What do you think?
Rate this book
How to Survive Camping #2
The Lady in Chains
Every year, campground manager Kate sends out a pamphlet titled “How to Survive Your Camping Experience.” In it is a list of rules to help campers have an enjoyable experience and hopefully survive any encounters with the campground’s… other… inhabitants.
With the campground in the throes of a 'bad year', it'll take a lot more than a list of rules to keep everyone safe. Monsters that were previously dormant are starting to stir and they're waking up hungry. Among them is the Lady in Chains, a creature feared by both human and inhuman thing alike.
Her reappearance creates an upheaval in the balance of power in the campground by renewing an old grudge with the harvesters, who are willing to sacrifice anyone they get their hands on in order to gain an advantage. On top of all this, the man with the skull cup has started taking an unusual interest in Kate. But with the harvesters on the prowl, the Lady in Chains hunting her down, and a sinister spider infestation, Kate is going to need all the allies she can get, even if those allies aren't actually... human.
With the campground in the throes of a 'bad year', it'll take a lot more than a list of rules to keep everyone safe. Monsters that were previously dormant are starting to stir and they're waking up hungry. Among them is the Lady in Chains, a creature feared by both human and inhuman thing alike.
Her reappearance creates an upheaval in the balance of power in the campground by renewing an old grudge with the harvesters, who are willing to sacrifice anyone they get their hands on in order to gain an advantage. On top of all this, the man with the skull cup has started taking an unusual interest in Kate. But with the harvesters on the prowl, the Lady in Chains hunting her down, and a sinister spider infestation, Kate is going to need all the allies she can get, even if those allies aren't actually... human.
247 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2020
About the author
Bonnie Quinn
10 books251 followersI am a Senior Software Developer and author. I'm active in the Reddit r/NoSleep community and wrote the popular "How to Survive Camping" series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
October 1, 2025
It's just as great as the first one, The Man With No Shadow.
There is a strong continuity of the story but with new threats and higher stakes.
I loved the evolution of the characters and their relationships and I really hope to see a third book soon.
Thank you Saga Press for this ARC!
There is a strong continuity of the story but with new threats and higher stakes.
I loved the evolution of the characters and their relationships and I really hope to see a third book soon.
Thank you Saga Press for this ARC!
September 20, 2025
3.5 but I have to round up for the fun factor.
Okay. I genuinely can’t tell if I’ve just read too many monster romances, or if this series is really gonna do it 👀 Either way I will not apologize for my inability to be normal about the Man with the Skull Cup. Sometimes a malevolent entity who poisons people for fun can also be babygirl. God forbid a guy have a hobby.
I think the writing is objectively a bit worse, and certainly rougher in a technical sense, compared to the first book. Here’s hoping it goes through some more line edits before publication. But I’ve just come to enjoy this world so much, and I love the incredibly gradual character development going on from book to book. That makes this one feel more rewarding in the end, even if the first one was more tightly written and paced.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Okay. I genuinely can’t tell if I’ve just read too many monster romances, or if this series is really gonna do it 👀 Either way I will not apologize for my inability to be normal about the Man with the Skull Cup. Sometimes a malevolent entity who poisons people for fun can also be babygirl. God forbid a guy have a hobby.
I think the writing is objectively a bit worse, and certainly rougher in a technical sense, compared to the first book. Here’s hoping it goes through some more line edits before publication. But I’ve just come to enjoy this world so much, and I love the incredibly gradual character development going on from book to book. That makes this one feel more rewarding in the end, even if the first one was more tightly written and paced.
Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 7, 2025
070725
these books are compiled from reddit posts, and the first one definitely showed the lack of cohesive backbone of plot (not in a bad way) until later in the story. here, the setting and stakes are established and that made it easier to develop a main storyline, I'd guess. "tighter" is a word that came to mind again before I saw my initial review.
initial review:
Quinn's writing remains a favorite. This arc is tighter around the main antagonist and continues to offer surprises and escalations of in-world concepts and horrors.
these books are compiled from reddit posts, and the first one definitely showed the lack of cohesive backbone of plot (not in a bad way) until later in the story. here, the setting and stakes are established and that made it easier to develop a main storyline, I'd guess. "tighter" is a word that came to mind again before I saw my initial review.
initial review:
Quinn's writing remains a favorite. This arc is tighter around the main antagonist and continues to offer surprises and escalations of in-world concepts and horrors.
March 25, 2026
Kate the campground manager has some new rules to survive camping at Goat Valley. It’s a new year but another bad one which means the monsters are acting up even more than normal, but which one started it?
The Lady in Chains was even better than book one. Just as fun with creepy monsters and weird things going on at camp but it all just flowed better. This sequel has more of the overarching story and the pacing felt more even. I love our FMC, Kate who is flawed and angry but trying her best and we get to see a lot of that in this book. I have really enjoyed this series so far and I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the advance copy.
The Lady in Chains was even better than book one. Just as fun with creepy monsters and weird things going on at camp but it all just flowed better. This sequel has more of the overarching story and the pacing felt more even. I love our FMC, Kate who is flawed and angry but trying her best and we get to see a lot of that in this book. I have really enjoyed this series so far and I can’t wait for the next book!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for the advance copy.
October 3, 2025
This is one of those rare sequels that is every bit as good as the first one. In fact, I think it's better than the first. The plot twists have been turned up a notch, the relationships and stakes have been ratcheted up, the horror is more horrifying and suspenseful. The camping events and situations are more creative than the first book. The villain is better and more unexpected. The wittiness is about equal to the wittiness and humor of the last book. If you liked the first book, you will definitely want to pick this one up in April 2026. With one exception-- if you are extremely arachnophobic, this might not be the book for you and you should set it down slowly and back away. I am NOT arachnophobic, and I still got slight heebie jeebies from the chilling spider-y descriptions in this book. So many spiders. Unless you *like* to keep the lights on at night, in which case, this is the perfect amount of spiders for you.
Thanks to the publisher for this terrific ARC. If only I was a better reviewer, I could better describe just how great I think this book is.
Thanks to the publisher for this terrific ARC. If only I was a better reviewer, I could better describe just how great I think this book is.
September 9, 2025
Who doesn’t like ghost stories whispered under the blankets? The ones that make you sit a little closer to the light, and check the shadows twice before you go to bed.
This is one of those books.
I should say, first, that I didn’t read the first one. I came in like a camper who didn’t read the manual tent half-collapsed, flashlight flickering, bugs already in the socks. But somehow, that felt exactly right. Because Goat Valley Campground doesn’t feel like a place where anyone is ever truly prepared. Not even the people who’ve lived there their whole lives. Not even Kate.
Kate is the campground manager. She’s also the kind of person who’s tired in her bones, not because she’s weak, but because she’s held too much weight for too long. She’s lost her family. She’s lost her safety. And if she doesn’t hold everything together just right, she may lose everything else too.
Kate carries the weight of her family’s history, a cursed legacy she can’t outrun. This year, everything is getting worse. Even the monsters are scared.
Kate is all about trying to keep everyone safe. Follow the guidebook. It usually helps…except for now. When the bad year is too bad. When allies don’t wear badges, and enemies don’t knock first. It’s about a campground with teeth and one strong campground manager.
I’m going back to start with Book One. Because there are stories here buried in moss, and tangled in chains, and carved into the spine of this cursed little campground.
Don’t worry this book isn’t too scary. It’s not the kind of story that keeps you up out of fear, exactly. More like the kind that keeps you up because it feels alive. Like a campfire tale told just a little too well. It’s fun, it’s strange, it crackles with something old and clever. You find yourself leaning in, smiling at the weird bits, and then pausing just for a moment when a branch snaps in the dark outside your window. Not scared. Just… alert. Because some stories make the night feel louder.
Thank you to NetGalley, Saga Press, and the author Bonnie Quinn for the ARC. I can’t wait to see what comes next and what comes crawling out of the woods next time.
This is one of those books.
I should say, first, that I didn’t read the first one. I came in like a camper who didn’t read the manual tent half-collapsed, flashlight flickering, bugs already in the socks. But somehow, that felt exactly right. Because Goat Valley Campground doesn’t feel like a place where anyone is ever truly prepared. Not even the people who’ve lived there their whole lives. Not even Kate.
Kate is the campground manager. She’s also the kind of person who’s tired in her bones, not because she’s weak, but because she’s held too much weight for too long. She’s lost her family. She’s lost her safety. And if she doesn’t hold everything together just right, she may lose everything else too.
Kate carries the weight of her family’s history, a cursed legacy she can’t outrun. This year, everything is getting worse. Even the monsters are scared.
Kate is all about trying to keep everyone safe. Follow the guidebook. It usually helps…except for now. When the bad year is too bad. When allies don’t wear badges, and enemies don’t knock first. It’s about a campground with teeth and one strong campground manager.
I’m going back to start with Book One. Because there are stories here buried in moss, and tangled in chains, and carved into the spine of this cursed little campground.
Don’t worry this book isn’t too scary. It’s not the kind of story that keeps you up out of fear, exactly. More like the kind that keeps you up because it feels alive. Like a campfire tale told just a little too well. It’s fun, it’s strange, it crackles with something old and clever. You find yourself leaning in, smiling at the weird bits, and then pausing just for a moment when a branch snaps in the dark outside your window. Not scared. Just… alert. Because some stories make the night feel louder.
Thank you to NetGalley, Saga Press, and the author Bonnie Quinn for the ARC. I can’t wait to see what comes next and what comes crawling out of the woods next time.
done-with
October 15, 2025I was so excited for this title when I first requested it. I got approved, then realized it was the second in series (why oh why don't publishers/NetGalley routinely disclose this upfront?) and headed to my library to find the first. The descriptions consider these "cozy horror". I think that's more than a bit of a misnomer. I saw one reviewer call it "cottageGore" and that's way more accurate to my mind...
This is a very cool and fun concept, and if it was a bit cozier I think it would have been a much better fit for me. As it was, the gruesomeness of the first book took me by surprise. So did the disjointed nature of the narrative, until I realized this story started life on Reddit. If I'd known that going in, it would have helped, because my expectations would have been different.
This second book was somewhat less disjointed and felt much more polished, but it also felt like a rehash of the first book albeit with a tighter edit. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to keep me engaged. It felt like I'd just read the book, just with different bad guys and campers... Kate is a fine protagonist and her campground and family drama are really cool ideas, but they still feel a little unfinished to me - and that's where the books lose me. The series wasn't a great fit for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
This is a very cool and fun concept, and if it was a bit cozier I think it would have been a much better fit for me. As it was, the gruesomeness of the first book took me by surprise. So did the disjointed nature of the narrative, until I realized this story started life on Reddit. If I'd known that going in, it would have helped, because my expectations would have been different.
This second book was somewhat less disjointed and felt much more polished, but it also felt like a rehash of the first book albeit with a tighter edit. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to keep me engaged. It felt like I'd just read the book, just with different bad guys and campers... Kate is a fine protagonist and her campground and family drama are really cool ideas, but they still feel a little unfinished to me - and that's where the books lose me. The series wasn't a great fit for me.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.
May 18, 2021
Read this one on Reddit and it was just as perfect as the first one - The Man with No Shadow! This one had so many twists and turns and a VERY surprising ending. The author is just an exceptional writer.
Can’t recommend this enough - especially for all horror story lovers!
Can’t recommend this enough - especially for all horror story lovers!
April 17, 2026
If you want to take your mind off of this bad year, why not read about the Bad Year at Goat Valley Campground? Home to the inhuman (and sometimes many limbed) entities that enjoy such amenities as: Friends to share a suspicious drink with.
Dance parties.
A warm cup of tea.
Someone you can cry to all night long.
And some beautiful totally normal trees.
I cannot thank Saga Press, and Netgalley enough for the opportunity to read an ARC of the second book in what I suspect will be my favorite series. The Man with no Shadow was the first book I read in 2026 and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Kate’s misadventures in Goat Valley.
The Lady in Chains exceeded any expectations I had and reminded me why I love this story so very much.
As a longtime obsessive reader, I appreciate the nods to folklore and fairytale Rules. If you know, you know. And if you don’t? Back away slowly with no sudden movements.
Obviously I can’t give any spoilers, but there is a bit of a twist toward the end that really got me. And honestly? I can’t wait to see what happens next because of it.
I absolutely implore anyone who enjoys fantasy and paranormal stories to pick this up. It might just pick you up in return.
You can now preorder your very own copy of The Lady in Chains. Release day is April 28th ( so soon!) and enjoy it yourself.
Bonnie Quinn has a reader for life. Looking forward to more terrifying shenanigans.
Dance parties.
A warm cup of tea.
Someone you can cry to all night long.
And some beautiful totally normal trees.
I cannot thank Saga Press, and Netgalley enough for the opportunity to read an ARC of the second book in what I suspect will be my favorite series. The Man with no Shadow was the first book I read in 2026 and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Kate’s misadventures in Goat Valley.
The Lady in Chains exceeded any expectations I had and reminded me why I love this story so very much.
As a longtime obsessive reader, I appreciate the nods to folklore and fairytale Rules. If you know, you know. And if you don’t? Back away slowly with no sudden movements.
Obviously I can’t give any spoilers, but there is a bit of a twist toward the end that really got me. And honestly? I can’t wait to see what happens next because of it.
I absolutely implore anyone who enjoys fantasy and paranormal stories to pick this up. It might just pick you up in return.
You can now preorder your very own copy of The Lady in Chains. Release day is April 28th ( so soon!) and enjoy it yourself.
Bonnie Quinn has a reader for life. Looking forward to more terrifying shenanigans.
September 21, 2025
Thank you NetGallery for the eARC!
What a wonderful sequel! Truthfully, I found myself having enjoyed the first book more, but I was glad to be back in this world again. This time around felt much more focused on an actual plot progression. This had its benefits, but I think I enjoyed the first book more with its lack of coherent plot. I really enjoyed the gore aspect this time around, especially with the Harvesters. There is so much creativity with the creatures in this world that I really love. I cannot wait for the next book!!
What a wonderful sequel! Truthfully, I found myself having enjoyed the first book more, but I was glad to be back in this world again. This time around felt much more focused on an actual plot progression. This had its benefits, but I think I enjoyed the first book more with its lack of coherent plot. I really enjoyed the gore aspect this time around, especially with the Harvesters. There is so much creativity with the creatures in this world that I really love. I cannot wait for the next book!!
December 19, 2025
{thanks to Netgalley for the ARC}
This series is so good, and this continuation of the story added so much to so many characters and so many aspects of the setting. For a series i originally picked up based on pretty cover art, I really lucked out. I imagine it must’ve been so fun to read it in its original format on reddit, though the impatient part of me is happy to have books to mow through. I can’t wait for book 3!!!
This series is so good, and this continuation of the story added so much to so many characters and so many aspects of the setting. For a series i originally picked up based on pretty cover art, I really lucked out. I imagine it must’ve been so fun to read it in its original format on reddit, though the impatient part of me is happy to have books to mow through. I can’t wait for book 3!!!
December 15, 2025
RTC as this was an arc!
-----
Overall I enjoyed this book and like where the series is headed. Buuuut this wasn't as good as the first one. There's something about it that feels more surface level, even with the world building that's actually happening. It's that the side characters and side stories -- the medieval/renaissance sword fighting going on at the camp feels less fleshed out overall as where it would have had more in the first book. It can be lifted out and the story really doesn't change.
I like Kate overall, I like the old sheriff and his wife. I also really love these covers! But as it took me 2.5 months to finish the book -- which I did more so because I was on a flight. I'm definitely excited for book 3...but if it's more of a similar story line to book 2, it won't be enough for me.
-----
Overall I enjoyed this book and like where the series is headed. Buuuut this wasn't as good as the first one. There's something about it that feels more surface level, even with the world building that's actually happening. It's that the side characters and side stories -- the medieval/renaissance sword fighting going on at the camp feels less fleshed out overall as where it would have had more in the first book. It can be lifted out and the story really doesn't change.
I like Kate overall, I like the old sheriff and his wife. I also really love these covers! But as it took me 2.5 months to finish the book -- which I did more so because I was on a flight. I'm definitely excited for book 3...but if it's more of a similar story line to book 2, it won't be enough for me.
February 24, 2026
i absolutely love this series!!! i had to drop everything once i got the approval for this book — i was so looking forward to it, and i tried (and failed) to savor it as long as possible. i’m already sad that it’s over, but i’m really looking forward to the fact that the next one in the series will also be out this year!
kate is an absolute delight to read about. i love the fact that there’s this ongoing battle within her between the fact that she wants to look after her campground while also having a good amount of disregard for the lives of stupid people. she spends all this time writing rules about how to stay alive when camping among all these monsters and dangers in the woods — but when people ultimately ignore her rules, half the time she’s much more worried about the fact that she has to clean this up than the fact that this person died. and i’m on her side! she warned them!
it was fun to see more of the campground’s lore come to the surface in the second book, as well as some of kate’s personal family lore. i feel like this series really excels at having centralized, “monster of the week” style bad guys within each book while also consistently developing overarching plots that take us through the series as a whole. i can’t wait to see where it takes us next!
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
kate is an absolute delight to read about. i love the fact that there’s this ongoing battle within her between the fact that she wants to look after her campground while also having a good amount of disregard for the lives of stupid people. she spends all this time writing rules about how to stay alive when camping among all these monsters and dangers in the woods — but when people ultimately ignore her rules, half the time she’s much more worried about the fact that she has to clean this up than the fact that this person died. and i’m on her side! she warned them!
it was fun to see more of the campground’s lore come to the surface in the second book, as well as some of kate’s personal family lore. i feel like this series really excels at having centralized, “monster of the week” style bad guys within each book while also consistently developing overarching plots that take us through the series as a whole. i can’t wait to see where it takes us next!
thank you to netgalley & the publisher for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 17, 2026
Thank you to Saga Press and NetGalley for my copy. All opinions are my own.
4.50 / 5.00
New rules, new monsters, same badass camp manager. Kate is back for another round of mayhem in Volume 2. Spiders, and medieval re-enactors, and trouble, oh my!
I’m not afraid to say it, I’m a BIG FAN of cozy horror, and this series is quickly becoming a favorite! I love that Kate has experienced a lot of character growth - she was really grating on me by the end of the first book, but this volume gives her more personality and less whine.
My biggest complaint from the first volume was definitely addressed. It felt like there had been too many monsters shoved into that volume, and felt like Quinn should have focused her energies on just a few of them. This volume still has pops of monster colors throughout, but the side quests were thankfully toned down to create a more cohesive story. AND, the suspense starts building right away, which gave this volume more thriller vibes than the first.
I felt like this story was a bit more predictable than the last. I definitely guessed at something in the first book that felt like it was supposed to be a big reveal in this book. I also felt like the baddie was obvious if you were paying attention at all. I think it still made for a good story, but I also wish there would have been a bigger reveal of something at some point. Either way, I’m looking forward to the next volume to see what troubles Kate finds herself and the campground in next!
