I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
TW: Themes and scenes involving mental illness, excessive violence, death/dying, suicide/self-harm, and transphobia. Reader discretion is advised.
When Ashton finds themselves in the hospital after several panic attacks, they are soon stuck in an isolated hospital after another patient is brought in with an unknown ailment in author luna rey hall’s “the patient routine”.
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The Synopsis
Ashton is convinced they are dying. whether it be from cancer, heart disease, or a fungal infection, they know something bad is always about to happen. after a night of health-related panic attacks, & urged by a voice in their head, Ashton decides to check in to the ER again but when another patient is brought in with an unknown ailment that puts the entire hospital on lockdown, Ashton may be trapped in their worst nightmare.
The Review
This was such a thoughtful and compelling body horror and psychological thriller novel. The first thing that really stands out in this novel is the unique writing style that the author uses in this book, as it comes across as a mixture of poetry and string of consciousness, giving a unique insight into the protagonist’s mindset. The chilling imagery and the haunting atmosphere of the hospital setting made the protagonist’s journey feel more engaging as time went on.
The heart of this narrative was in the psychological horrors and struggles of the protagonist and how they bled out into the narrative overall. The character’s personal struggles with their body, their trauma, and the intrusive thoughts that plague them are not only relatable to so many people but are illustrated hauntingly in the author’s writing style to help illustrate the struggles in a unique way. The strong representation of LGBTQ characters and struggles was great to see play out in a natural way and kept the reader invested in the story as it developed.
The Verdict
Haunting, captivating, and engaging, author luna rey hall’s “the patient routine” is a must-read horror and psychological thriller novel. The twists and turns in the narrative and the intimate character development the author is able to achieve made this a compelling novel you won’t be able to put down. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
luna rey hall is a queer trans non-binary writer. they are the author of “space neon neon space” (Variant Lit, 2022), “no matter the diagnosis” (Game Over Books, 2023), “the patient routine” (Brigids Gate Press, 2023), and “loudest when startled” (YesYes Books, 2020), longlisted for the 2020 Julie Suk Award. they are the winner of the 2013 Patsy Lea Core in Memorial Award for Poetry. their poems have appeared in The Florida Review, The Rumpus & Raleigh Review, among others. they live in St. Paul, MN. find more information at lunareyhall.com.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Four people enter the underground caves beneath London during the Spring Solstice on personal missions and must face their personal demons and the bloodthirsty White Lady in author Sarah Budd’s “Enter the Darkness”.
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The Synopsis
During the Spring Solstice, four people enter the caves underneath London.
Garth: a shy young man, who seeks to save the girl of his dreams.
Cassie: a beautiful young woman, who seeks to use the dark magic of the caves for her own purposes.
Bill: an older man with a terrible secret, who seeks to find Garth and Cassie before it’s too late.
Sienna: a con artist with a dark past, who seeks to escape her fate as a chosen sacrifice.
Four people enter. Each of them must battle their personal demons before facing the White Lady, who rises each year during the Spring Solstice with a hunger for human flesh.
Only one of them will survive.
The Review
This was a thrilling and bone-chilling horror read. The author does an incredible job of drawing the reader into the narrative with haunting imagery and tension throughout the writing itself, and the visuals the setting conjures up for the readers allow the terrors of the darkness to seep into the reader’s imagination, giving the story a pulse that won’t stop beating.
To me, the balance the author struck between character progression and the atmosphere was the highlight of the narrative. The emphasis each character got in their own chapters and the tragic backstories that some of these characters had to endure reflected the darkness of the caves themselves. Yet it was the terrifying atmosphere that really inspired the reader, as the fear that comes from small, confined spaces in nature like these caverns and the things that lurk amongst the darkness instantly keep the reader’s pulse beating faster and faster as the tension mounts.
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The Verdict
Memorable, haunting, and entertaining, author Sarah Budd’s “Enter the Darkness” is a must-read horror novel that readers won’t be able to put down. The twists and turns in the narrative, the heartbreaking tales that drive these characters, and the shocking ending will leave readers breathless as the story hits its final crescendo. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman searching for her father and his supernatural unit in the wake of the deadly withdrawal of American forces from Afghanistan discovers the deadly force they unleashed to stop the violent attacks by the Taliban in author Craig DiLouie’s “Djinn: A War on Terror Supernatural Thriller”.
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The Synopsis
In the violent aftermath of the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, a photojournalist arrives to learn the fate of the Witch Doctors, a fabled Army occult warfare unit. Holly believes her father, reported missing in action, ran this mysterious outfit that sought to weaponize black magic to win the War on Terror.
As the Taliban advances and the national government crumbles, Holly makes a harrowing journey into the deep desert to an abandoned base, which houses a terrifying secret. There, along with a group of American ex-soldiers, themselves cursed, she will face the ancient evil the Witch Doctors unleashed…
The terrors that live in the world of the djinn. The horrors that lurk in war itself.
A modern thriller, Djinn reimagines the witch for the War on Terror era, taking the reader on a journey into the heart of darkness that is both human and supernatural.
The Review
This was such a compelling and memorable horror thriller. The vast amount of culture and detail that went into bringing both modern-day Afghanistan and the “War on Terror” to life with the ancient mythology and world-building surrounding the Djinn, witches, and faith overall was thrilling to see come to life. The imagery the author infused into the writing really allowed the setting and chilling nature of the Djinn to come to life on the page.
The evolution of Holly as a character, from her hard-hitting journalism and the strength to plunge into the depths of war-torn Afghanistan to the respect she comes to have for the people and their culture and the bravery she shows facing this terrifying threat made her a remarkable protagonist to really root for. The character interactions that help drive this narrative forward and the commentary that the plot makes on things like America’s hand in what has happened to the country, the line between morality and cultural differences, and the impact that war has on people, in general, made this a brilliant story to get lost in.
The Verdict
Haunting, compelling, and entertaining, author Craig DiLouie’s “Djinn” is a must-read horror thriller of 2023. The unique setting and cultural development of this narrative, as well as the attention to detail and the collective work by the characters in this story, will have readers hanging onto the author’s every word. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Craig DiLouie is an author of popular thriller, apocalyptic/horror, and sci-fi/fantasy fiction.
In hundreds of reviews, Craig’s novels have been praised for their strong characters, action, and gritty realism. Each book promises an exciting experience with people you’ll care about in a world that feels real.
These works have been nominated for major literary awards such as the Bram Stoker Award and Audie Award, translated into multiple languages, and optioned for film. He is a member of the HWA, International Thriller Writers, and IFWA.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A small village becomes the battleground between a family, townspeople with a deadly secret, and a ruthless landowner as a local legend comes to bloody life in author Stephanie Ellis’s “The Woodcutter”.
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The Synopsis
A tragic accident, shrouded in mystery, leads to a family reunion in the hidden village of Little Hatchet, located in the smothering shadow of GodBeGone Wood, the home of the mythical Woodcutter and Grandma. Alec Eades rediscovers his bond with GodBeGone Wood and the future his father agreed to years ago as nefarious landowner Oliver Hayward schemes to raise money for the village by re-enacting part of the Woodcutter legend. Old wounds are re-opened and ties of blood and friendship are tested to the extreme when the Woodcutter is summoned and Grandma returns.
The Review
I loved this story. The author did an incredible job of capturing the small town/village horror trope that showcases a local legend, a dark town secret, and the outsider caught in the middle. The tension and atmosphere the author was able to capture really honed in on the chilling nature of the townspeople and their secrets, as well as the mystery and haunting heart of the woods and the local legends that impact their surroundings.
To me, the heart of this narrative was in the pacing of the mystery and the twisted character development that starts early on. I felt a twinge of nostalgia at the beginning of the story, as a mystery caller in the middle of a stormy night for protagonist Alec made the story feel like an old 1920s Hollywood Horror film from Universal Studios. The twisted family dynamics that are at play thanks to these legends and the path that the mystery brings Alec on as each page is lifted and the shocking truth behind the Woodcutter is revealed kept me invested in this story.
The Verdict
Memorable, terrifying, and entertaining, author Stephanie Ellis’s “The Woodcutter” is a must-read horror novel to read this summer. The upcoming supernatural thriller will not only chill readers with the twists and turns the story takes but will have them shocked as the final fate of these characters is revealed in all its bloody glory. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or grab your copy on August 1st, 2023.
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Stephanie Ellis writes dark speculative prose and poetry and has been published in a variety of magazines and anthologies. Her longer work includes the novels, The Five Turns of the Wheel and Reborn, and the novellas, Paused and Bottled. Her new folk horror novel, The Woodcutter is due out soon!
She is an active member of the HWA and can be found at https://stephanieellis.org and on twitter at @el_stevie.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Two women in the aftermath of the Civil War must protect a small Western town and help defend the town’s citizens from malicious marauders, only to discover a much darker secret in author Zachary Rosenberg’s “Hunger as Old as This Land.”
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The Synopsis
The settlement of Grey’s Bluffs is a prosperous town. An independent community dwelling in the shadows of the mountains known only as The Hungers.
Esther Foxman and Siobhan O’Clery have grown up in Grey’s Bluffs, thriving out on the western territories in the aftermath of the Civil War. Devoted to one another and their home, the two set out to complete a regular pact at the Hungers to ensure that Grey’s Bluffs continues to prosper.
Cyril Redstone is a man who knows death well. Becoming a mercenary after the Civil War, Cyril leads the marauding Blackhawks from one slaughter to the next. Hired to destroy Grey’s Bluffs, Cyril cares little for morality, nor that he owes its founder his life.
Esther and Siobhan are left to defend the only home they have ever known from the Blackhawks, their confrontation driving them deep into the mountains.
Where the darkest secrets of the Hungers await them.
The Review
This was an absolutely compelling and gripping Western horror novel. The emphasis the author put on getting the detail surrounding the setting and western-themed atmosphere to sound just right when moving through the narrative was astounding, and the bone-chilling tension that the story built when The Hungers arrived to show their terror to the characters made this a compelling horror read.
Yet to me, the heart of this narrative rested in the author’s ability to find a natural and heartfelt way of finding inclusivity in the narrative through characters that represented people of the LGBTQ+, Jewish, and Native American people. The protagonist embodied all of these backgrounds, and her strength and resiliency when balanced with the heart and compassion in her heart made for a moving story, which helped elevate the horror and the gritty nature of the setting immensely.
The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and chilling, author Zachary Rosenberg’s “Hungers as Old as This Land” is a must-read Western horror novel that readers won’t be able to put down. The quick pacing and the rich world-building made this story feel alive on the page and kept me as a reader hanging off of the author’s every word. If this book is any indication, I think the author is set for a long career developing the next generation of great horror classics. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Zachary Rosenberg is a horror writer living in Florida. He crafts horrifying tales by night and by day he practices law, which is even more frightening. His forthcoming debut novella “Hungers as Old As This Land.” will be published by Brigids Gate press and his first novel “The Devils and the Deep Blue Sea” shall be published by Darklit Press. You may find his works released or forthcoming at Air and Nothingness Press, Dead Sea Press and Nosetouch Press.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Francesca Maria takes readers on a journey into the depths of darkness to explore the shadowy nature of fear and control in “They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark”.
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The Synopsis
Who are we if not for the monsters that we keep?
They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark collects thirteen chilling tales that weave through the shadows, exploring the nature of fear, powerlessness, and control.
– A series of murders in a New England colony
– An untamed beast in pre-revolutionary France
– A mysterious stranger who invades 18th-century Ireland
– A traveling circus that takes more than the price of admission
– A gathering of the Dark, telling tales on the longest night of the year, and more.
Come play with vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, ghouls and the devil himself. Make sure you check under the bed and don’t turn out the lights.
The Review
The author does such an incredible job of weaving together a moving yet horrifying collection of stories. The way each story flowed smoothly and kept a great pacing, while still allowing the tension to build and the chills to build up in the reader’s mind made for a truly compelling and captivating collection.
To me, it was the author’s use of both emotional storytelling and shocking horror moments that made each story shine. Some of my favorite stories in the collection touched upon the dark side of some of my favorite things, from ancient Egyptian mythology in the story “Imhotep”, to the shocking real story of Christmas in “Spreckles” and the gasp-worthy finale in the story “Wendigo”, each story wove between the horrors and emotions of reality with the twisted nature of the strange and the bizarre side of our world and cultures.
The Verdict
Memorable, entertaining, and thrilling, author Francesca Maria’s “They Hide: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark” is a must-read collection of horror short stories that is one of my favorite short story collections of 2023 thus far! The suspense, drama, and heartfelt connection readers make to the characters of these stories and the rich world-building that the author employs throughout this collection will keep readers engaged and eager for more as the last story ends and a new one begins. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Francesca Maria writes dark fiction surrounded by cats near the Pacific Ocean. She is the creator of the Black Cat Chronicles, a true horror comic book series narrated by a mystical black cat. And her short story collection; They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark will be out in April 7, 2023 from Brigid’s Gate Press. Her short stories and essays can be found in Crystal Lake Publishing’s Shallow Waters series and anthologies and Death’s Garden Revisited.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An ancient evil is unleashed in rural Pennsylvania during the late 19th century/early 20th century in author Philip Fracassi’s “Boys in the Valley”.
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The Synopsis
The Exorcist meets Lord of the Flies, by way of Midnight Mass, in Boys in the Valley, a brilliant coming-of-age tale from award-winning author Philip Fracassi.
St. Vincent’s Orphanage for Boys.
Turn of the century, in a remote valley in Pennsylvania.
Here, under the watchful eyes of several priests, thirty boys work, learn, and worship. Peter Barlow, orphaned as a child by a gruesome murder, has made a new life here. As he approaches adulthood, he has friends, a future…a family.
Then, late one stormy night, a group of men arrive at their door, one of whom is badly wounded, occult symbols carved into his flesh. His death releases an ancient evil that spreads like sickness, infecting St. Vincent’s and the children within. Soon, boys begin acting differently, forming groups. Taking sides.
Others turn up dead.
Now Peter and those dear to him must choose sides of their own, each of them knowing their lives — and perhaps their eternal souls — are at risk.
The Review
This was a truly compelling read. The author does an incredible job of immediately setting up a haunting atmosphere. The balance of a historical setting meeting an almost gothic horror atmosphere really set the tone early on and allowed for the blend of religious undertones and rich mythos to take hold in the reader’s minds. The action and world-building were top-tier, giving a very cinematic approach to the narrative as the story progressed.
To me, the heart of the story rested in the rich character development and the unique blend of genres. Seeing the balance between historical fiction, coming-of-age storytelling, and chilling horror vibes helped sell this story as the haunting gothic read it proved to be. Yet it was the development of this cast of characters, much like an iconic Stephen King novel like It or Salem’s Lot, where each character had a unique perspective on the developing story and added an emotional depth as the story began to intersect and merge together in the climactic final moments, that the narrative really began to shine through.
The Verdict
Memorable, thoughtful, and engaging, author Philip Fracassi’s “Boys in the Valley” is a must-read horror novel of 2023. The unique contrast between faith and identity, and the gripping theme of sacrifice, made this story come to life on the page, and the haunting final moments of this beautifully written novel will both captivate and bring readers to tears as the story plays out its bloody hand. If you haven’t yet, be sure to preorder your copy today or grab a copy on July 11th, 2023!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Philip Fracassi is the author of the story collections Beneath a Pale Sky (named “Best Collection of the Year” by Rue Morgue Magazine and a finalist for the Bram Stoker award) and Behold the Void (named “Best Collection of the Year” by This Is Horror). He is also the author of several novellas, including Sacculina, Shiloh, and Commodore.
His novels include Don’t Let Them Get You Down, A Child Alone with Strangers, Gothic, and Boys in the Valley.
Philip’s books have been translated into multiple languages and his stories have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including Best Horror of the Year, Nightmare Magazine, Black Static, Southwest Review, and Interzone.
The New York Times calls his work “terrifically scary.”
You can follow Philip on Facebook, Instagram (pfracassi), and Twitter (@philipfracassi), or at his official website at www.pfracassi.com.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
An undertaker must team up with two men searching for their uncle and discover a town of cutthroats and enemies galore in authors Ann Charles and Sam Lucky’s “Life at the Coffin Joint”, the first book in the Deadwood Undertaker series.
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The Synopsis
Deadwood (late 1876) … A rowdy and reckless undertaker’s delight. What better place for a killer to blend in? Enter undertaker Clementine Johanssen, tall and deadly with a hot temper and short fuse, hired to clean up Deadwood’s dead … and the “other” problem. She’s hell-bent on poking, sticking, or stabbing anyone that steps out of line. But when a couple Santa Fe sidewinders ride into town searching for their missing uncle, they land neck deep in lethal gunplay, nasty cutthroats, and endless stinkin’ snow. Their search leads them to throw in with Clementine to hunt for a common enemy. What they find chills them all to the bone and sends them on an adventure they’ll never forget. From the bestselling, multiple award-winning, humorous Deadwood Mystery series comes a new herd of tales set in the same Deadwood stomping grounds, only back in the days when the Old West town was young.
The Review
This was such a compelling blend of old-west tales meeting chilling occult horror novels. The fact that this book serves as a prequel to the author’s original Deadwood Humorous Mysteries series set in the modern day and a first in a brand new series made this even more compelling and had me eager to get into the true history of this infamous town. The powerful imagery helped bring the elements that the characters were forced to survive in and the town itself to life beautifully, underscoring the horror lurking just below the surface.
What really stood out was on top of all of the amazing world-building and character development, the author also infused some amazing humor and romance into the narrative to make this a brilliant and well-rounded narrative. The mythos surrounding the Slayers and protagonist Clementine’s Norwegian heritage mix with the American North West mythos and occult horror aspects that the creatures and ghouls bring a sense of accomplishment and grandiose storytelling that keeps the reader invested in the journey itself, and the vast nature of Deadwood as a town and its significance historically in the series made this a thrilling ride.
The Verdict
Haunting, thrilling, and engaging, authors Ann Charles and Sam Lucky’s “Life at the Coffin Joint” is a must-read western occult horror novel and the best (and first) entry into the Deadwood Undertaker series. The twists and turns the narrative takes, the hilarious interactions the characters have with one another, the surprising romances, and the shocking horrors they all face will keep readers coming back, eager for more in this new series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Authors
Ann Charles is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes award-winning books that are splashed with humor, mystery, suspense, romance, supernatural elements, and whatever else sounds fun.
Currently, she has many fiction books available in several different on-going series.
From her ongoing multi-award winning Deadwood Mystery Series:
NEARLY DEPARTED IN DEADWOOD (book 1–multiple award-winning book for both mystery and romance/mystery);
OPTICAL DELUSIONS IN DEADWOOD (book 2);
DEAD CASE IN DEADWOOD (book 3-one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2012 books);
BETTER OFF DEAD IN DEADWOOD (book 4);
AN EX TO GRIND IN DEADWOOD (book 5–Grand Prize winner in Chanticleer Review’s Paranormal category;
MEANWHILE, BACK IN DEADWOOD (book 6–one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2015 books);
A WILD FRIGHT IN DEADWOOD (book 7–one of Suspense Magazine’s BEST OF 2016 books);
RATTLING THE HEAD IN DEADWOOD (book 8)
GONE HAUNTING IN DEADWOOD (book 9)
DON’T LET IT SNOW IN DEADWOOD (book 10)
DEVIL DAYS IN DEADWOOD (book 11)
NEVER SAY SEVER IN DEADWOOD (book 12)
(Book 13 coming in early 2023)
Also available from Ann are the first five books in her Jackrabbit Junction Mystery Series:
DANCE OF THE WINNEBAGOS (book 1)
JACKRABBIT JUNCTION JITTERS (book 2)
THE GREAT JACKALOPE STAMPEDE (book 3)
THE ROWDY COYOTE RUMBLE (book 4)
A Thanksgiving novella titled, THE WILD TURKEY TANGO (book 4.5)
A Christmas novella titled, JACKRABBIT JINGLE BALLS (book 4.7)
IN CAHOOTS WITH THE PRICKLY PEAR POSSE (book 5)
TWISTY TORTOISE TUSSLES (book 6)
LOOK WHAT THE WIND BLEW IN (book 1) and MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT (book 2), the first two books in her Dig Site Mystery-Archaeology series set in the Maya jungle, are available on Amazon, too. These books star Quint Parker, the brother of Violet Parker–the heroine in her Deadwood Mystery series. They are filled with mystery, humor, adventure, and a plenty of heat.
She has a western paranormal Deadwood Undertaker Series in process that is co-written with Sam Lucky:
LIFE AT THE COFFIN JOINT (book 1)
A LONG WAY FROM ORDINARY (book 2
CAN’T RIDE AROUND IT (book 3)
CATAWAMPUS CHRISTMAS CAROL (book 3.5)
THE BACKSIDE OF HADES (book 4)–coming in Fall 2022
She has several short stories as well–DEADWOOD SHORTS: SEEING TROUBLE (book 1.5), BOOT POINTS (book 4.5), COLD FLAME (book 6.5), TEQUILA & TIME (book 8.5), and FATAL TRADITIONS (book 10.5). These are all short stories from her Deadwood Mystery Series. Also, she has THE OLD MAN’S BACK IN TOWN, a short story from her future Goldwash Mystery Series.
In addition, Ann has two novellas in the AC Silly Circus Co. Mystery series: FERAL-LY FUNNY FREAKSHOW and A BUNCH OF MONKEY MALARKEY.
Stay tuned for more new books by Ann coming soon!
Ann has a B.A. in English with an emphasis on creative writing from the University of Washington. She is a member of Sisters in Crime and Western Writers of America. She is currently toiling away on her next book, wishing she was on a Mexican beach with an ice-cold Corona in one hand and a book in the other. When she is not dabbling in fiction, she is arm wrestling with her two kids, attempting to seduce her husband, and arguing with her sassy cats. You can find her on all major social media platforms.
Sam Lucky likes to build things—from Jeep engines to Old West buildings to fun stories. When he is not writing, feeding his kids, attempting to seduce his wife, or tending the goldurn cats, he is planning food-based booksigning/road trips with his wife and working on one of his many home-improvement projects.
He writes the Deadwood Undertaker Series with Ann Charles.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A psychologist and daughter of a murderer develops a revolutionary test to explore the id unencumbered by morality and sets a killer and the cop driven to violence by that same killer on a path of destruction in author Kevin Spark’s “id: A Novel”.
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The Synopsis
Dr. Shelly, a brilliant psychologist, forever haunted by her father and his murderous past, is driven by the need to find out why we do the things we do? Is the concept of free will just a concept and nothing more, a construct that blinds us to a less palatable truth, that who we are is predetermined and encoded at birth? Does anyone really choose to do the bad things we do or are we just doing what comes naturally?
Shelly constructs an experiment using a sensory deprivation tank and virtual reality, allowing the darkest part of ourselves, the id, to run free. Unencumbered by morality or remorse, Shelly finds the perfect subject in Adam. A borderline psychotic born into a world of neglect and crime. Delving into the deepest pits of his subconscious, Shelly surfaces with far more than she bargained for.
Detective Hopper, responsible for Adam’s capture, remains a broken man. After suffering a breakdown due to the escalation of his own violent behavior, he is placed under the care of Dr Shelly. Encouraging him to go looking for his own redemption, Hopper becomes a pawn in her web of deception until the lines of reality are redrawn as Hopper and Adam come full circle to an explosive end.
The Review
This was a mind-blowing and thought-provoking psychological horror thriller. The imagery played well into the deep-set tone that psychological horror novels often take, and the inclusion of VR gaming environments and sensory deprivation tanks helped elevate the tension that the reader felt as the story progressed. The way these psychological ids came to life in the story and the way they spoke to the psychological aspects of our own minds helped elevate the atmosphere of this book tenfold.
Yet it was the rich character development that really helped highlight this psychological horror. The way each of the main characters really played off one another in this almost cat-and-mouse style thriller and the steady pace of the narrative itself allowed the tension to build more and more as time went on. The way the author explored the “animal” that rests within us all and the ways in which we all deal with that animal in our lives played well into the story, and the heart-pounding terror that the imagery of these character’s ids brought to life will haunt readers well beyond the final pages of this book.
The Verdict
Haunting, captivating, and engaging, author Kevin Spark’s “id: A Novel” is a must-read psychological horror thriller. The twists and turns the narrative takes and the shocking conclusions that each character finds themselves in only lend themselves to the dynamic atmosphere and chilling imagery the author’s impressive writing style conjures up, drawing me in similarly to the way the acclaimed film The Cell starring Jennifer Lopez and Vincent D’Onofrio did when I first watched it. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
