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Paradoxum:
Dustin is the new fire-watch ranger at Elkwood National Park, a place long haunted by unexplained disappearances.
A seasoned but haunted ex-firefighter, he thinks he can handle the isolation, until the silence begins to warp and the nights refuse to end.
His only lifelines are Selena, a researcher camped deep in the woods, and the crackling voices on the ranger radio.
But when Selena uncovers a parasitic infection unlike anything known to science, Elkwood’s buried horrors start crawling back to the surface.
Now Dustin must fight not only the evil dwelling in the forest, but the memories gnawing their way back into his mind.
A seasoned but haunted ex-firefighter, he thinks he can handle the isolation, until the silence begins to warp and the nights refuse to end.
His only lifelines are Selena, a researcher camped deep in the woods, and the crackling voices on the ranger radio.
But when Selena uncovers a parasitic infection unlike anything known to science, Elkwood’s buried horrors start crawling back to the surface.
Now Dustin must fight not only the evil dwelling in the forest, but the memories gnawing their way back into his mind.
93 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
June 22, 2026
review of advanced copy received from author
This would fall into a 4.5 for me, but because it was such a fast read I’ve rounded up for good reads.
We meet Dustin as he starts his job as a fire watchman; or just “tower two” in Elwood National Park. He’a a former firefighter so this should be a piece of cake. Right?
This story takes some spins in a few different directions which can keep you very interested for the duration of the wild ride. Forrest creatures, isolation, and body/biological horror all take a turn in keeping you on your toes.
I feel my only drawback is the nature of it being a novella left me wanting more. Each character had me wanting to know more about them as it seems this forrest can play tricks on the mind in a variety of ways.
This would fall into a 4.5 for me, but because it was such a fast read I’ve rounded up for good reads.
We meet Dustin as he starts his job as a fire watchman; or just “tower two” in Elwood National Park. He’a a former firefighter so this should be a piece of cake. Right?
This story takes some spins in a few different directions which can keep you very interested for the duration of the wild ride. Forrest creatures, isolation, and body/biological horror all take a turn in keeping you on your toes.
I feel my only drawback is the nature of it being a novella left me wanting more. Each character had me wanting to know more about them as it seems this forrest can play tricks on the mind in a variety of ways.
May 8, 2026
This is an absolute wild ride.
What starts as the slow crumbling of the main character’s sanity and deepening isolation quickly spirals into complete madness. I usually like to think I’m pretty good at figuring out where a story is heading… I was very wrong. 😅
I can’t say too much without giving anything away, but once this book takes hold, it does not let up. The violence is vivid and intense when called for, and every chapter pulls you deeper into Elkwood, with great world-building.
From the prologue right through to the final chapter, Punishment, I was hooked. I ended up devouring this in one sitting and came away fully invested in the world that was created here and wanting more!
Bravo, sir… you got me!
I’d say I’m off for a walk in the woods to clear my head… but fuck that. 😅
What starts as the slow crumbling of the main character’s sanity and deepening isolation quickly spirals into complete madness. I usually like to think I’m pretty good at figuring out where a story is heading… I was very wrong. 😅
I can’t say too much without giving anything away, but once this book takes hold, it does not let up. The violence is vivid and intense when called for, and every chapter pulls you deeper into Elkwood, with great world-building.
From the prologue right through to the final chapter, Punishment, I was hooked. I ended up devouring this in one sitting and came away fully invested in the world that was created here and wanting more!
Bravo, sir… you got me!
I’d say I’m off for a walk in the woods to clear my head… but fuck that. 😅
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews