Arnold Shack was a typical man in his thirties, just getting by in life. After an attempted good deed, he finds himself thrown on a twisted path of warped reality and confusion. Quickly realising the need to act fast to escape the darkness that is threatening to take over completely, Arnold finds himself in the biggest battle of his life, trying to regain a fast evaporating grip on sanity whilst something sinister pulls him further and further away. The pressure of the clock ticking increases as he tries to get to the bottom of these events but little does he know, someone else was watching that clock too…
Great story I was lucky to experience ahead of its release. It starts smooth and steady with a straightforward premise that gradually turns captivating. Our meeting of the protagonist was a simple but effective introduction of a character who was easily relatable and likeable through just a few key thoughts and actions in a day of the life situation, and not long after it gets deeper, transforming from being contemporary and slice of life to highly conceptual and thrilling. If you're as big of a fan of seeing the strange capabilities of tech and the inner turmoils of man in fiction as I am, you'll enjoy this one as much as I have.
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via Austin Macauley Publishers.
Implanted is a gripping and well plotted and executed fiction novel that makes you stop and think about the future and what could be. We meet Arnold Shack and follow him after a very strange incident leaving him questioning his own sanity. Arnold only wanted to offer help and ends up embroiled in a battle to save his mind and his life as he knows it. This book was sensitively handled in regards to mental health. This story socks you in from the start and was a quick read for me as I just couldn't put it down. I loved the twists and turns and desperately wanted to know how Arnold's story would pan out. This book falls under sci-fi and psychological fiction and was a fantastic blend of both genres. I can't wait to see what Jessica Cameron writes next as I will definitely be reading it!
I have really enjoyed reading this book the last few days. It had such an interesting plot that sometimes I struggled to put it down.
This book is really well written and smart. It drags you in from the first page and leaves you wondering what the hell is happening and how it can possibly all end. Arnie and Sarah were great characters. Although sometimes I judged their decisions, I also understood that this was an intense situation and they were probably absolutely terrified. I was particularly scared for Sarah and this only heightend with the psychologist situation!
What I enjoyed the most was not knowing what was real and what was not. So it became clear that Arnie was having intense nightmares and horrible hullcinations, but I started to wonder, is this actually an implant causing problems or is this a deeper issue? Can we trust the doctor? Is he up to no good or are we actually following an unreliable narrative here? This deffo gripped me to the book as I couldn't decide if this was legit happening the way Arnie thought it was, or it was all part of a mental breakdown - especially due to his desire to keep the little boy in his dreams, a possible version of himself, safe.
The ending was impossible to put down as it was one big showdown with constant action. I was biting my nails wondering what could possibly be next when I felt like the story was already so close to finishing up.
This is an interesting and gripping book. I recommend to anyone who loves a thriller. It would make an excellent book club discussion.
Interesting concept. This is a well thought out written book. Keeps you engrossed. Arnold Shack is stuck in a rutt, the mundane daily chores. Until the day he jumps in to assist someone very quickly his life spirals. He questions his sanity, what's happening around him. Will he find the guts and the courage to find out what's going on with him. Who can he trust??? Great read would recommend.
A fantastically captivating and fast paced book that I struggled to put down. Although this book is a sci fi/psychological thriller it does make you really stop and think about the future, Which makes it an even better read due to the fact we could there soon with the advances in science e.g Neuralink by Elon Musk and what moral implications that could arise as well as the effects it could have on us in real life. Could we really trust another human being with that? Arnold ‘suffers’ with mental health problems and I feel like the author conveyed this perfectly and in a sensitive manner hitting the nail on the head! I would recommend this book to everyone, a fantastic book by an extremely talented author who I hope will be writing another book soon!
