First off thank you Karina Halle and NetGalley, I am so grateful for this ARC! I loved this book and it was perfect for the spooky season. If "The Last of Us' was turned into a spicy romance, this would be it! I now have an irrational fear of fungi/mushrooms, and permanent goosebumps. Sydney was such a great character and really connected with her. Kincaid is spicy, enough said! The research that must have been involved to bring out the scientific vibe of this book is chef's kiss. Go into this read blind, the twist will keep you up at night! Loved this so much and can not wait to see what Karina comes up with next! Definitely going to recommend this book to dark romance/suspense readers.

EASIEST five stars I’ve ever given for a thriller/horror. This book had me SAT. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, couldn’t put it down, couldn’t stop theorizing. Every twist was perfectly executed and I was incredibly creeped out SEVERAL times.

It takes a lot to scare me in books but the eerie, unsettling vibes were immaculate. the PNW setting made it even creepier and I just…I wish I could rewire my brain to read this again for the first time.

And the ENDING was so well done that I feel so much relief and safety while also still being unsettled.

AMAZING work, Karina Halle 👏🏼

Endless thank yous to the author for an advanced copy!! This baby is out officially so go read it!!! (Check triggers just in case! The romance gets a bit dark and there is some body/animal horror! Karina has a content warning page right at the beginning of the book to make this easier!)

Absolutely haunting and chilling story! I could not put it down! This book was the perfect spooky, twisty, and thrilling read. Karina Halle has the most amazing way of really pulling readers into her settings and making forget I am reading. This is no exception!

In the remote Canadian wilderness, Sydney accepts a summer study at a mysterious, but innovative, mycology research facility. The minute she steps off the plane she is having creepy experiences. She meets her handsome professor Wes and immediately she is drawn to him. She begins to realize things are not quite what they appear to be after seeing Wes watching her at night, odd run ins with another student, and a creepy encounter with a wolf in the woods. Sydney starts to untangle a very dangerous and scary web that changes everything she thinks she knows.

RUN! Do not walk. You need this immediately. I absolutely DEVOURED it. Hella moody and so vibey. It’s The White Lotus meets The Last of Us but make it dark academia. Karina Halle’s prose is so descriptive and beautifully grotesque when the story calls for it. And we all know I do love supporting a fellow Canadian. Thank you NetGally for the ARC copy! Highly recommend 🍄

Where do I begin? This book had me stressing so much! This was a great spooky read that left me shocked and surprised with all the twists and turns. This one definitely had me double guessing myself because every time I thought I knew the direction the plot was going, it snaked in a different direction. I don’t want to give too much away but I would highly recommend you go in blind with this one if you like dark academia, psychological thrillers, and suspense.

Thank you Metal Blond Books and Karina Halle for the arc.

Grave Matter by Karina Halle
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

First of all I want to TRULY thank Karina & Netgalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful masterpiece before release. (Thanking the book gods hard for this one because everytime Karina posted a teaser I was on my knees already begging for it)

This was incredible and I’m not over exaggerating. Like truly such a great read all the way through.
This was the perfect gothic psychological thriller spooky romance vibes for this lovely spooky season. I was soo captivated and engaged in this whole mindfuck and loving the romance (& smut) in this book very much.
I can’t fully say a lot because I truly don’t want to give away anything and I want y’all to experience this read yourselves!

Tropes include:
🍄Professsor x Student
🍄‍🟫Forced Proximity
🍄Fun with Fungi
🍄‍🟫Only one tent
🍄Isolated PNW Setting
🍄‍🟫BDSM elements
🍄Slow Burn
🍄‍🟫Degradation (and some Praise) Kink
🍄Dark Cottagecore and Academia
🍄‍🟫Obsessed Hero
🍄Stalker
🍄‍🟫WTF did I just read
🍄 Haunted Forest
🍄‍🟫Massive Dynamic Vibes (ifykyk)
🍄Morally Grey Characters
🍄‍🟫He Falls First
🍄Woman in STEM

I have read one other book by Karina Halle & after the opportunity of reading this one I am so definitely going to read many of her books now because her writing was so addicting and just wow.