I was humming “Split Personality” by Skye Sweetnam while reading this book. The song is about a girl that doesn’t fit in longing to become famous someday. Her personality is shy and bookish, though she dreams of someday stepping out as a powerful and confident rockstar. There are at least 2 characters in this book living split lives. “I’d like you to meet / The other side of me,” when we first meet The Lady with Extra Eyes, she is a friend to Kate and the campground. But when she disappears, Kate is left wondering why The Lady no longer wants to protect her campers. “She drowns me out / When I shout / I’m so overpowered / I cannot hide.” All Kate wants is to be a fun-loving camp manager, but she has to let her angry side out to keep the monsters in line and protect her campers. “I cannot hide / From the opposite side / When she takes me over.” Which personality will each of these ladies let master them? You’ll have to discover that for yourself when you read “How to Survive Camping Volume 2: The Lady in Chains.”
4.50 / 5.00
New rules, new monsters, same badass camp manager. Kate is back for another round of mayhem in Volume 2. Spiders, and medieval re-enactors, and trouble, oh my!
I’m not afraid to say it, I’m a BIG FAN of cozy horror, and this series is quickly becoming a favorite! I love that Kate has experienced a lot of character growth - she was really grating on me by the end of the first book, but this volume gives her more personality and less whine.
My biggest complaint from the first volume was definitely addressed. It felt like there had been too many monsters shoved into that volume, and felt like Quinn should have focused her energies on just a few of them. This volume still has pops of monster colors throughout, but the side quests were thankfully toned down to create a more cohesive story. AND, the suspense starts building right away, which gave this volume more thriller vibes than the first.
I felt like this story was a bit more predictable than the last. I definitely guessed at something in the first book that felt like it was supposed to be a big reveal in this book. I also felt like the baddie was obvious if you were paying attention at all. I think it still made for a good story, but I also wish there would have been a bigger reveal of something at some point. Either way, I’m looking forward to the next volume to see what troubles Kate finds herself and the campground in next!
I was humming “Split Personality” by Skye Sweetnam while reading this book. The song is about a girl that doesn’t fit in longing to become famous someday. Her personality is shy and bookish, though she dreams of someday stepping out as a powerful and confident rockstar. There are at least 2 characters in this book living split lives. “I’d like you to meet / The other side of me,” when we first meet The Lady with Extra Eyes, she is a friend to Kate and the campground. But when she disappears, Kate is left wondering why The Lady no longer wants to protect her campers. “She drowns me out / When I shout / I’m so overpowered / I cannot hide.” All Kate wants is to be a fun-loving camp manager, but she has to let her angry side out to keep the monsters in line and protect her campers. “I cannot hide / From the opposite side / When she takes me over.” Which personality will each of these ladies let master them? You’ll have to discover that for yourself when you read “How to Survive Camping Volume 2: The Lady in Chains.”
April 11, 2026
This book flew by incredibly fast and with remarkably less bloodshed than the last one. It’s clear that Kate has taken her warnings about improving her behavior (and success rate) much more seriously. Although clearly still traumatised by the events of the previous book, her anger doesn’t pour over like an unsupervised pot of boiling water. Despite her claims about being a what is essentially an uncaring, anger fuelled, and merciless sociopath in the previous book, this book is a testament to her desire to make things better. While her powerful sense of hope and determination may be heavily fuelled by rage, she spends the book attempting to navigate it with more calculation. It’s not just about comically slashing through every monster and human under the influence of evil anymore. Kate is trying to save herself, the ones she loves (human and inhuman), and slow her rising body count. Clearly Perchta left a lasting impression. It seems she’s starting to learn her lesson that murder isn’t always the best option. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t still the solution. I was so pleased to get more with Sorcha and the Man with the Skull Cup. I stand by my original review of the first book and cannot get enough of Kate and the Man with the Skull Cup. Their interactions are hilarious, unhinged, and dare I say…. Romantic? I sincerely hope that unlike the many monsters on the campground, that we get to enjoy his presence in Kate’s life. I hope that Sorcha’s comment about him wanting to marry Kate was not made in jest. I truly do want to see them develop a relationship, despite how much she fights it off. They’ve made so many sacrifices for each other and he holds a special place in my heart. Despite being a little freak sometimes. That is part of his appeal though. I hope that Bonnie Quinn continues to expand on the character development of Sorcha and Beau in the next book. I deeply regret that my enjoyment of this series is accelerating the progression of Kate’s land from old to ancient. However, I look forward to how Kate will manage this looming issue in the next book. To help accelerate the process (Sorry, Kate), I’ve already pre-ordered this book for my friends and family.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for granting me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for granting me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Apparently when I grabbed this off NetGalley, I had no idea what I was doing. I did not know this was a sequel, nor did I realize this was horror, which I don't typically read. I was thinking this was a dark romcom (totally on me for not really looking up anything about this). All that to say, I probably wouldn't have picked it up had I realized these things, but I'm so glad that I did end up with because I really enjoyed this!
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
I opted to go in without trying to first find and read book 1 - this was totally fine. There are some immediate references to things in book 1, but in a recap kind of way. I was cackling in places at some of the one-liners. The book starts with a series of rules for campers to help them stay safe and sane at this campground sharing space with paranormal creatures. Early on we get a camper using the guide as a checklist of creatures to see and we get "She'd probably try to pet bison too" which made me genuinely start laughing on the treadmill.
There is an incredible variety of these paranormal monsters/creatures, which was great to see. It reads at a decent pace, and there was a good plot driving this. This has its gory and fucked up moments, sometimes in a campy way, sometimes not, but I overall really enjoyed it. Not to the point where horror becomes my new go-to, but enough that I'll definitely be picking up a copy of the first book to catch up there, and absolutely plan to finish out this series as it releases.
There were some quirks of the writing style/tense which I didn't love, where we'd go from talking about active specific events happening and then in the next sentence or two talking about those being several days in the past with no clear delineation. This was well paced and I'm really curious for what happens next.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
I opted to go in without trying to first find and read book 1 - this was totally fine. There are some immediate references to things in book 1, but in a recap kind of way. I was cackling in places at some of the one-liners. The book starts with a series of rules for campers to help them stay safe and sane at this campground sharing space with paranormal creatures. Early on we get a camper using the guide as a checklist of creatures to see and we get "She'd probably try to pet bison too" which made me genuinely start laughing on the treadmill.
