✨ Content warnings for:
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October 16, 2025
Let’s imagine Halloween is a supernatural living entity.
In a small town Strang – and I mean a really small town like population of hundred – people have been tortured by a living monster Halloween. He comes after sunset and requires treats. It could be a cat, a guinea pig, or a hamster. Any small living creature. People can’t go outside, and they’d better close the curtains. Every single day. Always.
But there’s one night they have to be out the whole night. It’s the night of Halloween. The night when they set up a big festival. The night they choose a human sacrifice for an ancient creature. Our main character Barry and two carnies try to beat the demon.
It’s a great page-turner story that holds you in tension and gripping in desperate dread. I felt darkness and hopelessness seeps through every word. Cold, grey, misty fear was running on my skin. Sometimes I caught myself gritting my teeth. A really original and good-written Halloween story.
In a small town Strang – and I mean a really small town like population of hundred – people have been tortured by a living monster Halloween. He comes after sunset and requires treats. It could be a cat, a guinea pig, or a hamster. Any small living creature. People can’t go outside, and they’d better close the curtains. Every single day. Always.
But there’s one night they have to be out the whole night. It’s the night of Halloween. The night when they set up a big festival. The night they choose a human sacrifice for an ancient creature. Our main character Barry and two carnies try to beat the demon.
It’s a great page-turner story that holds you in tension and gripping in desperate dread. I felt darkness and hopelessness seeps through every word. Cold, grey, misty fear was running on my skin. Sometimes I caught myself gritting my teeth. A really original and good-written Halloween story.
October 23, 2024
This creepy Halloween tale was, for the most part, an entertaining read. It did have an amazing premise and I loved the small town setting and spooky festival atmosphere towards the end. Unfortunately, the story did drag in places and I did not feel fully invested in the characters, many of whom I found very annoying.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
March 18, 2021
Halloween Fiend is a seriously creepy tale. The residents of Strang (yup, Strange without the E) know not to go out after sundown. The streets are eerie and quiet, but that’s not the only thing that is wrong with this town. They are haunted by an entity that prowls the streets. The only thing that stops them being killed is the sacrifice of small animals being left on their doorsteps. Apparently, guinea pigs and the likes are a tasty snack for the creature that is called Halloween. Once a year however, someone gets the dot – a term for a randomly selected resident to satiate the monster for another year.
The protagonist, Barry Johnson, a middle-aged guy who’s had his fair share of trauma. His mother came foul to the evil creature that haunts this ghost town. He’s has never quite got over the events surrounding it. He’s now essentially been handed the reluctant role of being his elderly fathers’ carer. His antagonistic behaviour has spiraled Barry into a life of misery and despair, he quite fancies the waitress at the diner but melts into a puddle of embarrassment at the prospect of asking her out. Barry is in a rut, that he can’t see any way out of.
Now, although this is a story that is entertaining and fun there was a few problems I had with it while reading. The narration is clunky and disjoined. It didn’t flow with the ease I have come to expect with horror novellas. Barry’s inner monologue was boring and came across as just whiney. Yes, he’s had a difficult life and things are hard, what with the nightly curfews, but he isn’t exactly taking everything in his stride…and boy does he let everyone know it.
The plot had more holes in it than a string vest! This monster known as Halloween, is creating mayhem in Strang, no-one tries to find some way to fight it or discover what its weakness is…why? Why are they letting this thing run amok through their lives and town? Why are they oferring up their residents as a yearly sacrifice? The descriptions of the creature seem a little vague and seems to morph but again, we don’t find out why. The ending was also a bit meh and left me with more questions than I really have ought to have. Halloween Fiend has masses of potential but for me it fell a little flat.
The protagonist, Barry Johnson, a middle-aged guy who’s had his fair share of trauma. His mother came foul to the evil creature that haunts this ghost town. He’s has never quite got over the events surrounding it. He’s now essentially been handed the reluctant role of being his elderly fathers’ carer. His antagonistic behaviour has spiraled Barry into a life of misery and despair, he quite fancies the waitress at the diner but melts into a puddle of embarrassment at the prospect of asking her out. Barry is in a rut, that he can’t see any way out of.
