Halloween approaches, and The October Society gathers again though something's amiss. Regardless, they come to share their stories.
Tales of dark dates and monochrome madness.
Of guilty games and nefarious neighbors.
Of colossal catastrophe and fearful fables.
Collected here are all six second-season episodes of the spookiest show that never was. A series only glimpsed in the static between channels found flickering on broken TVs. Tune in, if you can, because the author of The Cotton Candy Massacre welcomes you back to The October Society.
Christopher Robertson writes cinematic pulp fiction that's often described as both wholesome and gruesome, sometimes in the same sentence. He won both the Gold award for Best Novel and Silver for Best Audiobook at the 2023 Godless 666 Awards.
Every time I read a Christopher Robertson book I think “it can’t get better than this” and then he goes above and beyond and creates something even more amazing. The October Society Season Two is so amazing. It’s such an experience. You will laugh, you will cry, you will get chills, it’s truly everything you could ever ask for in a spooky book.
I truly believe that Chris is the author that the horror community needs right now. His work is unlike anyone else’s and is just so damn special.
So, grab a fuzzy blanket, a warm drink, your snack of choice and The October Society Season Two and get ready for a wild ride!
Kit is one of my favourite authors, his style is extremely distinctive, framed as a TV show this felt cinematic and the transitions from "ad breaks" to the actual plot were seamless, this delivered all the nostalgic vibes from the Halloweens of my youth, I thought the story telling was beautiful and heartfelt, the stories were all incredibly diverse and show the depth of Kit's talent, this was cosy light hearted horror that had a melancholy vibe throughout, I really don't want to say goodbye to these characters!
Like it’s predecessor The October Society weaves a complex narrative that never loses sight of its characters. Everything I loved about the first book is here but turned up to 11! Christopher Robertson makes it really hard to pick which of his books is your favourite.
Sequels are a tough thing to get right. For every T2, there are dozens of Jaws: The Revenge, Return to Salem’s Lot, and Jurassic World Dominions out there. Being able to capture the magic of the original, build on it, and keep the thing moving forwards in a way that gets you hooked and wanting more is no easy task, but Christopher Robertson has done it with The October Society, which returns for a second season this October.
For those of you who haven’t read season one…change that! We once again pick up with those mask-wearing, story-telling kids - and their dog - and they take us for another wild ride.
What’s special about all of Robertson’s writing is his signature style of putting books that think they’re movies or, in this case, a TV show. The details are exquisite and help get you in the zone right away; there is a pre and post-credits wraparound story, the main bill is split into six episodes, and each one even has its own set of ads built into the tale.
But, for all the fun, quirky stuff it’s the six stories told in this collection that are the stars. They’re more than good enough to stop all the extras feeling like gimmicks - instead, you’re hooked and in throughout.
For me, my highlights were episodes 1, 3, and 5. The Dreamer’s Date Night in episode 1 was an original take on fairly well-trodden ground, while episode 3’s The Song of Sorrow was heartbreaking and excellent. Then, there’s episode 5’s Those Quiet Bones, which was a powerful story and really shows quite what an exceptional writer Robertson is when you strip it back to what’s important: the stories. This one also had my favourite line of the whole thing: ‘Ringtones, in the small hours of the morning, hit the ear wrong - like a chuckle in a graveyard.’
There’s actually a seventh story worth noting here - the ongoing saga of the Society members themselves, which is proving to be more than a bit gripping. For Robertson to be able to keep weaving that particular thread while not letting the six stories within the wider one dip in quality at all is quite something.
I also really appreciated some of the Easter Eggs here, whether it was the plugs for the creepy carnivals of fellow indie authors Jamie Stewart and Kelly Brocklehurst - and Robertson’s own creation - or the nod to Stephen King’s Springheel Jack, I saw them and loved them!
Once again - not that it was ever in doubt - Robertson and The October Society have delivered the goods…bring on season 3!
Into every generation a horror anthology is born…we’ve had The Twilight Zone, we’ve had Creepshow, we’ve had Are You Afraid Of The Dark and now we have The October Society!
Presented as a mysterious TV show that a young boy has stumbled across, the stories are told by a horror loving group of spooky dead kids who, despite their demise feel completely relatable. I know I was a horror loving spooky kid! Each story is a new episode complete with ad breaks and the inclusion of those were a touch I really enjoyed, particularly with how tongue in cheek they were!
