Roots

by Grimm Darke, Kate D. Pirate

I can’t determine what is panic or excitement anymore…



In the bustling, irreverent city of Roots—it has all been but uneventful. As the boom of technology and pharmaceutical solutions spread worldwide, another kind of danger looms close.

People can’t connect emotionally, and falling in love is a high unlike any other. People are shooting up “mate bonds” to acquire soulmates.

When I meet the only man who makes my pulse pound erratically, I can’t just let him get away. He’s a single dad of two kids who I know I will love dearly. As a child therapist, red flags shoot like flare guns in my bleak, lonely existence...but not with him.

Not with Hideo. My life has changed since meeting him. He has flipped switch in me. I’m suddenly assaulted with sights, smells, feelings and urges.

It’s like he is made for me...

And I for him.

116 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2025

Reviews

[Maku Felix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got the chance to read Roots before its release—and it’s actually my first book by Grimm Darke! I went in completely blind: no blurbs, no reviews, no hints from my booksta friends. But I did have a hunch it would be dark and unhinged (they did warn me 😅).

It was such a fast read—I lost track of time (and sleep) finishing this novella. The story immediately pulls you in. At first, it feels like a sci-fi setup with its advanced tech for simulations and medicine that can “reset” people. But things take a turn when the main characters start interacting—and you realize something’s not quite right.

That painting scene? When Hideo said, “my daughter painted it for me” (non-verbatim)—that was the moment I knew something twisted was coming. I was right. The buildup was unsettling, and by the time everything clicked into place, it was brutal in the best way.

The ending left me spiraling. I still stand by my interpretation that the reset never stopped.
It’s psychological horror at its finest—short, sharp, and deeply messed up.

Discussed it with a fellow book club member, and we both agreed it gave major Predestination and Oldboy vibes.

A chilling, neo-noir mindbender. 10/10 would recommend if you like stories that make you question everything.

[thebeespot72 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Roots is like stepping into a hallucinogenic dream state in which you may ask yourself—Is this real? Who am I? What role am I “playing?” Where am I? The Author, Grimm Darke/Kate D. Pirate, describes Roots as a Neo-Noir Psychological Horror. Though it is a short novella, as dreams often are, readers will be led through the story through the characters as they are put in a variety of scenarios, questioning their reality as well. The way this story is told keeps you on the edge, with uncertainty about what’s to come. Those things that do come—understand are dark themes.

I enjoyed Roots. I liked the deeper underlying meanings within the story. And once I got to the end, I jumped back to the beginning to re-read certain parts and piece some things together. I like it when a story does that. It makes me think. And Roots makes me think.

Thank you to Author Grimm Darke for the gifted e-copy of Roots. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Highnyzbibliofiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roots blurs identity, reality, and time. Like Inception and Predestination, you can’t easily tell whether what’s happening is real or just a hallucination born from the world it created.

The characters — Myrella, Hideo, and Bradley — are so well crafted that their purpose in each other’s lives feels uncertain. Yet the psychological tension that left me constantly guessing made the story all the more compelling.

This is only my second time reading a psycho-thriller, and I loved it. Even with moments of doubt about what truly happened, that confusion is exactly what pushed me to finish the story. The twist and explosive revelation left me completely shocked.

After all, the best stories are the ones you can’t predict.

[Ena · Rating 5 out of 5]

What. Did. I. Just. Read. 😭

ROOTS feels like watching a really twisted, high-budget episode of Black Mirror! equal parts sci-fi, psychological horror, and tragic romance, but with that deeply human core that makes you question what’s real, what’s love, and what’s control.

It’s eerie, sensual, and terrifying all at once. The writing is cinematic and immersive, like neon lights and rain-slick streets hiding something monstrous underneath. Every chapter pulls you deeper until you realize you don’t actually know what’s real anymore.

And that ending?! Ambiguous, haunting, and perfectly so. You’ll end the book and just sit there, questioning everything. love, identity, memory, and the price of comfort.

If you love psychological thrillers, unreliable narrators, or stories that make your brain hurt (in the best way), ROOTS is your next obsession.



“Reality is often disappointing,” Hideo says,

and damn, he wasn’t lying.

[AmesChicReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I got midway through, the word that kept going through my brain was (and still is) ᴍɪɴᴅғᴜᴄᴋ. This story is not pleasant…not for the faint of heart. 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆 takes you on a whirlwind in this dystopian/futuristic tale of psychology, medication, and Myrella’s breech with reality. At one point I really thought I knew what was going to happen next. Uhhh, not. The twists in this are unreal and will keep you guessing. Prepare to be offended, if you dare. If you want a rating it’s on my Goodreads. Just know, I love a good mindfucking 😉

[Nela🦋 · Rating 5 out of 5]

For starters I just want to say..
What the F***
What I meant was,umm what did I just read… in the most mindf*** ever ..
Omg lmfao I’m lost for words..
Did I love it Yess in the most deprived way ever ….
This is one you just have to read for yourself honestly in my opinion …..

[zari · Rating 5 out of 5]

my first question after finishing: “HUH?”
my second: “are you okay????” (directed at both kate and myself)

this book turned my brain into psychological soup in the best way. it’s neo-noir, it’s horror, it’s a fever dream that crawls under your skin and refuses to leave. i was equal parts mesmerized and horrified, whispering “wtf” every few pages while my face stayed permanently 😧

it’s so good but i feel… unclean? like i should take a shower and maybe call a therapist.

in short: loved it. terrified. confused. 10/10 experience.

huge thanks to kate for the ARC ♡

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the hell did I just read wtf.
lol it was a weird book, but I enjoyed it a lot, I didn't see that revelation at the end coming lol

[x.inkdrinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Book Review: Roots by Grimm Darke. Thank you for choosing me as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review! This book is set to release on November 1, 2025.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recommendation: Yes, if you are into a short novella that’s smart, satirical, and will leave you asking “what the f did I just read.” Just read trigger warnings and be comfortable with feeling uncomfortable after reading.

Genre: Neo-Noir Psychological Horror

Blurb: In a world where love is chemically manufactured, a child therapist meets Hideo, a single dad who awakens emotions and desires she thought were impossible, forcing her to navigate a connection that feels both intoxicating and dangerous.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Emotional Damage: ☠️☠️ /5

Originality : 🖊️🖊️🖊️🖊️ /5

Writing: 🥀🥀🥀🥀/5

Likes: Darke does an incredible job of blending genres, and the fact that she managed to do it in such a short novella is impressive. Roots is equal parts sci-fi, horror, psychological thriller, and mystery, and it keeps you on your toes the entire time. While the story left me questioning what the heck just happened, it was also oddly satisfying and a testament to how much can be packed into a novella without feeling rushed. Also I literally laughed out loud at the drug manufactured “mate bonds”.

Dislikes: Nothing. This was a well-crafted and engaging novella from start to finish.

[Rhiannon Cheyenne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roots - Grimm Darke

The writing in the story and by this author is just phenomenal. The setting is so engaging and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. I had my suspicions from the very first page, and the twist and turned were just phenomenal and I was absolutely stunned. I loved Myrella and her working with the kids. I can’t wait to read more from this author, especially in the horror genre.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Out of 5 Stars ⭐️

🔥 / Spice Rating ☀️

# of Pages 🌙 116 pages

Release Date 🌟 11/1/25

Format 💫 Gifted Digital Copy

Series 🌙 Unknown/Not Applicable

Genre/Tropes ✨ Psychological horror, horror, science fiction, dystopian

Favorite Character ☀️ Myrella

Favorite Line 🌟 “The fastest way to kill something special is to compare it to others”

‘This is love. Love makes me sick to my stomach.’

[mrnuina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did I just read? Everytime I tought I knew, turns out that I know nothing! I still feel like I don’t know anything. This is such a mindf**king story in the best way! I feel like I’m in this story right now and I don’t know what’s real and what is not.
I am lost of words! All that is in my head is ”what the f**k did I just read? Am I okey?” Have to say that if you like your books to mess up with your head and emotions, read this. This is that kind of book that you have a lot to say and still you don’t have words to tell what happened.
You will have to read this yourself because I can’t help you right now!

[Milena Foxy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my dear you did it again. What an interesting and extremely intense story. It left me crying, screaming and speechless of course 😱. It's a dystopian short story where the main character is a psychiatrist trying to save the people around her. She has a life on edge and struggles with her add.ict.ions. The roots concept is interesting and the scenes depictions are amazing. It has some spice (🌶🌶🌶) involving the said roots😋🤩 which is totally 😈.
This is a dystopian dark romance, so I highly suggest reading the tr!ggers before starting it.
love love💖💓💕
Milena

[Kelsey Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a gripping story! I genuinely had no idea where it was going and it kept my attention locked the entire time. I finished this in one sitting in about an hour and a half because I couldn’t put it down. I loved how the way things were revealed in the story and the different twists were really well done. This isn’t a romance but there were definitely some tender hearted, romantic moments regardless. Really enjoyable and dark read.

[Cookiereadsalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm at a loss for words to describe this book. It was the biggest mindf*ck and I loved every moment of it. This is definitely a wtf am I reading book, so if that's your thing and you can handle dark, snatch this baby up. Pretty sure it fried my brain.

[Ené · Rating 5 out of 5]

God, I wish I knew.

I genuinely have no words. Thought-provoking, to say the least. It did exactly what it wanted to do, which is mentally terrify you. Because. What. Like. What.

Which says a lot about the writing because it wasn't too much, it wasn't too little. It was just right in how it was written because you feel like you understand, but yet there's still so much you miss. Even when you finish it, you still don't know how you feel. Heck, it's been 8 days. I still don't know how I feel about it.

But I know I love it. I love the insanity that it is. I love the questions that still linger. The haze that hovers when you're only the reader, yet you feel as affected by the events as much as the characters.

Reality is often disappointing. But I don't think even I could conjure this craziness through my own delusions.

Also, I feel like I need to reiterate that I do love this book. HAHA.

It's great. Read it.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. WTF DID I JUST READ!? This novella was a serious mind f**k. I had no idea whether I was coming or going. I questioned my own sanity while reading this. If this was what was meant to happen to the reader, then job well done 😂

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sorry, daddy. I liked this too much. Someone put me in prison.

[Dark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the actual f*ck is this

[Jon Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel very uncomfortable at the whole thing.

[Through Iris’s Pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I felt like I was stuck in a loop of a vividv dream, so wildly unsettling. The book was written beautifully and with such genius. I cannot wait for the next one!

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

fucking brilliant and thought provoking

[El Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

What in the twisted mind games?! This book was insane. I felt like I fell into an episode of the twilight zone. I was in the mind of the FMC, lost in her confusion, confused by reality and felt the dread she was feeling pouring off the page.
I absolutely loved this book. It was short and sweet. Easy to read but packed a big punch.
I read this in one sitting because once I picked it up I was swept away in the tension of this book. I can't wait for the opportunity to read more like this. Obsessed.

[Chloe Giani · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spine-chilling. Twisted. Dark. Haunting. Entertaining.
The easiest way to describe it is that it can be one of the best Black Mirror episodes there is if it was that.
This book will keep you doubting what to believe for days on end. The psychological layers were masterfully written that you also feel a twinge of its effect on you as a reader.
You are left not sure what to make out of it – enthusiastically guessing and willingly lost which can only be possible when the book has the perfect balance of ambiguity, subtlety, and loudness.

[Lea Lanzado · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is honestly mindblowing. From the first chapter, I was completely pulled in and didn’t know what to expect — but wow, Kate really outdid herself here. Her writing is hauntingly beautiful, and the way she plays with emotions and darkness is just chef’s kiss.

It’s one of those stories that makes you pause, reread a line, and feel a chill run through you because of how deep it hits. Roots isn’t just a psychological horror — it’s a journey of facing your fears, your past, and what’s been buried deep inside you.

I’m still in awe of how everything came together. Truly, Kate never misses.