This was a wild ride of a book! Steeped in gory horror from the very first scene, The Mean Ones unravels at the perfect pace, bringing us through our protagonist's horrific backstory and uncertain present. Our narrator grapples with questions of reality and trauma while also navigating complicated and difficult relationships, leading down a path of terrifying discoveries. I wanted it to be longer! I found it less scary than I expected from other reviews, perhaps because the gore was so immediately present that it became normalized. I really enjoyed this horror novel, and its imagery will stick with me for a long time. For fans of Midsommar.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC. When i tell yall i loved this one it was so good and dark and creepy and just overall had great elements to it the storyline was amazing and one of my favorite kind of novels are forrest vibes novels but i feel as alot of times they are predictable and stuff but this one had great moments. I will say at first with all the hallucination stuff i was a little worried just because when i read books that has that it confuses me sometimes or im just not a fan but the author wrote the main character and things she was dealing with so perfectly and it fit the story and the detailing in this novel regarding things that happened were amazing and creepy and a great element of horror. This one was so fast paced as well and i loved the time jump chapters as well as present day chapters everything was perfect. Yall need to read this one to find out what happened the night at summer camp and also the great ending in the present day chapters as well this was a great read!

The coolest thing I noticed about the horror novel The Mean Ones is how the main character (Sabrina) figures out who to trust, even when she can’t trust herself (moderate spoilers follow).

The harsh truth that horror movies tend to avoid is that many people survive the terrible things that happen to them. This is what's completely wrong with the idea of a “final girl” — a smart, good-natured soul that somehow avoids a grisly and unfair death, after losing their foolish or morally flawed friends to that same fate. “Avoids” or at least delays until the sequels run out of gas.

For most of us, however, it doesn't matter whether we're clever, nice, or anything else. We still get to live with the consequences of our worst experiences, whether we want to or not.

Sabrina is a good example of this. She’s a teenager at summer camp when a demon-worshiping cult butchers her friends before her eyes. Sabrina survives by hiding under her bed and spends almost the next two decades running from the memories of that night and the suspicions that follow her. Because Sabrina and the victims weren’t the best of friends.

Sabrina and her friends were, at times, impulsive, deceitful, hormonal, loving, spiteful, supportive, and downright mean to each other. Simply put, they were normal teens finding their way in the world, and in another life may have ended up BFFs. But Sabrina is too naïve and traumatized to put this kind of spin on things. Instead, she speaks ill of the dead and pays dearly for her honesty.

It doesn’t help that the killers get away and the bodies are never found. Nothing remains of Sabrina’s friends but smears of blood and her confused story about cultists, magic, and-... things.

By the time we catch up with Sabrina, she’s moved many times, changed her name and appearance, and is still on the run. And to make things worse, she hallucinates and hears voices. Dead animals and a shadowy, demonic figure speak to her, and every so often, the world around Sabrina will seem to melt into a hellscape. This happens so often that Sabrina just learns to hide her reactions to these things and make do.

Despite these challenges, the non-hellscape part of Sabrina’s life doesn’t seem so bad. She has a good job, a handsome boyfriend, and is even crushing it in the gym. Sabrina feels hope for the future for the first time, and her suffering has provided surprising benefits. The intense self-control required to hide her identity and navigate hallucinations helps Sabrina cope with her boyfriend’s selfishness and fierce temper.

The problem is that Sabrina ends up doing this a lot, to the point even she begins to worry. Sabrina has to redirect her boyfriend from violence and notions of leaving her on what seems like a daily basis. Even as the walls are sprouting eyes and rotting corpses lecture her about bad decisions.

The strangest part, however, is that shadowy, demonic figure I mentioned. He has a sweet voice and really seems to want Sabrina to be happy. Not in a “How about a really bad deal?” kind-of way, but in a genuine, “I want you to live your best life” sense. The demon and the hallucinations unfortunately go together, but as time passes, it becomes clear these may offer Sabrina some advantages.

In summary, each source of reason in Sabrina’s life provides a different version of reality. Therapists insist she's experiencing PTSD symptoms and give her medication that doesn’t work. Sabrina’s boyfriend is reassuring as long as she doesn’t upset him. And, of course, Sabrina can’t trust her own perceptions. But the demonic voice never contradicts itself or makes her feel crazy.

While far-fetched overall, I think one aspect of this scenario is very realistic. Sabrina does what many trauma survivors do — hide within relationships that offer protection from whatever they came from, even when those relationships are horrible. The worse the trauma, the greater the potential tolerance for such relationships. And Sabrina has, as they say, seen some shit.

But where does that leave her? Sabrina needs some real-life relationships, and her boyfriend isn’t the worst she could do. She could still change him, right?

The good news is this is still a horror novel, and Sabrina has alternatives, which she definitely uses. Grisly, violent alternatives, admittedly, but there’s nobody better equipped for this. Because in The Mean Ones, Sabrina is the final girl of final girls — the one that gets away and goes on to create a new reality of her own design. One where she has no fear of the natural, supernatural, or anything in between.

As soon as I heard about this book, I knew I wanted a copy and was thrilled when I was able to get my hands on it! This was described as a book for fans of Midsommer and Yellowjackets, and honestly, it was a perfect description.

This book follows two storylines - one from 2006, where we follow one girl’s experience and summer camp and the brutal murder of some of the girls there, and one from 2023 which follows her life as an adult processing the trauma that came from that experience.

When the murders happen, something sticks with our main character throughout her life, and she doesn’t know what is real and what isn’t. When her boyfriend decides they will take a trip with two of their friends to a cabin in the woods, the PTSD from summer camp bubbles right to the surface. You will be left trying to piece together what happened and what is real until the very end. And you know how, at the end of Midsommer you thought “Good for her”? Well, I definitely felt that here. Good for her.

I loved this story, and I will definitely be reading more from this author. Thanks to Tatiana and NetGalley for the ARC! I will be picking up a physical copy as soon as this releases!

"I will read whatever Tatiana writes, I can't wait to dig into this one!!!!" SpookyClaire aka JellyReads - Dec. 21, 2024

UPDATE:
4.75 stars rounding up!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Tatiana, NetGalley, & Creature Publishing for my ARC copy of The Mean Ones!!! Publish date: Sept. 30th, 2025 (You'll want this for end of summer reading or Halloween TBR!)

Trigger warnings set as spoiler, you can click to reveal if you wish. (Please take your mental health in consideration before reading if one of the listed triggers bothers you too much).
(view spoiler)

Tatiana became a must read for me since I read her debut novel Such Lovely Skin. I received a copy of her debut novel signed and I was so happy that I even cried. Talking with her and communicating on TikTok through videos and stuff, I knew she and I had much in common. I don't lift weights and I'm not buff but I know I found an author that I can be friends with and support. She is sweet, kind, and SPOOKY! Everything ya need in a friend, aye?

I loved this book, though, I did have some struggles in the beginning because I know zilch about weight lifting but it really picked up after 15% through. The dual timelines interlock perfectly with reading about the now and getting glimpses into the past.

You can find yourself lost in this book and losing track of the time. I read this book in 2 setting which if life had not gotten in the way, would have been 1 setting. This book is for you spooky readers who love horror but want some thriller added in the mix. Demonic/cultic with a summer camp setting. PRE-ORDER NOW FOR YOUR OWN COPY OF THE MEAN ONES. RELEASE DATE SEPT. 30TH, 2025!!!

I promised myself more horror this year, and this story slithered under my skin in the best way. A macabre, cult-soaked labyrinth of shadows and whispers, laced with a touch of morally grey romance that felt unsettling at times. The main character was easy to relate to, flaws and all. The flashbacks to her younger years were perfectly weaved into the present day plot, each memory more chilling than the last. This book definitely gave me the creeps. It was exactly what I hoped it would be.

Where to start?? This is the most messed up book I’ve ever read and I bloody loved it. The main character, Sadie, was so normal (apart from being bat sh*t cr*zy)! The dual timeline worked perfectly. I hated the boyfriend so much I spent the entire book wanting him dead. The characters were so well fleshed out for a quick read. This was gory to the max, very descriptive and I loved every second. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!!

I started off slightly sceptical with this one- the first few pages weren’t drawing me in but I kept at it and wasn’t expecting the wild ride that came with it! A really enjoyable read with a tragic backstory and an interesting turn of events. I wouldn’t say this was “scary” as such but I loved the cult aspect and the fact that you had no idea wether Sadie was insane or not!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

THE MEAN ONES by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne (Sept 30)

Thank you Netgalley and Creature Publishing for the earc

Sadie hears things: animals talking, a strange but soothing male voice. Her therapist says its PTSD...she did witness the d*aths of her "friends" seventeen years prior. Now, at 29, Sadie is normal. Well, as normal as one can be. She has a steady job, a boyfriend, and friends. When Lucas, her boyfriend, agrees to go to a cabin in the woods with their friends, Sadie is terrified. The visions get worse, there's a stalker, and the male's voice is telling her to do things she never dreamed of. Sadie doesn't know what to do, but she isn't going to sit still, isn't going to watch as everything starts to unravel.
THE MEAN ONES is the adult debut from the author of YA horror book SUCH LOVELY SKIN. Told across two timelines, THE MEAN ONES is horrifying and creepy. Gory and mind-boggling.  I haven't read a book like this, one with horror movies vibes and straight up weirdness since Tatiana's debut novel.
I liked this book, and immediately I was hooked. The hallucinations, the goriness, and the cult-likeness was thrilling and entertaining.  I preferred the before timeline more than the now timeline because I liked learning what happened that made Sabrina/Sadie how she was. But not just that. I couldn't, for the life of me, stand Lucas. I think even though there were mean/obnoxiously arrogant characters from Sadie's childhood, because Lucas is older, his attitude just didn't sit right with me. I mean, THE MEAN ONES had some easy to hate characters, which is why I rated this four stars even though it's a well-written story that unfolds quick.
This book didn't scare me but it did freak me out. The deer, the strange woman, the cult...it was all so much.
I felt so bad for Sabrina/Sadie. She went through so much---too much. I just couldn't help but feel for her.
THE MEAN ONES is twisted. I didn't think it could get more twisted (especially with knowing what happened in the before), but the now chapters threw me for a loop. Shocked, especially toward the end as more and more things were revealed. And that final chapter before the epilogue had me sitting here, dumbfounded with my mouth open in shock.
Schlote-Bonne has done it again with the horror, has done it again with the gore and shock. And can we talk about that cover? Freaky.

This is one creepy and atmospheric book. It's a tense and bizarre plot about a high school summer camp massacre that had me hooked. The prose is beautiful and I loved the themes of misogyny and toxic friendships. The writing is exquisite. It's a cleverly written feminist thriller/horror book that's not for the faint hearted.

⭐️3.25

I wanted to read this book because the cover really intrigued me and I don’t think I’ve read folk horror before.

I thought this was a fun read and I was here for the female rage. I just wish Sadie loved her self more. It was so sad reading how she felt about herself at such a young age. She needed new friends ASAP! Allie was such a mean girl. She really had Sadie come to this camp just terrorise her.

Now, Lucas was a certified loser and Sadie just couldn’t imagine a life without him. His scent was Gunpowder and activated charcoal 🫩🫩🫩I don’t know why that irked me 😭 I wanted to climb into the book and shake Sadie!! Please leave this man.

I loved the visions. I thought those were the best parts of the book. It truly brought out the horror in the story. I unfortunately made the mistake reading this whilst eating, because the descriptions were really good. I also thought the timelines worked well within this story.

I did like the ending but I’m not too sure about the few chapters leading towards it.

Quotes:

“There were mean girls and there were nice girls, and one couldn’t exist without the other”

“My friends weren’t just bitches-they were stupid bitches”

“I don’t need my mind opened anymore, I need it closed”

Sabrina witnessed the brutal murder of her two best "friends" during summer camp when they were just kids. Now her past is coming back to haunt her. She changes her name to Sadie and vows to keep her trauma to herself. However, the events that unfold - during what should have been a fun, woodsy getaway with her boyfriend Lucas and friends Heather and Eli - start to mirror the cult-like, supernatural horrors of her past. Now, she must face her trauma head-on and put her painful past to rest - by any means necessary. The Mean Ones relies heavily on cult, final girl, and folk horror tropes, but has a difficult time balancing them. The story is effectively told in two timelines, but the use of cultural guideposts (Eragon and Neopets, for example) are clumsy and overplayed. Though the story begins with momentum that draws readers in, it falls a bit flat at the close.

One of the best books I’ve read on NetGalley.
I could not have guessed how it would end. We rarely get a look at the survivor of a massacre and what that would do to someone’s psyche years later.
Then to see all the fallout and just the absolute madness it brings years later.
WOW!!!

i don't know what Mrs Tatiana sprinkles in her books but i'm convinced i've been drugged somehow. it must be crack because the way i get GLUED to the pages every time!!! i'm addicted & i will continue to pick up her work.

I read her YA horror debut Such Lovely Skin & flew through it & this one does not disappoint! Tatiana writes such fun horror. the writing is easy to follow & i related to sadie so it was easy for me to get sucked into.

the dual timelines come together perfectly & that ending?!?! i was on my balcony yelling "LET'S GOOOOOO!" *chefs kiss*. the Other Place gave The Upside Down vibes, which i loved. it was definitely creepy & i, for sure, would not like to go there. Allie is such a Regina George, i'm so sorry but like....she kind of deserved it ??? 🤷🏽‍♀️

this was cozy campy goodness! if you like demonic/cultish horror or summer camp slashers this is for you!

This is is one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint. I read Tatiana’s debut novel Such Lovely Skin (a YA) and really enjoyed it. So when I heard she was writing a horror I was all in! What I really enjoy about Tatiana’s work is that her story telling keeps you flipping the page and wanting more. I really enjoyed The Mean Ones! It’s the perfect summer time horror with camping, terrible friendships and more. I just wanted to give the main character a hug honestly. There’s dual timelines the jump chapter after chapter and does so smoothly.
All in all 5/5 because I support women’s right and wrongs especially when they are raging!

Thank you Tatiana Schlote-Bonne and Creature Publishing for the arc!

This book was wildly gruesome(in the best way). It felt like stumbling through a fever dream.

The Mean Ones is about a girl named Sadie, previously known as Sabrina. She changed her name hoping to outrun her childhood trauma of seeing her friends murdered. All she wants is to be normal. She has a good job, a great boyfriend, and she’s hoping to get engaged soon. But what no one knows is that Sadie has intense hallucinations of red skies and extreme gore. She’s told it’s just ptsd, but what if it’s more than that?

I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. It kinda reminds me of a mashup between Midsommar and Hereditary. I’d definitely recommend this book if you’re into cults and/or camp slasher stories.

4 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

This was great! I was pleasantly surprised by how fun and well written this story was. The dual time lines flowed seamlessly and kept me addicted. I loved the ending and the character work throughout. I will definitely read more by this author in the future.

I received a copy from Netgalley to review. Below is the blurb:

"So what if Sadie hears talking dead animals and a strange, comforting male voice in her head? The therapist insists these are just symptoms of PTSD. It makes sense considering that she hid under the bed and watched as her best friends were slaughtered.
But the murders were seventeen years ago, back when her name was Sabrina. Now, she’s Sadie: a perfectly normal 29-year-old. She works as a physical therapist assistant and lifts weights with her boyfriend, Lucas, who’s the sweetest, most considerate man—as long as he’s not angry. But when Lucas spontaneously agrees to join a couples trip to a cabin in the woods, the visions get worse, a strange figure stalks her during the night, and that male voice in Sadie’s head keeps calling, asking her to do things she’s never fathomed.
Sadie’s not sure if it’s her paranoia or something else entirely . . . But she is sure of one thing—this time, she’s not going to sit idly by as everything starts to unravel"

.I enjoyed this book despite wanting to give Sadie a talking too for being with Lucas. It was an easy read, bit of horror switching between now and historically when she was a child at summer camp.

Wow, this one wraps up all of the loose ends and ties it up with a bow! When Sabrina was young, she went to summer camp, as many of us do. But many of us don't leave that experience as the sole survivor of a cabin massacre, and the sole witness to what really happened. Sabrina's time at camp is interspersed with her POV in 2023, and she is now known as Sadie, hoping to remove herself from her past. But when her boyfriend drags her on a camping trip with her friends and the voices in her head seem to be getting louder, Sadie needs to figure out what to do to be a survivor again. Not what I expected, towards the end I got closer to the truth, but this is a thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining read.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book, I am writing this review of my own choice.

I really enjoyed this book. It's my first read from Tatiana, but now I definitely want to read her first novel now. I went into this one not really knowing what to expect. I wouldn't say it's a slow burn, but rather a medium-paced story. There's enough mystery to keep your curiosity piqued. Once we find out from Sabrina what really happened at summer camp, things just get wild from there. I thought I had the ending predicted, but I was completely wrong. The Mean Ones is a twisted story about female empowerment with a bit of cult horror thrown in. Highly recommend.