There’s something for everyone here, for horror lovers young and old. It doesn’t matter what style of scares you are drawn to, there’s a story for you! And if you are a true horror geek, you will get an absolute kick out of all the nods to some classics! Plus, not only do you get 6 spooktacular shorts, you also get a great tale surrounding The October Society themselves with some wonderful lore being woven. As readers we are just spoiled with creepy content.
Even though at it’s heart this is a horror book, there are some really touching moments throughout and it’s a beautifully written book.
If you want it to forever be Halloween buy this book!! The ending will have you quite literally screaming for more!
I loved The October Society Season One, so much so that I didn't think it would be possible to love this one more. I did though! This time it was as if I was joining my good ol' friends around the campfire again and I loved it!
I love spooky stories that have a deeper meaning sat within them! Something that will frighten you, make you laugh, make you cry, make you gasp. Emotions punching you in the face in the form of a book!
This series is excellent so far and Robertson is pure genius! After reading Season one of The October Society, I immediately jumped into this one and it’s even better than the first! The story with the kids from The October Society is deeply layered and I’ve grown attached to the group. The stories within the story are all amazing (5 stars each) and there’s a bunch of film/video games references and Easter eggs that connect to the other stories that made this so much fun to read. While it’s lighthearted Horror with some elements of Fantasy, there’s dark undertones that cover themes of bullying, suicide and abuse that the author talks about in the “Producer’s Note”. I love when books have messages that can help someones whose mentally struggling feel like they’re not alone. I gave this book a hug after I was done reading, it was truly worth every bit of my time 🖤
I highly recommend this series to everyone, it really is that good! A TV show adaptation would be so amazing and I need someone to offer this author some sort of deal! It’s already written as a TV show so it’s good to go 😆
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Adored the sequel to the October Society season one! This is a beautiful web of complex stories never losing sight of the overall plot and characters.
It had stories that made you laugh, cry, and feel angry too whilst keeping you hooked on the main storyline away from the terrifying tales our characters are telling. It was incredibly written once again, and Christopher Robertson is a master at creating a unique and original novel yet again.
Returning to The Hallowed Fire for some good campfire stories was such a delight. I enjoyed how the framing devices (and interspersed “commercials”) still don’t take away from the main plot. They add to it, like the chocolate coating of a pumpkin shaped Reese’s.
We get to know new October Society members and learn more about our favorites from the first book. I especially enjoyed the depth of the stories told in this one- they had more emotional substance than the first for sure.
My personal favorite was actually Braden’s Reel Midnight Spookshow. It felt really personal- I also was introduced to classic horror through late night popcorn viewing fests with my dad. Thankfully my bonding experience had a happier ending! I also really appreciated the cultural and historic poignancy of Morgan’s Those Quiet Bones. Shining light on atrocities of our past like the Japanese-American internment camps is how we can fight against repeating such terrible actions. I like how Holly’s, Toby’s, and Gwennie’s stories all show the gray of morality and how “good” and “evil” is rarely black and white. It’s about the decisions you make in moments of intensity and the decisions you make in those moments afterwards.
My biggest thanks to Christopher Robertson himself for the opportunity to snag an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is my first time reading a book in advance of its publication date and though I failed at publishing my review before the actual date, it was only because of the business of my favorite time of the year. And devouring this book only made the start of this season all the more delicious!
Words don't fail me very often (and you know what they say about sequels of any kind), but this story blew its predecessor out of the water (and that's saying something as I thought The October Society: Season One was incredible). We, the readers, are treated to more horrific and spooky tales from the members of the October Society as well as their own side story with their lives as dead kids telling stories around the campfire. I love the new additions to the Society and can't wait to see if there's gonna be a Season Three...
It was even harder to pick a favorite story this time around, but like last time, it's been narrowed down to two: The Dreamer's Date Night and The Reel Midnight Spookshow. There is definitely something for every horror reader out there, and Robertson keeps perfecting his craft at making you feel like you're watching a TV show as opposed to reading from a book or Kindle. Looking forward to the next one.
Halloween nears and the october society gather together to tell scary stories... I really enjoyed this sequel. I thought the character development was really well done. The scary stories continue to be unique to the characters and their personalities. The story really ups its game here and brings everything up a notch. The ending! And what a great book cover!
Definitely pick up this sequel and the first book if you haven't yet. Release date is on the 1st of October prefect for a spooky autumn read
I really enjoyed this second season of The October Society! I thought the first was done really well, but this one was even better and darker.. especially the twist given at the end! I can’t wait to read the final season!
