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The 24-Hour Ascent
On a routine Monday morning at Zenivex Tower, eight employees from different walks of life enter Elevator No. 3. But this is no ordinary commute. When the doors seal shut, and an automated voice announces the start of the "Ascension Project," their lives change forever.
Trapped in a vertical labyrinth, they are forced to navigate the Echo Library, the Dark Kitchen, and the Forgotten Archives. To reach the 40th floor and earn their freedom, they must solve cryptic puzzles and face impossible moral choices. As the clock ticks down, the real danger isn't the building - it's the secrets they are hiding from each other.
In a world that values efficiency over everything, can they choose humanity instead?
The 24-Hour Ascent is a high-stakes psychological thriller that explores the thin line between leadership and tyranny, and the power of teamwork in the face of absolute terror.
Why Read This Book?
Breathless Psychological Thriller: A fast-paced, upward journey filled with mind-bending puzzles, cryptic symbols, and high-stakes tension that keeps you guessing until the final floor.
Relatable & Raw Characters: Experience the visceral struggle of Peter as a devoted father, the commanding yet conflicted leadership of Marcus, and the haunting, profound silence of Emily. Each character reflects a different side of the human soul.
An Inspiring Message: Beyond the suspense, this is a deep exploration of true leadership and sacrifice. It’s a powerful testament to the strength of humanity over cold efficiency, proving that what we achieve together defines us more than what we achieve alone.
Trapped in a vertical labyrinth, they are forced to navigate the Echo Library, the Dark Kitchen, and the Forgotten Archives. To reach the 40th floor and earn their freedom, they must solve cryptic puzzles and face impossible moral choices. As the clock ticks down, the real danger isn't the building - it's the secrets they are hiding from each other.
In a world that values efficiency over everything, can they choose humanity instead?
The 24-Hour Ascent is a high-stakes psychological thriller that explores the thin line between leadership and tyranny, and the power of teamwork in the face of absolute terror.
Why Read This Book?
Breathless Psychological Thriller: A fast-paced, upward journey filled with mind-bending puzzles, cryptic symbols, and high-stakes tension that keeps you guessing until the final floor.
Relatable & Raw Characters: Experience the visceral struggle of Peter as a devoted father, the commanding yet conflicted leadership of Marcus, and the haunting, profound silence of Emily. Each character reflects a different side of the human soul.
An Inspiring Message: Beyond the suspense, this is a deep exploration of true leadership and sacrifice. It’s a powerful testament to the strength of humanity over cold efficiency, proving that what we achieve together defines us more than what we achieve alone.
- GenresPsychological Thriller
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 4, 2026
4 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Elvira Solen
2 books7 followersI’m Elvira Solen, a writer passionate about psychological thrillers that delve into how people think, react, and break down under pressure. I enjoy crafting intense, character-driven stories where every decision matters and nothing is as straightforward as it appears.
My debut novel, The 24-Hour Ascent, reflects my fascination with moral dilemmas and human behavior in extreme situations. I love placing characters in confined, high-stakes environments and watching how their decisions shape the outcome.
My debut novel, The 24-Hour Ascent, reflects my fascination with moral dilemmas and human behavior in extreme situations. I love placing characters in confined, high-stakes environments and watching how their decisions shape the outcome.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an ARC of this book. A few times I very nearly DNF'd this book. The first few chapters are not written well in my opinion, this does continue throughout the book but not to the same extent. If you can get past this the story is okay. Perhaps I went into it expecting more suspense than I got, although I was left so confused sometimes as to who was speaking this may have contributed to it.
April 5, 2026
I received an advanced copy from the author.
I could not finish this book.
So this is harsh and doesn't make me feel good to give a 2 star review to a new author, obviously a lot of hard work and dedication but the sad truth is it wasn't good enough, it did not feel like a final, ready to release book, at least the writing wasn't I cant say much about the plot and the story itself because I did not get to it.
My honest take is I believe the author should have sent this to beta readers instead of offering it as ARC.
