Imposter Syndrome

by Sage Hill

What if your mother knocked on your door? You'd answer it, right?
That's what Amelia King did, and it was the biggest mistake of her life.
The consequence of her decision leaves her brother and father mauled in their cabin deep in the Appalachian Mountains. She escapes her mother's grasp only to realize that she's trapped on the Mountain with no way down.
She has to decide whether to believe her mother when she insists it wasn't her that killed her family in front of her daughter's eyes, or take the risk of hiking miles and miles into civilization.

When Amelia finally reaches help, she's aghast to find that nobody believes her story. She's even confronted by her father and brother alive. Even in excellent health, a far cry from their lifeless mutilated bodies laying on their cabin floor.
Is Amelia King going insane, or is there something more sinister happening beneath the skin of those she loves most?

349 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2024

About the author

I'm a romance writer under a different pen name. Now I'm writing children's book for ages 6-10.
My kids made me do it. I swear :)

Reviews

[Alyssa Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivers a heart-racing, edge-of-your-seat apocalypse story that will leave you questioning humanity’s resilience.

If you are a fan of The Last of Us or Bird Box vibes; this book will consume you.

The protagonist is a 14year old female, Amelia, thrown into situations that would test even the strongest of adults ability to survive. It’s tense, emotional and unforgettable!

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
**"Gripping, Heart-Pounding, Unforgettable!"**

*Imposter Syndrome* by Sage Hill is an absolute masterpiece—a book you simply cannot put down. From the very first page, Hill weaves a story so intense and electrifying that it grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go.

This thriller is a rollercoaster of emotions. The twists and turns had me perched on the edge of my seat, my heart racing with every chapter. Hill’s writing is sharp and visceral, making the stakes feel incredibly high. It’s a book that gets under your skin, leaving you guessing until the very last moment.

What makes this book even more impressive is its exploration of deeper themes like self-doubt and identity, cleverly interwoven into a plot that’s as thrilling as it is thought-provoking. *Imposter Syndrome* is more than just a great thriller—it’s a story that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.

If you’re looking for a read that will keep you up late into the night, utterly engrossed and breathless, look no further. Sage Hill has crafted a tour de force that deserves every bit of praise.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic book! What if you and your family decided to vacation in the family’s cabin? It sounds like a wonderful vacation right? Wrong. Little did the family realize what horrors awaited them at the cabin. As they settle in, there is a knock at the door. Answering the door was a big mistake. They are now facing a fight for survival.

I highly recommend this book. A must read for thriller lovers and anyone that wants to read a great book that will keep them on the edge of their seat.

[Tracie Lizama · Rating 1 out of 5]

I DNF after chapter 4 which is unheard of for me. I could not get past the grammar and punctuation errors. This book needs better editing. I found the storyline intriguing, but felt that the big scene when mom knocks on the door fell flat.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A yearly trip to the family cabin turns into a nightmare with one knock on the door. Humanity is changed forever. Can you trust your own eyes and ears?

Found this book through FB and I'm so glad I started off 2025 with a bang. It was heart-pounding, suspenseful, unnerving at times, and it felt like I was watching movie. Once finished with this book, I was hesitant to sleep. The writing was gripping, with just the right amount of description to really pull you in. There were a few typos and grammatical errors, but they are easily overlooked when absolutely engrossed. The author nailed this one!

[Rachel Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Imposter Syndrome” by Sage Hill is a sharp, suspenseful read that dives deep into identity, deception, and self-doubt. The story follows a character whose carefully built life begins to unravel as secrets come to light—and nothing is quite what it seems. Hill does a great job capturing the psychological tension. If you enjoy twisty narratives with complex characters and plenty of mind games, this one’s worth picking up.

[Amal B · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW !!! This book gets going fast ! I wasn't sure I'd be a fan of an apocalypse story but BOY WAS I WRONG. You see the growth of the FMC and what she'll do to survive. It did in the beginning seem a little long only because the author writes in a deliciously descriptive way !!! LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT BOOK.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book grabbed me and made me want to keep reading until I found out what happened to the main character and her family. Good for fans of horror and gore (the descriptions are disgustingly graphic and awesome), a la Stephen King and Blake Crouch. There were grammar and spelling errors which I suspect the sequel will not have. I look forward to reading it!

[VDKeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all, Imposter Syndrome by Sage Hill is one wild, twisty ride through the foggy Appalachian Mountains that had me hooked from the first knock on Amelia King’s door. I mean, who wouldn’t answer their mom? But for Amelia, that moment kicks off a nightmare soaked in pine scent, cold fear, and a whole lot of “What the heck is going on?!”

The tension is thick enough to choke on as Amelia flees a mauling that leaves her family nearly unrecognizable, only to find herself trapped on the mountain and then later, disbelieved by everyone—even her supposedly dead father and brother standing right in front of her, alive and well. Talk about a mind-bender! Is Amelia losing it, or is there something darker lurking beneath the surface of her loved ones? Sage Hill keeps you guessing like a pro.

What I loved most is the way Hill blends psychological thriller with raw family drama—there’s heartbreak and humor wrapped in every page, with Amelia’s sharp, snarky voice making you laugh even as you’re clutching your chest. The sensory details? You can feel the crunch of leaves, smell the damp woods, and hear the silence that screams danger.

Why 4.5 stars? Because while the story gripped me tight, a few moments slowed the pace just a tad for me. But honestly, that didn’t stop me from devouring this unforgettable thriller.

If you’re into creepy family secrets, mind games, and Appalachian chills, this one’s for you. Just maybe don’t answer the door when your mom knocks—unless you’re ready to run for your life.

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pretty excited for this book as I really liked the concept and beginning, but it soon became very predictable. Lots of grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Hard to feel bad for the main character as she constantly makes bad decisions that put everyone else in danger/doesn’t listen. Really not sure why her, Hannah, Mom, and Stokes didn’t just spend the night in the cabin shelter and then drive back into town in the morning. The ending was rushed and didn’t make a lot of sense - Mom is in her room for 4 months and doesn’t see her at all - does she not eat, drink, or use the bathroom? And then when she emerges she suddenly hates her? This + the ‘unknown’ medication plot felt like they were just thrown in as a filler.

[Madison Partyka · Rating 1 out of 5]

HARD DNF after the first page. I always try to give books a chance. The author posted the book in a Facebook group and asked us to read it and leave reviews as it would help her out. In the kindest way possible, please go take a couple of writing classes. English 003 and English 111 at the local community college might help you out a lot. Until then, please do not torture your readers like this. It feels almost aneurism inducing.

[Jennifer Newberry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Update - I just read that the author has since had the booked edited. Sounds like I had the old copy. I’ve downloaded it and will give it a shot.
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DNF’d at 2%

I don’t know what was worse, the grammar or the horrid sentence structure. I couldn’t even make it to page 10. So do yourself a favor and skip this brain bleed.

[Kali Gibbard · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I can’t honestly pinpoint an issue with the book or writing I just don’t think the story was for me. I don’t want to say anything negative about the author cause I do think there are people who would greatly enjoy the book the storyline just couldn’t keep my attention.

[Kasey Templeton · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for this book, but unfortunately the astronomtical number of spelling and grammar mistakes, as well as the incontinuity within the story, really ruined the book for me.