“I don’t trust her. I don’t trust my mind. I don’t trust this place.” 🖤🍄

Grave Matter is my first Karina Halle read, after what feels like forever of seeing and hearing her name, I finally read one. I can wholeheartedly say, this will not be my last time reading one of her books. There’s twists and turns, a seamless blend of sci-fi and romance, student x professor, BDSM, and thrilling topics throughout this one. This is so unique and different from anything else I’ve read, yet I found myself drawn to it like a moth to a flame and I simply couldn’t put it down. This was hot as hell, but still left me creeped out and questioning everything. Dr. Kincaid could ruin my life and I’d happily thank him.. 🫠

Thank you so much, Karina Halle and Netgalley for an ARC and allowing me to read this in advance! 🖤 This was perfect for October and spooky season, and a spicy little palette cleanser from what I normally read due to the sci-fi / fantasy feels.

Thank you to Karina Hale, Metal Blonde Books, and NetGalley for this eARC (and such last minute too!!!) in exchange for an honest review.

Karina Halle's Grave Matter follows former grad-student and aspiring mycologist Sydney Denik as she essentially attends an elite mushroom summer camp in hopes to find the cure to Alzheimers. Enter the Madrona Foundation, those who are running said mushroom summer camp on an isolated lodge. Cut off from the rest of the world with no access to internet, their phones, or society, what can go wrong?

When strange unexplainable things start to happen, nobody really seems to notice. Students appear to be missing and said to be "sent home" and Sydney begins to have the strangest dreams. The research they are doing seems to be busywork, and the wildlife on the island don't really look or act natural. Pair that with a main character who we may or may not be able to rely on, and both Sydney and you as the reader will begin to question her own reality. Ultimately the idea of memories and the way in which our memory may or may not change over time are big themes in this paranormal sci fi horror mashup.

I initially had issue with the writing of certain character relationships, but--without spoiling anything-- I learned to trust the process as everything made sense by the story's conclusion. This might just be me, but while I enjoyed the story itself, I found that it was the actual writing that took me out of the story. Oftentimes the themes of the story had to be said outright by the main character . This is an issue of telling things outright (like "maybe I should not trust my memories") rather than showing. I just wish that the Halle trusted the reader more to make their own conclusions with the information provided.

That being said, this is still a fun and unique read that is perfect for spooky season!

Grave Matter is an awesome mash up of genres - psychological thriller, gothic horror romance - it's got it all, and it's a perfect read for the spooky season!

Grave Matter doesn't waste any time in getting straight into the plot. It was instantly creepy and unsettling, and that built up over the course of the book. It was unpredictable and you never know what's real, who's lying, or what's going to happen next. I didn't think there was any filler in this book, and everything that's in there is necessary in the end - the clues are subtle and well spaced, and I hurtled through the story.

It's definitely an Adult novel, with some spice in there for sure, but that doesn't detract from the story at all and it was a pretty perfect blend of all its components!

Disclaimer: I received an Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley but this is my voluntary and honest review.

WTF DID I JUST READ???!” Is exactly right. This book was an absolute mind fuck from beginning to end and I ATE IT UP. Karina Halle’s ability to combine sci-fi, dark romance, and horror is absolutely incredible and I cannot believe how well done this was! Can’t wait to read more from this author and thank you so much to both Karina and NetGalley for providing me an arc copy!

What to expect:

🍄 student x professor
🕸️ forced proximity
⛓️ neurodivergent rep
🍄 fun with fungi
💀 only one tent
🕸️ isolated PNW setting
⛓️ BDSM elements
🍄 slow burn
🐺 degradation k!nk
🕸️ dark cottagecore
⛓️ obsessed hero
🍄 stalker
🪦 WTF did I just read???
🕸️ haunted forest
⛓️ massive dynamic vibes (iykyk)
🍄 morally grey characters
💀 he falls first
🕸️ women in STEM

