I've seen this book around and was just too happy to be able to read it before the release date. This is the horror thriller I didn't know I needed.

Plot = awesome
Characters = awesome
Mystery = perfect

I enjoyed this book way too much. The author did a really good job with the pacing - we go from past to present with each chapters. The ending is just amazing, and I didn't see it coming.

Pick it up if you like:
- Suspense with your horror
- Summer camp slasher vibes
- FMC trying to be strong and rebuilding herself
- and there is some romance in there. I won't spoil anything but will just say *mind blowing*

📖 Bookish Moments:
Sinister, eerie, and spooky—The Mean Ones sucked me in asap! Sadie has done everything to distance herself from her traumatic childhood. Her boyfriend really pushes them to go to a couples trip to a remote cabin, and things start to spiral.

Once they’re at the cabin, everything starts slipping. Sadie keeps flashing back to when her best friends were murdered, and it’s disorienting. I felt so bad for young Sabrina, what she went through was horrifying! The tension between her and Lucas starts building, especially once Sadie begins seeing someone. He gets mad anytime she brings things up, even in front of the other couple. Not going to lie though, I did laugh when she kept comparing things to The Descent movie!

As you get more of the flashbacks, it becomes even more clear how disturbing that event was! And the aftermath of the murders was awful for her as well. From those flashbacks, it’s clear her mom was definitely not winning mother of the year.

I will say that I was surprised by how it all wrapped up. It didn’t go the way I expected, but I lowkey loved the ending. There was a feminist feel to it and Sadie was finally free. But it was graphic and disturbing. The comparison to Midsommar is 100% accurate!

🖤 What You Can Expect:
• Childhood trauma
• Creepy cabin trip
• Unreliable narrator
• Voices in her head
• Feminist Horror

📅 Release Date: September 30, 2025
Disclaimer: Thank you to Amanda Manns and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

Wow. Wow. Wow. If you want a book that will grab you by the back of the neck and throw you into the deep-end of the pool this is the book for you. An amazing horror novel that makes you sympathize with the main character through all her faults and questionable choices. The parallel timelines made me giggle when I saw 2003 under chapter two. Many times when I’m reading a dual timeline book I’m left favoring one over another, but this one is a perfect balance. Chapter by chapter built each timeline equally that increased the tension steadily throughout the novel.
*SLIGHT SPOILER*
This made me feel like how so many people did after watching Midsommer… good for her… oh maybe I’m susceptible to cults. 10/10

*The Mean Ones* by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne is a dark, gripping exploration of power, revenge, and the complexities of human nature. The narrative is sharp and captivating, with characters that are deeply flawed yet compelling, keeping you hooked from start to finish. Schlote-Bonne’s writing is both raw and poetic, creating an atmosphere that is tense and thought-provoking. A bold, unapologetic story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page—perfect for readers who enjoy deep, character-driven fiction with a twist.

Feminist horror with Midsommar and Stranger Things vibes? Erm, yes please. This is one for the elder emo gals who are still into Avril Lavigne, Zoey 101, The Simple Life and just want to feel heard haha. This book dives deep into girlhood, body image, toxic friendships, and the weirdness of feeling like an outsider - and what it means to reclaim your power. There was so many quotes in this specifically relating to body image which related to me so much.

The woodland/cabin setting is always a vibe for me, and the mix of cults, powerlifting, and antler gore were a great combo.
If you can deal with the pr*ck that is the bf, this may be your next read! Definitely would recommend this on the light/beginner scale, this is my second book by this author and she’s now going on my auto-buy list.

This is exactly the kind of snappy, fast paced horror I hoped it would be! Schlote-Bonne’s writing is smooth and engaging, with a morally suspect but simultaneously endearing FMC. I especially liked the dual timelines! I’d like to see a tad more internal reflection at the end, but overall, this was a creepy yet captivating read!

I was super pumped when I got this ARC, because the story and vibes just sounded so intriguing. It was very *Midsommar* which is a movie I love.

So, let’s start with the good! Again, super interesting plot and I loved the way the author talked about trauma and its lasting effects. There was a lot of good horror moments and I loved how the author intertwined the past and present stories.

Now, here’s the thing- this was a very short book (only about 200 pages) which did make the story feel a bit short and underdeveloped. I feel like if the author would have made the story longer and gone into more detail, it would have elevated it. Also, I found the main character a bit flat- like, even as a kid I was like “who is this girl?” 😅 The inner thoughts and dialogue all just felt the same.

So yes, definitely an interesting story, and I did lowkey like the ending. You know I love a good “good for her” moment 🤣 But also, make sure you go in expecting a quick and supernatural book.

I won’t lie—I went into this one a little skeptical… and holy shit, it did NOT disappoint.

We follow Sabrina, a survivor who witnessed her friends murdered at camp, and now we see how she lives her life after the trauma. At first, it sounds like a sad, straightforward survival story… but here’s the thing: maybe Sabrina isn’t exactly a nice person. Hm.

