Squirming All the Way Up by Joey Powell – A Chilling Cult Horror Novella

Author: Joey Powell
Publisher: Madness Heart Press
Format: Digital (ARC)
Platform: NetGalley
ISBN: 9781955745970
Pages: 157
Available Formats: Kindle, Paperback
Release Date: August 15, 2025

The Review

If you’re looking for a new horror novella that blends cult dread with a supernatural twist, Squirming All the Way Up by Joey Powell might be your next creepy read. I received a digital ARC from NetGalley courtesy of Madness Heart Press, and at around 150 pages, it’s a fast but unsettling dive into the darker corners of human belief.

The story centers around two brothers whose lives have taken drastically different paths. One has joined an ultra-conservative religious cult, The Fellowship of the First Divine, and believes it “saved” him. The other, estranged after coming out as gay and enduring his brother’s betrayal, has gone in the opposite direction, rejecting the faith that harmed him. When a strange mystery begins to unfold within the church, the two find themselves reluctantly working together.

While the early horror in this novella feels disturbingly realistic, touching on the emotional damage of bigotry, conversion therapy, and cult manipulation, the narrative takes a wild turn. Without spoiling too much, the cult has connections to Norse mythology and a hidden supernatural element that ratchets up the tension. This is where the book shifts from unsettling realism to full-on horror with monstrous reveals and moments of visceral body horror.

This isn’t a “jump-scare” kind of horror. Instead, it builds its fear through real-world terrors like homophobia, transphobia, and the oppressive control of a cult. That said, there are some grotesque images and bloody moments, so it’s not for the squeamish. If you find topics like religious trauma or identity-based discrimination triggering, this might not be the right read for you.

For me, the blend of believable cult dynamics with an unexpected horror twist kept the pages turning. It’s a fresh take compared to the haunted houses or slashers I usually gravitate toward, and while it’s not going to be everyone’s taste, I found it both tense and thought-provoking. If you enjoy compact horror stories that mix real-world fears with strange, monstrous elements, and you’re looking for something you can finish in a sitting or two, Squirming All the Way Up is worth your time.