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Ascension
Amos Lee has never played well with others. He prefers to live his life alone. When the mother he’s never known dies and leaves him a remote trailer house on a few country acres, he jumps at the chance to live life as a hermit. But there seems to be more to this property than he bargained for. Memories he thought were gone return, bringing feelings he didn’t know he had. A couple of people from the area seem way too interested in him. He’s hearing and seeing things that can’t be real. What has gotten into him? Can he survive it?
174 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2024
7 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
About the author
Joshua Scribner
476 books34 followersJoshua Scribner is the author of the novels Mantis Nights, The Coma Lights and Nescata. His fiction won both second and fifth place in the 2008 Whispering Spirits Flash Fiction contest. Up to date information on his work can be found at joshuascribner.com. Joshua currently lives in Michigan with his wife and two daughters.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 16, 2025
I struggled with this story a great deal. I felt that it tackled way too many characters and the style of writing was hard to handle. 90% of the book jumped around from past to present and then person to person every few paragraphs. It was very tough to keep focused on what each character was going through as things moved around too much. Amos, as the one lead, was definitely the most interesting person, but I felt that he wasn’t explored enough, as the author was trying so hard to fit everything else in. By the time I got to the ending, I really wasn’t even sure what was going on. I think this needed to either reduce the amount of characters to keep things more focused and/or spread the characters out more evenly, giving the reader time to adjust each time. The story itself was good and I did like more than I disliked, however, there were just a lot of obstacles blocking my enjoyment here.
July 22, 2025
This book is a haunting, paranormal, horror story. If you like weird paranormal/horror stories, this is the book for you. You will have to endure lots of murders, some of which are gruesome, possessed people and animals, voices in heads and dreams, some sex, though not graphic, some foul languge. This is the story of a farm in Oklahoma that is filled with an evil presence. Amos, a young man with a criminal past is willed the farm by his birth mother whom he has never met. Moving to the land he becomes acquinted with neighbors and a psycholigist from the area. One by one the people in the story are taken over by an evil powers. The reader is not told the whole story until the very end.
The story jumps around both in time period and point of view. So it take some concentration to follow along. It is also in need of some careful editing to clean it up.
The story jumps around both in time period and point of view. So it take some concentration to follow along. It is also in need of some careful editing to clean it up.
March 4, 2024
When Amos moves into the rural home he’s inherited from his recently deceased mother, he quickly encounters mysterious behavior among the locals, as well as inexplicable visions and apparitions that suggest something paranormal may be occurring. Worse, it all seems to be centered on his new property. What’s behind it? Will he be able to unravel the malevolent secret before events spiral out of control?
Two of Ascension’s strengths are its rawness and unpredictability. The author isn’t afraid of delving into his characters’ deepest flaws and traumas. The sense of dread as the story develops has an external element, but it also comes from within these people because we’ve seen them at their most exposed. I thought I had a handle on what would explain the supernatural goings-on, but the story kept surprising me. The final act didn’t play out the way I expected. That’s a definite plus, as it kept me on my toes, but I wasn’t wowed by the supernatural revelation.
The mystery at the heart of Joshua Scribner’s horror novel kept me intrigued throughout, even when the characters became so loathsome I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep reading. The reveal at the climax explains the nastier aspects of the story, but even aside from that, these people are so unlikeable I found myself rooting against them, not for them. The one character with any decency, the therapist, Janie, acts as the reader’s conscience. She’s the only one trying to get to the bottom of the bizarre events. But she isn’t fleshed out particularly well. I wanted to connect with her more, but the choppy narrative didn’t give her enough room to breathe. It was more interested in Amos, his neighbor Leah, and a deranged killer with some kind of possessed multiple personality disorder, Jonnie: all are jerks who only get worse under the malign influence at the story’s center.
Writing is earthy and insightful in the first half, when the author is building his characters, but becomes a little rushed in the second half, when truly bad things start to happen. I think elements of Ascension work well: the characters gradually losing control, the mystery swirling around one geographical point, the teasing of supernatural forces. If it doesn’t quite come together, for me, is more to do with a disconnect I had with the central trio. In the absence of someone to root for, I stuck around for the plot only. Other readers may really dig the darker aspects of character and story more than I did. By all means, give it a whirl if the premise intrigues you.
Two of Ascension’s strengths are its rawness and unpredictability. The author isn’t afraid of delving into his characters’ deepest flaws and traumas. The sense of dread as the story develops has an external element, but it also comes from within these people because we’ve seen them at their most exposed. I thought I had a handle on what would explain the supernatural goings-on, but the story kept surprising me. The final act didn’t play out the way I expected. That’s a definite plus, as it kept me on my toes, but I wasn’t wowed by the supernatural revelation.
The mystery at the heart of Joshua Scribner’s horror novel kept me intrigued throughout, even when the characters became so loathsome I wasn’t sure if I wanted to keep reading. The reveal at the climax explains the nastier aspects of the story, but even aside from that, these people are so unlikeable I found myself rooting against them, not for them. The one character with any decency, the therapist, Janie, acts as the reader’s conscience. She’s the only one trying to get to the bottom of the bizarre events. But she isn’t fleshed out particularly well. I wanted to connect with her more, but the choppy narrative didn’t give her enough room to breathe. It was more interested in Amos, his neighbor Leah, and a deranged killer with some kind of possessed multiple personality disorder, Jonnie: all are jerks who only get worse under the malign influence at the story’s center.
Writing is earthy and insightful in the first half, when the author is building his characters, but becomes a little rushed in the second half, when truly bad things start to happen. I think elements of Ascension work well: the characters gradually losing control, the mystery swirling around one geographical point, the teasing of supernatural forces. If it doesn’t quite come together, for me, is more to do with a disconnect I had with the central trio. In the absence of someone to root for, I stuck around for the plot only. Other readers may really dig the darker aspects of character and story more than I did. By all means, give it a whirl if the premise intrigues you.
March 11, 2024
Strong and intriguing first half, but second didn't work for me 3.5 stars.
This is the first book I've read by Joshua Scribner and I was quickly into the story with the way the author introduced the central characters, who are all drawn to a rather remote rural property in Oklahoma. The protagonist, Amos Lee, has inherited it from his deceased mother, who he never knew and therefore has no emotional connection with. He's a loner and doesn't seem to care what people think of him, and his bluntness and rudeness gives the first half of the story an edginess and unpredictability that worked well. The additional characters we meet seem decent people at first – quite likeable – but their connection to Amos' property releases some dark forces within them, and they each become possessed by an evil entity, (which isn't necessarily the same one for each person). Author Scribner's capable writing builds a sense of dread and growing horror for what might come next. I was unable to guess exactly how this would all be explained and the intrigue and suspense in the first half kept me reading.
In the second half, Amos softened up after becoming involved sexually with a local woman, and whilst it wasn't love, he seemed to care about her. However, she and other characters became driven by their 'demon' to commit bloodthirsty murder – some were random acts and some were people close to them. The story then felt a bit rushed with an escalation of the killings, and the explanation for the supernatural forces surrounding Amos' property didn't resonate with me. The ending itself felt rather abrupt and I was a little disappointed that what had started out as a suspenseful and sinister psychological mystery didn't quite deliver. However, fans of paranormal and horror stories will probably appreciate it.
This is the first book I've read by Joshua Scribner and I was quickly into the story with the way the author introduced the central characters, who are all drawn to a rather remote rural property in Oklahoma. The protagonist, Amos Lee, has inherited it from his deceased mother, who he never knew and therefore has no emotional connection with. He's a loner and doesn't seem to care what people think of him, and his bluntness and rudeness gives the first half of the story an edginess and unpredictability that worked well. The additional characters we meet seem decent people at first – quite likeable – but their connection to Amos' property releases some dark forces within them, and they each become possessed by an evil entity, (which isn't necessarily the same one for each person). Author Scribner's capable writing builds a sense of dread and growing horror for what might come next. I was unable to guess exactly how this would all be explained and the intrigue and suspense in the first half kept me reading.
In the second half, Amos softened up after becoming involved sexually with a local woman, and whilst it wasn't love, he seemed to care about her. However, she and other characters became driven by their 'demon' to commit bloodthirsty murder – some were random acts and some were people close to them. The story then felt a bit rushed with an escalation of the killings, and the explanation for the supernatural forces surrounding Amos' property didn't resonate with me. The ending itself felt rather abrupt and I was a little disappointed that what had started out as a suspenseful and sinister psychological mystery didn't quite deliver. However, fans of paranormal and horror stories will probably appreciate it.
March 18, 2024
This is a reasonably straightforward supernatural tale, plot wise, about an entity attached to a rural location which induces those who cross its path to lose their grip on reality, with terrible consequences.
We follow a few main characters as they become drawn in to the entity's sphere of influence, along with another character who is aware of what's going on and tries to prevent tragedy.
The prose style is extremely no-frills, with short, punchy sentences and spare use of imagery. Brief sections follow one character for a short time before switching away to another. The style reminded me of the US 'blank fiction' trend of the 90s, in which the plot is related in an afectless, disengaged tone - think Denis Cooper or Brett Easton Ellis.
This was both a strength and a weakness, I felt. In the early parts of the book I didn't feel very engaged with the characters or plot, and this wasn't helped by the prose being clunky in places. But when the action and violence ramped up, the style suddenly made a lot more sense - the form worked with the content - and the last sections were very enjoyable. I should say that the characters came to life a lot more through their dialogue than the narration.
