Horror Archives - A Literary Escape

The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling

Published on May 12, 2025May 12, 2025 by Celeste12 Comments

Today’s review is about THE STARVING SAINTS by Caitlin Starling. It’s a medieval horror fever dream in which three women try to free their keep from the thrall of seemingly benevolent saints.

Author: Caitlin Starling
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publish Date: May 20, 2025
Print Length: 352

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Starving Saints on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →

SFINCS Review: Curiouser And… by Jillian Maria

Published on April 3, 2025March 30, 2025 by Celeste3 Comments

Today’s review is about Curiouser And… by Jillian Maria. It’s a standalone novella that’s a reimagining of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

This review is brought to you by my participation in the Speculative Fiction Indie Novella Championship (SFINCS). SFINCS, pronounced “sphinx”, is a yearly competition to recognize, honor, and celebrate the talent and creativity present in the indie community. It’s a sister competition to both SPFBO and SPSFC, and it highlights greatness in the novella format in all areas of speculative fiction (fantasy, science fiction, horror, etc.). I am part of Team Behind the Musings. You can find out more about us here.

Author: Jillian Maria
Series: None
Age Category: Young Adult
Publisher: Self-Published
Publish Date: November 28, 2023
Print Length: 114
Purchase: Amazon

Continue reading →

SFINCS Review: The Shadow Dancers of Brixton Hill by Nicole Willson

Published on March 7, 2025March 6, 2025 by Celeste5 Comments

Today’s review is about THE SHADOW DANCERS OF BRIXTON HILL by Nicole Willson. This standalone novella follows Kate as she meets an old family friend to find a new act for her family circus. What she discovers is mindboggling and saddening.

Author: Nicole Willson
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Cemetery Gates Media
Publish Date: June 13, 2023
Print Length: 95
Purchase: Bookshop.org or Amazon

Continue reading →

The Black Hunger by Nicholas Pullen

Published on November 11, 2024November 27, 2024 by Celeste10 Comments

Today’s review is about THE BLACK HUNGER by Nicholas Pullen. It’s a standalone queer gothic horror steeped in the occult. Check out the content warnings on this one!

Author: Nicholas Pullen
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Redhook
Publish Date: October 08, 2024
Print Length: 400

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of The Black Hunger on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →

ARC Review: Immortal Pleasures by V. Castro

Published on April 22, 2024April 20, 2024 by Celeste8 Comments

Today’s review is about IMMORTAL PLEASURES by V. Castro. It’s a standalone novel about an ancient Aztec vampire searching for vengeance and love. After centuries of reckoning with her traumatic past during the Spanish conquest of America, Malinalli is finally ready to search for emotional intimacy.

Author: V. Castro
Series: None
Age Category: Adult
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Publish Date: April 16, 2024
Print Length: 304

Want to support local bookstores? Buy a copy of Immortal Pleasures on Bookshop.org!*

*These are not affiliate links and I do not make a commission from any purchase made using these links.

Continue reading →