I want to thank NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for the ARC of Feral and Hysterical by Sadie Hartmann in exchange for an honest review.

Feral and Hysterical is a great reference resource book for people looking for dark and disturbing fiction written by women. The title alone does not disappoint. Sadie Hartmann knows her gothic/ horror books and puts a lot of time and research into this book. The chapters each have a theme with” vibes” and is an easy-to-read resource to find the next perfect read based on the mood. It is hard to not get a TBR list going with such an extensive list of “Feral and Hysterical” titles.

This is such a great anthology! It's also a great intro to horror for folks who may not have read much of it before. The short descriptions are great, and also the "vibes" of each book can help people select what they actually feel like reading. Sadie Hartmann/Mother Horror is a phenomenal resource for all things horror lit and this book is just another piece of that!

This is an absolutely phenomenal resource for expanding your TBR with gothic, horror, and all-around spooky lit by women. The author clearly did a lot of research and I really loved reading her introduction and insights on each book. It must have been so much fun to create this collection.
Even as someone really well versed in this area of fiction I found so many new books I want to read. I love the division by vibes, and will definitely keep this on hand to refer to when I need to find a book to match a certain mood.

Ahhhhh!! I love Sadie so damn much. I have her 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered on my coffee table and now I can’t wait to add Feral and Hysterical. I trust Sadie’s book recs with my life lol.

A bold & brilliant celebration of fem horror! Feral and Hysterical is essential reading.

I’ve been following Sadie Hartmann for years now, and even got to meet her once ♥️ she signed my much-loved copy of 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered. Her recommendations are a big reason my TBR pile is always out of control… and with Feral and Hysterical, it just tripled again 😵‍💫

This guide to fem horror is fabulous! It’s part celebration, part roadmap and completely essential. My favorite line? “Women are overqualified to write fictional horror. Period.” 👊🏻Couldn’t agree more.

If you love horror, this belongs on your shelf. Just be warned: you’ll be adding a lot of new books to your shelves after reading it 📚. Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC. My personal copy is already ordered and on its way! 📚🖤.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for this review ARC.

This is a phenomenal list of book recs all from female authors that truly emanate feral and hysterical!

I can’t wait to read this again in person for the full experience, but myself and my TBR were blown away by the book recommendations in this list!

Sadie Hartmann truly is Mother Horror.

Release date August 19th, you don’t want to miss this one!

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fantastic list of horror recommendations strictly by female authors. Loved Mother Horror’s first book, loved this one. Can’t wait to dive in to my new TBR list for Halloween!

Whether you’re a mood or vibe reader, laser-focused, in a reading slump, or have no clue what to read next, this book is like getting recommendations from a trusted friend who knows you well.

Sadie Hartmann, aka Mother Horror, masterfully shines a light on women authors in horror literature. She makes it clear that women authors are more than qualified to delve into this topic of the female psyche. Sadie beautifully curates a collection that will appeal to anyone based on what vibe you’re feeling next!

Mother Horror also has us covered on trigger warnings. If there’s something specific that will really set you over the edge, she asks that you reach out on social media and she will do her best to inform. If that isn’t a mother’s love, then I don’t know what is!

The vibes that called to me immediately upon first glance were:

Psychic Trauma
Sisterhood
What Women Say About Femicide in Latin America Through Horror Fiction

Feral and Hysterical is a must-have resource for any avid horror fan or a casual reader of the genre who wants to expand their arsenal of female-centric horror reads.

The only downside is your TBR growing exponentially, but is that really a bad thing?

All hail @motherhorror! Thank you to @netgalley, @mother.horror, and @pagestreethorror for the ARC copy.

Feral and Hysterical is a MUST if you like women! Or horror! Or books! All three, you say?! Hot damn, get to the bookstore IMMEDIATELY!!!

Listen, I’m biased because Sadie has been a great friend and wonderful mentor to me, but this book really is an incredible addition to your shelf. Need a new book, but stumped on what to pick up? Well, if you’ve followed @mother.horror for more than a few hours, you’ll know she gives the best recs in the biz. And this book is PACKED with epic spooky reads, all written by women.

Each book rec in here includes a short synopsis (no spoilers!) and a personalized bit from Sadie detailing her thoughts on the read. And the book is categorized into sections based on various themes, so if you have a specific craving, Feral and Hysterical will seriously be invaluable to you!

Grab it.

“A vibes reader doesn't simply ask “Am I in the mood for this?” They ask “Does this book vibrate on my frequency?” Think of it like a music playlist. The way we use music to suit our inner static to cut through the overbearing noise of the world.”