Now, although this is a story that is entertaining and fun there was a few problems I had with it while reading. The narration is clunky and disjoined. It didn’t flow with the ease I have come to expect with horror novellas. Barry’s inner monologue was boring and came across as just whiney. Yes, he’s had a difficult life and things are hard, what with the nightly curfews, but he isn’t exactly taking everything in his stride…and boy does he let everyone know it.
The plot had more holes in it than a string vest! This monster known as Halloween, is creating mayhem in Strang, no-one tries to find some way to fight it or discover what its weakness is…why? Why are they letting this thing run amok through their lives and town? Why are they oferring up their residents as a yearly sacrifice? The descriptions of the creature seem a little vague and seems to morph but again, we don’t find out why. The ending was also a bit meh and left me with more questions than I really have ought to have. Halloween Fiend has masses of potential but for me it fell a little flat.
October 2, 2019
"Creatures from hell roam on this night, for tonight is the night of fright."
2.5⭐
Halloween Fiend is the latest release from CV Hunt, and I've been looking forward to reading this one once it got closer to Halloween. I liked this idea of this book, but I had a tough time connecting with the story and characters.
This is a very slow build, especially for a novella, and I just didn't have much interest by the time things finally started happening. I've read a couple other CV Hunt books & enjoyed them, but I couldn't get into this one. For some reason, it felt juvenile. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the story seemed to be at odds with the tone of the book.
Normally I stay away from books involving animal stuff, but a couple other readers told me there weren't graphic animal scenes, and this is correct. I appreciate that.
2.5⭐
Halloween Fiend is the latest release from CV Hunt, and I've been looking forward to reading this one once it got closer to Halloween. I liked this idea of this book, but I had a tough time connecting with the story and characters.
This is a very slow build, especially for a novella, and I just didn't have much interest by the time things finally started happening. I've read a couple other CV Hunt books & enjoyed them, but I couldn't get into this one. For some reason, it felt juvenile. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but the story seemed to be at odds with the tone of the book.
Normally I stay away from books involving animal stuff, but a couple other readers told me there weren't graphic animal scenes, and this is correct. I appreciate that.
October 15, 2024
ahhh I loved this so much! This is a perfect Halloween read!
Strang is a very small town with only a handful of residents and a few rules that all must abide by:
1) Never go outside after sundown.
2) Never speak to outsiders of the truth behind Strang's odd rituals.
3) Always leave a nightly offering for Halloween.
Halloween being the dangerous & elusive creature that haunts the town of Strang. Halloween requires a nightly sacrifice, usually a small animal, and those who do not pay up are never seen again. One may catch a glimpse, but few will ever know what Halloween looks like in its true form.
Halloween Fiend follows Barry, a man itching to escape Strang and never come back, but stuck taking care of his disabled, aging, stubborn father. With the night of All Hallows' Eve approaching, as well as the town's annual harvest festival, which brings a few guests from outside, Barry is tasked with keeping the town's precious secret, and also caught up in his own secret infatuation with Halloween, tempting the creature to get closer and closer each night, until Barry has nowhere left to go.
I reallyyyy loved everything about this story - the creepy, small town atmosphere, the complex and threatening characters, and, of course, Halloween. Two weeks later, I am still thinking about that ending.
If you are a fan of the movie Trick 'r Treat and enjoy Sam's character as essentially an embodiment of the holiday, I think you could really enjoy this novella and the character of Halloween within.
Strang is a very small town with only a handful of residents and a few rules that all must abide by:
1) Never go outside after sundown.
2) Never speak to outsiders of the truth behind Strang's odd rituals.
3) Always leave a nightly offering for Halloween.
Halloween being the dangerous & elusive creature that haunts the town of Strang. Halloween requires a nightly sacrifice, usually a small animal, and those who do not pay up are never seen again. One may catch a glimpse, but few will ever know what Halloween looks like in its true form.