"Once upon a time, at Halloween, they gathered: The October Society. They wear their masks, and tell their tales. Though the members change, one among them remains constant." . Spoilers/ Review for The October Society Season 2 . The October Society are back! Season 2 opens with a young lad, dressed as Superman, on Halloween night being pursued by bullies. He ends up trapped in a basement, but then a broken TV comes on, and the October Society begins to play. The show has changed significantly since Season One, and the group dynamic differs. Once again, members of the Society gather to tell tales, starting with Chardea and "The Dreamer's Date Night", at Dreamland, the perfect place for first dates, episode two and Braden take us to "The Reel Midnight Spookshow", with Violet who loves watching films with her dad. Episode Three and "The Song of Sorrow" which tackles gaming and a lot more. Episode Four features "The Unkindness of Ravens" which centres around strange new neighbours. Episode Five has Morgan tell us about "Those Quiet Bones", which features Henry and Poppy podcasting about cryptozoological creatures but this story takes a turn. Episode Six sees Gwennie tell us about "The Fear Factory"... . I did briefly reread Season 1 before this to re-familiarise myself with the story, and I think it helped really get me in the mood for this one. I think that helped but there is a cool recap at the start for those who wish to remember a crucial part of the show. I won't say what as that's too big of a spoiler. But onto Season 2 and a heartbreaking/tragic opening, but you just knew where it'd lead sadly. As for the main plot, I like the change in dynamic and how there are consequences of season 1. There's some really intriguing things introduced in Episode 1 which makes you wonder what is going on with TOS. Episode One as well is quite unique. Bit slow starting but soon it gets going and builds nicely. I can't say too much but elements made me think of a Clive Barker tale. It works as a nice opener and has a good plot to it. Episode 2 builds up the subplots nicely and continues elements of the story of the Society. The episode's tale is really intriguing. There's more nods in this one which made me smile. The story Braden tells is really cool and I like how we see this really curious world Robertson has built for us, the reader, and how we experience the story in this way. I don't want to say too much on Episode Three, as this is one better experienced via reading yourself. All I'll say is that it took me by surprise, and there's a lot going on. Just be ready for a heavy hitter here. Episode Four feels familiar but also new in a way and really keeps your attention. I thought the story would go another way given the title and what I know of ravens, but I was pleasantly surprised. I do wish we spent more time on Episode Four but that might be me being me again. Episode Five is a fun one, and I enjoyed the cryptozoology and podcasting elements to it, and where it led to. There was one thing that I was trying to think about as I read it, but I simply couldn't. It builds up nicely and it gets a bit strange in places, also really works I felt. There's a good few layers to it, and you have to stay with this one to both fully understand and fully appreciate it. The story dives into something you don't see a lot BUT that's why it worked so well I feel. There's also a nice evolution of Morgan in this episode too. Episode Six continues some themes which have been hinted at in this season. But "The Fear Factory" was one I was looking forward to for two reasons; it was Gwennie's tale and the title intrigued me. I like the story to be honest. There's something really charming to it and mysterious which really work, and the way it ends, is incredibly clever. Also can I say I appreciate the ad breaks and the teasers weaved between. I have picked up on one subtle detail in there and it really is so cool. I can't say WHAT it is, but I see it, and I like it. Overall 4.5/5 from me. A great sequel, and worthy successor to the original October Society!
Although I find myself strolling thru Christopher Robertson’s Terrorscope year round, I was especially looking forward to the second installment of the October Society during this Halloween season. Last year, Season 1 was the perfect read for that season we all love and there wasn’t a doubt in my mind that this now established novelist on the indie horror scene would meet and exceed all my expectations. In this second installment, we once again gather around the hallowed campfire to be immersed in those masked kids’ tales and Robertson truly outdoes himself with his trademark atmospheric, humorous, original and tribute-giving storytelling. Each tale more awesome than the last and all culminating around the kids and their dog’s cliffhanger story of their own. Following Robertson’s work over the last 2+ years, it’s been a wild ride seeing where his imagination & his connectivity to the reader takes us. “By definition, sequels are inferior…”. Not this time, Randy Meeks. Season 3 can not come soon enough.
What a sequel! Darker with more impact. Still suitable for younger readers but doesn't talk down, or shy away from some very important ideas. The new kid's story The Song of Sorrow was just...wow. My heart but there are still spooky fun ones in there too. And that ending! Again!
Such a great Second (Season ) to the first book. If you're a big fan of the old child/ teen anthology horror shows. ( Are You Afraid of the dark , The Haunting hour, Midnight Gallery, Twilight zone ) You will enjoy the Sequel to The October Society. If you dont enjoy one of the short stories you dont have to slog too long through it before you get to the next one
I don’t know what it is about this author. But his books are crack 🤷🏽♀️
The October Society Season Two was just as good as the first. It took me a bit longer to finish it, I read it slower than my usual pace. I could have finished this in 1 day, easy. But I didn’t want to be done it too soon! It’s a perfect read for those who enjoy the 90’s horror vibes.
Something strange is brewing among the October Society this year… The crew is back except for Derek, he is missing and no one knows where he is or heard from him. Chardea is trying to keep the group on track and telling their stories, even though she’s feeling the stress, worry and unease. There are 2 new additions, and one seems off. Is there something wrong with the group this year?
Grab your favourite reading blanket, make yourself your favourite beverage, put together your favourite snack, and get cozy and crack this baby open! You won’t regret it. Have fun
Really great YA #spookyseason series. A group of teens tell scary story around a campire. Its framed like a tv show, think Are You Afraid of the Dark, complete with commercial breaks and trailers for the next episode. Filled with mysteries and Halloween vibes, I can't wait for season three!
I love these stories so much, I read them to my kids in October and we finished it on Halloween and it was a perfect end to our night. I'm excited for the next one and whats next.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Finished, enjoyed it, would re-read/recommend, and I could not put it down.
PROS: Loved the nostalgia again! Reworded some of the previous season to make them tie together well. Felt like I was watching a second season of TV show. Subtle but cute love interests develop. Grow to love the characters more.
CONS: Pretty intense cliffhanger at the end. Lots of action towards the very end; less detail about “The Dark” than I would like. Episodes were less scary, and more so morals and lessons, as opposed to season one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really loved season 1 of the October society, but this one was slightly disappointing for me. I love the parts around the campfire, however the stories they told this year weren’t as up to scratch as expected!
I will still be purchasing season 3 when available, in the hopes that it brings a little bit more creep and scare from the stories!
We gather around The Hallowed Fire once again with The October Society for more tales to share and delight in. Sequels can always be a bit hit and miss, but Christopher Robertson has managed to knock it out of the park.
Each story and character are just as intriguing as with Season One. There is a darker tone throughout which helps broadcast how things are changing for the group. Some of the stories shared hit harder than others, depending on the person reading them of course. You can see where some references have snuck in from different aspects/cultures of horror.
With Season Two coming to a close, it leaves the reader excitedly waiting to see just what he will bring to Season Three. It is also reassuring to see that throughout all of his books, he has continued to maintain the same writing style and love of his characters and stories they weave. Definitely one to recommend to others.
It brought me so much nostalgic joy reading October Society Season one that I was compelled to buy this book pretty much as soon as it was released. As well as copies of both season one and 2 for my sister, who I hoped would quickly catch up, and we could read season two together. However, after one of the hardest and mentally taxing weeks that I've had in a very long time, I knew this book needed to be my next read. Christopher Robertson has this way of transporting you to the fall, for the cool weather, crisp air, and childlike excitement for the coming holiday. The stories are so well written, and I've found that this series is impossible to put down. This book offered the perfect spooky escape from my overwhelming week. Thank you, Christopher Robertson, for every book that you've written, but thanks the most for this one and unknowingly contributing to pulling me out of a slump with your writing.
The October Society Season One was spectacular. It had a solid selection of short stories with a fascinating wraparound story, all centered around Halloween. I looked forward to the second book and bought it immediately upon finishing the first. The stories in Season Two, unfortunately, didn’t live up to their predecessor for me. The best of the tales appear at the end of the book, “Those Quiet Bones” and “The Fear Factory.” “Bones,” in particular, felt like a campfire tale. The strongest “story” in this collection, however, is what is happening with the kids gathered to tell these spooky stories. A growing menace overshadows the proceedings. Charda, the most interesting character in the series, is rightly concerned. The campfire scenes were gripping.
Gather round my October fellows for another amazing tale of twists and turns. Roberson has such a unique writing style that makes it feel like you are watching a Tv show. These books give me serious Are you Afraid of the Dark? vibes and I couldn't be happier. My Halloween season now and forever starts with reading the October society. The book was amazing and broke my heart in places, yet another amazing story from Christopher Robertson. Can't wait for the next season
The October Society gather once again around the Hallow Fire to tell spooooky tales. Tales of monsters, robots, horror movies, and maybe a cursed video game.
This book is really good, Christopher Robertson absolutely knocks it out of the park. If you liked "Are You Afraid of the Dark" when you were younger you will love this.