At its core, The Mirror is a haunted house horror novel that intertwines supernatural dread with deeply human fears. Through Beth’s journey, the story explores the terrifying extremes a mother will endure to protect her child, especially when the threat defies reason and emerges from within the walls of her supposed safe haven.
The novel uses the mirror not just as a symbol, but as a literal gateway to darkness—a cursed object that bridges the mundane with the malevolent. This supernatural element reflects a larger theme of unseen dangers hiding in plain sight, a hallmark of classic haunted house horror novels. The mirror becomes a character in its own right: watching, luring, and ultimately taking.
Beth’s growing isolation intensifies the horror. As the only one who believes in the sinister force targeting her daughter, she is gaslit by neighbours and friends, which adds a chilling psychological layer. This solitude underscores the genre’s common fear: that no one will believe you when the haunting begins.
The story also explores the lingering impact of unresolved trauma. The malevolent spirit is not random—it is vengeful, rooted in past suffering tied to the house’s dark history. In true haunted house horror novel tradition, the sins of the past bleed into the present, infecting everything they touch.
Lastly, The Mirror plays with the theme of corrupted innocence. Lily’s bond with the supernatural presence feels both tragic and terrifying, reminding readers that evil often preys on the vulnerable. The result is a creeping dread that stays with you—a sense that once you’ve looked into the mirror, it’s already too late.
Want more? Check out They Visit When it’s Dark or Signed in Blood for more haunting horror reads.
4.5 stars. Wow, I was honestly just gearing up for a standard haunting story. And in some ways it was, but holy Santa Claus shit, did Hash Black create something totally unique and unexpected. There was a pretty big swerve towards the latter part of the story, but it was a pleasant surprise. Was Beth, our lead, being tricked by someone nearby in this new neighborhood? Where was Lily? What is with that haunted mirror and the hallucinations? Again, I was not prepared for what it turned in, but it was solid. The author went really big. But I enjoyed pretty much everything here. Black created some great characters and lore, and put a creative spin on it all. And it doesn’t overstay it’s welcome, with an adequate length. Lily, Beth’s daughter, reminded me so much of my daughter, too. All the funny, blunt comments she would make made me reminisce of my Melody. She always finds new ways to make me embarrassed or shocked. But that’s what kids are supposed to do, right? I was a little smart ass when I was her age, so I’m glad that the bloodline still runs strong. Anyway, I had a great time here and can’t wait to see Hash Black’s other offerings.
I knew I didn’t like mirrors
I really enjoyed this book. . .it was a quick read and a good read and I will never look at mirrors quite the same. I like the idea of covering them up.