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Season of Fear
Night of the Witch meets The Handmaid's Tale in this queer Gothic horror debut set against the monstrous Bavarian forest of Hexenwald.
★“Hauntingly poetic and monstrously romantic.”—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
★"A dark and dreadful tour de force of a debut! Exquisitely beautiful and horrific."—Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child
In the Bavarian village of Heulensee, women feed their terror to an ancient Saint of Fear. In return, it protects them from the monsters of the Hexenwald, the haunted forest on their doorstep. Born unfearing, Ilse Odenwald has felt like an outsider all her life. When the Saint discovers Ilse’s divergence, it levels a she must find her fear, or the Saint will devour her sister, Dorothea—the only person who loves Ilse unconditionally.
Unwilling to lose Thea, Ilse enters the Hexenwald. She hopes that its horrors will finally unleash her fear and, in turn, save her sister. But during her quest Ilse inadvertently uncovers something more sinister than the monsters that hunt a darkness within herself. As the forest closes in, Ilse’s hopes for a normal future begin to slip away, as well as the chance to save not just Thea, but all women in Heulensee.
Bewitching and timely, this gripping debut novel is a dark fairy tale about the fate of girls and women in a world grown accustomed to sacrificing them.
★“Hauntingly poetic and monstrously romantic.”—Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
★"A dark and dreadful tour de force of a debut! Exquisitely beautiful and horrific."—Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Thirteenth Child
In the Bavarian village of Heulensee, women feed their terror to an ancient Saint of Fear. In return, it protects them from the monsters of the Hexenwald, the haunted forest on their doorstep. Born unfearing, Ilse Odenwald has felt like an outsider all her life. When the Saint discovers Ilse’s divergence, it levels a she must find her fear, or the Saint will devour her sister, Dorothea—the only person who loves Ilse unconditionally.
Unwilling to lose Thea, Ilse enters the Hexenwald. She hopes that its horrors will finally unleash her fear and, in turn, save her sister. But during her quest Ilse inadvertently uncovers something more sinister than the monsters that hunt a darkness within herself. As the forest closes in, Ilse’s hopes for a normal future begin to slip away, as well as the chance to save not just Thea, but all women in Heulensee.
Bewitching and timely, this gripping debut novel is a dark fairy tale about the fate of girls and women in a world grown accustomed to sacrificing them.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2025
33 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
December 5, 2024
A dark and dreadful tour de force of a debut! Season of Fear is a consuming tale of sacrifice and service that will haunt you long after its final page. Cooper's worldbuilding is exquisitely beautiful and horrific.
August 23, 2025
i love lesbians <3
June 23, 2025
Thank you to Simon and Schuster and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Season of Fear is one of those stories that sinks its claws into you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Atmospheric, emotional, and laced with horror, it’s a book that’s equal parts nightmare and fairytale, and I loved EVERY SINGLE minute of it.
Inspired by Bavarian folklore, this is a dark feminist fairytale full of horror, heart, and a sapphic romance that absolutely delivers.
Ilse lives in a village where fear is sacred and protection requires the women offering up their terror to an ancient Saint. But Ilse was born without fear. When her sister’s life is threatened, Ilse ventures into the monstrous forest that borders their town, hoping it can teach her to be afraid.
As a German speaker, I loved the use of German words throughout the story. It added so much atmosphere!
The forest is filled with nightmare fuel, and some scenes are horrifyingly descriptive. But beneath the horror is also a powerful story about being different, not fitting in, and learning to accept who you are.
Ilse is such a strong and compelling main character. I was completely rooting for her. And then there's the slow-burn sapphic romance, which is EVERYTHING. If you're looking for yearning and tension, look no further.
The side characters were so fun and charming, too. And the ending? What a beautiful conclusion. The final chapters had me on the edge of my seat, and the epilogue genuinely made me cry.
This was a haunting gothic fairytale I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
5 stars.
Season of Fear is one of those stories that sinks its claws into you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Atmospheric, emotional, and laced with horror, it’s a book that’s equal parts nightmare and fairytale, and I loved EVERY SINGLE minute of it.
Inspired by Bavarian folklore, this is a dark feminist fairytale full of horror, heart, and a sapphic romance that absolutely delivers.
Ilse lives in a village where fear is sacred and protection requires the women offering up their terror to an ancient Saint. But Ilse was born without fear. When her sister’s life is threatened, Ilse ventures into the monstrous forest that borders their town, hoping it can teach her to be afraid.
As a German speaker, I loved the use of German words throughout the story. It added so much atmosphere!
The forest is filled with nightmare fuel, and some scenes are horrifyingly descriptive. But beneath the horror is also a powerful story about being different, not fitting in, and learning to accept who you are.
Ilse is such a strong and compelling main character. I was completely rooting for her. And then there's the slow-burn sapphic romance, which is EVERYTHING. If you're looking for yearning and tension, look no further.
The side characters were so fun and charming, too. And the ending? What a beautiful conclusion. The final chapters had me on the edge of my seat, and the epilogue genuinely made me cry.
This was a haunting gothic fairytale I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
5 stars.
January 27, 2025
A dark and monstrous tale of monsters, saints, and sisterly love. The premise of a dangerous forest held back by a saint that feeds on the fear of women with a main character who feels no fear at all? Incredible. Add in a couple excellent twists and a fabulous commentary on women and how they are used--this is going to appeal to a lot of readers!
Thank you to the author for the early copy!
Thank you to the author for the early copy!
July 24, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!
From the beginning, this book grabs you and pulls you in by its teeth. We are introduced to Isle, a girl who is different from everyone else in her village. Monsters plague their village and they rely on the Saint of Fear to help protect them. He feeds off their fear. Isle is the only one who has never felt fear.
