I was looking for a Halloween read and this was brilliant! I really enjoyed the the idea of the story and following the kids on their Halloween night of horror. Characters were great, plot was fantastic. Good amount of creep factor.

For such a short time span in this book I was amazed at how much the author was able to pack into this book! For my horror lovers this book will have you on the edge of your seat the whole way through! This could not have been written more perfectly. I absolutely love it and it will be going on my reread list!

This was an ARC review from Netgalley. Thank you so much to the Author and Netgalley for allowing me to read this one of a kind piece of art! This is my honest review. I was not paid for this review.

It a fun and interesting read. I would recommend this to anyone looking and wanting a good ghost story.

Every year three are chosen from the community. These three must pick one of them to save everyone. Who will be chosen for the honor this year? Will they be able to protect everyone.? Suspense filled spellbinding read full of twists and turns.

I couldn’t get into the story just as I thought. Not disappointed but need more depth, I think. I can't remember when was the last time when I read a book in which the whole plot was 100% equal to what was written in the blurb and nothing more. There was no surprise there, no resolution to any of the plot threads and the whole story was blatantly predictable and painfully dull.

I really enjoyed this story and the second half was definitely a lot of fun! If you're looking for a fast-paced horror that gives the creepy and the gory, I would recommend you check this one out, especially if you're looking for a good Halloween read.

Every year on Halloween, a bloody ritual sets in motion events that can not be undone. Three children are chosen, only two survive. This is a fast paced horror set over the course of one night, as readers follow the three chosen children through their impossible choices. The pacing was pretty intense, which I definitely enjoyed. Alex Reid did an incredible job of making you love/hate the characters as well as setting the scene. However, due to the breakneck pace of the story, sometimes things got a little muddled and I had to go back. The story could have benefited from slowing down just a little, and being just a little longer, to properly convey everything. Overall, this was an intense, breath taking read that I would recommend for Halloween night!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily and all views expressed are my own.

This was a dark and creepy middle grade horror that was more brutal than I expected, especially considering the age range for this story. I felt the all encompassing dread and hopelessness of the children in this story, facing something terrible and horrifying on a night that’s actually supposed to be fun.

I loved the writing style, and the absolute brutality of being a child. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a creepy story to read this year’s Halloween.

This was such a freaky, scary horror! I’m actually bummed I didn’t save this until Halloween because it’s the perfect mood for spooky season. I really enjoyed this, thank you NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for the arc!

CW: child death, blood, gore, violence, bullying, toxic friendship, murder, death, child abuse

Every year on Halloween night, three children are pitted against each other in a ritual that has been going on for who=knows-how-long. The rules are simple: one must die so the other two can live. This year, Sam, Benjamin, and Maggie are on the block.

I found One Must Go to be a very cinematic experience. It's a story that would not be out of place at all in an anthology series - just the right size for a 45 minutes to an hour long episode. The majority of this story takes place in a 48 hour time period, keeping the action nice and tight.
There is somewhat of a reliance on flashback, which isn't always successful in such a short piece - I thought Maggie's particularly went on a little too long. Benjamin was the least reliant on flashbacks for his character and I also thought he was the most successful and believable.
I saw some reviewers that were dissatisfied with the ending, but I do think it works here; it all loops back to the cinematic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wicked House Publishing for the copy. My opinion is my own.

A great read, especially for spooky season!
Very well written and fast paced, well worth checking it out.
The protagonists are children and they go through the wringer in this book. It takes a while for the action to truly commence - exception is in the prologue that starts with the end of the previous year's ritual - and it served to present to use to our protagonists - Benjamin, Sam and Maggie.
Out of these three Maggie I would argue is the weakest section and character, which is a shame but is a consequence of not actually being friends with Sam and Ben before the action, where these latter two are "best friends".
There is gruesome descriptions of dead children - and of children getting injured - so it's not a book for anyone to pick up.

I truly appreciated the timeline of this book as set by the author (all in the same night).
I absolutely loved seeing the characters presented as well as each of their complexities - and the many twists and turns we get to experience!
I was reeled in from the very beginning and found myself unable to put it down - also helps it was a short read as well ( a little over 200 pages).
Overall, it was a fabulous read, will definitely be rereading this in the spooky season!

This was a fun read. A good book for spooky season. It was a fast read with great descriptions. If you like creepy kids, pick this one up.

The blurb reads like one for a middle-grade book, but the language and humor are from a YA book. The target audience? Adult.
This is no IT or Boy's Life. I have a hard time believing it will have wide appeal for an adult audience.
I give it three (very reluctant) stars because I finished it.

