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Influence
Sixteen-year-old Virginia Blue wilts in the gray, colorless dead end of her Texas hometown. Her only refuge is influencer Minerva King, whose streams transport Virginia to the sunny shores of California, where Virginia’s troubles melt into the azure waves and white sands of endless possibility.
Pushed to her limit by her best friend’s death and her mother’s abuse, Virginia runs away to meet Minerva, unaware that her cross-country journey will unleash a wave of figurative and literal evil that will change both girls’ lives forever.
Pushed to her limit by her best friend’s death and her mother’s abuse, Virginia runs away to meet Minerva, unaware that her cross-country journey will unleash a wave of figurative and literal evil that will change both girls’ lives forever.
- GenresHorror
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
1227 people want to read
About the author
R.H. Gründ
4 books27 followersHorror writer | Author of the ROOM OF CLOTH series, SIMULACRUM, and INFLUENCE
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 15, 2025
Really enjoyed reading this book! Before going into it, I do recommend to check trigger warnings as it does touch on suicide, sex trafficking, alcoholism and physical abuse.
The story follows Virginia Blue who lives at home with her mother, sister and brother in law. Stuck in small town, she can’t wait to make it to California and meet Minerva King, her favorite online Influencer whom she idolizes. During her trajectory to California, unfortunately things do happen along the way.
This book had me absolutely absorbed from beginning to end. The author did an amazing job when it came some of the horror elements. I feel if this was a movie, I would literally be screaming at every single scene. This is dark, fascinating, quick paced and easy to read.
The story follows Virginia Blue who lives at home with her mother, sister and brother in law. Stuck in small town, she can’t wait to make it to California and meet Minerva King, her favorite online Influencer whom she idolizes. During her trajectory to California, unfortunately things do happen along the way.
This book had me absolutely absorbed from beginning to end. The author did an amazing job when it came some of the horror elements. I feel if this was a movie, I would literally be screaming at every single scene. This is dark, fascinating, quick paced and easy to read.
October 11, 2025
There are books that demand your time — and then there are books like Influence that devour it. I picked this one up thinking I’d read a few chapters before bed, and suddenly the sun was rising and I’d inhaled the entire thing in just a couple of hours. That’s the kind of addictive, gripping power this story has. It’s not just a page-turner; it’s a full-body experience. It’s the type of book that makes your pulse race and your mind spiral long after the final page, and it reminded me exactly why I love this genre so much.
What makes Influence truly stand out is how seamlessly it blends atmosphere, emotion, and intensity. There’s a haunting psychological edge to the writing — not in a cheap “jump scare” way, but in that slow-burn, something-is-watching-me-from-the-corner way that creeps under your skin and stays there. The author explores the complexity of human emotions — guilt, grief, fear, resilience — with a level of nuance that’s rare. Every page feels deliberate, layered, and full of purpose. You’re not just reading a story; you’re peeling back layers of the human condition.
At its heart, this story is Minerva’s — a girl who’s not a hero, not a villain, but a painfully real portrait of what trauma does to a human being. From the first moment she talks about the “visitors” that haunted her childhood — half-hallucination, half-memory — the narrative sets a tone that’s far more psychological than supernatural. I loved how Grund uses those spectral figures not just as monsters but as manifestations of grief itself. After her father’s death, those friendly imaginary shapes twist into something grotesque and unrecognisable — a metaphor that hits like a punch to the gut. Because that’s how grief works, doesn’t it? It turns the familiar into something feral. And Influence captures that brutally and beautifully.
And oh my god, the horror. Let’s talk about that. This isn’t your cheap jump-scare, boo-in-the-corner type of horror. This is grotesque, body-twisting, stomach-churning, existential horror. That entire amphitheatre sequence? Pure nightmare fuel. The auction scene where bodies — souls, even — are treated as commodities, the audience howling as if this isn’t damnation but entertainment… I was disturbed, and that’s exactly the point. Grund holds up a mirror to the way we consume pain — how suffering can be turned into spectacle — and it’s horrifying precisely because it’s so recognisable.
The characters are another reason this book works so damn well. They aren’t neat or predictable — they’re messy, deeply flawed, and painfully real. Their relationships, decisions, and internal conflicts are what give the story its weight. You don’t just observe them; you feel with them. It’s the kind of writing that makes you question yourself, your own choices, and the way we all carry our invisible scars. And that, to me, is the sign of a truly powerful novel — when it doesn’t just entertain you, it unsettles and challenges you too.
Another thing I absolutely loved was the writing style itself. R.H. Grund has a way of crafting sentences that feel almost cinematic — sharp and visceral, yet poetic and haunting. There’s a rhythm to the narration that pulls you deeper into the world, page after page, until you’re fully submerged. Even the darker, heavier moments are balanced beautifully with emotional depth, creating a reading experience that’s both intense and strangely comforting.
Yet what I adored most was how the novel never loses its humanity amidst all the darkness. There’s this thread of friendship and love — Sue, Suzanne, Virginia — that grounds the story. The emotional weight of Minerva’s reunion with Sue, the heartbreaking apology, the return of the scarf — those moments reminded me that Influence isn’t just about fighting monsters. It’s about the ways we fail the people we love, and the impossible hope of forgiving ourselves anyway. That final scene where Sue tells Minerva she’ll need the scarf… god, I had to close the book and breathe for a second.
If I had to offer one critique — and this is coming from a reader who adored nearly every aspect — it would be that there are moments where the pacing could have been just a little tighter. There are sections that linger, not unnecessarily, but enough to slightly slow the momentum. That said, those quieter moments also give you time to breathe and reflect, so it’s less of a flaw and more of a stylistic choice that may not work for every reader but certainly worked for me.
All in all, Influence is a brilliant, immersive, and thought-provoking read — one that lingers long after you’ve closed the final page. It’s unsettling in the best possible way, introspective without being pretentious, and deeply human at its core. If you’re a fan of stories that dig beneath the surface, that explore the darker corners of the mind while still offering glimmers of hope and strength, then this book absolutely deserves a spot on your shelf. And for a first encounter with R.H. Grund’s work? Consider me hooked — I’ll be first in line for whatever comes next.
⭐ 4.6/5 — a dark, beautifully written exploration of the human psyche that will leave you thinking, feeling, and maybe even a little haunted.
What makes Influence truly stand out is how seamlessly it blends atmosphere, emotion, and intensity. There’s a haunting psychological edge to the writing — not in a cheap “jump scare” way, but in that slow-burn, something-is-watching-me-from-the-corner way that creeps under your skin and stays there. The author explores the complexity of human emotions — guilt, grief, fear, resilience — with a level of nuance that’s rare. Every page feels deliberate, layered, and full of purpose. You’re not just reading a story; you’re peeling back layers of the human condition.
At its heart, this story is Minerva’s — a girl who’s not a hero, not a villain, but a painfully real portrait of what trauma does to a human being. From the first moment she talks about the “visitors” that haunted her childhood — half-hallucination, half-memory — the narrative sets a tone that’s far more psychological than supernatural. I loved how Grund uses those spectral figures not just as monsters but as manifestations of grief itself. After her father’s death, those friendly imaginary shapes twist into something grotesque and unrecognisable — a metaphor that hits like a punch to the gut. Because that’s how grief works, doesn’t it? It turns the familiar into something feral. And Influence captures that brutally and beautifully.
And oh my god, the horror. Let’s talk about that. This isn’t your cheap jump-scare, boo-in-the-corner type of horror. This is grotesque, body-twisting, stomach-churning, existential horror. That entire amphitheatre sequence? Pure nightmare fuel. The auction scene where bodies — souls, even — are treated as commodities, the audience howling as if this isn’t damnation but entertainment… I was disturbed, and that’s exactly the point. Grund holds up a mirror to the way we consume pain — how suffering can be turned into spectacle — and it’s horrifying precisely because it’s so recognisable.