There is an incredible variety of these paranormal monsters/creatures, which was great to see. It reads at a decent pace, and there was a good plot driving this. This has its gory and fucked up moments, sometimes in a campy way, sometimes not, but I overall really enjoyed it. Not to the point where horror becomes my new go-to, but enough that I'll definitely be picking up a copy of the first book to catch up there, and absolutely plan to finish out this series as it releases.
There were some quirks of the writing style/tense which I didn't love, where we'd go from talking about active specific events happening and then in the next sentence or two talking about those being several days in the past with no clear delineation. This was well paced and I'm really curious for what happens next.
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!
November 5, 2025
If you like stories about the fae — or other similarly inhuman things with inhuman rules, rituals and rages — then you might really enjoy this book. There’s a lot of unnecessary death and violence as Kate keeps the untamed land of her campground open to let people wander through it, and into a variety of deaths, dismemberments and tortures. And … Kate doesn’t care. All of those missing campers paid up front, and this keeps the various monsters and magical creatures more or less content, so no harm, no foul.
This isn’t really a story where you root for anyone; it’s more a collection of unpleasant happenings you read about, and two characters trying to kill each other while you try to figure out if you really want Kate to win, or if you’d rather she ended up spider food. The best part of this book isn’t really the story, or the character, it’s the world building.
The little girl who cries outside the house and who — given an open door or window — will come in and slaughter someone; the frost that stalks campers in their tents; the dancers, the Harvesters, all of them are given just enough detail to be interesting, but never enough to be really fleshed out.
The writing is fine, the pace is lightning fast, and the book feels very much like it’s making everything up as it goes along with no real plot or purpose beyond Kate watching people die and not caring, or Kate letting people die and not caring, or Kate ignoring everyone and everything in favor of getting her own way. If you like Kate, you’ll have a great time with this book. If you like inhuman monsters, you might be interested in this book.
But if you want interesting characters, complex world building, a plot … you might want to pass on this one, or — if you do decide to give it a chance — pick it up from your library before buying. Thank you very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
This isn’t really a story where you root for anyone; it’s more a collection of unpleasant happenings you read about, and two characters trying to kill each other while you try to figure out if you really want Kate to win, or if you’d rather she ended up spider food. The best part of this book isn’t really the story, or the character, it’s the world building.
The little girl who cries outside the house and who — given an open door or window — will come in and slaughter someone; the frost that stalks campers in their tents; the dancers, the Harvesters, all of them are given just enough detail to be interesting, but never enough to be really fleshed out.
The writing is fine, the pace is lightning fast, and the book feels very much like it’s making everything up as it goes along with no real plot or purpose beyond Kate watching people die and not caring, or Kate letting people die and not caring, or Kate ignoring everyone and everything in favor of getting her own way. If you like Kate, you’ll have a great time with this book. If you like inhuman monsters, you might be interested in this book.
But if you want interesting characters, complex world building, a plot … you might want to pass on this one, or — if you do decide to give it a chance — pick it up from your library before buying. Thank you very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
September 18, 2025
🏕⛓️
I'm in love with How to Survive Camping series and Bonnie Quinn writing style! I've read it in a day!
Chapter names are an amazing addition to the gorgeousness of the book's scructure along with the season entries, and the general narration.
You might think it will be repetitive and while it does follow the general scheme of the Man with No Shadow, it is different in so many details that matter.
We start from a different season, covering a bit shorter period of time (Spring - Summer). We also see a new approach to solving problems, get more involved with campers (both senior and first-time enthusiasts), and despite having a huge and some smaller entities creating trouble again, their differences with the creatures from the first book make the story shine in absolutely new colours. Here Kate also struggles with the impossible task of understanding whom can she trust and if anyone at all.
I loved how we get more of the family history, as mentioned more connections with visitors, and... the Man with the Skull Cup is my great love. Their interractions with Kate were some of my favorit moments in the book along with the jokes going around about those two.
There were a lot of really fun moments, impossibly atmospheric ones, as well as the great plot and wonderful characters. Sooo, I said it before and I'll say it again, this horror-ish kind of folklore fiction is the best there is for my taste and I'm absolutely in love! Camping, College, I need them all here with me 🖤
- - -
Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I'm in love with How to Survive Camping series and Bonnie Quinn writing style! I've read it in a day!
Chapter names are an amazing addition to the gorgeousness of the book's scructure along with the season entries, and the general narration.
You might think it will be repetitive and while it does follow the general scheme of the Man with No Shadow, it is different in so many details that matter.
We start from a different season, covering a bit shorter period of time (Spring - Summer). We also see a new approach to solving problems, get more involved with campers (both senior and first-time enthusiasts), and despite having a huge and some smaller entities creating trouble again, their differences with the creatures from the first book make the story shine in absolutely new colours. Here Kate also struggles with the impossible task of understanding whom can she trust and if anyone at all.
I loved how we get more of the family history, as mentioned more connections with visitors, and... the Man with the Skull Cup is my great love. Their interractions with Kate were some of my favorit moments in the book along with the jokes going around about those two.
There were a lot of really fun moments, impossibly atmospheric ones, as well as the great plot and wonderful characters. Sooo, I said it before and I'll say it again, this horror-ish kind of folklore fiction is the best there is for my taste and I'm absolutely in love! Camping, College, I need them all here with me 🖤
- - -
Thanks to NetGalley and Saga Press for providing me with this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
December 10, 2025
3.5
How To Survive Camping: The Lady In Chains takes the concept of camping in the woods and turns it into an Eldritch nightmare of neverending chaos where you can have your arts and crafts with a side of flesh eating, face stealing, monsters.
I don't think I'd personally be setting up a tent in this camp, with too many rules on how to survive, I'd definitely be eaten by something.
I understand this series began as long form blog posts and YouTube videos originating on Reddit r/nosleep, which might be why it took me so long to really get into the writing style of this book. It felt like the written form of a podcast series in the same vein as Welcome To Night Vale or The Magnus Archives.
I liked the story but maybe I would have enjoyed it more in its original Reddit format as a serialization, like it was intended to be consumed, getting a little glimpse into mini stories of the camp each week rather than as one larger novel.
I don't know, I just found myself losing interest in the overarching story as I wanted to see more of the side and background characters but each chapter felt like a jarring skip to a new time or location rather than a smooth and cohesive progression.
That being said there was a slew of intriguing creatures, Eldritch terrors, and all around creepy crawly monsters that carried the horror of this book and the humor throughout the terror led to an entertaining read.
How To Survive Camping: The Lady In Chains takes the concept of camping in the woods and turns it into an Eldritch nightmare of neverending chaos where you can have your arts and crafts with a side of flesh eating, face stealing, monsters.
I don't think I'd personally be setting up a tent in this camp, with too many rules on how to survive, I'd definitely be eaten by something.
I understand this series began as long form blog posts and YouTube videos originating on Reddit r/nosleep, which might be why it took me so long to really get into the writing style of this book. It felt like the written form of a podcast series in the same vein as Welcome To Night Vale or The Magnus Archives.
I liked the story but maybe I would have enjoyed it more in its original Reddit format as a serialization, like it was intended to be consumed, getting a little glimpse into mini stories of the camp each week rather than as one larger novel.
I don't know, I just found myself losing interest in the overarching story as I wanted to see more of the side and background characters but each chapter felt like a jarring skip to a new time or location rather than a smooth and cohesive progression.
That being said there was a slew of intriguing creatures, Eldritch terrors, and all around creepy crawly monsters that carried the horror of this book and the humor throughout the terror led to an entertaining read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you so much NetGalley and S&S/Saga Press for this ARC!
4.5 ⭐️
As if the past year hadn't been awful enough, the monsters are at it again. And so, so much worse. When a new inhuman creature appears, causing trouble not only with the campers but also with the other creatures, Kate needs to figure things out as fast as possible. While, of course, also trying to change her way to handle things - with a kinder, more attentive approach. A "let's not jump to murder right away" kind of approach.
We are introduced to new creatures. We learn a bit more about the family and the land and everything that comes with it. It's sad stuff, let me warn you. Kate's family might be huge, as she keeps reminding us, but the ones that are actually willing to help are so very few. It certainly doesn't make it easier that the ones that are willing keep... well, becoming unavailable in a more permanent way. It breaks my heart for her. If her family is so big you'd think there be more people wanting to step in, but no. Not at all.
I like how she's trying so hard, trying to be more empathetic and trust that there is hope. That people can be saved despite the odds. How she starts to actually ask for help and not do everything by herself. I love seeing her recruit inhumans for tasks, even letting the campers deal with some stuff themselves. It's a nice change from the first book, and I can't wait to see how it develops in the next books of the series.
This book is funny and creepy and super weird - an amazing combination in my opinion - and I'd say it can be quite a palate cleanser from when you're feeling the slump coming after a heavy read. I don't mean it's all smooth sailing. I cried reading The Man with No Shadow and I cried reading The Lady in Chains. There's tension and uneasiness. There's sadness and anger. But the story flows so well and the plot keeps you so invested. There's a lot of mixed feelings too... not everything is black and white, you know? You can hate and love a character at the same time.
I'm super curious to learn more about Sorcha. I love that she takes a bigger role here, and I hope she keeps appearing more and more. I'm so curious and excited to learn more about her and the Old Sheriff. I have many theories regarding them and Kate's fate. My brain is working overtime thinking of all the possibilites.
I honestly cannot wait to read more about the camp and everyone (and everything) in it.
The first book was funnier, maybe because things were not as tense and serious. But this second one is not that far behind. It's campy horror comedy at its finest, and I'm finding this genre to be one of my favorites. If you know any other book that's similar to this one, please send it my way. I'm literally obsessed. It's a very fun read, but maybe not for everyone since it is very disgusting at times (for this one specifically, spiders-haters beware: there are many, many creepy spiders). Nothing too graphic, I think, but it did make me grimace enough for my brother to notice and comment; "you keep making weird faces when you read", he said. Well, sorry if I can't keep a straight face when someone is literally puking their stomach out!
That being said, I loved it. Great read.
TW: Death, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
4.5 ⭐️
As if the past year hadn't been awful enough, the monsters are at it again. And so, so much worse. When a new inhuman creature appears, causing trouble not only with the campers but also with the other creatures, Kate needs to figure things out as fast as possible. While, of course, also trying to change her way to handle things - with a kinder, more attentive approach. A "let's not jump to murder right away" kind of approach.
We are introduced to new creatures. We learn a bit more about the family and the land and everything that comes with it. It's sad stuff, let me warn you. Kate's family might be huge, as she keeps reminding us, but the ones that are actually willing to help are so very few. It certainly doesn't make it easier that the ones that are willing keep... well, becoming unavailable in a more permanent way. It breaks my heart for her. If her family is so big you'd think there be more people wanting to step in, but no. Not at all.
I like how she's trying so hard, trying to be more empathetic and trust that there is hope. That people can be saved despite the odds. How she starts to actually ask for help and not do everything by herself. I love seeing her recruit inhumans for tasks, even letting the campers deal with some stuff themselves. It's a nice change from the first book, and I can't wait to see how it develops in the next books of the series.
This book is funny and creepy and super weird - an amazing combination in my opinion - and I'd say it can be quite a palate cleanser from when you're feeling the slump coming after a heavy read. I don't mean it's all smooth sailing. I cried reading The Man with No Shadow and I cried reading The Lady in Chains. There's tension and uneasiness. There's sadness and anger. But the story flows so well and the plot keeps you so invested. There's a lot of mixed feelings too... not everything is black and white, you know? You can hate and love a character at the same time.
I'm super curious to learn more about Sorcha. I love that she takes a bigger role here, and I hope she keeps appearing more and more. I'm so curious and excited to learn more about her and the Old Sheriff. I have many theories regarding them and Kate's fate. My brain is working overtime thinking of all the possibilites.
I honestly cannot wait to read more about the camp and everyone (and everything) in it.
The first book was funnier, maybe because things were not as tense and serious. But this second one is not that far behind. It's campy horror comedy at its finest, and I'm finding this genre to be one of my favorites. If you know any other book that's similar to this one, please send it my way. I'm literally obsessed. It's a very fun read, but maybe not for everyone since it is very disgusting at times (for this one specifically, spiders-haters beware: there are many, many creepy spiders). Nothing too graphic, I think, but it did make me grimace enough for my brother to notice and comment; "you keep making weird faces when you read", he said. Well, sorry if I can't keep a straight face when someone is literally puking their stomach out!
That being said, I loved it. Great read.
TW: Death, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
April 8, 2026
This year, I’m being far more choosy with my five star reviews. Not because I want to be more harsh on authors, but because I want a five star to be like- PERFECT I’ll read it more than once! I can tell you this series is going to be a classic for me, especially around Halloween time. Bonnie Quinn has invented such a unique lore around Goat Valley.
This COULD be a bit of a spoiler for some, but I don’t think it is. Everyone’s favorite (mine included) The Man With the Skull Cup returns in a major way in this one.
These books have some major nightmare fuel, but without the dripping super super graphic gore of a lot of horror. You can tell that Bonnie did her research on monster lore, and it’s just so interesting. This entire series will keep you reading long into the night and I cannot say enough how much I enjoy this series.
It’s not overhyped, you need to own it and read it and tell everyone you know.
New dangers lurk at Goat Valley, and Bonnie just never ceases to impress and delight me with the way she pulls off not only the story, but some of the elements she manages to weave in and still make work.
Many moments in this book felt like they were almost crafted for a visual experience, but that’s just the mark of an extremely talented writer to me.
Someone needs to option this stat, and I will absolutely riot if Evan Peters isn’t cast as The Man with The Skull Cup!
I’m obsessed with this series. I could read about GOAT Valley forever!!
This COULD be a bit of a spoiler for some, but I don’t think it is. Everyone’s favorite (mine included) The Man With the Skull Cup returns in a major way in this one.
These books have some major nightmare fuel, but without the dripping super super graphic gore of a lot of horror. You can tell that Bonnie did her research on monster lore, and it’s just so interesting. This entire series will keep you reading long into the night and I cannot say enough how much I enjoy this series.
It’s not overhyped, you need to own it and read it and tell everyone you know.
New dangers lurk at Goat Valley, and Bonnie just never ceases to impress and delight me with the way she pulls off not only the story, but some of the elements she manages to weave in and still make work.
Many moments in this book felt like they were almost crafted for a visual experience, but that’s just the mark of an extremely talented writer to me.
Someone needs to option this stat, and I will absolutely riot if Evan Peters isn’t cast as The Man with The Skull Cup!
I’m obsessed with this series. I could read about GOAT Valley forever!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and S&S/Saga Press for the ARC!
I really, really loved this one. I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it, so I was excited for the second one. I honestly think The Lady in Chains is better than The Man with No Shadow. The story is creative, the humor is perfectly dry and the characters are loveably unhinged. My main issue with the first one is that it felt like a collection of short stories put into a book. This one felt more cohesive in both structure and plot.
After the events of book one, our intrepid (and exhausted) campground manager Kate has yet another crisis to deal with. Things are starting to act up on the campground in ways she did not expect. Something is brewing on the land and Kate has to solve what it is without losing anymore campers (even if they are stupid and prone to bad decisions). This leads her into learning more about the inhuman creatures that live on her land and herself, kind of. She’s still a mess, but I love her.
I finished this in a matter of hours because I was so engrossed in the story. I can’t wait until book 3 comes out (hopefully sooner rather than later). Until then, I think I shall be re-reading books 1-2 to tide me over. I highly recommend to anyone who likes a mix of humor, urban fantasy, horror and a woman who just wants a break (and people to stop being idiots).
I really, really loved this one. I read the first book in the series and enjoyed it, so I was excited for the second one. I honestly think The Lady in Chains is better than The Man with No Shadow. The story is creative, the humor is perfectly dry and the characters are loveably unhinged. My main issue with the first one is that it felt like a collection of short stories put into a book. This one felt more cohesive in both structure and plot.
After the events of book one, our intrepid (and exhausted) campground manager Kate has yet another crisis to deal with. Things are starting to act up on the campground in ways she did not expect. Something is brewing on the land and Kate has to solve what it is without losing anymore campers (even if they are stupid and prone to bad decisions). This leads her into learning more about the inhuman creatures that live on her land and herself, kind of. She’s still a mess, but I love her.
I finished this in a matter of hours because I was so engrossed in the story. I can’t wait until book 3 comes out (hopefully sooner rather than later). Until then, I think I shall be re-reading books 1-2 to tide me over. I highly recommend to anyone who likes a mix of humor, urban fantasy, horror and a woman who just wants a break (and people to stop being idiots).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. This is the second book in the series, and I do think these should be read in order, despite the fact that I do think you could enjoy this one as a solo read. I think you will miss little details and nuance if you do not start this series from the beginning with all the necessary knowledge, but technically, this is a completed arc from start to finish, so you could pick it up as a solo read. All that being said, I thought this one added upon everything I loved about the first one. It kept a consistent tone of almost cozy horror, even though the stakes at times were extremely high. All my favorite characters from the first novel make another appearance, with the addition of some new side characters as well/ different characters getting more of the spotlight. I am so excited that the third one in the series comes out later this year, because I cannot wait to read it! For some reason, reading this series feels like home and gives me a warm feeling inside when I read it. The world-building is so expansive that I believe Goat Valley Campground exists out there somewhere, and I would love to go (and follow the rules). As a side note, I think I have a crush on The Man with the Skull Cup... oops!
October 7, 2025
I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. No special consideration was offered or expected.
I first heard about this book through one of my favorite creators. The title was intriguing, so I rquested and received a copy. Once I did I quickly realized that this book was a sequel to another book. I was enjoying this book so much that I went back, bought, and read the first book before I continued on with this book.
I had expect something a bit funnier, and a bit cozier, but I wasn't at all dissapoined when this turned out to not be the case. This book is such a exicitng blend of the horror, and some truly scary moments, and what impact that has on the characters, their friends, family, and their community. It really digs into the main characters trauma, and how that informs how she reacts to eveything that happens. The charatcers both human, and non human, are richly developed, and compex. It makes the story feel that much more alive. I never felt like I could guess what was going to happen next, and even when the characters frustrated me, I could understand what made them react the way they did. I am very excited to read more from this author.
I first heard about this book through one of my favorite creators. The title was intriguing, so I rquested and received a copy. Once I did I quickly realized that this book was a sequel to another book. I was enjoying this book so much that I went back, bought, and read the first book before I continued on with this book.
I had expect something a bit funnier, and a bit cozier, but I wasn't at all dissapoined when this turned out to not be the case. This book is such a exicitng blend of the horror, and some truly scary moments, and what impact that has on the characters, their friends, family, and their community. It really digs into the main characters trauma, and how that informs how she reacts to eveything that happens. The charatcers both human, and non human, are richly developed, and compex. It makes the story feel that much more alive. I never felt like I could guess what was going to happen next, and even when the characters frustrated me, I could understand what made them react the way they did. I am very excited to read more from this author.
