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Room 301: Special Edition
SIX DOORS. ONE CREATURE. ONE DOOR OPENS PER DAY.
When Tom wakes up in the white room marked 301, he can't remember how he came to be there — or why the walls seem to breathe.
He isn't alone. Others are trapped with him, each haunted by a past they can’t recall and a terror they can't escape.
Something monstrous lurks beyond the doors, waiting to hunt.
But the real horror may lie somewhere deeper, in the memories clawing their way back into Tom’s mind.
Room 301 is a descent into guilt, survival, and the shadows we can't outrun, because escape isn’t just about surviving the creature.
It's about remembering why he’s there in the first place.
When Tom wakes up in the white room marked 301, he can't remember how he came to be there — or why the walls seem to breathe.
He isn't alone. Others are trapped with him, each haunted by a past they can’t recall and a terror they can't escape.
Something monstrous lurks beyond the doors, waiting to hunt.
But the real horror may lie somewhere deeper, in the memories clawing their way back into Tom’s mind.
Room 301 is a descent into guilt, survival, and the shadows we can't outrun, because escape isn’t just about surviving the creature.
It's about remembering why he’s there in the first place.
- GenresHorror
341 pages, Paperback
Published September 6, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 22, 2026
Wow!!!!! I was in the biggest reading slump, and this book immediately pulled me right out of it! I swear this book was like crack because I could not put it down!
I'm such a sucker for short chapters, and this one had me breeeezing through it! The entire time I was reading, I kept thinking, holy crap, where the hell are they?! What is this damn creature?! I had so many questions, and the suspense just kept me turning the pages!
Noooowwww I'm low-key mad at Brendan because he finally got me out of a reading slump, only to put me right back into another one! 😂
A massive thank you to the author for my gifted copy! I had such a great time reading this one!
I'm such a sucker for short chapters, and this one had me breeeezing through it! The entire time I was reading, I kept thinking, holy crap, where the hell are they?! What is this damn creature?! I had so many questions, and the suspense just kept me turning the pages!
Noooowwww I'm low-key mad at Brendan because he finally got me out of a reading slump, only to put me right back into another one! 😂
A massive thank you to the author for my gifted copy! I had such a great time reading this one!
September 29, 2026
Here's another instance where a super cool author reached out to me about reading their novel, and what I got was something really fun and unexpected.
Room 301 is not what you think it's going to be - but it also is - but it also isn't??? In reality, it's more like 3 stories that fold into each other: one where we see MC Tom wake up in a room (Room 301!) surrounded by several other strangers and no memory of how and why he's there; one where Tom and someone close to him navigate underground caves and try to escape some terrifying creatures; and one where I'm not even going to say anything because it will shock the pants clean off your butt.
The way James marries these elements is smart and unexpected. You'll find yourself rooting so hard for Tom because he's so confused and wants to be strong, but as we learn more about Tom's past (and technically his present), the gray areas start to appear. When you find out why Tom and the other strangers were in those rooms, you'll want to go back to the beginning and pay more attention to how the details come together.
This is a great book to read if you're into psychological thrillers, creature features, and a dash of horror.
*Thanks so much to Brendan James for a gifted copy of this book. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
Room 301 is not what you think it's going to be - but it also is - but it also isn't??? In reality, it's more like 3 stories that fold into each other: one where we see MC Tom wake up in a room (Room 301!) surrounded by several other strangers and no memory of how and why he's there; one where Tom and someone close to him navigate underground caves and try to escape some terrifying creatures; and one where I'm not even going to say anything because it will shock the pants clean off your butt.
The way James marries these elements is smart and unexpected. You'll find yourself rooting so hard for Tom because he's so confused and wants to be strong, but as we learn more about Tom's past (and technically his present), the gray areas start to appear. When you find out why Tom and the other strangers were in those rooms, you'll want to go back to the beginning and pay more attention to how the details come together.
This is a great book to read if you're into psychological thrillers, creature features, and a dash of horror.
*Thanks so much to Brendan James for a gifted copy of this book. This review contains my honest, authentic thoughts and opinions.*
October 26, 2026
✨Captivating from page 1✨
I absolutely loved Room 301!! I was HOOKED from page 1. The dread inducing atmosphere kicks off right away. The short chapters definitely made this a fast-paced read and I was intrigued throughout. I had so many questions that I NEEDED answers to right away!! This was a wild ride and I love how it ended. I can’t wait for book 2 to see how Tom’s story concludes!
Thank you so much to the author for reaching out and sending over a free physical copy in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely loved Room 301!! I was HOOKED from page 1. The dread inducing atmosphere kicks off right away. The short chapters definitely made this a fast-paced read and I was intrigued throughout. I had so many questions that I NEEDED answers to right away!! This was a wild ride and I love how it ended. I can’t wait for book 2 to see how Tom’s story concludes!
Thank you so much to the author for reaching out and sending over a free physical copy in exchange for an honest review!
October 10, 2026
I am a huge mood reader and although I wasn't quite in the mood for a creature feature, I devoured this book. I will 100% be reading more from Brendan. Each chapter pulled me in deeper and deeper into this room and I just had to find out what was behind that door.
There was a constant feeling of dread that never went away, and I LOOOVED that. The suspense also kept me on my toes and every time I thought that I could put the book down, something else made me need to keep reading. The short chapters definitely didn't help because I kept on convincing myself to read just one more lol.
Between the creepy creatures, the unsettling atmosphere, and constantly wondering what the hell was actually going on, I was hooked. If you're into psychological horror, creatures, and the constant feeling that something is terribly wrong... I would definitely pick this up.
Thank you so much to Brendan James for the arc!
There was a constant feeling of dread that never went away, and I LOOOVED that. The suspense also kept me on my toes and every time I thought that I could put the book down, something else made me need to keep reading. The short chapters definitely didn't help because I kept on convincing myself to read just one more lol.
Between the creepy creatures, the unsettling atmosphere, and constantly wondering what the hell was actually going on, I was hooked. If you're into psychological horror, creatures, and the constant feeling that something is terribly wrong... I would definitely pick this up.
Thank you so much to Brendan James for the arc!
October 27, 2026
I picked up Room 301 a couple of nights ago thinking I’d read a chapter or two before bed. Yeah, right. The premise alone had me hooked immediately: Tom wakes up in a white room with zero memories. There are 5 strangers occupying neighbouring rooms, and one monster waiting outside. Oh, and one door opens every single day.
I went in expecting a fun survival horror, and while it definitely delivered on the monster front, it’s the psychological side that really messed with my head. Watching Tom’s suppressed memories slowly come back and trying to figure out why he's in there in the first place had me second-guessing everything right up until the end. Speaking of, I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and cannot wait for the sequel!
If you love claustrophobic, locked-room thrillers like Cube or Saw with some heavy psychological twists, go grab this immediately.
(Quick note: Brendan James kindly sent me a free copy of this one! However, I am way too stubborn to be bribed by a free paperback, so this sleep-deprived rambling is 100% my own honest opinion.)
I went in expecting a fun survival horror, and while it definitely delivered on the monster front, it’s the psychological side that really messed with my head. Watching Tom’s suppressed memories slowly come back and trying to figure out why he's in there in the first place had me second-guessing everything right up until the end. Speaking of, I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and cannot wait for the sequel!
If you love claustrophobic, locked-room thrillers like Cube or Saw with some heavy psychological twists, go grab this immediately.
(Quick note: Brendan James kindly sent me a free copy of this one! However, I am way too stubborn to be bribed by a free paperback, so this sleep-deprived rambling is 100% my own honest opinion.)
October 16, 2026
* First of all, I'd like to say a big thank you to Brendan James for gifting me a copy of this book to review! This review contains my honest thoughts and opinion!*
This book was so eerie and creepy and partially what I expected, but also not what I expected? Our MC wakes up in a room with no memory and throughout this book navigates through this seemingly never ending liminal cave-like hell with while trying to actively avoid creatures from his own fears.
A couple months ago, I read "A Short Stay In Hell", and I realized about halfway through that this book is what I was expecting that book to be like! (I say this in the best way!) This book was definitely unsettling and I flew through it in just a few hours!
If you like creepy liminal horror, and creature horror, I think you'd like this book!
This book was so eerie and creepy and partially what I expected, but also not what I expected? Our MC wakes up in a room with no memory and throughout this book navigates through this seemingly never ending liminal cave-like hell with while trying to actively avoid creatures from his own fears.
A couple months ago, I read "A Short Stay In Hell", and I realized about halfway through that this book is what I was expecting that book to be like! (I say this in the best way!) This book was definitely unsettling and I flew through it in just a few hours!
If you like creepy liminal horror, and creature horror, I think you'd like this book!
