I’ve heard such good things about this author that I could resist no longer and happily dived in to this somewhat spooky story that seemed perfect for this time of year. Set on a remote island Sydney a young scientist finds herself almost immediately questioning what is happening to people around her . Are the researchers really above board and trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s or is something more sinister going on ? It’s clear that there’s a lot of secrecy but could it be that the island is haunted or worse is Sydney losing her mind ? As more bizarre things keep happening Sydney doesn’t know who to trust but surely she can trust Wes Kincaid who she’s increasingly drawn to or can she ?
Ok I hadn’t a clue where this was going although did very quickly distrust those in charge on the island because it was clear they just weren’t on the up and up ! I very much enjoyed the idea of fungi having properties that are still untouched but at times the descriptions and ideas in play here are truly grotesque. For this reader the ‘romance’ and the steam didn’t quite hit the spot but that’s just personal. Perhaps a little slow at the start and definitely confusing with lots of possibilities in play but an ending that pulled everything together .
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

This book was everything I wanted and more and I can’t wait for more people to pick it up. Karina Halle is easily one of my favourite authors- not only does she live in Victoria (same as me!) but she writes literally everything I want to read. From Dracula retelling to sexy sleepy hollow books. When I saw she was writing a psychological thriller/horror book- well I knew this book would become my new personality.
Sydney (crazy that the FMC both lives on VI and has the same name as me, talk about kismet) goes to study fungi with the Madrona Institute for the summer. Enter Kincaid, her sexy professor/ psychologist (you know where I’m going with this). Very quickly Sydney realizes that things are not as they seem and that the organization she is working with might be into some darker things.
In the era of fungus themed horror- I am happy to add Grave Matter to my list of recommendations. I absolutely adored the characters- who were all broody and complicated. The setting was lush and atmospheric (not to mention I could picture it so perfectly, because duh I live here). I absolutely adored this book and I just know that others will too.

This was a brand new book genre for me, and it did not disappoint! Karina Halle is a fantastic writer. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I couldn't put it down; not only were the characters unforgettable, but the plot had me riveted! The twists and turns are all amazing! The perfect spooky read for October!

Honestly I don't even know how to process this book. I loved every second of the feel of it. Unnerving, confusing and it pulled you in. I couldn't put the book down.

SHIT Karina’s books keep getting better and better and idk what to do with myself. I was hooked from page one and I absolutely loved everything about this. It’s absolutely perfect for spooky time and ugh ITS SO GOOD

Thank you Netgalley and Metal Blonde Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Grave Matter” by Karina Halle is a spine-chilling blend of gothic horror, sci-fi mystery, and steamy romance that hooks you from the first page and refuses to let go. Set against the eerie backdrop of Vancouver Island, this book creates an atmospheric tale that leaves you questioning everything you think you know. It’s a wild roller coaster ride filled with twists, dark secrets, and unsettling body horror, making it the perfect read for spooky season. You definitely need to look over the content warnings for this book before diving in as there is some animal body horror throughout (involving fungi). Also, there are some unexpected sex scenes (through dreams) that I was not anticipating so early on in the book.

The story follows Sydney, an intriguing and fierce protagonist whose struggle with ADHD adds a layer of depth and relatability to her character, especially as women with ADHD are not often depicted in adult literature. As she navigates a world filled with mysterious fungi, creepy creatures, and an isolated island lab, her journey blurs the lines between reality and hallucination. Sydney's unreliable narration draws you into her confusion and horror, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you try to piece together what's real and what isn't.

The dynamic between Sydney and Dr. Kincaid, her professor and psychologist, is both thrilling and problematic. Their chemistry sizzles, with banter that keeps you engaged, but the power imbalance in their relationship adds a layer of discomfort that's hard to ignore. If this is the kind of romance you’re okay with, then you will definitely enjoy their developing relationship, especially with the various sex scenes throughout the book (there were more of them than I was expecting for a horror book). While the romance is intense and unexpected, it occasionally feels out of place in the midst of the horror elements. Still, their relationship adds complexity to the story, and the moments of spice are vivid and unforgettable.

Halle masterfully creates a dark, suspenseful atmosphere, blending gothic tropes with modern mycology, sci-fi, and psychological thrills. The fungi that seems almost alive adds an eerie sense of menace to the narrative, amplifying the book’s creepy vibes. The island setting is vividly described, transporting you into the misty, wet woods of Vancouver Island, where every shadow holds a secret and every rustle hints at something sinister lurking in the dark. After reading the vivid descriptions of the setting, I could definitely believe that people would become overwhelmed with the dreary isolation.

The book's twists and turns are jaw-dropping, especially in the last quarter. I definitely wasn’t expecting one of the big twists at the end, but there were some subtle hints to the twist that make it more satisfying when it’s revealed as you put all the puzzle pieces together. Just when you think you've figured it out, Halle throws another curveball that leaves you reeling. The pacing keeps you hooked, making “Grave Matter” a book you’ll want to devour in one sitting. The story’s sci-fi lean in the latter half is a surprising twist, merging the horrors of nature with the unsettling science of mycology in a way that feels both fresh and terrifying.
While the ending is satisfying, leaving most questions answered, it does leave a slight craving for more closure regarding the mysterious fungi.

Overall, “Grave Matter” is an absolutely exhilarating and unpredictable read. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers or spooky stories with a touch of romance, this book is a must-read. Karina Halle delivers a story that's both haunting and addictive, making it a standout in the horror-thriller genre.

Wow! The twists in this book hit me so hard, one after another! I was left speechless for a few minutes—it felt like a sucker punch!

Fact: I'm a huge fan of Karina Halle's darker works, even more than her recent romance novels about royalty or her earlier books like the Sins & Needles series and standalones. Her EIT series blew my mind, and I rooted so hard for Perry and Dex! Naturally, I jumped at the chance to read her new gothic horror set in a secluded, isolated lodge on a fog-shrouded inlet of Vancouver Island, where ghosts lurk not only in the woods but also in the creaking hallways, and mutilated animals appear as if straight out of The Last of Us set.

Sydney Denik, an aspiring mycologist, has just lost her scholarship at Stanford after an incident spiraled out of her control. She heads to Vancouver Island, where the Madrona Foundation is located—a place dedicated to curing Alzheimer’s and other terminal illnesses through the use of special fungi harvested from the indigenous land they lease.

After losing her scholarship, family support, and financial stability, Sydney’s last resort is to commit herself to research at Madrona. She's captivated by Everly, a brilliant researcher who becomes her guide and mentor. At the same time, she feels drawn to Wes Kincaid, a mysterious psychologist and her professor, who starts appearing in her highly erotic dreams. While trying to fit in, she clashes with Clayton, who always has a snarky comment, and senses that something isn’t right after seeing disturbing visions—like Amina, a recently dismissed student, or other girls appearing in eerie places. It becomes clear there’s something sinister about this place, or perhaps her own mind is betraying her. Though her chemistry with Wes is undeniable, she can't shake the feeling that he isn’t entirely trustworthy.

I’ll be honest: during the first half, I even considered stopping. The pacing was slow, the multiple plot threads left me in the dark, and I was frustrated whenever Everly insisted Sydney was "special," without any evidence to support it. The smug exchanges between Wes and Sydney had me rolling my eyes because their relationship seemed to be going nowhere. I felt lost and struggled to stay motivated through the second half. But, thanks to the glowing reviews and my trust in Halle’s talent, I kept going. And I’m so glad I did! The last third of the book felt like a bomb exploding in my face—brilliant and shocking! I didn’t see any of it coming. It may have stretched plausibility, but at least all my questions were answered and the characters' strange behavior was explained.

My initial 2 or 2.5-star rating for the first half quickly shot up to 4 stars (I even considered giving it 5, but the slow start took a bit of my enthusiasm away, even though it served a purpose). Maybe I’m just too impatient, wanting to cut to the chase quickly. That’s why waiting for the plot to pick up pace was frustrating for me.

Overall, this is a fantastic blend of sci-fi fantasy romance and gothic horror—a perfect choice for celebrating Halloween! Be patient with the pacing because the mind-blowing payoff is absolutely worth it.

Many 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 thoughts.

The perfect spooky season read!

I was so intrigued by this book as I've never even thought about picking up a horror/ romance before but I am so glad I did. Karina Halle writes so many sub-genres of romance with such skill and this was no exception.

This book was creepy enough to have me thinking about the imagery after I turned the lights off at night, and mysterious enough that I was constantly trying to figure out what was going on. Even so I NEVER saw the twist coming.

Surprisingly, as a romance lover, I found the spicy scenes superfluous to the story. I didn't really feel like they added anything or moved the plot along, with the exception maybe of the first scene. I also felt, and this will be a bit vague to avoid spoilers, that there was so much more we could have unpacked relating to the things Sydney saw and felt during the story and what that actually meant for her future.

Well that was certainly a twisty turny tail that I didn’t see coming!
Very atmospheric, lots of little bread crumbs that I couldn’t make sense of until the grand reveal, I love Karina Halle’s writing style and this book was no exception.
I don’t want to say too much and risk giving anything away so do as I did and go in blind and enjoy!

This was ok! I don't know what I was expecting but it was ok and a very quick read. Loved the cover and the concept of the book. Idk if I would consider reading this a second time

It gives the perfect spooky vibes. It’s told from first person POV. So you have no clue if what Sydney is seeing is real or not. And what could go wrong spending your summer on an island with no connection to the outside world. This book kept my interest and I did not see the twist coming! I loved every second of this book!

Thank you NetGalley and Metal Blonde Books for the ARC.

This book gets an all the stars, two thumbs up, let me fan myself and one moment I need to call my therapist recommendation from me. I have loved all Karina Halle’s books but horror romance was a new genre for her and I was worried because for me it is a genre where the book is either amazing or awful with no in between. I shouldn’t have been worried though Karina as always wrote a book I couldn’t put down.

I don’t want to risk even a glimpse of a spoiler but if you are into psychological horror, questioning your own sanity, really hot sex scenes, and a whole lot of fucked up things that make you worry why it turns you own. Then go buy this book, you’re welcome. Also, I’m sorry if you read this book and discovery a few things about yourself; don’t worry we have a club and cookies welcome to the dark side.

This is such an insanely good book I don't know where to begin.

I was blown away. I am running on two hours of sleep right now and am sick, so I did not think I would be able to inhale a book like this.

This is a new favorite. I feel like I've been exposeed to a whole new subgenre of horror and fantasy and sci fi mixed together that I need more of. This was so wonderfully written, and masterfully ececuted.

I highly recommend this book for your spooky season reading list.

Thank you for this advanced reader copy! I received this beautiful book for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.