The Reset

by Eric Rivernight

Governments turn a blind eye to the enigmatic "resets," individuals with concealed dual personalities possessing unmatched skills. Maggie Laylend, a 25-year-old woman, battles her own disruptive alter ego. Hiding from this terrifying truth will only make things worse. She has a crucial role in averting a massacre. However, letting someone else shoulder the responsibility is the first thing on her mind. The beauty pageant world has always been her primary focus. With the city's fate in her hands, Maggie must decide whether to trust her hidden self or abandon the mission altogether.

272 pages, Paperback

Published January 3, 2025

About the author

Eric Rivernight is an author and animator. He has a bachelor degree in multimedia and visual arts.
He speaks English and French fluently. His writing passion appeared in his late teens and his 2D animating skills perfected from around that time.
Eric Rivernight is an author and animator. He speaks English and French fluently.
His writing passion appeared in his late teens and his 2D animating skills perfected from around that time.
Eric published his first novel The Outcome in 2014.
Melanie Reverie #1: A New Beginning is the name of his first children's book.
In 2022, he released an animated Lo-Fi music video called, Calibrated.
In 2025, he published a thriller novel titled, The Reset.

Reviews

[Scarlett Willerd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before I start, I read some of the negative comments prior to forming my own opinion. It is so easy to only refer to the good ones and brush out the rest. So here’s what I have to say:

I suspect that some of these comments are either bots or real people reiterating the same statement without fully developing their points of view. Goodreads has a problem with that. It becomes more evident when I look through other comment sections from different authors. Bad ratings aren’t uncommon; harsh criticism is part of the game, but some are really trigger-happy when it comes to tearing someone down for pleasure.

Anyway, this novel offers so much in terms of world-building, narration, and visual interpretation. I received the paperback version today, and my copy is signed by the author himself.
I was asked to give an honest review, so here it is. Yes, it is an amazing book exploring a supernatural event affecting a select few. Yes, the narration seems straightforward without missing a beat, as some readers criticized. I personally hate long descriptions that lead nowhere and reveal nothing impactful about the characters. That’s why the author uses ILLUSTRATIONS! The author’s drawings are meant to give people a visual depiction of this world. I find this original and thoughtful, especially when there are so many characters to keep track of.

I connected with Avery the most, especially after her troubled relationship with her family (without spoiling anything).

So, Mister Rivernight, you did a great job! It’s evident that this novel is his baby, and I can’t blame him for being so passionate about his work. I’m looking forward to the sequel.

[Ella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, now it’s a bit weird the story ended that way. But I’m too invested in these characters to remain silent. I already guessed who would sacrifice themselves, who would survive. But that twist is heartbreaking. It kind of reminded me of something I once saw on the news.

[Cassie Kaluzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book through Goodreads give aways, thanks Goodreads!

I’d like to start that I enjoyed the idea of this storyline and thought it was pretty interesting. The concept of having a reset being part of you, not knowing, then slowing realizing. The parts where you lose control and then seem to wake up elsewhere not knowing how you got there.

I feel I would have enjoyed the story much more if it written In a clearer format. There are so many characters and storylines in this book that it can be hard to keep track. Lots of time I had to backtrack on reading cause all of a sudden I was reading about a different set of characters. Maybe some headings or using names as chapters. I felt the transitions between different storylines and characters didn’t flow right, and cause confusion, which took me away/out of the story.

Overall a good story, but would be even better if formatted a little different to make it less confusing.

[Helen Tocco · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway (thanks Goodreads!). I hate to give such an uncharitable rating to a new author, but this book was pretty rough for me. I enjoyed the concept and the artwork. However, the writing needs a better editor to help fix the many grammatical errors, and to help the author with some of the clunky dialogue. There were so many times where characters seemed to magically know something they had no way of knowing, that just left me feeling a bit lost. For me this book would have been better as a graphic novel, in fact since the author is an artist perhaps there is potential for the book to go that direction in the future.

