x_spookybooks_x's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Body horror, Gun violence, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Moderate: Blood
verkisto's review against another edition
4.0
I went into this story thinking it was one of those extreme horror stories, which I don't even like that much, but I'd received it through a horror subscription box, and had heard some decent things about it. I decided to give it a go, thinking I'd probably find something I'd rather not experience. Given the premise of the story, this was rather appropriate.
Luckily, this isn't an extreme horror story. That's not to say that it's not dark, though; it's about suicide and mental health, viewed through the lens of hauntings and obsession. Keisling handles the story with care, and none of it comes across as exploitative or gratuitous; it's simply what the story needs. The way he approached the subject is enough for me to want to read more of Keisling's work.
This isn't a book for everyone, but it hit all the right notes with me.
Luckily, this isn't an extreme horror story. That's not to say that it's not dark, though; it's about suicide and mental health, viewed through the lens of hauntings and obsession. Keisling handles the story with care, and none of it comes across as exploitative or gratuitous; it's simply what the story needs. The way he approached the subject is enough for me to want to read more of Keisling's work.
This isn't a book for everyone, but it hit all the right notes with me.
j_hall85's review against another edition
5.0
I loved the book! But when I read Kiesling’s afterword, that quickly changed to adoration. A chilling retro novella of mental health, teenage angst, and a haunted video clip. Think The Ring with a contagious depression.
spestock's review
5.0
As soon as I took this book out of my Night Worms box and saw the cover, I was hooked. Which made the events that unfolded as I started reading - a group of teens unhealthily obsessed with a video of a suicide - more than a bit disturbing.
Teens in the late 90s downloading stuff they shouldn't? Me, check.
Seeing a graphic suicide video and not being able to get the images out of your head? Me, check.
Grappling with depression and anxiety, just trying to survive? Not me, whew.
Still, there were enough similarities that it made the novella all the more gripping. I could have been reading a story written by one of my own high school friends. What a strange, compelling, and altogether creepy trip down memory lane.
Teens in the late 90s downloading stuff they shouldn't? Me, check.
Seeing a graphic suicide video and not being able to get the images out of your head? Me, check.
Grappling with depression and anxiety, just trying to survive? Not me, whew.
Still, there were enough similarities that it made the novella all the more gripping. I could have been reading a story written by one of my own high school friends. What a strange, compelling, and altogether creepy trip down memory lane.
uhlawnah's review against another edition
4.0
this book starts with a trigger warning and for that I am thankful. please be mindful as there are graphic depictions of suicide in here.
onto the review, there is a special place in my heart for internet horror. I have spent an unspoken amount of hours reading reddit nosleep and this novella would fit perfectly there. it is pretty dark, but I think the author was going for an illustration of how depression snakes into your life like a dark oil and it feels impossible to get the stain out. and sometimes, the stain is contagious. I’d say this book is more sad than scary, but I also think that a really big component of horror IS sadness so it still fits the genre. it’s a great book, very well-written, but it is hard to get through so please be careful ❤️
onto the review, there is a special place in my heart for internet horror. I have spent an unspoken amount of hours reading reddit nosleep and this novella would fit perfectly there. it is pretty dark, but I think the author was going for an illustration of how depression snakes into your life like a dark oil and it feels impossible to get the stain out. and sometimes, the stain is contagious. I’d say this book is more sad than scary, but I also think that a really big component of horror IS sadness so it still fits the genre. it’s a great book, very well-written, but it is hard to get through so please be careful ❤️
catra121's review against another edition
5.0
This was SO good...absolutely loved it. Very dark...very creepy...did not want to put it down. These shorter, horror novellas are really hitting me lately and the ones that are well written (like this one) make a much more powerful impact than many of the full length novels I've been reading. I highly recommend this unless you are sensitive to stories about depression and/or suicide because this story definitely goes to some dark places. But...wow...it was amazing.
cander's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
melissa_boyer's review
5.0
Daaammmmn!!!!! Hell's bells that story is intense.
I've had this ebook for awhile. Not sure why I was sitting on it. If you are, dust it off and read it.
I've had this ebook for awhile. Not sure why I was sitting on it. If you are, dust it off and read it.
kilosmom7's review against another edition
4.0
i was stoked to get this book!
when i was 14-15 (2011-2012) the internet was raging. myspace was no longer of concern, it was facebook, instagram, twitter. now, unlike these boys, i went looking for the macabre. the ugly. the horrific. so, where else to go on my school issued ipad than BESTGORE. yep, that was me. i was the kid looking up crazy disgusting shit on the internet. and while i knew what i was getting into, i never could’ve imagined finding the things i found on that site. SO, with that being said, i have had the face of a dead man burned into the back of my eyelids. i know the way it feels to be haunted by the images, the sounds, the pure fucking terror you feel knowing that it is REAL.
this book is a little bit of everything. ghost story. tragic suicide story. coming of age story. it was a quick and fluid read for me. i couldn’t put it down and had to finish it ASAP. these dudes got dealt a shitty hand, having unknowingly started somewhat of an epidemic in their small town. it was just a super good read and the author’s note went hand and hand with it. while i know it was probably hard for this author to write, i’m glad they did. using what you have inside you to create something so… gripping… it’s nothing short of an accomplishment.
i enjoyed this read and hope to see more from this author.
when i was 14-15 (2011-2012) the internet was raging. myspace was no longer of concern, it was facebook, instagram, twitter. now, unlike these boys, i went looking for the macabre. the ugly. the horrific. so, where else to go on my school issued ipad than BESTGORE. yep, that was me. i was the kid looking up crazy disgusting shit on the internet. and while i knew what i was getting into, i never could’ve imagined finding the things i found on that site. SO, with that being said, i have had the face of a dead man burned into the back of my eyelids. i know the way it feels to be haunted by the images, the sounds, the pure fucking terror you feel knowing that it is REAL.
this book is a little bit of everything. ghost story. tragic suicide story. coming of age story. it was a quick and fluid read for me. i couldn’t put it down and had to finish it ASAP. these dudes got dealt a shitty hand, having unknowingly started somewhat of an epidemic in their small town. it was just a super good read and the author’s note went hand and hand with it. while i know it was probably hard for this author to write, i’m glad they did. using what you have inside you to create something so… gripping… it’s nothing short of an accomplishment.
i enjoyed this read and hope to see more from this author.
stephshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0