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Be Not Afraid
a fast-paced blaze through Hell...
Deadbeat Trent Cain can't catch a break. Life's been one disaster after another, rent's always due, and he's always late. Even his band doesn't want anything to do with him anymore and playing the guitar was the one joy he had left in life.
When he takes a shortcut home through the park at 3AM, he walks right into another five angels waiting to greet him. Unfortunately, despite their proclamations of be not afraid, they mean him harm. His only hope is another angel wielding a lead pipe, but there’s something familiar about this one...
Deadbeat Trent Cain can't catch a break. Life's been one disaster after another, rent's always due, and he's always late. Even his band doesn't want anything to do with him anymore and playing the guitar was the one joy he had left in life.
When he takes a shortcut home through the park at 3AM, he walks right into another five angels waiting to greet him. Unfortunately, despite their proclamations of be not afraid, they mean him harm. His only hope is another angel wielding a lead pipe, but there’s something familiar about this one...
120 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2026
About the author
S. Jean
15 books42 followersS. Jean (she/they) is a queer sci-fi & fantasy author writing whatever strikes their fancy at any given moment. When not writing or dreaming of what to write, they can be found dabbling in game dev and drawing!
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 2, 2025
disclaimer: i got this ARC in exchange for an honest review. thank you to the author!
warnings for discussion of a sexual assault parallel, violence, gore, a Lot of body horror, electrocution, and references to sex/drugs/alcohol
okay so i ate this up in a couple of hours this morning, i had to sit around waiting for laundry to finish and remembered i had it waiting for me. sincerely did not want to put my phone down until i was done. super fun and i loooved the route s. jean took with making seraphs so...weird and terrible
this isn't usually something i say about SA/SA parallel scenes, but i do think the surrounding discussion of the assault was handled very well. it didn't feel like shock value or anything, which i don't see very often, so i was very glad for that
if you like horrible angels and body horror stuff, highly recommend it! again, thank you to s. jean for the ARC <3 good luck with publishing and i'm sure i'll be reading more of your work!
warnings for discussion of a sexual assault parallel, violence, gore, a Lot of body horror, electrocution, and references to sex/drugs/alcohol
okay so i ate this up in a couple of hours this morning, i had to sit around waiting for laundry to finish and remembered i had it waiting for me. sincerely did not want to put my phone down until i was done. super fun and i loooved the route s. jean took with making seraphs so...weird and terrible
this isn't usually something i say about SA/SA parallel scenes, but i do think the surrounding discussion of the assault was handled very well. it didn't feel like shock value or anything, which i don't see very often, so i was very glad for that
if you like horrible angels and body horror stuff, highly recommend it! again, thank you to s. jean for the ARC <3 good luck with publishing and i'm sure i'll be reading more of your work!
December 18, 2025
This was WILD and I loved it so much! Fast-paced, utterly unhinged, and ultimately surprisingly sweet.
The seraphs are SO f*cked up and it's excellent. I do love angel mythology, especially when they're incomprehensible horrors. Some of the descriptions are exceptionally gruesome, making for a really visceral and immersive reading experience. This is a really fast read, but I connected to Trent and Seth in a snap, and was rooting for them until the very last page.
I've loved every one of S. Jean's books that I've read, but this one might be my new favorite.
The seraphs are SO f*cked up and it's excellent. I do love angel mythology, especially when they're incomprehensible horrors. Some of the descriptions are exceptionally gruesome, making for a really visceral and immersive reading experience. This is a really fast read, but I connected to Trent and Seth in a snap, and was rooting for them until the very last page.
I've loved every one of S. Jean's books that I've read, but this one might be my new favorite.
October 17, 2025
Note: I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review. This review doesn't contain any spoilers.
This is the third book I've read from queer writer S. Jean this very year. The first one was the coming-of-age drama Errant Wings and the second one was the space adventure Wherever the Stars Call. Both of them have been great contenders for my favorite book in their respective genres.
S. Jean stuck gold once again with Be Not Afraid, a horror novella this time. We have the usual suspects of S. Jean's writing present: a cast of queer, funny, awkward yet relatable protagonists; prose about lifeforms and objects larger than life that gives enough details to the reader, but not too much to overwhelm; thrilling action that makes you blood run cold and worry if the heroes are gonna survive.
I would usually go into much more detail and directly talk about the events in the book and why I love the protagonists, but I think it would genuinely be better if you read this yourself. (Plus, I don't think spoiling the book in an ARC review is exactly appropriate lmao)
S. Jean is an amazing writer and once I get paperbacks of his books, they will sit proudly on my small bookshelf next to Stephen King's books.
This is the third book I've read from queer writer S. Jean this very year. The first one was the coming-of-age drama Errant Wings and the second one was the space adventure Wherever the Stars Call. Both of them have been great contenders for my favorite book in their respective genres.
S. Jean stuck gold once again with Be Not Afraid, a horror novella this time. We have the usual suspects of S. Jean's writing present: a cast of queer, funny, awkward yet relatable protagonists; prose about lifeforms and objects larger than life that gives enough details to the reader, but not too much to overwhelm; thrilling action that makes you blood run cold and worry if the heroes are gonna survive.
I would usually go into much more detail and directly talk about the events in the book and why I love the protagonists, but I think it would genuinely be better if you read this yourself. (Plus, I don't think spoiling the book in an ARC review is exactly appropriate lmao)
S. Jean is an amazing writer and once I get paperbacks of his books, they will sit proudly on my small bookshelf next to Stephen King's books.
December 9, 2025
Immersive, fast-paced and memorable.
Trent and Seth grew on me very quickly. By the elevator scene (iykyk) I found myself rooting for both of them.
The setting and the parallel worlds are vivid and rich, perfect for readers who enjoy the pulsing world of the upside down in Stranger Things.
I particularly enjoyed the depiction of goodness in Seth as someone who’s not “quite” an angel, and the idea that goodness can be a choice and is closer to the quasi-human.
The budding romance is sugary sweet and I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed the visceral gory horror.
A perfect read for the colder season; reminiscent of a small town abandoned building horror with a strong touch of the paranormal and a good dose of giddy flirting, with a satisfying ending for our mains!
Trent and Seth grew on me very quickly. By the elevator scene (iykyk) I found myself rooting for both of them.
The setting and the parallel worlds are vivid and rich, perfect for readers who enjoy the pulsing world of the upside down in Stranger Things.
I particularly enjoyed the depiction of goodness in Seth as someone who’s not “quite” an angel, and the idea that goodness can be a choice and is closer to the quasi-human.
The budding romance is sugary sweet and I enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed the visceral gory horror.
A perfect read for the colder season; reminiscent of a small town abandoned building horror with a strong touch of the paranormal and a good dose of giddy flirting, with a satisfying ending for our mains!
September 4, 2025
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
Another incredible story from S. Jean. I opened this up to read last night and it had me hooked the whole time. I could not put it down until I found out what would happen to Trent and his angel with the lead pipe... and the terrifying ones following them.
S. Jean writes fantasy and horror so, so well. The pacing kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and the depictions of angels here are equal parts fascinating and horrifying.
Additionally, as a cat caretaker (of an orange cat too, as it so happens), the parts with Scotty hit me hard. She is wonderful.
Another incredible story from S. Jean. I opened this up to read last night and it had me hooked the whole time. I could not put it down until I found out what would happen to Trent and his angel with the lead pipe... and the terrifying ones following them.
S. Jean writes fantasy and horror so, so well. The pacing kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and the depictions of angels here are equal parts fascinating and horrifying.
Additionally, as a cat caretaker (of an orange cat too, as it so happens), the parts with Scotty hit me hard. She is wonderful.
October 10, 2025
This novella is short and sweet with a neat, epic plot. The art is also fantastic. The gore is just graphic enough without trying too hard. Most of the story takes place in one day, so try to read in one sitting! HEA, no spice.
September 10, 2025
I received an ARC copy of Be Not Afraid & was glad for it!
Trent is a loser trapped in a cycle of burned bridges, drinking, and fights he mostly doesn't remember. He doesn't have a support network, prospects, or any luck aside from a guitar pic he wears around his neck. I never figured out why he judged it lucky because my dude is down and out. When he makes a reckless decision to take a shortcut home through a dark park at 3 a.m. after getting 86'd from another bar, you can't help but wonder if he wants something bad to happen.