Saide Hartmann isn’t just any book nerd; she is THE Mother of Horror! And oh boy did her description of a “vibes reader” vibrate with me. This is a very well thought out list of women and queer voices in horror! From giving us not only the title, author, pages, and year published but also her deeper thoughts behind each pick and Vibes explanation the books fit. We even get a book to state recommendations that I am so happy to have access to!

The stunning and beautiful illustrations are such an added plus!

I am so deeply impressed with how engaging this is and how much I want to go back and take up the many recommendations given in here. I KNOW I will be coming back frequently to this one. I deeply recommend it for the horror lovers to people even looking to step into the genre of horror. Be sure you have your book tracking app open and ready to go. I have no doubt you’ll be adding to your TBR.

“So, take her hand and let her lead you down this twisted path.”

Sorted into "vibe playlists," this reading guide takes you through over 200 recommendations of books by women (and those who don't identify as such, who have approved of being included in the collection) interspersed with thoughtful essays by horror authors.

This isn't just a reading guide - this is a spirited demand that you diversify your shelves and read the best horror that women have to offer you. Having read both of Hartmann's guides now, it's so refreshing to see her genuine passion for horror shine through. She is unapologetic about her love for the genre and the inequalities faced by everyone who isn't a man in publishing. She will knock down your door and demand that you listen and read. She is a champion of horror in every sense of the word.

Hartmann is a creator who doesn't just talk the talk, she actively promotes the genre, the books that resonate with her and those that may be overlooked. I haven't read a lot of the books shown here (💀) so I definitely have more work to do, and I'm glad that I have Hartmann on my side to show me the way. While reading this on an eReader was fine, I cannot wait to have the physical beauty in my hands.

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CW discussions of dark themes

A collection of must-read women+ in horror organized by vibes.

So I have a big issue with 'top books to read before you die' type lists. And this is a majority of what I've seen centres straight, cis, white, men and English-language lit. Like do we all need to read at least one Stephen King in order to be considered a horror connoisseur?

The answer is simple - No.

I love that Sadie Hartmann (aka MotherHorror on IG), has put together an entire book filled with recommendations by women (including trans women) and non-binary authors who are really pushing or perfecting certain aspects of the horror genre.

Also there are SOOOO many amazing Canadians included in this list. As a Canadian reader, I was overjoyed to see this representation. Overall there are authors included from all around the world including translated works.

This book is organized by vibes. BONUS: My entire bookshelf is organized by vibes, so this really spoke to me. The format of this book is easy to understand and meant to be flipped back and forth depending on the type of horror rec you're looking for.

I'm not sure to thank Sadie or curse her for adding SOOO many new books to my TBR.

Pick this up if you love
👻 Women in horror
👻 Trans/NB inclusive
👻 Insightful, short write ups
👻 Canadian horror rep
👻 Organized by vibes
👻 Essays by leading women in horror

This book is best read while building a new bookshelf. You're going to need it.

I was thrilled when I first heard that Sadie Hartmann’s next book was going to be focused on woman and non-binary writers in horror, and as a big fan of the author, I eagerly followed along on her journey on social media.

FERAL AND HYSTERICAL feels very much like an extension of Hartmann’s instagram, MotherHorror. Sadie has great skill in creating perfect book lists for readers, and I think in this newest addition is where that talent really shines. It is so expertly curated and features a wide array of books, new and old. I adore the way it is organized and cannot believe how many different sub-genres are packed into it. There is something for everyone here.

It definitely feels like a celebration of horror.

I own 101 Horror Books to Read Before You’re Murdered and absolutely loved it. As someone who took a break from horror reading that was mostly Stephen King as a child I loved having a handbook to horror reading that was more than just King’s work.

Feral and Hysterical was something I didn’t know I needed. The more I read through, the more I realized that I had some of these books on my shelves already and I have definitely bumped a ton of books up in my TBR. I loved this and appreciate the opportunity to read it early from NetGalley. I’ll definitely be getting a physical copy in the future reference.

5 stars

What a great title for this wonderful collection of horror (and some horror-adjacent) book selections from female writers both well-known and new (even though I feel like it’s another great title for my autobiography gone before I even had time to come up with it.) The book is divided in many of your favorite tropes (plus a state-by-state feature that I loved! Who would have guessed that there is at least one horror title written by a woman for each of the fifty states in the U.S.?) and even the best read will find some new gems to add to your TBR lists.

Sadie knows her stuff and her writing is breezy and easy…the only negative is that she makes you sure you’re going to like every book! I loved the illustrations too, what a welcome addition. A must for anyone who likes horror. Seriously. I’m pretty spare with my five star reviews, but this book deserves one.

