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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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