September 25, 2026
This was absolutely horrifying, and I loved it! You know those dreams you have where you keep running towards a door and can never quite make it there? And you know there's something at your back trying to get you? That's what this book felt like. Always aiming for something, and your worst fears following you the whole way. I read this book in one sitting. I HAD to know what was going on once I got into it. Gonna sit with me for a bit lol
October 23, 2026
The minute I started reading, I couldn’t stop until I was done. Room 301 is a wild ride from start to finish, to the point where I did NOT predict how this was going to end. The story flowed well, putting the pieces together wonderfully without giving hints to a resolution. I loved the constant feel of dread I felt during the whole thing LOL. I highly recovered checking out Room 301 if you like short chapters, immense grief, and bugs🐛 It is out now so feel free to pick up a copy for yourself🔪🖤
October 14, 2026
A unique and cerebral take on horror, this story hooks you from the very beginning. I guarantee the ending is a lot more relevant than you might expect…
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the author for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 2, 2026
Thrilling to read kept me on my toes
September 15, 2025
Perfect for the spooky season!!
September 19, 2025
Thrilling!
Great first entry from an author I eagerly await more content from! I can’t imagine what he’s going to cook up next!
Great first entry from an author I eagerly await more content from! I can’t imagine what he’s going to cook up next!
October 15, 2025
Wow, this was a totally unique story and definitely held my attention to the very end. I loved the ending by the way... this was a great read and really enjoyed it! Spooky and unsettling.
April 2, 2026
Great book, kept me hooked in
October 8, 2026
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own, and I’m writing this review voluntarily.
This book was (unofficially) split into three parts; the room, the exploration, and the ending. Tom begins stuck in a room, with other prisoners each in their own cell down a hallway. He slowly watches them get picked off one by one, but cannot remember why he’s there or how he got there. The terror is fast paced in this part, and I was absolutely addicted to his attempts to escape.
The exploration part was good, but felt dragged on to me. The reader is getting fed crumb after crumb of information about Tom, and it feels like you’re there with him as he slowly treks forward. The setting is interesting, but at times I found myself wondering if this slow pace would continue for the entire book. I don’t think I vibed enough with Tom, I wanted to know what he did before I started rooting for him!
The ending though? Holy shit. I absolutely didn’t expect the turns this took, and I’m so glad I stuck it out through the slower part. When you finally learn more about what happened, you’ll be dying to go back through and find all the hints you missed.
If you’re looking for a spooky October read with non-classic monsters and a hint of claustrophobia, this is your book!
This book was (unofficially) split into three parts; the room, the exploration, and the ending. Tom begins stuck in a room, with other prisoners each in their own cell down a hallway. He slowly watches them get picked off one by one, but cannot remember why he’s there or how he got there. The terror is fast paced in this part, and I was absolutely addicted to his attempts to escape.
The exploration part was good, but felt dragged on to me. The reader is getting fed crumb after crumb of information about Tom, and it feels like you’re there with him as he slowly treks forward. The setting is interesting, but at times I found myself wondering if this slow pace would continue for the entire book. I don’t think I vibed enough with Tom, I wanted to know what he did before I started rooting for him!
The ending though? Holy shit. I absolutely didn’t expect the turns this took, and I’m so glad I stuck it out through the slower part. When you finally learn more about what happened, you’ll be dying to go back through and find all the hints you missed.
If you’re looking for a spooky October read with non-classic monsters and a hint of claustrophobia, this is your book!
Did Not Finish
December 13, 2025DNF im not into mythical creatures
February 28, 2026
After reading this book, I believe He’ll is real
March 19, 2026
First two parts were solid, part three was ridiculously good. Horrifying to think about
March 19, 2026
Would recommend for the price
July 16, 2026
A Captivating Book
It’s really good. It keeps the pages turning. It has a good CREEPINESS FACTOR and the author really “paints” vivid pictures. You feel the hopelessness and despair of the main character. A really fun read. I did kind of figure out generally what was going on probably half through the book, but the way the author handled the ending was very satisfying.
It’s really good. It keeps the pages turning. It has a good CREEPINESS FACTOR and the author really “paints” vivid pictures. You feel the hopelessness and despair of the main character. A really fun read. I did kind of figure out generally what was going on probably half through the book, but the way the author handled the ending was very satisfying.
Did Not Finish
July 24, 2026No star rating, because I didn't finish. I tried several times to get into this, but it didn't hook me at all. I got about 20 or so pages in, and decided to stop forcing myself to try and read it. It just wasn't for me, so it's a rare DNF and I can now move on.
September 9, 2025
Probably the best book ever........
September 9, 2025
Probably the best book ever........
February 28, 2026
After reading this book, I believe Hell is real
March 19, 2026
First two parts were solid, part three was ridiculously good. Horrifying to think about
March 19, 2026
Would recommend for the price
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews