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nahnahnancy's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
eklbooks's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
silenttwg's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A group of writers, bitter with years of buildup and resentment but still wearing the pretense of friends, decide to take a virtual dip into a new program to establish who is the best author of the lot.
Honestly, I find multiple authors working on one story often difficult to read, the different voices clashing and painfully obvious who wrote what.... but this one, they blended together so well, I wasn't jarred out of the story at all. That takes a unique talent and I say kudos to these two amazing authors for putting together a fun adventure.
The characters were each unique, with their own reasons for chips on their shoulders, and though the story ended exactly where I thought it would, it needed to end there. All signs pointed that way and I would have been personally peeved as a reader if it had gone elsewhere. I liked how this felt both futuristic and classic all at once.
Well done, this was fun to read, and I think I need to snag a physical copy to reread later down the road.
Honestly, I find multiple authors working on one story often difficult to read, the different voices clashing and painfully obvious who wrote what.... but this one, they blended together so well, I wasn't jarred out of the story at all. That takes a unique talent and I say kudos to these two amazing authors for putting together a fun adventure.
The characters were each unique, with their own reasons for chips on their shoulders, and though the story ended exactly where I thought it would, it needed to end there. All signs pointed that way and I would have been personally peeved as a reader if it had gone elsewhere. I liked how this felt both futuristic and classic all at once.
Well done, this was fun to read, and I think I need to snag a physical copy to reread later down the road.
drakaina16's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had so much fun with Arcranium! I'm usually not huge on techno horror, but this was done really well. I don't need endless descriptions of how the technology works, just give me the good stuff! The concept is super cool, the pacing was great, and I liked the ending a lot. 4 stars
mafaichney's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
megandherbook's review
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
For years four horror authors have been getting together for drinks once a month. But each time they get together they seem less like friends and more like jaded competitors. Each wanting to be respected by their peers and labeled the scariest/best writer of them all. So when one of the authors has access to a machine that will allow them to all really live within each others horror novels they realize this is their best chance to see once and for all who is the scariest horror author.
This is a fairly quick read and it is so perfect. They hit on numerous different horror genres and each one has some scary moments. The characters are both lovable and also annoying - they’re the type where one minute you’re cheering them on and the next you’re rolling your eyes. The way the foundation that is laid by using each authors ego makes the conclusion of this book so understandable yet I did not see it coming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Gore, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic friendship, Violence, Abortion, Body horror, Death, Murder, and Sexism
bozzi1's review
dark
tense
fast-paced
4.25
What causes the greatest fear? Is it a threat of violence and knowledge of impending pain? Is it feeling something unknown brush against you in the dark? Or is it perhaps your worst memory, something from your past you’d give anything to change…
It’s this debate that leads to a group of writers having a little “friendly competition” to see which one of them can create the best horror story. With the help of an AI program-Arcranium™️ and a safe word, what could go wrong? Everything.
What a wild ride! I had a lot of fun with this horror novella. The plot was refreshingly unique; it grabbed my attention right away and kept me engaged throughout. It was well written, which was particularly impressive having two authors. There was a good mix of atmospheric dread in eerie settings and flat out horror with plenty of gore. The dialogue was sharp, with moments of humor, and the ending was top notch.
Romance has friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers tropes and that’s fine, but I’ll take a friends-to-enemies horror fest any day. Absolutely recommend this one to any horror fan.
I appreciate the copy of this ebook for my honest review.
It’s this debate that leads to a group of writers having a little “friendly competition” to see which one of them can create the best horror story. With the help of an AI program-Arcranium™️ and a safe word, what could go wrong? Everything.
What a wild ride! I had a lot of fun with this horror novella. The plot was refreshingly unique; it grabbed my attention right away and kept me engaged throughout. It was well written, which was particularly impressive having two authors. There was a good mix of atmospheric dread in eerie settings and flat out horror with plenty of gore. The dialogue was sharp, with moments of humor, and the ending was top notch.
Romance has friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers tropes and that’s fine, but I’ll take a friends-to-enemies horror fest any day. Absolutely recommend this one to any horror fan.
I appreciate the copy of this ebook for my honest review.
connorjdaley's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
One of the authors sent me a review copy of this and I’m glad he did! Just released so check it out!
Four horror writers want to find out which of them is the best. They attempt to do this by using Arcranium, a developing software that allows people to unlock their full potential. It’s like a super advanced, fully immersive AR/VR that lets you experience everything as if it were real.
I loved the set up of four friends meeting at a bar to discuss their writing, careers, and reception. Over time the friendships wane with their growing jealousy and insecurities. Each of them is a different kind of horror writer, each with their own ideas of what’s the best kind of scare.
With this being a novella, it reads like one giant climax. Going in and out of their stories is the only short reprieve, but each is high intensity from the get go. Part of me absolutely loved this factor, while on the other hand, if it was lengthened to a novel, it would have been really cool for each story to have the space to fully play out as their perspective genre shifts. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all, but for the more atmospheric styles, time to grow is important.
Personally a 5/5*. Tons of screaming, cursing, bleeding, and horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Torture, Gore, Cursing, Grief, Murder, Death, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Body horror, Cancer, Blood, Violence, and Vomit
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