“You don’t read the book. It reads you.
Book Author: Brian Kirk
Book Format: eBook
Date published: 14th March 2019
ISBN: 1787581365
Number Of Pages: 288
You don’t read the book. It reads you.
Rumors of a deadly book have been floating around the dark corners of the deep web. A disturbing tale about a mysterious figure who preys on those who read the book and subjects them to a world of personalized terror. Jesse Wheeler–former guitarist of the heavy metal group The Rising Dead–was quick to discount the ominous folklore associated with the book. It takes more than some urban legend to frighten him. Hell, reality is scary enough. Seven years ago his greatest responsibility was the nightly guitar solo. Then one night when Jesse was blackout drunk, he accidentally injured his son, leaving him permanently disabled. Dreams of being a rock star died when he destroyed his son’s future. Now he cuts radio jingles and fights to stay clean. But Jesse is wrong.
The legend is real–and tonight he will become the protagonist in an elaborate scheme specifically tailored to prey on his fears and resurrect the ghosts from his past. Jesse is not the only one in danger, however.
By reading the book, you have volunteered to participate in the author’s deadly game, with every page drawing you closer to your own personalized nightmare.
The real horror doesn’t begin until you reach the end. That’s when the evil comes for you.
Another one from Flame Tree Press, these guys are really hitting the ground running and I’m really happy they are!
I’ll preface this review by saying that I haven’t read anything by Brian Kirk or the prequel (Obsideo I think it’s called). So I wasn’t sure what I was getting into. Saying that though this is a solid read.
This reads almost like a found-footage horror/thriller with some mystical elements and I definitely caught myself unable to look away; particularly in the last 2/3rds of the book. If you could combine found-footage, escape rooms and Saw then you would come somewhat close to what this feels like. And there’s nothing wrong with that!
Kirk writes in such a way that’s choppy and rapid-fire but it works. The characters are well written although there is not a lot of focus given on their personality but more on their actions. They are paying for their past – not just Jesse.
The narrative is the real strength behind this book. The way the narrative unfolds is bizarre. It unfolds in such an intriguing way that’s equal parts surreal and malevolent with some interesting players. Each player has both singular and multiple roles if that makes sense. They were the driving force of the novel. So much so, that I wondered if the concept of the “haunted book” was entirely necessary. And that’s my main issue with the book. I’ve spent some time thinking about it and honestly I don’t know if the story would have been any less without it. I found that it actually detracted away from the action.
All that aside I would definitely recommend to anyone who’s a fan of original horror. It really is unlike anything else I’ve read while still being vaguely reminiscent. It’s a solid 3.5/5 stars for me.
Thanks to Flame Tree Press, Brian Kirk and NetGalley for the reading opportunity. As always it’s very much appreciated.
Thérèse talks books 