Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
I was immediately intrigued by the concept, an IKEA-style furniture store haunted by something sinister? Yes, please. The book’s design also grabbed my attention, formatted like a catalog, it was clever, unsettling, and weirdly immersive. Going in, I expected a quirky horror comedy, and Horrorstör definitely delivered, but it also went much darker than I anticipated.

✅ What I Liked:
The setting is easily the star of the show. ORSK, the fictional flat-pack furniture store, is a pitch-perfect parody of IKEA, complete with bizarre product names and cheery corporate jargon. Hendrix does a great job of building a sterile, fluorescent-lit world that slowly warps into something terrifying. The characters, particularly Amy and Basil, develop in interesting and sometimes unexpected ways, and there’s a surprising emotional arc woven into the absurdity.

The blend of horror and satire is clever. Hendrix takes aim at capitalism, soul-sucking retail jobs, and consumerism without ever becoming too heavy-handed. The horror itself escalates well, from eerie, to grotesque, to full-on psychological torment, and I genuinely didn’t expect some of the imagery to hit as hard as it did.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
While the book nails its tone for the most part, the shift from quirky satire to intense horror felt a bit jarring. The middle third in particular dives deep into grim territory, and it was a bit more disturbing than I was ready for, given the humorous setup. Some of the character development feels slightly rushed, especially with the supporting cast, who are more caricatures than fully fleshed-out people.

Also, if you’re not into horror tropes like body horror or ghost as torturer, there may be parts that feel over the top or uncomfortable.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you’re tired of predictable haunted house stories, Horrorstör offers something fresh and imaginative. It’s a fast-paced read with a memorable setting, a biting critique of retail culture, and a healthy dose of horror that doesn’t hold back. Perfect for fans of genre mash-ups, readers who love books with unique formats, or anyone who has ever worked a soul-crushing retail job and thought, “This place is cursed.” Spoiler alert: maybe it is.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Horrorstör is a unique, weird, and surprisingly bleak horror novel with a sharp satirical edge. It’s a love letter to haunted house stories, wrapped in the soul-crushing reality of retail work. While the tonal shift might catch some readers off guard, it’s a bold and original entry in the horror genre that sticks with you long after the last catalog page turns.

If you like your horror with a side of social commentary and a dollop of absurdity, this one’s worth checking out, just maybe don’t read it after a long shift at work.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★★☆ – Horrorstör gets 4 stars for its clever concept and creepy retail satire, though the horror leans more fun than truly frightening.