Mushrooms, ghosts, and mad scientists - oh my! I am the furthest thing from a horror girlie, but “Grave Matter” by Karina Halle immediately pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go until I finished it. Maybe it was because I was incredibly creeped out and needed to know how it ended. Maybe it was because the spice level was off the charts. Maybe it was because Halle’s storytelling was so smooth and addicting. Either way, this was the perfect read for October for my mycology loving heart!
Readers follow along with Sydney, a self-proclaimed mad scientist who is searching for a fungal Alzheimer's cure. There’s an immediate sense of unease while Sydney navigates her new research space located on a secluded island. Questions arise as new discoveries and strange situations appear. The pacing simply enhanced the uncomfortable tension. I needed to know why Sydney was so “special,” what was going on with visions of missing girls, and if there was anyone at the lodge she could actually trust.
Thank you so much, Karina Halle, NetGalley, and Metal Blonde Books for sharing an advanced copy of this creepy and unsettling (in the best way) read in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first Karina, and it won't be the last. What I loved most about this book is how well she mixed smut, mystery and horror.
I'm a sucker for horror and I was in the mood for something spooky, but like, please scare me spooky. Having this book in my hands was the answer to my prayers!
The characters are so well-written, each one with their own secrets and story, a mixture of cultures and personalities. You can never know who to trust, not even when everything is coming to an end.
The fact that at some point during the buddy reading with my club, I send a voice message with a theory and it was 70% correct, send me reeling.
All in all, the plot twists and the horror kept me at the edge, waiting to read what would happen next and I found myself saying "sleep is for the weak", way too often 😅
Also, a huge thank you to Mrs Hale for creating Wes Kincaid 🫠

Oh. My. GOODNESS.
This was the PERFECT spooky season read and that twist? Mwah. Chefs kiss.

This book has the greatest balance of mystery, thriller, spice and romance and I honestly have not found a Karina Halle book I didn't like and this was no exception.

I do think it felt a bit slow paced in the beginning but once the action began I could not put this down...overall this is a perfect 5 stars for me! 😍

Thank you to Netgalley and Karina Halle for this ARC in return for my honest review *full in depth review to come!*

The haunting setting, where ghosts lurk in the woods and mutilated animals creep into view like something out of The Last of Us, had me hooked right from the premise.
The story follows Sydney Denik, a budding mycologist who’s just lost her scholarship at Stanford after a situation spiraled beyond her control. With no financial support or stability left, she finds herself heading to the Madrona Foundation on Vancouver Island. The foundation’s mission is to cure Alzheimer’s and other terminal illnesses using unique fungi cultivated on leased indigenous land.
With her options running out, Sydney throws herself into her research at Madrona, where she becomes captivated by Everly, a brilliant researcher who mentors her, and is inexplicably drawn to Wes Kincaid, a brooding psychologist and professor who starts invading her dreams in very erotic ways. Meanwhile, tensions rise between her and Clayton, another student who never misses a chance to be snarky. As Sydney starts experiencing disturbing visions, including eerie appearances from Amina—a student who was recently dismissed—she begins to suspect something is terribly off. Is it the place itself or her own mind unraveling? Her undeniable attraction to Wes only complicates things further, especially as her instincts warn her not to fully trust him.
I have to admit, the first half had me questioning whether to continue. The pacing felt sluggish, with too many loose threads and not enough clarity. I found myself rolling my eyes at the smug banter between Wes and Sydney, and when Everly kept insisting Sydney was "special" without providing any real proof, it only added to my frustration. For a while, I wasn’t sure if the payoff would be worth the slow build.
But I’m so glad I stuck with it! The final third of the book was like a firework display—intense and full of surprises. Just when I thought I had things figured out, Halle threw in twists that completely blindsided me. Sure, some of the reveals stretched the boundaries of believability, but they tied up all the odd behavior and unanswered questions from earlier on. My initial 2 or 2.5-star rating for the beginning soared to 4 stars by the end. I even toyed with giving it 5 stars, but the slow start did dampen my excitement a bit. That said, I might just be too impatient—I was desperate for the story to pick up faster, and the wait definitely tested me.
In the end, this is an incredible mix of sci-fi fantasy, romance, and gothic horror. If you’re looking for something spooky to get lost in this Halloween, this is the perfect read. Be patient with the pacing—the payoff is absolutely worth it!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Metal Blonde Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this mind-bending fantasy romance in exchange for my honest opinion.

Grave matter - Karina Halle
I read an arc and I needed to share my thoughts because it was so so good!
This was such a good psychological horror with dark romance.
It’s eerie & creepy and you’ll be trying to link the pieces and dark secrets together. I will say check the trigger warnings because some parts are pretty messed up but it fit well into this story. Also dark romance which means dark spice so yes check triggers. It was insanely spicy, adhd rep which I loved & could also relate to the FMC with that.
Our book follows our girl Sydney, syd is riddled with adhd and her dream is to be a mycologist. When an opportunity To work with a research foundation arises she knows she can’t pass it up. Sydney arrives at the madrona foundation and can feel the creepy vibes, a lot is weird & she sees a lot of ghosts & weird things. I can’t say to much because I’ll give it away. Anyone she also starts falling for her professor but but but when I tell you the secrets, twists and turns will have your jaw dropping on the ground I mean it! This book is wild in the best way, it is a roller coaster that will have you edging your chair and I can’t recommend it enough!
This book is available on KU right now, if you read it I can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

Thank you Net Galley and Metal Blonde Books for this amazing ARC!