Plot wise, different threads came together in a satisfying way, but I wonder if it would have been more effective if the point of view had stayed with each character a little longer rather than switching so often. The reveal at the end was interesting but I'd have liked to know a bit more. The very ending bit was extremely abrupt, so abrupt that there was something darkly tongue in cheek about it, though some readers might see it as rushed.
Overall, good fun and worth sticking with.
We follow a few main characters as they become drawn in to the entity's sphere of influence, along with another character who is aware of what's going on and tries to prevent tragedy.
The prose style is extremely no-frills, with short, punchy sentences and spare use of imagery. Brief sections follow one character for a short time before switching away to another. The style reminded me of the US 'blank fiction' trend of the 90s, in which the plot is related in an afectless, disengaged tone - think Denis Cooper or Brett Easton Ellis.
This was both a strength and a weakness, I felt. In the early parts of the book I didn't feel very engaged with the characters or plot, and this wasn't helped by the prose being clunky in places. But when the action and violence ramped up, the style suddenly made a lot more sense - the form worked with the content - and the last sections were very enjoyable. I should say that the characters came to life a lot more through their dialogue than the narration.
Plot wise, different threads came together in a satisfying way, but I wonder if it would have been more effective if the point of view had stayed with each character a little longer rather than switching so often. The reveal at the end was interesting but I'd have liked to know a bit more. The very ending bit was extremely abrupt, so abrupt that there was something darkly tongue in cheek about it, though some readers might see it as rushed.
Overall, good fun and worth sticking with.
March 14, 2024
"Ascension" by Joshua Scribner is an absolutely amazing piece of writing that combines elements of science fiction, horror and adventure in a captivating narrative that kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. This book deserves every bit of its five-star rating and more. Scribner's writing style is simply awesome, effortlessly weaving together intricate plotlines, characters and thought-provoking themes. The story follows the young man Amos as he inherits a plot of land from his estranged mother after her death but it is so much more than just a simple horror as strange happenings start happening to him and his new neighbour Leah. The characters in this book are incredibly well-developed, each with their own motivations, flaws, growth and haunted and chequered pasts. I found myself deeply invested in these characters, rooting for them through every obstacle and revelation. The dynamics between the characters add depth and richness to the story, making their relationships feel authentic and relatable. One of the highlights of the book is its world-building. Scribner creates a vivid and immersive world filled with suspense and excellent environments. The attention to detail is commendable, making every setting feel alive and full of possibilities. Overall this book is a riveting thought-provoking read that I wholeheartedly recommend to any fan of suspenseful super-natural horror and mystery or anyone looking for a captivating story that will stay with them long after the final page. Joshua Scribner has crafted a literary gem that deserves a place among the classics of the genre.
March 24, 2024
Ascension is a fast-paced supernatural horror with psychological elements strewn throughout as we examine a rotating cast of point of view characters, all with distinct voices and connections to a rural property out main character, Amos, has come into possession of through the hands of a mother who was all but a stranger to him in the end.
Scribner’s style is quick, moving from one plot point to another with understated prose. While I wouldn’t sing his prose from the mountaintops, it’s effective and aids the quick read of the novel.
The characters in the novel are all well-defined. While I might’ve appreciated a degree more depth, they weren’t exactly shallow, either. Everyone was well-defined and distinct. Jonnie was a particular source of intrigue and the tragic elements of this character during his deft introduction was what made me genuinely curious about where the novel was going.
I will say that the focus on relationship drama (particularly Amos’ and also Leah’s) was not really my cup of tea. Amos in particular is an especially flawed protagonist with a penchant for acting like a jerk. At first the focus on his romantic consequences seemed so unrelated to anything that it was a drag on the story as I kept waiting for the main plot to arrive. In retrospect, these choices made a bit more sense, but less focus on them and more hints of the main plot earlier on could’ve helped. It almost felt like the lede was buried.
With some restructuring and light editing this novel could’ve been especially intriguing. In the end, though, it just didn’t quite hook me.
Scribner’s style is quick, moving from one plot point to another with understated prose. While I wouldn’t sing his prose from the mountaintops, it’s effective and aids the quick read of the novel.
The characters in the novel are all well-defined. While I might’ve appreciated a degree more depth, they weren’t exactly shallow, either. Everyone was well-defined and distinct. Jonnie was a particular source of intrigue and the tragic elements of this character during his deft introduction was what made me genuinely curious about where the novel was going.
I will say that the focus on relationship drama (particularly Amos’ and also Leah’s) was not really my cup of tea. Amos in particular is an especially flawed protagonist with a penchant for acting like a jerk. At first the focus on his romantic consequences seemed so unrelated to anything that it was a drag on the story as I kept waiting for the main plot to arrive. In retrospect, these choices made a bit more sense, but less focus on them and more hints of the main plot earlier on could’ve helped. It almost felt like the lede was buried.
With some restructuring and light editing this novel could’ve been especially intriguing. In the end, though, it just didn’t quite hook me.
February 28, 2024
In Joshua Scribner's "Ascension," you embark on a solitary odyssey alongside Amos Lee, whose reclusive life takes an unexpected turn with an inheritance shrouded in mystery.
The narrative is rich in imagery, vividly portraying encounters like the unsettling gas station exchange. While character depth is evident, pacing issues hinder immersion, with a slow start and scattered plot development detracting from the overall momentum.
However, amidst the shadows lies the psychological turmoil of Janie, compellingly depicted in Chapter 38, offering poignant insights amidst the supernatural intrigue. The story's eerie atmosphere and unexpected twists keep readers engaged, though occasionally at the expense of character development.
"Ascension" beckons to fans of psychological thrillers with a penchant for the supernatural, offering a journey into the unknown with gripping moments and chilling revelations. Yet, the narrative's occasional disjointedness may leave readers longing for greater cohesion, detracting from its overall impact.
Ultimately, "Ascension" proves a captivating but imperfect tale, weaving together elements of mystery and the supernatural in a narrative that both intrigues and frustrates. For those seeking an atmospheric journey into the depths of the unknown.
The narrative is rich in imagery, vividly portraying encounters like the unsettling gas station exchange. While character depth is evident, pacing issues hinder immersion, with a slow start and scattered plot development detracting from the overall momentum.
However, amidst the shadows lies the psychological turmoil of Janie, compellingly depicted in Chapter 38, offering poignant insights amidst the supernatural intrigue. The story's eerie atmosphere and unexpected twists keep readers engaged, though occasionally at the expense of character development.
"Ascension" beckons to fans of psychological thrillers with a penchant for the supernatural, offering a journey into the unknown with gripping moments and chilling revelations. Yet, the narrative's occasional disjointedness may leave readers longing for greater cohesion, detracting from its overall impact.
Ultimately, "Ascension" proves a captivating but imperfect tale, weaving together elements of mystery and the supernatural in a narrative that both intrigues and frustrates. For those seeking an atmospheric journey into the depths of the unknown.
February 29, 2024
creepy supernatural thriller
Ascension caught my attention from the first pages. The opening chapter is descriptive and intense, and the first character we meet, Amos, is truly unlikeable.
Amos, inherits an old house from his estranged mother. As the story progresses, we learn that his mother was not crazy as people assumed, but was protecting the local people from a strange and unnerving supernatural forces.
Janie, his mother’s psychologist is drawn into the eerie goings on and must do all she can to help.
The descriptive writing does tail off during the book and the narrative becomes very stilted in places. The chapters flit around from POV to POV, and most of them feel choppy in the way they open. Things aren’t always clear and it often felt jarring to read when it wasn’t clear whose head I was in.
In places, the book had me gripped and I wanted to read on, yet quite often I felt things weren’t explained well enough and I was scratching my head trying to understand what was going on. I found the Johnny character and his interactions with the supernatural entity most confusing. The connection between the characters all becomes clear in the end, and the ending comes to a thrilling conclusion.
I really enjoyed the dark element and the suspense, and overall I found it a great creepy tale. Creepy
Ascension caught my attention from the first pages. The opening chapter is descriptive and intense, and the first character we meet, Amos, is truly unlikeable.
Amos, inherits an old house from his estranged mother. As the story progresses, we learn that his mother was not crazy as people assumed, but was protecting the local people from a strange and unnerving supernatural forces.
Janie, his mother’s psychologist is drawn into the eerie goings on and must do all she can to help.
The descriptive writing does tail off during the book and the narrative becomes very stilted in places. The chapters flit around from POV to POV, and most of them feel choppy in the way they open. Things aren’t always clear and it often felt jarring to read when it wasn’t clear whose head I was in.
In places, the book had me gripped and I wanted to read on, yet quite often I felt things weren’t explained well enough and I was scratching my head trying to understand what was going on. I found the Johnny character and his interactions with the supernatural entity most confusing. The connection between the characters all becomes clear in the end, and the ending comes to a thrilling conclusion.
I really enjoyed the dark element and the suspense, and overall I found it a great creepy tale. Creepy
March 6, 2024
I enjoyed the the first half of this novel far more than the latter. Firstly, there’s the build up of the central characters, which the author does well, creating intrigue and suspense. I also enjoyed the scene setting: a young man - Amos - inherits and moves into his deceased mother’s property. He does not express any sadness that she has died. In fact, he has no emotional connection to her at all, which may explain why Amos is a loner and struggles with relationships. Then along comes Leah, Amos’ neighbour, and like a breath of fresh air, she seems to change all that. It even appears that Amos has finally found a woman with whom he can imagine a future with. When they begin to experience supernatural things together, this brings Amos and Leah even closer together. The plot starts to speed up at this point, more characters are introduced - Sam, Jonnie, Janie, Miss Jameson - and I struggled to keep up. I appreciate that there needs to be an element of unpredictability to maintain suspense but the story just didn’t come together for me. There seemed to be a disconnect between the main characters, which made it difficult to follow all the supernatural going-ons, and I found it confusing in parts. That aside, it’s a well written book and I think paranormal and thriller fans will particularly enjoy it.
March 2, 2024
An irritating, anti-social man inherits a trailer and some land from a mother he barely knew and ends up in a confusing maze of ghostly creatures and murder. Ascension has all the ingredients of a good horror story, including a mother who was a witch, a beautiful ghost, some murderous neighbors, and a shrink with a gun.
I didn’t like Amos very much. He was not the kind of guy I’d want moving next door. Even when I discovered he had some childhood trauma of his own, I still didn’t feel good about him. However, the author outdid himself in creating characters that were very real and sometimes obnoxious. I was so caught up in the story and the atmosphere, that I forgot my dislike for Amos.
I wanted to find out the secrets long hidden. The story is very fast-paced, and the answer to the mystery is unexpected.
In reading this book I was reminded of all those old horror movies where the hero was standing at the top of the staircase to the basement, the lights were off, and spooky music was playing, and you were screaming at the actor, “Don’t go down into the basement.”
Reading this book took me down to the basement, and you’ll hardly believe what you find.
I didn’t like Amos very much. He was not the kind of guy I’d want moving next door. Even when I discovered he had some childhood trauma of his own, I still didn’t feel good about him. However, the author outdid himself in creating characters that were very real and sometimes obnoxious. I was so caught up in the story and the atmosphere, that I forgot my dislike for Amos.
I wanted to find out the secrets long hidden. The story is very fast-paced, and the answer to the mystery is unexpected.
In reading this book I was reminded of all those old horror movies where the hero was standing at the top of the staircase to the basement, the lights were off, and spooky music was playing, and you were screaming at the actor, “Don’t go down into the basement.”
Reading this book took me down to the basement, and you’ll hardly believe what you find.
March 5, 2024
"Ascension" by Joshua Scribner has been a real surprise. It’s the first time I've read a book by this author, but it was a good surprise. It mixes horror, thriller, and supernatural elements in a very interesting and page-turning book (especially in the first half).
The book's strength lies in its ability to create a sense of dread that emanates both externally and from within the characters themselves. While Amos, Leah, and Jonnie may not be the most likable protagonists, their descent into darkness under the influence of the malevolent forces at play is gripping.
Scribner's writing shines in the first half of the book, as he skillfully builds the characters and the eerie atmosphere surrounding the property. However, the narrative becomes rushed in the second half, especially as the supernatural elements escalate, and I must say I started to lose a bit of interest after the first half of the book.
The novel ends with a climax that provides an unexpected twist to the mystery. Despite its flaws, "Ascension" offers a dark and suspenseful journey into the unknown, reminiscent of classic horror stories where secrets long hidden are revealed in a thrilling conclusion.
The book's strength lies in its ability to create a sense of dread that emanates both externally and from within the characters themselves. While Amos, Leah, and Jonnie may not be the most likable protagonists, their descent into darkness under the influence of the malevolent forces at play is gripping.
Scribner's writing shines in the first half of the book, as he skillfully builds the characters and the eerie atmosphere surrounding the property. However, the narrative becomes rushed in the second half, especially as the supernatural elements escalate, and I must say I started to lose a bit of interest after the first half of the book.
The novel ends with a climax that provides an unexpected twist to the mystery. Despite its flaws, "Ascension" offers a dark and suspenseful journey into the unknown, reminiscent of classic horror stories where secrets long hidden are revealed in a thrilling conclusion.
March 20, 2024
A gripping tale that seamlessly combines elements of horror with psychological depth. Following the main protagonist's (Amos Lee) solitary life, the narrative delves into the complexities of memory and social isolation, taking an unexpected twist when he inherits a property laden with mysteries and unexpected secrets. As a reader, you find yourself hooked and intrigued by the fast-paced plot, filled with eerie encounters and unsettling revelations. The narrative keeps you constantly guessing what comes next, blurring the lines between reality and the supernatural. The book explores metaphysical and psychological themes, as well as the complexity of human emotions and relationships. If you are someone who enjoys psychological thrillers, horror, and supernatural mysteries, you will find this book particularly interesting and intriguing. The intricate storytelling and haunting atmosphere leave a lasting impression, making you contemplate the depths of the human psyche. The seamless integration of different elements makes it a worthwhile addition to the library, especially for fans of the genre.
February 27, 2024
A unique paranormal mystery. This is not your traditional horror novel. It’s an intense, character-focused mystery with multiple intersecting subplots all related to protagonist Amos’s exploration of a dark secret his deceased mother left behind. I’ll admit it took a while for the darker, paranormal side of this novel to kick in. A lot of time is spent first to introduce and develop the wide cast of characters. I found the story of the three brothers, one or more of whom may be dead, to be the most interesting. Amos was a little bit tough to empathize with at first, but he comes around somewhat as the plot progresses. By the midpoint, Ascension feels more like a proper paranormal/suspense book and the intensity of the story only escalates from there. To me, the book has an overall theme of troubled people dealing with loss and grief, which manifest in some very creative ways. I found this book highly unique and character driven. If you’re looking for something outside the usual horror/mystery genre conventions, this one is worth a look.
March 1, 2024
I recently delved into Ascension and found myself on an exhilarating rollercoaster of psychological thriller and supernatural mystery. Amos Lee is thrust into a web of unsettling events on his inherited property, challenging not only his way of life but also his perception of reality.
The unique blend of psychological elements and supernatural intrigue sets Ascension apart from conventional horror tales. The author's ability to probe into the depths of memory, isolation, and the human psyche adds a layer of complexity that elevates the reading experience. The tension is palpable, blurring the lines between what's real and what's imagined. This dark and intense tone, far from being a drawback, enriches the narrative, making it an immersive and unforgettable experience.
Just when I thought I had the story figured out in the initial chapters, Scribner skillfully surprised me, leaving me hooked and eager to discover what lay ahead. It's a rare feat for a horror story to grip me so intensely, and Ascension achieved just that.
The unique blend of psychological elements and supernatural intrigue sets Ascension apart from conventional horror tales. The author's ability to probe into the depths of memory, isolation, and the human psyche adds a layer of complexity that elevates the reading experience. The tension is palpable, blurring the lines between what's real and what's imagined. This dark and intense tone, far from being a drawback, enriches the narrative, making it an immersive and unforgettable experience.
Just when I thought I had the story figured out in the initial chapters, Scribner skillfully surprised me, leaving me hooked and eager to discover what lay ahead. It's a rare feat for a horror story to grip me so intensely, and Ascension achieved just that.
March 13, 2024
This psychological thriller is a great blend of horror, thriller and the supernatural elements. Amos Lee is a psychopathic and dangerous individual. He is alone after his mother dies, leaving him in a trailer park. Throughout the story we get a detailed look into what helped twist and contort Amos’ mind. The first half of the book introduces us to well-fleshed-out characters as well as Scribner taking us on an eerie tour of Amos’ surroundings. If that is your type of thing you’ll love Ascension.
Ascension is not for the faint of heart. This story is dark and twisted and certainly one to bode over. It gave me massive American Psycho vibes, however Amos is less charismatic and charming than Patrick Bateman. If Scribner’s goal was for me to not like the characters, then job well done sir! There was more than one moment within the novel that sent a chill up my spine.
Twist at the end was solid as well. Ascension is very much a short read, one that you can quite easily knock over in an afternoon of reading. Be prepared to keep turning the pages.
Ascension is not for the faint of heart. This story is dark and twisted and certainly one to bode over. It gave me massive American Psycho vibes, however Amos is less charismatic and charming than Patrick Bateman. If Scribner’s goal was for me to not like the characters, then job well done sir! There was more than one moment within the novel that sent a chill up my spine.
Twist at the end was solid as well. Ascension is very much a short read, one that you can quite easily knock over in an afternoon of reading. Be prepared to keep turning the pages.
March 13, 2024
Ascension by Joshua Scribner is a psychological thriller with many moving parts and characters. Amos Lee has anger management and relationship problems due to a childhood spent in juvey that has turned him into a loner. He meets some crazy (crazier) characters when he inherits his biological mother’s remote property and creepy trailer home. There is Leah, the well-meaning girl-next-door, who lives a mile away, a mentally unstable door-to-door salesman and Janie, his departed mother’s psychologist, who is drawn to the supernatural elements she's heard about the property. All of the characters struggle with their own connection and gravitation to the "evil forces" that arise at the property. The insulated setting of the story and the strange neighbors and goings-on are the perfect backdrop for this chilling, dark horror story. I did not like Amos’ character and enjoyed the first half of the story more than the second half. I would recommend this book to fans of supernatural mystery horror stories with a few surprises.
July 7, 2025
“Ascension” by Joshua Scribner is highly original. The writing is minimalist to the point where until everything unfolds, we are not sure about each character and what they’re up to. But that, among other things, keeps you reading.
So everything is not laid out like: here are the good and bad guys and you know they’re going to battle. Instead, you have a main character who wants to be left alone, but everyone in the area seems to have a reason to be trying to get at him or at the property his mom left him. And because he didn’t know his mom, we have no clue what could happen and why. It makes for an intriguing read. We have no idea how it will resolve itself. I’ve read other books by this author and they’re all similarly original, minimalist, and interesting.
The second half of the book is surprisingly and entertainingly macabre. The sinister randoms under the control of an evil force reminds me of Stephen King’s writing. But more efficient, so maybe the author is a Dean Koontz in the making.
So everything is not laid out like: here are the good and bad guys and you know they’re going to battle. Instead, you have a main character who wants to be left alone, but everyone in the area seems to have a reason to be trying to get at him or at the property his mom left him. And because he didn’t know his mom, we have no clue what could happen and why. It makes for an intriguing read. We have no idea how it will resolve itself. I’ve read other books by this author and they’re all similarly original, minimalist, and interesting.
The second half of the book is surprisingly and entertainingly macabre. The sinister randoms under the control of an evil force reminds me of Stephen King’s writing. But more efficient, so maybe the author is a Dean Koontz in the making.
July 18, 2025
This book features several different perspectives. We start with Amos, a spectacularly mean-spirited man, and Leah, a successful woman struggling with feelings of inadequacy. Jonnie is a local underachiever, and then we have Janie, the sleuth who has eyes on all of them. Amos has recently moved into the home of his deceased birth mother, where it quickly becomes apparent that the area is a hotspot for some sort of entity. This entity latches onto all of the characters causing morbid shenanigans to unfold.
Firstly, the writing is punchy and to-the-point. The characters are deeply flawed (especially Amos who I just found horrible) and difficult to like, but it does create the misanthropic atmosphere for the story. Where this one falls down is in the ending, which is wrapped up very abruptly with lots of exposition. Many of the revelations could have been explored at the beginning of the book. There is some extremely disturbing imagery in this story. Very much a story for hardcore horror fans.
Firstly, the writing is punchy and to-the-point. The characters are deeply flawed (especially Amos who I just found horrible) and difficult to like, but it does create the misanthropic atmosphere for the story. Where this one falls down is in the ending, which is wrapped up very abruptly with lots of exposition. Many of the revelations could have been explored at the beginning of the book. There is some extremely disturbing imagery in this story. Very much a story for hardcore horror fans.
February 28, 2024
As a reader who thoroughly enjoys immersing myself in tales of self-discovery and unexpected journeys, "Ascension" by Joshua Scribner proved to be a captivating and thought-provoking read from start to finish.
"Ascension" is not merely a tale of supernatural occurrences and external threats but a deeply introspective exploration of identity, belonging, and the complexities of human relationships. Through Amos's journey, readers are prompted to reflect on their own experiences of self-discovery and the transformative power of confronting one's past. The author expertly weaves elements of mystery and intrigue throughout the narrative. I really liked the novel’s atmospheric setting, described with vivid detail that transports readers to the rugged countryside and the isolated trailer house that serves as the focal point of the story.
"Ascension" is not merely a tale of supernatural occurrences and external threats but a deeply introspective exploration of identity, belonging, and the complexities of human relationships. Through Amos's journey, readers are prompted to reflect on their own experiences of self-discovery and the transformative power of confronting one's past. The author expertly weaves elements of mystery and intrigue throughout the narrative. I really liked the novel’s atmospheric setting, described with vivid detail that transports readers to the rugged countryside and the isolated trailer house that serves as the focal point of the story.
July 12, 2025
This book is trippy. It made me think of the Skinwalker Ranch documentary that I watched, and the tone of the story had a bit of a Stephen King vibe for me. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed the voice actor’s performance. The cold, dry antics of the main character, Amos Lee was entertaining and real and it drew me in right away.
As the story progressed, I got a little lost at times, but that’s nothing a re-read wouldn’t fix. I think I enjoyed that the story was not too long because I’m not sure it would have held up as well if it were. The graphic scenes of violence were intense and described so vividly.
This is the third story that I’ve read by this author, and I am glad there are more to explore. I enjoy Scribner’s writing style and look forward to reading more of his work.
As the story progressed, I got a little lost at times, but that’s nothing a re-read wouldn’t fix. I think I enjoyed that the story was not too long because I’m not sure it would have held up as well if it were. The graphic scenes of violence were intense and described so vividly.
This is the third story that I’ve read by this author, and I am glad there are more to explore. I enjoy Scribner’s writing style and look forward to reading more of his work.
March 10, 2024
Ascension tells the story of Amos, an anti-social and misogynistic man who has just inherited his estranged mother's remote property. His intention to live a solitary life is challenged when he keeps getting visitors who are drawn to a malevolent presence on the property.
There is a strong psychological aspect to this book which keeps things interesting and helps develop the strong sense of dread that permeates the novel. There are quite a few point of view characters who are mostly unlikeable, and increasingly so as the book progresses. I was never quite sure where the story was going so it felt original as Amos' mother's former psychologist tries to stop the presence. The ending was dramatic and felt fitting, although an epilogue at the very end could have worked well.
There is a strong psychological aspect to this book which keeps things interesting and helps develop the strong sense of dread that permeates the novel. There are quite a few point of view characters who are mostly unlikeable, and increasingly so as the book progresses. I was never quite sure where the story was going so it felt original as Amos' mother's former psychologist tries to stop the presence. The ending was dramatic and felt fitting, although an epilogue at the very end could have worked well.
February 24, 2024
A Psychological Horror
Ascension by Joshua Scribner takes the reader into the secluded life of Amos Lee, whose hermit existence is disrupted by the inheritance of a remote property.
Scribner crafts a chilling psychological narrative with supernatural elements, exploring Amos's struggle with his past and eerie occurrences on his new property.
This Horror story is highly recommended for its unique protagonist and the hauntingly atmospheric setting that Scribner skillfully depicts.
This story is a metaphor for the psychological horror that shapes our lives.
Ascension by Joshua Scribner takes the reader into the secluded life of Amos Lee, whose hermit existence is disrupted by the inheritance of a remote property.
Scribner crafts a chilling psychological narrative with supernatural elements, exploring Amos's struggle with his past and eerie occurrences on his new property.
This Horror story is highly recommended for its unique protagonist and the hauntingly atmospheric setting that Scribner skillfully depicts.
This story is a metaphor for the psychological horror that shapes our lives.
March 11, 2024
Ascension by Joshua Scribner is a quick-paced horror story told from multiple perspectives. I enjoyed the use of time jumping to tell the story and really give you a feel for each character. Part of the mystery throughout the book is figuring out who, if anyone, you should be rooting for. There is a creepy factor that is enhanced by some of the gore, but I did not find it too much over the top and really added to the story.
Without giving anything away, I can say it has a fun twist that I did not see coming, and frames the story well. While the book could have been made longer and more fleshed out with origin and history of the characters, I actually appreciated the length because every chapter was relevant and added an urgency to the story being told.
If you are looking for a fun, quick, creepy novel with a bit of a twist this is a good one to check out!a
Without giving anything away, I can say it has a fun twist that I did not see coming, and frames the story well. While the book could have been made longer and more fleshed out with origin and history of the characters, I actually appreciated the length because every chapter was relevant and added an urgency to the story being told.
If you are looking for a fun, quick, creepy novel with a bit of a twist this is a good one to check out!a
March 27, 2024
Unique
"Ascension" by Joshua Scribner was a really intense and dark story that grabbed my attention from the start. It's about Amos Lee, who gets pulled into a mysterious world full of secrets and supernatural events after he inherits something unexpected. The mix of thriller and supernatural elements made it super engaging, and I found the characters, especially Amos, really complex and interesting. This book is perfect for anyone who likes their mysteries with a side of spooky and a deep dive into characters' minds.
"Ascension" by Joshua Scribner was a really intense and dark story that grabbed my attention from the start. It's about Amos Lee, who gets pulled into a mysterious world full of secrets and supernatural events after he inherits something unexpected. The mix of thriller and supernatural elements made it super engaging, and I found the characters, especially Amos, really complex and interesting. This book is perfect for anyone who likes their mysteries with a side of spooky and a deep dive into characters' minds.
September 21, 2025
Horror in the Midwest with a little ancient mystery
The POV changes were a little hard to follow at first but once you get the hang of it you will be treated to a suspenseful buildup to a bloody ending. Flawed characters make the story flow.
The POV changes were a little hard to follow at first but once you get the hang of it you will be treated to a suspenseful buildup to a bloody ending. Flawed characters make the story flow.
February 26, 2024
Good creepiness
The story has a slow start, but it's well written. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, and that works perfectly for a good creepy horror tale.
The story has a slow start, but it's well written. I didn't particularly like any of the characters, and that works perfectly for a good creepy horror tale.
August 8, 2024
Ascension by Joshua Scribner is a gripping tale that follows the journey of Amos Lee, a man who prefers solitude but finds himself thrust into a world of mystery and intrigue. As he navigates the complexities of his newfound inheritance—a remote trailer house and acres of countryside—he is forced to confront his past and unravel the secrets surrounding his mother's death. Scribner's storytelling keeps readers on the edge of their seats, blending elements of suspense, mystery, and psychological intrigue. With its compelling plot and well-developed characters, Ascension is a captivating read that will leave you guessing until the very end.
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