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The Call of the Void
Win a free kindle copy of this book!
28 days and 14:20:59
100 copies available
U.S. only
It starts with a thought.
A dare leads a teenage boy into the abandoned Black Vale Asylum. Days later, he’s dead, ruled a suicide.
Liv doesn’t believe it.
When she starts digging for answers, thoughts that aren’t hers begin slipping out loud. Dark impulses spread through her friends like a contagion. As the line between thought and action collapses, paranoia takes hold and no one can trust their own mind.
The trail leads back to Evelyn Harrow, a patient whose descent into madness began inside Black Vale decades earlier.
Now the curse is loose again.
And once it starts… it doesn’t let go.
A dare leads a teenage boy into the abandoned Black Vale Asylum. Days later, he’s dead, ruled a suicide.
Liv doesn’t believe it.
When she starts digging for answers, thoughts that aren’t hers begin slipping out loud. Dark impulses spread through her friends like a contagion. As the line between thought and action collapses, paranoia takes hold and no one can trust their own mind.
The trail leads back to Evelyn Harrow, a patient whose descent into madness began inside Black Vale decades earlier.
Now the curse is loose again.
And once it starts… it doesn’t let go.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 12, 2026
About the author
J. ALLEN HOUSE
1 book14 followersJ. Allen House is a U.S. Navy veteran and writer of psychological horror. He served 11 years in the Navy, four of them on active duty, including island duty, time aboard two ships, and a deployment to the Persian Gulf.
He grew up moving between Alabama, Ohio and Georgia, and today lives in Vermilion, Ohio, on the shore of Lake Erie, with his wife and their three kids. His debut novel, The Call of the Void, is set in Cold Hollow, a fictional Midwestern town, and in the abandoned Black Vale Asylum that holds its darkest secrets.
Read Chapter One free: jallenhouse.netlify.app
Follow on Facebook: J. Allen House- Author
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
August 7, 2026
This book hooked me from the start. It has this constant sense of unease and I found myself flying through the pages. I also really enjoyed the Patient Listening Material playlist on Spotify that goes with the book!
One of my favorite parts was the lore surrounding the story especially everything involving Black Vale Asylum. The history and mystery behind it were fascinating and honestly I would have loved to spend even more time exploring the past of that setting. It had so much creepy potential that I never wanted to leave.
This is psychological horror done right. Instead of relying on gore or cheap scares it slowly builds an overwhelming sense of dread. The deeper the story goes the more unsettling it becomes, making you question what’s real and what’s not.
I finished this wanting more. Whether it’s another book set in this world or simply more time with the lore, I’d love to see J. Allen House continue this story because I don’t feel quite ready to leave Black Vale behind.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric horror, creepy asylums, rich lore, and psychological stories I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read!!!
One of my favorite parts was the lore surrounding the story especially everything involving Black Vale Asylum. The history and mystery behind it were fascinating and honestly I would have loved to spend even more time exploring the past of that setting. It had so much creepy potential that I never wanted to leave.
This is psychological horror done right. Instead of relying on gore or cheap scares it slowly builds an overwhelming sense of dread. The deeper the story goes the more unsettling it becomes, making you question what’s real and what’s not.
I finished this wanting more. Whether it’s another book set in this world or simply more time with the lore, I’d love to see J. Allen House continue this story because I don’t feel quite ready to leave Black Vale behind.
If you’re a fan of atmospheric horror, creepy asylums, rich lore, and psychological stories I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read!!!
October 31, 2026
This is a hair raising supernatural horror novel which is infused with all kinds of great horror stuff. Like a small town, an abandoned asylum, people not being in control of themselves, and a curse which will end in tragedy.
A teenage boy enters the town's creepy disused asylum on a dare. Three days later, he's dead by his own hand. Seeking answers for this horrific event, a group of his friends will enter the same asylum seeking clues. Instead, what they find will chill you to the bone. And what follows them out is even more terrifying. They all begin to experience things they can't explain such as blurting out inappropriate things. But soon, they start to lose control of themselves, acting out thoughts of violence while not meaning to. As they seek answers it becomes apparent that they've awakened something evil and escape might not be possible.
Every chapter in this book has something horrifying in it. It doesn't lag, it doesn't detour from the plot. It buzzes through you like a chainsaw as events unfold which start out benign but quickly turn bloody and deadly. The characters are all in high school and they're written realistically. They're all scared and some of them feel guilty over what's taking place but they handle it in different ways. These aren't just copy and paste characters, they have depth and it makes what's going to happen even more terrifying.