In the compelling and haunting novel "One Must Go" by Alex Reid, the annual selection of three middle school children for a deadly ritual plunges readers into a chilling tale of survival, sacrifice, and moral struggle. Each year, the capricious god chooses three young souls, granting the luxury of life to only two, provided they unanimously decide who among them will be offered to the dead. The story follows three such children: Sam, a volatile and vengeful boy, harbors resentment towards those who have wronged him; Benjamin, Sam's timid best friend, trapped in a cycle of fear and loyalty; and Maggie, a stoic girl who has faced death's door before. As the clock ticks down, the characters' desperation intensifies. Sam seizes the opportunity to settle old scores, unleashing a torrent of violence and manipulation. Benjamin, caught between his terror of Sam and his moral compass, grapples with the weight of the decision before him. Maggie, haunted by her past, seeks a way to break the cycle of death. The narrative delves into the complexities of human nature, exploring the capacity for cruelty and compassion within each character. Reid's skillful storytelling captures the reader's attention from the outset, weaving a tapestry of suspense, horror, and psychological depth. The characters are skillfully crafted, their actions and motivations believable and relatable. The plot twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very last page. "One Must Go" is a thought-provoking examination of the human condition, delving into themes of friendship, loyalty, and the lengths to which individuals will go to survive. While the novel's premise may initially draw comparisons to "The Hunger Games" series, Reid takes a unique approach to the survival genre. The focus is not solely on the physical struggle for survival, but also on the psychological and moral toll it takes on the participants. The exploration of the characters' inner turmoil and moral dilemmas elevates the narrative beyond a mere fight for life and death. Overall, "One Must Go" is a gripping and thought-provoking read that challenges readers to confront the darkest corners of human nature. Alex Reid's skillful storytelling and exploration of complex themes make this novel a must-read for fans of dystopian fiction, psychological thrillers, and stories that delve into the human psyche.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very fun short read. It could have been a bit creepier but honestly really enjoyed the story. I do wish we had gotten more at the end, how are Benjamin and Maggie as adults?!

Big thanks to Netgalley, Wicked House Publishing, and Alex Reid for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This would be a great Halloween read. I really enjoyed the book and couldn't wait to see how it ended. It was fast paced and kept my attention.

A story about survival and facing your fears. This was such a fast paced and quick read. A great read for the lead up to Halloween! I did find it a bit confusing at points but that didn’t stop the book from gripping me. I just had to know what happened. I do, however, wish this book was slightly longer and they delved into the lore a bit more.

This would make a great Halloween read. I really enjoyed it. Once it got going, I couldn't put it down. It reminded me of the Hunger Games. There were a few unanswered questions but maybe that leads us to a number 2?!

What would you get if you mixed a mini Hunger Games type situation with Halloween?

One Must Go: A Horror Novel.

One Must Go follows the stories of three children. Sam, a rough sixth grader who really seems to enjoy picking on people, pulling pranks, and giving others a hard time. Ben, Sam's best friend, who is pretty much the complete opposite of Sam - sweet, innocent, and still loves watching cartoons in sixth grade. And Maggie, an 8th grader pitching prodigy who goes to a prep school, and is hiding a tragic secret.

Halloween has always been a favorite for Sam and Ben - Sam to steal candy and scare little kids, Ben to try and enjoy the holiday and get candy. But this year, Sam goes too far in the preparation for Halloween. It sets the tone for the rest of the holiday.

The next day, they go out and Maggie ends up finding them after an unsettling moment, and she sticks with them. They are then met with a terrifying realization that this Halloween isn't going to be like the other holidays, and they aren't sure which of them are going to live to see future Halloweens. They are given the night to decide which of the three will be sacrificed, all the while trying to avoid the terrifying army of corpses that are following them and attempting to make that decision for them.

There is a lot of disturbing descriptions in this book. There's a lot of terror, but not just from the corpses. You see what children can really do when they're faced with a life or death decision. You see madness and see when people realize who they truly are. I was on edge for quite a few moments, especially once Halloween night actually hit.

I was also confused about some things. The amount of people out trick or treating really seemed to fluctuate. They were crowded when they needed to be, but then one street over, the street completely lined with pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns were desolate. Do kids really keep trick or treating until 11 pm? Even when I was a kid, the majority of kids and teens were home by 9 or 10.

All in all, I really enjoyed this creepy read. Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Reid, and Wicked House Publishing for the ARC!