Halloween Fiend follows Barry, a man itching to escape Strang and never come back, but stuck taking care of his disabled, aging, stubborn father. With the night of All Hallows' Eve approaching, as well as the town's annual harvest festival, which brings a few guests from outside, Barry is tasked with keeping the town's precious secret, and also caught up in his own secret infatuation with Halloween, tempting the creature to get closer and closer each night, until Barry has nowhere left to go.
I reallyyyy loved everything about this story - the creepy, small town atmosphere, the complex and threatening characters, and, of course, Halloween. Two weeks later, I am still thinking about that ending.
If you are a fan of the movie Trick 'r Treat and enjoy Sam's character as essentially an embodiment of the holiday, I think you could really enjoy this novella and the character of Halloween within.
October 25, 2020
Summary
In the small town of Strang there are many abandoned houses, no children and a monster named Halloween that roams the streets at night.
All of the locals know to leave out a sacrifice each night or face terrible consequences.
Barry, however, seems to catch the monster's attention and is in for a surprise when the town's annual fall fest begins.
Personal Opinion
A good story to read the night before Halloween. This short story is easy to read in one sitting with a creepy, mysterious monster and a weird little town.
The story gets right to the point with little 'fluff' involved and it's obviously right away the monster is a pretty twisted creature that likes messing with the curious locals.
While I didn't really like the nightly sacrifices, especially Janice's, I would recommend this one for horror fans.
In the small town of Strang there are many abandoned houses, no children and a monster named Halloween that roams the streets at night.
All of the locals know to leave out a sacrifice each night or face terrible consequences.
Barry, however, seems to catch the monster's attention and is in for a surprise when the town's annual fall fest begins.
Personal Opinion
A good story to read the night before Halloween. This short story is easy to read in one sitting with a creepy, mysterious monster and a weird little town.
The story gets right to the point with little 'fluff' involved and it's obviously right away the monster is a pretty twisted creature that likes messing with the curious locals.
While I didn't really like the nightly sacrifices, especially Janice's, I would recommend this one for horror fans.
July 24, 2019
Halloween is my favorite time of the year. Not just because I love spooky things, but I just love the crisp fall weather, the sense of shift in the air, the leaves, the dramatic sunsets. There is something magical and transitory about this season that just isn’t replicated anywhere else.
In this new novella, Hunt makes Halloween come to life for the slowly dying town of Strang. (That’s right, “strange” without the “e.”) Halloween is a monster who visits everyone’s house each night and if you haven’t left a treat for Halloween—things aren’t going to go so well for you. And Halloween doesn’t want candy, it wants something meatier.
The story takes a twist in the direction of Jackson’s “The Lottery,” which is not an easy plot line to get away with. Jackson did it first, best, and everyone will use that as a touchstone until the end of time, so it tends to feel tired and obvious.
This is my second Hunt novella, and similar to Ritualistic Human Sacrifice I never found myself really engaging with the characters. They didn’t feel fully realized to me, so when the events of the story start to ramp up, my lack of connection to the people made me less interested in their fate.
Hunt does know how to stick the landing though, and this one will punch you in the gut. Very, very creepy.
This was part of the June Night Worms box!
In this new novella, Hunt makes Halloween come to life for the slowly dying town of Strang. (That’s right, “strange” without the “e.”) Halloween is a monster who visits everyone’s house each night and if you haven’t left a treat for Halloween—things aren’t going to go so well for you. And Halloween doesn’t want candy, it wants something meatier.
The story takes a twist in the direction of Jackson’s “The Lottery,” which is not an easy plot line to get away with. Jackson did it first, best, and everyone will use that as a touchstone until the end of time, so it tends to feel tired and obvious.
This is my second Hunt novella, and similar to Ritualistic Human Sacrifice I never found myself really engaging with the characters. They didn’t feel fully realized to me, so when the events of the story start to ramp up, my lack of connection to the people made me less interested in their fate.
Hunt does know how to stick the landing though, and this one will punch you in the gut. Very, very creepy.
This was part of the June Night Worms box!
