ARC Book Review: How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced reader copy!

After picking up yet another horror novel, I have finally come to a realisation as to why I've been gravitating towards this genre recently. My brother traumatised me as a child by forcing me to watch horror movies with him (we're talking about Jeepers Creepers and A Nightmare on Elm Street), and whilst I don't think I could ever go back to watching horror again (unless I close my eyes for half the time), I find that I can at least enjoy the genre through reading.

So, here we are with another horror novel.

How to Survive a Horror Story is about seven writers who are invited to a mysterious mansion that belonged to the famous horror author, Mortimer Queen, following his recent death. Each one of them is connected with the deceased in one way or another, and what they thought would be a simple will reading turns into a deadly game of survival.

The Good Stuff

The reason I initially picked up this book was because I thought the premise was interesting and right up my street. All seven characters are quite different, each with their own secrets and backstories that slowly unravel throughout the book. Their voices and thoughts are distinct enough for me to differentiate between them. One of the side characters, the woman working for Mortimer, was especially creepy, but I wish Arnold had integrated her into the plot more as there was a lot of missed potential.

That being said, the author still managed to create a creepy atmosphere in the mansion that had me feeling suffocated and intrigued at the same time. I also enjoyed her writing style and felt that it was easy to read and get lost in.

The Not So Good Stuff

Don't get me wrong. I don't think characters have to be likeable for the book to be good, but I do think they have to be interesting at the very least. Their motivation needs to be compelling enough for me to care about their journey. None of the characters were interesting, and I didn't find it within myself to root for any of them. Even the one that was supposed to be 'likeable' was not very pleasant. In fact, she was quite contradictory, adding to her insufferable personality. For instance, on one page, she wished someone would just die so she didn't have to listen to their gruesome cries anymore, and on the next she sincerely hoped they would get away. If the author had intended for her to have a darker side, I felt that it wasn't executed well enough to make sense.

On top of that, all the characters fell quite flat. It's difficult to pull off multiple POVs because you never get enough pages to let a character shine and for their motivation to show through. So it was to no surprise that I thought the characters seemed to be placed in certain scenarios for the convenience of the plot. For example, one character saw someone do something horrible, but when they were alone with them, they didn't think to question the actions of the other person, and they only conveniently remembered the horrifying event when it suited the plot.

On the topic of plot, I wish I could say that I thought differently about that aspect of the book. Whilst the characters had the aforementioned flaws, I also found that the story itself lacked any depth. The riddles in each room became quite repetitive and predictable, and there were no real surprises awaiting the reader at the end. In addition, it was difficult for me to move past the plot holes. Wounds would suddenly disappear or move position from one chapter to the other, making me believe that the novel hasn't gone through a consistency read.

Rating

⭑⭑⭒⭒⭒

Despite my personal thoughts, I would recommend this book to people on the search for an easy read with creepy vibes and unbearable characters.

How to Survive a Horror Story by Mallory Arnold is out on the 8th July 2025.