The cover of this is what first drew me in, and I was excited once I read the synopsis. However, I didn't like our main characters, and while once they got into the No-End House, things went pretty bonkers, it wasn't a cohesive kind of horror, and every time we got to a new room, I had to try and get reinvested in what was happening.
Each room did get crazier, and that ending was surprising, which did bump my rating up a little bit.

Jeremy Bates delivers another nerve-shredding descent into psychological and supernatural terror with The No-End House—a twisted, blood-soaked thriller that blends the stomach-turning brutality of Saw and Hostel with the reality-warping dread of Stephen King’s 1408. If you’re looking for a feel-good haunted house story, look elsewhere. This one drags you into the dark and slams the door shut.

The premise is as chilling as it is irresistible: a secret haunted house challenge hidden deep in Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, made up of nine rooms filled with puzzles, traps, and personal horrors. Make it through all nine and you win a fortune—if you make it out alive. Spoiler: nobody ever has.

Enter Joe Hadfield, a grieving man trying to outrun his trauma. Still haunted by the brutal death of his wife, Joe is drifting aimlessly through Europe when he meets the enigmatic Helen, a backpacker with secrets of her own. Together, they sign up for the No-End House challenge, and what begins as a macabre curiosity quickly morphs into a nightmare that warps space, memory, and morality.

Bates excels at claustrophobic horror and atmospheric tension. The house itself is a character—shifting, sadistic, and omniscient. Each room reveals something more about Joe, slowly dismantling his grip on reality in increasingly terrifying and visceral ways. This isn’t your average ghost story; this is psychological warfare wrapped in gore-soaked dread.

The pacing is relentless. Once Joe and Helen step into the house, the story doesn’t let up. Bates is a master of the “page-turner” structure—each chapter ending in just enough of a tease or shock to keep you saying, just one more. The twists are sharp, and while a few may stretch credibility, the ride is so intense you won’t care much about the physics as long as the terror keeps escalating.

What elevates The No-End House is how personal the horror becomes. It’s not just blood and booby traps—though there’s plenty of both—it’s a deep dive into grief, guilt, and the parts of ourselves we bury. Joe is a flawed but sympathetic protagonist, and watching him unravel under the house’s influence is as heartbreaking as it is horrifying.

A few caveats: readers with a low tolerance for graphic content may want to tread carefully—this book doesn’t pull punches. The violence is intense, sometimes sadistic, and very much in the vein of the “extreme horror” subgenre. And while Helen is an intriguing character, she could have benefited from a bit more development outside of her role in Joe’s journey.

Perfect for fans of:
• The Haunting of Hill House meets Escape Room
• Extreme horror with supernatural twists
• Survival horror that’s psychological as much as physical

Final thoughts:
The No-End House is a high-octane, deeply unsettling ride through trauma, madness, and malevolent architecture. Jeremy Bates has created a haunted house story that chews you up, spits you out, and dares you to come back for more. Just don’t expect to sleep afterward.

I enjoyed the unique take on a haunted house with the added complication of two main characters who barely know each other. Joe and Helen meet on a patio of a hostel in Barcelona, and the next day, they end up agreeing to tackle 'The No End House' together. Without really knowing the characters, beyond Joe's trip around the world to cope with his wife's grisly death, it's hard to determine if they're reliable or not, which adds to the mystique surrounding the insanity and twists involved in their terrifying journey together. Fans of unique horror stories with open minds are likely to enjoy this book.

This was an exciting thriller.
I enjoyed the mystery and suspense throughout the story. The twists kept me hooked, and I couldn’t put it down.
The characters are fantastic, the plot insane and you won't want to stop until you've devoured every last word.
Kept you hooked to the very end. Even to the last few pages you were shocked. Really highly recommend this book as a must read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

It's fitting that this book mentions mental illness and mood disorders at times, because that's exactly what I got from it - a mishmash of ideas without seemingly any real coherence as to the hows or whys behind them. Everything that the blurb promises - being reminiscent of Saw, Hostel, Stephen King, etc...it just is not. It's more of a campy B movie, and not in a so-bad-it's-good way either.

I just didn't feel the tension, the excitement, the ups and downs. This isn't too say that the author didn't try. From a technical aspect, this book is excellently written - a few minor spelling errors but otherwise nicely written prose and great descriptions of everything. There's a decent amount of showing rather than telling in this one, and that's great.

But there just isn't anything significant to show.

This book might appeal to a young adult audience, those who are perhaps just now dipping their toes into the waters of thriller and horror fiction. It's no Goosebumps, but it definitely isn't Stephen King. Nothing about the book really makes you think or feel for the main characters. If not for the author's technical writing skill, this one might have been a DNF for me.

Ready for a read that will mess with your head and leave you questioning everything? Jeremy Bates' The No-End House is not just a haunted house story; it's a psychological thrill ride that sinks its claws into you from the first page and doesn't let go!

Imagine a mysterious mansion in Barcelona's Gothic Quarter, nine rooms, nine tests, and a chilling promise: "No one makes it to the end of The No-End House." When Joe, haunted by a past trauma, reluctantly agrees to take on this challenge with a stranger named Helen, he has no idea the true horror that awaits. This isn't just about jump scares; this house knows your deepest fears and uses them against you. It's twisted, it's insidious, and it will make you wonder what you would do to survive.

Bates weaves a narrative that's as unsettling as it is compelling, blending the visceral dread of Saw with the supernatural unease of Stephen King. Every turn of the page brings a new layer of psychological torment, and you'll find yourself rooting for Joe while simultaneously fearing what the house will force him to become. If you're looking for a book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, send shivers down your spine, and leave you with an unsettling feeling long after you've finished, then The No-End House is your next must-read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing a complimentary copy of this book.

Joe is a widow and has decided to walk around the earth, visiting all the continents and countries. While he's staying at a hostel in Barcelona, he meets Helen, a firey individual with orange hair and a thirst for good coffee. Joe overhears some teenagers talking about The No-End House and how there is a challenge where, if you volunteer to do the challenge (get through to room 9 and survive) you win a cash prize. He ends up talking to Helen about it and they decide to check it out together. The No-End House is a mansion in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona and when Joe and Helen enter the abode and meet Izzy, the owner of the mansion and runner of the challenge, they can't help but want to play the game, for an ending prize of $10,000. The only hangup is that, if they forfeit the game or die, they agree to give their souls to The No-End House. What seems like a seemingly easy task, to get through nine "escape rooms," proves to be a lot more difficult than Joe and Helen ever anticipated.

I was instantly hooked by this book. I went in figuring that it would be very similar to the Saw franchise, and I was all about it. The first two rooms were similar in purpose to Saw, but then it went a completely different angle that I wasn't anticipating. In all honesty, I was quite hesitant of the turn it took, but decided to read on because I just HAD to know if Joe and Helen were able to get through all nine rooms. Each room increased in difficulty and the whole storyline took off from there; I was constantly wondering what I would do if I was in their situation. I had to sit and ponder the ending because I was just astounded at where this whole book went.

If you like the concepts of Saw and Squid Games, you'll highly enjoy this book.

I listened to this one and the narrator did a good job. This is a very interesting book, but it wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. It wasn’t quite the straight horror I was wanting. Joe decides to walk the world after his wife is killed horribly in an accident. While in Barcelona he meets Helen and overhears two others in the hostel talking about a contest at the No End House. He and Helen go and decide to try the contest. If they can get through all of the rooms they will get 10,000 dollars. But the no end house is devious and the cost of failure is higher than the rewards. I thought too much of the house was a little more silly than horrifying, but I did like the ending a fair amount. The writing was fine and the characters were interesting. It would have made a pretty good episode of Black Mirror. It was a good story, it just wasn’t the horror story I was hoping for.

I have to say I really thought I was going to enjoy The No-End House by Jeremy Bates more than I did. Don’t get me wrong there is plenty to enjoy and the start of the book really hooked me. Joe, the story’s hero, is an interesting character with a solid backstory. And as a fan of escape rooms, the idea of him and Helen, a woman he meets while in Barcelona, getting talked into an escape room challenge (really an escape house) definitely appealed to me. My problem is it got a little too ‘out there’, straining my suspense of disbelief a bit too much. That being said, the story has quick pacing and the story was most definitely not boring by any stretch. While entertaining, this was not one of Jeremy’s best book, but I’m sure fans will still enjoy it. Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-no-end-house-jeremy-bates/1146333218?ean=9781496755513&bvnotificationId=59dc427f-513c-11f0-940f-0affde38dbe5&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=gmail.com#review/350350563

A Horrifying Adventure in the Vein of As Above, So Below Meets Escape Room

The No-End House is an unrelenting, pulse-pounding descent into madness—equal parts psychological horror and gore-drenched nightmare. Jeremy Bates, a standout name in contemporary horror fiction, delivers yet another chilling take on an infamous Creepypasta legend, and this one just might be his most terrifying yet.

What begins as an eerie but seemingly straightforward setup—a grieving protagonist in Barcelona looking for distraction—quickly unravels into an adrenaline-fueled tour through a haunted house that feels like it was built by the Devil himself. Bates masterfully crafts a slow burn that erupts into full-blown chaos, pulling you into a claustrophobic labyrinth of fear.

What makes this story work is its tight, contained structure. Though the scope is small, the intensity is massive. At the core are two main characters you’ll find yourself rooting for, even as unspeakable horrors close in around them. Along the way, a variety of twisted “villains” emerge—some more human than others—all while the story pays subtle homage to Dante’s Inferno. Each room of the house appears to mirror one of the nine circles of Hell, turning the narrative into a hellish puzzle that’s as fun to decode as it is terrifying to endure.

If you’re a fan of atmospheric, high-stakes horror that’s smartly written and utterly gruesome, The No-End House is a must-read. Fast-paced, inventive, and deeply unsettling, it will linger with you long after the final page.

Great liminal space horror novel. Lots of creeping claustrophobia and dread. I also loved the unreliable narrator.

Joe and Helen are virtual strangers who meet in Barcelona and find themselves investigating a contest for a mysterious haunted house. They find themselves investigating house, and it’s a complete nightmare. The contest is run by an old Goddess of sorts. She encourages them to sign away their souls. Joe and Helen think it’s a fun joke until it’s not. They become intertwined in a never ending nightmare house and start to share their own personal traumas.

Very ambiguous. I loved the ending. Reminded me of books by Paul Tremblay.

The No-End House is a brutal, mind-bending horror ride that feeds on your worst fears. It is part haunted house and part psychological.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a gifted copy of this novel.

If you’re looking for a creepy, deeply unsettling book that you just can’t tear your eyes away from, this book may be for you. I was hooked from the beginning and read this one quickly because I just couldn’t put it down. This book blends some body horror, psychological horror, and just an overall feeling of unease for readers. The novel is told from one POV, but I don’t think this approach had any negative impact on character development. As with lots of novels, you do have to suspend some disbelief here, but I didn’t think this detracted from the story as lots of books in the genre have this element. This was my first book by this author, but I definitely want to check out some other books. Without any spoilers, I will say that I wish there were a bit more to the conclusion of this novel; however, this didn’t discount anything that I had read in the pages prior. As always, please check any relevant trigger warnings before picking this up, but I do recommend this if you’re up for a spooky read!

The No End House
by Jeremy Bates

Get read for giant moths, dinosaurs and a stolen organ. This is one of those wtf did I just read kind of books. If you enjoy those, this one’s for you!

Joe is grieving his wife’s death when he agrees to a “haunted house” challenge with a woman he just met, Things get WEIRD real fast! The ending was perfect and left me so unsettled.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion!

This book was INSANE in the best way! I at no point knew what was going to happen, this book kept me guessing the entire time I was reading. Unreliable narration is truly one of my favorite things, and this book does not disappoint in that regard. And the ending? BONKERS!!!!! If you like creepy horror that is a wild ride from start to finish, you have chosen the right book!

This book has a really great premise and I was excited to read it. I was expecting more of a creepy horror vibe but it didn't work for me.

I found the two main characters unlikeable and 2 dimensional which made it impossible to connect with them.
I enjoyed the escape rooms and the 9 challenges, but I just didn't get my adrenaline working.

The ending was definitely out of left field and surprisingly enjoyable which increased my rating to 3 stars
Because I am a thriller reader It's difficult to creep me out or scare me , so I will say this review could be a me problem and not the book., and am only posting it here and not on social media.

Thank you to netgalley and the author for my advanced copy.
My review is voluntary and my own opinion.

I had high hopes for The No-End House - the cover is eerie, the premise promises a terrifying haunted house, so I went in expecting chills. What I got instead felt like a strange mash-up of a budget Saw movie and a warped Alice in Wonderland escape room…and not in a good way.

The concept had potential, but the execution was all over the place. Rather than a horrifying experience, the plot devolves into confusing and repetitive traps that were more frustrating than frightening. It lacked tension, atmosphere, and the haunted vibe the blurb teased.

By the hallway point, I was desperate to DNF - but I pushed through hoping it would redeem itself. It didn’t. Ultimately, this book just felt like a missed opportunity and I left it feeling let down and annoyed.

I’m sorry, but I just hated Joe & Helen so much that I couldn’t enjoy the story. And what a bizarre story it was.

Thank you anyways to the author, NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing for a copy!

The No-End House is a story that seems to have a confused identity, ambitious in its ideas but unable to rise to its own challenge. The premise of this story had potential to be something truly great, but the end result is a mixed bag of not-quite-horror, not-quite-adventure, not-quite-anything that left me underwhelmed and annoyed. Yet, something about this book also intrigued me, leaving me ultimately confused by it.

The two main characters of the story, Joe and Helen, were very charming, and their dynamic was the best part of this book for me. They had interesting backstories that became relevant once they entered the No-End House, they had good chemistry, and they were a duo that I was rooting for through each and every stage of this story - up until the final stretch, which was just underwhelming more than anything. All other characters were simply set dressing to move the plot along, which isn’t a bad thing, it simply made me even more invested in what could possibly happen to Joe and Helen.

The thing that I keep coming back to with this book is its strangeness - I’m not certain whether it's a good or bad thing, but really it's the elephant in the room. For about the first half of the book, I was incredibly engaged because it was mysterious and intriguing and I was eager to learn more as the plot developed. But about halfway through, the narrative lost me, becoming something else and quickly diminishing my enjoyment of the story.

I’m going to repeat myself a lot here, but again this was great for the first half and just fell off in the second half. When Joe and Helen arrived at the No-End House and began the challenge, I loved the atmosphere - it was reminiscent of old school horror ala Hellraiser, which created a good sense of tension. But then with the evolution of the setting came a diminishing of atmosphere, and the plot strayed away from being horror to become something of an action-adventure that just wasn’t working for me.

This plot was so odd, I’m not quite sure what Bates was hoping to achieve. There was such a wealth of potential for this story, and I really appreciate the concept for the No-End House (it, more or less, being a manifestation of people’s fears and insecurities), but that works much better in theory rather than practice. As this went on I became less interested in the actual story and more interested in what the hell Bates was going to do next. He was a little too ambitious in his narrative pursuits, because this story lost its way. I’ll also note that the ending was incredibly predictable, but the execution of it really just annoyed me.

Bates has a way of writing that kept me turning the page even as the story was losing me. It's nothing mindblowingly impressive, but the pacing worked well enough to keep me mildly invested even till the end. The style and structure of this story is really nothing to write home about, but it’s not bad either. Simply whelming.

This was a great premise but I ultimately wasn’t very impressed by its execution. Cheesy and a bit too far fetched for my enjoyment. The house was cool! The characters were bland.