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Girls of Little Hope
A chilling and eerie tale of monsters, teen angst and small-town America for fans of Stranger Things, The Thing, and the 1990s
Three girls went into the woods. Only two came back, covered in blood and with no memory of what happened. Or did they?
Being fifteen is tough, tougher when you live in a boring-ass small town like Little Hope, California (population 8,302) in 1996. Donna, Rae and Kat keep each other sane with the fervour of teen girl friendships, zine-making and some amateur sleuthing into the town’s most enduring mysteries: a lost gold mine, and why little Ronnie Gaskins burned his parents alive a decade ago.
Their hunt will lead them to a hidden cave from which only two of them return alive. Donna the troublemaker can’t remember anything. Rae seems to be trying to escape her memories of what happened, while her close-minded religious family presses her for answers. And Kat? Sweet, wannabe writer Kat who rebelled against her mom’s beauty pageant dreams by getting fat? She’s missing. Dead. Or terribly traumatised, out there in the woods, alone.
As the police circle and Kat’s frantic mother Marybeth starts doing some investigating of her own, Rae and Donna will have to return to the cave where they discover a secret so shattering that no-one who encounters it will ever be the same.
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Content warnings and freebies are available on the author's website.
Three girls went into the woods. Only two came back, covered in blood and with no memory of what happened. Or did they?
Being fifteen is tough, tougher when you live in a boring-ass small town like Little Hope, California (population 8,302) in 1996. Donna, Rae and Kat keep each other sane with the fervour of teen girl friendships, zine-making and some amateur sleuthing into the town’s most enduring mysteries: a lost gold mine, and why little Ronnie Gaskins burned his parents alive a decade ago.
Their hunt will lead them to a hidden cave from which only two of them return alive. Donna the troublemaker can’t remember anything. Rae seems to be trying to escape her memories of what happened, while her close-minded religious family presses her for answers. And Kat? Sweet, wannabe writer Kat who rebelled against her mom’s beauty pageant dreams by getting fat? She’s missing. Dead. Or terribly traumatised, out there in the woods, alone.
As the police circle and Kat’s frantic mother Marybeth starts doing some investigating of her own, Rae and Donna will have to return to the cave where they discover a secret so shattering that no-one who encounters it will ever be the same.
--
Content warnings and freebies are available on the author's website.
384 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2023
33 people are currently reading
2259 people want to read
About the author
Sam Beckbessinger
16 books93 followersSam Beckbessinger is the author of the bestselling Manage Your Money Like a Fucking Grownup and the novel Girls of Little Hope (co-authored with Dale Halvorsen). Her interactive story about climate change, Survive the Century, was featured in New Scientist and Gizmodo. She teaches creative writing at Bath Spa University, writes kids' TV and picture books, once wrote for Marvel, and is weirdly obsessed with spreadsheets. Her perimenopausal werewolf novel Femme Feral is coming in summer 2026. She grew up on a farm near Durban with a pet donkey named Mr Magoo, but now lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
July 19, 2023
4.5 Stars
Have you ever read a book that was both eerie and grotesque, yet soo utterly fascinating you were unable to put it down? Well, that’s what Girls of Little Hope was for me— a fabulously weird and unexpectedly compelling YA Horror from writing duo Sam Beckbessinger and Dale Halvorsen. Which perfectly captures the anxiety, angst and (relatable) growing pains of adolescence, but with a much needed (and surprisingly bloody) supernatural twist that’s guaranteed to keep even the most seasoned Horror fans on their toes.
Set in a small California town during the 1990s, Girls of Little Hope follows the mystery and aftermath of the disappearance of three girls (Donna, Rae and Kat) and the strange circumstances surrounding Donna and Rae’s return three days later: naked, covered in blood and with no memory of what happened…
I loved every deliciously creepy second of this! I’m not usually a huge Horror reader, but the atmospheric and expertly detailed, small town setting (complete with sinister undercurrent) and compelling, misfit characters had me utterly hooked.
Donna, the first character we’re introduced to is portrayed as quite impulsive and the most vocal of the trio but her sense of loyalty, compassion and long hidden vulnerabilities really made her one of my favourite characters.
Rae, our other “survivor” is resident ‘good girl’ who comes from a respectable, church going family who’s perceived perfection and conservative values have forced Rae into a suffocating state of repression and self loathing that was truly heart breaking to watch unravel.
Kat, our amateur sleuth and budding journalist is the only character whose POV is told via journal entries which really added a sense of intimacy and allowed us to explore their deep bond of friendship in such exquisite detail.
We also get to explore Kat’s mum Marybeth’s POV, whose complicated mother-daughter relationship juxtaposes perfectly with Kat’s innermost thoughts and really captures the flaws and nuances that really make up this fascinating, formidable and surprisingly three dimensional supporting character.
As well as Kat’s diary entries, we’re also treated to newspaper articles and Riot Grrl-esque ‘Zine pages, which cleverly immerses us in the history of Little Hope, its supernatural goings on and the angsty 90s high school experience without the pace slowing down or becoming too info dumpy.
I can’t say much else without spoiling the plot but, if you love shockingly twisty, House of Hollow meets Stranger Things style Horror, or books that scream “We are the weirdos mister”, then you definitely need to add this to your TBR just check TWs beforehand.
Also, a huge thank you to Kabriya over at Titan Books for the proof.
Have you ever read a book that was both eerie and grotesque, yet soo utterly fascinating you were unable to put it down? Well, that’s what Girls of Little Hope was for me— a fabulously weird and unexpectedly compelling YA Horror from writing duo Sam Beckbessinger and Dale Halvorsen. Which perfectly captures the anxiety, angst and (relatable) growing pains of adolescence, but with a much needed (and surprisingly bloody) supernatural twist that’s guaranteed to keep even the most seasoned Horror fans on their toes.
Set in a small California town during the 1990s, Girls of Little Hope follows the mystery and aftermath of the disappearance of three girls (Donna, Rae and Kat) and the strange circumstances surrounding Donna and Rae’s return three days later: naked, covered in blood and with no memory of what happened…
I loved every deliciously creepy second of this! I’m not usually a huge Horror reader, but the atmospheric and expertly detailed, small town setting (complete with sinister undercurrent) and compelling, misfit characters had me utterly hooked.
Donna, the first character we’re introduced to is portrayed as quite impulsive and the most vocal of the trio but her sense of loyalty, compassion and long hidden vulnerabilities really made her one of my favourite characters.
Rae, our other “survivor” is resident ‘good girl’ who comes from a respectable, church going family who’s perceived perfection and conservative values have forced Rae into a suffocating state of repression and self loathing that was truly heart breaking to watch unravel.
Kat, our amateur sleuth and budding journalist is the only character whose POV is told via journal entries which really added a sense of intimacy and allowed us to explore their deep bond of friendship in such exquisite detail.
We also get to explore Kat’s mum Marybeth’s POV, whose complicated mother-daughter relationship juxtaposes perfectly with Kat’s innermost thoughts and really captures the flaws and nuances that really make up this fascinating, formidable and surprisingly three dimensional supporting character.
As well as Kat’s diary entries, we’re also treated to newspaper articles and Riot Grrl-esque ‘Zine pages, which cleverly immerses us in the history of Little Hope, its supernatural goings on and the angsty 90s high school experience without the pace slowing down or becoming too info dumpy.
I can’t say much else without spoiling the plot but, if you love shockingly twisty, House of Hollow meets Stranger Things style Horror, or books that scream “We are the weirdos mister”, then you definitely need to add this to your TBR just check TWs beforehand.
Also, a huge thank you to Kabriya over at Titan Books for the proof.
September 6, 2023
"𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤 𝙞𝙩, 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙤 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚?"
Whatever your expectation of Girls of Little Hope is, move it to the side and be prepared for the unexpected. The synopsis is a glimpse into this wild ride that is set in the 90s. With multiple POVs, newspaper articles and diary entries, the reader is taken on a proper mystery. But this is not your typical mystery set in a forest, there are so much more sinister things hiding in caves and scurrying along the forest floor.
Friendships are tested, a community is pushed to its limits and all the while, something creepy is lurking just beyond.
I do not want to spoil anything, it's best to go into this book blindly to have the full experience beside Donna, Rae and Kat. This is a small-town horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I was shocked, surprised and intrigued. The authors did an incredible job writing this book, from the pace to the plot - it all adds to the atmospheric little town of Little Hope.
I received a playlist with this book and had such a great time listening to it.
This book has definitely stayed with me - it was different and that's what makes it memorable.
If you're a fan of small-town murder mysteries with some horror added to the mix, you should read this!
Many thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Whatever your expectation of Girls of Little Hope is, move it to the side and be prepared for the unexpected. The synopsis is a glimpse into this wild ride that is set in the 90s. With multiple POVs, newspaper articles and diary entries, the reader is taken on a proper mystery. But this is not your typical mystery set in a forest, there are so much more sinister things hiding in caves and scurrying along the forest floor.
Friendships are tested, a community is pushed to its limits and all the while, something creepy is lurking just beyond.
I do not want to spoil anything, it's best to go into this book blindly to have the full experience beside Donna, Rae and Kat. This is a small-town horror that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I was shocked, surprised and intrigued. The authors did an incredible job writing this book, from the pace to the plot - it all adds to the atmospheric little town of Little Hope.
I received a playlist with this book and had such a great time listening to it.
This book has definitely stayed with me - it was different and that's what makes it memorable.
If you're a fan of small-town murder mysteries with some horror added to the mix, you should read this!
Many thanks to Jonathan Ball Publishers for a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2024
3,5*
Three best friends that are very different from each other find comfort in their friendship living in the small town of Little Hope.
One day they decide to venture into the woods and find the gold mine the legends talk about. However after they enter the woods, only two of them will come out, naked and covered in blood. Where is Kat and what happened to them?
The police interrogate the girls but they claim to have no memory of what happened while they were gone and they do not know where Kat is.
The story is set in the 90s and told from different POVs that slowly reveal to the reader what actually happened and what each girl is thinking.
The story starts as a small town mystery and it fully embraces the horror around the halfway mark. The book gets weird and there is a tonal change towards the middle that might not work for everyone.
For me the strongest parts were the gripping beginning and the ending. I did enjoy reading from the different POVs but I would have been satisfied with a shorter book. I feel the length at times removed tension and made it just drag a little.
However I really enjoyed the story, the characters and that nothing is what it seems in this town and in those woods. The book in general is a portrayal of how it feels like to be a teenager stuck in a small town and the urge to get out. Teenage changes and the way we get to see reality as we get to adulthood.
Three best friends that are very different from each other find comfort in their friendship living in the small town of Little Hope.
One day they decide to venture into the woods and find the gold mine the legends talk about. However after they enter the woods, only two of them will come out, naked and covered in blood. Where is Kat and what happened to them?
The police interrogate the girls but they claim to have no memory of what happened while they were gone and they do not know where Kat is.
The story is set in the 90s and told from different POVs that slowly reveal to the reader what actually happened and what each girl is thinking.
The story starts as a small town mystery and it fully embraces the horror around the halfway mark. The book gets weird and there is a tonal change towards the middle that might not work for everyone.
For me the strongest parts were the gripping beginning and the ending. I did enjoy reading from the different POVs but I would have been satisfied with a shorter book. I feel the length at times removed tension and made it just drag a little.
However I really enjoyed the story, the characters and that nothing is what it seems in this town and in those woods. The book in general is a portrayal of how it feels like to be a teenager stuck in a small town and the urge to get out. Teenage changes and the way we get to see reality as we get to adulthood.
July 17, 2023
Very interesting book, full of twists and turns. Keeps you guessing on what’s about to Happen. Full of Heart and fun. The ending was a tiny bit disappointing as it leaves you wondering instead of a definite end.
July 24, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ one of the best horror books I've read !! A perfect combo of 90s nostalgia , spooky small down vibes and some of the most chilling body horror I've encountered !!!
June 10, 2023
It feels odd to describe a book as both unsettling and heart-warming, but it's an accurate description for Girls of Little Hope, a full-throttled horror with a heart of gold.
In September 1996, three teenage girls vanish without a trace in the small town of Little Hope, California. Three days later, two of them reappear, naked and covered in blood, with no memory of where they have been or what has happened to their friend.
From the opening chapter, the mystery captured my attention, and the multiple POVs allowed it to unfold at a thrilling pace, with each chapter setting up questions from one character's perspective to be answered by another character later on. The authors also made effective use of newspaper and magazine clippings to fill in important backstory without leaving the narrative feeling over-burdened with exposition. The extracts from the girls' zine, which is what brought the friends together in the first place, also provided a useful insight into their friendship and individual characters.
The girls are clearly established and differentiated from the outset, and I was immediately invested in their friendship and each girl's story. Each girl bears different expectations but they all weigh heavily. Donna is outspoken and fearless, the kind of girl to perform a self-composed, expletive-ridden punk song at a school assembly, but secretly sensitive; Rae is incredibly repressed, forced to hide everything about her true self from her abusive father, alcoholic mother and oppressive church community; former pageant queen Kat is constantly on a quest for knowledge, and dreams of a life much bigger than that of her loving - but overbearing - single mother. These girls are not the mere cannon fodder teenagers common to this genre: they are tough and tenacious and good and lovable, and you can't help but root for them. Of the lesser characters, Marybeth, Kat's mother, is the one we spend most time with, and she has a well-written, empowering character arc.
The mystery is compelling, but the blurb promised horror, and it is delivered in spades, as the story shifts from thriller/coming of age drama to something far more menacing. The second half of the book is a gore-spattered romp of a read with graphic descriptions of violence and death.
Girls of Little Hope is far more than a pulpy horror though. It is an accurate portrayal of how it feels to be a teenager languishing in stifling small town torpor, convinced that life is passing you by elsewhere. It is a beautifully, believably drawn story of teenage female friendships. It is also an examination of how our parents' strengths, failings and generational trauma shape us as people, which is portrayed poignantly in the chapters from the perspective of Kat's mother, Marybeth.
Some of the 90s references felt a little heavy-handed, e.g. 'a clone like Dolly the Sheep', 'faster than their school banned pogs,' but overall the vibe of the period is rendered with care and authenticity. Girls of Little Hope is a real nostalgic treat for those of us who grew up on Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine. There are also allusions to another 90s classic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with the horrors that haunt the town of Little Hope acting as a metaphor for the dark underbelly and sordid secrets of a small town, and for the metamorphosis from childhood to adulthood.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
In September 1996, three teenage girls vanish without a trace in the small town of Little Hope, California. Three days later, two of them reappear, naked and covered in blood, with no memory of where they have been or what has happened to their friend.
From the opening chapter, the mystery captured my attention, and the multiple POVs allowed it to unfold at a thrilling pace, with each chapter setting up questions from one character's perspective to be answered by another character later on. The authors also made effective use of newspaper and magazine clippings to fill in important backstory without leaving the narrative feeling over-burdened with exposition. The extracts from the girls' zine, which is what brought the friends together in the first place, also provided a useful insight into their friendship and individual characters.
The girls are clearly established and differentiated from the outset, and I was immediately invested in their friendship and each girl's story. Each girl bears different expectations but they all weigh heavily. Donna is outspoken and fearless, the kind of girl to perform a self-composed, expletive-ridden punk song at a school assembly, but secretly sensitive; Rae is incredibly repressed, forced to hide everything about her true self from her abusive father, alcoholic mother and oppressive church community; former pageant queen Kat is constantly on a quest for knowledge, and dreams of a life much bigger than that of her loving - but overbearing - single mother. These girls are not the mere cannon fodder teenagers common to this genre: they are tough and tenacious and good and lovable, and you can't help but root for them. Of the lesser characters, Marybeth, Kat's mother, is the one we spend most time with, and she has a well-written, empowering character arc.
The mystery is compelling, but the blurb promised horror, and it is delivered in spades, as the story shifts from thriller/coming of age drama to something far more menacing. The second half of the book is a gore-spattered romp of a read with graphic descriptions of violence and death.
Girls of Little Hope is far more than a pulpy horror though. It is an accurate portrayal of how it feels to be a teenager languishing in stifling small town torpor, convinced that life is passing you by elsewhere. It is a beautifully, believably drawn story of teenage female friendships. It is also an examination of how our parents' strengths, failings and generational trauma shape us as people, which is portrayed poignantly in the chapters from the perspective of Kat's mother, Marybeth.
Some of the 90s references felt a little heavy-handed, e.g. 'a clone like Dolly the Sheep', 'faster than their school banned pogs,' but overall the vibe of the period is rendered with care and authenticity. Girls of Little Hope is a real nostalgic treat for those of us who grew up on Christopher Pike and R.L. Stine. There are also allusions to another 90s classic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with the horrors that haunt the town of Little Hope acting as a metaphor for the dark underbelly and sordid secrets of a small town, and for the metamorphosis from childhood to adulthood.
Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for giving me the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book.
September 4, 2023
What a bizarre and absolutely gripping story. I’m not sure horror is my genre (I don’t do too well with gore…), but there is no question that this is top quality. Despite being a bit grossed out, I thoroughly enjoyed this book for its unique story and gripping mystery.
I was hooked from the beginning. The writing style is quick, the voices of the POV characters are distinct, and thrown together with the mystery, that made this difficult to put down. The twists were amazing; foreshadowed but not too obviously, and absolutely devastating when they came.
The characters are fully developed, they feel like real people with real relationships. This book captures the beauty and intensity of teenage girl friendships in such a unique but perfect way - I was feeling all of the feelings.
I am so happy I picked this up in my efforts to read more South African authors… I will definitely stay tuned for these two!
I was hooked from the beginning. The writing style is quick, the voices of the POV characters are distinct, and thrown together with the mystery, that made this difficult to put down. The twists were amazing; foreshadowed but not too obviously, and absolutely devastating when they came.
The characters are fully developed, they feel like real people with real relationships. This book captures the beauty and intensity of teenage girl friendships in such a unique but perfect way - I was feeling all of the feelings.
I am so happy I picked this up in my efforts to read more South African authors… I will definitely stay tuned for these two!
June 13, 2023
There is nothing I love more than small town horror, couple this with 90s vibes and a strong female friendship group, GIMME *GRABBY HANDS* The nostalgia in this was immaculate, the mixed media not only gave us different perspectives but I felt added a real gritty and realistic element to the story, it is disturbing whilst simultaneously heart warming, the horror meshed with teen angst made a perfect pairing, the importance of friendship is most definitely at the forefront of this and for me nudged it into the cosy horror genre, I found it highly character driven whilst also having page turning creepy moments, fans of 90s horrors will 100% enjoy this book, Thankyou titan for the proof copy!
January 17, 2024
Girls of Little Hope is a propulsive, gruesome horror-thriller, which will keep you turning the pages long after you should have turned off the lights. But beneath all the mystery, the chills and the guts beats a tender heart: a story of powerful bolds of female friendship. In fact, by far the most fun part of this book was hanging out with the group of teenage misfits at its centre, Donna, Rae and Kat. They may have very little in common, but the love between the characters feels deeply authentic and beautifully fleshed out. The darker undertones of horror, that later consume the narrative, are creatively unwrapped in diary entries, newspaper articles and blogs. And the nineties nostalgia is endearing and very clever - it made the novel feel like an episode of Stranger Things. My only gripe is the ending, which left me wanting a little more - although I can see that, in some ways, Beckbessinger and Halvorsen had written themselves into a corner. Nonetheless, a fun read!
August 8, 2023
J'ai aimé sortir de ma zone de confort avec ce thriller / roman d'horreur.
Le tournant que prend le plot était complètement inattendu ! Je ne pensais pas du tout que les auteurs iraient dans cette direction et c'est un twist original.
Et je peux dire que j'ai été mal à l'aise à de nombreuses reprises. Le récit est très bien écrit et l'intrigue fait très bien son job : j'ai eu du mal à poser ce roman et l'ai dévoré !
La fin me laisse sur une petite déception car ce n'est pas une "vraie" fin avec une vraie résolution à mon goût.
À lire si vous avez aimé Bunny et les Soeurs Hollow !
Le tournant que prend le plot était complètement inattendu ! Je ne pensais pas du tout que les auteurs iraient dans cette direction et c'est un twist original.
Et je peux dire que j'ai été mal à l'aise à de nombreuses reprises. Le récit est très bien écrit et l'intrigue fait très bien son job : j'ai eu du mal à poser ce roman et l'ai dévoré !
La fin me laisse sur une petite déception car ce n'est pas une "vraie" fin avec une vraie résolution à mon goût.
À lire si vous avez aimé Bunny et les Soeurs Hollow !
June 21, 2023
I don't think I've ever read a horror book before so this was my first dip into that. And what a dip it was! I think it was the perfect mix of ya teen mystery and sci-fi with a dash of horror mixed in for a first time horror reader.
All the main characters had a very distinct voice and personality which was cool (I guess it helps having two authors). Marybeth was a cool character too.
The beginning was very gripping and interesting. The middle lost me a bit because I didn't realize it was horror/sci-fi/fantasy and thought it was just crime lol but i got back on track. I did predict quite a few things that happened but I usually do 😎. Idid get one thing slightly off and I don't think I expected the ending which isn't a bad thing because it was nice to be surprised for once. I think most of the tension happened in the middle so the end kinda tailed off a bit but I still liked how it all resolved.
I really like the mixed media aspect, I think that's very cool. Especially the end mixed media bit.
Overall, it was a good read. One of those books you can read in one sitting, if you have the time.
All the main characters had a very distinct voice and personality which was cool (I guess it helps having two authors). Marybeth was a cool character too.
The beginning was very gripping and interesting. The middle lost me a bit because I didn't realize it was horror/sci-fi/fantasy and thought it was just crime lol but i got back on track. I did predict quite a few things that happened but I usually do 😎. Idid get one thing slightly off and I don't think I expected the ending which isn't a bad thing because it was nice to be surprised for once. I think most of the tension happened in the middle so the end kinda tailed off a bit but I still liked how it all resolved.
I really like the mixed media aspect, I think that's very cool. Especially the end mixed media bit.
Overall, it was a good read. One of those books you can read in one sitting, if you have the time.
August 10, 2023
What a fun ride! Teen angst, body horror, unique monster origins, bittersweet and moving and nostalgic. Definitely didn’t go the way I thought it would, but I’m the best way. Hell yeah.
June 14, 2023
Published 13th June 2023 Titan
Donna, the rebel, Rae, the good girl and Kat, the budding writer are best friends, it is them against their very close minded boring little town of Little Hope, California.
They decide to hike into the woods in search of the fabled gold mine of Little Hope and days later Donna and Rae stumble into town, both covered in blood and naked, what happened to them and where is Kat.
Do the survivors know more than they are saying? What happened in the hidden cave deep in the wood? Does the resident returned murderer know what is going on?
This is a brilliant horror mystery and short chapters make this a fast paced thrilling read. The story unfolds through multiple POV’s and secrets are dripped through the story to keep you reading, loved that!
The story is set in the 90’s and it has a very nostalgic feel to it, the music, the posters on the walls, the clothes, all evoking that era. The book includes pictures of newspaper clippings, news reports and pages of the girls zine, I love this device in books and it gives the story a perspective outside of the characters involved and how the world will consume their story.
There some really heavy issues raised here, Rae’s ultra conservative religious family and His her reaction to this, Donna’s grief and Kat’s over protective mother. But at heart it is a story of the power of female friendship especially in teen girls and how intense and all consuming that can be.
The horror really kicks in at the halfway mark and is visceral and grisly. There is a YA horror that has a similar theme to this but this is far more detailed and complex, a far more rounded story where you feel you really know the girls, their families, their community and the small town they live in.
This is a really fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I received this E-ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
Donna, the rebel, Rae, the good girl and Kat, the budding writer are best friends, it is them against their very close minded boring little town of Little Hope, California.
They decide to hike into the woods in search of the fabled gold mine of Little Hope and days later Donna and Rae stumble into town, both covered in blood and naked, what happened to them and where is Kat.
Do the survivors know more than they are saying? What happened in the hidden cave deep in the wood? Does the resident returned murderer know what is going on?
This is a brilliant horror mystery and short chapters make this a fast paced thrilling read. The story unfolds through multiple POV’s and secrets are dripped through the story to keep you reading, loved that!
The story is set in the 90’s and it has a very nostalgic feel to it, the music, the posters on the walls, the clothes, all evoking that era. The book includes pictures of newspaper clippings, news reports and pages of the girls zine, I love this device in books and it gives the story a perspective outside of the characters involved and how the world will consume their story.
There some really heavy issues raised here, Rae’s ultra conservative religious family and His her reaction to this, Donna’s grief and Kat’s over protective mother. But at heart it is a story of the power of female friendship especially in teen girls and how intense and all consuming that can be.
The horror really kicks in at the halfway mark and is visceral and grisly. There is a YA horror that has a similar theme to this but this is far more detailed and complex, a far more rounded story where you feel you really know the girls, their families, their community and the small town they live in.
This is a really fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I received this E-ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.
June 12, 2023
Girls of Little Hope is a perfect mix of Stranger Things and The Faculty (I know, I know, the description of it says The Thing but I feel like this really encompasses The Faculty’s body-snatching teen angst vibes) and it is absolutely a must-read for anyone who loves the 90s and the power of weird female friendships.
The book starts out strong with us being thrust into the story with Donna and Rae being examined by a medical doctor, seemingly out of it and confused as to where they are, with it slowly becoming clear that they have been lost in the woods for days — with their other friend, Kat, who is still missing. It then follows the POVs of Donna, Rae, and Kat’s mum, with entries from Kat’s diary and newspapers scattered throughout, while they try to uncover the mystery of their disappearance and reappearance without Kat.
I went into this book with almost no knowledge of it except it was about some missing girls and I assumed the plot would revolve around that, which it partly did, but there was so much more to the story than just that. This isn’t just your regular old ‘missing girls’ kind of story: there’s a mysterious cave, weird mould, and a strange monster in the woods — and then, of course, there’s the struggles of being a teenage girl growing up in a small town. Girls of Little Hope, while a mystery horror’ish book, is ultimately about friendship between teenage girls who wants to be more, do more, than what is possible in a small town. Who struggle with their identities, generational trauma, poverty, grief and so much more. This book does an exceptional job of not only being horror, and showing horror in the purest sense, it also is able to show the horrors of everyday life — controlling family members, insecurities and worries that come out in self-harm, and uncontrollable grief that seems impossible to overcome for someone who is just a teenage girl.
It was an absolute ride reading this. I was barely able to put it down and if I wasn’t a slave to capitalism and had to work (urgh) I would’ve definitely finished this within a day. The authors did such a good job making you really worry and care for these teenage girls, and yeah, even some of the adults too, and there were some absolutely emotional moments. I definitely shed a few tears because of Marybeth — which, I do wanna mention quickly, I also liked the subtle and not so subtle commentaries on motherhood, and the relationship between mother and daughter. How there’s this pressure as a mother to keep everything bad away from your daughter, to take all the hits and hide it all away so she’ll never know, except it just ends up causing a bigger rift between the two. It’s just so, urgh, real. There's a lot in this book that is so serious, so real, and so sad and I loved every moment of it, and I loved the characters and how their trauma and suffering shapes their choices throughout it all. I really don’t think there’s any weak moments in this and the ending, while imo sad, felt fitting because of it all.
ANYWAY, this book really is perfect for anyone that wants a strange mystery to solve that has hints of Twin Peaks, The Thing, Stranger Things, and The Faculty. If you like body-snatchers and trauma it’s a perfect read — and if you’re a fan of Parasite by Darcy Coates this may also be just your thing.
Thank you to the publisher Titan Books, NetGalley, and the authors for this digital ARC. I’ll just be over here crying over Donna, Kat, and Rae (especially Rae)!
The book starts out strong with us being thrust into the story with Donna and Rae being examined by a medical doctor, seemingly out of it and confused as to where they are, with it slowly becoming clear that they have been lost in the woods for days — with their other friend, Kat, who is still missing. It then follows the POVs of Donna, Rae, and Kat’s mum, with entries from Kat’s diary and newspapers scattered throughout, while they try to uncover the mystery of their disappearance and reappearance without Kat.
I went into this book with almost no knowledge of it except it was about some missing girls and I assumed the plot would revolve around that, which it partly did, but there was so much more to the story than just that. This isn’t just your regular old ‘missing girls’ kind of story: there’s a mysterious cave, weird mould, and a strange monster in the woods — and then, of course, there’s the struggles of being a teenage girl growing up in a small town. Girls of Little Hope, while a mystery horror’ish book, is ultimately about friendship between teenage girls who wants to be more, do more, than what is possible in a small town. Who struggle with their identities, generational trauma, poverty, grief and so much more. This book does an exceptional job of not only being horror, and showing horror in the purest sense, it also is able to show the horrors of everyday life — controlling family members, insecurities and worries that come out in self-harm, and uncontrollable grief that seems impossible to overcome for someone who is just a teenage girl.
It was an absolute ride reading this. I was barely able to put it down and if I wasn’t a slave to capitalism and had to work (urgh) I would’ve definitely finished this within a day. The authors did such a good job making you really worry and care for these teenage girls, and yeah, even some of the adults too, and there were some absolutely emotional moments. I definitely shed a few tears because of Marybeth — which, I do wanna mention quickly, I also liked the subtle and not so subtle commentaries on motherhood, and the relationship between mother and daughter. How there’s this pressure as a mother to keep everything bad away from your daughter, to take all the hits and hide it all away so she’ll never know, except it just ends up causing a bigger rift between the two. It’s just so, urgh, real. There's a lot in this book that is so serious, so real, and so sad and I loved every moment of it, and I loved the characters and how their trauma and suffering shapes their choices throughout it all. I really don’t think there’s any weak moments in this and the ending, while imo sad, felt fitting because of it all.
ANYWAY, this book really is perfect for anyone that wants a strange mystery to solve that has hints of Twin Peaks, The Thing, Stranger Things, and The Faculty. If you like body-snatchers and trauma it’s a perfect read — and if you’re a fan of Parasite by Darcy Coates this may also be just your thing.
Thank you to the publisher Titan Books, NetGalley, and the authors for this digital ARC. I’ll just be over here crying over Donna, Kat, and Rae (especially Rae)!
October 22, 2025
Rated 4.5 really.
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Realistic teen characters/relationships. Bold twist on a classic horror trope.
Cons: Requires suspension of disbelief both about the twist and the way a pivotal problem gets fixed.
WARNING! Death (animal death too...sort of). Blood, gore and violence. Body horror. Bug horror. Burns. Self-harm. Domestic abuse. Trans-generational trauma. Underage sex. Pregnancy scare.
Will appeal to: Those who like Nova Ren Suma's brand of female teen protagonists, Stephen King's brand of horror and Christopher Pike's brand of weirdness.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Titan Books for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
PUSHING THE LIMITS
Here's a fact for you: teen horror is on a roll, and has been for a while now. I think the main reason is that YA horror authors have taken to use the genre (and in this particular case, its tropes) to frame and enhance coming-of-age stories with tridimensional and compelling protagonists - an art that (most) YA thriller writers haven't mastered yet, at least in my experience. Girls of Little Hope is an excellent example of this genre-blending attitude: it starts off like a mystery, then adds a strong layer of teen characterisation, and ultimately punches you in the face with a familiar, but nonetheless unsettling horror trope, only to twist it into something that ties in with the characters' arc (call it a rite of passage if you will, though of a brutal and decidedly peculiar sort). [...]
Whole review here.
Excerpt from my review - originally published at Offbeat YA.
Pros: Realistic teen characters/relationships. Bold twist on a classic horror trope.
Cons: Requires suspension of disbelief both about the twist and the way a pivotal problem gets fixed.
WARNING! Death (animal death too...sort of). Blood, gore and violence. Body horror. Bug horror. Burns. Self-harm. Domestic abuse. Trans-generational trauma. Underage sex. Pregnancy scare.
Will appeal to: Those who like Nova Ren Suma's brand of female teen protagonists, Stephen King's brand of horror and Christopher Pike's brand of weirdness.
First off...DISCLAIMER: I requested this title on NetGalley. Thanks to Titan Books for providing a temporary ecopy. This didn't influence my review in any way.
PUSHING THE LIMITS
Here's a fact for you: teen horror is on a roll, and has been for a while now. I think the main reason is that YA horror authors have taken to use the genre (and in this particular case, its tropes) to frame and enhance coming-of-age stories with tridimensional and compelling protagonists - an art that (most) YA thriller writers haven't mastered yet, at least in my experience. Girls of Little Hope is an excellent example of this genre-blending attitude: it starts off like a mystery, then adds a strong layer of teen characterisation, and ultimately punches you in the face with a familiar, but nonetheless unsettling horror trope, only to twist it into something that ties in with the characters' arc (call it a rite of passage if you will, though of a brutal and decidedly peculiar sort). [...]
Whole review here.
June 24, 2023
Totally forgot that I am 45 reading this - I was a teenager in the 90s again. So much nostalgia of being the weird outcast back in the day, all nestled in a crazy, intriguing mystery which is littered with awesome little touches such as newsletter/magazine clippings. We have got multiple POVS mixed media, satanic panic, coming of age - It’s angsty, it’s relatable, it’s mind blowing, it’s gross, it’s cosmic, it’s a brilliant wee horror novel!
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
June 15, 2024
The book's storygraph page has a list of officially submitted content warnings. It's probably listing too much in my opinion, but there's most certainly some in there that touch on sensitive topics graphically (more on this later) so please make sure you're aware of the topics before going into this book.
I'm kinda mixed on this in a weird way. On one hand I felt it was very dry and left a lot to be desired. On the other after it got over the twist and the "shit hit the fan" moment I couldn't stop reading. It felt like 2 completely different books honestly. I really wish the revelation came much much sooner in the book and we then had a lot more time to explore that because I'll be honest the parts before just didn't really get my interest.
The characters where a bit hit or miss. I think Kat was about the only one who actually got fleshed out properly through the book. There was some info dumping right at the end about another character, but it was all told and not shown to us throughout the book really. The other 2 girls felt somewhat one sided and very just "quirkly not like other girls" teens. I also didn't get what was meant to be queer or not. The official content warnings list lesbophobia but like, I barely got the sapphic side let alone the phobia lol. It felt like the book wasn't too sure if it wanted to be about female friendships or female gays.
The worldbuilding and setting actually really interested me - after the reveal lol. It was pretty obvious where it was headed, but once shit broke out there was some nice smaller reveals and revelations that helped things along. I think it was a decently unique take on the concept despite the concept not being unique itself, the setup and catalyst for it all though I felt was incredibly weak and just.... Didn't really make sense NGL.
The writing itself was a bit weird. There was odd chapters like the diary chapters that made it feel like I was reading a younger YA book (in a negative way aha..) but then other chapters where it felt like an adult horror. I would love to know which author wrote which parts honestly because I think you can tell with how wildly different in terms of writing some parts are to others.
I really don't know what demographic this should go under.
The sensitive topics I actually didn't think they where handled too well. It tried to tackle *so* much at once, so many very very sensitive topics that are quite taboo, but it felt like they got used to push the story along and not really having any consequence, not really any resolution, not really a message of "don't do this" or "don't act like this" etc.
Content warning, explicit self harm and really bad representation of it:
The essentially child abuse also gets glossed over quite a bit and it's a bit mad ngl.
I think this book would have been a ton better if the opening "normality" bit was like, a handful of chapters long and the shit hit the fan moment happened at like, 15-20% in. Instead of over halfway in.
I'm kinda mixed on this in a weird way. On one hand I felt it was very dry and left a lot to be desired. On the other after it got over the twist and the "shit hit the fan" moment I couldn't stop reading. It felt like 2 completely different books honestly. I really wish the revelation came much much sooner in the book and we then had a lot more time to explore that because I'll be honest the parts before just didn't really get my interest.
The characters where a bit hit or miss. I think Kat was about the only one who actually got fleshed out properly through the book. There was some info dumping right at the end about another character, but it was all told and not shown to us throughout the book really. The other 2 girls felt somewhat one sided and very just "quirkly not like other girls" teens. I also didn't get what was meant to be queer or not. The official content warnings list lesbophobia but like, I barely got the sapphic side let alone the phobia lol. It felt like the book wasn't too sure if it wanted to be about female friendships or female gays.
The worldbuilding and setting actually really interested me - after the reveal lol. It was pretty obvious where it was headed, but once shit broke out there was some nice smaller reveals and revelations that helped things along. I think it was a decently unique take on the concept despite the concept not being unique itself, the setup and catalyst for it all though I felt was incredibly weak and just.... Didn't really make sense NGL.
The writing itself was a bit weird. There was odd chapters like the diary chapters that made it feel like I was reading a younger YA book (in a negative way aha..) but then other chapters where it felt like an adult horror. I would love to know which author wrote which parts honestly because I think you can tell with how wildly different in terms of writing some parts are to others.
I really don't know what demographic this should go under.
The sensitive topics I actually didn't think they where handled too well. It tried to tackle *so* much at once, so many very very sensitive topics that are quite taboo, but it felt like they got used to push the story along and not really having any consequence, not really any resolution, not really a message of "don't do this" or "don't act like this" etc.
Content warning, explicit self harm and really bad representation of it:
The essentially child abuse also gets glossed over quite a bit and it's a bit mad ngl.
I think this book would have been a ton better if the opening "normality" bit was like, a handful of chapters long and the shit hit the fan moment happened at like, 15-20% in. Instead of over halfway in.
June 9, 2023
From the beginning we’re immersed in a gluey, sharp mystery that grips and doesn’t let go. Our main characters Donna, Rae and Kat are what true female friendship is made of, with a tight, realistic bond that feels completely genuine. Being fifteen and stuck in a small town—Little Hope, California—they keep each other entertained from delving into boredom with the typical 90’s stuff, making zines, going on adventures and sometimes, they even go sleuthing.
But after going on a certain excursion one day to a sheltered cave on a mission, disaster strikes—only two of the girls return alive, and in bad shape, covered in blood. Donna’s last steps are gone, her troublesome ways caught up in memory gaps that leave more questions. Rae feels herself trying to forget what happened, whilst still unsure of it herself. That leaves Kat, the sweet, wannabe-writer of the group, missing, presumed dead. No one knows what happened to her, or where she might be. And as the police get involved, more things are going unanswered. Whilst Kat’s mother begins her own investigation, the two remaining girls venture back to the cave, where it all began—but what they find cannot be unfound.
Overall, Girls Of Little Hope was dark, punchy, and made me feel like I was in a nineties horror movie most of the time. Whilst it did take me a little while to get into the story (and I wasn’t sure about how I felt with how it ended) as it’s pretty information heavy, I found myself turning pages fast to get to the heart of it all, to discover what monstrous entity was at the story’s core. What stood out to me was the friendship shared by the girls. It was truly one of those ones that doesn’t feel forced or unnatural. I’ve never seen a full episode of Stranger Things, but from the parts I’ve gathered over the years, this book felt very reminiscent of that eerie, nostalgic feel. Horror fans will eat this up. Four stars!
But after going on a certain excursion one day to a sheltered cave on a mission, disaster strikes—only two of the girls return alive, and in bad shape, covered in blood. Donna’s last steps are gone, her troublesome ways caught up in memory gaps that leave more questions. Rae feels herself trying to forget what happened, whilst still unsure of it herself. That leaves Kat, the sweet, wannabe-writer of the group, missing, presumed dead. No one knows what happened to her, or where she might be. And as the police get involved, more things are going unanswered. Whilst Kat’s mother begins her own investigation, the two remaining girls venture back to the cave, where it all began—but what they find cannot be unfound.
Overall, Girls Of Little Hope was dark, punchy, and made me feel like I was in a nineties horror movie most of the time. Whilst it did take me a little while to get into the story (and I wasn’t sure about how I felt with how it ended) as it’s pretty information heavy, I found myself turning pages fast to get to the heart of it all, to discover what monstrous entity was at the story’s core. What stood out to me was the friendship shared by the girls. It was truly one of those ones that doesn’t feel forced or unnatural. I’ve never seen a full episode of Stranger Things, but from the parts I’ve gathered over the years, this book felt very reminiscent of that eerie, nostalgic feel. Horror fans will eat this up. Four stars!
July 19, 2023
Girls of Little Hope is the dark and gripping tale of three friends who go missing in the woods. As police and the public begin to mount a search for girls, two of them – Donna and Rae – are found. When questioned about the whereabouts of their friend – Kat, the two girls say they can’t remember what happened to them. Plagued with questions, the missing girl’s mother decides to launch her own investigation to discover what happened to her daughter. Donna doesn’t remember what happened, but she’s determined to find out what happened to Kat. Returning the woods and the cave they entered, Donna uncovers a secret so much darker than she ever thought possible.
Girls of Little Hope is a wild ride of a tale. I never in a million years would have guessed where this story was going and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Eerie and full of mystery, this is definitely a horror book that keeps you guessing. The story is fairly quick paced and I really liked the way the authors included some mixed media in the story with zines and newspaper articles.
Girls of Little Hope is certainly creepy and there is plenty of atmosphere as the girls explore the isolated woods and cave. The story sort of gives a Stranger Things in the 90s vibe and overall this was a compelling and entertaining story. There are a few gruesome moments, so be sure to check content warnings.
The story very much centres around these three girls and their friendship and I loved the way this was portrayed. It also explores the mother-daughter relationship in a really fascinating way too. Donna, Rae and Kat are all very different people but despite that stick with each other through thick and thin. The characters felt well developed and I was definitely rooting for them throughout the book.
If you’re looking for an eerie horror tale that will keep you gripped until you turn the very last page, Girls of Little Hope is definitely a book worth picking up.
Girls of Little Hope is a wild ride of a tale. I never in a million years would have guessed where this story was going and it kept me on the edge of my seat. Eerie and full of mystery, this is definitely a horror book that keeps you guessing. The story is fairly quick paced and I really liked the way the authors included some mixed media in the story with zines and newspaper articles.
Girls of Little Hope is certainly creepy and there is plenty of atmosphere as the girls explore the isolated woods and cave. The story sort of gives a Stranger Things in the 90s vibe and overall this was a compelling and entertaining story. There are a few gruesome moments, so be sure to check content warnings.
The story very much centres around these three girls and their friendship and I loved the way this was portrayed. It also explores the mother-daughter relationship in a really fascinating way too. Donna, Rae and Kat are all very different people but despite that stick with each other through thick and thin. The characters felt well developed and I was definitely rooting for them throughout the book.
If you’re looking for an eerie horror tale that will keep you gripped until you turn the very last page, Girls of Little Hope is definitely a book worth picking up.
August 20, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
Thank You to Jonathan Ball Publishers for a gifted copy in exchange for a honest review.
Mysterious happenings in the town of Little Hope are inevitable.
Ronnie Gaskins a then 8 year old murdered his parents at 3am (the witching hours) who claimed that his parents were monsters.
Ronnie Defeo did the same to his family at 23 and claimed voices in his house made him do it.
Now in 1996, three best friends went into the woods and 2 returned covered in blood. With no memories.
Is this small boring town of Little Hope more than it leads on and are the girls safe from the monster that lurks within the town?
A book that is equally grotesque as it is comical. It was horrific and gory but full of heart.
A story of pure friendship and love in a monstrous world.
A few of my favourite aspects of this book besides the strong knitted friendship between the 3 girls was the monster’s POV chapter, it was fascinating as it was disturbing. The diary excerpts gave little secret insights to each of the characters through Kate’s eyes and found each of the ‘Fact I learned Today’ an interesting and colourful twist to the story.
Lastly, I loved the newspaper reports from various newspapers of Little Hope.
Also, this entire story line took place over a space of 6 days.
This book was fast paced, thrilling, disturbing, gory and full of heart.
Thank You to Jonathan Ball Publishers for a gifted copy in exchange for a honest review.
Mysterious happenings in the town of Little Hope are inevitable.
Ronnie Gaskins a then 8 year old murdered his parents at 3am (the witching hours) who claimed that his parents were monsters.
Ronnie Defeo did the same to his family at 23 and claimed voices in his house made him do it.
Now in 1996, three best friends went into the woods and 2 returned covered in blood. With no memories.
Is this small boring town of Little Hope more than it leads on and are the girls safe from the monster that lurks within the town?
A book that is equally grotesque as it is comical. It was horrific and gory but full of heart.
A story of pure friendship and love in a monstrous world.
A few of my favourite aspects of this book besides the strong knitted friendship between the 3 girls was the monster’s POV chapter, it was fascinating as it was disturbing. The diary excerpts gave little secret insights to each of the characters through Kate’s eyes and found each of the ‘Fact I learned Today’ an interesting and colourful twist to the story.
Lastly, I loved the newspaper reports from various newspapers of Little Hope.
Also, this entire story line took place over a space of 6 days.
This book was fast paced, thrilling, disturbing, gory and full of heart.
June 12, 2023
I finished this book only yesterday and it has consumed my thoughts! I loved it, it’s the right level of creepy, with an atmosphere that I’ve only read before in books by Grady Hendrix. I loved it! The characters were the right level of complex and yet believable. I didn’t enjoy the chapters from Katy’s mum that much, they were necessary to the plot but I didn’t really vibe with her character. I found the ending happened very quickly, there was a lot of build up and then the climax was a little disappointing in the end, I felt like it could have finished bigger. However, that does not take away how incredible this book is and I cannot wait to read more from the author in the future!!
January 4, 2025
“She should say a prayer to Scully, our lady of The X-Files. Hail Scully, mother of sceptics, hallowed be thy pantsuits.”
Girls of Little Hope is a story about childhood friendships, loyalty, sisterhood and family. It pulled me in with its small town 90’s nostalgia and kept me hooked until the last page. The bond between the girls felt so real - messy, fierce, and full of love.
Make no mistake, this is very much a horror. It is violent, it is bloody, and it will break your heart.
If you’re a fan of Stranger Things vibes - dark secrets, intense friendships and an overarching mystery - then put this on your TBR.
Girls of Little Hope is a story about childhood friendships, loyalty, sisterhood and family. It pulled me in with its small town 90’s nostalgia and kept me hooked until the last page. The bond between the girls felt so real - messy, fierce, and full of love.
Make no mistake, this is very much a horror. It is violent, it is bloody, and it will break your heart.
If you’re a fan of Stranger Things vibes - dark secrets, intense friendships and an overarching mystery - then put this on your TBR.
October 12, 2025
This definitely didn’t go in the direction that I initially thought it would but it was definitely an interesting story and kept me on my toes. Took me by surprise which was a good thing. Some of the descriptions used throughout were grotesque and done really well.
Unfortunately because I barely had time to read over the week I did start to lose interest and skim read towards the end (that’s more down to my attention span than the quality of the book) 90s summer horror vibes for this. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was able to sit and read it over a couple of days rather than little increments each day. Reminded me of Grady Hendrix’ style.
Unfortunately because I barely had time to read over the week I did start to lose interest and skim read towards the end (that’s more down to my attention span than the quality of the book) 90s summer horror vibes for this. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I was able to sit and read it over a couple of days rather than little increments each day. Reminded me of Grady Hendrix’ style.
May 29, 2023
Donna, Rae and Kat are 3 teenage girls who all desire to leave Little Hope a small isolated town in the USA, they feel stifled by their lives and so push the boundaries of their lives. They find their lives irreparably changed when they secretly follow a man (who has been jailed for the murder of his parents) to a small cave in the woods. Three enter the cave but only 2 return and the town has plenty of questions that will go unanswered.
Teen friendship and loyalty is at the heart of this book, perfect for those who love Stranger Things. I must admit I felt the ending was slightly off but overall an entertaining read.
Teen friendship and loyalty is at the heart of this book, perfect for those who love Stranger Things. I must admit I felt the ending was slightly off but overall an entertaining read.
September 5, 2023
4.5 nostalgic, creepy, friendship-fuelled stars from me.
Once I got past the first eighty pages or so, this was such a page-turner! The different perspectives were utilised extremely well (I love the inclusion of Marybeth's), and I love a good interstitial. Overall, this was just very well done. I hope this duo of authors will write more '90s horror for sure!
Once I got past the first eighty pages or so, this was such a page-turner! The different perspectives were utilised extremely well (I love the inclusion of Marybeth's), and I love a good interstitial. Overall, this was just very well done. I hope this duo of authors will write more '90s horror for sure!
May 8, 2024
“She should say a prayer to Scully, our lady of The X-Files. Hail Scully, mother of sceptics, hallowed be thy pantsuits. Thy lab work come, thy science be done on autopsy table as it is in fields of creepy crop circles. Debunk this day another conspiracy theory, and save us from stretchy serial killers, gross mutant monsters and alien abduction. Amen”
September 28, 2024
i went into this book with no expectations and it’s the first time in so long that i’ve actually felt pleasantly surprised by a story. it’s creepy, it’s grotesque, it’s nostalgic. it’s like the goonies, the body snatchers and stranger things had a book baby! from page 100 onwards i’ve been gripped by this story of 3 inseparable teenage girls.
April 8, 2025
Dit boek was echt niet wat ik had verwacht, een hele andere ervaring. Het begon erg sloom en toen ging het ineens heel snel. Ik vond het heel interessant, maar ik heb nog wel veel vragen. Het einde voelde niet helemaal af. De spanning is er zeker wel en ook wel het gevoel van "oh dat is sip". 4/5 ster
September 20, 2023
Really enjoyed this. It hits everything it's going for. Starts with a look of the horrors of small town life, overlaid with a lot of Riot Grrrl references, and then kicks on from there. I got big Salem's Lot vibes from the finale.
I even didn't mind the use of a diary for some sections, and that rarely works
I even didn't mind the use of a diary for some sections, and that rarely works
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2025
This story has all the elements of a great gross body horror, and I was really hooked in the beginning. I think I just lost my eagerness towards the end which then made it fall a little flat. I've seen so many good reviews for this book so not sure if it was just me losing concentration a little and then not enjoying as much, but it was still a fun read
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