July 11, 2020
The AHA! Moment changed my rating from a 3 to a 4.
October 18, 2021
This is a perfect short story right in time for Halloween. I give it 3.5 stars
April 5, 2022
"You had to learn to keep emotions separate early on because the moment you grew an ounce of empathy for anyone or anything, the night Halloween paid a visit you would end up in a constant state of grief and sorrow and depression. Because Halloween doesn’t leave until it got what it came for and there are no takebacks."
If you know me then you know that I'm always in the mood for Halloween. My husband's family always jokes that it's always Halloween at my house and it's true. That spooky time of year is the only time I can get decent decor for my home. So this book fits in perfectly with my constant spooky theme.
C.V. Hunt is the author that I always go to when I want something out of the ordinary. I know that Hunt's books will always deliver that creep factor that I'm looking for. Reading this book made me feel as if I was home and it's one of the reasons why C.V. Hunt is one of my favorites. She knows how to slowly release details to get you hooked on the story and to make you feel as if you have eyes watching you. It's creepy fun.
Halloween Fiend was a great story and definitely put me in the horror spirit. (Like I needed any help there) The characters were crazy, the story was just as crazy with that slow horror burn to it. I really enjoyed it and it's what we all come to expect and love from C.V.
If you know me then you know that I'm always in the mood for Halloween. My husband's family always jokes that it's always Halloween at my house and it's true. That spooky time of year is the only time I can get decent decor for my home. So this book fits in perfectly with my constant spooky theme.
C.V. Hunt is the author that I always go to when I want something out of the ordinary. I know that Hunt's books will always deliver that creep factor that I'm looking for. Reading this book made me feel as if I was home and it's one of the reasons why C.V. Hunt is one of my favorites. She knows how to slowly release details to get you hooked on the story and to make you feel as if you have eyes watching you. It's creepy fun.
Halloween Fiend was a great story and definitely put me in the horror spirit. (Like I needed any help there) The characters were crazy, the story was just as crazy with that slow horror burn to it. I really enjoyed it and it's what we all come to expect and love from C.V.
October 31, 2019
I've had this book on my Paperwhite for months, but I put it aside on purpose so I could read it this Halloween. And I love that cover. 🎃
Well, Halloween is here!
The town of Strang is mostly abandoned but still has a small population. Every October, Halloween stalks the streets nightly and to keep it happy, the townsfolk leave small animals as treats.
For Barry, this year's a little different, he's much too curious not to stare out the window. And then the carnival comes around the same time as the town's freaky tradition...
Um. I hate to say it, but this didn't work for me. The writing style was nice, but that wasn't the issue. I found the characters too dull, the slow-burn pace lacked the tension to keep my focus, and I wasn't invested.
I didn't like Barry. Or any of the other characters, to be honest. Even Halloween was meh.
It's a shame that I didn't enjoy this novella because I usually love small-town stories featuring dark and weird secrets. I thought I would at least find it fun, but I didn't. My attention kept wandering and I had to keep re-reading what I'd missed. There was no real Halloween-type atmosphere, either. Even the ending didn't excite me.
Oh well. It happens.
Well, Halloween is here!
The town of Strang is mostly abandoned but still has a small population. Every October, Halloween stalks the streets nightly and to keep it happy, the townsfolk leave small animals as treats.
For Barry, this year's a little different, he's much too curious not to stare out the window. And then the carnival comes around the same time as the town's freaky tradition...
Um. I hate to say it, but this didn't work for me. The writing style was nice, but that wasn't the issue. I found the characters too dull, the slow-burn pace lacked the tension to keep my focus, and I wasn't invested.
I didn't like Barry. Or any of the other characters, to be honest. Even Halloween was meh.
It's a shame that I didn't enjoy this novella because I usually love small-town stories featuring dark and weird secrets. I thought I would at least find it fun, but I didn't. My attention kept wandering and I had to keep re-reading what I'd missed. There was no real Halloween-type atmosphere, either. Even the ending didn't excite me.
Oh well. It happens.
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