Probably not as bad as what does, though. This story is fast-paced, fun, wild, and relentlessly (weirdly) sweet in a blood-soaked and biblically-accurate manner. Trent's run afoul of some angels, and I don't want to talk too much about them; the author took familiar mythical figures and tweaked them in a novel way you should discover for yourself. All I will say is that he finds himself in a creepy alternate reality that vibed Matrix to me more than anything.
Trent isn't brave or a hero. He isn't a scumbag coward, either, ready to put self-preservation above anything else. He's humble, human, and likable. And scared, which, yeah, rough night. When he's at his lowest, it's the thought that his cat needs him to make it home that gets him back on his feet, and if that doesn't strike you as wonderful, there's no saving you.
There are a lot of thrills for such a short book, and I was on the edge of my seat to the very end. Waiting to find out if I would get a real HEA or just crossed-fingers and cause to hope.
Not even a little bit country, but hella rock and roll.
Trent is a loser trapped in a cycle of burned bridges, drinking, and fights he mostly doesn't remember. He doesn't have a support network, prospects, or any luck aside from a guitar pic he wears around his neck. I never figured out why he judged it lucky because my dude is down and out. When he makes a reckless decision to take a shortcut home through a dark park at 3 a.m. after getting 86'd from another bar, you can't help but wonder if he wants something bad to happen.
Probably not as bad as what does, though. This story is fast-paced, fun, wild, and relentlessly (weirdly) sweet in a blood-soaked and biblically-accurate manner. Trent's run afoul of some angels, and I don't want to talk too much about them; the author took familiar mythical figures and tweaked them in a novel way you should discover for yourself. All I will say is that he finds himself in a creepy alternate reality that vibed Matrix to me more than anything.
Trent isn't brave or a hero. He isn't a scumbag coward, either, ready to put self-preservation above anything else. He's humble, human, and likable. And scared, which, yeah, rough night. When he's at his lowest, it's the thought that his cat needs him to make it home that gets him back on his feet, and if that doesn't strike you as wonderful, there's no saving you.
There are a lot of thrills for such a short book, and I was on the edge of my seat to the very end. Waiting to find out if I would get a real HEA or just crossed-fingers and cause to hope.
Not even a little bit country, but hella rock and roll.
October 22, 2025
I got an eARC from the author and could not be more delighted about it. All opinions here are my own and not affected by that.
Be Not Afraid is SO good! It's exactly what it says on the tin: weird gay gory chaos. Trent's dedication to his cat is so heartwarming and my favorite thing about him. I read this over a few days of work lunches and was nearly late getting back to work one more than one occasion because I didn't want to put it down.
Highly recommend it to anyone who thinks the blurb sounds fun! It's very clear about what the story is, and it absolutely DELIVERS. 10/10 would read again and am also preordering the paperback.
Be Not Afraid is SO good! It's exactly what it says on the tin: weird gay gory chaos. Trent's dedication to his cat is so heartwarming and my favorite thing about him. I read this over a few days of work lunches and was nearly late getting back to work one more than one occasion because I didn't want to put it down.
Highly recommend it to anyone who thinks the blurb sounds fun! It's very clear about what the story is, and it absolutely DELIVERS. 10/10 would read again and am also preordering the paperback.
December 2, 2025
Be Not Afraid is action-packed, intense, and creepy - just what you'd expect from "angels" you met and who kidnapped you at 3am in a park telling you "Be Not Afraid"
The eeriness of Hell, and how the whole worldbuilding was done, is absolutely delicious. S. Jean is amazing with both tragic characters and heartfelt emotions, as well as fast-paced action and uncanny settings.
Even the angel with the lead pipe (who's my favorite and wonderful) has some creepy moments - moments that truly portray how different his and Trent's worlds and lives are.
I was lucky enough to have read a beta version of Be Not Afraid.
The eeriness of Hell, and how the whole worldbuilding was done, is absolutely delicious. S. Jean is amazing with both tragic characters and heartfelt emotions, as well as fast-paced action and uncanny settings.
Even the angel with the lead pipe (who's my favorite and wonderful) has some creepy moments - moments that truly portray how different his and Trent's worlds and lives are.
I was lucky enough to have read a beta version of Be Not Afraid.
January 5, 2026
(Full review on YouTube)
At its core, Be Not Afraid is about what it means to be human, including all the parts that we might not want to acknowledge about ourselves–a theme that is explored in some of S. Jean’s other works, as well. Humans aren’t perfect. Humans aren’t angels. Sometimes they’re not even good. And that, despite all the mess that comes with it, is what makes every single one of us unique and special.\
I would recommend Be Not Afraid if you like the vibes of Silent Hill and want a quick horror read that, after it takes you on a tour through hell, will let you land in a soft place.
At its core, Be Not Afraid is about what it means to be human, including all the parts that we might not want to acknowledge about ourselves–a theme that is explored in some of S. Jean’s other works, as well. Humans aren’t perfect. Humans aren’t angels. Sometimes they’re not even good. And that, despite all the mess that comes with it, is what makes every single one of us unique and special.\
I would recommend Be Not Afraid if you like the vibes of Silent Hill and want a quick horror read that, after it takes you on a tour through hell, will let you land in a soft place.
February 19, 2026
Be Not Afraid is one of the most gripping, fast paced books I’ve read in a long time. From the first chapter, S. Jean throws the reader into Trent Cain’s chaotic life, and the momentum never slows down. The author blends dark humor, tension, and supernatural danger in a way that feels both entertaining and surprisingly meaningful.
December 17, 2025
Wonderful book.
April 15, 2026
I keep saying if angels are going to open with Be Not Afraid they should be scary and this book DELIVERED. Amazing vibes. And to contrast The Horrors, there is a helpful gay angel!
March 14, 2026
Thank you to S.Jean for gifting me a review copy! This has in no way influenced my reading experience.
When it comes to paranormal books, angels are always my go-to. Always was, always has been. I may or may not be biased because I’m named after one. Even as a kid, I loved reading about various interpretations about these divine creatures, be it in fiction or otherwise. So when I came across the opportunity to read S.Jean’s upcoming queer novella featuring angels early, the blurb hooked me and I jumped at the chance.
Be Not Afraid is a heartfelt queer paranormal romance horror novella about the unluckiest guitarist you’ll ever meet and his sweet angel trying to outrun the murderous seraphs he disturbed after taking a wrong turn one night. It’s equal parts sweet, comforting, and gruesome. It’s also one of my top reads of 2025, and here’s why more horror readers should read and talk about it.
Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The plot kept me hooked and I’m left on the edge of my seat every time a chapter ends. It’s action packed. The pacing was ruthless. It barely gave any room to breathe. If anything, the way the story unfolded reminded me a lot of a bad nightmare where I’m getting chased by an invisible entity. My chest tightened, my heart pounded, and I was so stressed out. I was painfully worried if they could make it out alive.
The writing style? No notes, I loved it. The atmosphere of dread is just painted so clearly and it’s violently immersive. The action scenes, in particular, are very easy to follow. It read like a breeze to me. Usually, I get stuck visualizing action sequences, but not in this one. S.Jean’s writing made it easier to digest.
Don’t let the book cover fool you. It may look straight out of a cartoon, but this novella is far from being a SFW read. It’s not ideal for light reading at all. There’s violence and the gore is visceral and incredibly vivid. The body horror? I might have flinched a few times. It also tackles some pretty sensitive topics that were explored with enough care and caution, if I do say so myself.
I found the angel mythology twist and interpretation in Be Not Afraid to be very interesting but also sadly dark. I’m all for murderous eldritch horror angels but I absolutely do not condone the actual horrors they’re committing! I was cursing left and right.
As main characters, Trent and Seth are equally loveable. The former may call himself a loser all he wants, but his comedic timing and, well, humanness in such dire and unfair situations makes him all the more of an endearing and relatable character. Reading the novella through his unique voice is so refreshing—you can’t help but root for him! Same goes with Seth, who is a literal angel (well, kind of). He is very kind, compassionate, and brave in spite of what happened to him. They’ve gone through so much hell, and they don’t deserve any of it!
