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Upon Waking
What woke you from your sleep?
Was it the light coming through the curtains? The traffic from the street outside?
Or was it the scratching through the walls? The cries of tormented anguish from behind locked doors? The desperate clawing at the woodwork from a soul hell bent on escape?
Welcome to a place where the lucky ones die quickly.
Upon waking, the nightmare truly begins.
Was it the light coming through the curtains? The traffic from the street outside?
Or was it the scratching through the walls? The cries of tormented anguish from behind locked doors? The desperate clawing at the woodwork from a soul hell bent on escape?
Welcome to a place where the lucky ones die quickly.
Upon waking, the nightmare truly begins.
- GenresSplatterpunkHorror
142 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Park
24 books22 followersJ. R. Park is a writer of Horror Fiction based in Bristol, UK.
Regularly citing Guy N Smith as an influence and inspiration, it was an interview with the said author in Darkside Magazine that was the catalyst for Park to begin his career in literature.
He writes his books as if they were video nasties beamed straight from the golden era of exploitation cinema.
Regularly citing Guy N Smith as an influence and inspiration, it was an interview with the said author in Darkside Magazine that was the catalyst for Park to begin his career in literature.
He writes his books as if they were video nasties beamed straight from the golden era of exploitation cinema.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 15, 2016
"I realise I probably haven’t told you very much about this book in this review. I hope you get some sort of feeling for it though. I can’t tell you details of the story without giving it away. Trust me, I want to keep saying “and the bit where…..” but I won’t.
I absolutely loved this story."
See here for the full review:
Upon Waking
I absolutely loved this story."
See here for the full review:
Upon Waking
August 29, 2015
J.R. Park has written one of the most painfully twisted books I have ever had the pleasure of reading. I loved it!
Upon Waking starts off slowly, you can sense something big is brewing…but what? Suddenly, the reader is thrust into a rollercoaster ride of some of the most squirm-worthy scenes I have ever read. The torture and senseless mutilation does not stop. I honestly had a hard time sitting still while reading. I think that the best comparison is like watching a medical show on the Discovery Channel, where they are performing an eye surgery (I am not an eye guy).
In 160 pages, there is a collection of characters who all suffer at the hands of Cassie. The story left me with only one question. Why Cassie, why? I read one particular passage to my wife, and now her balls ache too!
If you like a book that will shock and disgust you, you really need to read Upon Waking.
*5 Stars
Upon Waking starts off slowly, you can sense something big is brewing…but what? Suddenly, the reader is thrust into a rollercoaster ride of some of the most squirm-worthy scenes I have ever read. The torture and senseless mutilation does not stop. I honestly had a hard time sitting still while reading. I think that the best comparison is like watching a medical show on the Discovery Channel, where they are performing an eye surgery (I am not an eye guy).
In 160 pages, there is a collection of characters who all suffer at the hands of Cassie. The story left me with only one question. Why Cassie, why? I read one particular passage to my wife, and now her balls ache too!
If you like a book that will shock and disgust you, you really need to read Upon Waking.
*5 Stars
August 30, 2016
I've had a few people tell me that I need to check out J. R. Park.
Well I finally gave in. I'm so glad I did! This was a really fun read. It's brutal, and I mean ridiculously, graphically violent.
I was squirming more than once. I loved every minute of this and it felt as though I'd read it all in about five mins. So fun it just flew.
Definitely one to recommend.
Well I finally gave in. I'm so glad I did! This was a really fun read. It's brutal, and I mean ridiculously, graphically violent.
I was squirming more than once. I loved every minute of this and it felt as though I'd read it all in about five mins. So fun it just flew.
Definitely one to recommend.
March 22, 2022
Wow that was a way better read than I thought it was going to be. J.R. Park has created a character that is seriously one scary woman. She makes the Annie character from misery look nice. This book is a twisted violent and gory ride that keeps you guessing and turning the pages. I recommend this one 4.5 from me
February 21, 2016
This is the first book that I've read from this author, and I can tell you for nothing that it was one hell of a read. From the offset, we have about a third of the book laying the foundations for a couple of the characters, before really hitting the main body of the story. When I say hitting, that is a total understatement. It grabs you around the throat, spits in your face and drags you almost unwillingly into it's sordid content.
I had already read a couple of write ups from some reviewers on this book, (reviews work you know) so followed their advice and prepared myself both mentally and physically.. (cup of tea at the ready) So was I sufficiently prepared? Kind of...
Although I knew that it was going to be an extreme piece of fiction, there are parts that I don't think anyone can really be fully prepared for. It took me just over an hour to read it, an enthralling, nail biting, adrenaline and terror filled hour.