I loved the themes explored in this book. Misogyny, sisterhood, magic, fear, love, & how women can fight back against oppression. The more I heard about this village, the more I hated it. The women put themselves in front of a monster and beg for its help with their fear. The men just stay behind and are barely seen in this book except for Hans. Hans is the perfect himbo boy. I loved how much he loved Thea. Speaking of Thea, the love between her and Isle was beautiful. Sisters in every way. While their mother was hot and cold for me, I’m glad they had each other.
The sapphic angle this went was interesting. Ash was a good character with her brother and it again shows a great strong sibling bond. There is so much sadness and agony in this book and the plot twists just kept coming. I didn’t expect anything that was happening. I also didn’t expect how gory and dark this was going to be. I loved it. The images were actually gruesome. I enjoyed this book a lot and you want to read something on the horror spectrum with fantasy/folklore elements I highly recommend!
From the beginning, this book grabs you and pulls you in by its teeth. We are introduced to Isle, a girl who is different from everyone else in her village. Monsters plague their village and they rely on the Saint of Fear to help protect them. He feeds off their fear. Isle is the only one who has never felt fear.
I loved the themes explored in this book. Misogyny, sisterhood, magic, fear, love, & how women can fight back against oppression. The more I heard about this village, the more I hated it. The women put themselves in front of a monster and beg for its help with their fear. The men just stay behind and are barely seen in this book except for Hans. Hans is the perfect himbo boy. I loved how much he loved Thea. Speaking of Thea, the love between her and Isle was beautiful. Sisters in every way. While their mother was hot and cold for me, I’m glad they had each other.
The sapphic angle this went was interesting. Ash was a good character with her brother and it again shows a great strong sibling bond. There is so much sadness and agony in this book and the plot twists just kept coming. I didn’t expect anything that was happening. I also didn’t expect how gory and dark this was going to be. I loved it. The images were actually gruesome. I enjoyed this book a lot and you want to read something on the horror spectrum with fantasy/folklore elements I highly recommend!
August 25, 2025
What a bleak, harrowing world, when fear becomes currency, and the creature that protects you, the Saint, demands it as tribute. We’re immediately immersed in a society shaped by dread, where the Saint of Fear feeds off the terror of its people to keep the corrupted forces of the Ether at bay. It’s a twisted kind of safety, one built on sacrifice, and that burden is shouldered almost entirely by women. Fear becomes not just emotion, but obligation. Meanwhile, the men seem to have distanced themselves from the weight of that cost. What kind of community does that shape, when death is always near and fear is your only worth?
The world is only a couple of centuries old, birthed from a rupture that brought with it the Hexenwald, an overwhelming force of corruption and cruelty. In this world, Ilse stands apart. She knows she has no fear. And in a society that measures value by how much fear you can offer, she is...lacking. Unworthy. Or so she believes.
What follows is a journey of self-discovery rooted in rich lore, magical unease, and a darkness that is both external and internal. Ilse is a compelling character, not because she is fearless, but because her desires reach beyond simple survival. Her love for her sister Thea brings emotional depth to her journey, showing us that fearlessness doesn’t mean heartlessness.
This is a story that asks: Can we find fear? Should we? And as we walk beside Ilse, we experience grief, joy, love and perhaps most powerfully, courage. Season of Fear is a dark and fantastical tale about what makes us human, and what we're willing to endure for the ones we love.
A special thank you to Simon & Schuster UK and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy; All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The world is only a couple of centuries old, birthed from a rupture that brought with it the Hexenwald, an overwhelming force of corruption and cruelty. In this world, Ilse stands apart. She knows she has no fear. And in a society that measures value by how much fear you can offer, she is...lacking. Unworthy. Or so she believes.
What follows is a journey of self-discovery rooted in rich lore, magical unease, and a darkness that is both external and internal. Ilse is a compelling character, not because she is fearless, but because her desires reach beyond simple survival. Her love for her sister Thea brings emotional depth to her journey, showing us that fearlessness doesn’t mean heartlessness.
This is a story that asks: Can we find fear? Should we? And as we walk beside Ilse, we experience grief, joy, love and perhaps most powerfully, courage. Season of Fear is a dark and fantastical tale about what makes us human, and what we're willing to endure for the ones we love.
A special thank you to Simon & Schuster UK and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy; All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2025
I usually like to scream and shout about my recommendations but this one resonated so deeply with me I almost want to whisper about it??
This one is for the girls who spent their teens staying up late reading scary stories about humanoids, skinwalkers, and Alpe; the small creatures who sit on your chest while you sleep, crushing you until you’d wake, gasping for air
It’s also for those of us who never felt quite right, never fit in, never felt normal or accepted. Those of us who always felt ‘other’. Those of us who are just starting to appreciate that our differences are not shortcomings.
It’s for girls whose fear was preyed upon by men drunk on power, who let their rage silently simmer beneath the surface.
If this sounds like you, I encourage you to pick up Season of Fear. The characters are raw and authentic, the atmosphere is terrifying and delicious. Emily Cooper does not shy away from writing about the gritty and uncomfortable, but instead leans into it.
If the idea of a sentient forest brimming with humanoids and terrifying creatures sounds like your sort of thing, Season of Fear is out on August 28th and I highly recommend picking it up. This is THE book for spooky season
Read if you like:
🌲Wtf is wrong with the forest vibes
💀Creepy and uncomfortable oddities
🍄🟫Unpredictable twists and reveals
🥀Humanoids
🍂Bavarian folklore
🦇Raw feminine rage
🪷 Sapphic love stories
🪲 Chosen family
Thank you Simon and Schuster for gifting me a proof of Season of Fear. All thoughts and opinions are my own
This one is for the girls who spent their teens staying up late reading scary stories about humanoids, skinwalkers, and Alpe; the small creatures who sit on your chest while you sleep, crushing you until you’d wake, gasping for air
It’s also for those of us who never felt quite right, never fit in, never felt normal or accepted. Those of us who always felt ‘other’. Those of us who are just starting to appreciate that our differences are not shortcomings.
