What do you think?
Rate this book
A Thousand Natural Shocks
"Daring" -- The Washington Post
"Brilliant" -- BookBub
"Hussain effectively channels the surreal paranoia of Philip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly and the dark absurdity of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice" -- Publisher's Weekly
Named One of The Washington Post's 10 best thrillers of 2025
Named a Goodreads Best Thriller & Mystery of 2025
A USA Today Best of Summer Pick
A Seattle Times Pick of 5 Thrilling Debuts to Pick Up This Spring
A San Francisco Post Pick of Compelling High-Stakes Thrillers to Read in 2025
An Amazon Editors' Pick of Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Books of May 2025
A Strand Magazine Pick of 25 Books You Need to Read This Spring
A BookBub Pick of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of Spring 2025
Named one of Murder & Mayhem’s Most Anticipated Mystery, Thriller, and Crime Books of 2025
Omar Hussain’s dazzling debut, A Thousand Natural Shocks, is a mesmerizing meditation on trauma, memory, and identity wrapped in a high-octane thriller.
Dash, a reporter in Monterey, California, is desperate to outrun his past. During the day, he investigates the reemergence of a long-dormant serial killer. At night, he has become entangled with a criminal cult that promises a pill to erase his traumatic memory.
But as Dash begins to lose his memories—and his sense of self—he discovers a dark secret about the cult, one that would horrify its members. And soon he finds himself in a race against time to evade the cult, unveil the killer, and reconcile his past before his own memories fade away ...
"Brilliant" -- BookBub
"Hussain effectively channels the surreal paranoia of Philip K. Dick's A Scanner Darkly and the dark absurdity of Thomas Pynchon's Inherent Vice" -- Publisher's Weekly
Named One of The Washington Post's 10 best thrillers of 2025
Named a Goodreads Best Thriller & Mystery of 2025
A USA Today Best of Summer Pick
A Seattle Times Pick of 5 Thrilling Debuts to Pick Up This Spring
A San Francisco Post Pick of Compelling High-Stakes Thrillers to Read in 2025
An Amazon Editors' Pick of Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Books of May 2025
A Strand Magazine Pick of 25 Books You Need to Read This Spring
A BookBub Pick of the Best Mysteries and Thrillers of Spring 2025
Named one of Murder & Mayhem’s Most Anticipated Mystery, Thriller, and Crime Books of 2025
Omar Hussain’s dazzling debut, A Thousand Natural Shocks, is a mesmerizing meditation on trauma, memory, and identity wrapped in a high-octane thriller.
Dash, a reporter in Monterey, California, is desperate to outrun his past. During the day, he investigates the reemergence of a long-dormant serial killer. At night, he has become entangled with a criminal cult that promises a pill to erase his traumatic memory.
But as Dash begins to lose his memories—and his sense of self—he discovers a dark secret about the cult, one that would horrify its members. And soon he finds himself in a race against time to evade the cult, unveil the killer, and reconcile his past before his own memories fade away ...
324 pages, Hardcover
First published May 6, 2025
190 people are currently reading
11645 people want to read
About the author
Omar Hussain
1 book74 followersOmar Hussain is a writer from the San Francisco Bay Area currently living in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is the author of A THOUSAND NATURAL SHOCKS (Blackstone Publishing, 2025).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
July 11, 2025
As poignant and thought-provoking as it was thrilling, A Thousand Natural Shocks was a rollercoaster ride of suspense painted with a literary feel. A finely layered plot that walked the line perfectly between speculative thriller and literary fiction, there was no end to the twists that had my brain utterly imploding. I mean, who wouldn’t love a storyline you can feel ticking steadily towards its downright explosive conclusion? Yet even that wasn’t the best piece of the puzzle. Lyrical, complex, and visceral in the extreme, it was an exploration of identity, love, loss, memory, and trauma that had me crying real, unstoppable tears as I sped through this unputdownable novel. Believe me, you too will need a box of tissues nearby.
With a serial killer subplot as well as plenty of creepy cult behavior, there was no doubt that this was an out-and-out thriller. Just the same, the well-developed protagonist and small cast of deftly drawn supporting characters rang with emotion and feeling. Causing me to yearn for the well-being of all those involved—minus the evil villain, of course—I found myself flipping the pages faster and faster just hoping that all would survive, especially the adorable dog. Via dual timelines that demonstrated exactly how to show and not tell, Dash, Enzo, Cal, Fuji, and Glitch came to life on the page in a way few thrillers are able. You see, they had my heart pounding and tears flowing from the first mind-bending chapter until the last riveting page.
All said and done, I’m beyond impressed by the immersive storytelling in this jaw-dropping debut. Thanks to a plot that was atmospheric, original, and steeped in foreboding, I was 100% hooked from the very beginning. You see, Dash’s enigmatic past and equally mysterious present meant that there were plenty of questions left to be answered. And the fact that the ending set this book up perfectly for a much wanted sequel? Well, there simply couldn’t be anything better in my humble opinion. So if you love compelling stories filled with haunting, relatable characters, insightful prose, and a Black Mirror-esque premise, then you need not look any further because you’ve found it right here. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Dash, a reporter in Monterey, California, is desperate to outrun his past. During the day, he investigates the reemergence of a long-dormant serial killer. At night, he has become entangled with a criminal cult that promises a pill to erase his traumatic memory.
But as Dash begins to lose his memories—and his sense of self—he discovers a dark secret about the cult, one that would horrify its members. And soon he finds himself in a race against time to evade the cult, unveil the killer, and reconcile his past before his own memories fade away…
Thank you to Omar Hussain and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 6, 2025
Content warning: drug use, animal abuse, withdrawal, kidnapping, bombing, terminal cancer, mention of: murder
With a serial killer subplot as well as plenty of creepy cult behavior, there was no doubt that this was an out-and-out thriller. Just the same, the well-developed protagonist and small cast of deftly drawn supporting characters rang with emotion and feeling. Causing me to yearn for the well-being of all those involved—minus the evil villain, of course—I found myself flipping the pages faster and faster just hoping that all would survive, especially the adorable dog. Via dual timelines that demonstrated exactly how to show and not tell, Dash, Enzo, Cal, Fuji, and Glitch came to life on the page in a way few thrillers are able. You see, they had my heart pounding and tears flowing from the first mind-bending chapter until the last riveting page.
All said and done, I’m beyond impressed by the immersive storytelling in this jaw-dropping debut. Thanks to a plot that was atmospheric, original, and steeped in foreboding, I was 100% hooked from the very beginning. You see, Dash’s enigmatic past and equally mysterious present meant that there were plenty of questions left to be answered. And the fact that the ending set this book up perfectly for a much wanted sequel? Well, there simply couldn’t be anything better in my humble opinion. So if you love compelling stories filled with haunting, relatable characters, insightful prose, and a Black Mirror-esque premise, then you need not look any further because you’ve found it right here. Rating of 5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Dash, a reporter in Monterey, California, is desperate to outrun his past. During the day, he investigates the reemergence of a long-dormant serial killer. At night, he has become entangled with a criminal cult that promises a pill to erase his traumatic memory.
But as Dash begins to lose his memories—and his sense of self—he discovers a dark secret about the cult, one that would horrify its members. And soon he finds himself in a race against time to evade the cult, unveil the killer, and reconcile his past before his own memories fade away…
Thank you to Omar Hussain and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: May 6, 2025
Content warning: drug use, animal abuse, withdrawal, kidnapping, bombing, terminal cancer, mention of: murder
September 10, 2025
"We spend every year of our lives learning a little bit more about who we are and what makes us human. New fears. Old desires. Discovering why we are the way we are, one psychoanalysis at a time. Some get comfortable with what they learn. Others bury it deep down."
Wow. Dark, unsettling and intensely cerebral, A THOUSAND NATURAL SHOCKS, had my mind spinning in more than one way! Dash is desperate to get into the good graces of a cult-like group that call themselves the 'Liberty Subterraneans'. Why? They claim to have pills that will erase traumatic memories, and Dash is determined to eradicate the awful memory he can't stop thinking about. However, only the most devoted members will be granted access to the process of removing all memories, and there are specific tasks required to demonstrate loyalty. As Dash gets deeper into the 'Subterraneans' he makes shocking discoveries that will change everything...
This is a simmering slow burn blend of literary and speculative fiction, with hints of mystery, a serial killer at the periphery and a gritty noir atmosphere. It's dark in a soul aching melancholy way due to the depth of emotions explored such as grief, shame, regret and enduring love. Dash is relatable, yet unreliable and I never knew exactly where things were headed. Some things were impossible to predict, while others had certain inevitable outcomes. You may want to check content warnings as there is mention of animal cruelty/harm, and some additional tough subject matter I've not mentioned.
There is so much to be discussed here, this would make a great book club choice, as I STILL have some unanswered questions! A THOUSAND NATURAL SHOCKS is simultaneously heart wrenching and stunningly beautiful due to the lyrical prose Omar Hussain excels at. If you enjoy thought provoking tales that feel like an intense fever dream mixed with some thrills and a truly insidious villain, make sure you add this to the top of your list!
____
Thank you Omar Hussain for my free copy. All thoughts are my own.
____
Notable Quotes:
"The momentum of our decisions can barrel forward before we are able to process where they're heading. One innocuous decision leads to another questionable decision, which carries you to the present moment, the total sum of weeks, months, or even years' worth of seemingly forgettable actions."
“And what we eventually find--what we learn about ourselves--is that the worst moment of our lives is so much bigger than anything else we will ever experience. So much more defining than any other moment spent on this green-and-blue pebble blasting through space. Forever trapping us in that memory, we're forced to relive it again and again."
Wow. Dark, unsettling and intensely cerebral, A THOUSAND NATURAL SHOCKS, had my mind spinning in more than one way! Dash is desperate to get into the good graces of a cult-like group that call themselves the 'Liberty Subterraneans'. Why? They claim to have pills that will erase traumatic memories, and Dash is determined to eradicate the awful memory he can't stop thinking about. However, only the most devoted members will be granted access to the process of removing all memories, and there are specific tasks required to demonstrate loyalty. As Dash gets deeper into the 'Subterraneans' he makes shocking discoveries that will change everything...
This is a simmering slow burn blend of literary and speculative fiction, with hints of mystery, a serial killer at the periphery and a gritty noir atmosphere. It's dark in a soul aching melancholy way due to the depth of emotions explored such as grief, shame, regret and enduring love. Dash is relatable, yet unreliable and I never knew exactly where things were headed. Some things were impossible to predict, while others had certain inevitable outcomes. You may want to check content warnings as there is mention of animal cruelty/harm, and some additional tough subject matter I've not mentioned.
There is so much to be discussed here, this would make a great book club choice, as I STILL have some unanswered questions! A THOUSAND NATURAL SHOCKS is simultaneously heart wrenching and stunningly beautiful due to the lyrical prose Omar Hussain excels at. If you enjoy thought provoking tales that feel like an intense fever dream mixed with some thrills and a truly insidious villain, make sure you add this to the top of your list!
____
Thank you Omar Hussain for my free copy. All thoughts are my own.
____
Notable Quotes:
"The momentum of our decisions can barrel forward before we are able to process where they're heading. One innocuous decision leads to another questionable decision, which carries you to the present moment, the total sum of weeks, months, or even years' worth of seemingly forgettable actions."
“And what we eventually find--what we learn about ourselves--is that the worst moment of our lives is so much bigger than anything else we will ever experience. So much more defining than any other moment spent on this green-and-blue pebble blasting through space. Forever trapping us in that memory, we're forced to relive it again and again."
May 19, 2025
A Thousand Natural Shocks
By @omar_r_hussain
Publisher- Blackstone Publishing
Out Now
A Thousand Natural Shocks is one of those books you never see coming. And let me tell you that this guy… Omar Hussain is the real deal! The prose sharp, rich and this is a debut…… no, I’m not kidding!
I would love to give you a little synopsis, fortunately for you, I’m not. You should definitely go in blind. 👌👌
Memories define us. But who do we become if they disappear. Everyone knows I’m obsessed with the memory loss trope and throw some speculative fiction in the mix. This story is deep. I loved it so much!
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Omar Hussain and Blackstone Publishing for my beautiful gifted copy
April 16, 2025
This book shattered my star meter. I’m still thinking about it. The writing is eloquent without feeling pretentious, and the story digs its way into your heart effortlessly. The father son relationship is explored with a delicate reverie. Well done, Omar Hussain. Read. This. Book.
May 8, 2025
Intricate, gritty, and unsettling!
A Thousand Natural Shocks is a dark, compelling tale that takes you into the life of reporter Dash Hassan as his life begins to spiral out of control when he joins a wellness cult whose intentions are not quite what they seem, he overindulges in memory-erasing pills, and he triggers a serial killer to come out of retirement when he makes up a story in order to save his career.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are vulnerable, impulsive, and tormented. And the plot is an engrossing tale full of desperation, manipulation, family, troubled pasts, haunting memories, trauma, paranoia, death, and murder.
Overall, A Thousand Natural Shocks is a dark, atmospheric, promising debut by Hussain that kept me enthralled from the very first page and left me entertained, satisfied, and eager to read whatever his deliciously sinister mind manages to come up with next.
A Thousand Natural Shocks is a dark, compelling tale that takes you into the life of reporter Dash Hassan as his life begins to spiral out of control when he joins a wellness cult whose intentions are not quite what they seem, he overindulges in memory-erasing pills, and he triggers a serial killer to come out of retirement when he makes up a story in order to save his career.
The writing is tight and intense. The characters are vulnerable, impulsive, and tormented. And the plot is an engrossing tale full of desperation, manipulation, family, troubled pasts, haunting memories, trauma, paranoia, death, and murder.
Overall, A Thousand Natural Shocks is a dark, atmospheric, promising debut by Hussain that kept me enthralled from the very first page and left me entertained, satisfied, and eager to read whatever his deliciously sinister mind manages to come up with next.
July 28, 2025
This will teach me not to judge a book by its cover. Though somewhat unremarkable on the outside, this book was extraordinary on the inside.
Dash is a reporter at a small paper in Monterey, California. He is living day to day, largely unhappy, trying to forget his past through drugs and sleep deprivation. He falls in with a group called the Subterrains (think Fight Club vibes, without the fighting) and then one night he is attacked. In an effort to explain the incident and save his job he tells his editor he is being targeted by a serial killer, and the story takes off from there. It is so weird and so heartwarming and tender and did I tell you there's a dog? Oh this book. I listened to it in just two sittings.
The end alludes that perhaps there is more to this story and I truly hope there is because I could follow Dash and Glitch (especially Glitch!) around for quite awhile. For a debut this knocks it out of the park, and I hope it’s just a glimpse of the greatness to come.
Dash is a reporter at a small paper in Monterey, California. He is living day to day, largely unhappy, trying to forget his past through drugs and sleep deprivation. He falls in with a group called the Subterrains (think Fight Club vibes, without the fighting) and then one night he is attacked. In an effort to explain the incident and save his job he tells his editor he is being targeted by a serial killer, and the story takes off from there. It is so weird and so heartwarming and tender and did I tell you there's a dog? Oh this book. I listened to it in just two sittings.
The end alludes that perhaps there is more to this story and I truly hope there is because I could follow Dash and Glitch (especially Glitch!) around for quite awhile. For a debut this knocks it out of the park, and I hope it’s just a glimpse of the greatness to come.
November 28, 2025
Here we have a thriller about an underground cult that promises members who reach the highest levels can have their entire memories wiped and be given wonderful new lives!
Yes, that’s right, although as a cult member you must first pay for this service by committing crimes against others, surely no crimes will then be done to you!
Desperate people are willing to believe anything? Desperate folks like Dash, a journalist at a Monterey, CA newspaper. He's running from a terrible, yet unspecified memory in his past that he mournfully hints at for 200+ pages.
Perhaps all the people in this crime cult are fooling themselves. I mean, it’s a cult, so it doesn’t necessarily have to make sense. Unfortunately, when Dash figures out early on that these obviously evil folks have more sinister intent, he is genuinely shocked. His ghast is flabbered! I haven’t seen a hero slower on the uptake since Jake Gyllenhaal struggled to match a symbol on paper to a symbol on a necklace in Prisoners.
Dash’s big revelation comes while rifling through a filing cabinet. Classic. The X-Files method of plot advancement! Nice to see that modern cults still keep their secrets in manila folders. Even those that run enormous data centers surveilling the general public.
Other reviewers here praise the book's prose. How is it?
Sadly, readers may experience several unintentional laugh out-loud moments, including one bit where Dash compares himself to a musical instrument, a chess piece, and a baby bird all in one paragraph:
Mind you, he’s thinking all this while literally imprisoned in a metal cage, after being explicitly told that he’s going to be trafficked to another country. Yes. You got tricked, son! The whole book is written like this. Dash's gaze is on his navel instead of anywhere more interesting. What is going on with this florid description of an elderly woman?
God forbid a girl have lived a life, HAHA.
While this book also supposedly has a serial killer in it, you wouldn’t know it by the casual way our main character ignores this threat. It felt like for most of the book the "Coast Killer" was jumping up and down in the background like: Yo is anyone gonna pay attention to me?
A character receiving a note from a villain that reads “I have your dog!” was (again) unintentionally funny. If you get confused about anything that happens in this novel, don’t worry, a magical old lady explains everything to Dash several times.
I’ve been reading a lot of new releases lately where the main character is handed the clues and solutions to the mystery, usually through a secondary character popping in to deliver information or expertise. Is this a trend? Do I need to reread the Fletch books to see characters capable of piecing stuff together? Speaking of Fletch, there's a sleazy Californian journalist who would have had this whole thing in the bag before a gimmicky chapter break hits 3 ...2 ... 1 ...
Yes, that’s right, although as a cult member you must first pay for this service by committing crimes against others, surely no crimes will then be done to you!
Desperate people are willing to believe anything? Desperate folks like Dash, a journalist at a Monterey, CA newspaper. He's running from a terrible, yet unspecified memory in his past that he mournfully hints at for 200+ pages.
Perhaps all the people in this crime cult are fooling themselves. I mean, it’s a cult, so it doesn’t necessarily have to make sense. Unfortunately, when Dash figures out early on that these obviously evil folks have more sinister intent, he is genuinely shocked. His ghast is flabbered! I haven’t seen a hero slower on the uptake since Jake Gyllenhaal struggled to match a symbol on paper to a symbol on a necklace in Prisoners.
Dash’s big revelation comes while rifling through a filing cabinet. Classic. The X-Files method of plot advancement! Nice to see that modern cults still keep their secrets in manila folders. Even those that run enormous data centers surveilling the general public.
Other reviewers here praise the book's prose. How is it?
Sadly, readers may experience several unintentional laugh out-loud moments, including one bit where Dash compares himself to a musical instrument, a chess piece, and a baby bird all in one paragraph:
Were my misdeeds a nocturnal sonata? I think this through, and the worst revelation washes over me. I’m not part of Rocket’s orchestra. I never was part of it. I’m a piece he maneuvers for a different game. The most disposable piece available. Just a pawn. Move over here, little bird. Sacrifice yourself on this square, little bird.
Mind you, he’s thinking all this while literally imprisoned in a metal cage, after being explicitly told that he’s going to be trafficked to another country. Yes. You got tricked, son! The whole book is written like this. Dash's gaze is on his navel instead of anywhere more interesting. What is going on with this florid description of an elderly woman?
Fuji’s forehead wears its creases. These are the marks of age. Of decay. Every line branded into her skin so gradually it’s imperceptible until it’s too late. Father Time holds the branding iron, sizzling with immortal heat, intended for the mere mortal. But age isn’t the only barometer informing Father Time when to drive his brand into our faces. So, too, does loss.
God forbid a girl have lived a life, HAHA.
While this book also supposedly has a serial killer in it, you wouldn’t know it by the casual way our main character ignores this threat. It felt like for most of the book the "Coast Killer" was jumping up and down in the background like: Yo is anyone gonna pay attention to me?
A character receiving a note from a villain that reads “I have your dog!” was (again) unintentionally funny. If you get confused about anything that happens in this novel, don’t worry, a magical old lady explains everything to Dash several times.
I’ve been reading a lot of new releases lately where the main character is handed the clues and solutions to the mystery, usually through a secondary character popping in to deliver information or expertise. Is this a trend? Do I need to reread the Fletch books to see characters capable of piecing stuff together? Speaking of Fletch, there's a sleazy Californian journalist who would have had this whole thing in the bag before a gimmicky chapter break hits 3 ...2 ... 1 ...
June 2, 2025
This Review Begins in 3, 2, 1 . . .
Slow-paced, darkly woven tale of someone trying to forget their past, a cult, and a serial killer.
Feels reminiscent of Fight Club sans the fighting; My Year of Rest and Relaxation, though pilling to stay awake rather than asleep; and Saw with a crazed killer playing games. Add in a healthy dose of grief and you get this book!
Slow-paced, darkly woven tale of someone trying to forget their past, a cult, and a serial killer.
Feels reminiscent of Fight Club sans the fighting; My Year of Rest and Relaxation, though pilling to stay awake rather than asleep; and Saw with a crazed killer playing games. Add in a healthy dose of grief and you get this book!
June 19, 2025
Whoa! This was one of the most unique novels I've read. The best way I can describe it is The Matrix meets Inception meets Saw meets a Black Mirror episode?!??Tense, action packed, and unexpectedly tender. I couldn't put it down!
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the ARC!
May 21, 2025
What on earth?!
This was an entertaining book. It was wonderfully strange and kept me guessing.
This was an entertaining book. It was wonderfully strange and kept me guessing.
July 29, 2025
Dash, a reporter living in Monterey, California, is a mess. He pops a number of different pills to help with his insomnia and his anxiety so that he does not have to deal with his overwhelming grief and unwillingness to think about something in his past.
He gets involved with a weird group/cult called Liberty Subterraneans, who offer the possibility of release from one's past. He also, when pushed by his tyrannical boss at the paper, decides to investigate a serial killer believed to be dormant, but active again in the area.
Dash begins working nights also with his Subterranean sponsor, and they spend their time stealing identities. Dash also ends up rescuing an abused dog, whom he names Glitch, like the name he gives to his increasing memory lapses.
With his life spiralling even further out of control, Dash receives a drug coveted by Subterranean members after showing his loyalty to them. The drug is promised to erase a particularly traumatic memory, which Dash is desperate to do so that he can find some peace, as he can barely function.
Gradually, we're brought into Dash's past, and his relationship with his father. At the same time, the author gives us Fuji, an elderly, lonely widow from whom Dash had stolen from, and through his time with her, Dash gradually finds some stability and purpose, and with it, ends up discovering more about the Subterraneans, and himself, than he ever expected.
This was weird in the best way. Dash's increasingly tenuous hold on his mind is echoed in his deteriorating relationships and loss of employment, with the text highlighting how difficult it is for him to determine exactly what is real. We get scenes that left me often saying "huh?" but at the same time, in a fever dream sort of way, I never felt lost. Instead, my curiosity and sympathy kept growing for this young man who was in so much pain.
For a debut novel, I was impressed. I loved the way Omar Hussein evoked so much sorrow and self-loathing in Dash, while slowly doling out what led him to the Subterraneans. This is a book full of melancholy and grief; I was pulled in right from the start, and kept wondering when was, or if, Dash ever going to find some way through his life. The only light was his growing relationship with Fuji and his care for Glitch.
This is a dark novel, as it deals with some pretty heavy stuff. At the same time, it reads fast.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
He gets involved with a weird group/cult called Liberty Subterraneans, who offer the possibility of release from one's past. He also, when pushed by his tyrannical boss at the paper, decides to investigate a serial killer believed to be dormant, but active again in the area.
Dash begins working nights also with his Subterranean sponsor, and they spend their time stealing identities. Dash also ends up rescuing an abused dog, whom he names Glitch, like the name he gives to his increasing memory lapses.
With his life spiralling even further out of control, Dash receives a drug coveted by Subterranean members after showing his loyalty to them. The drug is promised to erase a particularly traumatic memory, which Dash is desperate to do so that he can find some peace, as he can barely function.
Gradually, we're brought into Dash's past, and his relationship with his father. At the same time, the author gives us Fuji, an elderly, lonely widow from whom Dash had stolen from, and through his time with her, Dash gradually finds some stability and purpose, and with it, ends up discovering more about the Subterraneans, and himself, than he ever expected.
This was weird in the best way. Dash's increasingly tenuous hold on his mind is echoed in his deteriorating relationships and loss of employment, with the text highlighting how difficult it is for him to determine exactly what is real. We get scenes that left me often saying "huh?" but at the same time, in a fever dream sort of way, I never felt lost. Instead, my curiosity and sympathy kept growing for this young man who was in so much pain.
For a debut novel, I was impressed. I loved the way Omar Hussein evoked so much sorrow and self-loathing in Dash, while slowly doling out what led him to the Subterraneans. This is a book full of melancholy and grief; I was pulled in right from the start, and kept wondering when was, or if, Dash ever going to find some way through his life. The only light was his growing relationship with Fuji and his care for Glitch.
This is a dark novel, as it deals with some pretty heavy stuff. At the same time, it reads fast.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Blackstone Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
May 27, 2025
Wow, I'm shocked, in a good way naturally. Fast paced , the story doesn't give you the time or space to breathe, only to think at this river of words that have always a significant, a motive, truths. And the plot is so interesting, intrigued. In a psychedelic reality the protagonist moves, few others but important for the narrative, help Dash/Amir in his mission. Like an good end it leave some points to investigate and not final. I'm very impressed by this first work by Omar Hussain .
May 30, 2025
Rounded up to 4.
A type of slow burn, speculative thriller.
Dash joins a mysterious group which has access to a pill. This pill wipes memories. Dash wants, Dash NEEDS to forget. So what's Dash gotta do to gain access? Just a few odd jobs. No big deal.
I liked it for the most part, but it was lacking direction at times. It bounces timelines, there's a dormant serial killer, his job (local newspaper), dog, cult, etc. All these things tie together in Dash's life.
A type of slow burn, speculative thriller.
Dash joins a mysterious group which has access to a pill. This pill wipes memories. Dash wants, Dash NEEDS to forget. So what's Dash gotta do to gain access? Just a few odd jobs. No big deal.
I liked it for the most part, but it was lacking direction at times. It bounces timelines, there's a dormant serial killer, his job (local newspaper), dog, cult, etc. All these things tie together in Dash's life.
May 25, 2025
As a trauma specialist and EMDR certified Therapist, I appreciated aspects of this story more than maybe other readers might.
I loved the pacing and story structure.
And I absolutely loathed the gimmicky endings of each chapter. Loathed. Please don’t do that again. You don’t have to. It’s good enough without it.
Thank you for the story and vulnerability of the characters.
I loved the pacing and story structure.
And I absolutely loathed the gimmicky endings of each chapter. Loathed. Please don’t do that again. You don’t have to. It’s good enough without it.
Thank you for the story and vulnerability of the characters.
July 31, 2025
This book was a five until Part three which made little to no sense and was so difficult to follow that I didn’t even care anymore. The first 2/3 is so good though! Definitely worth the read, just don’t expect answers.
May 9, 2025
This was mind bending and emotional on a surreal level. Whoa.
May 27, 2025
A bit too speculative fiction for my taste but agree with everyone that the author is an exceptional writer. Many nuggets of written prose that will make you THINK.
October 16, 2025
How is this a debut? So good! Gritty, unsettling and very unique.
July 15, 2025
Under the thriller/mystery is a gorgeous gut-wrench about losing a parent and how trauma shapes us.
July 12, 2025
When I picked up A Thousand Natural Shocks, I didn't know what I was getting into. The cover was cool, and the premise sounded intriguing, which was enough for me to dive in. The first few chapters were a slow burn (not in a bad way, just... warming up), but by the time I hit the 25% mark, I was invested. By halfway through, I was hooked.
The story follows Dash, a reporter trying to outrun his past while investigating the return of a dormant serial killer in Monterey, California. That setup alone would've been enough for a solid thriller, but Hussain doesn't stop there - he adds a shadowy cult, a pill that can erase traumatic memories, and a creeping loss of identity that somehow makes everything feel even more urgent. And weird. In the best way.
What surprised me most is how every time I thought I had a handle on the story, it would zig when I expected it to zag. It's rare for a book to keep me guessing this much without feeling gimmicky. The sci-fi elements are light but clever, and the thriller aspect is full-throttle once it gets going.
This is one of those books that gets better the deeper you get. It's smart, dark, a little trippy, and genuinely surprising. I really hope this isn't just a one-off for Hussain because I already want to read more from him.
I highly recommend A Thousand Natural Shocks if you're into twisty thrillers, stories that mess with memory and identity, or if you just want something you won't be able to predict.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The story follows Dash, a reporter trying to outrun his past while investigating the return of a dormant serial killer in Monterey, California. That setup alone would've been enough for a solid thriller, but Hussain doesn't stop there - he adds a shadowy cult, a pill that can erase traumatic memories, and a creeping loss of identity that somehow makes everything feel even more urgent. And weird. In the best way.
What surprised me most is how every time I thought I had a handle on the story, it would zig when I expected it to zag. It's rare for a book to keep me guessing this much without feeling gimmicky. The sci-fi elements are light but clever, and the thriller aspect is full-throttle once it gets going.
This is one of those books that gets better the deeper you get. It's smart, dark, a little trippy, and genuinely surprising. I really hope this isn't just a one-off for Hussain because I already want to read more from him.
I highly recommend A Thousand Natural Shocks if you're into twisty thrillers, stories that mess with memory and identity, or if you just want something you won't be able to predict.
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for an advanced reader's copy; all opinions expressed in this review are my own.
August 3, 2025
Hussain’s extraordinary debut, A Thousand Natural Shocks, masterfully intertwines the edge-of-your-seat suspense of a psychological thriller with the thought-provoking depth of speculative fiction. The novel pulses with electrifying energy, its vivid imagery and evocative prose leaping from the pages, immersing readers in a world both haunting and profoundly beautiful.
Each chapter unfolds with meticulous precision, balancing delicate introspection and intense emotion, mirroring the frantic urgency of the main character's experiences. Hussain’s exploration of grief and trauma is raw and palpable, delving deep into the fragile corridors of the human heart. The narrative examines the resilience required to endure loss, inviting reflection on themes of identity, regret, trauma, and the intricate connection between memory and pain—what we hold onto and what we yearn to release.
More than just a book, A Thousand Natural Shocks is an immersive experience that lingers long after the final page. Its bold originality, emotional depth, and exquisitely crafted prose make it a standout novel. For me, it’s an undeniable top-five read of the year.
Each chapter unfolds with meticulous precision, balancing delicate introspection and intense emotion, mirroring the frantic urgency of the main character's experiences. Hussain’s exploration of grief and trauma is raw and palpable, delving deep into the fragile corridors of the human heart. The narrative examines the resilience required to endure loss, inviting reflection on themes of identity, regret, trauma, and the intricate connection between memory and pain—what we hold onto and what we yearn to release.
More than just a book, A Thousand Natural Shocks is an immersive experience that lingers long after the final page. Its bold originality, emotional depth, and exquisitely crafted prose make it a standout novel. For me, it’s an undeniable top-five read of the year.
July 30, 2025
This was in my book club’s Christmas in July event book pool. I’m so glad I picked this one up to read - I loved it. This author writes beautifully. I loved reading his words…taking time to pick some favorites to save so I can reread them. I look forward to reading more from him.
July 16, 2025
This was a slow starter, so if you read it, give yourself at least 100 pages. It doesn't seem like it's world-building, but it is. And it needs to be done for the story to come full circle. Be warned, once the serial killer story starts in earnest, the book takes off and is unput-downable!
TW: there is a description of an abused animal--not the actual abuse, but the after-effects. It's a couple paragraphs, so I just glossed over it and kept reading. At the risk of a spoiler alert, the animal is rescued and well-taken care of.
TW: there is a description of an abused animal--not the actual abuse, but the after-effects. It's a couple paragraphs, so I just glossed over it and kept reading. At the risk of a spoiler alert, the animal is rescued and well-taken care of.
August 22, 2025
This was the perfect road-trip audio book 😏
I’ll always remember listening to this late at night on the way to Tahoe ⚠️
I’ll always remember listening to this late at night on the way to Tahoe ⚠️
July 20, 2025
Truly a great book and enjoyable read. The story kept me engaged the entire time.
July 24, 2025
*to the tune of 22 by taylor swift* we’re sad, confused and terrified at the same time…
July 26, 2025
4.5 stars
August 29, 2025
Read Completed 8/28/25 | 3.75 stars | Book # 132 of 2025
I wasn't sure what to expect from this and yet somehow, it still wasn't what I expected. I forgot what the book was about, for the most part, before I started it so I was assuming it would be more sci-fi leaning, but it's really a bit more thriller/literary with some slight speculative fiction vibes. Honestly, the vibes of this and several elements highly reminded me of Fight Club (the movie, not the book since I haven't read the book). It's definitely not the same thing, but a lot of things reminded me of it in ways!
This could have been an even better rating for me, but it kind of lost me with the whole serial killer thing. There's a piece of it that comes into play in the beginning and Dash makes more connections, causing it to be a bigger piece later on. It just felt a little out of left field to me and didn't quite seem to blend well with the rest of the book. I get where it was going, but it just kind of felt a little forced in the end.
I really loved the exploration of memory, relationships, and how they shape us. The concept of a "lobotomy pill" was so interesting, and I liked that it worked in stages instead of just wiping everything clean, so we could see the process and Dash's feelings as he seeks to alleviate himself of his worst memories.
There were definitely some soul-searching moments, some beautiful connections, and heroic efforts. I'd love to read more from this author in this vein. This was such an interesting book, and it was a little dark, just a little funny, and very unique.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this and yet somehow, it still wasn't what I expected. I forgot what the book was about, for the most part, before I started it so I was assuming it would be more sci-fi leaning, but it's really a bit more thriller/literary with some slight speculative fiction vibes. Honestly, the vibes of this and several elements highly reminded me of Fight Club (the movie, not the book since I haven't read the book). It's definitely not the same thing, but a lot of things reminded me of it in ways!
This could have been an even better rating for me, but it kind of lost me with the whole serial killer thing. There's a piece of it that comes into play in the beginning and Dash makes more connections, causing it to be a bigger piece later on. It just felt a little out of left field to me and didn't quite seem to blend well with the rest of the book. I get where it was going, but it just kind of felt a little forced in the end.
I really loved the exploration of memory, relationships, and how they shape us. The concept of a "lobotomy pill" was so interesting, and I liked that it worked in stages instead of just wiping everything clean, so we could see the process and Dash's feelings as he seeks to alleviate himself of his worst memories.
There were definitely some soul-searching moments, some beautiful connections, and heroic efforts. I'd love to read more from this author in this vein. This was such an interesting book, and it was a little dark, just a little funny, and very unique.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews