Metanoia

by Michael Harbron

When two children wake up in an abandoned town, nothing adds up. The streets are drowned in fog and the lights are still on. The buildings are empty, and strange things crawl through the dark after sundown.

All they have are a few rules to survive and a growing sense that this place shouldn’t exist. Every building feels like a memory they can’t fully reach. And the man watching them from across the street seems to know exactly why they’re here.

As they search for a way out, the truth finally finds them—and it doesn’t want them to leave.

247 pages, ebook

First published February 20, 2026

About the author

Michael Harbron is an American fiction writer who brings a unique, yet traditional approach to the horror and supernatural genres. From a young age, Harbron was captivated by the eerie and unexplained, a fascination that has deeply influenced his writing. His works aim to unsettle readers through suspense and psychological depth, revisiting the shadowy corners of childhood fears. His debut novel, "Interview with the Devil," exemplifies the blurred lines between reality and the unimaginable. Harbron’s storytelling resurrects dormant fears, proving that true horror lies not in what is seen, but in what is felt.

Reviews

[Spooky Little Book Nerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Any story involving kids is automatically scary to me. Either the kids are creepy as hell, or you’re spending the entire book terrified for their safety. In Metanoia, it was definitely the latter. From the very first page, I was worried about Lucy and Damien as they tried to navigate a strange and unsettling new world.

In true Michael Harbron fashion, nothing is quite what it seems. Every time I thought I had things figured out, the story threw another twist my way. The suspense kept building, and I found myself completely invested in uncovering the truth alongside the characters.

The atmosphere in this book was absolutely perfect. The ever-present fog, the eerie town, and its collection of strange residents and creatures created a constant sense of unease. The kids didn’t know who they could trust, and honestly, neither did I. That uncertainty made it nearly impossible to put the book down.

I was hooked from beginning to end and fully invested in Lucy and Damien’s journey. Metanoia was a wild, suspenseful ride filled with surprises, and I loved every minute of it.

[Meaghan Elizabeth 🌙 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book expecting a creepy, haunted town story, but what I got was something so much deeper, and honestly, this book covered so many topics that tend to keep me up at night. It has taken me four days to write a review because I don’t know how to put into words just how amazing I thought this book was.

This story was so unsettling, yet completely eye opening at the same time. The bond between Lucy and Damien was so strong and they stopped at nothing to protect one another. I felt so awful for them throughout the book when learning about how they grew up in an incredibly abusive household with parents struggling with addiction. They were subject to their parents selfish and cult like sacrifice as an attempt to gain power and wealth, which landed them in this strange other world.

Tom was also an interesting character. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him for probably half of the book, but by the end, he gained some major points with me. Can we also talk about the reapers and other creepy creatures in this world? I don’t think I would stand a chance or be able to find my way out😂

The ending to this was so satisfying and certain people got exactly what they deserved. I don’t want to give away more than I already have, but this is a book that will stick with me for a long time. I highly recommend it to anyone who isn’t afraid to think outside the box and step beyond their comfort zone🫶🏻

[Aphrodite the Reader ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love

The fog is back I enjoyed the story from beginning to end!!! I am very much pleased with the ending of this story

[Alishia Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anything from a child’s POV sends me automatically, because I believe children possess a clarity that adults bury as they get older. I knew this would be creepy, but I wasn’t expecting the emotional depth as they find their way. If you’re an audio girly, I immersive read and the narration was BEAUTIFULLY eerie. So many different types of creatures, dilemmas, and the plot twist was absolutely SHOCKING.

[Caitlyn Winn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, this book does have trigger warnings, please take caution.

This book, at times, made my skin crawl. It was unnerving. The two main characters were so strong and smart and brave throughout the whole book. And the ending, I was speechless.

[Tabathareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horror from a child’s POV is automatically creepier to me, and this one absolutely delivered. There is just something about seeing everything through a child’s eyes that makes the scary parts hit differently.

This was so well done from beginning to end. It was creepy, atmospheric, and had some great creature horror throughout. I was completely invested, and the ending twist was a good one that I did not see coming. If you love creature features and creepy horror, definitely add this one to your list!

I won this in a giveaway hosted by the author and am so glad I did! I’m adding this authors backlist to my tbr.

[Philip O’Dowd 🇮🇪 · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful and transformative read. From the very first chapter, Mr. Harbron invites you into an honest exploration of personal growth and the courage it takes to truly change. The writing is clear, heartfelt, and thought-provoking. The concept of “Metanoia” — a profound change of heart and mind . This book challenges you in the best possible way. It encourages self-examination while offering hope, clarity, and motivation to move forward differently. It pairs well with “Miserere mei, Deus” 😂