A delightfully creepy and disturbing horror novella. The house and family are cursed because of a deal with the devil. The backstory is great and the way the house takes control is awful. The creepy crawlies were a nice (gruesome) touch. So glad I got a chance to read this. Thank you to NetGalley for a digital copy

If you want something unique then look no further than Stephanie Ellis. She has such amazing stories to tell, and nothing she writes feels like a rehashed sub genre. To me, this book demanded to be read slowly, to absorb and process each detail, maybe because of its uniqueness and I needed to grasp what was going on. I enjoyed taking my time and letting this simmer.
BOTTLED starts with a hook that has you immediately invested in the story. Tyler’s family has a hobby/business that they can’t seem to escape from, even though his grandfather was physically and mentally abusive which led Tyler to a life of alcohol and loss. Needless to say, he was not sad when the old bastard finally kicked the bucket.
There has always been a family member that carves miniature scenes and builds them inside glass bottles. With their talent they capture the very essence, or shall we say the very spirit, from a slice of time and close them into a bottled little dream world.
Captivating with no escape, the book feels suspenseful and will have you on the edge wondering if Tyler can escape or will the business drag Tyler’s son in as well.

“He always insisted he would never be one of those men whose last words were ‘if only.’”

Stephanie Ellis delivers a chilling and atmospheric tale in Bottled, a novel that masterfully combines haunted house horror with a gripping family curse. From the moment Tyler Torrence returns to his late grandfather’s house, readers are pulled into a world of dark secrets, unsettling memories, and an ancestral curse that refuses to let go.

Plot & Atmosphere
The story follows Tyler as he inherits his grandfather’s home, a place tainted by the nightmares of his childhood. Determined to uncover the truth behind the cryptic “impossible bottles” and the forbidding black door he was never allowed to open, Tyler finds himself ensnared by the house’s malevolent power. What begins as a quest for understanding quickly spirals into a desperate struggle for survival as the curse tightens its grip on him—and threatens his young son.

Ellis’s portrayal of the house is superb, crafting a suffocating and eerie setting that feels alive with menace. The black door, an ever-present symbol of Tyler’s childhood fears and unanswered questions, becomes a source of palpable dread. Each turn of the page brings new revelations and an escalating sense of foreboding that makes it impossible to put the book down.

Themes & Characters
At its heart, Bottled is about the inescapable weight of the past and the lengths one will go to protect their loved ones. Tyler’s journey is both physical and psychological, as he grapples with inherited trauma and the shadow of his grandfather’s sins. His love for his son adds emotional stakes to the story, making his fight against the curse deeply personal.

The novel also explores themes of obsession and legacy. The “impossible bottles” serve as a haunting metaphor for the secrets we try to contain and the consequences when those secrets are exposed.

Writing Style
Ellis’s writing is both evocative and tightly paced, blending vivid descriptions with moments of genuine terror. The narrative moves fluidly between past and present, layering the story with rich backstory while maintaining its momentum. The author’s ability to create tension is remarkable, and the horror elements—though chilling—are balanced by the emotional depth of Tyler’s character.

Highlights
• The House as a Character: The ancestral home feels alive, its creaks and shadows imbued with malice. It’s a masterclass in how to use setting to enhance horror.
• Emotional Core: Tyler’s relationship with his son grounds the story, giving readers a reason to root for him even as the odds stack against him.
• The Black Door & Bottles: These elements are not just plot devices but symbols of the deeper mysteries and generational trauma that define the novel.

Final Thoughts
Bottled is a dark, compelling read that will resonate with fans of atmospheric horror and psychological suspense. Stephanie Ellis weaves a tale that is as haunting as it is heart-wrenching, with a protagonist whose fight against his family’s curse feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. This is a must-read for anyone who loves their horror laced with mystery and emotional depth.

Rating: ★★★★★