What I loved is how we watch her story unfold, and—at least for me (everyone’s POV can be different)—I ended up rooting for her. By the time we got toward the end, I was literally yelling, “LET’S FUCKING GO.”

One of the strongest parts of this book is how it doesn’t simplify anything. It’s not just “good vs. evil” or black and white. Some people have families, communities, and cultures that shape them—and what looks horrifying to an outsider might feel normal, protective, or supportive within those systems. Sometimes we fight against the current. But what happens when we stop fighting?

And then there’s the female rage. This story is unapologetic in showing how women who settle, who get bullied or abused, are judged. And when they finally stand up for themselves? Suddenly they’re “evil.” I LOVED IT.

This book won’t be for everyone—it’s messy, it’s angry... but in a nice way (does that make sense?)

I think I just found my new favorite horror author!

Thank you so much to Net Galley and Tatiana Schlote-Bonne for an ARC of her upcoming book, The Mean Ones!

From the very first page I knew I was about to embark on a journey kind of like “Goosebumps” but for grown ups.

Sadie endured a horrific childhood trauma at a summer camp where two of her friends were brutally murdered and has lived with PTSD ever since. We bounce back and forth between the timeline of the year of summer camp versus present day 17 years later.

“What if you gave up this idea that you have to be normal, and instead, you embraced everything you’ve been trying to resist?”

Sadie has struggled her entire life with the events that unfolded that summer which in a way made her a sort of “Final Girl” after she survived that awful night. Or is she?

I absolutely loved everything about this book from the quick pacing to the twists and turns I did not expect! I finished this book in less than a day. I think we have a new voice in horror that everyone will quickly become a new fan of.

I can’t wait to see future novels from Tatiana!

Thank you Netgalley and Creature Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Tatiana Schlote-Bonne’s “The Mean Ones” is a blood-soaked, brilliantly unhinged summer camp horror book that combines cult folklore and psychological trauma into something wholly fresh, fiercely unsettling, and oddly cathartic. With its haunting dual timelines, unreliable narrator, and creeping dread, this book doesn’t just earn a place on your horror TBR—it carves it in with a sacrificial dagger.

The story follows Sadie (formerly Sabrina), who witnessed the brutal murder of her friends during a summer camp trip in 2006. Now an adult haunted by PTSD and emotional instability, she heads to a remote cabin with her dismissive boyfriend Luke—only to confront a past that refuses to stay buried. The narrative alternates between the past and present, gradually peeling back layers of grief, cult terror, and psychological unraveling until the final pages hit with a shocking—and weirdly satisfying—twist.

Sadie is a raw, painfully real character. Her internal monologue is messy and scattered in a way that feels entirely human, and her unreliable narration keeps you on edge. You’re never quite sure if she’s losing her grip on reality or if something truly supernatural is afoot—and that’s exactly where this book shines. The deer-masked figure? Genuinely chilling. The cult promising eternal youth? Pure folklore horror gold. The ending? Think Midsommar —creepy, unhinged, and somehow… empowering.

The supporting cast is designed to provoke—Luke, in particular, is a standout in toxic mediocrity—but the real star here is the atmosphere. Schlote-Bonne perfectly captures the creepy camp nostalgia (complete with ghost stories and s’mores), then corrupts it with gore, twisted rituals, and psychological horror. The dialogue is sharp, the pacing tight, and the pop culture references are a welcome bit of levity in an otherwise dark spiral of violence and trauma.

Overall, “The Mean Ones” is more than just a slasher; it’s a character study wrapped in folklore, soaked in blood, and stitched together with raw emotional honesty. It’s unflinchingly brutal yet often darkly funny. It’s the kind of horror story that lingers long after you finish it.

When I read this author's debut YA novel, I knew that I needed to keep an eye on any future works. When this one was announced I was totally ready. THIS WAS INSANE! I loved every moment of it. I had trouble putting it down. Now this is a camp slasher with a super dark twisted plot. It's told in past/present POV but honestly it's needed. I don't have anything bad to say about this book. If you're a fan of slashers, creepy shit in the woods, and cult activity DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK.

Thank you to Netgalley for the copy of this ARC. This book will be out in September of 2025. Make sure to add it to your list. And if you've never read a book by this author, do yourself a favor and read this one AND "Such Lovely Skin."

I couldn't put this book down. Genuinely creepy with unsettling imagery. I enjoyed the author's examination of abusive relationships and how they shaped Sabrina/Sadie. It was easy to see how she ended up in a relationship with someone like Lucas, and why she remained friends with Allie and Blakely despite them being "mean ones." I do wish we gotten a little more insight into her relationahip with her mother, but overall, the novel was well crafted and excellently paced. I highly recommend this book, as well as the author's previous work, Such Lovely Skin.

The Mean Ones is a gripping psychological horror that sinks its claws in early and never lets go. Tatiana Schlote-Bonne masterfully blurs the line between trauma and the supernatural, keeping readers questioning what’s real right up to the jaw-dropping end. Sadie is a hauntingly complex protagonist, and the creeping dread builds beautifully with every chapter. Eerie, emotional, and shockingly empowering—this is a must-read for fans of dark thrillers with a razor-sharp edge.

The Mean Ones is a dark, surreal descent into trauma, memory, and the monsters we carry—both real and imagined. Schlote-Bonne blends psychological horror with cult thriller elements in a story that keeps you questioning what’s real until the very end. Think Midsommar meets Final Girl Support Group, with a twist of internal madness.

Sadie (formerly Sabrina) is a compelling and complicated protagonist, trying desperately to live a normal life while her past claws its way back through whispering voices, haunting visions, and a creeping dread that never quite lets up. The dual timelines—past and present—are woven skillfully, slowly revealing the layers of what really happened at that camp seventeen years ago. It’s not a comfortable read, but that’s kind of the point.

Some plot elements stretch believability (particularly how certain characters behave or are treated by authorities), and a few moments felt more strange than scary—but overall, this book delivers on psychological tension and disturbing atmosphere. The ending had a satisfying edge, with just enough ambiguity to linger after closing the book.

Highly recommended for fans of horror that leans introspective, disturbing, and emotionally raw.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Creature Publishing for an ARC of The Mean Ones by Tatiana Schlote-Bonne in exchange for an honest review.
This book is told in alternating timeliness set in 2023 and 2006. .In 2006 Sabrina is at camp with two mean girl friends Allie and Blakely and in 2023 she's living with her boyfriend but Sadie is hiding a secret past.
As much as I wanted to love this book, that wasn't the case. The ending felt extremely rushed, and I just don’t feel like it was completely planned out well enough to have the impact the author going for.
I recommend to someone wanting a quick, creepy read,

Sadie is hiding a secret violent past from her boyfriend. Sadie formally Sabrina always goes along with whatever anyone tells her to do, her friend Allie, her mother, her boyfriend. This book is told in alternating chapters set in 2023 and 2006.In 2006 Sabrina is at camp with two mean girl friends Allie and Blakely. In 2023 Sadie is in the woods with her boyfriend Lucas and his friends Eli and Heather. Sadie has never told her boyfriend about her PTSD, scary visions and what happened to Allie and Blakely at camp. Sadie is an unreliable narrator because it isn't clear if her visions are all in her head or there really is a malevolent evil demonic entity and a group of cult members worshipping it. The story gets really interesting as the mystery unfolds.

Hear me out… this book is for the weird ones. The people who have never fit in. Who were made fun of for being anything other than “basic.” The person in a friend group that was always the butt of a joke or the easy target. This book, although terrifying and disturbing, gave the person who always felt “off” a voice and a place to be themselves.

Sadie, who decides at the end to embrace her crazy, sheds the forced identity to “fit in” and “be normal” and finally finds joy and peace amongst the living (and the dead) and never looks back.

I ate this book up and I can’t wait to see what else the author comes up with.

Now THIS is horror done well.
Maybe it’s the fact that I relate to Bina a little TOO well, but dang was this well written.

This is a terrifying story that I would in fact also consider a coming-of-age thriller of finding yourself when you’ve hit your past for so long.

What an insane ride. Sadie is a physical therapist assistant who loves body building and is just trying to maintain her normalcy she’s created for herself with her boyfriend, Lucas, as she’s settling into herself at 29.
One weekend she and Lucas are invited by their best friends to go camping in the woods! Would sound super exciting, right? Unfortunately, Sadie’s “Other World” keeps slipping more into reality and she’s having a hard time distinguishing what’s real. The voice in her head, Damon, assures her it’s the right thing to do, but her PTSD can’t help but reminding her that the last time she was in the woods, her two childhood best friends were murdered right in front of her at camp…. I wouldn’t want to go either.
Sadie, who’s created a new life from her previous as Sabrina, is not wanting to revisit those haunting memories. After push comes to shove, Lucas encourages her that they need to go. Bad memories aside, the weekend starts off well enough, until Lucas finds a creepy little doll made of hair and teeth, which should be impossible considering it looks the exact same as the one Sadie found at 12 years old. This starts us uncovering what really happened at camp 17 years ago. Was it a cult that killed her friends? Is the voice in her mind that she’s fallen in love with real, or just something she created to cover up the real horrors she experienced? Is it all happening again?

I wish I could read this again for the first time. I was genuinely scared for the first time reading a book. As advertised, it really is a thrilling mix of vibes from Midsommer and Final Girls Support Group.
Is Sadie the final girl without even trying?

This was a great young YA I WILL RECOMMEND!!! I love it and felt like that the young and old will love this read as much as I did

Omg another stunner from this author! This scared the hell out of me. It’s culty, creepy and twisty. The dual timeline helps weave the story so nicely, and my millennial heart loved all the references from my childhood. I really related to the FMC feeling like an outsider her whole life and wanting to be “normal”.

Thank you so much to Creature Pub and the author for providing me an eARC to honestly review!