It’s for girls whose fear was preyed upon by men drunk on power, who let their rage silently simmer beneath the surface.
If this sounds like you, I encourage you to pick up Season of Fear. The characters are raw and authentic, the atmosphere is terrifying and delicious. Emily Cooper does not shy away from writing about the gritty and uncomfortable, but instead leans into it.
If the idea of a sentient forest brimming with humanoids and terrifying creatures sounds like your sort of thing, Season of Fear is out on August 28th and I highly recommend picking it up. This is THE book for spooky season
Read if you like:
🌲Wtf is wrong with the forest vibes
💀Creepy and uncomfortable oddities
🍄🟫Unpredictable twists and reveals
🥀Humanoids
🍂Bavarian folklore
🦇Raw feminine rage
🪷 Sapphic love stories
🪲 Chosen family
Thank you Simon and Schuster for gifting me a proof of Season of Fear. All thoughts and opinions are my own
September 4, 2025
✨ “I wonder what it would be like not to live in fear.” ✨
Imagine living in a village where fear is currency -you literally feed it to a Saint so it keeps the monsters of the forest at bay. Ilse? She was born without it. And when the Saint threatens to eat her sister unless she finds her fear, she dives headfirst into the cursed Hexenwald… a forest that is alive, watching, and brimming with gods, monsters, and secrets.
What follows wrapped around me like vines and pulled me into sinking sand. I read this in one sitting.
Tropes you’ll find in these dark parts:
🌲 Haunted / sentient forest
🩸 Dark fantasy / Gothic horror
👭 Fierce sisterhood & sacrifice
🌙 Sapphic romance subplot
⚔️ Gods & monsters
🇩🇪 Sprinkled with German words (yes I understood the words = clearly I’m cultured now 😆🤌🏻)
This book was gorgeous, haunting, gruesome, and dripping with atmosphere. It’s the kind of dark fairy tale that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go. Honestly? I ate this up. It was absolutely HORRIFYING! Instant chills. Like actual goosebumps, because I was terrified And I was completely enraptured.
The writing is lush and atmospheric, the forest is practically its own villain, and the story clung to me long after the last page. Marketed as The Handmaid’s Tale meets Night of the Witch, this is for readers who love Erin A. Craig’s eerie vibes or Rachel Gillig’s dark and magical storytelling. I cried big fat tears for that epilogue, honestly just gorgeous.
I can’t give you a better book to add to your spooky season TBR, this is ✨it✨
Imagine living in a village where fear is currency -you literally feed it to a Saint so it keeps the monsters of the forest at bay. Ilse? She was born without it. And when the Saint threatens to eat her sister unless she finds her fear, she dives headfirst into the cursed Hexenwald… a forest that is alive, watching, and brimming with gods, monsters, and secrets.
What follows wrapped around me like vines and pulled me into sinking sand. I read this in one sitting.
Tropes you’ll find in these dark parts:
🌲 Haunted / sentient forest
🩸 Dark fantasy / Gothic horror
👭 Fierce sisterhood & sacrifice
🌙 Sapphic romance subplot
⚔️ Gods & monsters
🇩🇪 Sprinkled with German words (yes I understood the words = clearly I’m cultured now 😆🤌🏻)
This book was gorgeous, haunting, gruesome, and dripping with atmosphere. It’s the kind of dark fairy tale that sinks its claws into you and doesn’t let go. Honestly? I ate this up. It was absolutely HORRIFYING! Instant chills. Like actual goosebumps, because I was terrified And I was completely enraptured.
The writing is lush and atmospheric, the forest is practically its own villain, and the story clung to me long after the last page. Marketed as The Handmaid’s Tale meets Night of the Witch, this is for readers who love Erin A. Craig’s eerie vibes or Rachel Gillig’s dark and magical storytelling. I cried big fat tears for that epilogue, honestly just gorgeous.
I can’t give you a better book to add to your spooky season TBR, this is ✨it✨
August 28, 2025
“when i step into the hexenwald, the trees do not loom. they beckon.”
as someone that giggles through horror films and finds them hilarious, this book had me shaking in my boots and closing my eyes so i couldn’t see what was coming. such a devastatingly beautiful story of the strength of women, chosen family, and forgiveness. not to mention: lesbians!!!!!
as someone that giggles through horror films and finds them hilarious, this book had me shaking in my boots and closing my eyes so i couldn’t see what was coming. such a devastatingly beautiful story of the strength of women, chosen family, and forgiveness. not to mention: lesbians!!!!!
June 3, 2025
HOLY SHIT THIS BOOK!!! my jaw in on the floor!
season of fear is non stop from the very beginning. the plot constantly has something happen -- you're whizzed from one thing to the next with no time to come up for air in between. i struggled to put this book down at the end of the night so i could sleep (i just wanted to keep going!).
this book opens with a scene straight from a horror book/movie/whatever. the opening scene is so captivating and sets the tone perfectly for what's to come. when it's ilse's turn to take the "rite", she fails. the saint of fear then threatens ilse, where she then decides to take matters into her own hands. a large portion of this book takes place in a forest. as with any great forest, this one's filled with horrific creatures determined to cause as much pain and suffering as possible.
from the get-go, i adored ilse. she was a captivating and intriguing main character. i liked how she wasn't fragile but actually very strong and determined. i was weary about hans at first, because all the men in this book were depicted as selfish and greedy, however he became my favourite character swiftly. i hoped so hard that nothing would harm his kind soul.
as the pair make their way into the forest, we meet ash (an absolutely wonderful woman) and her brother. they team up with ilse and hans on their mission to save the women of heulensee.
the romance in this book is minimal but it does play a large role. i found it so cute to read. it is a sapphic romance, which i found very fitting for this particular story.
the plot twist towards the end!! i genuinely didn't see that coming! (what an oblivious queen). there was just so much that happened in such a short space of time but nothing felt rushed. i will say though, that the ending (while happy and wholesome) made me really sad. i may or may not have shed a tear. or two. maybe five. i wasn't counting.
thank you so much for the chance to read this early! this is easily my new favourite book.
season of fear is non stop from the very beginning. the plot constantly has something happen -- you're whizzed from one thing to the next with no time to come up for air in between. i struggled to put this book down at the end of the night so i could sleep (i just wanted to keep going!).
this book opens with a scene straight from a horror book/movie/whatever. the opening scene is so captivating and sets the tone perfectly for what's to come. when it's ilse's turn to take the "rite", she fails. the saint of fear then threatens ilse, where she then decides to take matters into her own hands. a large portion of this book takes place in a forest. as with any great forest, this one's filled with horrific creatures determined to cause as much pain and suffering as possible.
from the get-go, i adored ilse. she was a captivating and intriguing main character. i liked how she wasn't fragile but actually very strong and determined. i was weary about hans at first, because all the men in this book were depicted as selfish and greedy, however he became my favourite character swiftly. i hoped so hard that nothing would harm his kind soul.
as the pair make their way into the forest, we meet ash (an absolutely wonderful woman) and her brother. they team up with ilse and hans on their mission to save the women of heulensee.
the romance in this book is minimal but it does play a large role. i found it so cute to read. it is a sapphic romance, which i found very fitting for this particular story.
the plot twist towards the end!! i genuinely didn't see that coming! (what an oblivious queen). there was just so much that happened in such a short space of time but nothing felt rushed. i will say though, that the ending (while happy and wholesome) made me really sad. i may or may not have shed a tear. or two. maybe five. i wasn't counting.
thank you so much for the chance to read this early! this is easily my new favourite book.
July 18, 2025
This was an incredible read. It’s hauntingly beautiful, the characters are incredibly well written and fleshed out, and the twists just keep coming.
Born without fear, FMC has to venture into the cursed woods next to her village to try find her fear and save her sister. The book follows her journey through the forest, with a few companions along the way. The plot was really well built - detailed but not complicated, twisty but not convoluted. It keeps you on your toes with what’s coming next. The characters are interesting and three dimensional, and the sapphic romance was very well portrayed - it didn’t feel shoehorned in, and was beautifully written.
It felt very poignant at times with how women are depicted. The sacrifices the women (and girls) make to keep their village safe, whilst the men live normally. It’s an excellent commentary on the role of women in society. There was one scene at the end (how the final ‘battle’ played out) which was truly breathtaking.
4.5/5, rounded up to 5.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.
Born without fear, FMC has to venture into the cursed woods next to her village to try find her fear and save her sister. The book follows her journey through the forest, with a few companions along the way. The plot was really well built - detailed but not complicated, twisty but not convoluted. It keeps you on your toes with what’s coming next. The characters are interesting and three dimensional, and the sapphic romance was very well portrayed - it didn’t feel shoehorned in, and was beautifully written.
It felt very poignant at times with how women are depicted. The sacrifices the women (and girls) make to keep their village safe, whilst the men live normally. It’s an excellent commentary on the role of women in society. There was one scene at the end (how the final ‘battle’ played out) which was truly breathtaking.
4.5/5, rounded up to 5.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.
June 23, 2025
This book sucked me in and wouldn't let me go until the very last tear stained page.
Ilse lives in Huelensee, a village ravaged by terrifying creatures from the Hexenwald, a dark and magical forest.
The Women and girls must offer up their terror to the Saint of Fear who feeds on and uses it to defeat the monsters and keep the village safe, but the problem is, Ilse doesn't feel fear and the Saint isn't happy about it and threatens to kill Ilse's sister unless she finds her fear.
So it is that Ilse journeys through the Hexenwald, where she finds much more than terrifying creatures and a cursed forest.
I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read, the characters, environments, monsters and heroes are all very well written and the themes of feminism, oppression and prejudice are handled well.
I would recommend this to fans of T. Kingfisher or anyone that loves a dark fairytale, folk horror.
Ilse lives in Huelensee, a village ravaged by terrifying creatures from the Hexenwald, a dark and magical forest.
The Women and girls must offer up their terror to the Saint of Fear who feeds on and uses it to defeat the monsters and keep the village safe, but the problem is, Ilse doesn't feel fear and the Saint isn't happy about it and threatens to kill Ilse's sister unless she finds her fear.
So it is that Ilse journeys through the Hexenwald, where she finds much more than terrifying creatures and a cursed forest.
I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read, the characters, environments, monsters and heroes are all very well written and the themes of feminism, oppression and prejudice are handled well.
I would recommend this to fans of T. Kingfisher or anyone that loves a dark fairytale, folk horror.
August 7, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I want to forget this book so I can read it again for the first time.
This is what I want from books with creepy forests, terrifying monsters and badass women. Every page was an utter joy - even when I was tense and crying. I genuinely didn't want to put this book down but also didn't want it to end.
