Free Burn is an intense and fast-paced horror novel, a gory hell of a story, written by Drew Huff (I can't believe this is a debut), and published Dark Matter INK. An authentic rollercoaster of a story, disturbing and unsettling at many points, not shy of exploring the darker parts of nature, which follows Triple-Six as he tries to fight against the psychopathic pyromaniac ghost which he has freed from hell (and which incidentally is the mom of her sociopathic girlfriend).

Our two outcasts (Triple-Six and Mallory) are in a big danger after Triple-Six performs the ritual that frees Lorraine's ghost; literally, the whole hell breaks in the confusion created. All meanwhile Triple-Six and Mallory are suffering due to having their childhood marked by trauma and toxic relationships. And that's gets reflected in the own romantic relationship that is established between them, defined by the codependence and the manipulative behaviours that sometimes happen between them.

Huff has absolutely nailed the pacing and the structure of the own book, always maintaining the high-octane of the main plot, but sometimes introducing scenes that could be called more contemplative, a way of discharge the tension in the moment it touches the peak. It helps that her prose is excellent, really visual, nailing the task of creating discomfort while also opening the characters' thoughts to you.

Believe me when I tell you that reading Free Burn is a limit-pushing experience, taking you to the extreme with scenes that are incredibly gory and impactful; I would lie if I say it was a comfortable experience, being closer to spectating Hereditary, for example. (As a recommendation, check the content warnings before reading this book).

Free Burn is an excellent horror novel, which explores trauma and unhealthy relationships through its characters, with a incredibly fast pacing, and that was an absolute discovery. Drew Huff is a name to watch in the horror scene, especially after seeing the excellence of her prose at impacting the reader.