📚My Review:- Let's start the day with tons of positivity and good wishes. Hello dear readers, hope so you all are doing absolutely fine and healthy. The author Jessica Cameron has come up with a fantastic book which will leave you craving for more. The book " Implanted " is a fictional read which features the story of the protagonist, Arnold Shack. As he walks through his old home town, he felt some strange things happening. He blinked frantically hoping the sound to stop but suddenly the scene played infront of him. A man rose having his face covered with grime and red matter. He wielded a large toothed blade in his right hand and brought it towards him. Having no idea about what to do, she collapsed to the ground. Everything seemed to change in his life, nothing seemed to be normal after that very incident. Quickly realising the need to act fast to escape the darkness that is threatening to take over completely, he holds himself in the biggest battle of his life, also trying to regain a fast evaporating grip on sanity whilst something sinister pulls him further and further away. Why were such strange things happening? Did he have any link? What has destiny planned for Mr.Shack? Dr. Muggor was really supportive throughout his journey of ups and downs. Turn the pages to explore this intriguing story in detail and know what twist and turns appears next in the story. Being a reader, it took me around few sittings to complete these 188 pages. The tittle is aptly chosen with a simple cover. The vocabulary is rich and typical making the story authentic. The narration is very interesting that the readers can imagine the scene going on front of their eyes just like a movie. The writing style is absolutely gripping along with a well crafted and beautifully designed plot. The characters are nicely portrayed. I would highly recommend this book to each and everyone reading this review. I'm pretty sure you won't regret picking this book up for reading. Overall, I enjoyed it.
Ever wished to save your dreams to review later? Sounds like a dream come true, isn't it? Most of us forget our dreams the minute we wake up and maybe that's for the best.
Arnold Shack was a regular guy whose life was upturned one drab dull afternoon. All he could remember was trying to save a kid from bullies. Next, he wakes up on a hospital bed oblivious to his surroundings.
This thriller is fast-paced and way ahead of time. Well, not exactly if you think of the advancement of science. Seeped deep in warped reality, the fight of the subconscious mind, murder and mayhem, this story will grab you by its claws.
The writing style is simple. Arnold/Arnie narrates his life to us. The horrors of a life that one has no control over was depicted beautifully by Cameron. The chapters are not separated by numbers.
Some research definitely has gone into creating this book. There are some areas that we may find hard to believe, but then you go with the flow. Cameron knows how to entice the reader and keep us rooted to the spot.
I like those books which leave bread crumbs of plot in the story to see if the readers can find it. This book is one like that. There is a bit of romance, faith and appreciation for life that you thought was dull. An engaging read for all thriller fans with a hint of futurism.
This was such a good read, I've just finished it and have managed to achieve absolutely nothing today apart from reading this from cover to cover.
Sci-fi I often struggle with and psychological fiction is my favourite genre, who knew that they'd be so good together? This was one of those books that sucks you in from the very first chapter and doesn't spit you back out till the very last page is turned.
The concept is unique, it's cleverly plotted, and implanting is certainly something I can visualise happening to humans in the not so distant future, which is definitely a disturbing thought.
With twists and turns along the way and a bunch of credible characters, Implanted is a hugely entertaining, suspenseful and engrossing read that I would definitely recommend.
As debut novels go this was pretty awesome and I can't wait to read more from Cameron in the future.
Many thanks to @austinmacauleypublishers for my gifted copy.
Received copy from austinmacauleypublishers to give an honest review.
Over the past year I have really started to fall in love with #scifibooks and while this is a thriller it gave me a great dose of Sci-fi. With reality warped for our MC Arnold Shack, we follow him as he battles his own mind and the murder and chaos around him and the pressure to get to the bottom of what was just him trying to help someone only for his life to flip upside down. While this book takes on a futuristic journey, the connections to the world we currently live in are obvious. Cameron does an amazing job dropping bread crumbs through the novel that any thriller loving reader will be able to find and try to unravel the story themselves. My only complaint is that though you can tell a lot of research went into making and creating this story there was a few scene I had a hard time believing and following. Overall if you love a thriller and want a futuristic Sci Fi like story this one is a perfect read to pick up.