The characters are another reason this book works so damn well. They aren’t neat or predictable — they’re messy, deeply flawed, and painfully real. Their relationships, decisions, and internal conflicts are what give the story its weight. You don’t just observe them; you feel with them. It’s the kind of writing that makes you question yourself, your own choices, and the way we all carry our invisible scars. And that, to me, is the sign of a truly powerful novel — when it doesn’t just entertain you, it unsettles and challenges you too.
Another thing I absolutely loved was the writing style itself. R.H. Grund has a way of crafting sentences that feel almost cinematic — sharp and visceral, yet poetic and haunting. There’s a rhythm to the narration that pulls you deeper into the world, page after page, until you’re fully submerged. Even the darker, heavier moments are balanced beautifully with emotional depth, creating a reading experience that’s both intense and strangely comforting.
Yet what I adored most was how the novel never loses its humanity amidst all the darkness. There’s this thread of friendship and love — Sue, Suzanne, Virginia — that grounds the story. The emotional weight of Minerva’s reunion with Sue, the heartbreaking apology, the return of the scarf — those moments reminded me that Influence isn’t just about fighting monsters. It’s about the ways we fail the people we love, and the impossible hope of forgiving ourselves anyway. That final scene where Sue tells Minerva she’ll need the scarf… god, I had to close the book and breathe for a second.
If I had to offer one critique — and this is coming from a reader who adored nearly every aspect — it would be that there are moments where the pacing could have been just a little tighter. There are sections that linger, not unnecessarily, but enough to slightly slow the momentum. That said, those quieter moments also give you time to breathe and reflect, so it’s less of a flaw and more of a stylistic choice that may not work for every reader but certainly worked for me.
All in all, Influence is a brilliant, immersive, and thought-provoking read — one that lingers long after you’ve closed the final page. It’s unsettling in the best possible way, introspective without being pretentious, and deeply human at its core. If you’re a fan of stories that dig beneath the surface, that explore the darker corners of the mind while still offering glimmers of hope and strength, then this book absolutely deserves a spot on your shelf. And for a first encounter with R.H. Grund’s work? Consider me hooked — I’ll be first in line for whatever comes next.
⭐ 4.6/5 — a dark, beautifully written exploration of the human psyche that will leave you thinking, feeling, and maybe even a little haunted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2025
"Those that fear the darkness have no idea what the light can do." ~Katasai Rakshasa
TW/CW: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SELF HARM, SUICIDE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT, STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT
Virginia Blue is one of countless teens stuck in a awful existence whose only escape is watching the carefully crafted online life of an influencer named Minerva King. She will do anything to make it to California to live the life Minerva has. Unfortunately for Ginny, there are forces that are willing to help her in her quest. All that glitters ain't gold after all.
This was a story that drew me in and I didn't want to put it down. Virginia is a relatable character and you can't help but feel for her and become invested in what happens to her. In a way, we are all Virginia. The internet is our oasis from our monotonous lives just as it is hers.
At first, Minerva doesn't seem like she has a lot of depth. I was glad she went through the character development she did. Her transformation from shallow internet star to confident crusader was an enjoyable experience.
The other forces at play in this book conjure images of Faust and Dante. Darkness that weaves in an out planting seeds in the lives of our characters. Choices have consequences, good and bad.
In the end I feel this story isn't over when the book ends. Minerva has more work to do as do others. On the world wide web, there's no end to the influence one can have.
TW/CW: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, SELF HARM, SUICIDE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, ATTEMPTED SEXUAL ASSAULT, STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT
Virginia Blue is one of countless teens stuck in a awful existence whose only escape is watching the carefully crafted online life of an influencer named Minerva King. She will do anything to make it to California to live the life Minerva has. Unfortunately for Ginny, there are forces that are willing to help her in her quest. All that glitters ain't gold after all.
This was a story that drew me in and I didn't want to put it down. Virginia is a relatable character and you can't help but feel for her and become invested in what happens to her. In a way, we are all Virginia. The internet is our oasis from our monotonous lives just as it is hers.
At first, Minerva doesn't seem like she has a lot of depth. I was glad she went through the character development she did. Her transformation from shallow internet star to confident crusader was an enjoyable experience.