The whole dynamic between Trent and Seth simply tugs at your heart strings. All their moments are so sweet and tender. Maybe a little tooth-achingly sweet I might get cavities for that matter. And the angst? A four course meal. There’s one bed, comfort, tending and cleaning wounds. Trust me when I say that I’ve never read tropes that unraveled so effortlessly into a story like this one these days.
I personally resonated with the existential dread that plagued Trent in this story. It was very philosophical and had me reconsidering my perspective on certain things in life.
All in all, Be Not Afraid is a touching story with a lot of heart. Most of the time, reading it felt like a warm hug from a friend telling you it’s going to be alright and there’s still so much to live for no matter how hard life gets.
This was my first book from S.Jean and it was a phenomenal read. I’m lucky to have found such a talented writer (they illustrate their own book cover, mind you) and a wonderful M/M story. Woefully underrated unfortunately. I look forward to supporting and reading more of their work!
When it comes to paranormal books, angels are always my go-to. Always was, always has been. I may or may not be biased because I’m named after one. Even as a kid, I loved reading about various interpretations about these divine creatures, be it in fiction or otherwise. So when I came across the opportunity to read S.Jean’s upcoming queer novella featuring angels early, the blurb hooked me and I jumped at the chance.
Be Not Afraid is a heartfelt queer paranormal romance horror novella about the unluckiest guitarist you’ll ever meet and his sweet angel trying to outrun the murderous seraphs he disturbed after taking a wrong turn one night. It’s equal parts sweet, comforting, and gruesome. It’s also one of my top reads of 2025, and here’s why more horror readers should read and talk about it.
Once I started reading, I could not put it down. The plot kept me hooked and I’m left on the edge of my seat every time a chapter ends. It’s action packed. The pacing was ruthless. It barely gave any room to breathe. If anything, the way the story unfolded reminded me a lot of a bad nightmare where I’m getting chased by an invisible entity. My chest tightened, my heart pounded, and I was so stressed out. I was painfully worried if they could make it out alive.
The writing style? No notes, I loved it. The atmosphere of dread is just painted so clearly and it’s violently immersive. The action scenes, in particular, are very easy to follow. It read like a breeze to me. Usually, I get stuck visualizing action sequences, but not in this one. S.Jean’s writing made it easier to digest.
Don’t let the book cover fool you. It may look straight out of a cartoon, but this novella is far from being a SFW read. It’s not ideal for light reading at all. There’s violence and the gore is visceral and incredibly vivid. The body horror? I might have flinched a few times. It also tackles some pretty sensitive topics that were explored with enough care and caution, if I do say so myself.
I found the angel mythology twist and interpretation in Be Not Afraid to be very interesting but also sadly dark. I’m all for murderous eldritch horror angels but I absolutely do not condone the actual horrors they’re committing! I was cursing left and right.
As main characters, Trent and Seth are equally loveable. The former may call himself a loser all he wants, but his comedic timing and, well, humanness in such dire and unfair situations makes him all the more of an endearing and relatable character. Reading the novella through his unique voice is so refreshing—you can’t help but root for him! Same goes with Seth, who is a literal angel (well, kind of). He is very kind, compassionate, and brave in spite of what happened to him. They’ve gone through so much hell, and they don’t deserve any of it!
The whole dynamic between Trent and Seth simply tugs at your heart strings. All their moments are so sweet and tender. Maybe a little tooth-achingly sweet I might get cavities for that matter. And the angst? A four course meal. There’s one bed, comfort, tending and cleaning wounds. Trust me when I say that I’ve never read tropes that unraveled so effortlessly into a story like this one these days.
I personally resonated with the existential dread that plagued Trent in this story. It was very philosophical and had me reconsidering my perspective on certain things in life.
All in all, Be Not Afraid is a touching story with a lot of heart. Most of the time, reading it felt like a warm hug from a friend telling you it’s going to be alright and there’s still so much to live for no matter how hard life gets.
This was my first book from S.Jean and it was a phenomenal read. I’m lucky to have found such a talented writer (they illustrate their own book cover, mind you) and a wonderful M/M story. Woefully underrated unfortunately. I look forward to supporting and reading more of their work!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews