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Optic Nerve
Shawn is a scientist developing the formula for a drug that may cure blindness by stimulating another area of the brain that controls perception. When he surreptitiously tests the drug on himself, he accidentally accesses a neural pathway that appears to allow him to communicate with a complete stranger through telepathy instead. When Shawn finally discovers the significance of their connection and of the drug’s true effects, it is too late to stop the damage
their intimate friendship has set in motion to unfold.
“Merging bio-medical science-fiction with thrilling mystery and body horror, Optic Nerve approaches post-pandemic literature in a refreshing, unique way that is sure to leave you thinking long after you close the book”
-Holly Rae Garcia, author of Parachute
"Rebecca Rowland masterfully crafts a tale of understated, psychological sci-fi horror that pulls you in with its realistic, relatable characters. When the horror rears its ghastly head, you'll feel like you've been in a car accident"
- Jon Steffens, author of the Splatterpunk Award-nominated The God in the Hills
“An intriguing novella of the not-so-far future with an unexpected and clever ending”
-Frederick Pangbourne, author of Dreamers of the Tomb
their intimate friendship has set in motion to unfold.
“Merging bio-medical science-fiction with thrilling mystery and body horror, Optic Nerve approaches post-pandemic literature in a refreshing, unique way that is sure to leave you thinking long after you close the book”
-Holly Rae Garcia, author of Parachute
"Rebecca Rowland masterfully crafts a tale of understated, psychological sci-fi horror that pulls you in with its realistic, relatable characters. When the horror rears its ghastly head, you'll feel like you've been in a car accident"
- Jon Steffens, author of the Splatterpunk Award-nominated The God in the Hills
“An intriguing novella of the not-so-far future with an unexpected and clever ending”
-Frederick Pangbourne, author of Dreamers of the Tomb
110 pages, Paperback
Published January 23, 2025
1 person is currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Rowland
47 books285 followersRebecca Rowland is a Shirley Jackson Award-nominated author, a Bram Stoker Award-nominated editor, and the recipient of a Godless 666 Horror Fiction Award. She is an Active member of the Horror Writers Association and International Thriller Writers, and having lived in Massachusetts for most of her life, she chooses to set most of her fiction there.
Despite earning graduate degrees in English, Education, and Information Science, she miraculously managed to pay off her student loans before retirement and/or death.
In her spare time, she pets her cats, eats cheese, and drinks vodka, though not necessarily in that order.
She is represented by Becky LeJeune of Bond Literary Agency.
Despite earning graduate degrees in English, Education, and Information Science, she miraculously managed to pay off her student loans before retirement and/or death.
In her spare time, she pets her cats, eats cheese, and drinks vodka, though not necessarily in that order.
She is represented by Becky LeJeune of Bond Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 27, 2022
A cleverly constructed, modern day, short tale based upon scientific knowledge and speculation, which had a supernatural flavour whilst also containing a sprinkling of mildly horrific and disturbing events.
After a series of viral pandemics that wipe out half of the population, it becomes clear that humans that survive all begin to slowly lose their eyesight. Enter Shawn, a scientist who is eager to counteract this harmful occurrence with the trialing of his new wonder drug, CH-55, which uses receptors attached to the apparently redundant human appendix. The new function of this organ would allow people a way to continue to see in their world, but in a totally different way. Unable to wait for authorisation, Shawn decides to experiment on himself, but unfortunately due to unforeseen consequences that arise, matters must be addressed before the mass production and circulation of this fantastic world-saving new chemical compound.
Intriguing and engaging from start to finish, although the finale, which still worked well, being neat, tidy and skilfully given a touch of disguised symmetrical predictability and closure, lacked a certain amount of shock value and dynamic, 'sitting-on-the-edge-of -your-seat' spectacular impact and blood-curdling craziness.
However, well worth a read, proving to be a piece of highly intelligent, original writing set within the world of ghostly, unexplained horror. I look forward to reading more work from this highly talented author.
Rating: 4 bright stars of supernatural chicanery.
After a series of viral pandemics that wipe out half of the population, it becomes clear that humans that survive all begin to slowly lose their eyesight. Enter Shawn, a scientist who is eager to counteract this harmful occurrence with the trialing of his new wonder drug, CH-55, which uses receptors attached to the apparently redundant human appendix. The new function of this organ would allow people a way to continue to see in their world, but in a totally different way. Unable to wait for authorisation, Shawn decides to experiment on himself, but unfortunately due to unforeseen consequences that arise, matters must be addressed before the mass production and circulation of this fantastic world-saving new chemical compound.
Intriguing and engaging from start to finish, although the finale, which still worked well, being neat, tidy and skilfully given a touch of disguised symmetrical predictability and closure, lacked a certain amount of shock value and dynamic, 'sitting-on-the-edge-of -your-seat' spectacular impact and blood-curdling craziness.
However, well worth a read, proving to be a piece of highly intelligent, original writing set within the world of ghostly, unexplained horror. I look forward to reading more work from this highly talented author.
Rating: 4 bright stars of supernatural chicanery.
July 24, 2022
Shawn has been working on a new drug that could cure blindness. He decides to give it a try himself while waiting for drug trials to begin. The side effects begin to hit one of them being a voice he hears and can talk to. Is this a hallucination from the drug or something more?
I knocked this out in one sitting because it’s that engaging. It was so interesting to learn more about the voice Shawn was hearing. When he finally starts pushing a bit and wants to meet the person behind this voice in his head Rowland drops one hell of a shocking twist. Great short read that will mess with your head.
I knocked this out in one sitting because it’s that engaging. It was so interesting to learn more about the voice Shawn was hearing. When he finally starts pushing a bit and wants to meet the person behind this voice in his head Rowland drops one hell of a shocking twist. Great short read that will mess with your head.
June 19, 2023
It was an engaging read from beginning to end, there were a couple of things that felt a little rushed but overall it was a really solid story. It does a great job at keeping you guessing.
July 20, 2022
Video Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr_Aj...
If you could stimulate a part of the brain that would save your eyesight, but in doing so you open yourself up to blackouts, daydreams, voices in your head, and nightmares causing psychological damage, would you still do it?
Optic Nerve, from Rebecca Rowland, examines the endless possibilities of scientific experiments as we follow Shawn on a journey to market this drug he believes will cure blindness. This is his life’s work. Night and day have been spent perfecting this drug. But with a few hiccups in the road with the company Shawn works with, he decides to experiment with the drug on himself. The drug may not have been as ready as Shawn hoped.
Rowland brings us her entry into the world of sci-fi horror, mixed with a thrilling underlying psychological twisted sub-plot. With remnants of Stephen King’s expertise of telepathy, Rowland weaves together parts of Shawn’s life, in his brain so only he can see them. Well, he and someone who initially appears to just be a voice. A possible minor side effect of the drug?
Like a magicians sleight of hand, we are lead in the direction Rowland wants us to go, throwing us off track at times. And just when you think you have things figured out and you’re back on track, Rowland decides to slowly insert a sharp blade into your rib cage, before twisting and turning as it pierces deep into your lung, and you are left there motionless and speechless while every ounce of air leaves your body.
Only then, you see the bigger picture and things start to come together. And when you get to this point, all of the other parts of the story pop back into your brain and you relive each one within a matter of seconds, before dropping your draw and allowing the built up saliva from not swallowing for a while to drop down the front of your shirt.
This is a well-thought out plot, complete with research involved, as Rowland appears to be a master of different parts of the brain and eyes.
Rowland’s beautifully constructed prose carries the story forward, but it’s the passionate dialogue between Shawn and the person behind the voice that grabs your heartstrings and ties them into knots. Not like sappy Christmas movies. The difference here, those knotted strings are ripped from the heart leaving a trail of blood.
Optic Nerve is a concoction of several genres, all under that massive horror umbrella. But what makes this story stand out so much is the fact that with today’s technology and so many scientific brainiacs out there, this could be happening right now. Someone could be coming up with a drug like this to cure blindness. While their partner comes up with a drug to prevent the psychotic voices the first drugs brings from making the person go bat shit crazy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr_Aj...
If you could stimulate a part of the brain that would save your eyesight, but in doing so you open yourself up to blackouts, daydreams, voices in your head, and nightmares causing psychological damage, would you still do it?
Optic Nerve, from Rebecca Rowland, examines the endless possibilities of scientific experiments as we follow Shawn on a journey to market this drug he believes will cure blindness. This is his life’s work. Night and day have been spent perfecting this drug. But with a few hiccups in the road with the company Shawn works with, he decides to experiment with the drug on himself. The drug may not have been as ready as Shawn hoped.
Rowland brings us her entry into the world of sci-fi horror, mixed with a thrilling underlying psychological twisted sub-plot. With remnants of Stephen King’s expertise of telepathy, Rowland weaves together parts of Shawn’s life, in his brain so only he can see them. Well, he and someone who initially appears to just be a voice. A possible minor side effect of the drug?
Like a magicians sleight of hand, we are lead in the direction Rowland wants us to go, throwing us off track at times. And just when you think you have things figured out and you’re back on track, Rowland decides to slowly insert a sharp blade into your rib cage, before twisting and turning as it pierces deep into your lung, and you are left there motionless and speechless while every ounce of air leaves your body.
Only then, you see the bigger picture and things start to come together. And when you get to this point, all of the other parts of the story pop back into your brain and you relive each one within a matter of seconds, before dropping your draw and allowing the built up saliva from not swallowing for a while to drop down the front of your shirt.
This is a well-thought out plot, complete with research involved, as Rowland appears to be a master of different parts of the brain and eyes.
Rowland’s beautifully constructed prose carries the story forward, but it’s the passionate dialogue between Shawn and the person behind the voice that grabs your heartstrings and ties them into knots. Not like sappy Christmas movies. The difference here, those knotted strings are ripped from the heart leaving a trail of blood.
Optic Nerve is a concoction of several genres, all under that massive horror umbrella. But what makes this story stand out so much is the fact that with today’s technology and so many scientific brainiacs out there, this could be happening right now. Someone could be coming up with a drug like this to cure blindness. While their partner comes up with a drug to prevent the psychotic voices the first drugs brings from making the person go bat shit crazy.
July 15, 2023
I found this to be a very absorbing story that was well paced and the author balanced the day to day life of the main character with the unnerving elements really well. I did not see the ending coming and thought it was excellent! Some Twilight Zone and Cronenberg vibes in this speculative ‘science gone wrong’ horror story.
Shout out to J for providing me with a copy of the audiobook.
Shout out to J for providing me with a copy of the audiobook.
January 29, 2026
Very Outer Limits coded (complimentary).
June 16, 2023
I generally begin my reviews with why I read the book. I do believe this is the first time I get to say it's because I got a copy of the audiobook from the narrator to listen to in consideration of a review! Yep, the narrator, Jason Grell, is a friend of mine that I met through his YouTube channel, J!(Paper Cuts Live). Check him out here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheWorldAcco...
Jason is my friend, but that doesn't excuse him from getting reviewed here too - I always like to mention how well the narrators do when I'm able to listen to the audiobook. Jason has a voice meant for radio, which translates well for audiobooks. I will say it took me a little time to grasp when it was a different character talking - but Jason gets that worked out quickly because I noticed a little further in that I was no longer having issues knowing who was talking. He figured out the subtle art of changing inflection just a tad to clue the listener in that the character speaking had changed. The only thing I would say regarding the audiobook is when time passed in the story, not enough of a pause was left in the audiobook narration to signify that, so heads up if you listen instead of reading with your eyeballs. If you're immersion reading, you'll not even notice.
So what is OPTIC NERVE about? It opens up with our main character, Shawn, sitting in a bar where conversation meanders and leads into him telling a stranger a story - not a ghost story, mind you, but a love story. Shawn is a scientist who is working to develop a formula for a drug that could possibly end blindness by stimulating the part of the brain that controls perception. The implications of what could be accomplished are massive and Shawn doesn't want to wait for the slow approval process to begin the next phase, so naturally he decides to test the drug on himself. Remember that bit about how it works? By stimulating the area of the brain that controls perception? Yeeaaahhhhhh, so that has an interesting side effect, which is what gives this story life.
What do you think you would do if you woke up one day and discovered you could converse with another person telepathically? Would you think you'd finally lost your last marble? Maybe stood too close to the microwave and suddenly you're able to chat with another person in your head? This is what happens to Shawn, but he understands it must be to do with the drug that he's testing. His nature is to experiment, to record data and so he engages the voice, befriends it....and more. (Get your mind out of the gutter, this isn't THAT kind of story!)
I'm no scientist, but the process, explanations and discussions surrounding the drug and its manufacture made sense to me as it was written. I love how it was science that produced the supernatural element side effect that Shawn experienced. I thought I might have figured out how it would play out, but I had it all wrong. It was unexpected, a bit of a mindscrew...okay, it was a complete mindscrew, and I was left grinning with the ending.
This would make a GREAT movie. Rebecca Rowland, with the assistance of my buddy Jason, has once again made me a very happy customer!
Jason is my friend, but that doesn't excuse him from getting reviewed here too - I always like to mention how well the narrators do when I'm able to listen to the audiobook. Jason has a voice meant for radio, which translates well for audiobooks. I will say it took me a little time to grasp when it was a different character talking - but Jason gets that worked out quickly because I noticed a little further in that I was no longer having issues knowing who was talking. He figured out the subtle art of changing inflection just a tad to clue the listener in that the character speaking had changed. The only thing I would say regarding the audiobook is when time passed in the story, not enough of a pause was left in the audiobook narration to signify that, so heads up if you listen instead of reading with your eyeballs. If you're immersion reading, you'll not even notice.
So what is OPTIC NERVE about? It opens up with our main character, Shawn, sitting in a bar where conversation meanders and leads into him telling a stranger a story - not a ghost story, mind you, but a love story. Shawn is a scientist who is working to develop a formula for a drug that could possibly end blindness by stimulating the part of the brain that controls perception. The implications of what could be accomplished are massive and Shawn doesn't want to wait for the slow approval process to begin the next phase, so naturally he decides to test the drug on himself. Remember that bit about how it works? By stimulating the area of the brain that controls perception? Yeeaaahhhhhh, so that has an interesting side effect, which is what gives this story life.
What do you think you would do if you woke up one day and discovered you could converse with another person telepathically? Would you think you'd finally lost your last marble? Maybe stood too close to the microwave and suddenly you're able to chat with another person in your head? This is what happens to Shawn, but he understands it must be to do with the drug that he's testing. His nature is to experiment, to record data and so he engages the voice, befriends it....and more. (Get your mind out of the gutter, this isn't THAT kind of story!)
I'm no scientist, but the process, explanations and discussions surrounding the drug and its manufacture made sense to me as it was written. I love how it was science that produced the supernatural element side effect that Shawn experienced. I thought I might have figured out how it would play out, but I had it all wrong. It was unexpected, a bit of a mindscrew...okay, it was a complete mindscrew, and I was left grinning with the ending.
This would make a GREAT movie. Rebecca Rowland, with the assistance of my buddy Jason, has once again made me a very happy customer!
May 23, 2024
4.5 stars what an unusual story. I enjoy this authors writing style so much. This is my second book by Rebecca Rowland and I'd recommend her to everyone.
February 14, 2023
Shawn is a scientist developing a formula for a drug that may potentially cure blindness. In sheer anticipation, he decides to dose himself with CH-55. This accidentally stimulates and activates a neural pathway in Shawn’s brain that creates a telepathic connection between himself and a mysterious voice.
In the midst of a rough patch with his wife, Maryann, Shawn clings to the sweet voice invading his mind. The connection grows rapidly and the intimacy is strong. But is the connection truly worthwhile? Is there significance behind this voice? Why was it chosen distinctly to connect with Shawn? Just when we begin to really ask those questions, the author wraps up this forty-two page novella with a punchy twist that you really don’t see coming.
This is not a gore-filled piece of horror writing, but rather horror in the sense of the supernatural. Imagine unlocking parts of the mind that lead to hearing a particular voice. One that is believed to be inner dialogue, but is not that at all. Something more dangerous and sinister…
Giving this novella three stars because I enjoyed its concepts and ideas, and I did love the sci-fi elements. Otherwise, the supernatural part of it wasn’t really my taste and felt like there wasn’t a whole lot of development all around, but I do acknowledge this book is only forty-two pages. It could have been expanded on for sure, there is a whole lot of potential here. I do recommend it if you need something short to read that cleanses your palette in between gorier books (if you tend to read more extreme horror).
In the midst of a rough patch with his wife, Maryann, Shawn clings to the sweet voice invading his mind. The connection grows rapidly and the intimacy is strong. But is the connection truly worthwhile? Is there significance behind this voice? Why was it chosen distinctly to connect with Shawn? Just when we begin to really ask those questions, the author wraps up this forty-two page novella with a punchy twist that you really don’t see coming.
This is not a gore-filled piece of horror writing, but rather horror in the sense of the supernatural. Imagine unlocking parts of the mind that lead to hearing a particular voice. One that is believed to be inner dialogue, but is not that at all. Something more dangerous and sinister…
Giving this novella three stars because I enjoyed its concepts and ideas, and I did love the sci-fi elements. Otherwise, the supernatural part of it wasn’t really my taste and felt like there wasn’t a whole lot of development all around, but I do acknowledge this book is only forty-two pages. It could have been expanded on for sure, there is a whole lot of potential here. I do recommend it if you need something short to read that cleanses your palette in between gorier books (if you tend to read more extreme horror).
July 22, 2022
Rebecca Rowland was once again awesome enough to send me one of her books for review. Behold the beautifully bizarre Sci-fi/horror/thriller novella, 'Optic Nerve'.
The story follows Shawn, a scientist developing the formula for CH-55, a drug that has the potential of curing blindness by stimulating the parts of the brain that controls perception.
Like every good and eager scientist in a Sci-fi/horror/thriller story he tests the drug on himself.
As accidents do happen, he manages to develop telepathy and starts communicating with Helena, a complete stranger.
As the two of them develop a friendship, Shawn will soon discover CH-55's true effects and the catastrophic chain of events their relationship has set in motion.
I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by this one, as the cover art was suggesting gore and extreme horror (perfectly fine with that). I mean just throw a grindcore band logo there and you are good to go for an album cover.
Instead I was introduced to a beautifully written, hair gripping, mystery Sci-fi/horror/thriller novella that had me reading it as a whole in just one sitting as it was soooo good. I did not see the story going that way and I definitely did not expect it to escalate like it did, but maaaan that was some wonderful surprise.
The author's prose is wonderful and the way she manages to slowly pull you in the story is fantastic. I literally just could put the book down until discover where taking the story.
I loved Rebecca Rowland's work in 'Generation X-ed' and in 'Shagging the Boss' but 'Optic Nerve' solidifies her as one of my new favorites. Great, great, great story.
It will shake you up and leave you thinking about it and that's the beauty of it.
Available on Godless 7/8 and Amazon 7/22 from D&T Publishing.
The story follows Shawn, a scientist developing the formula for CH-55, a drug that has the potential of curing blindness by stimulating the parts of the brain that controls perception.
Like every good and eager scientist in a Sci-fi/horror/thriller story he tests the drug on himself.
As accidents do happen, he manages to develop telepathy and starts communicating with Helena, a complete stranger.
As the two of them develop a friendship, Shawn will soon discover CH-55's true effects and the catastrophic chain of events their relationship has set in motion.
I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by this one, as the cover art was suggesting gore and extreme horror (perfectly fine with that). I mean just throw a grindcore band logo there and you are good to go for an album cover.
Instead I was introduced to a beautifully written, hair gripping, mystery Sci-fi/horror/thriller novella that had me reading it as a whole in just one sitting as it was soooo good. I did not see the story going that way and I definitely did not expect it to escalate like it did, but maaaan that was some wonderful surprise.
The author's prose is wonderful and the way she manages to slowly pull you in the story is fantastic. I literally just could put the book down until discover where taking the story.
I loved Rebecca Rowland's work in 'Generation X-ed' and in 'Shagging the Boss' but 'Optic Nerve' solidifies her as one of my new favorites. Great, great, great story.
It will shake you up and leave you thinking about it and that's the beauty of it.
Available on Godless 7/8 and Amazon 7/22 from D&T Publishing.
July 20, 2022
Rebecca Rowland’s Optic Nerve is tight and engaging, with wonderfully written, realistically fleshed-out characters. This sci-fi shocker will reel you in and have you invested in these characters. So much so, that you may forget you’re reading a horror tale for a moment. This is good thing, however. The terror doesn’t jump out at the reader as much as it unexpectedly smashes them in the face like a sledgehammer. It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan if horror, science fiction, or simply a well-crafted story, do yourself a favor and read this book as soon as you’re able.
July 25, 2022
It wasn't at all what I expected and I like to think I have a pretty good imagination.
Framed as a story within a story, it appears to be one thing before quickly going in another direction. Honestly, from the amount of detail and story there was, I felt I was reading a novel rather than a novella.
The violent imagery was effectively done in a style reminiscent of a solid jump scare; not only did it come out of nowhere, it was brutal. The line between reality and hallucinations is so blurred, I had to reread a few scenes to find where exactly the transition was.
Framed as a story within a story, it appears to be one thing before quickly going in another direction. Honestly, from the amount of detail and story there was, I felt I was reading a novel rather than a novella.
The violent imagery was effectively done in a style reminiscent of a solid jump scare; not only did it come out of nowhere, it was brutal. The line between reality and hallucinations is so blurred, I had to reread a few scenes to find where exactly the transition was.
August 2, 2022
This story is a true gem. It’s a real turn on for me when characters have scientific discussions and slightly into this tale the science kicks in. Shawn and David have created CH-55, a pill with the possibility of resolving the overall degeneration of vision taking place worldwide. It is coined as “a way for people to see, just by keying into the consciousness of the people around them.” Since getting trials of a new drug approved takes time, Shawn decides to begin testing on himself with unexpected results. The story took some interesting turns, but one twist caught me completely by surprise and cemented me as a Rebecca Rowland fan. I now need to read the rest of her writings! This is a short, quick read that truly packs a punch.
December 12, 2023
This novella merges bio-medical science-fiction with thrilling mystery and body horror. Optic Nerve approaches the Covic pandemic in a refreshing, unique way that is sure to leave you thinking long after you close the book.
July 4, 2024
Psychological horror at its best. I will be reading more of Rebecca Rowland’s books.
Optic Nerve was a great read and then hits you like a ton of bricks at the stories climax.
Optic Nerve was a great read and then hits you like a ton of bricks at the stories climax.
July 28, 2022
I was not sure what to expect with this novella and it really surprised me [a good thing]. The main character is testing an experimental drug on himself and the result is, he starts hearing a voice. The whole time I thought it would end up that the voice was all in his head and that Shawn was going crazy but it was much, much better than that. I am a fan of this author already and saw her promote it as a horror-science fiction-mystery story and I agree it’s all of those things. I also think it’s a story about middle age crises and how at a certain age we all take stock in our lives. We wonder what we could have done differently and if there is a way to shift our paths. The best part about this book was the dialogue. The author writes it so well that I felt like I could actually hear the voices in my head [which kind of fits with the story!].
I was given a digital ARC by the publisher before release and I enjoyed it so much, I bought a paperback when it came out last week and hope to have it signed at one of Rowland's conventions this fall. That is my one criticism of the book, though. The book looks squished in the paperback. It looks like the publisher tried to squeeze as much of the book into the smallest amount of pages possible and it is difficult to figure out where each new section begins. Better spacing would have fixed this. Maybe it costs the publisher more money to add two or three more pages? I don't know. All I do know is, I would have rather spent money on a book with more pages that didn’t look crammed together, but that’s not the author’s fault, so I will stick with my initial rating of a perfect five of five. I can’t wait to read her other release Shagging the Boss and I bet it will be just as good!
I was given a digital ARC by the publisher before release and I enjoyed it so much, I bought a paperback when it came out last week and hope to have it signed at one of Rowland's conventions this fall. That is my one criticism of the book, though. The book looks squished in the paperback. It looks like the publisher tried to squeeze as much of the book into the smallest amount of pages possible and it is difficult to figure out where each new section begins. Better spacing would have fixed this. Maybe it costs the publisher more money to add two or three more pages? I don't know. All I do know is, I would have rather spent money on a book with more pages that didn’t look crammed together, but that’s not the author’s fault, so I will stick with my initial rating of a perfect five of five. I can’t wait to read her other release Shagging the Boss and I bet it will be just as good!
July 23, 2022
The summer of 2022 has seen the publication of two exceptional works by Rebecca Rowland, starting with Shagging the Boss from Filthy Loot, and now continuing with this sf/horror hybrid from D&T Publishing. Optic Nerve differs considerably from Shagging the Boss, showing the author's growing range as a writer, this time with the kind of plot we might have seen from Richard Matheson in his prime during the 1960s. We have a scientist who, in the time honored tradition of horror fiction, uses himself as a guinea pig for an experimental drug that aspires to cure the blindness that has become common in Rowland's fictional, post-Covid world. However, Rowland takes the story in a direction we don't immediately expect, showing her ability to subvert common horror tropes. The subsequent narrative proves not only horrific, but genuinely heart-breaking, and Rowland manages this combination without being melodramatic. Highly recommended, especially to those who have not yet discovered Rowland's work.
February 21, 2023
3.5 The beginning felt too slow and the ending felt too rushed. But I enjoyed the overall story and would love to read a more in depth version.
March 5, 2025
What a swell little piece of speculative fiction. Rowland’s writing is so effective that I could picture every little detail of the story. And, the characters are very well drawn.
March 25, 2023
This novella was such an amazing mind fuck! If you enjoy psychological horror that keeps you on the edge of your seat until the very end give this one a read.
August 5, 2022
Short novella/novellette-thing, and it's absolutely awesome. Mind-bending, violent, a bit shocking, and overall a very enjoyable read. My only complaint would be that I wish it was a little longer, even 20 pages. Still, highly recommended for horror fans that don't mind a touch of sci-fi
November 22, 2022
There is still a little over a month to go in 2022, but as of this moment Optic Nerve is my favorite read of the year. A close second would be Scream of the Butterfly by Christophe Maso.
March 12, 2025
Full review at Happy Goat Horror:
https://happygoathorror.com/2025/02/1...
Rowland excelled herself with this ridiculously great concept and the ending is awesome.
https://happygoathorror.com/2025/02/1...
Rowland excelled herself with this ridiculously great concept and the ending is awesome.
September 6, 2022
A creepy, disjointed novella about a man in the near future, taking an experimental drug in the wake of mankind’s unprecedented evolution towards blindness. I will say, I was expecting a bit more scifi horror/body horror with the way the story was setup, but was pleasantly surprised by the delirious, and somewhat heartbreaking direction this story went as the protagonist, Shawn, experiences some unexpected side effects from the medicine he’s patented to remedy the problem of global blindness, with a nice twist at the end. A solid 4/5, and my first read from this author.
March 19, 2023
What a strange but enjoyable read. Optic Nerve by Rebecca Rowland kind of reminded me of the movie "Her" but on the darkest timeline. A man starts a relationship with a disembodied voice only he can hear, and then things go off the rails. There is definitely a sci-fi element to this book that feels incredibly possible. Early on, there are some fun references to literary figures who've played God and what happens when we go too far. The unfortunate central characters to this story get a bitter taste of that. This is a quick one that most can probably put down in one sitting.
April 4, 2023
Rebecca’s tale of Shawn’s life had me intrigued until the very end. Watching Shawn experiment on himself and seeing the new connection unfold had me guessing until the very end exactly how deep their relationship would expand to.
The reveal packed a powerful punch, and I know that Rebecca Rowland will have me coming back for more of her tales.
This short read was full of heart, disgust, and sadness. Still, it brought you to that time we all experience meeting someone who we can thoroughly connect with and see where the relationship goes.
The reveal packed a powerful punch, and I know that Rebecca Rowland will have me coming back for more of her tales.
This short read was full of heart, disgust, and sadness. Still, it brought you to that time we all experience meeting someone who we can thoroughly connect with and see where the relationship goes.
September 22, 2025
I read this in one sitting not only because it is fairly short, but also the writing grabs you and won't let go.
Optic Nerve is a really unique story, with interesting goings on. While I followed the story easily, I got confused somewhere along the way. I'm not quite sure WHAT happened or WHY it happened (maybe you're not really supposed to), but I had a great time reading it nonetheless. I can tell there's something about this one that is going to sit with me for a while.
This was my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more.
Optic Nerve is a really unique story, with interesting goings on. While I followed the story easily, I got confused somewhere along the way. I'm not quite sure WHAT happened or WHY it happened (maybe you're not really supposed to), but I had a great time reading it nonetheless. I can tell there's something about this one that is going to sit with me for a while.
This was my first time reading this author and I look forward to reading more.
December 1, 2022
Excellent sci-horror novella with a sucker punch of a twist ending. Rowland's prose is both propulsive and definitive. Even though it come in at a scant 46 pages, nothing is left by the wayside story-wise. This is some of the best writing I've had the pleasure to experience since I started reading indie horror. Highly recommended if you're looking for an engrossing read that you can finish in one breathless sitting.
June 3, 2023
This is a great story and while reading you have no idea where it's heading.
A cure against blindness is developed by Scientist Shawn. Before it gets officially approved to be tested he decides to test it on himself. After a few days he starts to notice surreal visions, about his family, experiences headaches and suddenly, there is a voice. A female voice. Where does it come from and is this real or just a figment of his imagination?
A cure against blindness is developed by Scientist Shawn. Before it gets officially approved to be tested he decides to test it on himself. After a few days he starts to notice surreal visions, about his family, experiences headaches and suddenly, there is a voice. A female voice. Where does it come from and is this real or just a figment of his imagination?
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