Sadie Hartmann aka Mother Horror has been able to climb to a level of sucess most book reviewers can dream of by publishing her second successful book of reviews. However, one of the reasons she has been able to reach this acclaim because her love for horror and enthusiasm for promoting promising authors is clearly her motivation. This shines through in her newest book Feral and Hysterical.

Honestly, I like it even better than her first book 101 Books to Read Before Your Murdered because the focus is exclusively on female writers. While Stephen King is a modern master of the craft of horror, I need to read horror from the perspective of female identifying writers. As a woman, sometimes the most emotional honesty I can find is on the pages of fiction. Then there is the added component that the political climate we live in demands female rage. Scanning through the pages for the types of vibes I may need for what to grab from my over flowing TBR pile or look for on Libby or Kindle Unlimited is definitely like filling a holistic prescription for my anxiety.

I would say though to read it in the physical format. I did get a copy I tried looking at through Netgalley and it was clear that I needed to wait for ny copy to arrive in my Nightworms package to be able to fully appreciate it. The format and colors in the layout are just too intertwined in the full experience of reading the book.

My copy has a well deserved place on the shelf next to Paperbacks From Hell, Monster She Wrote and Paperback Crush. It is a great reference book for anyone who loves horror or are interested in female representation in literature. Even as someone who reads a lot of books, paging through this delightful book has added even more books to my overflowing TBR pile.

I had never heard of this author before I saw her book on NetGalley, but apparently she has quite a following on social media. Hartmann knows her stuff! She has organized this book into different themes and each entry begins with a summary followed by Hartmann’s thoughts. There’s a lot of stories here that I had never heard of, and I’m always up for supporting women authors. My to-read list really didn’t need to be any longer, but I’m very happy to add some new books, especially in a genre that I’ve only read from time to time.

Get this! You’re sure to find new reading material!

Thank you to NetGalley and Page Street Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mother Horror does it again. With recommendations of spooky reads by women authors, I guarantee you'll be hankering to hit up your library app and wondering when you'll ever make a dent in your TBR. With spoiler-free synopses and witty insights, she provides sneak peaks into must-reads by women. The recommendations are categorized by theme/trope; the lists of titles are available at the of the book.

My TBR is stacked with women’s horror from Feral and Hysterical by Sadie Hartmann. I’m a big fan of Mother Horror, Sadie Hartmann’s instagram, as well. This book is fascinating and fantastic. The way this book is compiled, the contents and the concept is fabulous. I was shocked to find a lot of books that I have already read in this tome. Of course I discovered so many more that I want to read. I loved the illustrations and essays. I recommend this guide of women authors to anyone interested in reading horror. ARC was provided by Page Street Publishing via NetGalley. I received an advance reading copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

FERAL & HYSTERICAL by Sadie Hartmann

If you’re a fan of horror literature and you’re part of the Bookstagram community, then chances are you know who Sadie Hartmann is. A.K.A. Mother Horror, she is an absolute champion of the horror genre with sharp curation skills and a serious goal of introducing you to the finest books the genre has to offer. Her excitement and obvious joy of seeing fellow readers gush about a book she has recommended is palpable.

So when her first book “101 HORROR BOOKS TO READ BEFORE YOU’RE MURDERED” was released, it was a must buy for this reader as well as most of the rest of the horror masses. For me, not only was I thrilled to see so many books I had loved included, but I was excited to discover new titles and grow my expansive TBR into unreachable heights.

FERAL AND HYSTERICAL is a passion project in which Sadie explains “vibe reading”, which is a stronger feel that your average mood reading or jumping on a specific sub-genre. “It is the practice of choosing books based on their specific emotional and thematic energy”.

Each book included in this compendium is written by a woman (👏) and shows that the feminine voice is not just speaking, it’s shouting from the mountaintop “WE ARE HERE AND WE’RE NOT GOING AWAY!” Horror is no longer just a man’s world.

Broken down into various groupings like ‘twisted haunted houses’, ‘gothic secret societies’, ‘horromantasy’, ‘vintage horror’, etc., it shows how many incredible books in this genre are written by women. Some of these women have contributed essays that are peppered throughout the book, giving an even more feminine mindset.

I just really can’t help but gush when I tell you to just buy this book. You will find so many books that you’ve heard of and thought about—but even more that you haven’t. My TBR is going to explode soon thanks to Sadie. But I’m only the best way! The research that she put into this shows her strong commitment to women’s horror and I can’t wait to see what she does next!