HearRational

by Oliver Davis

★★★★★ “Davis’ writing debut is a triumph - utilising razor sharp whit and satire against a well crafted sci-fi world. If you’re a fan of Black Mirror then this book is for you.” Adam Pearson, BBC actor and TV presenter, star of the Oscar-nominated A Different Man (2024)

Conspiracy theorist Theo has a loyal online following, a DIY podcast studio in a pub basement, and a theory that interdimensional vampires are stealing people’s souls. It’s niche—but growing.

When disillusioned academic Audrey makes Theo the subject of her final research project, she doesn’t expect his ideas to catch fire. Or go viral. Or start a revolution.

But Audrey knows his secret. And if she doesn’t stop him, the world might just believe him.

HearRational is a darkly comic exploration of misinformation, fringe logic, and how New Zealand doesn’t actually exist. A satire about belief, guilt, and how dangerous things get when people start asking all the wrong questions.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Phil Scully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, quick read.

A wonderful, fast-paced adventure through the world of conspiracy theories, and a look our decisions to believe in what we are told, and what we want.

You will be hooked for start to finish as you jump between timelines and viewpoints in quick succession, building a world and a story that feels brilliantly absurd, utterly enticing and scarily familiar to our real world - as you move through the story, wanting to know the ‘truth’ for yourself.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audrey Lowe is a PhD candidate, conducting an experiment on conspiracy theorists when she encounters the most impressively oblivious test subject. Theo Papadopoulos knows his late brother, Benny, is calling to him from a dark dimension, where vampires have been feeding off human souls for millennia. Theo is determined to warn the world, and Audrey is the only person who might be able to stop him.

HearRational is a hilarious look at the current world of misinformation and conspiracy. From YouTube to bro podcasts to evangelical religion, it's full of spot-on commentary about the echo chambers some folks exist in, and how fanaticism spreads across borders.

As someone who views the news today with high levels of both cynicism and disdain, I howled at how obvious this satire is and how perfectly it captures the absurdity of life right now. I think I had a highlighted line every three pages.

It's weird and wild and such a blast, and it comes in at a quick 182 pages. Pick it up if you need a reminder that the world isn't fully insane yet... it just feels that way because the sane ones aren't the loudest.

It was such a rest to be part of the Book Sirens campaign for this one. Thanks to Book Sirens and the author for an eARC.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella by Oliver Davis has to be my favourite debut novel. The 180 page fast paced, contemporary fiction is an excellent read; smart, funny and hosting characters who are well developed and established. It is a brilliantly dark exploration of how people communicate and deal with grief, especially after a significant trauma. It is also a perfect example of British satire at its best.

The story follows an academic who wants to establish herself as a leader in her field and one of her subjects. His journey leads him to becoming a viral conspiracy theorist and peaks with a tour of America.

I enjoyed this book so much, as soon as I closed the page I wanted to read it again..... that and to check that New Zealand is actually real.

[Aaron Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been following Oli Davis for a long time ever since Wrestletalk started on YouTube. When he said he was publishing a book, I knew I had to get it. Reading HearRational, I can feel Oli’s humor and I thoroughly liked his writing style. The story was very different from my usual reads but I feel like this one is gonna stick with me a lot longer. The psychological issues and how society treats people who have platforms to express their wild ideas is a good reflection of the modern world. Also, as a Science teacher, the interview on Top Bro was giving me flashbacks of arguing with a colleague who is a flat earth believer. My only complaint is that I wish it was longer. Really a 4.5 star read. Can’t wait for his next book. Support Wrestletalk, Support Oli Davis.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oliver Davis may be an incredibly good YouTube personality, but he is (and I hate to say it) an incredibly mediocre writer. Stripping away my bias toward Davis and looking solely at the writing, I’m left underwhelmed. HearRational doesn’t even need the disclaimer of being a debut, it’s painfully obvious. The characters are flimsy and one-dimensional, the tone somehow manages to be both verbose and clunky, and the whole story reads like an exercise in overwrought prose. The plot had potential, but HearRational never manages to deliver.

Ollie, you’ll always be my go-to source for wrestling news, but when it comes to science fiction, I’ll have to look elsewhere.

[Carol Stefanik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reasonably well written but totally weird. Sort of like listening to someone high on weed having a scientific conversation with someone tripping on LSD. Not a happy ending.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun book, and considering a debut, well written.

[Adrián · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was so hyped and then the last 10 pages made me go whaaaaa?