ARC Review: “Night of Madness” by Ryan Douglass

“Night of Madness” by Ryan Douglass

Publishing Date: September 29, 2026

Genre: YA, Horror, Thriller, Fiction

Page Length: 304 pages (paperback edition)

Synopsis:

Mara is a horror buff whose only fond memories of her dad are bonding over movies by Jack Stanley—the producer of the eighties. Stanley’s campy slasher movies may have kept Mara’s fraught parental relationship on life support and gained a cult following, but the man himself has faded from the public eye…until he announces a contest centered around Asylum, his most terrifying film. Five teen influencers will be invited to spend the night on the fully constructed set; whoever sticks it out until morning wins a hundred thousand dollars.

Stuck in a dead-end job, Mara seriously needs that cash. She may not be a famous influencer, but there has to be a way to manufacture an online presence that will capture Stanley’s attention. With the help of her brother and best friend, Mara finds some creative solutions to her dilemma and lands herself onto the roster of the lucky chosen few by way of her engaging authenticity.

When Mara and the other contestants arrive on set, it’s a horror fan’s dream being immersed in the asylum setting, but as the night wears on, they realize the danger is more than movie magic… They’re not there to win or lose but to live or die. As Mara fights to survive, she discovers an inner ruthlessness she didn’t know she had. Just how far will she go to see the sunrise—and will she still recognize herself by the end?

Review:

Never-ending passageways, a daring escape, and scares around every turn await readers inside the pages of Night of Madness. I was eager to read this novel after enjoying Douglass’ debut The Taking of Jake Livingston. Like that story Madness is a fantastic, spooky, and unsettling horror novel. Douglass does a fantastic job of creative an mysterious ambiance adding the smallest details to enhance the horror aspects of this novel. 

Set in an abandoned asylum the contestants of a horror competition find out they have stepped into the world of a mad man’s (Jack Stanley) creation and have to escape before it’s too late. This novel feels similar to other horror movies with this setting I have watched such as Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, Grave Encounters, and Session 9. The only difference is that the horror is much more real and the cast of characters have to physically fight their way through obstacles and do mental gymnastics. Because the game is more than just a competition the stakes are higher leaving the reader on the edge of their seat. With each new chapter we are left to think who will be the final girl/boy?

What I appreciate about Douglass’ writing style is not only his attention to the smallest details, but also how he invites the reader to become a part of the story. This novel reads like a movie and the scares, action-packed scenes, and moments of quick decisions place the reader in each characters. The villains of the story are not imagination and prey on Mara and the others truest, deepest fears. It makes for a great commentary of how the lines of horror and entertainment can be blurred as well as profiting from people’s trauma. It’s bone-chilling and intense throughout the entire story which keeps the reader constantly engaged.

If you enjoy reading stories that have a blend of horror and survival elements, this novel is a great pick for Spooky Season and beyond!

Trigger Warnings: Death, Violence, Gore

Final Verdict:

FTC Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.