The main thing is the dialogue man, it was not natural and to put it plainly, it was bad, it was very bad, and the fact that a lot of characters are introduced all at once makes it even worse. I could not go far enough to get any of the characters or get to enjoy the story sadly.
I could not finish this book.
So this is harsh and doesn't make me feel good to give a 2 star review to a new author, obviously a lot of hard work and dedication but the sad truth is it wasn't good enough, it did not feel like a final, ready to release book, at least the writing wasn't I cant say much about the plot and the story itself because I did not get to it.
My honest take is I believe the author should have sent this to beta readers instead of offering it as ARC.
The main thing is the dialogue man, it was not natural and to put it plainly, it was bad, it was very bad, and the fact that a lot of characters are introduced all at once makes it even worse. I could not go far enough to get any of the characters or get to enjoy the story sadly.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The 24 Hour Ascent by Elvira Solen is an intriguing psychological thriller with a strong concept and meaningful themes at its core. The premise immediately pulled me in. A group of strangers trapped in an elevator and forced into a high stakes survival scenario felt reminiscent of the kind of tense and layered thrillers I enjoy, and I was excited to see how it would unfold.
The story starts off with a solid introduction to the characters and the situation, setting up the mystery and tension effectively. As the plot progresses, there are moments where the pacing shines and others where it begins to feel uneven. Some scenes are detailed and engaging, while others feel drawn out, which occasionally disrupted the overall momentum. There were also points where I found myself skimming, hoping for the intensity and suspense to pick back up.
At times, the number of characters made certain scenes feel a bit crowded. With multiple people speaking and reacting at once, the flow of dialogue could become slightly confusing, and the perspective shifts sometimes made scenes feel less grounded. Having clearer distinctions or structure between character moments may have helped maintain the clarity and impact of those interactions.
That said, one of the strongest aspects of this book is the character development. Watching eight individuals from different backgrounds come together, face challenges, and grow not only as a group but within themselves was genuinely enjoyable. The story goes beyond survival and leans into themes of self reflection, healing, and acceptance. It highlights how shared experiences can turn strangers into something much deeper, which added an emotional layer to the narrative.
While I was hoping for more consistent psychological tension throughout, the foundation of the story is strong and filled with potential. The themes and character arcs give the book a meaningful core that stands out, even when the pacing wavers.
Overall, The 24 Hour Ascent is a thoughtful and concept driven read that blends psychological elements with deeper emotional themes. It may not fully deliver on the level of suspense some readers expect, but it offers a story centered on growth, connection, and the choices people make under pressure.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
The story starts off with a solid introduction to the characters and the situation, setting up the mystery and tension effectively. As the plot progresses, there are moments where the pacing shines and others where it begins to feel uneven. Some scenes are detailed and engaging, while others feel drawn out, which occasionally disrupted the overall momentum. There were also points where I found myself skimming, hoping for the intensity and suspense to pick back up.
At times, the number of characters made certain scenes feel a bit crowded. With multiple people speaking and reacting at once, the flow of dialogue could become slightly confusing, and the perspective shifts sometimes made scenes feel less grounded. Having clearer distinctions or structure between character moments may have helped maintain the clarity and impact of those interactions.
That said, one of the strongest aspects of this book is the character development. Watching eight individuals from different backgrounds come together, face challenges, and grow not only as a group but within themselves was genuinely enjoyable. The story goes beyond survival and leans into themes of self reflection, healing, and acceptance. It highlights how shared experiences can turn strangers into something much deeper, which added an emotional layer to the narrative.
While I was hoping for more consistent psychological tension throughout, the foundation of the story is strong and filled with potential. The themes and character arcs give the book a meaningful core that stands out, even when the pacing wavers.
Overall, The 24 Hour Ascent is a thoughtful and concept driven read that blends psychological elements with deeper emotional themes. It may not fully deliver on the level of suspense some readers expect, but it offers a story centered on growth, connection, and the choices people make under pressure.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
April 13, 2026
What immediately struck me about The 24-Hour Ascent is how effectively it transforms a confined setting into something vast, layered, and psychologically expansive. The premise, eight individuals trapped in an elevator system turned vertical gauntlet is deceptively simple, yet the execution reveals a carefully constructed narrative that thrives on tension, symbolism, and moral complexity.
The “Ascension Project” itself is more than just a physical challenge; it’s a philosophical experiment. Each floor functions almost like a psychological checkpoint, peeling back layers of the characters’ identities. The Echo Library and Dark Kitchen aren’t just imaginative set pieces, they act as mirrors, forcing characters (and readers) to confront uncomfortable truths about memory, survival, and control.
What elevates the novel is its character work. Peter’s emotional grounding as a father provides a human anchor, while Marcus introduces a fascinating study in leadership under pressure, walking the fine line between authority and authoritarianism. Emily’s quiet presence lingers long after her scenes, proving that silence can carry just as much narrative weight as action.
The pacing is relentless but never chaotic. The countdown element adds urgency without sacrificing depth, and the moral dilemmas feel earned rather than contrived. By the time the story reaches its final stretch, the tension isn’t just about survival, it’s about identity and what each character is willing to sacrifice to reach the top.
If I have one critique, it’s that certain secondary characters could have been explored further. However, this does little to diminish the novel’s overall impact.
This is a psychological thriller that respects its readers demanding attention, rewarding reflection, and lingering in the mind long after the final page.
The “Ascension Project” itself is more than just a physical challenge; it’s a philosophical experiment. Each floor functions almost like a psychological checkpoint, peeling back layers of the characters’ identities. The Echo Library and Dark Kitchen aren’t just imaginative set pieces, they act as mirrors, forcing characters (and readers) to confront uncomfortable truths about memory, survival, and control.
What elevates the novel is its character work. Peter’s emotional grounding as a father provides a human anchor, while Marcus introduces a fascinating study in leadership under pressure, walking the fine line between authority and authoritarianism. Emily’s quiet presence lingers long after her scenes, proving that silence can carry just as much narrative weight as action.
The pacing is relentless but never chaotic. The countdown element adds urgency without sacrificing depth, and the moral dilemmas feel earned rather than contrived. By the time the story reaches its final stretch, the tension isn’t just about survival, it’s about identity and what each character is willing to sacrifice to reach the top.
If I have one critique, it’s that certain secondary characters could have been explored further. However, this does little to diminish the novel’s overall impact.
This is a psychological thriller that respects its readers demanding attention, rewarding reflection, and lingering in the mind long after the final page.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so excited by the premise of this book. Eight strangers all working at the same company receive a work-related email which leads them to an elevator where they are faced with the message: you have 24 hours to each the 40th floor. Sounds great, right?
I was expecting a lot of tension, challenges, pressure, suspense, disagreements and secrets to be revealed. Unfortunately, despite the exciting premise, the book did not match my expectations. Beyond the frequent confusion around whose point of view we are reading from (there are 8 main characters!), the writing lacked a build up of tension and emotion required for this story to work, and it generally felt very flat to me. I kept reading hoping we would get something in terms of suspense or heightened emotion but it never happened; we were told what was happening or had character reactions but I personally did not feel any of it nor was I convinced of the seriousness of the situation and what they were experiencing based on the descriptions.
Another thing that really did not work for me was the dialogue: no one talks like that, especially under such stressful circumstances, and I caught my self laughing with certain lines because they felt so unnatural. There were several points where I wondered whether the story was written by AI or dictated instead of typed or written in a different language first and then translated to English, because the dialogue just did not flow.
Overall, a good idea with great potential for suspense, thrill and adventure but poor execution. Hope we can see an improved version of this story by the author.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book via Booksprout.
I was expecting a lot of tension, challenges, pressure, suspense, disagreements and secrets to be revealed. Unfortunately, despite the exciting premise, the book did not match my expectations. Beyond the frequent confusion around whose point of view we are reading from (there are 8 main characters!), the writing lacked a build up of tension and emotion required for this story to work, and it generally felt very flat to me. I kept reading hoping we would get something in terms of suspense or heightened emotion but it never happened; we were told what was happening or had character reactions but I personally did not feel any of it nor was I convinced of the seriousness of the situation and what they were experiencing based on the descriptions.