[Abigail Palette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a delightful escape, offering a mesmerizing journey that was both comforting and thought-provoking. The characters were deeply intriguing—Maggie's challenges were a riveting ride, while River's character left me yearning for more depth, as I found a kindred spirit in her. Initially, I thought James would be the villain, but his perspectives offered a refreshing and breath-stealing glimpse into worlds unknown to me. The final plot twist was a masterstroke, underscoring the world's endless enigmas just waiting to be uncovered.

The character of the Liverpool butcher was a chilling presence, freighted with palpable hatred, making his journey both terrifying and oddly compelling. Despite abhorring his methods, there were moments I found myself grasping his motives. Contrastingly, Zoe's character was driven to prove her distinctiveness, holding her own and showcasing a stark contrast to the butcher's grim narrative.
Owen's presence as the moral compass for his mother, Gizelle, added a layer of depth I adored, grounding her motivations with a sense of integrity. Conversely, Lydia's inability to appreciate her mother's attempts at connection was quite frustrating, adding a layer of tension to their dynamic.
I wished for a deeper dive into Ryan's character, grappling with his near brush with committing murder. It was challenging to comprehend his behavior, given his ample motivations, yet he refrained from crossing that line, perpetually worsening his own situation.

I appreciated that the story was set in a fictional town, offering a refreshing departure from the usual, predictable locales. This setting sparked curiosity, inviting us to explore its unique blend of familiarity and novelty compared to the real world.
The illustrations, initially unexpected, grew to form a consistent thread throughout the narrative. As they became more frequent, my appreciation for them deepened, immersing me further into the world of the novel. I found myself wishing for even more illustrations to delve into this captivating universe.

I'm puzzled by some reviewers' criticisms of this unique writing style. It skillfully avoids excessive description, instead leaving ample space for our imagination to roam, which I find both refreshing and engaging.

It seems certain reviewers prioritize provocative critiques, perhaps to be contrarian, rather than embracing the experimental nature of the novel. They might benefit from viewing it through a lens of appreciation for its originality.

Many of these reviewers seemed to overlook the clever Easter eggs in the writing style, which mirror the novel's theme. The way it seamlessly transitions between scenes without explicit explanation is a brilliant reflection of the story's core.

Overall, I recommend this novel to anyone craving something unprecedented, yet with the potential to become a cherished favorite. It's a refreshing journey into the unexplored.

[Sally Venus · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a concept! To say that I enjoyed this book would be an understatement. Where do I begin? For me, the side-by-side illustrations are amazing. There’s something about providing a sense of precision to the scene that makes it so nourishing for the reader. I sometimes have trouble picturing characters in my head or even particular circumstances in a cinematic way. So I didn’t mind the added pictures sprayed across the novel. As I understand it, the author is also the artist behind those outstanding drawings.

Zoe/Zed: His character brings a sense of urgency to the narrative, considering one of them had a possible way out of their common predicament. Zoe, much like Maggie, is thrown into a new life with unforeseen consequences and wishes for an exit. Zed represents the wisdom side of her conductor.

Maggie/Amelia: Through this character’s eyes, we’re introduced to an unfamiliar world. Every intriguing question primarily comes from her. Maggie is portrayed as the innocent one, while Amelia is more of the strong hero type. To be more precise, she and Gizelle are the closest to the traditional heroes we get in this story. Amelia is the “face the moment” type.

James/Theo: This character’s development was somewhat unusual for me, yet understandable. James lacks genuine connection and craves a particular type of relationship. Theo hates his purpose and wishes for another type of life.

Avery/River: Avery is the average girl who barely gets by and wants a quiet, normal life. River is the rebellious demon inside of her. The contrast is striking, sad, and interesting at the same time. I really felt every single word Avery uttered; I wanted to give her a hug. My little sister is like that, so I’m biased when it comes to Avery. Her decision to swallow that pill was justified, even after she fell into a coma.

There’s one single thing that puzzles me with all those negative reviews. Many of them fail to go deep into their conclusions. For a book that isn’t that long, one would think that a reader would flesh out more of the things they liked as well. Since the pacing is quick and captivating, delaying a reading session wouldn’t detract from its positives. This would have given these reviewers more time to reanalyze the big themes of the story, such as trust, destiny, free will, and unrequited love.

Are there elements I didn’t like? Of course. The cliffhanger didn’t work for me, considering the extensive world-building. I would have preferred reading about all three years of the Reset Phenomenon as opposed to just the first year. But that’s just me.

Gizelle, Owen, Lydia: I wanted to explore more of their chemistry rather than just reading about the aftermath of an argument or misunderstanding.

Aside from that, this novel was wonderful and a pleasant read between my working hours.

[Birdtrovert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars

Things I liked/that worked for me:

- The illustrations were a cool touch. It gave light novel vibes and sometimes helped with accentuating certain scenes or details.

- The book does a great job of showing how confusing it is to be having a normal day and then waking up in a totally different setting with no recollection of how or why you are there. It happens in a blink for the characters and I can see how scary and frustrating that can be when you aren't sure if that "reset" is malicious or not.

Stuff that didn't work for me:

- While I praised the way it shows the confusion and fear for the characters experiencing the reset, it wasn't always easy for the reader to understand either. There were many times I had to stop and re-read the previous section because even I was confused on what was happening.

- The random SA scene? Like the character is being groped by a bodyguard going into a criminal base but like was it necessary? He grabs her chest and even slaps her ass but like why??? Did I miss something here? This kind of thing never happens really before or after. There is some graphic stuff in the book but that stuff makes sense in the context of the story and characters. This felt weird and out of place.

- I understand that English is not the native language of the author and I don't fault that at all. I've read many stories by people with English as a second language and have found them a joy to read. But, there are times here where the writing was very "he said, she said". Nothing wrong with that, but it does get a bit repetitive after a bit. (Minor nitpick.)

- This is more of an editing standpoint: a lot of the paragraphs were just too close? That makes no sense, okay, when I was reading the book and it jumped to a different character in a different area, the paragraph with them maybe should have been spaced down a bit more. I know that's a strange point but it sometimes made reading confusing. It's entirely a me thing though.

- It wasn't too long but there was a lot of information densely packed in. I think some stuff could have been cut out entirely or just cut down.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this for free and give an honest review.

[Hailey Danewood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A breathtaking perspective on the dual personality genre. What a ride and what a read. I don’t really understand all the two and one-star reviews. I guess when you present something as original as this, people start calling it “amateur” or “poor writing,” or “lacking conventional structure.”

I don’t know if any of these discontented reviewers noticed, but the style of writing used is supposed to reflect this unique world down to the smallest detail. The way one scene cuts off out of nowhere to begin a new one—that’s how a character harboring a reset would feel.

For those who truly dislike this hybrid concept of minimal backstory mixed with beautiful illustrations, must I remind you that most popular comics of our time begin that way? Sorry for being so passionate about bad reviews. I just find it funny how ridiculous teenage drama novels always get praised while profound stories like "The Reset" get sh*t on.

Now for my review: I liked it a lot, not loved it. There are characters that did not have any follow-up. I kind of want to explore Maggie’s mother’s backstory, even though she’s never mentioned in the book. I’m not saying it’s odd for a single father to raise a daughter. I was just expecting a little more from that end.

The Liverpool Butcher’s story is the one I couldn’t stop crying about because, sadly, I do know a very similar event that I’m sure the author was inspired by. There are so many hints about that. Zoe is very much the second character I love best. I understand why the Butcher and she were paired together!

I thought that I would end up hating James, but I warmed up to him after he admitted his childish behavior. I cannot begin to imagine how he must feel, to be the way he is. But he wasn’t so innocent himself by blaming everyone else for his personal struggle. Gizelle was the kind of character I was surprised to follow. Usually, in this genre, a woman like her would be left aside and forgotten. Again, very refreshing!

So here’s my advice for any future readers of this novel: Keep an open mind. It’s okay to hate it or not like it. I didn’t like it at first. However, as I gradually started to put the scenes together, I couldn’t put it down.

Thanks for the signed copy, Mr. Rivernight. I CAN’T WAIT to know about you-know-who!!

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the preview chapters, I found myself intrigued by its unique premise. The story introduces "resets," individuals with concealed dual personalities and exceptional abilities, operating unnoticed by governments. The MFC, Maggie, faces a compelling dilemma, trust her hidden self to save the city or abandon her mission. The author's straightforward narration, combined with their own illustrations, enhances the world building and provides vivid visual context.

While I enjoyed the fast paced storytelling and concept, I would have liked more depth in character development and emotional exploration. Maggie's internal conflict is compelling, but I wanted to see more of her personal struggles and motivations beyond the immediate stakes. Additionally, a deeper dive into the mechanics of the "resets" and their origins would have made the world feel richer. Some more atmospheric descriptions could have also helped immerse me further into the setting.

Overall, these preview chapters left me curious about what comes next, but I wished for more depth in certain areas.

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel introduces an interesting take on the split personality disorder concept. It’s refreshing to read something with such a powerful message about accepting things we cannot change. The so-called ‘resets’ wake up with different desires and needs, often contradicting their real self. What really touched me deeply are the people who don’t have resets inside of them, but are forced to witness their loved one make incomprehensible choices. This affects me because I have a close relative of mine that I grew up with. He had an accident that resulted in him getting partial brain surgery. Since then, he would behave irrationally because of his injury. It was difficult to see him trying to piece his memories together, not knowing who to trust. This novel is an amazing work, I recommend it!

[Alexandrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads giveaways.

The concept of the book is what drew me to enter the contest. It was original and very interesting.

Unfortunately for me there was not enough description or depth to the characters or story. There was a lot of characters and at times it was hard to know which one was being written about. None of them were developed so it didn't have a connection to any of them.

The story left me with more questions then answers. I felt at times the answers were coming then the story switched to something/somewhere else. This would of been an excellent book if there was a bit more background.

A very nice surprise were the illustrations. They were well done and aided in you're imagination.

[Emily Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

The concept of this book had great potential, however there were a few major areas that I struggled with. The main barrier for me was the inconsistent verb tenses (past/present) and often unnecessarily long and complex sentences. Perhaps another round or two of editing would have brought this up to a 3 or 3.5 star read. (After reading the author's note, some of the grammatical confusion likely came from translation into English.)

The plot was interesting and I quite enjoyed the idea of resets, but there was no clear page breaks to indicate shift in scene/time/character which caused some confusion. There were also multiple storylines which did not feel fully developed given the length of the book and therefore the endings to each felt rushed and incomplete.

[Jennifer Arruda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept of this story was awesome and really made you ponder... "What if?" The personalities of each of the characters drew you in, and I'm pretty sure everyone can relate to their personal experiences, whether they have experienced those things, know someone who has, or know someone with the same personality traits as one of the characters.

My biggest critique was that I had a hard time following what was going on. The scene shifts between the many different characters did not have identifiers, so I caught myself being like, "Wait, who are we reading about now?", on many occasions. For instance, there were no page breaks, POV announcements, or even an additional space between paragraphs. This may not impact other readers, though!

[Sofia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Absolutely adored the premise of the book. Very creative and hooks you at the beginning. However, it was very difficult to read.
There are only 7 chapters and no pauses when switching between characters which leads to confusion, everything kind of happens so fast that you’re left questioning what you’re reading. I also feel as if there are many missing details, as if things were not clearly explained. Many of the characters’ motivation were not clear. I kept thinking “ why “ throughout the whole book.

I appreciated the illustrations, they are a nice touch.

I recommend this book if you don’t mind a very different writing style and want to read something that isn’t what you’re used to.

[Jaime Farrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story starts abruptly, making it difficult to understand what’s happening. The lack of description leaves the world underdeveloped, making it hard to fully immerse myself in the narrative. The writing feels choppy and simplistic, with noticeable grammar and spelling errors that disrupt the flow. While the story has potential, I’m not yet fully invested. The narration skims the surface rather than drawing me into the depths of the world and its characters. I’d love to see more detail, backstory, and richer descriptions to bring the story to life.

[Dani V · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to win this book as part of a giveaway on Goodreads which I’m grateful for!

The cover is gorgeous, the concept is so cool, the paper quality was amazing it felt nice in the hands.

However I found it very difficult to follow and separate the characters. There was so many characters it got confusing and overwhelming at times and i definitely was mixing up a few of them and thinking they were the same person.

The concept is so cool and creative and I really wish it hit the mark for me but it just didn’t.

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was supplied with a complimentary Advance Reader copy through Goodreads, so my review may not reflect the finished product. I was initially quite intrigued by this book, but as the story continued I found myself having difficulty disentangling the multiple storylines, each with a character and their Reset, and in the end it all seemed to culminate in a somewhat contrived/forced conclusion that seemed a bit rushed to me. Perhaps my heart just wasn't in it--it's been a while since I read a science fiction-themed novel.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

The premise behind the book was unique and had potential, but for me there were too many characters to try and keep track of. Add to it that many of the characters had a "Reset", it became overwhelming at times.

There were also several grammatical errors, which ruined the flow. For example, "Everything about Amelia did was dishonest, deceiving, and hurtful."

Overall, the story was well thought out with wonderful illustrations, but ultimately didn't really grab ahold of me like I was hoping.

I received a copy of this book for free through Goodreads First-Reads

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting and entertaining read. Every 50 years a phenomena occurs that cause certain people to become resets who develop a total different a dual personality/identity and others who become controllers who can control resets to do their bidding. Governments have worked to coverup this problem in the past but now it appears too big to contain. A thriller to the very end. I won this book in a GoodReads Giveaway.

[Amanda Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book is great! However, the way it's put together could be better. It jumps around quite a bit but without any real direction. Instead of ending a scene and jumping to another one, it does it mid paragraph which created some confusion and forced re-reads of certain parts of the book to figure out what just happened. Overall, I think it's a good storyline but could be better compiled.

[Michele · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a DNF at 50 pages. The story started so abruptly and I had no idea what was going on. There is not a lot of description, detail, or back story. I think the story has the potential to come to life with some of those missing elements. The writing was choppy, also. I think this would make a great TV series or movie but it didn't work as a book.

[Valerie Flora · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one really hits home for me. The idea of a double personality coming to life and tampering with your sanity. Being a person struggling with mental illness, i really find it interesting that this subject can be introduced as a global phenomenon.
It makes my pain and suffering less trivial and forgotten.

[Jodi Luff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. The premise is very intriguing, but the book is relatively short for all the characters and stories that it tries to tell. The stories become very broken up and the details feel rushed. The random jumps from one character to another become confusing. There was a lot going on with what felt like very little resolution to the stories in the end.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

That ending though! Seriously? What gives? I have so many questions… I hope the author will explain how A**** will take the secret. Especially when Zoe wasn’t involved.

[Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much to explore in this world. And yet there are similarities with the real world that reflects the way governments operate. As much as I like reading about the resets, the normal people are equally fascinating. Gizelle had essence of an old teacher of mine who share the same personality and attributes. I connected with her de most because of how much this teacher helped me, but couldn’t help herself in private affairs. And the drawings in this novel are amazing!!!
By the way, there's one character who needed more development (Sarah). Yes, she's funny, but what's her deal?

[Bob's iPhone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dumb

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for the signed copy!
You're an amazing writer and artist!

[Teresa Lavender · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a writing style I would read again. I had a hard time investing myself in the characters. I feel as if this would be better depicted as a movie or TV series.

[Sally-Anne Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this unique writing style with illustrations juxtaposed against it. It feels more action-based, like a TV show pilot. The characters were more interesting that way.

[Chelsie F · Rating 5 out of 5]

A pleasant read, and a pleasant surprise for an ending!
What a unique concept!
I want more!!