The other forces at play in this book conjure images of Faust and Dante. Darkness that weaves in an out planting seeds in the lives of our characters. Choices have consequences, good and bad.
In the end I feel this story isn't over when the book ends. Minerva has more work to do as do others. On the world wide web, there's no end to the influence one can have.
October 12, 2025
This was a fascinating concept for a horror novel, I was invested in what was happening and the idea of a evil. The characters were so well written and was hooked from the first page until the end. I thought everything was suspenseful and had that atmosphere that I was looking for and enjoyed in the genre. R. H. Grund was able to weave a great story and I was glad I got to read this.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 4, 2025
Influence by R.H. Grund completely blew me away. From the very first chapter, I was hooked by the mix of tension, glamour, and dark undercurrents that pulse through every page. This isn’t just a story about fame and social media—it’s a deep dive into how far people will go for validation, power, and control.
Grund’s writing is razor-sharp and cinematic, making it easy to visualize every scene. The characters feel incredibly real—flawed, ambitious, and often unsettlingly relatable. The plot builds with a slow, intoxicating burn until it hits a point where you can’t stop turning the pages. Every twist landed perfectly, and by the end, I was left speechless.
What I loved most is how the author balances psychological tension with genuine emotional depth. It’s not just a thriller—it’s a mirror to the pressures of modern culture and the cost of chasing influence at any price.
If you enjoy dark, character-driven stories that explore obsession, ambition, and the masks people wear, Influence is a must-read. R.H. Grund has crafted something hauntingly brilliant here.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
Grund’s writing is razor-sharp and cinematic, making it easy to visualize every scene. The characters feel incredibly real—flawed, ambitious, and often unsettlingly relatable. The plot builds with a slow, intoxicating burn until it hits a point where you can’t stop turning the pages. Every twist landed perfectly, and by the end, I was left speechless.
What I loved most is how the author balances psychological tension with genuine emotional depth. It’s not just a thriller—it’s a mirror to the pressures of modern culture and the cost of chasing influence at any price.
If you enjoy dark, character-driven stories that explore obsession, ambition, and the masks people wear, Influence is a must-read. R.H. Grund has crafted something hauntingly brilliant here.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
September 29, 2025
Influence is an engaging, atmospheric horror novel that takes you into realms beyond the physical. I love how surreal and nightmarish some of these planes are, and I thank the author for giving me closure at the end. FIVE STARS from me, and thank you for the ARC!
December 27, 2025
I’m rounding up my 3.5 rating to a 4!
This was one of the more interesting books I've read this year. It definitely has massive potential to be something great, right now for me, it's sitting at "well that was a weird, but good story" The premise of this book is what intrigued me most, and boy, is it MORE than I thought it would be.
We start the book off in Virginia's perspective, a young teenage girl. After the loss of her best friend, she really delves into her favorite influencers live streams and videos. So much to the point there is turmoil within the family. There are some major events that happen that cause Virginia to run away from home, to finally meet Minerva, the influencer. There are things that occur when Virginia finally gets to California, where Minerva lives, and we change perspectives to Minerva. Once that happens, you are in for a WILD ride. Almost fever dream like, the world she enters in very Silent Hill! The ending is also, just wow. I don't really have words to explain it! This book just had SO much going on!
I do feel like the author did an amazing job of tying everything together in the end! I didn't have many lingering unanswered questions.
The things I did love about this book was the authors writing style. They did an amazing job of painting a picture, no matter how grotesque it was! My only "criticism" is that I felt there was almost TOO much going on. And the pacing was a little clunky because of that.
However, I love a creative and unique story, and this definitely delivers on that!
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read and arc of this!
This was one of the more interesting books I've read this year. It definitely has massive potential to be something great, right now for me, it's sitting at "well that was a weird, but good story" The premise of this book is what intrigued me most, and boy, is it MORE than I thought it would be.