This was just an immaculate experience. I was immediately hooked and my heart was in my throat the whole way through. The vibes were just perfect for this spooky season.

The writing, tension, build up, characters, climax and plot twists - everything was crafted so ingeniously. The mystery kept unraveling and I literally gasped a couple of times. I never read another book like this and my jaw is still on the ground. I need at least 5 business days to process everything. I typically don't react strongly to any of my previous reads but this book ticked all the boxes (including ones I didn't know existed).

I particularly loved how atmospheric and rich the writing was. The descriptions and imagery was so vividly palpable - I could see and feel this world based on what was on page. The book made me feel like I was crazy too but in a good way???

I would recommend to go into this blind as I did, however please check the trigger warnings. It is a wild ride and so, so worth it.

I can't say enough great things about it without spoiling the book but trust me when I say my mind was blown. I'm already thinking of a re-read just so I can spot and appreciate the easter eggs thrown throughout the story.

Would read again, as well as anything else Karina Halle writes!

Overall rating: 5/5

I was hooked from the first chapter and couldn’t put it down. Loved all the twists and the main characters were really thought out. Loved it!

If you're looking for a spooky, fall book with Pacific Northwest foggy forest vibes, look no further! Grave Matter delivers on the perfect atmospheric setting along with sinister undertones.

Sydney arrives at the Madrona Foundation on Vancouver Island to further her studies in mycology. Her hopes of using a rare fungi only found on this island to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease are high and this is a personal mission for her due to losing her grandmother to this horrible illness. Things are not what they seem and it's evident before she even gets off the plane with the disappearance of a fellow passenger. She made a friend on the flight over and all of sudden Sydney cannot find her and she's told that her friend already got off the plane which was impossible. And so begins Karina Halle's efforts in creating a sinister, suspicious and not quite welcoming atmosphere and she does it so well! We're next introduced to a creepy house where Sydney will be staying and we find out she's not allowed her phone or contact with the outside world and oh, the power goes out occasionally since sometimes the labs need all available energy and you just know this is setting up something crazy to come!

The twist is insane and a little too farfetched and I only wish that had been more fleshed out and explained. You can tell Halle did a lot of research on fungi and mycology and I found that fascinating to read! She keeps you guessing all the way til the end and I enjoyed the ride!

Thank you to NetGalley and Metal Blonde Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A perfect spooky season read; this incredibly suspenseful, psychological, gothic romance will have you reading from late evening, until way too early in the morning.
I personally stayed up the majority of the night to read this, I needed answers… and like a great gothic romance the last 25% of the book will absolutely shake you. It had a phenomenal storyline, but I was truly not expecting all the twists and turns. While I was reading along, it felt like I was being transported into an M. Night Shyamalan screenplay. (All the good spooky ones)

Sydney is an enjoyable, fierce, woman trying to navigate her life. Wes is a bit of a mystery and I’ll leave it at that; I do not want to say too much about the characters, so you can form your own opinions.

I absolutely love the atmosphere Karina created for us at Madrona. I had hundreds of questions going through my head while reading because she did such a brilliant job at slowly leading you where she wanted you to go without revealing anything too quickly. It created such a suspenseful and spooky atmosphere for the book. The way she describes the island is so detailed it adds to the creepy atmosphere in the best way. My heartbeat picked up a couple times wondering what was going to happen!

Syndey and Wes together were explosive. I mean that seriously. There was a delicious buildup and when they finally got together it happened so fast and in the best way. I loved Wes before he admitted his feelings for Sydney, and I was head over heels after. He opened into the sweetest man with the filthiest mouth. I couldn’t get enough of him. Every time he was away, I missed him.

The use of mycology in this book and how it tied into the spooky plot sent this book into the 5 star stratosphere for me. I thought it was such a unique plot and now I think I’m sort of fascinated with fungi like Syndey is.