Everything about it was perfection: Excellent pacing, stunning world-building, beautiful magic systems, characters I fell in love with and great development from the main character. The bittersweet journey that Ilse goes through had me hooked and wanted her to succeed so much.
The UK cover may look awful (in my opinion), but this book is well worth picking up as it is a stunning standalone fantasy about becoming who you were meant to be, chosen family and grief. I want more from this world but it doesn't need another book, so I'll have to settle for reading it again.
I want to forget this book so I can read it again for the first time.
This is what I want from books with creepy forests, terrifying monsters and badass women. Every page was an utter joy - even when I was tense and crying. I genuinely didn't want to put this book down but also didn't want it to end.
Everything about it was perfection: Excellent pacing, stunning world-building, beautiful magic systems, characters I fell in love with and great development from the main character. The bittersweet journey that Ilse goes through had me hooked and wanted her to succeed so much.
The UK cover may look awful (in my opinion), but this book is well worth picking up as it is a stunning standalone fantasy about becoming who you were meant to be, chosen family and grief. I want more from this world but it doesn't need another book, so I'll have to settle for reading it again.
August 31, 2025
Emily Cooper’s Season of Fear is a marvel; her prose is poetic and compelling, the imagery she plays with matching the dark intensity of the story she tells, the beating and bloody heart of her book is visceral, haunting and totally enthralling. From the prologue Cooper’s confidence in the story she wants to tell is emphatic - there’s not a line or word that feels careless, not a turn of phrase, or passage of description which doesn’t feel deliberate. The craft in her prose from that very first chapter is a promise of what is to come - a dark feminist fairytale that has teeth and claws and that rages and rages and rages, but that, above all else, radiates love.
There’s a foreboding sense of dread that seeps into the story and into your bones as you read; Ilse is all sharp edges and a bleak outlook, the perfect compliment to this community which trades in the fear of women as currency for the protection of its men. But what happens when one is fearless, when one refuses the societal contract, refuses to fear and sacrifice and chooses defiance and courage in its stead? Isle’s otherness - both in her sexuality, her nonconformity and her fearlessness - and her journey to acceptance is fraught with self doubt, intensely therapeutic and violently empowering. Her courage echoes beyond the page, her spirit unyielding, her scream one of rage not terror. In a world where subservience is cultivated, where women are complicit in their own exploitation, the best form of defiance is owning one’s truth, truly living it and guiding others towards that same liberation. An absolute triumph.
There’s a foreboding sense of dread that seeps into the story and into your bones as you read; Ilse is all sharp edges and a bleak outlook, the perfect compliment to this community which trades in the fear of women as currency for the protection of its men. But what happens when one is fearless, when one refuses the societal contract, refuses to fear and sacrifice and chooses defiance and courage in its stead? Isle’s otherness - both in her sexuality, her nonconformity and her fearlessness - and her journey to acceptance is fraught with self doubt, intensely therapeutic and violently empowering. Her courage echoes beyond the page, her spirit unyielding, her scream one of rage not terror. In a world where subservience is cultivated, where women are complicit in their own exploitation, the best form of defiance is owning one’s truth, truly living it and guiding others towards that same liberation. An absolute triumph.
Want to read
July 30, 2025"fairy tale-esque but in a macabre way"
March 17, 2025
This book is hauntingly beautiful, and it is easily my new favourite book. I fear nothing shall ever surpass how I feel about this book. It has everything that I need, and all I desire is to read and reread this book for the rest of eternity. If I were to die with this book in my hands, I would be at my happiest, I am in love with this book. If I ever, ever shut up about this, then something is terribly wrong.
Emily Cooper has woven an intricate web of complex, unique characters, characters whom I deeply love and care about. Characters who live in such a peculiar world.
Fear is survival in Heulensee, the force that protects the village - women offer up their fear to the Saint of Fear, and the village is protected from the monsters of the forest. The Saint of Fear came to protect Heulensee from the horrors of the Hexenwald forest …. Or did it? Monstrous things emerge from the forest when the sky turns red, and the Saint of Fear demands that women and girls offer up their fear to it - in return, it will save Heulensee. But first, it will feast on their fear.
This book is a brilliant exploration of the sacrifices of women and girls, and the world that moulds them. Heulensee is accustomed to sacrificing them, their fates interwoven with a beast. But Ilse Odenwald is not afraid.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EMILY COOPER FOR MY ARC OF THIS !!!! I will treasure it forever and am eternally grateful.
Emily Cooper has woven an intricate web of complex, unique characters, characters whom I deeply love and care about. Characters who live in such a peculiar world.
Fear is survival in Heulensee, the force that protects the village - women offer up their fear to the Saint of Fear, and the village is protected from the monsters of the forest. The Saint of Fear came to protect Heulensee from the horrors of the Hexenwald forest …. Or did it? Monstrous things emerge from the forest when the sky turns red, and the Saint of Fear demands that women and girls offer up their fear to it - in return, it will save Heulensee. But first, it will feast on their fear.
This book is a brilliant exploration of the sacrifices of women and girls, and the world that moulds them. Heulensee is accustomed to sacrificing them, their fates interwoven with a beast. But Ilse Odenwald is not afraid.
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO EMILY COOPER FOR MY ARC OF THIS !!!! I will treasure it forever and am eternally grateful.
Want to read
June 17, 2025"Inspired by Bavarian folklore, Season of Fear is a beautifully dark feminist fairytale for fans of Ava Reid and Hannah Whitten, which features a seductive lesbian romance and explores the power in being different and accepting yourself for who you are."
hell yeah
hell yeah
August 29, 2025
"They prefer women - Don't all monsters?"
This was a dark, haunting, feminist, horror-like fantasy with folklore origins that sinks its teeth in and rips you open. Emily Cooper delivers exquisitely beautiful world building, vibrant, multi faceted characters, excellent twists and turns and a fantastic commentary on women, their sacrifices, their bonds, the nature of womanhood, the strength in fear and the bravery in accepting one’s differences.
This was a beautiful, thought provoking, romantic story with incredible representation of queer women and of sisterhood, friendship, motherhood and belonging.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was rich, wonderful and whimsical yet horrific and gorey at the same time, it was full of female rage and I loved every second of it.
I love when a story correlates to reality— in this I found that I felt so connected to Ilse and the women of her community, as a women living in a community plagued by an epidemic of violence, mistreatment and discrimination against women, I felt their fear, I felt their frustration and I felt their rage.
Absolute stand out of the year for me, 10/10!!
And the beautiful, tearjerking ending just wrapped it up all up perfectly.
Some highlights —
“If I could dig it out, I would. I'd root through my chest cavity. nail scraping flesh and bone. Bloody-fingered, I'd hold it up to the sun and let it burn. With cardiac muscle pulsing between my fingers, I'd scream what will you hate me for now?”
“I see a girl who was able to enter the Hexenwald without so much as a goosebump. I see a girl who talked me down from killing my own brother. I see a girl who is driven not by fear, but by love.”
"Some of us simply refused the notion that a powerful woman is an evil one.”
“Not even death could separate us. I count the freckles on her cheeks, memorize the shade of her eyes, and inhale a lungful of her scent. “I will find you. In every lifetime.”
“I am the Saint of Fear. My name is Ambet. I am the third of the Saints of Pathos, the daughter earth. I have existed for eighteen years; I will persist for a thousand more. When you are dead and rotting in the ground, I will endure. When Heulensee is nothing but a memory spoken in ancient tongue, I will endure. When the false Saint lays bloodied and broken, I will endure. I am the constant; I am eternal; I am power.”
This was a dark, haunting, feminist, horror-like fantasy with folklore origins that sinks its teeth in and rips you open. Emily Cooper delivers exquisitely beautiful world building, vibrant, multi faceted characters, excellent twists and turns and a fantastic commentary on women, their sacrifices, their bonds, the nature of womanhood, the strength in fear and the bravery in accepting one’s differences.
This was a beautiful, thought provoking, romantic story with incredible representation of queer women and of sisterhood, friendship, motherhood and belonging.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was rich, wonderful and whimsical yet horrific and gorey at the same time, it was full of female rage and I loved every second of it.
I love when a story correlates to reality— in this I found that I felt so connected to Ilse and the women of her community, as a women living in a community plagued by an epidemic of violence, mistreatment and discrimination against women, I felt their fear, I felt their frustration and I felt their rage.
Absolute stand out of the year for me, 10/10!!
And the beautiful, tearjerking ending just wrapped it up all up perfectly.
Some highlights —
“If I could dig it out, I would. I'd root through my chest cavity. nail scraping flesh and bone. Bloody-fingered, I'd hold it up to the sun and let it burn. With cardiac muscle pulsing between my fingers, I'd scream what will you hate me for now?”
“I see a girl who was able to enter the Hexenwald without so much as a goosebump. I see a girl who talked me down from killing my own brother. I see a girl who is driven not by fear, but by love.”
"Some of us simply refused the notion that a powerful woman is an evil one.”
“Not even death could separate us. I count the freckles on her cheeks, memorize the shade of her eyes, and inhale a lungful of her scent. “I will find you. In every lifetime.”
“I am the Saint of Fear. My name is Ambet. I am the third of the Saints of Pathos, the daughter earth. I have existed for eighteen years; I will persist for a thousand more. When you are dead and rotting in the ground, I will endure. When Heulensee is nothing but a memory spoken in ancient tongue, I will endure. When the false Saint lays bloodied and broken, I will endure. I am the constant; I am eternal; I am power.”
April 20, 2025
I finished this in ONE SITTING , just wow !
What may orginally seem like just a horror, this book is so so so much more!!! We follow Ilse, who is born without fear in a town that feeds their fear to an ancient saint on the rite of their 18th birthdays, something that only the women follow as they are the ones that battle with the most fear. By feeding the saint, it protects their village from the monsters of the hexenwald, a forest of horror and monsters that can tear their flesh and kill them with ease. But on the night of her rite, the saint notices her lack of fear, giving her an ultimatum. She must find her fear in 30 days or it devours her sister!!
From the get go I was invested in the story, the horrific details in the prologue felt straight out of a horror movie. The descriptions were brutal yet poetic and set the initial tone for the book. What I wasn’t expecting was to fall in love with the characters we are introduced to as the book progresses. There is found family elements, a blossoming side plot of a sapphic relationship and honestly some incredibly powerful scenes of the women that battle their fear throughout the book. The epilogue and ending had me emotional and it’s safe to say Emily cooper is incredible at building characters that you can fall for! This was such an incredible and unique read that had some amazing twists and just was such an amazing reading experience!
Thank you to Simon and schuster and netgalley for this early E-arc copy !!
What may orginally seem like just a horror, this book is so so so much more!!! We follow Ilse, who is born without fear in a town that feeds their fear to an ancient saint on the rite of their 18th birthdays, something that only the women follow as they are the ones that battle with the most fear. By feeding the saint, it protects their village from the monsters of the hexenwald, a forest of horror and monsters that can tear their flesh and kill them with ease. But on the night of her rite, the saint notices her lack of fear, giving her an ultimatum. She must find her fear in 30 days or it devours her sister!!
From the get go I was invested in the story, the horrific details in the prologue felt straight out of a horror movie. The descriptions were brutal yet poetic and set the initial tone for the book. What I wasn’t expecting was to fall in love with the characters we are introduced to as the book progresses. There is found family elements, a blossoming side plot of a sapphic relationship and honestly some incredibly powerful scenes of the women that battle their fear throughout the book. The epilogue and ending had me emotional and it’s safe to say Emily cooper is incredible at building characters that you can fall for! This was such an incredible and unique read that had some amazing twists and just was such an amazing reading experience!
Thank you to Simon and schuster and netgalley for this early E-arc copy !!
August 23, 2025
4.25 stars
Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this one. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a pleasant surprise! I had no idea what this one was about when it arrived on my doorstep but I am so glad it was sent my way because I was captivated from the start.
Ilsa is such a wonderful main character. She’s fearless — literally, she can not feel fear. In a town that’s looked after by the Saint of Fear who requires their fear for power, this makes Ilsa an outsider. And I just felt for her for this whole book. Her journey toward finding herself and her own strengths and power was so wonderful.
The horror elements of this were really good. I don’t scare easy but the creepy vibes were definitely there, made somehow more chilling by the MC’s lack of fear.
I loved the romance in this. SO much. Ash and Ilsa were so wonderful together and I wish I’d had more time with them. Just give me the soft cosy romance set after the main plot of this book please.
All the supporting characters in this one were great too. I especially loved Hans and his relationship with Ilsa, her realising how unfair she had been to him, how her insecurities and prejudices biased her again a genuinely good person.
There’s just so much to love about this and I highly recommend it.
Thank you so much Simon & Schuster Australia for sending me a copy of this one. All thoughts are my own.
This was such a pleasant surprise! I had no idea what this one was about when it arrived on my doorstep but I am so glad it was sent my way because I was captivated from the start.
Ilsa is such a wonderful main character. She’s fearless — literally, she can not feel fear. In a town that’s looked after by the Saint of Fear who requires their fear for power, this makes Ilsa an outsider. And I just felt for her for this whole book. Her journey toward finding herself and her own strengths and power was so wonderful.
The horror elements of this were really good. I don’t scare easy but the creepy vibes were definitely there, made somehow more chilling by the MC’s lack of fear.
I loved the romance in this. SO much. Ash and Ilsa were so wonderful together and I wish I’d had more time with them. Just give me the soft cosy romance set after the main plot of this book please.
All the supporting characters in this one were great too. I especially loved Hans and his relationship with Ilsa, her realising how unfair she had been to him, how her insecurities and prejudices biased her again a genuinely good person.
There’s just so much to love about this and I highly recommend it.
April 17, 2025
Arc review ✨
So thrilled writing this review! This was a great read and I absolutely needed a win right now as I’ve been on a DNF streak a lot lately and not much seems to keep my attention, but this book was filled with female rage and I loved it. Right out of the gate, introducing us to the horror going on in this little village had me hooked.
We follow Ilse, a young girl who cannot feel fear when fear is the only thing needed, found that to be a unique spin. I was fully invested in all the characters throughout as each are introduced. I absolutely loved the found family vibe. The mystery of what the heck is going on and the journey she took to try and save her sister was written well. Every twist and turn had me on the edge of my seat. I ate this up for sure, finished it in a little over a day.
Will absolutely read more from this author and look forward to purchasing the beautiful edition from
Goldsboro!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for a review!
So thrilled writing this review! This was a great read and I absolutely needed a win right now as I’ve been on a DNF streak a lot lately and not much seems to keep my attention, but this book was filled with female rage and I loved it. Right out of the gate, introducing us to the horror going on in this little village had me hooked.
We follow Ilse, a young girl who cannot feel fear when fear is the only thing needed, found that to be a unique spin. I was fully invested in all the characters throughout as each are introduced. I absolutely loved the found family vibe. The mystery of what the heck is going on and the journey she took to try and save her sister was written well. Every twist and turn had me on the edge of my seat. I ate this up for sure, finished it in a little over a day.
Will absolutely read more from this author and look forward to purchasing the beautiful edition from
Goldsboro!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for a review!
September 3, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Season of Fear immediately hooked me. It's about a core of sisterhood, what we would do for them, and what sacrifices we would make. But it's also about love and corruption. There's this religion, and climate of fear quite literally. And I immediately fell in love with Ilse and how desperately she wants to belong. But sometimes, we can't get what we want. In this community, being unafraid is seen as dangerous and what recourse do we have? Nowadays, having a character whose world is run by fears, and she is fearless, is this instant connection. Add the dangerous forest in and so ready!
Season of Fear immediately hooked me. It's about a core of sisterhood, what we would do for them, and what sacrifices we would make. But it's also about love and corruption. There's this religion, and climate of fear quite literally. And I immediately fell in love with Ilse and how desperately she wants to belong. But sometimes, we can't get what we want. In this community, being unafraid is seen as dangerous and what recourse do we have? Nowadays, having a character whose world is run by fears, and she is fearless, is this instant connection. Add the dangerous forest in and so ready!
May 26, 2025
This hauntingly gorgeous novel centers around courage and sisterhood. I found that the main character, Ilse, was a strong and personable character that made me want to keep reading and never put this book down. The ways in which she grew as a character through the tribulations she faced during her quest to find they key to her problem was inspiring. Sisterhood is a key factor into how the plot is able to move forward and strengthens not only our main character but many others. The courage of many women throughout this book was so amazing to read, as well as the courage to push against the patriarchy. I found the relationship between our main character and her love interest to be heathy and a true show of how love can help one to prevail. Overall, if you are a fan of horror novels with a quest then this book is for you. The author uses great imagery to describe every scene and the different horrors that are faced in each chapter.
Thank you NetGalley and Emily Cooper for an advance copy of this novel.
Thank you NetGalley and Emily Cooper for an advance copy of this novel.
August 11, 2025
Season of Fear is a beautifully written dark fantasy/horror with elements of folklore and feminism. The forest setting was eerie and haunting with grotesque monsters and seemingly sentient trees. Ilse was a compelling main character with her inability to feel fear, her sense of otherness, and the strange pull she feels toward the forest.
This was definitely a page turner with twists and turns, gruesome scenes, and emotional moments. It has a sapphic romance subplot and some great side characters. I will say it did feel a bit depressing at times. There are certainly hopeful moments involving family, friendship, and women taking back their power, but I found the epilogue to be quite sad. If you don’t mind a darker read, this would be a great one for spooky season.
Thank you to Little, Brown and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was definitely a page turner with twists and turns, gruesome scenes, and emotional moments. It has a sapphic romance subplot and some great side characters. I will say it did feel a bit depressing at times. There are certainly hopeful moments involving family, friendship, and women taking back their power, but I found the epilogue to be quite sad. If you don’t mind a darker read, this would be a great one for spooky season.
Thank you to Little, Brown and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2025
Season of fear is terrifying, poetic and filled with imagery that dances off the page. Most of all though it is so filled with love. Love between sisters and friends and all encompassing love between soulmates. I found reading this book so empowering and immersive.
I am desperate to visit the Hexenwald and Heulensee, however frightening they may be. They will forever exist as real places in my mind.
Thank you Emily for creating a story and characters that are so magical. Unforgettable.
I am desperate to visit the Hexenwald and Heulensee, however frightening they may be. They will forever exist as real places in my mind.
Thank you Emily for creating a story and characters that are so magical. Unforgettable.
August 28, 2025
Thank you to @netgalley and @littlebrownbooks for the arc of this one!
This book took root in my soul. The opening chapter set the whole tone of the story, transporting you into a dark magical realm blooming with secrets and brimming with folklore.
—-
In the town of Heulensee, when a woman turns 18, she presents her fear to the Saint as an offering. It’s this sacrifice that keeps the Saint fed and loyal, so that when ungodly creatures spill from the forest of Hexenwald, they have a monster of their own to defend them.
Ilse has one flaw- fearlessness. So when she is sent to the Saints cave on her Rite day, she is unable to give it what it wants and her Oma is killed for it. The Saint then presents her with an ultimatum: find her fear in 30 days or her sister Thea will die next. Desperate to save her, Ilse flees into the cursed Hexenwald determined to find her fear and save the one person she loves more than anything in the world.
—-
So many things made this one a masterpiece. Craftful world building, beautiful magic systems, characters to adore.
Ilse Odenwald has been stripped down to the bone of her emotions, and you can just feel her hurt, her rage, and her insecurities radiating off the pages. Her love is fierce, her pain is raw. She is such a multifaceted character. Even the side characters and the relationships Ilse has with them are achingly memorable.
The moody dark and twisty woods of the Hexenwald is a character in and of itself. It feels vividly alive, always watching, harboring dark secrets and strange magical creatures.
Emily’s writing is such a stand out. It is full of lyrical prose that melts into your skin like warm rays of sunshine. Her writing feels cozy, yet also makes you feel like you are surrounded by a mysterious fog like in the early hours of the morning.
This one has definitely taken a top spot as one of my favorites of 2025 🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book took root in my soul. The opening chapter set the whole tone of the story, transporting you into a dark magical realm blooming with secrets and brimming with folklore.
—-
In the town of Heulensee, when a woman turns 18, she presents her fear to the Saint as an offering. It’s this sacrifice that keeps the Saint fed and loyal, so that when ungodly creatures spill from the forest of Hexenwald, they have a monster of their own to defend them.
Ilse has one flaw- fearlessness. So when she is sent to the Saints cave on her Rite day, she is unable to give it what it wants and her Oma is killed for it. The Saint then presents her with an ultimatum: find her fear in 30 days or her sister Thea will die next. Desperate to save her, Ilse flees into the cursed Hexenwald determined to find her fear and save the one person she loves more than anything in the world.
—-
So many things made this one a masterpiece. Craftful world building, beautiful magic systems, characters to adore.
Ilse Odenwald has been stripped down to the bone of her emotions, and you can just feel her hurt, her rage, and her insecurities radiating off the pages. Her love is fierce, her pain is raw. She is such a multifaceted character. Even the side characters and the relationships Ilse has with them are achingly memorable.
The moody dark and twisty woods of the Hexenwald is a character in and of itself. It feels vividly alive, always watching, harboring dark secrets and strange magical creatures.
Emily’s writing is such a stand out. It is full of lyrical prose that melts into your skin like warm rays of sunshine. Her writing feels cozy, yet also makes you feel like you are surrounded by a mysterious fog like in the early hours of the morning.
This one has definitely taken a top spot as one of my favorites of 2025 🤩
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
June 12, 2025
Rep: lesbian mc & li
August 21, 2025
3.5 rounded up to 4
Slow to start but I enjoyed the last half. Kinda felt like trying to start an old engine; just when you think you’ve got it started, it slowed down again
Slow to start but I enjoyed the last half. Kinda felt like trying to start an old engine; just when you think you’ve got it started, it slowed down again
September 2, 2025
3.5
Really good spooky vibes to start the best season 🎃
I enjoyed the story but I could predict everything that was going to happen.
The epilogue was 💔💔💔
Really good spooky vibes to start the best season 🎃
I enjoyed the story but I could predict everything that was going to happen.
The epilogue was 💔💔💔
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