October 1, 2025
This series is always a fun time! It’s spooky and enthralling, with creatures that are both genuinely monstrous but somehow endearing. Makes me realize that I would not be as cut out as Kate if I were the camp manager. The moment one of those creatures do something mildly kind, I’d be completely trusting only to be COMPLETELY betrayed and killed. There’d be spiders crawling up my legs and chains dragging me away before I even realized what’s happening.
I really loved the underlying message that this book had. Of that, being human, or nonhuman, doesn’t always define us as good or bad. There’s no definitive line between the two. We are all a little bit monstrous and monsters can have some kindness just the same.
Also, always love The Man with the Skull Cap. Is that problematic? Maybe.. And yes, I know, I know. There is probably… (please) not going to be a romance with him and Kate, but a girl can be a little delulu can’t she?
Overall I will be rating this book a 3.5!! And as always thank you so much to Netgalley for the arc!! ✨
I really loved the underlying message that this book had. Of that, being human, or nonhuman, doesn’t always define us as good or bad. There’s no definitive line between the two. We are all a little bit monstrous and monsters can have some kindness just the same.
Also, always love The Man with the Skull Cap. Is that problematic? Maybe.. And yes, I know, I know. There is probably… (please) not going to be a romance with him and Kate, but a girl can be a little delulu can’t she?
Overall I will be rating this book a 3.5!! And as always thank you so much to Netgalley for the arc!! ✨
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read The Man with No Shadow last year and loved it. I thought it was a fun little romp through a cryptid-infested campground and although it was a little rough around the edges--I was excited to revisit Goat Valley after learning there were 4 books for this series.
And this one did not disappoint.
The issues I had with the last one (the lack of plot cohesion especially) were addressed in this installment to create a genuine high-stakes thrill ride from start to finish. The history of the campground is expanded upon so much, and Bonnie Quinn's writing improved a lot from The Man with No Shadow.
I love this series so much, such an unexpected little gem in the horror genre. I can't wait for the third installment later this year, until then... see you next time Goat Valley Campground!
P.S. I know these were indie published beforehand... if anyone has the scoop on Kate and the Man with the Skull Cup, let a girl know.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own*
And this one did not disappoint.
The issues I had with the last one (the lack of plot cohesion especially) were addressed in this installment to create a genuine high-stakes thrill ride from start to finish. The history of the campground is expanded upon so much, and Bonnie Quinn's writing improved a lot from The Man with No Shadow.
I love this series so much, such an unexpected little gem in the horror genre. I can't wait for the third installment later this year, until then... see you next time Goat Valley Campground!
P.S. I know these were indie published beforehand... if anyone has the scoop on Kate and the Man with the Skull Cup, let a girl know.
*Thank you to Netgalley for providing me an ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are entirely my own*
March 11, 2026
Thank you Saga for giving me an ARC to read. I am so happy with this! I loved the first one and thought it was a breath of fresh air in the horror genre. When I saw there was more for this story I was so excited to read them. This was even more gory and tense than the first one with a continued look at the campground lore. I will say that this dealt with something that I felt was missing from the first one. That is the campers that are in the campground. We get to see more of the campers that are here and when events are in the campground. That gives the story more of a grounded approach because we get to see other characters. We also get to see more monsters and the town. There were scenes in here where I had to put the book down because of how crazy the story got. I highly recommend this story and this is a happy continuation of a creative look at family, urban legends and empowerment. I absolutely loved this book!
March 21, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this series. I've listened to the beginning when it was on the NoSleep podcast, read The Man With No Shadow and now The Lady In Chains is a perfect installment.
I like that each book seems to focus on certain entities so you aren't overwhelmed with all of them at once. I'm glad that my Man With The Skull Cup had a part in this book and I still love him, even if he is supposed to be evil and he makes people sick for a day.
There was a lot of internal struggle for Kate in this one, she knows the beings on her land are evil, but some are less so. I love a good backstory and we got more of that in this book. More of Kate as a kid, some insights into how her family started dealing with the inhuman things on the land and how they interacted with her family in the past.
I'm impatiently waiting for the next book to be released because I need more.
I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this series. I've listened to the beginning when it was on the NoSleep podcast, read The Man With No Shadow and now The Lady In Chains is a perfect installment.
I like that each book seems to focus on certain entities so you aren't overwhelmed with all of them at once. I'm glad that my Man With The Skull Cup had a part in this book and I still love him, even if he is supposed to be evil and he makes people sick for a day.
There was a lot of internal struggle for Kate in this one, she knows the beings on her land are evil, but some are less so. I love a good backstory and we got more of that in this book. More of Kate as a kid, some insights into how her family started dealing with the inhuman things on the land and how they interacted with her family in the past.
I'm impatiently waiting for the next book to be released because I need more.
March 22, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 (5/5)
Kate’s got a problem. The summer events are looming in the distance, and with them, the money to keep the campground running. But the monsters have grown restless because they feel it too.
It’s a bad year.
I absolutely love the world and folklore that is spun throughout the stories. This book had to walk on a knife’s edge between ratcheting up the tension and leaving space for the rest of the series to intensify, and Quinn nailed it perfectly.
Most interesting in this installment was Kate’s continued plight to be a better person, at the threat of having her organs removed by Perchta. Kate is wrestling with the impact of her family and the example her mother set, which I think everyone—even those of us who don’t run a monster riddled campground—can relate to.
I highly recommend the Goat Valley Campground series to anyone who wants to laugh while the squirm.
I was provided a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Kate’s got a problem. The summer events are looming in the distance, and with them, the money to keep the campground running. But the monsters have grown restless because they feel it too.
It’s a bad year.
I absolutely love the world and folklore that is spun throughout the stories. This book had to walk on a knife’s edge between ratcheting up the tension and leaving space for the rest of the series to intensify, and Quinn nailed it perfectly.
Most interesting in this installment was Kate’s continued plight to be a better person, at the threat of having her organs removed by Perchta. Kate is wrestling with the impact of her family and the example her mother set, which I think everyone—even those of us who don’t run a monster riddled campground—can relate to.
I highly recommend the Goat Valley Campground series to anyone who wants to laugh while the squirm.
I was provided a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews