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Eye of the Ouroboros
When guilt-stricken park ranger Theodora Buchanan gets too close to the truth of her sister Flora’s strange disappearance, the Federal Bureau of Reality intervenes to ensure that the otherworldly answers she finds never see the light of day…
The National Parks Service Search and Rescue Team knows better than anyone that the woods surrounding the insular town of Mill Creek, West Virginia have a habit of taking people and refusing to give them back. They also know that when you find a door in the woods, you don’t go through it for fear of never coming back again. But Theo's tenacity, and her proclivity for sticking her crooked nose where it doesn’t belong, has caught the attention of the Federal Bureau of Reality: those who stand sentinel at the gates of the Infinite Corridor, where endless hostile realities converge. When Theo steps boldly through a door in the woods, she learns just how far they're willing to go in order to keep all its secrets locked tight - even if that means silencing those who stumble upon them permanently.
The National Parks Service Search and Rescue Team knows better than anyone that the woods surrounding the insular town of Mill Creek, West Virginia have a habit of taking people and refusing to give them back. They also know that when you find a door in the woods, you don’t go through it for fear of never coming back again. But Theo's tenacity, and her proclivity for sticking her crooked nose where it doesn’t belong, has caught the attention of the Federal Bureau of Reality: those who stand sentinel at the gates of the Infinite Corridor, where endless hostile realities converge. When Theo steps boldly through a door in the woods, she learns just how far they're willing to go in order to keep all its secrets locked tight - even if that means silencing those who stumble upon them permanently.
268 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2024
18 people are currently reading
1071 people want to read
About the author
Megan Bontrager
4 books77 followersMegan Bontrager is a Horror and SFF author, and long-suffering PhD student, currently based in Yorkshire. Megan received her BFA in English from the University of Central Florida, and her MA in Writing from Johns Hopkins University. In her free time, Megan loves to play TTRPGs, and is a lifelong horse girl who dreams of rehabilitating rescues. She is represented by Clara Chuiton at The Rights Factory.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 163 reviews
July 16, 2024
**4.5-stars rounded up**
💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙
Eye of the Ouroboros is one of those rare books that I picked up on a whim. I knew nothing about it, had heard no buzz, but did notice it on a graphic of April 2024 Horror releases.
There was just something about the cover that called to me and then the title, I was intrigued by that as well.
We follow Theodora Buchanan, who goes by Theo. She's a park ranger for NPS. More specifically, she's part of the Search and Rescue team and patrols the forests surrounding her hometown of Mill Creek, West Virginia.
No one knows these woods like Theo. She's been searching them most of her life, looking for her little sister, Flora, who went missing years ago.
The Buchanan family has never received answers on what happened to Flora, and Theo, who was watching her on the day she disappeared, has been riddled with guilt ever since.
While she has been able to maintain her job, the rest of Theo's life is a bit of a mess. She's numbed her pain with alcohol for way too long to be healthy and everything just seems completely out of control.
At the beginning of the book, we follow along with Theo as she searches for a little girl, who went missing while camping with her family. Of course, on every search Theo is also looking for clues as to what happened to Flora.
After the girl is found, some evidence pops up in the aftermath that leads you to believe, these aren't regular woods. There's something much deeper and more mysterious here than in your average mountain range.
This had such an intriguing start, by 10%, I was hooked. Theo was someone I wanted to learn everything about. I've mentioned before that I'm sort of a sucker for MCs that drink too much, and Theo definitely fits that bill.
Her family dynamics, following the disappearance of her sister, they're an absolute disaster. I really felt for her, as I felt like if her parents had handled it differently, perhaps Theo could have dealt with it better herself, instead of letting it overtake her life.
After Theo starts noticing really strange things in the woods, she begins going in more and more. It's like when you think you see something, but you're not sure if it was real, and you try to recreate what you were doing at the time to see if it will happen again.
This whole aspect, I was so into it. I needed to know if those things were real as well. I felt like I was investigating right alongside her and it was creeping me out.
The vibes of this made me think of T. Kingfisher's The Hollow Places, which I loved. If you were a fan of that, I feel like this one could really work for you as well.
It definitely takes some unexpected turns, and I adored the characters that are introduced to help Theo in her investigation. Eventually it turns into a kind of Found Family situation, with Theo's best friend, her ex-girlfriend, and a high profile conspiracy theorist, all joining in the fun.
Part The Gunslinger, part Men in Black, the concluding portions of this book had me flipping pages so fast, I'm surprised my fingers didn't catch on fire.
Oh, and the baddie in this, Sator, I was totally picturing Agent Smith from The Matrix for him. Every scene he was in, Agent Smith was in my head. Sator was really well done, a super convincing antagonist.
Overall, for a book I picked up on a whim, this couldn't have gone better. It was SO WEIRD and SO GOOD.
Never in a million years would I have guessed how swept up into this I would become. It may have thrown off my monthly TBR, but I regret nothing.
A Portal Fantasy Horror story with fantastic characters, gripping action, believable baddies and emotions to boot! I'm so glad I took a chance on this one.
Thank you to the publisher, Quill & Crow Publishing, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I will definitely be picking up more from this author!
💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙
Eye of the Ouroboros is one of those rare books that I picked up on a whim. I knew nothing about it, had heard no buzz, but did notice it on a graphic of April 2024 Horror releases.
There was just something about the cover that called to me and then the title, I was intrigued by that as well.
We follow Theodora Buchanan, who goes by Theo. She's a park ranger for NPS. More specifically, she's part of the Search and Rescue team and patrols the forests surrounding her hometown of Mill Creek, West Virginia.
No one knows these woods like Theo. She's been searching them most of her life, looking for her little sister, Flora, who went missing years ago.
The Buchanan family has never received answers on what happened to Flora, and Theo, who was watching her on the day she disappeared, has been riddled with guilt ever since.
While she has been able to maintain her job, the rest of Theo's life is a bit of a mess. She's numbed her pain with alcohol for way too long to be healthy and everything just seems completely out of control.
At the beginning of the book, we follow along with Theo as she searches for a little girl, who went missing while camping with her family. Of course, on every search Theo is also looking for clues as to what happened to Flora.
After the girl is found, some evidence pops up in the aftermath that leads you to believe, these aren't regular woods. There's something much deeper and more mysterious here than in your average mountain range.
This had such an intriguing start, by 10%, I was hooked. Theo was someone I wanted to learn everything about. I've mentioned before that I'm sort of a sucker for MCs that drink too much, and Theo definitely fits that bill.
Her family dynamics, following the disappearance of her sister, they're an absolute disaster. I really felt for her, as I felt like if her parents had handled it differently, perhaps Theo could have dealt with it better herself, instead of letting it overtake her life.
After Theo starts noticing really strange things in the woods, she begins going in more and more. It's like when you think you see something, but you're not sure if it was real, and you try to recreate what you were doing at the time to see if it will happen again.
This whole aspect, I was so into it. I needed to know if those things were real as well. I felt like I was investigating right alongside her and it was creeping me out.
The vibes of this made me think of T. Kingfisher's The Hollow Places, which I loved. If you were a fan of that, I feel like this one could really work for you as well.
It definitely takes some unexpected turns, and I adored the characters that are introduced to help Theo in her investigation. Eventually it turns into a kind of Found Family situation, with Theo's best friend, her ex-girlfriend, and a high profile conspiracy theorist, all joining in the fun.
Part The Gunslinger, part Men in Black, the concluding portions of this book had me flipping pages so fast, I'm surprised my fingers didn't catch on fire.
Oh, and the baddie in this, Sator, I was totally picturing Agent Smith from The Matrix for him. Every scene he was in, Agent Smith was in my head. Sator was really well done, a super convincing antagonist.
Overall, for a book I picked up on a whim, this couldn't have gone better. It was SO WEIRD and SO GOOD.
Never in a million years would I have guessed how swept up into this I would become. It may have thrown off my monthly TBR, but I regret nothing.
A Portal Fantasy Horror story with fantastic characters, gripping action, believable baddies and emotions to boot! I'm so glad I took a chance on this one.
Thank you to the publisher, Quill & Crow Publishing, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I will definitely be picking up more from this author!
April 14, 2024
4.5 ★
“In the beginning, there was darkness. And in the end, too, there would be the same.”
i had no idea what to expect going into this and i ended up being so surprised by how the story genuinely sucked me in. there’s a lot of emotion behind each of the characters motivations and it produced a almost melancholic tone overall. i enjoyed this more than i thought, since the bittersweet feeling in the end really did grab me and the horror elements were done in a way that was so engaging.
“Realities aren’t meant to intersect. There are more than you could ever comprehend. We could spend infinity unlocking each door to each reality, and it still wouldn’t be enough time.”
Eye of the Ouroboros follows Theo, a park ranger whose sister Flora went missing and the many lengths she’s willing to go to in order to get her back. there’s a mix of genres here in the form of the Federal Bureau of Reality, where they have those who stand guard at the gates of several hostile realities. i’ve always found the idea of alternate dimensions to be interesting and this delivered on that aspect. Theo is tenacious, a bit of a mess honestly— but with so much heart and i was rooting for her the whole way. Quinn, her best friend, is my favorite character and the sort of person i think everyone needs in their life. seeing the characters encounter all the different versions of themselves/realities, along with the darkness taking over Theo played like a movie in my head. i loved the descriptive writing, even when i found myself lost with the ins and outs of the plot, it felt like it was purposeful in order to keep the reader guessing.
➥ many thanks to NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for the arc, all opinions are my own.
“In the beginning, there was darkness. And in the end, too, there would be the same.”
i had no idea what to expect going into this and i ended up being so surprised by how the story genuinely sucked me in. there’s a lot of emotion behind each of the characters motivations and it produced a almost melancholic tone overall. i enjoyed this more than i thought, since the bittersweet feeling in the end really did grab me and the horror elements were done in a way that was so engaging.
“Realities aren’t meant to intersect. There are more than you could ever comprehend. We could spend infinity unlocking each door to each reality, and it still wouldn’t be enough time.”
Eye of the Ouroboros follows Theo, a park ranger whose sister Flora went missing and the many lengths she’s willing to go to in order to get her back. there’s a mix of genres here in the form of the Federal Bureau of Reality, where they have those who stand guard at the gates of several hostile realities. i’ve always found the idea of alternate dimensions to be interesting and this delivered on that aspect. Theo is tenacious, a bit of a mess honestly— but with so much heart and i was rooting for her the whole way. Quinn, her best friend, is my favorite character and the sort of person i think everyone needs in their life. seeing the characters encounter all the different versions of themselves/realities, along with the darkness taking over Theo played like a movie in my head. i loved the descriptive writing, even when i found myself lost with the ins and outs of the plot, it felt like it was purposeful in order to keep the reader guessing.
➥ many thanks to NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for the arc, all opinions are my own.
February 3, 2024
Oh, hey! I wrote this thing! I wouldn't be an official Goodreads Author if I didn't pontificate about my own book for a second. First of all - I'm writing this on the first of the year, which means that I can say with official certainty that this book comes out next year! I wrote OUROBOROS in the midst of lockdown, after I had moved to an isolated home in the middle of the Appalachian woods. I was inspired by a lot of local mythos, and urban legends that I'd dug up about the region, including the idea that doors and stairways in the Appalachian woods lead to alternate universes. I also think it's a universal "kid playing in the woods where they're not supposed to be playing" experience to come across something totally wack and out of place... so there's a little personal influence in here, too.
I wrote this book for my sister, who is eleven years my junior. I spent a lot of her life out of her airspace, and with little contact. This is entirely my doing, and my fault, and I've made it a point to rectify that. OUROBOROS, at its core, is about sisters who love each other very much. And so this is for my own Flora.
Also... my actual dog is in this book. Bear is real, and he's amazing. One day I'll learn how to post a picture in reviews, and he'll make an appearance here. If anything, read the book for the dog. When I tell you that he's the real star of the show, I mean it!
Anyway, to everyone who takes a chance on this book of my heart... thank you endlessly. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
I wrote this book for my sister, who is eleven years my junior. I spent a lot of her life out of her airspace, and with little contact. This is entirely my doing, and my fault, and I've made it a point to rectify that. OUROBOROS, at its core, is about sisters who love each other very much. And so this is for my own Flora.
Also... my actual dog is in this book. Bear is real, and he's amazing. One day I'll learn how to post a picture in reviews, and he'll make an appearance here. If anything, read the book for the dog. When I tell you that he's the real star of the show, I mean it!
Anyway, to everyone who takes a chance on this book of my heart... thank you endlessly. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
March 21, 2024
At its core, Eye of the Ouroboros is an emotional journey about relationships, and the lengths we'll go for the ones we love. Theo, our deeply flawed and relatable main character, is willing to leap through tears in the fabric of reality if it means a chance at finding her missing sister, Flora. Theo's lifetime best friend Quinn and ex-girlfriend Delilah tag along for the wild ride, giving us a deeper look into Theo's life and the few relationships she's been able to maintain between her obsessive search for Flora, work as a park ranger, broken ties with her parents, and drinking habit.
Bontrager's writing is rich and descriptive, even if the world building left me a bit confused at times. There are still some questions I'd love answers to, but I think that was by design- the narrative seems to purposefully keep you guessing, right up through the end. Eye of the Ouroboros is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, and definitely one I'd recommend if you're looking for an emotional, queer, horror/sci-fi read. Thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Bontrager's writing is rich and descriptive, even if the world building left me a bit confused at times. There are still some questions I'd love answers to, but I think that was by design- the narrative seems to purposefully keep you guessing, right up through the end. Eye of the Ouroboros is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming, and definitely one I'd recommend if you're looking for an emotional, queer, horror/sci-fi read. Thanks to NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy of this book.
August 26, 2024
Ok I’m officially here to brag that I’ve read this incredible book and you haven’t. Because it is brilliant, it is fun, it is heartbreaking.
Do you like sapphics? Do you like unhinged women? Do you like weird interdimensional shit? This is the book for you.
This book made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me question so many things about how people deal with trauma and what it is to make the right decision. I stand for Theo’s wrongs. Bear is the most important character, you cannot change my mind. Theo and Quinn are platonic soulmates, they mean everything to me. They are imprinted in my mind. And the ending… the ending ties the whole book together so masterfully.
With beautiful depictions of parental neglect and the ensuing trauma, what it is to be hurting and messy and to want so desperately that you dedicate yourself so fully to a goal, I really cannot state how deeply this book touched me. Megan is going to be a force in the horror genre and I cannot wait to hold this book in my hands.
Do you like sapphics? Do you like unhinged women? Do you like weird interdimensional shit? This is the book for you.
This book made me cry, it made me laugh, it made me question so many things about how people deal with trauma and what it is to make the right decision. I stand for Theo’s wrongs. Bear is the most important character, you cannot change my mind. Theo and Quinn are platonic soulmates, they mean everything to me. They are imprinted in my mind. And the ending… the ending ties the whole book together so masterfully.
With beautiful depictions of parental neglect and the ensuing trauma, what it is to be hurting and messy and to want so desperately that you dedicate yourself so fully to a goal, I really cannot state how deeply this book touched me. Megan is going to be a force in the horror genre and I cannot wait to hold this book in my hands.
April 14, 2024
Thank you to #NetGalley and #QuillAndCrowPublishingHouse for sending this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I had yet to learn what this book was about when I requested it on NetGalley. I was browsing through the horror category, sorting out a horror novel that could break the mold yet still bear the classic gothic and supernatural elements that would send shivers down my spine. Choosing this book was a breeze, considering the word "ouroboros" holds an ancient mystique and sounds eerie enough to elicit introspection.
Fast forward, I'm now penning my review for this book about a park ranger, Theo, who is burdened by guilt over her sister's disappearance. Upon discovering the existence of a parallel universe, she and her closest friend Quinn and former lover Delilah grow increasingly determined to unravel the mystery surrounding Theo's sister's whereabouts and the numerous others missing over the years.
While the plot may not be original, considering interdimensional travel, parallel realities, and secret bureaus are slowly becoming oversaturated in an industry whose fascination over the existence of life beyond ours borders on obsession, "The Eye of the Ouroboros" puts the spotlight on the protagonist's internal battle.
The author explores Theo's character, backstory, and descent into a self-imposed exile as she endures her unwarranted guilt for years. The irony isn't lost on me that Theo's parents selfishly kept her at bay, the weight of her mother's grief shoved onto her remaining daughter. The narrative explores how the onus of sorrow and remorse compels Theo to leave no stone unturned until she finds her sister, for whom she would even trade her life.
Marked with an initial atmosphere of horror and mystery, the author shifts toward a lighter tone as the characters start to come together, sharing a bond, all while infusing humorous banter and witty repartees. References to pop culture didn't go unnoticed. Wesley's character is an homage to the archetype of a quirky conspiracy theorist with a penchant for extraterrestrial beliefs, known for donning a tinfoil hat and boasting their camper van adorned with maps and evidence of alien existence. The book did not miss out on the usual elements of alternate universe exploration, like the use of portals, visual distortion, parallel selves, and its quota of horror and gore scenes.
One thing any reader of this book becomes aware of - is the writing. "The Eye of the Ouroboros" is a literary immersion. Taking away the quantum mechanics concepts and jargon (which are not common knowledge), the narrative boasts of vivid imagery and sensory details crafted in lush, poetic prose - a hallmark of wordsmithery only a few authors possess. However, it seems overdone, eclipsing particular scenes of tension. I have often wondered which scene transpires as Theo's stream of consciousness - characterized by superfluous descriptions and lengthy evocative passages - disrupts the flow of the narrative. Don’t get me wrong; I can’t help but be in awe of the author’s skill at fusing all the right words to convey a scene. But ornate passages tend to slow the pace, disengaging me from the dynamics of science fiction demanding undivided attention from its readers.
Despite a few misgivings, this book is a food for thought, guiding readers to speculate on the possibility of mirror universes. Considering its dark approach, it might not be for everyone, but it's easy enough to understand what the author wishes to convey. It is an ode and elegy addressed to a persona whose sacrifices are catalyzed by love and salvation endeavors. But the narrative will also lead you to speculate that even with good intentions, those you believe you're saving might not require saving at all if it would mean for them to endure the guilt and burden of one's sacrifice perpetually.
I had yet to learn what this book was about when I requested it on NetGalley. I was browsing through the horror category, sorting out a horror novel that could break the mold yet still bear the classic gothic and supernatural elements that would send shivers down my spine. Choosing this book was a breeze, considering the word "ouroboros" holds an ancient mystique and sounds eerie enough to elicit introspection.
Fast forward, I'm now penning my review for this book about a park ranger, Theo, who is burdened by guilt over her sister's disappearance. Upon discovering the existence of a parallel universe, she and her closest friend Quinn and former lover Delilah grow increasingly determined to unravel the mystery surrounding Theo's sister's whereabouts and the numerous others missing over the years.
While the plot may not be original, considering interdimensional travel, parallel realities, and secret bureaus are slowly becoming oversaturated in an industry whose fascination over the existence of life beyond ours borders on obsession, "The Eye of the Ouroboros" puts the spotlight on the protagonist's internal battle.
The author explores Theo's character, backstory, and descent into a self-imposed exile as she endures her unwarranted guilt for years. The irony isn't lost on me that Theo's parents selfishly kept her at bay, the weight of her mother's grief shoved onto her remaining daughter. The narrative explores how the onus of sorrow and remorse compels Theo to leave no stone unturned until she finds her sister, for whom she would even trade her life.
Marked with an initial atmosphere of horror and mystery, the author shifts toward a lighter tone as the characters start to come together, sharing a bond, all while infusing humorous banter and witty repartees. References to pop culture didn't go unnoticed. Wesley's character is an homage to the archetype of a quirky conspiracy theorist with a penchant for extraterrestrial beliefs, known for donning a tinfoil hat and boasting their camper van adorned with maps and evidence of alien existence. The book did not miss out on the usual elements of alternate universe exploration, like the use of portals, visual distortion, parallel selves, and its quota of horror and gore scenes.
One thing any reader of this book becomes aware of - is the writing. "The Eye of the Ouroboros" is a literary immersion. Taking away the quantum mechanics concepts and jargon (which are not common knowledge), the narrative boasts of vivid imagery and sensory details crafted in lush, poetic prose - a hallmark of wordsmithery only a few authors possess. However, it seems overdone, eclipsing particular scenes of tension. I have often wondered which scene transpires as Theo's stream of consciousness - characterized by superfluous descriptions and lengthy evocative passages - disrupts the flow of the narrative. Don’t get me wrong; I can’t help but be in awe of the author’s skill at fusing all the right words to convey a scene. But ornate passages tend to slow the pace, disengaging me from the dynamics of science fiction demanding undivided attention from its readers.
Despite a few misgivings, this book is a food for thought, guiding readers to speculate on the possibility of mirror universes. Considering its dark approach, it might not be for everyone, but it's easy enough to understand what the author wishes to convey. It is an ode and elegy addressed to a persona whose sacrifices are catalyzed by love and salvation endeavors. But the narrative will also lead you to speculate that even with good intentions, those you believe you're saving might not require saving at all if it would mean for them to endure the guilt and burden of one's sacrifice perpetually.
April 27, 2024
That ending surprised me! An eldritch horror fuelled by unhinged desperation that is both heartbreaking and amusingly comforting through the characters. So atmospheric with the woods and parallel realities. Also, secret bureaus, platonic soulmates, sapphic love, and familial tension along with a missing sister. Quite a read; recommended. rtc.
April 7, 2024
— 2✮
Thank you to Netgalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
theodora buchanan is searching for her sister flora's strange disappearance which leads her to encounter a series of strange events.
this book is basically the tv series loki but if the shows are from the "people in charge" pov this one is from the "citizen" pov but isn't done right.
the story is a mess; it has this very awkward pace between chapters that gets you confused and makes you have to return to the previous chapter to understand what's going on. the lack of depth in the world building was really underwhelming and finishing this book felt like a chore to me.
the idea of this type of story is not that original; you can find books or movies with this story line, but it doesn't have something that "original" enough to make this book its own, if that makes sense. i expected more when i first read the synopsis, but it's disappointing.
Thank you to Netgalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House and the author for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
theodora buchanan is searching for her sister flora's strange disappearance which leads her to encounter a series of strange events.
this book is basically the tv series loki but if the shows are from the "people in charge" pov this one is from the "citizen" pov but isn't done right.
the story is a mess; it has this very awkward pace between chapters that gets you confused and makes you have to return to the previous chapter to understand what's going on. the lack of depth in the world building was really underwhelming and finishing this book felt like a chore to me.
the idea of this type of story is not that original; you can find books or movies with this story line, but it doesn't have something that "original" enough to make this book its own, if that makes sense. i expected more when i first read the synopsis, but it's disappointing.
March 13, 2024
This book starts off so strong. At first, everything is dark and grim, our MC finds a missing girl in the woods, we find out her sister also went missing—cue lots of familial trauma. You’re all thinking, ‘oh damn we got a badass heroine with severe mommy issues who’s on a mission to find her sister.” Then, the book says “hold my beer.”—so, of course, you do—and we are off, full speed ahead, not looking before switching lanes, etc etc. I thoroughly enjoyed each shark we jumped.
However, right after the 50% mark things slow down a bit and start to feel more Oceans 11 than X-Files and it started to lose me. I’m not even that upset about it, it’s a good book but maybe we jumped one shark too many at some point.
However, right after the 50% mark things slow down a bit and start to feel more Oceans 11 than X-Files and it started to lose me. I’m not even that upset about it, it’s a good book but maybe we jumped one shark too many at some point.
January 4, 2023
I'm a very picky reader and an even more difficult to please beta reader. Those two facts alone should convince you when I say that Eye of the Ouroboros is one of the best books I've ever had the pleasure of both alpha/beta reading and reading in general. It hasn't been published yet, but it's in my top three books of all time.
Megan manages to interweave an impactful, character-driven story with a host of funny and ridiculous hijinks; a whole cast of wonderful, idiotic, loveable and incredible characters that you'll be laughing with, crying over and ultimately wanting more of (please write another Ouroboros book, Megan, I'm begging you!).
From the deep platonic bonds that carry their way through the novel, to the monstrous questions that are asked of you as the reader, you will root for Theo as she traverses all manner of creepy, gruesome, weird and wonderful places in an attempt to find her sister. Megan has a voice that is immediately recognisable and instantly draws you into the story, a feat that I personally find very enviable and pretty unique in the swathe of very similarly written fiction available in today's literary market.
I expect great things from Megan as a writer if Eye of the Ouroboros (and any more of her books that I can get my grubby little hands on) are any indication. Sadly, you'll have to wait until its published until you get to read it, but I guarantee the wait will be worth it.
Megan manages to interweave an impactful, character-driven story with a host of funny and ridiculous hijinks; a whole cast of wonderful, idiotic, loveable and incredible characters that you'll be laughing with, crying over and ultimately wanting more of (please write another Ouroboros book, Megan, I'm begging you!).
From the deep platonic bonds that carry their way through the novel, to the monstrous questions that are asked of you as the reader, you will root for Theo as she traverses all manner of creepy, gruesome, weird and wonderful places in an attempt to find her sister. Megan has a voice that is immediately recognisable and instantly draws you into the story, a feat that I personally find very enviable and pretty unique in the swathe of very similarly written fiction available in today's literary market.
I expect great things from Megan as a writer if Eye of the Ouroboros (and any more of her books that I can get my grubby little hands on) are any indication. Sadly, you'll have to wait until its published until you get to read it, but I guarantee the wait will be worth it.
March 12, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for an eARC of this book!
This book started off strong, giving Reddit No Sleep vibes with the staircases in the forest, but ultimately fell a bit off the rails for me. I absolutely loved the first half. The atmosphere was great and the set up for the story was really good.
I found that as the book went on I found myself being more annoyed with the FMC than enjoying the story. I don't know how she got away with driving wasted but she did. Always had vodka on her and had a selfish, DGAF attitude, which is fine to some extent but this was just annoying.
Some of the parts got a little bit confusing and hard to follow. It felt a little bit rushed and didn't explain a few things. Didn't help that during a scene, some random & unrelated things were thrown in there. It took me out of the story a bit. I had to go back a couple times to remind myself what was happening in a few scenes.
It was an alright read, but didn't wow me as I had hoped.
3 ★
This book started off strong, giving Reddit No Sleep vibes with the staircases in the forest, but ultimately fell a bit off the rails for me. I absolutely loved the first half. The atmosphere was great and the set up for the story was really good.
I found that as the book went on I found myself being more annoyed with the FMC than enjoying the story. I don't know how she got away with driving wasted but she did. Always had vodka on her and had a selfish, DGAF attitude, which is fine to some extent but this was just annoying.
Some of the parts got a little bit confusing and hard to follow. It felt a little bit rushed and didn't explain a few things. Didn't help that during a scene, some random & unrelated things were thrown in there. It took me out of the story a bit. I had to go back a couple times to remind myself what was happening in a few scenes.
It was an alright read, but didn't wow me as I had hoped.
3 ★
May 14, 2024
DNF @ 71%
Sorry, I truly don’t have the energy to push through anymore. The first 1/3 of the book was really engaging and I thought it was the exact dark creepy psychological thriller I was looking for. I can’t really put my finger on it, but this story was just not engaging for me at all. I’ve been trying to suck it up for ages but I’ve come to the conclusion that this is just not for me.
Sorry, I truly don’t have the energy to push through anymore. The first 1/3 of the book was really engaging and I thought it was the exact dark creepy psychological thriller I was looking for. I can’t really put my finger on it, but this story was just not engaging for me at all. I’ve been trying to suck it up for ages but I’ve come to the conclusion that this is just not for me.
April 7, 2024
This was a super slow read for me. I kept getting distracted from the story. And this is one you need to focus on to pick up on all the sci fi/horror elements. Overall the idea is appealing, searching for her sister, found family, and queer relationship steeped in horror. I just felt lost most of the time.
Perhaps I will pick it up sometime and re read it when I have no distractions at all.
I received a ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
Perhaps I will pick it up sometime and re read it when I have no distractions at all.
I received a ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
February 20, 2024
⊰ 3,5 stars
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Eye of the Ouroboros tells the story of Theodora, Theo for short, whose sister mysteriously disappeared in the woods when they were younger. Theo is on a quest to redeem herself and is determined to find her sister, even all those years later and dedicates her life to the woods as a Park Ranger.
Theo as a character seemed to ramble a lot, at least in her thoughts. Since we read from her POV, we get a lot of insight into her thought process and how she ticks. I felt a lot of compassion for Theo for the loss she has suffered, but that's where my liking of Theo about stopped. My favorite character was Quinn.
The first few chapters were very informational; mostly worldbuilding and character descriptions. I was almost scared that I had misread the description of the book and there wouldn't be any fantasy vibes. The biggest thing that made this book not a 5 star read to me is the description and explanation of the Ouroboros itself. I went back a few times to the chapter where the mechanism of it all was explained, because it doesn't really go in-depth later on and that made me very confused.
I did really love the atmosphere that the author set, it was very well described.
For anyone that is into horror books with a touch of paranormal fantasy, this is for you. The horror wasn't too scary, making this an okay read for at night.
First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Eye of the Ouroboros tells the story of Theodora, Theo for short, whose sister mysteriously disappeared in the woods when they were younger. Theo is on a quest to redeem herself and is determined to find her sister, even all those years later and dedicates her life to the woods as a Park Ranger.
Theo as a character seemed to ramble a lot, at least in her thoughts. Since we read from her POV, we get a lot of insight into her thought process and how she ticks. I felt a lot of compassion for Theo for the loss she has suffered, but that's where my liking of Theo about stopped. My favorite character was Quinn.
The first few chapters were very informational; mostly worldbuilding and character descriptions. I was almost scared that I had misread the description of the book and there wouldn't be any fantasy vibes. The biggest thing that made this book not a 5 star read to me is the description and explanation of the Ouroboros itself. I went back a few times to the chapter where the mechanism of it all was explained, because it doesn't really go in-depth later on and that made me very confused.
I did really love the atmosphere that the author set, it was very well described.
For anyone that is into horror books with a touch of paranormal fantasy, this is for you. The horror wasn't too scary, making this an okay read for at night.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 3, 2024
Megan Bontrager takes readers on a witty, riveting, heartbreaking ride through the infinite corridor from the perspective of Theo, a park ranger who’s desperate to bring her little sister back to her reality, no matter the cost. What more could this reader want? The delightful prose and Theo’s striking voice kept me glued to the edge of my seat. I became Theo’s bestie, it’s impossible not to root for and fall in love with her sense of humor and blunt honesty. But Theo, for the sake of Bear and your kidneys, please drink some water! You’ll be laughing a crying with the cast of characters in this story from start to finish as they take on hellish hounds (aka monch boys), arcane bends in reality, men in suits, dark corridors, and maybe even a toilet seat. This story is packed with meaningful platonic love dynamics, a romance that could have been (the right person wrong time), and a lovable dog; while also exploring grief, trauma, and parental neglect. The ending left me breathless and wanting more (because I’m greedy). Bontrager has an incredible career ahead of her and I can’t wait to read what she has in store for us next!
April 2, 2024
I was really fascinated by the idea of this book, I knew it was a horror book with a sapphic main character about a woman looking for her long lost sister. When I started reading it it was so easy to get invested. Theo, our main character, is a mess. She drinks too much, is obsessed with finding her sister to the point of that obsession taking over her life and she pushes away people who care about her. She's not a likeable character but at the same time she's so easy to understand.
Unfortunately the plot of this book felt too big for what we got. Maybe if this story was split over multiple books it would work better. So many threads of this story felt like they should lead to some further exploration and they never do. A child is found in a forest possibly attacked by someone and there doesn't seem to be any police involvement. There's a random toilet cubicle in a place it shouldn't be and no one seems to be informed to get it removed when it was a possible danger to the public. It very much felt like the author had an idea of where the story should go but not exactly how we will get there so some vital developments of the story seem completely skipped or we switch how we get there as if the author forgot another path was already being established.
This book was at its best when we were still in the confusion and creepiness of the beginning and the more answers we were getting the less invested I became.
Also I personally think it's heartbreaking we never find out what breed Bear is.
Unfortunately the plot of this book felt too big for what we got. Maybe if this story was split over multiple books it would work better. So many threads of this story felt like they should lead to some further exploration and they never do. A child is found in a forest possibly attacked by someone and there doesn't seem to be any police involvement. There's a random toilet cubicle in a place it shouldn't be and no one seems to be informed to get it removed when it was a possible danger to the public. It very much felt like the author had an idea of where the story should go but not exactly how we will get there so some vital developments of the story seem completely skipped or we switch how we get there as if the author forgot another path was already being established.
This book was at its best when we were still in the confusion and creepiness of the beginning and the more answers we were getting the less invested I became.
Also I personally think it's heartbreaking we never find out what breed Bear is.
April 14, 2024
Megan Bontrager's 'Eye of the Ouroboros' is an excellent horror adventure, fast-paced from the start, with a sense of mystery and an atmosphere of dread throughout. It starts with some serious nods to those "Search and Rescue" creepypastas, with people disappearing in the woods, a park ranger stumbling on creepy things in the forest, from staircases and doors to doppelgangers and bizarre animals; once past the middlepoint, however, the plot goes into an entirely different (though equally interesting) direction, blending large-scale sci-fi horror with James Bond-like shenanigans. At no point did I get bored, but I found the characters a bit too unpromising to invest in them - they did not feel really genuine to me and the dialogue was quite stilted. Moreover, I'm still not sure the first POV narration was a wise choice; the MC's constant grief and reminiscence of family trauma got old rather early (apparently she has no other emotions inside?!, no other significant memories?!), though the situations were diverse enough for it not to bother me all that much. I did not find the story predictable, just not twisty enough: once I realized what's going on (again, towards the middle of the book), the story pretty much wrote itself. Bontrager's writing style was pleasant enough and perfectly styled for the setting of the book. Despite the novel's lacking earth-shattering originality (and who can really claim such a thing nowadays), I enjoyed myself!
April 1, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Quill & Crow publishers for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.
This had such a good premise but I felt it didn’t quite flush out the story. There were many times where I had to back track because I felt I was missing something. I felt like Theo was well characterized and you understood her motivations but I didn’t feel much from any of the supporting characters such as Quinn or Delilah.
I wanted more about the Ouroboros and less of Theo’s internal dialogue because I still don’t really understand what happened with Flora or why her parents dislike her so much.
Prose was good and story was there but overall felt like it was lacking some details.
This had such a good premise but I felt it didn’t quite flush out the story. There were many times where I had to back track because I felt I was missing something. I felt like Theo was well characterized and you understood her motivations but I didn’t feel much from any of the supporting characters such as Quinn or Delilah.
I wanted more about the Ouroboros and less of Theo’s internal dialogue because I still don’t really understand what happened with Flora or why her parents dislike her so much.
Prose was good and story was there but overall felt like it was lacking some details.
April 16, 2024
A Joyfully Jay review.
4 stars
Just to put it out in the open, this is not a book with an easy ending. It’s not a book where the good guys win and the bad guys lose and lost children are found. It’s a book about grief, with time travel, alternate dimensions, and undercover organizations. There’s no explanation of who did what to whom or why, no tying up of loose ends, no redemption arc or happy ending. It’s not going to be a book for everyone; however, if you’re a fan of vibes or No Sleep stories, you might have fun with this one.
I had fun with this book, but I’m pretty sure that this is going to be one of those books that will either very much work for you … or very much not. For me, it did.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
4 stars
Just to put it out in the open, this is not a book with an easy ending. It’s not a book where the good guys win and the bad guys lose and lost children are found. It’s a book about grief, with time travel, alternate dimensions, and undercover organizations. There’s no explanation of who did what to whom or why, no tying up of loose ends, no redemption arc or happy ending. It’s not going to be a book for everyone; however, if you’re a fan of vibes or No Sleep stories, you might have fun with this one.
I had fun with this book, but I’m pretty sure that this is going to be one of those books that will either very much work for you … or very much not. For me, it did.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
February 3, 2024
Read and reviewed after receiving an ARC from NetGalley 🤘
A girl walks into a door in the woods...
There's no punchline, just r/nosleep and those YouTube videos about backrooms that are equal parts harrowing and goofy getting married and having a baby named EYE OF THE OUROBOROS.
The GOOD:
- our wayward Park Ranger narrator, Theo, who some might be inclined to love to hate but I will defend until my dying breath (she's my daughter now btw) who is angry but so full of heart (reminiscent of a Grady Hendrix heroine, tbh, mostly Kris from We Sold Our Souls). I knew I would love her from the opening scene, even with how she fumbles and falters 😭
- found family when your real family sucks and your sister got gobbled up by the woods; they're a group of weirdos who have so much trust in Theo 🥹
- smart story telling with a ton of care and nuance on Difficult Subjects like grief, and abuse, and GUILT (o, the guilt)
- the platonic love story of my dreams (QUINN!!) that runs parallel to an actual (queer) love story that doesn't take up all the breathing room
- pulls no punches and begs to be read in the dark so you freak yourself out about what's looking at you from the shadows; the descriptions are visceral and cinematic and *gripping.*
THE BAD
- there's not MORE? I need a prequel about [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] and the FBR!! PLEASE.
Genuinely can't wait for more from this author after such a stellar debut.
A girl walks into a door in the woods...
There's no punchline, just r/nosleep and those YouTube videos about backrooms that are equal parts harrowing and goofy getting married and having a baby named EYE OF THE OUROBOROS.
The GOOD:
- our wayward Park Ranger narrator, Theo, who some might be inclined to love to hate but I will defend until my dying breath (she's my daughter now btw) who is angry but so full of heart (reminiscent of a Grady Hendrix heroine, tbh, mostly Kris from We Sold Our Souls). I knew I would love her from the opening scene, even with how she fumbles and falters 😭
- found family when your real family sucks and your sister got gobbled up by the woods; they're a group of weirdos who have so much trust in Theo 🥹
- smart story telling with a ton of care and nuance on Difficult Subjects like grief, and abuse, and GUILT (o, the guilt)
- the platonic love story of my dreams (QUINN!!) that runs parallel to an actual (queer) love story that doesn't take up all the breathing room
- pulls no punches and begs to be read in the dark so you freak yourself out about what's looking at you from the shadows; the descriptions are visceral and cinematic and *gripping.*
THE BAD
- there's not MORE? I need a prequel about [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] and the FBR!! PLEASE.
Genuinely can't wait for more from this author after such a stellar debut.
July 24, 2023
will be sending megan my therapy bills after reading this absolutely AMAZING book; i will be thinking about this one forever
April 7, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this novel!
I think a major issue with this book is that it's trying to do too much. I thought this was going to be a psychological horror with a cat and mouse chase through different realities. That wasn't the case at all. The first quarter of the book almost reads like literary fiction with a touch of mystery (and I mean the smallest touch, it was basically just Theo feeling bad for herself the whole time). Then, there was a random heist that took up another large chunk of the book (I genuinely have no idea why this heist happened, I was so confused the whole time). Only for the story to kind of end with a cat and mouse chase, not a particularly engaging one, but still. I just don't really know who the audience is for this book. I feel like the people who enjoy the first half aren't going to like the second half and vice versa.
Personally, I didn't really like either half. I found it boring (I actually did kind of like Theo's ending though, that was pretty interesting). I wouldn't have even finished it if I hadn't been provided an e-arc. The description sounded so cool, but this just was not for me.
I think a major issue with this book is that it's trying to do too much. I thought this was going to be a psychological horror with a cat and mouse chase through different realities. That wasn't the case at all. The first quarter of the book almost reads like literary fiction with a touch of mystery (and I mean the smallest touch, it was basically just Theo feeling bad for herself the whole time). Then, there was a random heist that took up another large chunk of the book (I genuinely have no idea why this heist happened, I was so confused the whole time). Only for the story to kind of end with a cat and mouse chase, not a particularly engaging one, but still. I just don't really know who the audience is for this book. I feel like the people who enjoy the first half aren't going to like the second half and vice versa.
Personally, I didn't really like either half. I found it boring (I actually did kind of like Theo's ending though, that was pretty interesting). I wouldn't have even finished it if I hadn't been provided an e-arc. The description sounded so cool, but this just was not for me.
April 19, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher.
Honestly this book was bad. I feel terrible to rate an ARC so badly but it was a pain to get through.
This read like a conspiracy theory blog written by a maniac. Not in an entertaining way more like a wtf kind of way.
Non of this was explained, the author just kept throwing random theories and characters at the reader and it just got more and more ridiculous.
There are so many subplots here (Theos relationship with her family, her relationship with Delilah etc etc) it’s just so hard to keep track of the plot.
And can we talk about the severe alcoholism in this book? Theo is drinking non stop and if she’s not drinking she’s thinking or talking about drinking. Personally I don’t think it’s bad to have a character with an alcohol problem if it’s executed well.
In this case I always felt like Theos addiction was used as an edgy and cool trait even though it’s definitely not. And I think this is nothing to normalize.
All in all I just think none of this made sense, it lacked depth and the author repeated themselves over and over.
The only reason I’m giving this 2 stars is because of Bear - the real (and only) hero of this book.
Honestly this book was bad. I feel terrible to rate an ARC so badly but it was a pain to get through.
This read like a conspiracy theory blog written by a maniac. Not in an entertaining way more like a wtf kind of way.
Non of this was explained, the author just kept throwing random theories and characters at the reader and it just got more and more ridiculous.
There are so many subplots here (Theos relationship with her family, her relationship with Delilah etc etc) it’s just so hard to keep track of the plot.
And can we talk about the severe alcoholism in this book? Theo is drinking non stop and if she’s not drinking she’s thinking or talking about drinking. Personally I don’t think it’s bad to have a character with an alcohol problem if it’s executed well.
In this case I always felt like Theos addiction was used as an edgy and cool trait even though it’s definitely not. And I think this is nothing to normalize.
All in all I just think none of this made sense, it lacked depth and the author repeated themselves over and over.
The only reason I’m giving this 2 stars is because of Bear - the real (and only) hero of this book.
April 15, 2024
Spoilers maybe but not really imo
In the beginning stages of this book I thought there’s no way I'm making it to the end of the story, but hear me out because it got better. At least, plot-wise. Even though it ended up being a mediocre enough experience, I think I should air out my grievances before I forget what frustrated me so much about this read.
My main issue with this thankfully wasn’t the creativity or entertainment, legends know i hate a snore, but the main character. GOD WAS SHE INSUFFERABLE. The whole time she was either starving, bleeding, drinking, or all three in tandem. Not once was I saying onika burgers. So she’s mentally ill and an alcoholic, along with half the population on this planet. But she’s also supposedly in her mid thirties and still absolutely incapable of taking care of herself or making mature decisions. Literally how was I supposed to root for this girl? The whole time I'm questioning if she’s actually an adult or if she’s just a preteen pretending to be one. Her life objective is to find her sister who disappeared in the woods OVER A DECADE AGO, and maybe that would be admirable if it made any sense, but she has absolutely zero leads or clues that this sister is even alive AND she makes sure to mention plenty of times how it’s her fault she went missing in the first place. So… her guilty conscience has caused her to throw her life away and pursue a delusional quest? The premise of the situation is based on some ridiculous self-pitying selfishness that I just couldn’t get on board with. Plus, I never learned how exactly it was supposed to have been her fault that her little sister wandered into the woods alone at nighttime? Does she feel guilty for passing down the stupidity gene? Anyway, I refuse to attend that pity party.
After a while I got pretty hooked and started to think fine, I can overlook this weird complex and just enjoy the story. But no. What really started to get on my nerves was the way her behaviors were laid out. It almost sounded like she was bragging about not eating for a whole day or knocking back a bunch of hard liquor as if these are acceptable things in times of grief. I felt like the narrative was to admire her perseverance for fighting through all these crazy activities despite severe injuries and nausea. Girl SIT DOWN A SECOND. And these things were never addressed! I’m pretty sure she’s drunk the entire time, constantly pulling out a flask or random bottle of vodka. And then she complains about drinking on an empty stomach, like bitch I’m certain there is a McDonalds within a five mile radius go get yourself a goddamn apple fritter and shut tf up. At one point her ankle was described to be practically hanging on by a thread and the next page she's on her feet bashing someone’s head in. ??? No amount of ibuprofen can make someone shrug off a severed ankle, trust.
I’m not sure the pity ploy is the worst part, though. What got me is how she has two extremely dedicated friends who she supposedly cares about very much but constantly puts their lives in danger because she just can’t be rational. I’m not asking for some altruistic teresa from the maze runner look-alike, but when you care about people you usually try to keep them away from your danger and delusion, not drag them into it. Plus, I just could not get over the whole situation with her ex-girlfriend. She’s a journalist… they met because she wanted to do a piece on our mc… she publishes a piece and mc acts like she betrayed her honor? Why else was she there in the first place? What about a journalist publishing a story she told you she was writing betrayed mc’s trust?? She was too honest? Made you sound like a lunatic? BITCH YOU ARE A LUNATIC AND YOU KNOW IT! Make it make sense.
Anyway, the story was actually pretty good. I was super entertained by the shit that went on, just totally unimpressed by how the characters were written, specifically mrs. Theodora feelsorryformemore-a. The pacing felt great, twists were unpredictable (if only for how absurd mc’s thought processes were), and I felt satisfied by the end. The writing was good enough despite some cringe one-liners in the first few chapters. Adequate ⅗.
In the beginning stages of this book I thought there’s no way I'm making it to the end of the story, but hear me out because it got better. At least, plot-wise. Even though it ended up being a mediocre enough experience, I think I should air out my grievances before I forget what frustrated me so much about this read.
My main issue with this thankfully wasn’t the creativity or entertainment, legends know i hate a snore, but the main character. GOD WAS SHE INSUFFERABLE. The whole time she was either starving, bleeding, drinking, or all three in tandem. Not once was I saying onika burgers. So she’s mentally ill and an alcoholic, along with half the population on this planet. But she’s also supposedly in her mid thirties and still absolutely incapable of taking care of herself or making mature decisions. Literally how was I supposed to root for this girl? The whole time I'm questioning if she’s actually an adult or if she’s just a preteen pretending to be one. Her life objective is to find her sister who disappeared in the woods OVER A DECADE AGO, and maybe that would be admirable if it made any sense, but she has absolutely zero leads or clues that this sister is even alive AND she makes sure to mention plenty of times how it’s her fault she went missing in the first place. So… her guilty conscience has caused her to throw her life away and pursue a delusional quest? The premise of the situation is based on some ridiculous self-pitying selfishness that I just couldn’t get on board with. Plus, I never learned how exactly it was supposed to have been her fault that her little sister wandered into the woods alone at nighttime? Does she feel guilty for passing down the stupidity gene? Anyway, I refuse to attend that pity party.
After a while I got pretty hooked and started to think fine, I can overlook this weird complex and just enjoy the story. But no. What really started to get on my nerves was the way her behaviors were laid out. It almost sounded like she was bragging about not eating for a whole day or knocking back a bunch of hard liquor as if these are acceptable things in times of grief. I felt like the narrative was to admire her perseverance for fighting through all these crazy activities despite severe injuries and nausea. Girl SIT DOWN A SECOND. And these things were never addressed! I’m pretty sure she’s drunk the entire time, constantly pulling out a flask or random bottle of vodka. And then she complains about drinking on an empty stomach, like bitch I’m certain there is a McDonalds within a five mile radius go get yourself a goddamn apple fritter and shut tf up. At one point her ankle was described to be practically hanging on by a thread and the next page she's on her feet bashing someone’s head in. ??? No amount of ibuprofen can make someone shrug off a severed ankle, trust.
I’m not sure the pity ploy is the worst part, though. What got me is how she has two extremely dedicated friends who she supposedly cares about very much but constantly puts their lives in danger because she just can’t be rational. I’m not asking for some altruistic teresa from the maze runner look-alike, but when you care about people you usually try to keep them away from your danger and delusion, not drag them into it. Plus, I just could not get over the whole situation with her ex-girlfriend. She’s a journalist… they met because she wanted to do a piece on our mc… she publishes a piece and mc acts like she betrayed her honor? Why else was she there in the first place? What about a journalist publishing a story she told you she was writing betrayed mc’s trust?? She was too honest? Made you sound like a lunatic? BITCH YOU ARE A LUNATIC AND YOU KNOW IT! Make it make sense.
Anyway, the story was actually pretty good. I was super entertained by the shit that went on, just totally unimpressed by how the characters were written, specifically mrs. Theodora feelsorryformemore-a. The pacing felt great, twists were unpredictable (if only for how absurd mc’s thought processes were), and I felt satisfied by the end. The writing was good enough despite some cringe one-liners in the first few chapters. Adequate ⅗.
March 3, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Quill and Crow for the eARC of Eye of the Ouroboros!
4.5 stars rounded up. I loved a lot of things about this book. A lot of things bugged me about it too, but ultimately the fast-pacing and high action saved the day for me, making this an enjoyable read even if the author made a few questionable choices.
Have you ever read a book where you feel like nothing happens, especially in the first half? Well, this is not that book. The book starts off with a bang with the MC, Theo, finding a girl who emerges from the woods missing three toes, and it never really lets up. Bontrager does a good job of introducing to Theo and her life while keeping the story moving at a healthy clip. She starts throwing weird stuff at us pretty early on - portals and inhuman hounds and weird monsters - some of which were a little too random for my taste, but they kept things interesting. The pacing is basically fantastic throughout and is some of the best I've read in the last few months. I can't really think of a single part where the story drags or any chapters that feel like filler.
Plenty of readers will probably find Theo unlikeable, but overall I enjoyed her and thought her flaws were interesting rather than off-putting. The author makes a few weird decisions with Theo - she does a ton of hating on nerds and at one point fat shames a character multiple times, which make her feel bizarrely like a 90's villain, a choice that felt totally baffling and out of place. Theo's alcoholism is treated more like a joke than a character flaw, and is never resolved in a satisfying way. But ultimately I like flawed characters and Theo worked for me. I also really enjoyed her relationship with her ex, and thought the few romance scenes were touching and well-done.
The weakest parts of this for me were the larger world building. A lot of elements seemed like they were lifted directly from the video game Control. An other-worldly corridor of doors with an ominous ringing telephone, two pyramids touching at their apex, a Federal Bureau designed to contain weird phenomenon across the country, a weird hidden office that gets ransacked by monsters, freaking Objects of Power - all of these are extremely similar to the video game. I'm not sure it quite crosses to the level of plagiarism, but I found it very distracting every time one of these borrowed elements would pop up. Sato, the villain, is original, but sadly doesn't feel fully fleshed out. I understood his motivations, but never figured out what his actual plan was or how it works. As a result he felt underdeveloped and at times a bit campy when he appeared on page.
Also, this is relatively minor thing in the scheme of the book, so it didn't affect my overall review, but it drive me crazy: at one point, the MC accidentally does something that destroys an entire reality, murdering trillions of people as the reality collapses. She feels guilty about it for literally 5 seconds and THEN NEVER THINKS ABOUT IT AGAIN. Particularly rich because she tells the villain over and over again how evil he is for destroying other people's realities. This is really only 2-3 pages of the book, so it could have easily been cut out of the story. I'm not sure I understand why the author decided to include this - it just makes the MC seem like a sociopath.
Ultimately though, these issues didn't really distract me enough to stop me from enjoying the book, the pacing, the action scenes, and the atmosphere. The ending is also fantastic and really sad and beautiful - it was easily my favorite part of the book and it's great to see a story finish so strong.
Overall, if you like flawed female characters, creepy forests, parallel realities and horror with lots of action, definitely give this book a go.
4.5 stars rounded up. I loved a lot of things about this book. A lot of things bugged me about it too, but ultimately the fast-pacing and high action saved the day for me, making this an enjoyable read even if the author made a few questionable choices.
Have you ever read a book where you feel like nothing happens, especially in the first half? Well, this is not that book. The book starts off with a bang with the MC, Theo, finding a girl who emerges from the woods missing three toes, and it never really lets up. Bontrager does a good job of introducing to Theo and her life while keeping the story moving at a healthy clip. She starts throwing weird stuff at us pretty early on - portals and inhuman hounds and weird monsters - some of which were a little too random for my taste, but they kept things interesting. The pacing is basically fantastic throughout and is some of the best I've read in the last few months. I can't really think of a single part where the story drags or any chapters that feel like filler.
Plenty of readers will probably find Theo unlikeable, but overall I enjoyed her and thought her flaws were interesting rather than off-putting. The author makes a few weird decisions with Theo - she does a ton of hating on nerds and at one point fat shames a character multiple times, which make her feel bizarrely like a 90's villain, a choice that felt totally baffling and out of place. Theo's alcoholism is treated more like a joke than a character flaw, and is never resolved in a satisfying way. But ultimately I like flawed characters and Theo worked for me. I also really enjoyed her relationship with her ex, and thought the few romance scenes were touching and well-done.
The weakest parts of this for me were the larger world building. A lot of elements seemed like they were lifted directly from the video game Control. An other-worldly corridor of doors with an ominous ringing telephone, two pyramids touching at their apex, a Federal Bureau designed to contain weird phenomenon across the country, a weird hidden office that gets ransacked by monsters, freaking Objects of Power - all of these are extremely similar to the video game. I'm not sure it quite crosses to the level of plagiarism, but I found it very distracting every time one of these borrowed elements would pop up. Sato, the villain, is original, but sadly doesn't feel fully fleshed out. I understood his motivations, but never figured out what his actual plan was or how it works. As a result he felt underdeveloped and at times a bit campy when he appeared on page.
Also, this is relatively minor thing in the scheme of the book, so it didn't affect my overall review, but it drive me crazy: at one point, the MC accidentally does something that destroys an entire reality, murdering trillions of people as the reality collapses. She feels guilty about it for literally 5 seconds and THEN NEVER THINKS ABOUT IT AGAIN. Particularly rich because she tells the villain over and over again how evil he is for destroying other people's realities. This is really only 2-3 pages of the book, so it could have easily been cut out of the story. I'm not sure I understand why the author decided to include this - it just makes the MC seem like a sociopath.
Ultimately though, these issues didn't really distract me enough to stop me from enjoying the book, the pacing, the action scenes, and the atmosphere. The ending is also fantastic and really sad and beautiful - it was easily my favorite part of the book and it's great to see a story finish so strong.
Overall, if you like flawed female characters, creepy forests, parallel realities and horror with lots of action, definitely give this book a go.
March 13, 2024
*Huge thanks to Quill & Crow Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC of this one!*
I’ve always loved seeing the releases Quill & Crow Publishing have, but as of yet, haven’t dipped my toe into what they’ve released. Then, while cruising through Netgalley, I saw this one. The cover immediately had me excited, the title had me intrigued and then the synopsis screamed at me to read it. With this being Megan’s debut, I wasn’t worried, knowing full well that if Quill & Crow were releasing it, it would be a solid tale.
What I liked: Bontrager has delivered an unexpected gem. Not once did I get a sense that this was a debut, the storytelling – both depth and scope – were solid and controlled, which is a testament to what it is that Megan has created here.
The story follows Forest Ranger Theo, short for Theodora, a name she detests. Years ago, her sister Flora disappeared in the woods around the town they live in, so she’s made it her life mission to try and find what happened. Everyone blames Theo for Flora’s disappearance – even her parents, who treat her like she’s a blister that needs to be popped – so Theo gets hired on with the Rangers to be as close to the location as possible.
The woods there are strange. People go missing all the time. And it is Theo who finds them, looking harder and longer than anyone else. But with each person she finds, there’s little things she notices. From missing toes, to strange stories, it all adds up to something odd going on. Even the Forest Ranger handbook alludes to that. Rule #1 is for no Forest Ranger to take any set of stairs they may come across.
Bontrager sets the stage well, so that, when a conspiracy-theory believing character pops up and introduces her to the idea of what ‘is’ happening, at first she things they’re nuts. And then she believes them.
It is from that point on, when we learn of the Federal Bureau of Reality, that the story really shines. Bontrager weaves in an action-fueled quest with different portals, a strange government agency nobody knows about and the truth to what happened to Flora. Tensions remain high until the end and as the story goes on, each character becomes more and more fleshed out. Including Theo’s on again, off again, former lover, the reporter Delilah, who tried to bring more exposure to Flora’s disappearance, but in turn seemed to use it as career leverage.
Everything ramps up, leading to the ending which was cathartic, heartbreaking and completely expected, even if you didn’t want it to be.
What I didn’t like: Some may find the introduction of the ‘FBR’ to be comical. Bontrager keeps it serious and utilizes that narrative to strengthen the story, but if you read the synopsis and smirk when you get to that section, then most likely this book won’t be for you.
Why you should buy this: A solid debut from start to finish, Bontrager accelerates out of the starting blocks and never slows down. Theo is a fantastic lead character – broken, battered, and depending on alcohol – they are a great case of why sometimes an initial unlikable lead can elevate a story when push comes to shove later on.
Bontrager’s debut is fantastic and one I think will make a lot of fans of dark fiction intertwined with fantastical elements very happy.
I’ve always loved seeing the releases Quill & Crow Publishing have, but as of yet, haven’t dipped my toe into what they’ve released. Then, while cruising through Netgalley, I saw this one. The cover immediately had me excited, the title had me intrigued and then the synopsis screamed at me to read it. With this being Megan’s debut, I wasn’t worried, knowing full well that if Quill & Crow were releasing it, it would be a solid tale.
What I liked: Bontrager has delivered an unexpected gem. Not once did I get a sense that this was a debut, the storytelling – both depth and scope – were solid and controlled, which is a testament to what it is that Megan has created here.
The story follows Forest Ranger Theo, short for Theodora, a name she detests. Years ago, her sister Flora disappeared in the woods around the town they live in, so she’s made it her life mission to try and find what happened. Everyone blames Theo for Flora’s disappearance – even her parents, who treat her like she’s a blister that needs to be popped – so Theo gets hired on with the Rangers to be as close to the location as possible.
The woods there are strange. People go missing all the time. And it is Theo who finds them, looking harder and longer than anyone else. But with each person she finds, there’s little things she notices. From missing toes, to strange stories, it all adds up to something odd going on. Even the Forest Ranger handbook alludes to that. Rule #1 is for no Forest Ranger to take any set of stairs they may come across.
Bontrager sets the stage well, so that, when a conspiracy-theory believing character pops up and introduces her to the idea of what ‘is’ happening, at first she things they’re nuts. And then she believes them.
It is from that point on, when we learn of the Federal Bureau of Reality, that the story really shines. Bontrager weaves in an action-fueled quest with different portals, a strange government agency nobody knows about and the truth to what happened to Flora. Tensions remain high until the end and as the story goes on, each character becomes more and more fleshed out. Including Theo’s on again, off again, former lover, the reporter Delilah, who tried to bring more exposure to Flora’s disappearance, but in turn seemed to use it as career leverage.
Everything ramps up, leading to the ending which was cathartic, heartbreaking and completely expected, even if you didn’t want it to be.
What I didn’t like: Some may find the introduction of the ‘FBR’ to be comical. Bontrager keeps it serious and utilizes that narrative to strengthen the story, but if you read the synopsis and smirk when you get to that section, then most likely this book won’t be for you.
Why you should buy this: A solid debut from start to finish, Bontrager accelerates out of the starting blocks and never slows down. Theo is a fantastic lead character – broken, battered, and depending on alcohol – they are a great case of why sometimes an initial unlikable lead can elevate a story when push comes to shove later on.
Bontrager’s debut is fantastic and one I think will make a lot of fans of dark fiction intertwined with fantastical elements very happy.
April 22, 2024
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of Eye of the Ouroboros by Megan Bontrager.
The debut novel follows park ranger Theo as she hunts for any leads on her sister Flora’s disappearance. It was meant to be simple; Theo was not expecting to stumble across a door standing in the woods and ignoring every warning bell, she enters the infinite corridor and garners the attention of the Federal Bureau of Reality, an organisation willing to do anything – even murder – to remain secret.
I enjoyed reading “Eye of the Ouroboros”, it wasn’t a book I normally pick up as I usually read fantasy, but I decided to give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised. It was nail bitingly thrilling and I found myself so involved with the narrative that I felt exactly how Theo must have been feeling while she hunts for her sister through infinite doors and corridors.
In the beginning I felt that Bontrager hadn’t fully-fledged her characters out, that they were unfinished as I couldn’t get a sense of who they are as people. Especially Wesley (conspiracy theorist extraordinaire) and Roman (Ex bureau worker) as we knew next to nothing about them. However, Theo knew nothing about them and despite it not being first person it was very much Theo’s story, her lack of interest in their back grounds was used as an excellent technique to show Theo’s hyper fixation of finding Flora.
This is especially apparent when we get to know Delilah (Theo’s ex) and Quinn (her best friend). I loved both of these characters, as well as Theo, whose flaws and grief helped me connect with her so well. I liked that there was sapphic subplot, but it didn’t override any of the plot. The romance was hidden and entangled within the horror.
I found that much of the scary parts of the book were created in the beginning. The suspense was built brilliantly, using lore that is often known throughout the world such as “think you hear something, no you didn’t,” or “don’t run in the woods” the author was able to create fear on just the unknowing of the woods. I found that stories I knew from the Appalachian Mountains helped fuel my fear, and this fear continued as the author began to twist tales about monsters and grief.
The tension did ease up around the 50% marker, and at first, I was disappointed it did. My problem is that I no longer feel fear when the killer or monster has been revealed, and this is what happened in the book. At first, I thought the culprits were skin walkers or wendigos, but it was revealed to be something else the tension eased. But the rest of the book created intrigue and a different type of tension urging me to finish the book.
The ending was incredibly satisfying, and I really enjoyed it all, I recommend this book to horror and supernatural lovers.
The debut novel follows park ranger Theo as she hunts for any leads on her sister Flora’s disappearance. It was meant to be simple; Theo was not expecting to stumble across a door standing in the woods and ignoring every warning bell, she enters the infinite corridor and garners the attention of the Federal Bureau of Reality, an organisation willing to do anything – even murder – to remain secret.
I enjoyed reading “Eye of the Ouroboros”, it wasn’t a book I normally pick up as I usually read fantasy, but I decided to give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised. It was nail bitingly thrilling and I found myself so involved with the narrative that I felt exactly how Theo must have been feeling while she hunts for her sister through infinite doors and corridors.
In the beginning I felt that Bontrager hadn’t fully-fledged her characters out, that they were unfinished as I couldn’t get a sense of who they are as people. Especially Wesley (conspiracy theorist extraordinaire) and Roman (Ex bureau worker) as we knew next to nothing about them. However, Theo knew nothing about them and despite it not being first person it was very much Theo’s story, her lack of interest in their back grounds was used as an excellent technique to show Theo’s hyper fixation of finding Flora.
This is especially apparent when we get to know Delilah (Theo’s ex) and Quinn (her best friend). I loved both of these characters, as well as Theo, whose flaws and grief helped me connect with her so well. I liked that there was sapphic subplot, but it didn’t override any of the plot. The romance was hidden and entangled within the horror.
I found that much of the scary parts of the book were created in the beginning. The suspense was built brilliantly, using lore that is often known throughout the world such as “think you hear something, no you didn’t,” or “don’t run in the woods” the author was able to create fear on just the unknowing of the woods. I found that stories I knew from the Appalachian Mountains helped fuel my fear, and this fear continued as the author began to twist tales about monsters and grief.
The tension did ease up around the 50% marker, and at first, I was disappointed it did. My problem is that I no longer feel fear when the killer or monster has been revealed, and this is what happened in the book. At first, I thought the culprits were skin walkers or wendigos, but it was revealed to be something else the tension eased. But the rest of the book created intrigue and a different type of tension urging me to finish the book.
The ending was incredibly satisfying, and I really enjoyed it all, I recommend this book to horror and supernatural lovers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2024
I had the opportunity to read an ARC of Eye of the Ouroboros by Megan Bontrager thanks to NetGalley! It is an adult fantasy horror as she seeks to find the truth about her sister’s disappearance, only to discover more than meets the eye.
I haven’t been able to say I enjoyed horror before, but this book has changed that for me. The writing is absolutely delicious and captivates the attention immediately. Megan has a knack for making things that are (I hope at least haha) unrealistic in our world, feel like they’re happening to you, right there and then. At times, after a prolonged period of reading, I found myself getting goosebumps while looking out of my window and into the night, or while turning off the lights while leaving a room. The horror is good – creepy, otherworldly, and most importantly, it sticks to you.
Outside of that, it certainly helps that the characters around whom the novel revolves – Theo, Quinn, Delilah, Wesley and, of course, Bear the dog – are all likeable or at least endearing, and most importantly multi-faceted. They feel like real people with real struggles and real flaws, but also enough redeeming qualities for it to hurt when things happen to them. Theo herself is a disaster, in a deeply heart-wrenching way, but rather than coming off pathetic, she has the appeal of a soggy dog on the side of the road. You want to take her in and dry her off, wishing the best for her future. The subtle comedy woven throughout Theo’s internal monologue and interactions with her environment and the other characters is also a shining plus for this book.
Overall, the book was a very impressive 4.75/5, rounded up to 5! I look forward to seeing more from Megan, as well as from Theo and the gang.
I haven’t been able to say I enjoyed horror before, but this book has changed that for me. The writing is absolutely delicious and captivates the attention immediately. Megan has a knack for making things that are (I hope at least haha) unrealistic in our world, feel like they’re happening to you, right there and then. At times, after a prolonged period of reading, I found myself getting goosebumps while looking out of my window and into the night, or while turning off the lights while leaving a room. The horror is good – creepy, otherworldly, and most importantly, it sticks to you.
Outside of that, it certainly helps that the characters around whom the novel revolves – Theo, Quinn, Delilah, Wesley and, of course, Bear the dog – are all likeable or at least endearing, and most importantly multi-faceted. They feel like real people with real struggles and real flaws, but also enough redeeming qualities for it to hurt when things happen to them. Theo herself is a disaster, in a deeply heart-wrenching way, but rather than coming off pathetic, she has the appeal of a soggy dog on the side of the road. You want to take her in and dry her off, wishing the best for her future. The subtle comedy woven throughout Theo’s internal monologue and interactions with her environment and the other characters is also a shining plus for this book.
Overall, the book was a very impressive 4.75/5, rounded up to 5! I look forward to seeing more from Megan, as well as from Theo and the gang.
April 15, 2024
Megan Bontrager’s “Eye of the Ouroboros” explores the complexities of relationships and the sacrifices we make for loved ones. Theo, the protagonist of this emotional journey, is a character who is flawlessly imperfect, leaving a lasting impact on readers with her struggles and triumphs.
What I loved about the book
Rich and Descriptive Writing
Megan Bontrager’s Eye of the Ouroboros takes you on a captivating journey through the interwoven web of relationships and reality. Bontrager’s writing is undeniably rich and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the world within the pages.
Authentic Characters
Theo’s authenticity shines through, her struggles and flaws rendering her refreshingly human amidst the chaos. The characters in the narrative won my heart, especially the core group introduced later. The dynamic between the characters, from the troubled sister to the conspiracy theorist, was flawlessly shown, highlighting their stark differences.
Sapphic Representation and World-Building
The Sapphic representation is a standout feature, adding layers of complexity to the narrative and enhancing the richness of the world-building. Bontrager skillfully blurs the lines between reality and the unknown, keeping you hooked until the final page.
What didn’t resonate with me
Slow Start and Pacing Issues
While the depth of character development is commendable, some readers may find themselves grappling with the pacing. The slow start, though crucial for character introduction and immersion, may test the patience of those seeking instant gratification. It’s not until chapter eight that the narrative truly gains momentum, which could deter some from continuing. I feel like the first half of the book was better paced than the last part.
Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
What I loved about the book
Rich and Descriptive Writing
Megan Bontrager’s Eye of the Ouroboros takes you on a captivating journey through the interwoven web of relationships and reality. Bontrager’s writing is undeniably rich and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the world within the pages.
Authentic Characters
Theo’s authenticity shines through, her struggles and flaws rendering her refreshingly human amidst the chaos. The characters in the narrative won my heart, especially the core group introduced later. The dynamic between the characters, from the troubled sister to the conspiracy theorist, was flawlessly shown, highlighting their stark differences.
Sapphic Representation and World-Building
The Sapphic representation is a standout feature, adding layers of complexity to the narrative and enhancing the richness of the world-building. Bontrager skillfully blurs the lines between reality and the unknown, keeping you hooked until the final page.
What didn’t resonate with me
Slow Start and Pacing Issues
While the depth of character development is commendable, some readers may find themselves grappling with the pacing. The slow start, though crucial for character introduction and immersion, may test the patience of those seeking instant gratification. It’s not until chapter eight that the narrative truly gains momentum, which could deter some from continuing. I feel like the first half of the book was better paced than the last part.
Read more at https://www.summonfantasy.com/reviews...
February 13, 2024
I chose this title simply due to its cool cover. I've picked many books this way and although not all are necessarily good, doesn't mean there aren't any bad ones either. "Eye of the Ouroboros" was somewhere in the middle. The premise of the book after the cover is what got me to download the book and I eagerly finished my library book to immediately start this right after.
I felt like this could have been a 5 star read had the author not put in so much fluff when Theo was in her own headspace while describing things. Do we really need ostentatious descriptions? It also started off really slow, of course you get to know all the characters really well, BUT the caveat is that it kind of starts to drag after awhile. No real juicy bits of information start to flow until chapter 8. To me that was way too long. I'm not one to stop reading a book unless I find myself dreading to finish it, but I can see why anyone would want to do that to this book. Once you get to the crux of the story things still aren't fast rolling, but nonetheless you get to the climax. And it's GOOD.
What made me give this 4 stars was the reason Theo finds herself in the situation that she is in. I don't want to give away any spoilers so I won't mention what it is, but I really liked that part of this book! It was fun to read what the author cooked up for that and it really made me think about a lot of things. If you're a fan of the paranormal, the strange, or the unexplained then you will like this book. It reminded me of the podcast "Monsters Among Us" I could not stop thinking about the podcast while reading this.
Besides the fluff and the slow going story, the author has a unique way of writing that made me love the characters. Messy as they were or extremely loyal and loveable. These characters are ones I probably won't forget for a long while. Megan Bontrager really knows how to write a character and for that I applaud her for writing this book.
I felt like this could have been a 5 star read had the author not put in so much fluff when Theo was in her own headspace while describing things. Do we really need ostentatious descriptions? It also started off really slow, of course you get to know all the characters really well, BUT the caveat is that it kind of starts to drag after awhile. No real juicy bits of information start to flow until chapter 8. To me that was way too long. I'm not one to stop reading a book unless I find myself dreading to finish it, but I can see why anyone would want to do that to this book. Once you get to the crux of the story things still aren't fast rolling, but nonetheless you get to the climax. And it's GOOD.
What made me give this 4 stars was the reason Theo finds herself in the situation that she is in. I don't want to give away any spoilers so I won't mention what it is, but I really liked that part of this book! It was fun to read what the author cooked up for that and it really made me think about a lot of things. If you're a fan of the paranormal, the strange, or the unexplained then you will like this book. It reminded me of the podcast "Monsters Among Us" I could not stop thinking about the podcast while reading this.
Besides the fluff and the slow going story, the author has a unique way of writing that made me love the characters. Messy as they were or extremely loyal and loveable. These characters are ones I probably won't forget for a long while. Megan Bontrager really knows how to write a character and for that I applaud her for writing this book.
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