THE GRANT: STATUS APPROVED

by Dia Gage

822 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2026

About the author

Dia Gage is the author of THE GRANT: STATUS APPROVED and the creator of The Chosen Files, a body of psychological and speculative fiction exploring consciousness, identity, and control.

Her work blurs the line between reality and fiction and is often described as immersive, unsettling, and transformational.

Themes of containment, awakening, memory, and resistance run through her stories, inviting readers to question perception and authority.

These stories are not meant for comfort. They are meant to activate.

Some readers enter these files looking for answers.

Others leave with more questions than they started with.

These files were never designed to be comfortable.

Only accessible to those willing to keep reading after reality starts feeling unfamiliar.

Not everyone is meant to understand these files.

Only the chosen. 👁️

Reviews

[Kit]

Beta reader:

I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns this book took me through. I felt the storyline was well written, the characters well developed and the story was different! It kept me wanting to continue through until I finished!

You will definitely develop favorites and then have a main character that you HATE! I literally wanted to strangle him like Homer does Bart! I feel with the way this story ended, there’s so many possibilities on if the writer continues or branches off. A fun read for sure!

[Thomasean]

Beta reader:

I was skeptical at first. As I continue reading, I couldn’t put the book down. I really enjoyed all the twist to this story.

[Nikki B.]

The Grant was a really great, thrilling, suspenseful story. The plot is really engaging, though, I will say, I spent a very large portion of the book being slightly confused.
The story is written in a way where it's packed with psychological suspense. We can tell something is wrong, something is off. But we don't know if it's the house itself, the children, Cole, or if Indi is having a mental breakdown. Cole is telling her she agreed to things that she doesn't remember agreeing to. Things are happening that she isn't sure if she can trust what she just witnessed. The children all seem to know and understand what's happening, but can't tell Indi due to all the cameras in the home.
I thought this was really well written. I understand that I was confused because we were reading the story from Indi's pov and she was also confused and didn't understand what was happening... so in that sense, I understand the confusion is a little necessary for the plot of the story. I really thought Cole was going to be the villain here. Everything was pointing in that direction. To find out he was almost just as clueless as she was to what was done to them... my jaw was on the floor. I'm really happy with the way the story ended though. I think, after everything, it was a well deserved ending. I do recommend giving this story a read. Just stick with it and don't give up. It is really worth a read.

[Sol Sunflower]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Stars

I don't even know where to start because WHAT did I just read?!🤯📂

I signed up thinking I was getting one kind of story... and then Dia completely pulled the rug out from under me. Every time I thought I had the plot figured out, another twist showed up and proved me wrong. I was side eyeing EVERYBODY👀

The suspense was done so well. The atmosphere was unsettling in the best way, and there were moments where I genuinely had to stop reading just to process everything. The kids? They had me completely creeped out... but somehow I still wanted to scoop every last one of them up and protect them😂🖤

What really stood out to me was how the mystery unfolded. Nothing felt predictable. The breadcrumbs were there, but I still wasn't prepared for where they led. I found myself reading "just one more chapter" over and over... and before I knew it, I had flown through the book🙌🏿

If you love psychological suspense, mystery, and stories that keep you questioning everything, this one is absolutely worth picking up. Just be prepared to lose sleep because you'll need answers⚠️

Thank you, Dia Gage, for trusting me with an ARC copy. It was such a fun ride, and I'm so excited for everyone else to experience this story. It's one that needs to be told. It's time to wake up!🧿💪🏿

I can't wait to see what Dia has in store next! 📚✨

[Nichole]

From the very first chapter, The Grant completely pulled me in and never let go. The storyline is incredibly well developed, with each chapter building on the last in a way that kept me anticipating to see what would happen next. The pacing is excellent, striking the perfect balance between revealing just enough to keep you hooked while holding back enough to keep the suspense alive.

This book masterfully blends science fiction with psychological suspense, creating a story that constantly kept me questioning what was real and what might happen next. Every twist felt intentional, and the tension continued to build until the very end.

One of my favorite things about this book was how cinematic it felt. The author's descriptions were so vivid that I could easily picture the characters, the settings, and every scene unfolding in my mind as if I were watching a movie. I wasn't just reading the story, I felt like I was experiencing it alongside the characters.

If you're looking for a thought provoking read with compelling characters, unexpected twists, and a unique blend of science fiction and psychological suspense, The Grant is definitely worth reading. It is the kind of book that stays with you long after you've turned the last page, and I highly recommend adding it to your reading list.

[Allie Kat]

This book was written in a really interesting way. I've never read a book written like this. The voice was staccato, exact, and oddly descriptive for not having been your typical prose. Sometimes, I absolutely hated it. The rest of the time, I couldn't imagine the story being told any other way. It was a super unique experience.

Cole is so easy to hate.
Indi is so easy to relate to.
Jayce and SIX are so easy to love - and Jayce is really funny.
Tash is so easy to understand.

I don't want to give away anything, so all I'll say is that the twists and turns you experience while seeing this experiment unfold keep you turning the pages. And chapter 132 makes you wish you could see how Cole, Indi, and Tash navigate the entire rest of the world with the kids. That was my favorite chapter.

[Andrea]

Okay, so first, this is a really good story. Its premise is really interesting, and from the start it has you genuinely interested in what’s happening. The introduction of Indi and Cole and the beginning of their relationship reads like any other story but wow, do things change. You know that as soon as the kids turn up, their lives are never gonna be the same but I promise, you’ll be completely unprepared for just how crazy things get by the end.
The plot is a good one, carried well by an array of very good characters who you can’t help but become attached to.
After a while though, the unusual writing style became a bit wearing for me. I get that it’s so broken up deliberately to keep you feeling on edge and unable to just settle into reading, but I found myself just scanning down the pages like a list in places.
Every point is on a new line.
Like this.
No matter how short.
Even.
One.
Word.
That’s fine but for the length of this book, it just got a bit much.
But even with this, I still really enjoyed this story. And I’d still recommend it as a very good read.

[Suseè CarMelanin]

ARC : This was a really good read from beginning to end. The story grabbed my attention early and kept me turning the pages because there was always something happening. Every chapter left me wanting to know what would happen next, making it a true page-turner.

The characters were one of the strongest parts of the book. I found myself becoming invested even more. The action, suspense, and emotional moments were balanced well, so the pacing never felt slow.

One thing I really enjoyed was the overall vibe of the book. It reminded me of Black Lightning mixed with Supacell IYKYK !!!! I think you’ll really enjoy this book.

Overall, I highly recommend The Grant: Status Approved. It’s an entertaining, memorable characters, twists, and a concept that keeps you hooked until the very end. I’ll definitely be recommending this book to others and look forward to reading more from Dia Gage THANK YOU! For choosing me with a ARC🤎

[Bri Fontanez]

The Grant the grant the grant. Oh there’s so much I can say! This book was absolutely phenomenal. There aren’t many books that have me completely unable to guess what’s going to happen next but this one of them. I didn’t want it to end. I recently lost my mother so life’s been hard and yet I found myself completely immersed into this world. It was so nice to find a book that allowed me to just fall into it even with all I’m going through. Cole provoked me majority of the way but reading his journey and coming to an understanding was chefs kiss. I loved Indi how even if she didn’t understand what was happening she was observant, aware, and she had no issue standing up for herself and those kids. I loved the kids. Jayce and SIX I adored. Tash was another great character. Their relationships their bonds. It was suspenseful, thought provoking, and I live for a conspiracy. I absolutely loved its a job well done.

[S.B]

I had the opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy of this book and let me just say, if you think you know what this book is about? You don't. If you think you figured it out while reading it? You didn't. LOL I am not going to give any spoilers but I will say pay attention to EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. I truly enjoyed reading this. It was refreshingly different. I love the way Dia Gage's mind works. I feel like this should be a TV series. I hope there is another book or follow up with some of the characters.

[Sara Knauff]

Omg I absolutely loved this book. I never really liked reading much even in high school, not until I came across Dia Gage and her books are right up my allery for things I love to read. I really enjoyed reading this book especially it kept me wanting to know more on what happens next. You really get hooked. I would definitely recommend to my family and friends if they wanted new books to read. Her books just aren't good they're awesome!

[Brittney]

* Arc review honest reviews only*

WOW..I have never been so into a book and so wrong at the same time ! This book had me just wanting more.. SO many different theories I had.. all were wrong by the way. So many twist in this book. Loved the authors writing it was easy and came together very differently then I envisioned I thought I had it figured out and was I so wrong ! I was pulled in from the first chapter.

Thank you sooo much for giving me the chance to read it !

[Marquitta Brown]

Baby I have jumped ASTRO projected clutch pearls and some this is a must read if you are into thrilling jaw dropping gag worthy stories THE GRANT is that and more THE CHARACTERS THE PLOTS AND TWIST had me locked in

[Chasity]

What did I just read?!? This was so confusing at times that I still can't fully process what I just read. This is definitely different from any other book I have read previously. You really need to focus or you will get lost very quickly.

[BookSplatterBritt]

Oof! That was a rollercoaster ride big time! This will keep you on the edge of your seat. I can say you will confused at times (intentional) and I promise it will leave you with your jaw on the floor. It's long but so so worth it

[Bryanna Davis]

Beta Reader: This book kept me on my toes from beginning to end. I loved that it wasn’t predictable. I fell in love with some characters, while others worked my nerves. I enjoyed this read.