When Gary Brown's son; Henry goes missing, he approaches a private investigator, Kathryn, an ex-police offer to try to locate him. Through her contacts, she manages to trace his last known mobile phone signal to a quiet street, where she stumbles upon the main character in this story - Cassandra Brown. A woman that is seemingly living a normal, quiet life in a middle class, suburban neighbourhood.
Cassie is an extremely large, powerful woman, with an immaculately clean house; it seems that she has quite an obsession for cleaning. The aspect of the story shifts, as other characters find themselves waking up in various rooms around her house. This is dealt with in the form of each of their aspects being played out as an independent chapter. A relatively simple concept in itself, until the story begins to unfold, and the madness really begins.
I'm going to leave it there with the description to save any spoilers. What I will add, is that this book really manages to catch the reader off guard. You get the first impression of Cassie as a normal woman living a normal life, you sense that something isn't quite as it seems, (its the horror genre) however you can't put your finger on what until things start to.. happen.
When they do begin to happen, expect absolutely horrific scenes, that even the most hardened of readers will find shocking. I mean really, its absolutely intense and handled in a way that you actually find yourself willing for these poor people. Yes its gratuitous, but its also befitting to the story. It kind of ambles along at a steady pace, but then we get hit with another brutal moment without any prior notification. However, it's all addressed and justified by the creation of Cassie. She is a truly despicable person, totally devoid of remorse or empathy. Her actions are totally self centred, sadistic and psychotic, she's not a person that you would like to meet, yet the truly terrifying part is that it's feasible that you actually could.
The book is well written, there are no confusing plot lines or unnecessary twists. Its a short, severe tale that may leave you like you have been hit around the head by a professional boxer. Yes, there are extreme scenes, two in particular will be enough to make a man's eyes water, but this is horror, and they're written well enough to shock without being gore porn.
I've gotta admit, I really enjoyed it. Once I picked it up, I didn't put it down. It was depraved, and in some people's eyes, wrong, but I love that in a book.
Again, a warning that this book isn't for everyone, please be aware that there are parts that can shock. If you are fine with that, prepare yourself for one hell of a powerful read.
My rating 5/5
I will be reading more work from this author.
I had already read a couple of write ups from some reviewers on this book, (reviews work you know) so followed their advice and prepared myself both mentally and physically.. (cup of tea at the ready) So was I sufficiently prepared? Kind of...
Although I knew that it was going to be an extreme piece of fiction, there are parts that I don't think anyone can really be fully prepared for. It took me just over an hour to read it, an enthralling, nail biting, adrenaline and terror filled hour.
When Gary Brown's son; Henry goes missing, he approaches a private investigator, Kathryn, an ex-police offer to try to locate him. Through her contacts, she manages to trace his last known mobile phone signal to a quiet street, where she stumbles upon the main character in this story - Cassandra Brown. A woman that is seemingly living a normal, quiet life in a middle class, suburban neighbourhood.
Cassie is an extremely large, powerful woman, with an immaculately clean house; it seems that she has quite an obsession for cleaning. The aspect of the story shifts, as other characters find themselves waking up in various rooms around her house. This is dealt with in the form of each of their aspects being played out as an independent chapter. A relatively simple concept in itself, until the story begins to unfold, and the madness really begins.
I'm going to leave it there with the description to save any spoilers. What I will add, is that this book really manages to catch the reader off guard. You get the first impression of Cassie as a normal woman living a normal life, you sense that something isn't quite as it seems, (its the horror genre) however you can't put your finger on what until things start to.. happen.
When they do begin to happen, expect absolutely horrific scenes, that even the most hardened of readers will find shocking. I mean really, its absolutely intense and handled in a way that you actually find yourself willing for these poor people. Yes its gratuitous, but its also befitting to the story. It kind of ambles along at a steady pace, but then we get hit with another brutal moment without any prior notification. However, it's all addressed and justified by the creation of Cassie. She is a truly despicable person, totally devoid of remorse or empathy. Her actions are totally self centred, sadistic and psychotic, she's not a person that you would like to meet, yet the truly terrifying part is that it's feasible that you actually could.
The book is well written, there are no confusing plot lines or unnecessary twists. Its a short, severe tale that may leave you like you have been hit around the head by a professional boxer. Yes, there are extreme scenes, two in particular will be enough to make a man's eyes water, but this is horror, and they're written well enough to shock without being gore porn.
I've gotta admit, I really enjoyed it. Once I picked it up, I didn't put it down. It was depraved, and in some people's eyes, wrong, but I love that in a book.
Again, a warning that this book isn't for everyone, please be aware that there are parts that can shock. If you are fine with that, prepare yourself for one hell of a powerful read.
My rating 5/5
I will be reading more work from this author.
August 19, 2022
Really loved the unusual format for the story
January 1, 2018
Reviewed by Demetrius Svette
*This book was provided for an honest review
Throughout time, we have come to face our fears through the eyes of many legends: Wes Craven, Stephen King, and so many more that the list would probably be the length of the whole review. Fears that lock us down and shown in various ways; however, there is only one female villain that made us fear her the most, Annie in Misery by Stephen King. Not many people stretch the boundaries to bring a top notch performing female lead that is realistic enough to give the most terrifying character in the horror genre. I have to say that Upon Waking by J.R. Park is very imaginative, creative and is probably the only one who had topped Annie Wilkes- making her seem like a friendly guest compared to Cassie (Park’s ultimate character for Upon Waking).
At first, I had no clue what I was reading- I thought that it was people waking up from nightmares- but the more I read on, I began to understand the nightmare was actually happening between each character and Cassie. Cassie is not a lurking monster or some creature; she is what we fear most. The realism that Park provides us causes the pages tear outwards and come to life, making you turn them for more terror as it continues through many unsuspecting souls- deep in the realm of extreme horror. I have had many opportunities to read some creative and deep horror but J.R. imparts the best, tenfold, in this no holds barred read for fans of the extreme. No rules, just as the flesh will not cut itself. Join the best and truly terrifying Cassie as she unlocks the door to bring you into the madness from the mind of J.R. Park.
This was my first read from this particular legend in the horror world. Having said that, I am excited that this was my first as it showed me firsthand what he is truly capable of; it actually made me feel comfortable as a writer and not just a reviewer. Upon Waking fascinated me in a way that I haven’t been since first discovering Clive Barker. Park deserves to be in the highest ranks as he petrified us with the gory descriptions that gives a slap of a twist and folds the end comfortably for a second read. This will not be the only book I read from him, I will read until my shelves are full of books that have J.R. Park on the spine.
*This book was provided for an honest review
Throughout time, we have come to face our fears through the eyes of many legends: Wes Craven, Stephen King, and so many more that the list would probably be the length of the whole review. Fears that lock us down and shown in various ways; however, there is only one female villain that made us fear her the most, Annie in Misery by Stephen King. Not many people stretch the boundaries to bring a top notch performing female lead that is realistic enough to give the most terrifying character in the horror genre. I have to say that Upon Waking by J.R. Park is very imaginative, creative and is probably the only one who had topped Annie Wilkes- making her seem like a friendly guest compared to Cassie (Park’s ultimate character for Upon Waking).
At first, I had no clue what I was reading- I thought that it was people waking up from nightmares- but the more I read on, I began to understand the nightmare was actually happening between each character and Cassie. Cassie is not a lurking monster or some creature; she is what we fear most. The realism that Park provides us causes the pages tear outwards and come to life, making you turn them for more terror as it continues through many unsuspecting souls- deep in the realm of extreme horror. I have had many opportunities to read some creative and deep horror but J.R. imparts the best, tenfold, in this no holds barred read for fans of the extreme. No rules, just as the flesh will not cut itself. Join the best and truly terrifying Cassie as she unlocks the door to bring you into the madness from the mind of J.R. Park.
This was my first read from this particular legend in the horror world. Having said that, I am excited that this was my first as it showed me firsthand what he is truly capable of; it actually made me feel comfortable as a writer and not just a reviewer. Upon Waking fascinated me in a way that I haven’t been since first discovering Clive Barker. Park deserves to be in the highest ranks as he petrified us with the gory descriptions that gives a slap of a twist and folds the end comfortably for a second read. This will not be the only book I read from him, I will read until my shelves are full of books that have J.R. Park on the spine.
July 26, 2018
Slow to start, like a candle sat in a puddle of gasoline.
Introducing new and seemingly random characters with each chapter, slowly the candle burns down until it reaches the reservoir of fuel beneath it... of course the gas was there all along and my oh my, how it burns!
Some shocking and sickly enchanting imagery in this that may stay with me for a while.
J R Park has a little gem here, well worth a read.
Introducing new and seemingly random characters with each chapter, slowly the candle burns down until it reaches the reservoir of fuel beneath it... of course the gas was there all along and my oh my, how it burns!
Some shocking and sickly enchanting imagery in this that may stay with me for a while.
J R Park has a little gem here, well worth a read.
July 2, 2020
This book drags us thru the hell of Internet dating. Brutal and inescapable.
November 22, 2019
Wow this book just is absolutely terrifying.
Imagine waking up a little disoriented and unsure that little few seconds upon waking. Where are you and how did you get here?
Read it it’ll give you chills I don’t want to tell you more it’ll spoil it!
Imagine waking up a little disoriented and unsure that little few seconds upon waking. Where are you and how did you get here?
Read it it’ll give you chills I don’t want to tell you more it’ll spoil it!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews