13 Months Haunted is a story steeped in eerie Y2K atmosphere, blending small-town unease with the unsettling rise of early internet culture. At its best, it captures the disquiet of a world on the cusp of digital change, where superstition and technology bleed together.

That said, the journey to get there isn’t always smooth. Much of the novel moves at a deliberate pace—sometimes too deliberate—lingering on setup and period details that risk slowing momentum. Characters like Piper, the librarian-narrator, and Avery, the computer-averse girl at the center of the mystery, are compelling in concept but occasionally feel underdeveloped, leaving stretches of the book feeling more atmospheric than gripping.

And yet—the finale makes the wait worthwhile. As the threads tighten and the haunting accelerates, Juliano delivers a chilling payoff that reframes the slower early chapters and lingers long after the last page. It’s a rare ending that not only redeems the uneven pacing but elevates the story as a whole.

While the middle chapters may test your patience, the conclusion rewards it. Readers who appreciate a slow-burn horror with a strong finish will find this haunting ultimately worth the wait.

I thought this was so eerie at some parts but then overall I wasn’t really a fan lol. A decent horror story

3 stars! Thank you to Penguin Group - Dutton for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions in this review are my own.

This story is told from Piper Lowery's point of view, a new librarian in the local middle school. She notices that a newer student, Avery, is a bit odd. Avery is a talented short story writer and writes a scary story about a haunting that grabs Piper's attention. Avery's mom is also with her at all times, even in school. Avery avoids all technology, except for her dedicated Walkman. Piper soon hears rumors about Avery and why she transferred to this school, and why Avery's mom is always by her side. Piper befriends Avery & her mom and things quickly turn dark. Will Piper uncover what afflicts Avery?

This book was just okay to me - my biggest issue is I felt like it didn't know what age group it wanted to be written for. Reading it, I felt like it read like a Young Adult book, so I was surprised to see it was considered Adult. I really didn't like the nostalgia for 90s tech in the book. I felt like it didn't add anything to the story, and if anything, made the actual story fairly unbelievable (I know it's a spooky book, but still) because technology just was not that advanced in the 90s. I think this would have been better suited as a children's or young adult novel, especially with the overall message of "don't download weird links off the internet".

What redeemed this for me was the ending - it's open ended, and thinking about the implications of the ending really got my attention! Overall, though, it's just an okay read, that I think would have packed a bigger punch if it was for a different age group.

This book was so nostalgic of early 2000s horror and I loved that! It took me a little bit to get into the story, but I ended up loving where it went and how it ended up ending. I say fans of Scream, The Ring, and It Follows are going to love this one!

13 Months Haunted by Jimmy Juliano is a creepy, emotional, and unforgettable read. The story mixes real grief with ghostly terror, making it feel both scary and deeply moving. Each chapter adds more tension, and the haunting feels real in every sense. Juliano’s writing keeps you hooked until the very end. If you love chilling, emotional horror, this is a must-read!

Oh my goodness, 2025 has served me so many books set in the aughts, I truly don't remember the last time I have had so much to be excited about. 13 Months Haunted was just that. The perfect aughts story.

I'm not a huge fan of horror but the setting and Juliano's writing really pushed this over the top for me. I think other horror-skeptics like me will find it equally satisfying.

13 Months Haunted by Jimmy Juliano is such a unique horror book!
The setting, the characters, the plot were all so well done.
Now I need to read his previous title Dead Eleven.

Thank You NetGalley and Dutton for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The cover of this book immediately caught my eye because it reminded me of Jeneva Rose's Home is Where the Bodies Are and Paul Tremblay's Horror Movie = automatic buy! The story itself was full of nostalgia, taking me back to those classic, eerie stories and vibes I loved growing up. Thank you, NetGalley!

This was good!!!!
The nostalgia was (chef’s kiss).

Looking for a page turner? Then check this out.

I devoured this book. It's been a while since I was able to binge a read but I couldn't put this down.

Partly because of the nostalgia factor and partly because it reminded me of what I love about early 2000s horror films. We have Piper who can't leave well enough alone, but her actions were coming from a good place, as she tries to figure out what's going on with Avery. I did love the twists this took. Juliano perfectly walked the line between is it the mom that's the problem? Is it Avery? Or is it something more?

The how behind it all is sad and so perfectly fit for the era. If I'd have even a small sliver of Avery's coding talent, I could see myself doing what she did only to face the consequences later. Looking up weird curses online? Been there done that.

Juliano also was able to easily blend the supernatural into the natural world with such ease. It never felt forced or disjointed. It felt more like a horror game, where anytime the being's eyes were on you, you'd have ominous music to accompany your racing thoughts of what to do next.

As if all the lore and racing to find an answer as to what was going on wasn't perfect, we have the ending. I may be in the unpopular opinion camp here but I LOVE endings like this. Not everything can end happy and it felt like a perfect nod to one of my favorite horror movie endings. It's unexpected, scary, shocking, and honestly exciting.

Juliano is the king of nostalgic horror and I can't wait to see what he does next.

Thank you Dutton Books for the gifted digital ARC!

Who knew a horror book could elicit so much nostalgia! I absolutely loved the Napster references, it took me back to my burned CD days (though I was a Limewire girl myself)

I felt such a constant sense of foreboding while I was reading, it was excellently written. And can we talk about the ENDING?! 👀 I got major “The Ring” vibes (IYKYK)

Highly recommend this one to horror fans!

This book was wild. A fun, nostalgic horror story that will creep you out with its supernatural elements. There are moments in this book that are completely unsettling in the best way. Really think if you're looking for a bit of supernatural horror blended with nostalgia then you will really enjoy this!

After loving Dead Eleven last year I didn’t hesitate to request this and was so excited when I got the approval email! This is another hit from Jimmy Juliano and the perfect read for the upcoming spooky season.

I had so much fun reading 13 Months Haunted. I did not want to put it down. It has so much I love about supernatural horror. It’s creepy, set in a small town which always helps create an eerie atmosphere and there’s a sense of dread that gradually builds the more you read. The premise is interesting and works amazingly well with being set in the Y2K era. At times it felt reminiscent of The Ring which I loved.

Piper was an amazing main character. I loved how determined she was to help Avery despite the danger it puts her in. As a fan of mixed-media, I really enjoyed the addition of Piper’s blog posts, emails and Avery’s diary entries.

This is full of early 2000’s nostalgia and I loved every second of it. I do NOT miss the AOL dial up days though 😂
I probably should’ve seen the ending coming but I didn’t and it was SO GOOD 👌🏻

If you’re a fan of supernatural horror with a healthy dose of nostalgia, then you have to read this! And if you haven’t read Dead Eleven yet, it should definitely be on your TBR as well.

Many thanks to Dutton Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Penguin Group Dutton and Jimmy Juliano for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Last year, Dead Eleven was one of my favorite books of the year. So, when I saw that Juliano was coming out with a new book, I wondered if I would enjoy it as much. I actually enjoyed 13 Months Haunted even more.

For one, the nostalgia is so tangible. Things like Napster, dialup and mixed tapes took me back in time. I enjoyed and felt like I related to the setting and time more.

There was so much suspense and creepiness as the story builds up towards an epic conclusion. What enhanced this even more is that it's relatable. The girl that is so scared she needs her mom with her all the time tugs at the heartstrings and made me want to help defend and protect her. The sightings are terrifying.

I felt so invested in the search for a cure/solving the mystery of what was going on.

The only thing I didn't like was the ending was spoiled a bit for me by previous dialogue. But I had no idea how involved the cause of the haunting was!

If you want solid early 2000s nostalgia, chills and a book that will keep you turning pages, pick up 13 Months Haunted today.

Such a fun, creepy, nostalgia book! A perfect read for 2000 lovers and perfect to read in the fall! This book needs to be made into a movie asap. And whoever designs the covers of Juliano's books...you deserve all the raises!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publication Date: August 12th, 2025


Synopsis:

Piper Lowery, a public library clerk in charge of liaising with the local middle school, can tell right away there’s something strange about the new girl in eighth grade. Avery Wallace won’t touch any kind of technology, not even the computers at the library, and her mother comes to school with her every day, refusing to leave her side—not even when Avery uses the restroom.

And then there are the rumors, the whispers Piper hears from kids in the hallway and parents around Avery’s mother is a witch. Her sister and father were killed by something supernatural. A strange virus killed them.

Seeing how isolated and lonely Avery is, Piper befriends her but quickly realizes it might just be the worst decision she’s ever made. Because there’s something dark inside Avery Wallace, and it’s spreading...

Review:

It’s a fast-paced, easy to consume novel that didn’t feel anywhere close to its 384 pages; combining the horrors of early internet and a fresh, unique twist on the supernatural, plus an ending that is so deliciously satisfying.The horror in this also felt reminiscent of R.L. Stine and Are You Afraid of the Dark. I can remember the fear surrounding Y2K and a computer virus potentially killing people is so fitting for the time. I loved how hard Piper worked to investigate things and how innocently she believed everything she found. The haunting occurring in a time before the internet was filled with hoax's and conspiracies was such a great choice and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Thank you to NetGalley & Dutton for he arc!

If you’re looking for a scary supernatural story of a haunted girl that takes place at the turn of the millennia, this one is for you!

Author Jimmy Juliano spins a horrific tale seamlessly woven together with diary and blog entries to accentuate the terror. The characters he created are empathetic, and the horror they experience is felt throughout. The creepy factors are major, and it had me looking over my shoulder more than a few times. If you live alone, I suspect you will too.

The nostalgia vibes are strong. If you were around at that time, it’ll take you right back to the music you were downloading and burning onto CDs. Napster, dial-up, and early blogging abound.

Even though it takes place 25 years ago, its themes of isolation, technology, and how quickly information spreads are even more relevant now.

I loved it and highly recommend you check it out and let me know what you think!

Thanks to @netgalley, @jimmyjulianobooks and @duttonbooks for providing an eARC

3.75

Eerie and nostalgic in ways that I enjoyed, but the ending spoiled it for me. I also had a few issues with Piper and there were a few plot holes I wish were filled. I would recommend this more for people who read for the vibes or for those wanting to dip their toes into horror / thriller.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for a review copy.

This was so good. Much like the author's first novel, this had so much nostalgia! I love the midwest setting. I love the creepy kid trope. I inhaled this. Definitely pick this up!

I feel like this book was written for me - creepy kid, whispers of witchcraft, small Midwestern town, and all of the Y2K nostalgia? All of my favorite things and more.

Library clerk Piper is in charge of the library writing challenge this autumn and when she visits Mr. Fisher’s classroom, she immediately senses something is not quite right with the new student. Avery. Piper tries not to pay too much attention to the rumors swirling around Avery and her mother, but as things get stranger (and Avery’s stories get darker), Piper can’t help but try to figure out what’s happening.

There were some really creepy moments here, but what I love most is Juliano’s atmospheric writing. I read his debut, Dead Eleven, last year and think he’s only getting better. I felt like I was right there with Piper as she walked through her small town, growing more and more paranoid as time goes on. I also loved the mixed media elements, the incorporation of Piper’s online journal, and the community that forms as a result of her posts.
If you’re looking for a creepy book this upcoming spooky season definitely check out 13 Months Haunted.

Thank you to Dutton and NetGalley for a review copy.