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shawn_of_the_read's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
monakabbani's review against another edition
5.0
“The Fear grew.”
Think you can fair well in an apocalyptic pandemic? Think again. Jacqueline and Ashley, a married couple living in Texas, are trying to create the perfect life for themselves. A beautiful home, weekend activities like watching Jaws in the park, and good ol’ intimate fun. That is, until the pandemic hits. See, the thing about a stay-at-home order is that it can cause underlying anxieties to fester. Your enclosed room can become an incubator for paranoia, claustrophobia, and Fear. How long do you think you could stave off the anxiety before the Fear completely consumes you?
Ahhhh!!! This book was EXCELLENT! Especially for this time and place right now, it felt like a psychotic homage to all the struggles we are going through mentally. I’ll definitely have to read it again in a few years once all this pandemic stuff is behind us to see how I process it but it’s a perfect exaggeration of what we’ve all felt when the pandemic started. My one warning is that this book is heavily intimate with the psychology of paranoia and claustrophobia so if you have anxiety regarding these items, read cautiously.
That being said, this book is character driven. It’s an in depth dive into two peoples’ minds during an apocalyptic pandemic so there’s no action/adventure and there’s really only one scene. But listen to me, this book has so much going on, it reads like an action/adventure! Absolutely engrossing and fast paced. And as a psychology nerd, it was a treat to read. This is probably my most favorite book of 2020 honestly. And I’m going to STRONGLY encourage everyone to pick up a copy once it releases August 11!!!
Think you can fair well in an apocalyptic pandemic? Think again. Jacqueline and Ashley, a married couple living in Texas, are trying to create the perfect life for themselves. A beautiful home, weekend activities like watching Jaws in the park, and good ol’ intimate fun. That is, until the pandemic hits. See, the thing about a stay-at-home order is that it can cause underlying anxieties to fester. Your enclosed room can become an incubator for paranoia, claustrophobia, and Fear. How long do you think you could stave off the anxiety before the Fear completely consumes you?
Ahhhh!!! This book was EXCELLENT! Especially for this time and place right now, it felt like a psychotic homage to all the struggles we are going through mentally. I’ll definitely have to read it again in a few years once all this pandemic stuff is behind us to see how I process it but it’s a perfect exaggeration of what we’ve all felt when the pandemic started. My one warning is that this book is heavily intimate with the psychology of paranoia and claustrophobia so if you have anxiety regarding these items, read cautiously.
That being said, this book is character driven. It’s an in depth dive into two peoples’ minds during an apocalyptic pandemic so there’s no action/adventure and there’s really only one scene. But listen to me, this book has so much going on, it reads like an action/adventure! Absolutely engrossing and fast paced. And as a psychology nerd, it was a treat to read. This is probably my most favorite book of 2020 honestly. And I’m going to STRONGLY encourage everyone to pick up a copy once it releases August 11!!!
marcushawke's review against another edition
5.0
I got this book not really knowing what to expect; just that it was a horror story set within the backdrop of a pandemic. I don’t even think I knew for certain that it was THE pandemic at the time. Considering when it had to have been written, this was either very convenient timing or a feat of unprecedentedly prescient forecasting. It deals with a number of uneasy but very real topics from racism, homophobia, trauma, degraded socio-political climates, asshole landlords (we’ve all been there, right?) and in many ways those are the real evils here. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: for true horror one need only look to reality
What I liked about this story the most was easily the relationship between the two main characters, Jaqueline and Ashley. It was real, sweet, loving, and tangible…until of course it wasn’t. Eventually things go completely to Hell, things turn bitter, raw, and disgusting in a few cases, and that’s really when I invested in this story. They were both explored thoroughly inside and out, quite literally in some cases. I revelled in the filth, hunger, and mania. I tune in for the picturesque couple hoping to make a new life for themselves because secretly I want to see it all come crashing down around them. I was certainly not disappointed.
It went places I really wasn’t expecting and I’m still puzzling over the ending a little bit, but in a good way. The best way, really. That’s the stuff that stays with you and THE FEAR definitely did that.
What I liked about this story the most was easily the relationship between the two main characters, Jaqueline and Ashley. It was real, sweet, loving, and tangible…until of course it wasn’t. Eventually things go completely to Hell, things turn bitter, raw, and disgusting in a few cases, and that’s really when I invested in this story. They were both explored thoroughly inside and out, quite literally in some cases. I revelled in the filth, hunger, and mania. I tune in for the picturesque couple hoping to make a new life for themselves because secretly I want to see it all come crashing down around them. I was certainly not disappointed.
It went places I really wasn’t expecting and I’m still puzzling over the ending a little bit, but in a good way. The best way, really. That’s the stuff that stays with you and THE FEAR definitely did that.
chelseaslilbooknook's review
4.0
This book is described as a ‘pandemic horror story’. There’s a chance that some wouldn’t want to read this as we are currently still in the midst of our very own pandemic horror story. Me? I was definitely intrigued.
This novel fully captures the panicked, mob mentality of the first few scary months, when no one knew where exactly the world was headed. It also includes the extreme incompetence of our clown ex-commander in chief, as well as the inexcusable racism displayed towards Asian Americans by ignorant people all over America.
It starts off strong, with mental illness being the main villain. The sense of dread and claustrophobia builds with each chapter. The ending took a fantastical turn that left me a little confused, as I did not see it coming. But overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading Kitchen Sink by Spender Hamilton as well.
A strong 4/5 star book ⭐️
This novel fully captures the panicked, mob mentality of the first few scary months, when no one knew where exactly the world was headed. It also includes the extreme incompetence of our clown ex-commander in chief, as well as the inexcusable racism displayed towards Asian Americans by ignorant people all over America.
It starts off strong, with mental illness being the main villain. The sense of dread and claustrophobia builds with each chapter. The ending took a fantastical turn that left me a little confused, as I did not see it coming. But overall, I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading Kitchen Sink by Spender Hamilton as well.
A strong 4/5 star book ⭐️
readbydusk's review against another edition
3.0
Reading a pandemic horror during a pandemic? What was I thinking? Yet this book caught my attention and didn't let go until the end. It feels very relevant and yet different enough from the current real world situation for me to be able to consume it. I thought the writing is great, and the way madness seeps into the characters' minds is both horrifying and sad.
That said, I found the middle of the book really repetitive. I also didn't really buy the setup because it feels contrived. The book attempts to make it as close to real life as possible (the real tweets at the beginning of each chapter is an example) yet the characters have isolated themselves for no good reason from the beginning. The villains are obviously evil, there's nothing subtle at all about them. The ending suddenly veers into the fantastical out of nowhere. I'm not an own voice reviewer so I can't speak to the portrayal of one of the characters' struggle with sexuality, but it felt kind of gratuitous at times. Overall, I think this book is still an enjoyable short read but just misses the mark for me.
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
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That said, I found the middle of the book really repetitive. I also didn't really buy the setup because it feels contrived. The book attempts to make it as close to real life as possible (the real tweets at the beginning of each chapter is an example) yet the characters have isolated themselves for no good reason from the beginning. The villains are obviously evil, there's nothing subtle at all about them. The ending suddenly veers into the fantastical out of nowhere. I'm not an own voice reviewer so I can't speak to the portrayal of one of the characters' struggle with sexuality, but it felt kind of gratuitous at times. Overall, I think this book is still an enjoyable short read but just misses the mark for me.
Thank you to the author for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
bookcadaver's review against another edition
4.0
“You don’t believe me.”
“I do, Jack. But can you take a moment to believe me? Believe in the possibility that memory is fallible and unreliable and that our minds are constantly playing tricks on us and massaging our confirmation bias?”
This is a book that heavily relates to every single person over the last year and half. It mirrors the anxiety, the claustrophobia, the spiral of our need to function in a society that isn’t prepared for a pandemic and the instability of handling mental health.
The Fear follows two women, Ash and Jack, who are trying to cope with more than just being locked in their small apartment. The Fear deals with issues of being in a biracial queer relationship, spiralling mental health and the oppression of just existing and the questioning of identity.
This was a really hard book to read for me, as I’ve been in a similar situation as Ash and was finding it quite hard to feel anything for Jack. I wanted to jump into the book and scream at Ash to leave, to realise that she deserves more and that it’s not her job to care for Jack and that it’s not her responsibility to get her help.
I felt a lot of dread and anxiety while reading and it was due to the fact Ash was locked inside a house with someone who wasn’t mentally well, who was becoming increasingly unstable as time went on. It wasn’t until near the end of the book I was beginning to feel a bit sympathetic for Jack, but I was really struggling to support her through most of the novel as she was a really unlikeable character to me.
The writing was absolutely amazing and really captured how isolating and scary a pandemic can be, especially when you’re literally living in one.
Although I struggled through some parts, more so because of my own triggers, this was a really unsettling, dread-inducing story and I really enjoyed it. When a book can make me feel real emotions, I know it’s a good book.
Trigger Warnings:
racism, racial slurs, homophobia, homophobic slurs, sexual assault, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, mental trauma, mental instability, physical assault, gore, body horror, animal death, blood, violence, bodily wounds
“I do, Jack. But can you take a moment to believe me? Believe in the possibility that memory is fallible and unreliable and that our minds are constantly playing tricks on us and massaging our confirmation bias?”
This is a book that heavily relates to every single person over the last year and half. It mirrors the anxiety, the claustrophobia, the spiral of our need to function in a society that isn’t prepared for a pandemic and the instability of handling mental health.
The Fear follows two women, Ash and Jack, who are trying to cope with more than just being locked in their small apartment. The Fear deals with issues of being in a biracial queer relationship, spiralling mental health and the oppression of just existing and the questioning of identity.
This was a really hard book to read for me, as I’ve been in a similar situation as Ash and was finding it quite hard to feel anything for Jack. I wanted to jump into the book and scream at Ash to leave, to realise that she deserves more and that it’s not her job to care for Jack and that it’s not her responsibility to get her help.
I felt a lot of dread and anxiety while reading and it was due to the fact Ash was locked inside a house with someone who wasn’t mentally well, who was becoming increasingly unstable as time went on. It wasn’t until near the end of the book I was beginning to feel a bit sympathetic for Jack, but I was really struggling to support her through most of the novel as she was a really unlikeable character to me.
The writing was absolutely amazing and really captured how isolating and scary a pandemic can be, especially when you’re literally living in one.
Although I struggled through some parts, more so because of my own triggers, this was a really unsettling, dread-inducing story and I really enjoyed it. When a book can make me feel real emotions, I know it’s a good book.
Trigger Warnings:
racism, racial slurs, homophobia, homophobic slurs, sexual assault, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, mental trauma, mental instability, physical assault, gore, body horror, animal death, blood, violence, bodily wounds
readbyashleyd's review
5.0
I waited until now to read this because I had a feeling that reading it during the height of the pandemic would be incredible anxiety inducing. And BOY was I ever right! Even now it gave me serious anxiety but more in an this is incredibly disturbing anxiety way. If I’m not making sense it’s probably because my mind is still whirling after finishing this and I’m still gathering my thoughts. That’s how damn good it was, it completely blew my mind to shreds and I can’t quite seem to collect myself. I just keeping thinking about it all and I can’t shake the disturbing crawling feeling going up my back. There’s just so many terrifying aspects to this story and they come together to make up one hell of a mind blowing, horrifying package. I really enjoyed the queer representation as well, I firmly believe that some of the very best horror is queer horror and this book definitely lives up to that. I really can’t recommend this one highly enough, although do be warned that the pandemic aspect could possibly be triggering.
spillinggrace's review against another edition
5.0
I recently read “The Fear” written by Spencer Hamilton. This is a COVID-19 pandemic horror story written and published in the summer of 2020 right here in my new adopted country, The United States of Texas, in the liberal safe haven of the city of Austin- or so, Ashely and Jacqueline thought to be safe. This book is not only scary, it is psychologically heavy. We get a glimpse into a violent dystopian future that sheds light on the ugliness of humanity by featuring topics of racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and so much more, all in the wake of the global pandemic we are all living through. Our protagonists are trapped in their apartment and are forced to survive while the world burns and their mental states deteriorate.
This book scared me with the insidious feeling of hope. Yes, I said it: “Hope” I say insidious because it is a feeling just as strong as fear that, if we let it, will eat away at us if we are not careful to manage it. At the turn of the book I was filled with dread and that little glimmer of hope, wondering if Ashley and Jacqueline would make it in the end.
There is so much more I want to say about this book, as I feel it would be great to have at the center of a discussion about the times we lived in, but will shorten my thoughts to this: I appreciate how thoughtful Hamilton was in writing this book and the team around him that helped review and make it possible (to include a sensitivity reader and a medical fact-checker!) I also appreciated the inclusivity of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters that were not there for the sake of being diverse, but rather to tell an incredible and terrifying story line. If you read this book and it made you uncomfortable, to you I say “GOOD.” This book SHOULD make you uncomfortable on a multitude of levels beyond the fear of a deadly virus.
To Spencer, bravo. This is one of the best books I have read in recent history. For the purpose of ratings I give this book an overwhelming five stars.
This book scared me with the insidious feeling of hope. Yes, I said it: “Hope” I say insidious because it is a feeling just as strong as fear that, if we let it, will eat away at us if we are not careful to manage it. At the turn of the book I was filled with dread and that little glimmer of hope, wondering if Ashley and Jacqueline would make it in the end.
There is so much more I want to say about this book, as I feel it would be great to have at the center of a discussion about the times we lived in, but will shorten my thoughts to this: I appreciate how thoughtful Hamilton was in writing this book and the team around him that helped review and make it possible (to include a sensitivity reader and a medical fact-checker!) I also appreciated the inclusivity of LGBTQ+ and BIPOC characters that were not there for the sake of being diverse, but rather to tell an incredible and terrifying story line. If you read this book and it made you uncomfortable, to you I say “GOOD.” This book SHOULD make you uncomfortable on a multitude of levels beyond the fear of a deadly virus.
To Spencer, bravo. This is one of the best books I have read in recent history. For the purpose of ratings I give this book an overwhelming five stars.
enchantressreads's review
5.0
Ashley and Jacqueline both need a change. They move to Houston, TX, but are instantly attacked by a homophobic, xenophobic hipster Jack dubs "The Cardigan Man." Soon, between Jack's deterioration and Ashley's optimism, the world stalls. The president has just announced a national lockdown to defeat a deadly virus called Covid-19.
Being almost 2 years in the pandemic, I didn't think this book would scare me. But yet, it did. Spencer Hamilton adds so much fear to this novel, it really lives up to its name. There are many things discussed in this novel that are so much more than just the pandemic. We discuss Jack's Christian-based trauma, Ash's not-so-great relationship with her parents, and Jack's increasingly bad mental illness.
This book will mean a lot to a lot of people. It discusses normal fear, while also delving into what we may consider "irrational" fear. But all irrational fear stems in truth.
Also, fuck Doug.
CW: homophobia, slurs, xenophobia, homophobic attack, suicidal ideation, self-harm, blood & some body horror, mental illness/psychosis
Being almost 2 years in the pandemic, I didn't think this book would scare me. But yet, it did. Spencer Hamilton adds so much fear to this novel, it really lives up to its name. There are many things discussed in this novel that are so much more than just the pandemic. We discuss Jack's Christian-based trauma, Ash's not-so-great relationship with her parents, and Jack's increasingly bad mental illness.
This book will mean a lot to a lot of people. It discusses normal fear, while also delving into what we may consider "irrational" fear. But all irrational fear stems in truth.
Also, fuck Doug.
CW: homophobia, slurs, xenophobia, homophobic attack, suicidal ideation, self-harm, blood & some body horror, mental illness/psychosis