Wow is all I can say. The author has done a fantastic job portraying all characters, and thrown in a few twists and turns to really keep you on your toes whilst reading this incredible book. If you're after a good SciFi book to get stuck into, this is the one to choose.
Psychological / sci fi thriller Implanted is an interesting and disturbing concept. With the advances constantly being made in science and technology, while some of this novel is a bit far fetched, it gives the reader pause, because… “what if…?”
What if you trusted a medical professional to take care of you… only they weren’t a medical professional with your well being in mind? What if you could get a device implanted inside you so you could record and go back and watch your dreams? What if everything you were told by someone you thought you could trust was a lie?
This book was intrguing and decently paced. There were some really creepy moments in the forms of vivid dreams and the whole concept of the book was a bit unsettling.
The writing was decent but some of the author’s ideas were a bit too far fetched, some of the incidences that occured fell a bit flat in writing execution and were hard to picture, and some of the dream sequences felt like they would lead to something revealing of the main character’s past but it didnt quite go anywhere.
The book was still captivating and hard to put down. It is one that you can easily read from start to finish in one sitting
Thank you to Austin Macauley Publishers for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the very beginning I was caught up with Arnold's nightmares, they were so vivid and felt so real, I could see the demons, feel his terror and his pain. He has to find a way to stop them! Will he succeed?
Implanted by Jessica Cameron is a chilling story that makes you question how much of this could be realistic. It feels real, anyway. At the start of the book, the reader gets a very good view of the mundane life of an office worker, but things take an unexpected turn when main character Arnold Shack tries to save a young boy. Suddenly, nothing is as it seems anymore and the story easily pulls the reader from page to page. Implanted is an scary, futuristic (?) thriller that will not let you go easily.
Struggled to put this down! I liked that i had worked out some of the puzzle before the characters did. The medical information is so well researched and understood. The accuracy of the science made it scarily possible, making it a gripping and thought provoking. The play between chemical, physical and mental health is beautifully observed. I don't often make the time to read, and I have never read a thriller before, but I loved this and I will definitely be reading the new release from the author.
This is a story of the protagonist Arnold Shack. Everything changed in his life after a strange incident. Realising the need to act fast to escape the darkness that is threatening to take over him completely he holds himself in the biggest battle of his life and also holding onto his sanity while something sinister pulls him away. We follow him as he battles his own mind and the murder and chaos around him and the pressure to get to the bottom of what was just him trying to help someone only for his life to turn upside down. The author drops clues through the novel that any thriller lover will be able to find and unravel the story themselves. Though I believe a lot of research has gone into making the story, some scenes were hard to believe. The narration is interesting and the writing style is gripping with a well crafted plot. I would highly recommend this book to all thriller lovers.
I loved this book! The storyline was nerve wrecking, the scenes bizarre, and relationship endearing. This keeps you on the edge of your seat while trying to grasp this crazy thing that is going on.
This book is about someone who thinks he’s going crazy and gets help from a doctor that turns up at strange times. Right from the get go all alarm bells start ringing and your gut tells you something’s up. Red flags everywhere! And yes, it’s as disturbing as you expect it to be, and even a bit more than that. At one point, you might lose sense of what is real and what is fake in the book, experiencing what the main character is going through. Well, then you know how great the writing is!
Definitely read this book if you’re looking for a disturbing and intriguing thriller about crazy technological advancements and an emotional rollercoaster!
Arnold awakens in a hospital after a brutal attack…
…Only to discover that his nightmare has just begun. Arnold experiences horrific hallucinations that have him confront his inner child and darker self. He attempts to make sense of these visions with the assistance of his girlfriend, Sarah, but nothing is quite as it seems, and it becomes clear that there is a sinister agency behind his troubles.
Arnold’s character is portrayed well, though his family and social acquaintances seem highly limited. Some of his decisions are questionable, though understandable, given his circumstances. Sarah’s character is developed enough for her role. The villain’s persona is a bit of a mess, leading me to wonder how he escaped detection for so long.
Still, the book is well-researched and engrossing.
This book really had me glued to the sofa, so much so that I finished it in record time. Not for the faint of heart but gripping and unique, well done for a first book! The notion of being unsure about what is reality and what not, makes you almost feel as lost as the protagonist at times. We all take our "reality" so very much for granted and never consider that something or someone could meddle with it. I was very relieved at the end but it does leave you in a reflective mood. Great author, vivid imagination, a challenging read that is sure to take your mind off your own problems for a while!!!
Well…I’ve just finished implanted! I won’t go into to much detail as I don’t want to spoil it for others! This book is amazing and since it arrived I’ve not been able to stop reading! The story is so well thought of and it’s so descriptive that I can literally picture everything as if I’m right there watching Arnie willing him on! Several times I was so engrossed my husband made me jump 🤣 It was one of those stories where I thought I new the ending but was wrong and those are the stories I love! Can’t wait to buy more x
I'm not a personal friend of the author so here's an honest review: I just didn't get into this. It was poorly written and even for sci-fi/horror, not believable in the least. The main character is dumb as a bag of hammers. Random doctor wants to do an experimental procedure on you, for free, but doesn't want you to tell anyone about it, and you're like, "ok great"? Sorry about your brain damage, dude, but you signed up for it. I couldn't finish it.
Okay, everyone was talking about IMPLANTED and that ending... and they weren't wrong. The author does an amazing job of making Arnold's mental state feel genuinely terrifying. It’s a waking nightmare from start to finish. If you like the feeling of being disoriented while you read, this is perfect. I'm still trying to process who was watching the clock! Definitely a topic worth discussing in our reading circle.
Okay, everyone was talking about IMPLANTED and that ending... and they weren't wrong. The author does an amazing job of making Arnold's mental state feel genuinely terrifying. It’s a waking nightmare from start to finish. If you like the feeling of being disoriented while you read, this is perfect. I'm still trying to process who was watching the clock! Definitely a topic worth discussing in our reading circle.
This book successfully delivers a terrifying look at a man teetering on the edge of insanity. IMPLANTED explores deep themes of paranoia and reality manipulation, driven by sharp, effective writing. It moves fast, and the pressure Arnold is under is constant. My only minor critique is wanting a little more time with some side characters, but overall, a fantastic and chilling dive into a warped world.
Seriously, if you need a book to get obsessed with, pick up IMPLANTED. We were chatting about it last night in the reader discussions, and everyone agrees the suspense is next level. The writing is so clean and sharp, the author doesn't waste a single word while still delivering massive chills. The build-up to the truth behind the twisted game is masterful. Five stars and a huge recommendation from me!
This was an incredible story of a introverted, moral man who fights for others before himself. After being attacked and left for dead he slowly battles his own inner demons that manifest in the form of videos from an implant in his brain. What is real or not real. What is paranoid delusion. This story is a true page turner.
Saw this one pop up in our reader community feed, and it's a solid, unsettling thriller! IMPLANTED is the kind of book where you keep flipping back pages because you can't trust what's happening to the main character. It's got that great "what is reality?" vibe, and the pace in the second half is a total blur. If you like books that make your brain work, add this to your queue.
IMPLANTED is a relentless, gripping thriller. From the moment Arnold Shack's life spins out of control, you are hooked. The author maintains a high level of tension, constantly making the reader question the truth alongside the protagonist. The feeling of the "unseen forces" closing in is palpable. A truly unsettling and brilliant read for anyone who enjoys dark, mind-bending suspense
Just finished IMPLANTED and had to come talk about Arnold Shack with our reading community. You feel his desperation in every chapter! The author makes his "waking nightmare" feel so real and claustrophobic. It's a fantastic study of a regular person suddenly pulled into something sinister. Fair warning: you won't be able to put it down once you hit the halfway point. Solid psychological horror