Another thing that really did not work for me was the dialogue: no one talks like that, especially under such stressful circumstances, and I caught my self laughing with certain lines because they felt so unnatural. There were several points where I wondered whether the story was written by AI or dictated instead of typed or written in a different language first and then translated to English, because the dialogue just did not flow.
Overall, a good idea with great potential for suspense, thrill and adventure but poor execution. Hope we can see an improved version of this story by the author.
Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book via Booksprout.
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you’ve ever felt like the corporate ladder was a bit of a death match, The 24-Hour Ascent by Elvira Solen captures that feeling, though sometimes it feels like the story tries a little too hard. The setup is simple but intriguing: eight coworkers, one elevator, and a 24-hour deadline to reach the 40th floor. Once they enter the building’s “hidden sectors,” things get dark… sometimes almost cartoonishly so.
The tension is there; I could feel the pressure building on the characters, but the pacing can be relentless, even exhausting at times. What I enjoyed most was seeing the professional masks slip: these characters feel like real people you might actually work with, which makes some of their choices land. That said, a few of the puzzles and challenges felt forced or repetitive, and not every twist landed for me.
It’s definitely a fast, high-stakes ride, and if you like psychological games or “what would you do?” scenarios, it could be worth a read. Personally, I kept going to see how the characters would navigate both the literal and moral challenges, but I wouldn’t blame anyone for tapping out halfway.
Overall? It’s a mix of tension, moral dilemmas, and moments that made me think, but also a few head-scratching parts that made me raise an eyebrow. Not perfect, but interesting enough to finish… if you’re in the mood.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
The tension is there; I could feel the pressure building on the characters, but the pacing can be relentless, even exhausting at times. What I enjoyed most was seeing the professional masks slip: these characters feel like real people you might actually work with, which makes some of their choices land. That said, a few of the puzzles and challenges felt forced or repetitive, and not every twist landed for me.
It’s definitely a fast, high-stakes ride, and if you like psychological games or “what would you do?” scenarios, it could be worth a read. Personally, I kept going to see how the characters would navigate both the literal and moral challenges, but I wouldn’t blame anyone for tapping out halfway.
Overall? It’s a mix of tension, moral dilemmas, and moments that made me think, but also a few head-scratching parts that made me raise an eyebrow. Not perfect, but interesting enough to finish… if you’re in the mood.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy
This is a strong DNF, and that's coming from someone that very, very rarely DNFs. I had to re-read the Prologue multiple times to understand certain sentences because the structure was so unnatural. The first chapter felt... difficult. Some sections read with the over-enthusiasm of a children's book trying to capture the mind of its readers while others (on the same page, mind you) went into such minute detail to the point of being forced, unnatural dialogue.
And that's when I realised it, not even to page 10, that this book was either written by ChatGPT or strongly influenced by its outputs. The characters are flat, names without consequence, floating in a sea of language that shifts from past tense to current tense and back again while the language choice shifts between calling the main plot device of Elevator Number 3 an elevator and a lift.
I forced myself to finish the first chapter and, while the premise of the novel is an interesting concept, there is too much awkward LLM-based robotic tonality to actually enjoy wherever it may go. It may get better in Chapter Two and on, but it lost my attention and betrayed my trust. If the novel was not worth the time to write (physically), then it is not worth my time to read.
Reviewer's Note: This review was provided without compensation, other than a free advance reader copy.
And that's when I realised it, not even to page 10, that this book was either written by ChatGPT or strongly influenced by its outputs. The characters are flat, names without consequence, floating in a sea of language that shifts from past tense to current tense and back again while the language choice shifts between calling the main plot device of Elevator Number 3 an elevator and a lift.
I forced myself to finish the first chapter and, while the premise of the novel is an interesting concept, there is too much awkward LLM-based robotic tonality to actually enjoy wherever it may go. It may get better in Chapter Two and on, but it lost my attention and betrayed my trust. If the novel was not worth the time to write (physically), then it is not worth my time to read.
Reviewer's Note: This review was provided without compensation, other than a free advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I read this book as an ARC book, and I was extremely excited by the description of the book.
This came off as one of the escape room games I have played!
I did finish the book.
Overall I believe the story line has promise. It's about people from all different backstories all working together to face their fears, and learning to trust one another to complete tasks and use their strengths to succeed to the next floor. It is a simple thriller, but definitely more of a children's story in my opinion.
I overall really enjoyed the book, but as I went through I did notice several errors and contacted the author and she was working on revising at that moment. There were several moments where the characters got very confusing and their roles because they kept getting mixed up. and there was a paragraph that was exactly word for word a few paragraphs from each other. It was difficult to keep things straight. I know the ARC version is still being worked on and edited so I tried to overlook the flaws. Once the errors are fixed I believe that the book would be enjoyable to read.
This came off as one of the escape room games I have played!
I did finish the book.
Overall I believe the story line has promise. It's about people from all different backstories all working together to face their fears, and learning to trust one another to complete tasks and use their strengths to succeed to the next floor. It is a simple thriller, but definitely more of a children's story in my opinion.
I overall really enjoyed the book, but as I went through I did notice several errors and contacted the author and she was working on revising at that moment. There were several moments where the characters got very confusing and their roles because they kept getting mixed up. and there was a paragraph that was exactly word for word a few paragraphs from each other. It was difficult to keep things straight. I know the ARC version is still being worked on and edited so I tried to overlook the flaws. Once the errors are fixed I believe that the book would be enjoyable to read.
April 15, 2026
The 24 Hour Ascent is a psychological thriller. The story was a little difficult to get into and was a little slowly paced at first, but it does pick up after the first couple chapters. I love the concept of this and thought that there was a few very valuable life lessons thrown into the story. However, I do find that some of the scenarios were just hard to visualize. I tried really hard to understand the layout of the rooms they were in and what was happening within those rooms, but with the details given, I couldn't. The kitchen scene was one I had an especially hard time with. But with that being said, I loved how the group of 8 stuck together the whole way through. They encouraged each other, helped each other and motivated each other when all seemed lost. I think the plot is really intriguing, but some of the details within the story needs to be a little more fine tuned. I would recommend this story though, I still enjoyed the solving of the riddles. I kept thinking the whole time how screwed I would be because I really suck at riddles and solving puzzles. But if you love the anticipation that comes with puzzle/riddle solving, then this is worth a read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The premise of this book immediately caught my attention—eight coworkers brought together by a mysterious email and given 24 hours to reach the 40th floor felt like a perfect setup for suspense, tension, and big revelations. While I went in expecting high emotional stakes, mounting pressure, and sharp conflicts, the story didn’t quite deliver that intensity for me. With multiple points of view, it was sometimes difficult to stay grounded in the narrative, and the tension I hoped would steadily build never fully materialized, which made the overall experience feel flatter than expected. I also found the dialogue challenging at times, as it didn’t always feel natural given the stressful circumstances, occasionally pulling me out of the story. That said, the core idea is genuinely compelling and has strong potential for a thrilling, high-stakes read, and I’d love to see the author revisit this concept with a tighter execution in the future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
When I first read the blurb, I found the premise genuinely exciting. It suggested a story full of tension and unexpected twists. The concept itself is strong, and the overall plot is well thought out.
Unfortunately, I found it difficult to stay engaged due to the writing style, particularly in the earlier chapters. While there is noticeable improvement as the book progresses, and it’s clear that revisions have been made following initial feedback, it wasn’t quite enough to fully sustain my interest.
That said, I can see why this book has received positive reviews. Some readers will be able to look past the writing style and enjoy the story for what it is. Personally, I found that it had an impact on my overall experience.
I do think the author shows genuine potential within the thriller genre. The underlying idea is compelling, and the story is built well. With further development and editorial refining, I believe their future work could be very successful.
Unfortunately, I found it difficult to stay engaged due to the writing style, particularly in the earlier chapters. While there is noticeable improvement as the book progresses, and it’s clear that revisions have been made following initial feedback, it wasn’t quite enough to fully sustain my interest.
That said, I can see why this book has received positive reviews. Some readers will be able to look past the writing style and enjoy the story for what it is. Personally, I found that it had an impact on my overall experience.
I do think the author shows genuine potential within the thriller genre. The underlying idea is compelling, and the story is built well. With further development and editorial refining, I believe their future work could be very successful.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was so freaking excited when I read the blurb for this book. It piqued my interest instantly. But I seriously question the integrity of the author. I thought the dialogue being written strangely was just a typo at first but it wasn’t and it sadly it just got worse from there. The dialogue just doesn’t make sense at all. For example on page 59,
“Of course, no complaint about that; no other choice we have,”David replied absent-mindedly.
I found several sentences like this where there was an overuse of words. Like the author perhaps couldn’t settle on one response, and chose to force three responses into one sentence. It didn’t feel natural at all. And I would’ve continued reading if this sentence was a one off but as I mentioned earlier there were several sentences like that and it made it very difficult to get into the book. I sadly couldn’t make it past one chapter. Which is unfortunate because the premise of the book showed promise.
“Of course, no complaint about that; no other choice we have,”David replied absent-mindedly.
I found several sentences like this where there was an overuse of words. Like the author perhaps couldn’t settle on one response, and chose to force three responses into one sentence. It didn’t feel natural at all. And I would’ve continued reading if this sentence was a one off but as I mentioned earlier there were several sentences like that and it made it very difficult to get into the book. I sadly couldn’t make it past one chapter. Which is unfortunate because the premise of the book showed promise.
April 5, 2026
The 24 Hour Ascent is a thoughtful, character-driven read that shines through its emotional depth and strong development. Watching eight strangers from different work departments and backgrounds come together, face challenges, and grow both individually and as a group was truly engaging. The themes of self-reflection, healing, and connection add a meaningful layer beyond the survival aspect.
I was expecting more psychological tension—something filled with anxiety, high-stakes conflict, and suspense. That said, as a book lover, I really enjoyed the library challenge element. Also at times, I did find myself a bit confused about which character’s point of view I was reading from.
Overall, while the pacing and tension weren’t always consistent, the character arcs and the meaningful themes still make this a compelling read about growth, resilience, and connection.
Thank you to the author for the eARC, this is my honest review.
I was expecting more psychological tension—something filled with anxiety, high-stakes conflict, and suspense. That said, as a book lover, I really enjoyed the library challenge element. Also at times, I did find myself a bit confused about which character’s point of view I was reading from.
Overall, while the pacing and tension weren’t always consistent, the character arcs and the meaningful themes still make this a compelling read about growth, resilience, and connection.
Thank you to the author for the eARC, this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received this as a ARC. This book is truly a conundrum. The premise of the story is good, but the writing style is very challenging to read. Nuances of language are missing; for instance, stating that a meeting is in “half an hour, which is 20 minutes from now.” Perhaps this is a typo, but an experienced author would understand that you don’t need to clarify how many minutes are in half an hour (much less with the inaccurate amount). Additionally, the author switches from third to first person perspective without regard, often in the same paragraph. This muddles and confuses the reader, distracting from the storyline. Honestly, I was so distracted by the errors that I found it difficult to focus on the plot. I almost always finish a book if I start it and there was no way I could get past the first chapter.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the advanced reader copy. I’m really glad I gave this psychological thriller a try!
It starts off like a normal day, but quickly pulls you in as things get more intense. I found myself really invested in the characters and trying to figure everything out along with them.
The puzzles and different settings made the story feel unique, and I loved how eight strangers came together and felt like a family while also facing their own struggles.
It’s not just suspenseful—it also has a deeper message about leadership, trust, and choosing humanity.
Overall, such a good read! I’ll definitely be recommending this one to friends.
It starts off like a normal day, but quickly pulls you in as things get more intense. I found myself really invested in the characters and trying to figure everything out along with them.
The puzzles and different settings made the story feel unique, and I loved how eight strangers came together and felt like a family while also facing their own struggles.
It’s not just suspenseful—it also has a deeper message about leadership, trust, and choosing humanity.
Overall, such a good read! I’ll definitely be recommending this one to friends.
April 4, 2026
I read this story as and ARC from a promo through Book Funnel, and this is my review. Eight people of a thriving company have been sent on an excursion in a secret elevator to complete challenges for a final reward. this activity has to be competed on the 40th floor (Like a television reality on steroids!) , in twenty-four hours. The eight have never met before have been tasked with these challenges as a group and some as individuals. A well written storyline, great characters, and an intensive read. I was immersed in each employee, at times I found myself urging characters ahead. I really enjoyed this story, a very intriguing. Enjoyed it!
April 7, 2026
REVIEW OF ADVANCED COPY PROVIDED BY AUTHOR
The 24-Hour Ascent" by Elvira Solen is a visceral, high-stakes survival thriller that masterfully captures the human ambition and cooperation spirit"
First of all, I really like this book for some reasons:
Easy Written and paced lecture that keeps you busy.
Great characters
Might be a little rushed at the beginning for my opinion.
I loved the pressure that was given, it gives the book a very realistic mood
I recommend this book for people that are trying to learn English because as I said it uses a easy vocabulary (not always, but mostly of it).
I would like to read more books about this new author actually.
The 24-Hour Ascent" by Elvira Solen is a visceral, high-stakes survival thriller that masterfully captures the human ambition and cooperation spirit"
First of all, I really like this book for some reasons:
Easy Written and paced lecture that keeps you busy.
Great characters
Might be a little rushed at the beginning for my opinion.
I loved the pressure that was given, it gives the book a very realistic mood
I recommend this book for people that are trying to learn English because as I said it uses a easy vocabulary (not always, but mostly of it).
I would like to read more books about this new author actually.
April 15, 2026
Fascinating psychological thriller that is like some of the Reality TV series you watch, a group of people who does not know each other but must become a team to survive. This is full of energy and scary. I personally know, I would never make it very far if I had to survive this challenge.
I felt scared for them, and heartbroken at the same time. Definitely a page turner that is hard to put down, as we keep up a hectic pace, with only 24 hours to complete.
Oh my, “Nov 1987 - Running out of water” We Failed. Lack of trust.” With many more marks, scratches and messages on the wall. Received an arc and leaving a review, voluntarily.
Heavy teamwork and self-awareness.
I felt scared for them, and heartbroken at the same time. Definitely a page turner that is hard to put down, as we keep up a hectic pace, with only 24 hours to complete.
Oh my, “Nov 1987 - Running out of water” We Failed. Lack of trust.” With many more marks, scratches and messages on the wall. Received an arc and leaving a review, voluntarily.
Heavy teamwork and self-awareness.
April 4, 2026
I received an ARC copy of the book from the author.
Unfortunately, as many other review have said, the book has a great premise but the execution just didn't deliver. The author needed to take more care with copy editing and development editing. The prose felt like a mash-up of AI generated text and possibly bad translation. I say this because I don't know if the author typically writes in English and had this book translated from another language. Many of the sentence constructions made me think this.
Unfortunately, as many other review have said, the book has a great premise but the execution just didn't deliver. The author needed to take more care with copy editing and development editing. The prose felt like a mash-up of AI generated text and possibly bad translation. I say this because I don't know if the author typically writes in English and had this book translated from another language. Many of the sentence constructions made me think this.
April 4, 2026
Review of an Advanced Reader Copy Received from Author
I love the premise of the book - I can't imagine being trapped in an elevator with strangers and ending up in a twisted mind game. I found it easy to lose track of who was speaking at times, but with eight main characters, it makes sense.
I thoroughly enjoyed the backstory of each character and seeing them develop through the story. I found a lot of their stories and feelings relatable.
Overall a solid book with suspense and twists I didn't see coming!
I love the premise of the book - I can't imagine being trapped in an elevator with strangers and ending up in a twisted mind game. I found it easy to lose track of who was speaking at times, but with eight main characters, it makes sense.
I thoroughly enjoyed the backstory of each character and seeing them develop through the story. I found a lot of their stories and feelings relatable.
Overall a solid book with suspense and twists I didn't see coming!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If you're a fan of psychological thrillers and mysteries that leave you with a lifetime lesson, get ready to add this book on your TBR. This is a story about 8 employees of the same company who've never seen each other come together due to a strange but same email in an elevator they were never supposed to enter as it was in the restricted area. The way the story unfolds will make you go through a rollercoaster of emotions!!!
April 3, 2026
If you're a fan of psychological thrillers and mysteries that leave you with a lifetime lesson, get ready to add this book on your TBR. This is a story about 8 employees of the same company who've never seen each other come together due to a strange but same email in an elevator they were never supposed to enter as it was in the restricted area. The way the story unfolds will make you go through a rollercoaster of emotions!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 30, 2026I really liked the premise of this book. The thrill of an escape room type challenge to receive an unknown prize or lose your job-- very compelling to get 8 strangers on an elevator!
I tried to power through a few chapters but the stilted dialogue written in alternating POVs between the 8 members of the elevator and the syntax that is often not how people talk was confusing. I also didn't feel connected to any characters-- like in trying for too much breadth with the many characters, all were hollow.
I rarely DNF and returned to the book a few times but I don't care enough about the characters or mystery to keep slogging through.
I tried to power through a few chapters but the stilted dialogue written in alternating POVs between the 8 members of the elevator and the syntax that is often not how people talk was confusing. I also didn't feel connected to any characters-- like in trying for too much breadth with the many characters, all were hollow.
I rarely DNF and returned to the book a few times but I don't care enough about the characters or mystery to keep slogging through.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The 24 Hour Ascent is a deeply psychological read. Eight strangers enter an elevator together and must face trials, testing their own humanity, to reach the fortieth floor.
This is not my normal genre of reading, but I found the trials interesting. Each character is plagued with their own burdens and with each trial, you watch them start to unravel and face their fears buried inside.
This is not my normal genre of reading, but I found the trials interesting. Each character is plagued with their own burdens and with each trial, you watch them start to unravel and face their fears buried inside.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received an ARC copy from author.
This book was exactly my type of read. Twists, turns and thrills. Strangers enter an elevator together where they experience games and puzzles of all kinds to survive. Will they stay together or fall apart? Reminded me of SAW and escape rooms. I really enjoyed this read and would recommend.
This book was exactly my type of read. Twists, turns and thrills. Strangers enter an elevator together where they experience games and puzzles of all kinds to survive. Will they stay together or fall apart? Reminded me of SAW and escape rooms. I really enjoyed this read and would recommend.
April 7, 2026
I received The 24-Hour Ascent by Elvira Solen as an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary. Those who like psychological thrillers may like this story as it keeps you guessing through out.
I felt it was a little slow with too much description of each character’s worries. This is necessary for the story, but it caused me to lose focus and skip some of the story.
I felt it was a little slow with too much description of each character’s worries. This is necessary for the story, but it caused me to lose focus and skip some of the story.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Absolutely loved this book! It is total trusts and turns you don’t expect! Do the characters have what it takes to on a challenger and come out alive? I could not put down this book because it just pulls you in and keeps you wanting more! Fabulous!!!
April 4, 2026
This is an ARC voluntary review
The action in this book never stops! Go along for the ride with eight strangers to get to the 40th floor.
This is an emotionally packed story with a great lesson for all of us.
I am looking forward to reading more books by this author!
The action in this book never stops! Go along for the ride with eight strangers to get to the 40th floor.
This is an emotionally packed story with a great lesson for all of us.
I am looking forward to reading more books by this author!
April 13, 2026
ARC Book: The writing is immersive, often making you feel as though you’re right there alongside the characters—feeling the exhaustion, the adrenaline, and the quiet revelations that come in between. It’s this balance of action and reflection that gives the story its emotional weight!
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was such a good read. with eight strangers becoming a family facing challenges together and fighting their own demons along with it. this book give me a good lesson.
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