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A review by ghostboyreads
The Dream Killer by Adam Cosco
4.0
"Rain lashes down in relentless waves soaking the city in liquid chaos. Ethan trudges along the deserted sidewalk, blood streaking his drenched clothes, his breaths shallow. The streetlights above flicker erratically, casting distorted halos onto the pavement. Each step drags him deeper into the night, where the rain seems alive, whispering conspiracies he can't quite piece together."
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my rating, and the below thoughts are mine, and mine alone.
The Dream Killer is an absolutely wild book, it's the sort of novel that demands your attention, subtle shifts in the storytelling swirl together with this sort of fractured, fragmented, chaotic plot, making things really, really weird. It sets out to intentionally confuse you, reading this book will have you questioning your sanity, it'll have you asking if the world around you is even real. Hallucinogenic and strange, The Dream Killer feels like one of the most intense acid trips in the world, it's all so dreamlike and ethereal, haunting and terrifying. You read the synopsis, you think you know what you're getting yourself into, but you really, really don't - Adam Cosco is the master of pulling the rug from under our feet.
Extremely early on in this novel, it's apparent that Adam Cosco is hyper passionate about the horror genre, this is clearly, an author, who loves horror - the adoration of the craft seems etched into every single word. Many fantastic horror influences make up The Dream Killer, yet, it's still wholly unique and entirely its own thing. It's captivating, so imaginative and refreshing and so very vibrant. There's such a strong voice that's present throughout the book, this is a story that begs to be narrated, that takes our hand and removes us from our own reality, dumping us firmly in its own. This is a passionate novel, it's one that's entirely for the horror fans, for those of us that want to relive the very best horror memories, while also experiencing something new.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way affected my rating, and the below thoughts are mine, and mine alone.
The Dream Killer is an absolutely wild book, it's the sort of novel that demands your attention, subtle shifts in the storytelling swirl together with this sort of fractured, fragmented, chaotic plot, making things really, really weird. It sets out to intentionally confuse you, reading this book will have you questioning your sanity, it'll have you asking if the world around you is even real. Hallucinogenic and strange, The Dream Killer feels like one of the most intense acid trips in the world, it's all so dreamlike and ethereal, haunting and terrifying. You read the synopsis, you think you know what you're getting yourself into, but you really, really don't - Adam Cosco is the master of pulling the rug from under our feet.
Extremely early on in this novel, it's apparent that Adam Cosco is hyper passionate about the horror genre, this is clearly, an author, who loves horror - the adoration of the craft seems etched into every single word. Many fantastic horror influences make up The Dream Killer, yet, it's still wholly unique and entirely its own thing. It's captivating, so imaginative and refreshing and so very vibrant. There's such a strong voice that's present throughout the book, this is a story that begs to be narrated, that takes our hand and removes us from our own reality, dumping us firmly in its own. This is a passionate novel, it's one that's entirely for the horror fans, for those of us that want to relive the very best horror memories, while also experiencing something new.
"The muffled shouting from the trailer spills into the night air, jagged and raw, like the dissonant chords of an unfinished symphony. A few crew members linger nearby, their faces pale under the stark floodlights. Their wary glances flick toward the source of the noise, curiosity warring with apprehension. No one dares to move closer. It's an unspoken rule on set - some storms aren't meant to be weathered, just waited out."
There's a real complexity to The Dream Killer, there are so many twists that will completely eviscerate your entire thought process. The book itself is broken down into three scenes, and the transitions between these scenes are pretty jagged and harsh, but this is a clearly intentional move by the author - it makes it like experiencing three interlocking stories at once, while also being deep in the trenches of the worst fever dream you'll ever have. The premise of this novel is insanely cool, but, it doesn't hold a candle to actually experiencing the demented journey of self-discovery you'll be taken on with The Dream Killer. So easily devourable, this is a wild ride, one that every ardent horror fan must experience for themselves.
"The knife parts flesh with a soft resistance, the sound a sickening whisper against the stillness. Each line he carves into her skin feels like an eternity, the symbol slowly taking form - a triangle with three dots, etched with trembling precision."