Asylum

Selected Papers from the Consortium for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena #3

by Sarah Hans, R J Joseph (editor)

Ashleigh and her little family of misfits are on the run, searching for a new home where they can rest and finally get clean. The police hot on their heels, they flee to the abandoned asylum at the top of the mountain, thinking it’s the perfect starting point for their long road to recovery. They’re ready for this. They long for their new life. The asylum is in disrepair with no running water or electricity. It does provide shelter, but maybe they are not alone in seeking it. If only they’d considered that the darkness they had run to might be even more shadowed than the one they were running from.

“Hans treats readers to a journey as they watch Ashleigh traverse a tightrope of emotions and treacherous situations only to find herself in an unfathomable reality…Spine-tingling fun!” —L. Marie Wood author of 12 Hours

Genres: Horror

100 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2024

Reviews

[Gyalten Lekden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful, dark story that gripped me right from the start. It’s depictions of substance abuse and how that totally overwhelms your ability to make good decisions feel very grounded and heart-breakingly genuine. The world-building and atmosphere, in that regard, are really effective, doing a great job of dropping the reader into this world of only bad choices and despair quickly and efficiently. We get to know these four characters remarkably well in such a short story, and the work to get us inside their dynamic so quickly is impressive. I wouldn’t have minded spending more time with them, to be honest, another day in the Asylum, so to speak, because there was such a strong and tense dynamic between them, but I appreciate the constant movement of the narrative. It really does zip past, keeping the reader on their toes and never holding their breath too long before a new darkness emerges from the shadows. The story itself, and our main character’s struggle, is simple but it works. Instead of trying to reinvent the wheel the story leans into what it is, and heartfelt character study emerges, though lost oud of dread and interrupted by brief bursts of violence and blood.

I wouldn’t have minded a little more time in this world, like I mentioned. The lore/mystery is a little light, and I definitely don’t need full explanations I wouldn’t have minded some more in that arena, either. Again, though, I can’t fault a novella for being tight and focused on its aims, trimmed of any fluff. This story still manages to take you on an emotional journey, mixing hope and despair in equal measures. It explores the very real violence of addiction, as well as the other violences that addiction ushers in. It doesn’t moralize but instead offers characters with their own individual traumas and obstacles and invites us to empathize with them, even when they are hurting themselves and others, reminding us that, sometimes, bad decisions are the best options we have. The characters feel real and genuine, the world they live in is recognizable and effective, and their journeys are believable, investing the reader in the story the whole time.

Rounded up from 3.5)

[Lata · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Ashleigh’s boyfriend Connor attempts to rob the corner store near the apartment they’re squatting in, Ashleigh decides, much as she is fed up with their meth-addicted life, that they need to hide out somewhere unexpected.

So Ashleigh, Conor, and their meth-friends Dean and Kayla bundle up their meagre possessions and head up the mountain to the abandoned asylum, which lacks running water and electricity, but has an abundance of stray cats.

Ashleigh has been making bad decisions for a while now. Though the asylum seemed like a good idea, faced with the reality of the place (moldering walls and furniture, small piles of bones and excrement everywhere) and the snakes, eviscerated coyote, and screams from some unknown creature, she wonders, exhausted, aching, and craving a fix, what situation she’s gotten them in. And then things go from bad to worse, with violence erupting, and Ashleigh convinced someone else is at the asylum.

The pacing worked well to build the creepy atmosphere, and the reveal about three quarters in was low-key scary. But I found that the real horror of this story was the way Ashleigh was destroying her life, including feeling that she desperately needed Connor, who was violent and abusive.

The turn to a sort of Beauty and the Beast story was unexpected, and I liked the eeriness and sense of danger the author evoked. And though Ashleigh was again in a dangerous situation, I actually liked the way she felt both repelled and entranced. And, despite her stated desire at the beginning of the story, the story's wrap-up felt both sad and a little hopeless, as Ashleigh gets ready to revert to a familiar pattern.

Thank you to Netgalley and to RDS Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.

[Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Asylum by Sarah Hans is a horror novella about four young people on the run.  I have no idea why the subtitle of "Selected Papers from the Consortium for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena" exists, unless this short novel is part of many more.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Raw Dog Screaming Press and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Ashleigh and her boyfriend Connor, along with Kayla and Dean, are on the run after Connor and Dean held up the corner store. 

Ashleigh decides they have to immediately pack up everything and find a new place to lay low.  She figures the best place would be the abandoned asylum, up the mountain.  While there, they can all get clean from their meth habit. 

Although the asylum is run-down, and has no running water or electricity,  at least it provides shelter.  It also contains more cats and their stench than anyone could imagine.  Then there is the shadow that seems to loom over them all.

 

My Opinions:
I'm really not sure.  That sub-title bothers me, as did the forward.  I feel like I missed something.

The book hit topics like drug addiction, verbal and physical abuse, sex, murder and the bizarre.

The premise was really good, as was the creepiness and the eventual horror.  The suspense built in the first half, and the horror in the second. 

It was a very easy read.  The author wrote well enough that I could visualize the scenes, and it is definitely reminiscent of a teenage horror flick.  The plot took a real twist with the shadow-cat.  I can't say more on that one.

The ending left a little to be desired, as I had a few more questions.... 

 

For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing for an ARC of this novella.

3.5 stars rounded down to 3.

Ashleigh and her group of friends are meth addicts, who are on the run looking for a new home so they can finally get clean. They decide to run to this abandoned asylum, since it's far from civilization and off the grid so they can remain hidden from police. However, once they arrive a shadowy figure appears to Ashleigh and things take a turn for the worse.

This one was difficult for me to rate, because there was a lot going on in such a short amount of pages. Despite that, it was actually really well written and mostly easy to follow. Themes of addiction (substance abuse as well as addiction to toxic relationships) were well-fleshed out, but it was maybe more than halfway through the story before anything "scary" started happening. For me, this wasn't really horror at all in a traditional sense. I think the horror was more about grief, addiction, and leaving toxic relationships more than any monster. The turn to a darker version of Beauty and the Beast was also something I didn't expect, and by the end I was left with more questions than those that were answered. I think this would make more sense to me if it was a full-length novel vs. a novella.

Overall, I liked the concept and the writing was well done and easy to follow for the most part. Very different concept than what I've read in the past and it was enjoyable and thought-provoking for a quick read!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an entertaining book that wasn't what I was expecting. It's well written and fast paced. There are some spicy scenes I was not expecting which isn't my cup of tea but I still enjoyed this overall. Special Thank You to Sarah Hans, RJ Joseph, RDS Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ghastly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley for the e-arc of this Novella. (review contains spoilers). Asylum will be published 3/14/24.

I genuinely was 100 percent feeling this novella, until I wasn’t. It had the perfect start. Junkies squatting, running from the cops, strong personalties clashing. All the best ingredients for a gritty horror experience.

Somewhere around the 60 percent mark there was a major change up that felt rushed, clumsy even. It all goes downhill from there. The story never recovers and the reader is assaulted with a weird dose of furry-fetish-sexcapades.

I understand there will be a niche out there who will love this content, it just isn’t for this reader.

#NetGalley #Asylum #bookstagram #Horror #horrorbooks #betterreadthandead #horrorbooks #deankoontz #stephenking #weirdfiction #bookreview #GhastlyBookLover

[Janalyn, the blind reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashley her boyfriend Connor his friend Dean Dean‘s girlfriend Kaylee are all meth addicts Kaylee did have a job but due to Connor and Dean robbing a local quick stop they had to leave town and despite rumors of a wildcat call Perry roaming the hill where the asylum is Ashley talks them in to go in there to hide out. When they arrive at the asylum their goal is to get clean but first they have to finish smoking the last of their crystal meth . The first impressions of the asylum is the strong smell of cat urine and on the way up the hill they saw a fox ripped from limb to limb and they instantly know that isn’t the work of a bear or a coyote but something much bigger and much more fierce. It wasn’t until they start smoking the drugs they brought and everyone starts getting intimate with their partners that Ashley sees a shadow standing in the doorway when Connor turns he immediately thinks it is Dean despite the fact he was in another part of the asylum. Connor immediately starts beating on Dean this will not be the last strange thing to happen nor the last time Connor overreacts but when he and Ashley have a misunderstanding and she runs to the words to hide from him when she comes back she catches him with Kaylee in one thing leads to another and Connor is angry at Ashley again but he’s also torn between wanting her to just talk to him she has locked her self in one of the bathrooms but as he bangs on the door she hears what sounds like a body drop in when she is brave enough to open the door she sees him on the floor dying. This is when Ashley sees the bipedal feline staring at her once again from the doorway due to where he is standing Ashley cannot run and leave the asylum so her only choice is to jump out of the window two stories up and try her best to make it to the car they parked down the hill. Little does Ashley know her trip to the asylum is far from over and even though the book was good up until this point it gets really good after her long complicated treck to the sanctuary of the car. This is a great book it is a short story that I really feel deserves a sequel. I was not expecting the book to go where it did but OMG it was so refreshing for it not to be your typical haunted Asylum story. I really felt bad for Ashley and by the end I felt even worse. This is definitely a great horror story and another great book from this collection. I want to thank our DS publishing and NetGalley for my free arc copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

[˗ˋˏ°• cee •°ˎˊ˗ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was enjoying this in the beginning. The character dynamics were interesting to read about and the abusive relationship between Ashley and Connor was written well. It had such a promising setup; gritty characters, squatting in an abandoned place, on the run from the law. Until like 60% of the way through where it turned into furry erotica. Not what I was expecting. Not for me. It's a strange thing to tag as a horror.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashleigh is told by her boyfriend Connor that they weren’t successful robbing the store and te police are after them. They need a new hiding place. Ashleigh talks her group of four into going to the abandon asylum. Ashleigh tells them it will be a good place to quit their drug habits. When they reach the asylum, Connor goes in first. Ashleigh follows and discovers how smelly and dirty it is. There are several cats living in the asylum. They find a room to “live in” that isn’t too dirty or smelly. Unfortunately there is no running water or electricity. When her group starts complaining about the lack of several things, they see a strange shadow of a man type figure. Who or what is this figure? Is it friendly or deadly? I can’t tell any more without giving spoilers.

The author has written a well-paced and creepy novella with a strong message. Doing drugs isn’t healthy. Ashleigh is constantly experiencing emotions and treacherous situations only to find herself in an unfathomable reality in the asylum. It is not a surprise that the novella is serious in spite of it being creepy. It’s an interesting twist on what one thinks an asylum can be.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Just Another Final Girl Review (Brittany) Levely-Connolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Shadows would always undulate out of the corner of her eye.”

The Asylum by Sarah Hans is the 3rd novella in RDS press’s series Selected Papers from the Consortium for the Study of Anomalous Phenomena and is a 3rd person narrative that follows Ashleigh (protagonists), Conor, Dean and Kayla as they flee from the city and seek refuge in a local abandoned asylum. They are all homeless meth addicts who have formed a sort of makeshift family, relying on one another for survival. On the run and seeking to get sober Ashleigh suggests they move to the asylum and take the opportunity to get clean. It seems like the perfect place for them to go, until they arrive and find themselves entirely cut off from the rest of the world. The asylum is not as empty or safe as it appears and the decision to move in is about to become more a nightmare as they realize they are not alone.

I really didn’t like this novella as much as I loved the rest of the series. I found Ashleigh to be a very well fleshed out character and the depiction of her struggles with addiction was very interesting and seemingly realistic. I just didn’t like the plot overall . Maybe I just didn’t appreciate this creature feature and I definitely didn’t love the ending.

[SilentEvilCry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so good and I'm so glad I bought two other books by this author just because I had a good feeling after meeting them at a Book Fest Saturday! She was really cool to talk to and had this fun sign pointing to books on the right for Sexy Monsters and books on the left for Scary Monsters. I bought 3 from the scrat monsters side and this was the first.
Her writing is amazing and really draws the reader in. This is the 3rd volume in a set where each book is a different author and they don't have to be read in any specific order. I may check out more of those as well. I can't wait to dive into one of the other two I bought.
This book was about some young adults who are meth addicts, going through a really rough time that end up needing to run from the law. They just happen to run to a not so abandoned asylum where things you'd least expect take place. You really feel for these characters despite their bad decisions and it was a wild ride to say the least. Highly recommend! I think the only thing holding me back from 5 stars is that I wanted more. I needed it to go further and to see what else happens. This may have been the nature of her story within these volumes however. Either way very much looking forward to my next read by this author!

[Dr. Monidipa Dutta · Rating 3 out of 5]

The views are of my own. Thanks to Net galley.


I read this one sometime back. From the moment I picked up this book, I was drawn into the raw struggle of Ashleigh and her makeshift family. Their hope for a fresh start felt fragile but real, and I found myself rooting for them despite their flaws and mistakes. The asylum, though, was something else entirely—it wasn’t just a place, it was a haunting presence that loomed over every page.

As they settled into this decaying shell of a building, I could almost hear the creaks and feel the cold drafts that hinted at something sinister. Their attempts to find peace felt increasingly futile as the darkness around them mirrored their own inner battles. The story had moments of heart and humanity, but also a growing sense of dread that kept me turning the pages, half-expecting the worst.

By the end, I was left with more questions than answers, but in the best way. The asylum’s secrets were as chilling as the group’s own pasts, and the blend of psychological tension and supernatural unease made for an unforgettable read. It’s one of those stories that lingers long after you’ve closed the book.

[Diane Knecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and RDS Publishing for the opportunity to read Asylum by Sarah Hans.

Four addicts are fleeing from police to find a place to hide and possibly get clean. Ashleigh the lead character recommends an abandoned asylum on top of a mountain. After the arduous journey up the mountain with very little supplies they wait. The asylum does provide shelter, but there is no electricity or running water. From the 1st hour there, things start to happen not only between the friends, but also in the location itself.

The setting was very creepy and atmospheric. The characters in the first half of the book drew me in to see what was going to happen next. Nothing scary happens until the second half of the book and when it does, it goes somewhere I was definitely not expecting. If you read the book, you'll know. Even this book was necessarily a 5 star for me, I do feel there is an audience that would very much find it interesting.

This horror novella will be out on March 14.

[Kiki Marie Bookish Wh0r3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This shortish story is a different take on the effects of drugs in all aspects. From the strain it has on your relationships with friends and family, to the strain it has on your mind, the lasting effects on your body, your emotions, and your overall view on life.
I was so invested in to Ashleigh in such a short amount of time. It was as if I was feeling the fear, the rage, the sorrow as she experienced them.
I did get a little pulled out of the story with the shadow man "reveal" but ....it definitely ties in to the statement of how drugs affect every part of you.
This story was a pretty quick read and kept me wanting to find out more. I had a few audible gasps as things played out and even a few times of asking aloud "WHY?!?! " lol

Thank you NetGalley, Raw Dog Screaming Press, and Sarah Hans for the opportunity to read this quaint story with a big statement packed in there. I thoroughly enjoyed this and will definitely be keeping an eye out for more by Sarah Hans as well as more that may come out as a part of this series.

[Suz Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the lam from the law, Ashleigh, her boyfriend Conner, and another couple, Kayla and Dean, camp out in an abandoned asylum. Tension rises between the members of the group as they detox from meth and discover the dangers of the asylum.

The story has all the great vibes of a slasher story with the isolation, unexplained happenings, and rising body count as sexy times ensue.

The drug use adds an extra layer of uncanniness as the characters try to separate reality from the effects of the meth from reality.

I loved Ashleigh’s character arc as she decides to get clean and view her abusive relationship with a fresh perspective.

While I found the ending satisfying and the story solidly built, I wanted more time with the cats, characters, and the wonderfully creepy and cool world Hans created.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Raw Dog Screaming Press for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story with lots of horror vibes. Two couples, all addicts, have escaped the police but need place to hide. They choose an abandoned asylum that will provide them with a roof and that's pretty much it. No water, no lights, no heat but no police either. Their intent is to get clean, but one of the first things they do is smoke meth. As they pair off for couples time, they will discover, they are not alone in the asylum. Fear will drive them into arguments and violence until fleeing the scene becomes the only option. And then.........

This is the perfect story for a "slasher" tale and the story moves in twists that you'd not see even if you were looking for them. Short stories prove an author's skills as they must tell a complete story in fewer pages than most chapters. Sarah Hans did an excellent job of making sure I don't visit any abandoned buildings for quite some time......

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Asylum, Sarah Hans start with the everyday horror of poverty and addiction, introduces a supernatural terror, tosses in a bit of love, the pain of being trapped in a relationship, and the fear of the future. The fact that she does all of this in less than 100 pages while creating believable, engaging characters is an example of the incredible author that she is.

Ashleigh and her friend group are forced into a situation where they have to leave the home in which they had been squatting. She convinces the three others that this would be a perfect time to try and get clean from their crystal meth addictions. The place chosen to do this — the abandoned asylum.

At first it seems that this will be the perfect, if a bit spooky setting. However interpersonal conflicts threaten the group. The intra-group pressure is compounded when they start seeing something in the shadows, something watching them…

[Lenore Sagaskie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashleigh and her meth-addicted friends were squatting in an abandoned house when they were forced to relocate after two of their group committed an armed robbery at the local convenience store. Ashleigh, who is desperate to get clean, suggests they hide at the abandoned Asylum, a place that is rumored to be haunted. Her hope is that the Asylum’s reputation will be a safe place to hide and to get clean. Unfortunately, the place doesn’t provide the haven she expected.

This novella is gritty and fast-paced. Everyone loves a feel-good story with dogs, right? This one is creepy with cats. Lots and lots of cats. But there is also a twist, and Hans delivers it with gusto.
The pacing and the gripping tension made Asylum a quick, satisfying read. If you like novellas, and horror with unique supernatural elements, I highly recommend Asylum as your next read.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This horror novella follows Ashleigh and her group of friends as they hid out in the Asylum. They are on the run from the cops and decide the Asylum will be the perfect place to disappear and also detox from meth. Unfortunately, there maybe something worse for them residing in the Asylum.

This story was really fast paced and enjoyable. It touched on serious subjects such as the suffering of drug addiction and domestic violence and then brought in bizarre elements such as the shadows in the Asylum. The author did a fabulous jobs setting up the shockingly purrrfect atmosphere of the Asylum. The ending had me shouting "No!"

Thanks NetGalley, RDS publishing and Sarah Hans for the copy of this book for my honest review.

[Toni]

Thank you NetGalley and RDS publishing for this arc.

I enjoyed this novella. There is a lot going on in a very short amount of pages, and I believe it could benefit from being a full length novel but overall I did very much enjoy it. I think I’m still trying to fully process the ending, because oh boy that is not where I thought the story was going. I am not at all mad at the ending, it’s just a very interesting ending. It’s a very well written, thought provoking read. Please check the trigger warnings before reading. I loved the representation of substance abuse, addiction and toxic relationships- they were done very well. I adored the MC, and her inner monologue. Would recommend this novella to friends who want a weird read.

[Shyla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Domestic fiction meets thriller, meets sci-fi, meets monster romance? I weirdly enjoyed this. We start with a group of young adults who are struggling with their meth addictions, and end up running from the law, just to find themselves holed up in an abandoned asylum. Violence ensues, where one is saved by a creature. After a romantic night with the creature she realizes she craves the human experience again and leaves. While in hospital we are led to believe she may be pregnant, and we are left questioning is she really and is it possible. Overall this novella was definitely intriguing and had a creepy edge, but I think a warning to readers of the sexual aspect would be good. I would’ve read it either way, just was surprised by that twist.

[Lady Vamp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this short horror novella. Anything with an asylum in it has to be scary, the setting of the story is definitely creepy! I really felt a connection to the LC Ashleigh and loved the building of the story, it had me sitting up wanting more. It was fast paced and a really insightful look into drug addiction, relationship abuse. Into the second part of the story it kind of threw me, I was not expecting that at all , things get very bizarre and I felt that maybe the ending was rushed? I would really have loved to see a longer more in-depth ending to match the beginning after such a brilliant built up. I loved it and enjoyed reading this story a lot.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Raw Dig Screaming Press for this Arc.

[lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a quick read it pulls you in there is a lot of emotions displayed, and how when emotions and taking drugs can take over and make situations worse and even deadly. Sarah Hans gives you an image of how it is being on drugs and acting on impulse can have your entire world crashing down. But this book also brings a paranoid scary feeling as you read. You think you might know what’s going on but then you start questioning what you are reading and at some point you kinda start feeling like the characters. I definitely recommend this book if you are in a reading slump and you are looking for something quick but it definitely gets you back in the mood for reading.

[Monica Hein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for NetGalley for this ARC.

I want to dub more into horror / thriller books this year. This was short horror novella that brings out issues with drug addiction and domestic violence. Its gory at some parts with paranormal urban legend elements of cat named Perry.

Overall any asylum story sound creepy ... AHS im looking at you. This was fast paced and interesting. It follows 4 people (Ashleigh & Connor and Dylan & Kylee) who hide in abandon asylum from cops. Little do they know this little hide out trip will change their lives.

I feel like there should be follow up book because wtf with the end!?

[Rebecca Y · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Sarah Hans, NetGalley, and Raw Dog Screaming Press for providing me with this ARC.

This book was a super quick read. I was completely engrossed in it, and when I looked down to see I was 78% of the way through, I felt sad. One part had me literally physically reacting and that so cool. Very little does that. A little bit of gore, some suspense, no ghosts or anything. I go into most books blind, so I was really thrown as I read this one. Character development was great and I was definitely left wanting to read more. Excellent job!

[TessaMcbessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third installment to what has easily become one of my favorite new novella collections.

Asylum is about a group of junkie friends running from the law that end up squatting in a reasonably creepy old asylum.

I loved these characters. I was so into their stories from the get-go. They aren't the greatest people, but somehow, you fall for them anyway. I also absolutely loved the bleak atmosphere in the asylum, and let me tell you... you can literally smell it

This one does take a strange turn towards the end that I wasn't expecting at all.  It wasn't a bad ending, but it was definitely one of the last things I ever would have thought happening...ever.

I will say...if you like cats,  you'll probably like this story.

[Alexis Collazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is exactly the kind of horror I love. The best horror includes both fantastic imaginary aspects alongside the very real terrors of our society. In Asylum, it's hard to decipher which is more terrifying. And it forces the reader to wonder who the real monster is, an abusive drug addicted boyfriend or a dangerous strange inhuman creature. My only complaint with be the short length, it was over way too quick. I wish there a bit more suspense in the middle and it ended with tons of unanswered questions.

[Damien Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHRIEKER - SLEEPWALKERS - MEDIAN
I had to figure out what the situation with the cats was all about. Sorta worried about them still tho. Sarah Hans put together a quick, fun, and hella eerie read here with a ton of depth. Asylum clocks in at just under a hundo pages, and it uses every single one of those to build this story. The characters are flawed, but you want them to succeed. The content matter is pretty heavy, but also very much the case for far too many people. The real horror mixing with the supernatural here is a banger. K thx.

[Mike Rusetsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarah Hans provides a grounded, gritty, and heartbreaking account of addiction and dysfunctional relationships, through this seemingly straightforward tale of four unhoused people seeking refuge in an abandoned asylum. Cats, catfights, and mythical beings somehow all figure into the story. It's at times harrowing, at others insightful and beautiful. But it's consistently empathetic towards its human subjects, however horrific their fate may be. This book was a quick and effective gut punch, and I'm excited to check out more of this author's work.

[Candi Norwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to #NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for this review copy in exchange for my honest review, but, in the spirit of honesty, I have already preordered this book because I’m friends-in-law with one of the cover models (Hi, Chaos!)
Asylum was a fun, quick read with plenty of danger and creepy moments but touched on some serious topics like partner abuse, drug addiction, recovery, and relapse. #Asylum