No spoilers of course, but that ending comes from nowhere and there's a particular scene that shook me hard! I'll leave you to read about that but it was very effective and will make you remember it for a long time to come. This one's a banger and I highly recommend it.
A teenage boy enters the town's creepy disused asylum on a dare. Three days later, he's dead by his own hand. Seeking answers for this horrific event, a group of his friends will enter the same asylum seeking clues. Instead, what they find will chill you to the bone. And what follows them out is even more terrifying. They all begin to experience things they can't explain such as blurting out inappropriate things. But soon, they start to lose control of themselves, acting out thoughts of violence while not meaning to. As they seek answers it becomes apparent that they've awakened something evil and escape might not be possible.
Every chapter in this book has something horrifying in it. It doesn't lag, it doesn't detour from the plot. It buzzes through you like a chainsaw as events unfold which start out benign but quickly turn bloody and deadly. The characters are all in high school and they're written realistically. They're all scared and some of them feel guilty over what's taking place but they handle it in different ways. These aren't just copy and paste characters, they have depth and it makes what's going to happen even more terrifying.
No spoilers of course, but that ending comes from nowhere and there's a particular scene that shook me hard! I'll leave you to read about that but it was very effective and will make you remember it for a long time to come. This one's a banger and I highly recommend it.
August 1, 2026
As someone who experiences ''l'appel du vide' I was drawn to this book's title.
A bleak but beautifully written prologue segued into a creepy YA Horror. A teenage dare results in an inexplicable suicide and, in her need for answers, Liv, her brother and her friends visit an abandoned asylum looking for answers...and something follows them home.
At times the main part of the book read like somebody else had picked up the thread as the century changed so some lyricism was sadly lost. Although formulaic in parts there were still a few quite shocking events. Jump scares are hard to provide in prose but wow, a couple of things hit the target!
I found the ending a little confusing but the overall idea was very interesting.
What if I read it again...?
A bleak but beautifully written prologue segued into a creepy YA Horror. A teenage dare results in an inexplicable suicide and, in her need for answers, Liv, her brother and her friends visit an abandoned asylum looking for answers...and something follows them home.
At times the main part of the book read like somebody else had picked up the thread as the century changed so some lyricism was sadly lost. Although formulaic in parts there were still a few quite shocking events. Jump scares are hard to provide in prose but wow, a couple of things hit the target!
I found the ending a little confusing but the overall idea was very interesting.
What if I read it again...?
August 17, 2026
Are you on the lookout for a chilling read this Halloween week? Look no further! This gripping story weaves together an abandoned asylum, a tragic suicide, and a series of unexplainable events that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The story kicks off in 1956, and if the creepy factor ramps up any more, I might have to skip reading it at night! We meet little Evelyn Harrow, a lonely child who finds herself unfairly linked to inexplicable occurrences around her, leading to accusations of witchcraft. How unjust society could be toward women and children during that era! Evelyn isn’t a witch; she’s just a girl who is forced against her will to Black Vale Sanatorium, with no one missing her. What do doctors do when nobody is looking for you? You’ll find out!
Fast forward to the present, and we meet Morgan Pierce, a teenager who takes a dare to explore the abandoned Black Vale Asylum, only to tragically end his own life. His friend, Liv Morgan, can’t shake the question: Why would such a seemingly happy teen take such a drastic step? Determined to find answers, Liv and her friends venture into the eerie asylum. They soon discover that something inexplicable is happening, and Liv experiences the haunting events firsthand. As they delve deeper, the connection between the past and present begins to unravel, shedding light on why their friend felt he had no way out.
The author does an exceptional job of instantly creeping me out. I felt the sadness, loneliness, and dread of the place deep in my bones. The vivid descriptions, especially involving a pivotal piece of mirror, truly immerse you in the story. Pay close attention, as you’ll encounter several characters grappling with this mysterious ‘curse or paranoia.’ Things can spiral out of control quickly, so stay alert! The whole experience is dark, sinister, and filled with twists. While there’s no gore, the eerie atmosphere and haunting ending will stick with you.
If you enjoy tales of the supernatural that defy easy explanations and blur the line between thought and action, this book is for you. With its small-town creepy vibes, abandoned buildings hiding dark secrets, and a cold case that the teens aim to uncover, it's certainly a gripping read. Prepare for some puzzling conclusions regarding a few characters, all tied to the ‘curse’ that seems to grip everyone who crosses its path. Trust me, you need to read this! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab a nightlight. I won’t be able to sleep without one for at least a week! Ha!
Thank you, J. Allen House, for contacting me and putting this book on my radar. You thought I would like it, and I did! Thank you, Joshua House and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The story kicks off in 1956, and if the creepy factor ramps up any more, I might have to skip reading it at night! We meet little Evelyn Harrow, a lonely child who finds herself unfairly linked to inexplicable occurrences around her, leading to accusations of witchcraft. How unjust society could be toward women and children during that era! Evelyn isn’t a witch; she’s just a girl who is forced against her will to Black Vale Sanatorium, with no one missing her. What do doctors do when nobody is looking for you? You’ll find out!
Fast forward to the present, and we meet Morgan Pierce, a teenager who takes a dare to explore the abandoned Black Vale Asylum, only to tragically end his own life. His friend, Liv Morgan, can’t shake the question: Why would such a seemingly happy teen take such a drastic step? Determined to find answers, Liv and her friends venture into the eerie asylum. They soon discover that something inexplicable is happening, and Liv experiences the haunting events firsthand. As they delve deeper, the connection between the past and present begins to unravel, shedding light on why their friend felt he had no way out.
The author does an exceptional job of instantly creeping me out. I felt the sadness, loneliness, and dread of the place deep in my bones. The vivid descriptions, especially involving a pivotal piece of mirror, truly immerse you in the story. Pay close attention, as you’ll encounter several characters grappling with this mysterious ‘curse or paranoia.’ Things can spiral out of control quickly, so stay alert! The whole experience is dark, sinister, and filled with twists. While there’s no gore, the eerie atmosphere and haunting ending will stick with you.
If you enjoy tales of the supernatural that defy easy explanations and blur the line between thought and action, this book is for you. With its small-town creepy vibes, abandoned buildings hiding dark secrets, and a cold case that the teens aim to uncover, it's certainly a gripping read. Prepare for some puzzling conclusions regarding a few characters, all tied to the ‘curse’ that seems to grip everyone who crosses its path. Trust me, you need to read this! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab a nightlight. I won’t be able to sleep without one for at least a week! Ha!
Thank you, J. Allen House, for contacting me and putting this book on my radar. You thought I would like it, and I did! Thank you, Joshua House and NetGalley, for the DRC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
netgalleyarcs
October 27, 2026I went into this expecting a haunted-asylum story and got something much nastier and much better. The asylum is almost a red herring — it's the doorway, not the house. What actually gets under your skin is the thing that comes out of it, and that thing doesn't haunt anybody. It infects them.
The opening is simple and mean: a dare, a boy, and a death ruled a suicide that isn't one. Liv is the only person who refuses to accept the easy answer, and the book punishes her for that refusal in the best possible way. Her stubbornness isn't a heroic trait here, it's the delivery system. Every time she pushes, the thing she's chasing gets a little further into the people around her. There were stretches where I genuinely didn't want to turn the page because I knew she was going to ask one more question and make it worse.
And it does get worse, in the specific way that frightens me most. This isn't a monster you can outrun. It's the creeping suspicion that your own thoughts aren't entirely yours, that a sentence you just said out loud didn't come from anywhere you recognize. The friends start turning on each other not because of a supernatural set piece but because nobody can verify their own mind anymore, and that low, grinding mistrust is far more effective than any jump scare. There's one stretch in the middle where the group is quietly falling apart and nobody will say the obvious thing out loud, and I had to put the book down and walk around for a while.
Evelyn Harrow is the piece that elevates it. She's not a jump-scare ghost with a tragic backstory tacked on — the way her story is folded into the asylum's history makes the horror feel institutional, like something the place was always going to produce. The line between what happened to her and what's happening to Liv is the tightest wire the book walks, and it walks it well.
The opening is simple and mean: a dare, a boy, and a death ruled a suicide that isn't one. Liv is the only person who refuses to accept the easy answer, and the book punishes her for that refusal in the best possible way. Her stubbornness isn't a heroic trait here, it's the delivery system. Every time she pushes, the thing she's chasing gets a little further into the people around her. There were stretches where I genuinely didn't want to turn the page because I knew she was going to ask one more question and make it worse.
And it does get worse, in the specific way that frightens me most. This isn't a monster you can outrun. It's the creeping suspicion that your own thoughts aren't entirely yours, that a sentence you just said out loud didn't come from anywhere you recognize. The friends start turning on each other not because of a supernatural set piece but because nobody can verify their own mind anymore, and that low, grinding mistrust is far more effective than any jump scare. There's one stretch in the middle where the group is quietly falling apart and nobody will say the obvious thing out loud, and I had to put the book down and walk around for a while.
Evelyn Harrow is the piece that elevates it. She's not a jump-scare ghost with a tragic backstory tacked on — the way her story is folded into the asylum's history makes the horror feel institutional, like something the place was always going to produce. The line between what happened to her and what's happening to Liv is the tightest wire the book walks, and it walks it well.
July 17, 2026
ARC Disclaimer:
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
It starts with a thought. A dare leads a teenage boy into the abandoned Black Vale Asylum. Days later, he’s dead, ruled a suicide. Liv doesn’t believe it. When she starts digging for answers, thoughts that aren’t hers begin slipping out loud. Dark impulses spread through her friends like a contagion. As the line between thought and action collapses, paranoia takes hold and no one can trust their own mind. The trail leads back to Evelyn Harrow, a patient whose descent into madness began inside Black Vale decades earlier. Now the curse is loose again. And once it starts… it doesn’t let go.
My Thoughts:
Oh my gosh the atmosphere in this book was so creepy! I loved it so much. The lore and history kept me turning pages. It was so unsettling and eerie. The pace was fantastic, something was always happening whether you wanted it to be or not. I just wanted to wrap them all in bubble wrap lol. I’m not going to lie I kept hoping they would figure out how to stop the curse to go back and correct what happened all those years ago and the ENDING oh my word I stared at the wall for a solid ten minutes.
I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a spooky Final Destination vibe.
#ARC #NetGalley #BookReview
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis:
It starts with a thought. A dare leads a teenage boy into the abandoned Black Vale Asylum. Days later, he’s dead, ruled a suicide. Liv doesn’t believe it. When she starts digging for answers, thoughts that aren’t hers begin slipping out loud. Dark impulses spread through her friends like a contagion. As the line between thought and action collapses, paranoia takes hold and no one can trust their own mind. The trail leads back to Evelyn Harrow, a patient whose descent into madness began inside Black Vale decades earlier. Now the curse is loose again. And once it starts… it doesn’t let go.
My Thoughts:
Oh my gosh the atmosphere in this book was so creepy! I loved it so much. The lore and history kept me turning pages. It was so unsettling and eerie. The pace was fantastic, something was always happening whether you wanted it to be or not. I just wanted to wrap them all in bubble wrap lol. I’m not going to lie I kept hoping they would figure out how to stop the curse to go back and correct what happened all those years ago and the ENDING oh my word I stared at the wall for a solid ten minutes.
I would highly recommend this for anyone looking for a spooky Final Destination vibe.
#ARC #NetGalley #BookReview
September 26, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Oh My God that ending ?!! 😳🤯
✨ I just finished this book and omg my jaw is on the floor !! J.Allen House has written an absolute masterpiece of psychological horror and Wow ! The creepy dread in this book literally kept me turning the page and wanting to know what was happening ! The entire concept of the “ contagious “ curse of intrusive thoughts 💭 spreading through a friend group after visiting Black Vale Asylum was 😮💨🔥. The author knows exactly how to build a slow burn atmospheric tension that keeps you wanting to read and finding out wtf is going on. Safe to say I was hooked from page 1 👀😭✨
✨ Ugh my only critique? I would have LIVED for a bit more romance! 😩❤️ !! I know I know it’s a YA horror but god damn I defo feel a bit robbed on the romance side 🥹😅 A little romance would have been a perfect contrast to all that heavy, dark anxiety.🖤✨
✨ That being said this book was absolutely flawless and that climax 👀😩 I genuinely don’t even know how to process that ending like. Someone read this please so we can talk about that ending cos wtf !! 😳 safe to say I need book 2 right NOW 🫣😭 pls tell me a sequel is in the works so I can sleep at night 😮💨💀✨
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and J.Allen house for providing me this book to read. I highly recommend this and please go in blind don’t be out here reading reviews and ruining the ending for yourself ! ✨
Oh My God that ending ?!! 😳🤯
✨ I just finished this book and omg my jaw is on the floor !! J.Allen House has written an absolute masterpiece of psychological horror and Wow ! The creepy dread in this book literally kept me turning the page and wanting to know what was happening ! The entire concept of the “ contagious “ curse of intrusive thoughts 💭 spreading through a friend group after visiting Black Vale Asylum was 😮💨🔥. The author knows exactly how to build a slow burn atmospheric tension that keeps you wanting to read and finding out wtf is going on. Safe to say I was hooked from page 1 👀😭✨
✨ Ugh my only critique? I would have LIVED for a bit more romance! 😩❤️ !! I know I know it’s a YA horror but god damn I defo feel a bit robbed on the romance side 🥹😅 A little romance would have been a perfect contrast to all that heavy, dark anxiety.🖤✨
✨ That being said this book was absolutely flawless and that climax 👀😩 I genuinely don’t even know how to process that ending like. Someone read this please so we can talk about that ending cos wtf !! 😳 safe to say I need book 2 right NOW 🫣😭 pls tell me a sequel is in the works so I can sleep at night 😮💨💀✨
✨ Thank you to NetGalley and J.Allen house for providing me this book to read. I highly recommend this and please go in blind don’t be out here reading reviews and ruining the ending for yourself ! ✨
June 15, 2026
This book got under my skin from the very beginning and never let go.
The Call of the Void by J. Allen House takes the idea of intrusive thoughts and turns it into something truly unsettling. The entire time I was reading, I felt this constant sense of dread hanging over the story. It’s the kind of psychological horror that makes you uncomfortable in all the right ways and leaves you thinking about it long after you’ve finished.
What I loved most was how much this book messed with my head. I found myself questioning what was real, what wasn’t, and where things were going next. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, and while there aren’t a bunch of over-the-top scares, the psychological aspects hit much harder because they feel so believable.
The author does an amazing job exploring fear, anxiety, and the darker corners of the mind. There were several moments where I had to stop and just sit with what I had read because it was that unsettling.
If you’re a fan of psychological horror that relies on atmosphere, tension, and getting inside your head rather than gore and shock value, I highly recommend picking this one up. Dark, creepy, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down, this was an easy 5-star read for me. 🖤📚
“Sometimes the scariest thing isn’t the monster—it’s your own mind.”
The Call of the Void by J. Allen House takes the idea of intrusive thoughts and turns it into something truly unsettling. The entire time I was reading, I felt this constant sense of dread hanging over the story. It’s the kind of psychological horror that makes you uncomfortable in all the right ways and leaves you thinking about it long after you’ve finished.
What I loved most was how much this book messed with my head. I found myself questioning what was real, what wasn’t, and where things were going next. The tension builds steadily throughout the story, and while there aren’t a bunch of over-the-top scares, the psychological aspects hit much harder because they feel so believable.
The author does an amazing job exploring fear, anxiety, and the darker corners of the mind. There were several moments where I had to stop and just sit with what I had read because it was that unsettling.
If you’re a fan of psychological horror that relies on atmosphere, tension, and getting inside your head rather than gore and shock value, I highly recommend picking this one up. Dark, creepy, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down, this was an easy 5-star read for me. 🖤📚
“Sometimes the scariest thing isn’t the monster—it’s your own mind.”
June 11, 2026
Today I read “The Call of The Void” by author J. Allen House.
Liv and her group of very close friends, including her twin brother Jace are kids living their best lives. Parties, coffee shops, running around in their trucks. Until a very unexpected and traumatic loss happens that shakes the group.
Liv needs to know more. It just doesn’t add up. Involving her group on a quest to know more a mirror into the past is woken up. What secrets does this town hold? And how does one get out of their own head?
The full title of this book continues as “A Psychological Horror Novel of Intrusive Thoughts.” And it is surely that. A solid trembling painting of that. It is also so much more though.
Investing in these characters is swift. I cared about them. I wanted them to be ok. I saw their bond. Their love for one another, their goodness. And how the events unfolding was painfully fracturing their lives. I read the book in one sitting, turning the pages holding on to flecks of light and navigating the twists.
This novel is fast paced, dark, very spooky, suspenseful and left me quite sad. A lot can happen in 317 pages where people are trying their best while fighting invisible demons. Having been a mental health RN for years I can attest to the demons of intrusive thoughts. I’ve not seen it displayed so eloquently and raw in fiction before. Well done.
Definitely recommend.
I received an advanced reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
Liv and her group of very close friends, including her twin brother Jace are kids living their best lives. Parties, coffee shops, running around in their trucks. Until a very unexpected and traumatic loss happens that shakes the group.
Liv needs to know more. It just doesn’t add up. Involving her group on a quest to know more a mirror into the past is woken up. What secrets does this town hold? And how does one get out of their own head?
The full title of this book continues as “A Psychological Horror Novel of Intrusive Thoughts.” And it is surely that. A solid trembling painting of that. It is also so much more though.
Investing in these characters is swift. I cared about them. I wanted them to be ok. I saw their bond. Their love for one another, their goodness. And how the events unfolding was painfully fracturing their lives. I read the book in one sitting, turning the pages holding on to flecks of light and navigating the twists.
This novel is fast paced, dark, very spooky, suspenseful and left me quite sad. A lot can happen in 317 pages where people are trying their best while fighting invisible demons. Having been a mental health RN for years I can attest to the demons of intrusive thoughts. I’ve not seen it displayed so eloquently and raw in fiction before. Well done.
Definitely recommend.
I received an advanced reader copy from the author. This is my voluntary and honest review.
July 1, 2026
Kept me on the edge of my seat and that is exactly how I want a thriller to be! Following Liv and her group of friends over a weekend that was so jam packed,you would have thought the timeline was longer, was a crazy rollercoaster ride. I read this on KU, so if you have that, snag it now and read it!
August 17, 2026
Book had an extremely interesting start but felt like it dropped all the mystery of something dark and complex and made it into a more palatable book for the masses. That epilogue picked the vibe back up but it was the end 🥺
Not bad for a debut would try another book by the author for sure cause can see there is a great mind for stories in here just need to find their flow 👏🏽🫵🏽🫶🏽
Not bad for a debut would try another book by the author for sure cause can see there is a great mind for stories in here just need to find their flow 👏🏽🫵🏽🫶🏽
October 3, 2026
Rated by mistake and don’t know how to remove it 😅. TBF, I think it’s a 5 star, but I’m biased lol. Happy read to anyone that gives it a shot :)
July 11, 2026
Soooo Good! Enthralling
Amazing! You know those books you read and your thoughts and questions carryon and you find yourself re reading it because you feel like you missed something. Yh this is that!
I want a sequel. I need to know what possessed them I need to know who or what is the silver haired boy! Where is Jace. How is the town dealing with all this. Do any of the town elders remember the Harrowing story?
Omg. I’ve been hooked since I started it.
Amazing! You know those books you read and your thoughts and questions carryon and you find yourself re reading it because you feel like you missed something. Yh this is that!
I want a sequel. I need to know what possessed them I need to know who or what is the silver haired boy! Where is Jace. How is the town dealing with all this. Do any of the town elders remember the Harrowing story?
Omg. I’ve been hooked since I started it.
October 19, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of the ebook!
I love that it started off so strong that it hooked my in. The writing was super atmospheric. Where it fell flat was the middle, unfortunately. It was tense at times, but I wish it would have leaned into the horror more. There was a LOT of time the high schoolers were researching what happened at the original hospital, and it just never amounted to anything. I was desperately waiting for the intensity of the first few chapters to bleed into the rest of it. As a mystery thriller, it was just... fine.
For a debut book, it was a great start and I can tell the author has more to tell. I hope they push into horror more in the future.
I love that it started off so strong that it hooked my in. The writing was super atmospheric. Where it fell flat was the middle, unfortunately. It was tense at times, but I wish it would have leaned into the horror more. There was a LOT of time the high schoolers were researching what happened at the original hospital, and it just never amounted to anything. I was desperately waiting for the intensity of the first few chapters to bleed into the rest of it. As a mystery thriller, it was just... fine.
For a debut book, it was a great start and I can tell the author has more to tell. I hope they push into horror more in the future.
October 11, 2026
This one was so unsettling. A sense of dread just stays draped over you like a heavy blanket throughout the entire book. Definitely true psychological horror. I love the attention to detail regarding the history of Black Vale Asylum. It just added to the already eerie vibe that we get from the very beginning. The development throughout is so incredibly descriptive that you may need to pay a little more attention as to not miss anything. This was a slow burn that had me hooked, but also looking over my shoulder the entire time. And that ending?! I need to know if there’s more to come!
Thank you so much J. Allen House and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you so much J. Allen House and Netgalley for my gifted arc in exchange for my honest review!
July 29, 2026
2.5/5 stars
There are the bones of a good book here, and I think with a little time and some polish, you'd have a really good horror novel in your hands, but unfortunately it's not quite there yet for me.
One of my bigger gripes is that this reads and feels like more of a YA novel than an adult horror, which it was marketed as on Netgalley. If I had known going in that this was going to be the vibe, I more than likely would not have picked it up since I don't typically read YA horror. The characters are teenagers, yes, but that doesn't automatically make a book YA, you know? There are some solid bits of gore and creepy things happening which bumped my rating up, but the rest of the book fell flat thanks to a lot of cliches and a clunky plot.
Another issue I had is the head-hopping. I don't always mind it, and it can be done quite well, but in this book it made things more confusing and I was often wondering whose perspective I was supposed to be seeing things through since it would change from paragraph to paragraph at times.
I did like the concept of these intrusive thoughts and actions taking over the town and the characters; I thought this part was really well done. I also liked the shard of glass being used as a sort of conduit to help spread the "curse" along and the ending was good as well. Like I said, there are several bones of a good story here, and I think the author has the capability of writing great horror novel one day, but this one simply wasn't it for me.
My thanks to Joshua House and Netgalley providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
There are the bones of a good book here, and I think with a little time and some polish, you'd have a really good horror novel in your hands, but unfortunately it's not quite there yet for me.
One of my bigger gripes is that this reads and feels like more of a YA novel than an adult horror, which it was marketed as on Netgalley. If I had known going in that this was going to be the vibe, I more than likely would not have picked it up since I don't typically read YA horror. The characters are teenagers, yes, but that doesn't automatically make a book YA, you know? There are some solid bits of gore and creepy things happening which bumped my rating up, but the rest of the book fell flat thanks to a lot of cliches and a clunky plot.
Another issue I had is the head-hopping. I don't always mind it, and it can be done quite well, but in this book it made things more confusing and I was often wondering whose perspective I was supposed to be seeing things through since it would change from paragraph to paragraph at times.
I did like the concept of these intrusive thoughts and actions taking over the town and the characters; I thought this part was really well done. I also liked the shard of glass being used as a sort of conduit to help spread the "curse" along and the ending was good as well. Like I said, there are several bones of a good story here, and I think the author has the capability of writing great horror novel one day, but this one simply wasn't it for me.
My thanks to Joshua House and Netgalley providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.
August 31, 2026
Author-requested read 📖🖤
Thank you to J. Allen House for reaching out and asking me to read The Call of the Void!
First off, the writing is very cinematic. There were moments where I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.
I was only TWO chapters in when I stopped reading and ordered myself a physical copy—that's how hooked I was! #support
The past timeline and everything surrounding the asylum were easily my favorite parts, and I honestly wish we got MORE of both!
This book had me HOOKED, and I was excited to see how it all came together at the end, but unfortunately, I didn't get that. I was left with more questions than answers.
Overall, I did like this book. I loved the concept, the spooky horror vibes, and especially how visual the writing felt. I just wanted more—more of the past, more of the asylum, maybe more POVs, and definitely more answers.
Thank you to J. Allen House for reaching out and asking me to read The Call of the Void!
First off, the writing is very cinematic. There were moments where I felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book.
I was only TWO chapters in when I stopped reading and ordered myself a physical copy—that's how hooked I was! #support
The past timeline and everything surrounding the asylum were easily my favorite parts, and I honestly wish we got MORE of both!
This book had me HOOKED, and I was excited to see how it all came together at the end, but unfortunately, I didn't get that. I was left with more questions than answers.
Overall, I did like this book. I loved the concept, the spooky horror vibes, and especially how visual the writing felt. I just wanted more—more of the past, more of the asylum, maybe more POVs, and definitely more answers.
August 12, 2026
THIS is the kind of psychological horror I've been craving.
One of my absolute favorite parts of The Call of the Void was everything surrounding Black Vale Asylum. At first, I was confused—and I think that's exactly how I was supposed to feel. The story gives you these little pieces of information, never quite enough to see the entire picture, and I loved slowly putting them together as everything began to make sense.
The history and mystery surrounding Black Vale were fascinating. Honestly, I could have spent even more time digging through the asylum's past, its secrets, and everything that happened there. Every new piece of information just made me want MORE.
And this is psychological horror in the best way. You're going to question what's real. You're going to question what isn't. You're going to form theories, change your mind, and then probably start side-eyeing everything all over again. 😂 The uncertainty was part of what made the story so much fun for me.
Most importantly, I haven't felt this excited while reading a horror novel in a while. There was that delicious feeling of I need to know what the fuck is actually happening here that kept me invested and wanting answers.
Creepy asylum. Complicated history. Psychological mindfuckery. A mystery that slowly reveals itself piece by piece.
YES. Give me more horror like this. 🖤
One of my absolute favorite parts of The Call of the Void was everything surrounding Black Vale Asylum. At first, I was confused—and I think that's exactly how I was supposed to feel. The story gives you these little pieces of information, never quite enough to see the entire picture, and I loved slowly putting them together as everything began to make sense.
The history and mystery surrounding Black Vale were fascinating. Honestly, I could have spent even more time digging through the asylum's past, its secrets, and everything that happened there. Every new piece of information just made me want MORE.
And this is psychological horror in the best way. You're going to question what's real. You're going to question what isn't. You're going to form theories, change your mind, and then probably start side-eyeing everything all over again. 😂 The uncertainty was part of what made the story so much fun for me.
Most importantly, I haven't felt this excited while reading a horror novel in a while. There was that delicious feeling of I need to know what the fuck is actually happening here that kept me invested and wanting answers.
Creepy asylum. Complicated history. Psychological mindfuckery. A mystery that slowly reveals itself piece by piece.
YES. Give me more horror like this. 🖤
September 8, 2026
J. Allen House's The Call of the Void delivers an intriguing blend of psychological suspense, mystery, and self-discovery. From the opening chapters, the story pulls you in with its unsettling atmosphere and keeps you questioning what is real and what lies beneath the surface.
The author's writing is engaging and descriptive, creating a strong sense of place and mood. The characters feel authentic, with believable struggles and motivations that make it easy to become invested in their journey. The exploration of fear, identity, and the unknown adds depth beyond the central plot.
While the story is compelling, there were a few sections that felt slower than necessary, and some plot developments could have been explored in greater detail. Even so, the strong pacing overall and the rewarding conclusion more than make up for these minor shortcomings.
The Call of the Void is a memorable read for fans of psychological fiction and suspense. It offers enough mystery to keep the pages turning while providing thoughtful themes that linger after the final chapter.
The author's writing is engaging and descriptive, creating a strong sense of place and mood. The characters feel authentic, with believable struggles and motivations that make it easy to become invested in their journey. The exploration of fear, identity, and the unknown adds depth beyond the central plot.
While the story is compelling, there were a few sections that felt slower than necessary, and some plot developments could have been explored in greater detail. Even so, the strong pacing overall and the rewarding conclusion more than make up for these minor shortcomings.
The Call of the Void is a memorable read for fans of psychological fiction and suspense. It offers enough mystery to keep the pages turning while providing thoughtful themes that linger after the final chapter.
July 21, 2026
This book was one of those ones that had the creepy factor from the start and did not let up. It stayed through the whole story and with each page turn you knew something was off. I was hooked from the start and did not want to stop reading. The world and the characters were done so well and were built so well they really felt very real in everyway. This book really played up the psychological horror from the start to the very end.
August 30, 2026
Call of the Void had me gripped from the first chapter and guessing right until the end. The twisting plot was intriguing and enthralling, and I found myself rooting for the characters despite some frustratingly naïve decisions. The story was well written, immersive and easy to follow, with plenty of empathy-inducing moments. Although some parts felt predictable, the suspense and character development kept me hooked. A highly engaging read that I’d definitely recommend.
July 15, 2026
Chilling!!!
This is a must read! I’m usually a dark romance girly but this had me hooked and a little spooked lol. I was on my toes from beginning to end. Every turn was surprising and shocking.
This is a must read! I’m usually a dark romance girly but this had me hooked and a little spooked lol. I was on my toes from beginning to end. Every turn was surprising and shocking.
July 15, 2026
I can totally see this story being a movie! The beginning captured me right away. I wish more of the plot took place in the sanatorium and focused more on the lore but liked the concept. The small town atmosphere adds to the overall chaos that transpires. Easy to read and well written.
July 29, 2026
This was a strange one. I felt like I had to push to get through it but some parts were interesting enough for me to keep going. Didn’t like the ending at all.
August 16, 2026
3,75 ⭐️ I really liked this story! It was like a movie running through my head. It could have used a little but more of editing, some scenes were weird, like wanting to go to wc and then changing your mind when you’re in it, phrases repeating like “paper was old, yellowed, ink so faded that it was barely readable” - I think I read this phrase maybe 3 times in the first half of the book. But I really loved writing style! I wish there were more explanations about lore and why the mirror was the way it was, why Evelyn was stuck in it, why her mom was the way she was, the pastors child, a lot of things not explained, but I couldnt stop reading still. We need a prequel and a sequel :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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