We start the book off in Virginia's perspective, a young teenage girl. After the loss of her best friend, she really delves into her favorite influencers live streams and videos. So much to the point there is turmoil within the family. There are some major events that happen that cause Virginia to run away from home, to finally meet Minerva, the influencer. There are things that occur when Virginia finally gets to California, where Minerva lives, and we change perspectives to Minerva. Once that happens, you are in for a WILD ride. Almost fever dream like, the world she enters in very Silent Hill! The ending is also, just wow. I don't really have words to explain it! This book just had SO much going on!
I do feel like the author did an amazing job of tying everything together in the end! I didn't have many lingering unanswered questions.
The things I did love about this book was the authors writing style. They did an amazing job of painting a picture, no matter how grotesque it was! My only "criticism" is that I felt there was almost TOO much going on. And the pacing was a little clunky because of that.
However, I love a creative and unique story, and this definitely delivers on that!
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read and arc of this!
November 2, 2025
Thank you to R.H. Grund for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!
Wow!!! I knew when I read the blurb for this book that it was going to be good, but I could not have guessed just how much I was going to enjoy it, or how relevant it was actually going to be. This book revolves around a young girl who basically idolizes an online influencer in California, and runs away from her trauma-filled life in search of her. What she doesn't expect is the horrors she encounters along the way.
This book struck a chord with me instantly because so many people, not just teenagers, can relate to wanting that picture-perfect influencer life displayed on social media. A lot of times people don't understand the hidden horrors of it behind the scenes. While I really do enjoy typical monster stories and the scary supernatural, I often times find what entertains me even more is horror stories that are more "real." I'm speaking of those that revolve around the evil that can be found in everyday people, especially when people are chasing power and control.
Grund's writing was so engaging and immersive...I could easily imagine every scene. There was a ton of psychological tension and the twists and plotline kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to bed. I loved the development of the characters, and how Grund wrote them to feel so real...like people I might actually know in real life. I really enjoyed this read and will definitely be reading more by this author!
Wow!!! I knew when I read the blurb for this book that it was going to be good, but I could not have guessed just how much I was going to enjoy it, or how relevant it was actually going to be. This book revolves around a young girl who basically idolizes an online influencer in California, and runs away from her trauma-filled life in search of her. What she doesn't expect is the horrors she encounters along the way.
This book struck a chord with me instantly because so many people, not just teenagers, can relate to wanting that picture-perfect influencer life displayed on social media. A lot of times people don't understand the hidden horrors of it behind the scenes. While I really do enjoy typical monster stories and the scary supernatural, I often times find what entertains me even more is horror stories that are more "real." I'm speaking of those that revolve around the evil that can be found in everyday people, especially when people are chasing power and control.
Grund's writing was so engaging and immersive...I could easily imagine every scene. There was a ton of psychological tension and the twists and plotline kept me turning pages long after I should have gone to bed. I loved the development of the characters, and how Grund wrote them to feel so real...like people I might actually know in real life. I really enjoyed this read and will definitely be reading more by this author!
December 28, 2025
I love dark fiction, especially when that darkness is in service of something meaningful. Unfortunately, I’m not convinced this novel ever fully figured out what it wanted to say.
After her sister’s suicide and an act of shocking cruelty by her alcoholic mother, Virginia runs away from home. She’s accompanied (literally) by the ghost of her dead cat, Felix, who serves as a kind of spectral guide toward her fixation: a California influencer she’s obsessed with. Along the way, Virginia is kidnapped and sex trafficked, an ordeal that is introduced and resolved with startling speed, before the story pivots again into stalking and obsession.
There’s no denying this book is relentlessly bleak. Trauma stacks on trauma, and the narrative pushes into grotesque territory again and again. But for me, it crossed the line from confronting darkness to simply wallowing in it. I struggled to understand the purpose behind many of these events, and by the end, I wasn’t sure what the novel ultimately wanted me to take away beyond shock for shock’s sake.
I don’t think this book is empty or entirely without merit, but its themes felt muddled, its message unclear, and its storytelling often disorienting. Darkness alone isn’t enough to sustain a story, and here it left me more confused than challenged. Perhaps I just didn’t understand it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, R.H. Gründ, and R. H. Grund Works for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
After her sister’s suicide and an act of shocking cruelty by her alcoholic mother, Virginia runs away from home. She’s accompanied (literally) by the ghost of her dead cat, Felix, who serves as a kind of spectral guide toward her fixation: a California influencer she’s obsessed with. Along the way, Virginia is kidnapped and sex trafficked, an ordeal that is introduced and resolved with startling speed, before the story pivots again into stalking and obsession.
There’s no denying this book is relentlessly bleak. Trauma stacks on trauma, and the narrative pushes into grotesque territory again and again. But for me, it crossed the line from confronting darkness to simply wallowing in it. I struggled to understand the purpose behind many of these events, and by the end, I wasn’t sure what the novel ultimately wanted me to take away beyond shock for shock’s sake.
I don’t think this book is empty or entirely without merit, but its themes felt muddled, its message unclear, and its storytelling often disorienting. Darkness alone isn’t enough to sustain a story, and here it left me more confused than challenged. Perhaps I just didn’t understand it.
Many thanks to NetGalley, R.H. Gründ, and R. H. Grund Works for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
November 12, 2025
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book left me incredibly confused. It felt like an incredibly long exposition to a series except I think it's a stand alone?
The book started following Virginia journeying to California to meet her idol, Minerva. Throughout this journey, there's a suspenseful, eerie atmosphere. Around the 50% mark, the tone and book shifts into a fully paranormal realm with a completely different plot. It feels like a separate book. The plots for both sections were interesting but neither were fleshed out. There were so many unanswered questions surrounding the paranormal realm. The evil entities weren't dealt with at all. The last 20% of the book felt like a really long epilogue listing all the unresolved plot lines. There were unnecessary scenes and conversations that didn't add or resolve anything.
I do think the horror scenes were written really well. They were disgusting, horrifying, and had me grimacing and cringing all the way through. If this was a movie, I would've been hiding from behind a pillow. Overall, I think this book would've been better if it was longer or split into two books so each plot could be explored fully.
This book left me incredibly confused. It felt like an incredibly long exposition to a series except I think it's a stand alone?
The book started following Virginia journeying to California to meet her idol, Minerva. Throughout this journey, there's a suspenseful, eerie atmosphere. Around the 50% mark, the tone and book shifts into a fully paranormal realm with a completely different plot. It feels like a separate book. The plots for both sections were interesting but neither were fleshed out. There were so many unanswered questions surrounding the paranormal realm. The evil entities weren't dealt with at all. The last 20% of the book felt like a really long epilogue listing all the unresolved plot lines. There were unnecessary scenes and conversations that didn't add or resolve anything.
I do think the horror scenes were written really well. They were disgusting, horrifying, and had me grimacing and cringing all the way through. If this was a movie, I would've been hiding from behind a pillow. Overall, I think this book would've been better if it was longer or split into two books so each plot could be explored fully.
November 15, 2025
Influence is a compelling YA psychological thriller that blends the contemporary world of social media with dark, suspenseful storytelling. Virginia Blue’s journey from a stifling, gray Texas town to the sunny, seemingly idyllic world of influencer Minerva King is both relatable and unsettling. Gründ deftly portrays the lure of escapism through online personas, and the danger that comes when reality doesn’t match expectation.
The story is emotionally charged, tackling themes of grief, abuse, and the intoxicating power of influence both social and personal. Virginia is a sympathetic protagonist, and her inner struggles feel authentic, while the unfolding tension keeps readers turning pages. Gründ’s writing captures the duality of light and darkness, freedom and control, and the ways our choices can have profound, sometimes terrifying consequences.
Fans of dark contemporary YA, psychological suspense, and stories about the hidden costs of obsession will find Influence both captivating and thought-provoking.
The story is emotionally charged, tackling themes of grief, abuse, and the intoxicating power of influence both social and personal. Virginia is a sympathetic protagonist, and her inner struggles feel authentic, while the unfolding tension keeps readers turning pages. Gründ’s writing captures the duality of light and darkness, freedom and control, and the ways our choices can have profound, sometimes terrifying consequences.
Fans of dark contemporary YA, psychological suspense, and stories about the hidden costs of obsession will find Influence both captivating and thought-provoking.
November 24, 2025
In this narrative, we are introduced to Virginia, a teenage protagonist residing in Texas, whose home life is marred by an abusive, alcoholic mother. As a coping mechanism, Virginia becomes engrossed with the seemingly perfect life of Minerva, a California-based influencer whose content portrays an idealized existence.
Driven to escape her circumstances, Virginia embarks on a journey from Texas to California, seeking the promise of a better future. However, the introduction of an imaginary friend during Virginia's travels felt somewhat out of place, causing a temporary dip in my engagement. Fortunately, the narrative regained its momentum around the 60-page mark, drawing me back into the story.
Overall, while the story had its moments, it did not leave a lasting impression. Nevertheless, I remain receptive to exploring diverse narratives and perspectives in literature.
I was given this ebook from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This is my honest review
Driven to escape her circumstances, Virginia embarks on a journey from Texas to California, seeking the promise of a better future. However, the introduction of an imaginary friend during Virginia's travels felt somewhat out of place, causing a temporary dip in my engagement. Fortunately, the narrative regained its momentum around the 60-page mark, drawing me back into the story.
Overall, while the story had its moments, it did not leave a lasting impression. Nevertheless, I remain receptive to exploring diverse narratives and perspectives in literature.
I was given this ebook from NetGalley & the publisher in exchange for my honest review. This is my honest review
November 23, 2025
Virginia and her sister Janine don't have parents in the sense you should- the dad isn't around, and the mother is abusive to such an intense degree it's hard to stomach. There are quite a few triggers in this, and my favorite thing about this book is actually ALSO my least favorite. While the mix of genres is so fun and welcome, it also detracts from the plot at times. I would sometimes forget what book I was reading because even the POV's switched up a few times. This was done seamlessly in parts and clunky in others, in my opinion, so I want to make sure I give the author the proper credit regarding that. I think the horror scenes were particularly written well but less would have been more for me with Influence, the changing of so many factors makes the pace lengthen. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the chance to read and review this eARC! All opinions are my own.
December 4, 2025
Someone will love this book, that someone just isn't me. POV switches with no notice or explanation, little to no background, and other devices make this 202-page novel feel double its length, by the end I felt I was slogging through. I expected a more horror take on Ingrid Goes West but this is definitely not that.
Virginia Blue is 16 years old and wasting away in Texas, spending so much time and energy on the videos and posts of influencer Minerva King she almost misses her niece's birth. Her only friend Suzanne died recently, and her mother is abusive, so when Virginia's cat dies, she decides to run away, or more aptly run to Minerva. As she embarks on this journey, a shadowy companion may not be what they seem, and Virgina should watch her back.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Virginia Blue is 16 years old and wasting away in Texas, spending so much time and energy on the videos and posts of influencer Minerva King she almost misses her niece's birth. Her only friend Suzanne died recently, and her mother is abusive, so when Virginia's cat dies, she decides to run away, or more aptly run to Minerva. As she embarks on this journey, a shadowy companion may not be what they seem, and Virgina should watch her back.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
October 22, 2025
4.6/5 stars
Influence is such an intriguing mix of supernatural, psychological, and atmospheric storytelling. The author does an amazing job blending these elements together in a way that feels seamless and immersive. I really liked how the central themes are tied to the mysterious “visitors” — it adds more to the story and its themes. and adds an extra eerie, almost haunting layer to it. The characters’ journeys are so well done, too; you really feel their growth and struggles as the story unfolds. Overall, it’s a thoughtful, well-written read that balances mystery and emotion perfectly.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
Influence is such an intriguing mix of supernatural, psychological, and atmospheric storytelling. The author does an amazing job blending these elements together in a way that feels seamless and immersive. I really liked how the central themes are tied to the mysterious “visitors” — it adds more to the story and its themes. and adds an extra eerie, almost haunting layer to it. The characters’ journeys are so well done, too; you really feel their growth and struggles as the story unfolds. Overall, it’s a thoughtful, well-written read that balances mystery and emotion perfectly.
I received an ARC copy and this is my honest review.
October 30, 2025
Influence started off strong for me. The first 3/4 had me drawn in and needing to know if Virginia would make it out of the mental and physical abuse. Virginia’s story of a shitty home life and finding comfort in watching the life of a stranger and dreaming to have that for yourself can be relatable to a lot of people. The last 1/4 of the book just kind of dragged on for me. It is a good book if you like supernatural thriller type books, just know the end is a little dull.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 12, 2025
Sixteen-year-old Virginia Blue wilts in the gray, colorless dead end of her Texas hometown. Her only refuge is influencer Minerva King, whose streams transport Virginia to the sunny shores of California, where Virginia’s troubles melt into the azure waves and white sands of endless possibility.
Pushed to her limit by her best friend’s death and her mother’s abuse, Virginia runs away to meet Minerva, unaware that her cross-country journey will unleash a wave of figurative and literal evil that will change both girls’ lives forever.
Pushed to her limit by her best friend’s death and her mother’s abuse, Virginia runs away to meet Minerva, unaware that her cross-country journey will unleash a wave of figurative and literal evil that will change both girls’ lives forever.
December 30, 2025
2.5 stars
From the blurb, I was expecting this to be more of a thriller/commentary on parasocial relationships and internet fame. While I initially enjoyed the more ghostly and horror elements, I eventually found myself bored with the writing style and characters. I only really liked Minerva towards the end, the rest were two dimensional and not developed enough for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #Influence #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
From the blurb, I was expecting this to be more of a thriller/commentary on parasocial relationships and internet fame. While I initially enjoyed the more ghostly and horror elements, I eventually found myself bored with the writing style and characters. I only really liked Minerva towards the end, the rest were two dimensional and not developed enough for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #Influence #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
October 28, 2025
Influence by R. H. Gründ was a really interesting read. The first two-thirds of the book were incredibly captivating — I was completely hooked! But toward the end, I found it harder to stay engaged. There were also a few parts that left me a bit confused, which took away from the overall experience. Still, if you enjoy paranormal mysteries or thrillers, this one might be worth checking out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 9, 2025
The following may contain spoilers.
Come for the traumatized young lady pursuing the vacuous lifestyle of a favorite social media influencer. Stay for the tormented captives harrowed away from the depredations of Hell's grim labyrinth. Depart with the implication of grander confrontations to come as a gift for influence assumes a bold, even cosmic, new purpose.
Yeah, Influence is a trip you have to read to believe.
As usual, Grund's characterization is excellent, and to say his novels linger is putting it mildly.
My rating is probably floating somewhere between 4.0 and 4.5 stars.
Come for the traumatized young lady pursuing the vacuous lifestyle of a favorite social media influencer. Stay for the tormented captives harrowed away from the depredations of Hell's grim labyrinth. Depart with the implication of grander confrontations to come as a gift for influence assumes a bold, even cosmic, new purpose.
Yeah, Influence is a trip you have to read to believe.
As usual, Grund's characterization is excellent, and to say his novels linger is putting it mildly.
My rating is probably floating somewhere between 4.0 and 4.5 stars.
November 1, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! I got hooked since the very first chapter and couldn’t put it down. Loved the characters and how the storyline developed as well as the characters.
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes thriller or horror stories😍
I would 100% recommend this book to anyone who likes thriller or horror stories😍
December 25, 2025
Horror and science fiction
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
It wasn't was I thought it would be. I'm not really into science fiction. It also was sad with a sad ending. It also had more errors than many other ARCs I have read. I don't recommend it.
I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
It wasn't was I thought it would be. I'm not really into science fiction. It also was sad with a sad ending. It also had more errors than many other ARCs I have read. I don't recommend it.
December 10, 2025
Very good from start to finish.
4 stars
4 stars
November 18, 2025
Great book! This author is a person to look out for in horror/wierd fiction. All the books I've read from him have been wonderful. Thanks!
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