Review: Cry Out Loud - Tara O'Connor

Review: Cry Out Loud - Tara O'Connor - September 2025

There’s something delightfully eerie about curling up with a good horror story especially when it’s presented in graphic novel form—and Cry Out Loud by Tara O’Connor absolutely delivers that spine-tingling experience. Published by Random House Kids Graphics, this YA graphic novel blends family secrets, folklore, and rebellion into a chilling story that had me turning the pages faster than you can say “ghost story around the campfire.”

We meet Nell, a fiery and fiercely independent Irish teen who has absolutely no interest in following anyone else’s rules. She’s the kind of character who speaks her mind, pushes boundaries, and isn’t afraid to challenge authority , something that many readers (especially teens) will instantly recognise. After getting suspended from school, Nell’s mum ships her off to stay with relatives she’s never even met before. If that already sounds like the beginning of a horror story, you’d be right.

From the moment Nell arrives, there’s a strong sense that something isn’t quite right. The atmosphere is heavy with secrets, and the house itself almost feels like a character—watching, waiting, hiding things just out of sight. Before long, Nell discovers a horrifying truth: she has been chosen as part of a terrifying generational blood ritual that stretches back centuries.

Talk about family drama!

What I loved most about Cry Out Loud is the way O’Connor uses the graphic novel format to heighten the suspense. The artwork perfectly captures the creepy tone of the story, with shadowy panels, expressive characters, and haunting imagery that makes the tension feel very real. Some scenes genuinely gave me goosebumps like when you’re walking home on a foggy Tauranga evening and suddenly every shadow feels a little suspicious.

Nell herself is a fantastic protagonist. She’s angry, stubborn, and wonderfully flawed, but that’s exactly what makes her so compelling. Instead of accepting the fate her ancestors have laid out for her, she fights back. Her determination to break the cycle of violence becomes the emotional heart of the story, turning what could have been a simple horror tale into something deeper about choice, identity, and refusing to let the past define you.

The pacing works brilliantly for a YA audience as well. The story moves quickly, but never feels rushed, and the graphic format makes it incredibly accessible even for readers who might not normally pick up horror.

For fans of YA horror, folklore-inspired stories, and graphic novels that pack a punch, Cry Out Loud is well worth adding to your reading pile. It’s creepy, captivating, and just the sort of story that makes you want to read it with the lights on.

Perfect for a stormy night, a warm cuppa beside you, and maybe a quick glance over your shoulder… just in case.

A haunting graphic novel that proves sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones hiding in the family tree.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4rACLwt