The Void

by Albert Kivak

NEWLY REVISED AND RE EDITED. ALSO CONTAINS BONUS FIRST CHAPTER OF BOOK II: GENESIS

Morgan Brewster senses things. He knows there are things lurking inside the sinkhole growing bigger outside his house on Maple Street. Only he knows why it is there and what lives within its black depths. Embry is a man ravaged by cancer. Frustrated by his impending death, he searches to end his torment in the worst possible way. But by fate and or chance, Embry and Morgan crosses path and soon a friendship is born and together they attempt to end the haunting. While the sinkhole continues to grow and the residents are afflicted, the world races against time to find a way to stop the ever expanding abyss.
The only problem is the boy holds the key to prevent the apocalypse..
And Embry can only watch helplessly as whatever residing inside the hole begins to climb out.

Genres: Horror

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 18, 2015

About the author

Albert Kivak is a pseudonym for a government official based in Chicago. Influenced by all the whistleblowers of the golden era, he draws real-life emotions and recreates characters and situations from real life.

Taking risks and embracing an ambivalent attitude on all things, Albert has a carved a niche and a nice gash of movement for his followers.

Reviews

[Christina McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Void by Bray & Kivak

So, I was given this copy of The Void for an honest review. Honestly I was/am blown away! I hope these two authors will collaborate again someday! I definitely don’t want to give anything away so let me just say: sinkholes, horror, spiders, terrible politics, murder/humans at their worst, cancer, and of course, insatiable curiosity that leads to trouble…
Will Embry and Morgan be able to prevent an apocalypse or even help the world? You have to read this to find the answers, and trust me, the journey along the way is beyond worth reaching the end…or is it the end?!
Horrific, terrifying, disgusting and highly addictive and entertaining! Most definitely recommend to all fans of modern horror.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful idea not so beautifully executed, The Void dives into the things many people fear and the subjects dealt with in the book are enough to give many people nightmares. I felt the writing was a little clunky in places and there were a few mistakes throughout the book. At times, I felt the writers' hearts weren't really in the writing.

The Void isn't a bad book, it's just not as great as it could have been.

[Melissa Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really fun book...lots and lots of blood.

[Milt Theo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although the book has serious problems of pacing (uneven), execution (messy), and characterization (wooden), it's one of those stories which are so good, you can't help giving it a 5-star review. The premise is attractive and original: a sinkhole opens in an American neighborhood, and the common fears of typical adult Americans get out and everything goes to hell. Expect bugs, terrorism, adultery, loss of home, sexual abuse, child deaths, pet deaths, and, of course, nuclear bombing. There are many familiar horror tropes employed in intriguing and disturbing ways: the creepy child, bug infestation, doppelgangers, and so on. There also several scenes of huge carnage. Overall, this is an enjoyable horror story with a beautiful, though a bit rushed and indecisive, ending.

[Lexa Cain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Void was such a surprise. I've rarely read a horror novel with so many striking images. It’s like the authors, Bray and Kivak, plumbed the depths of the human psyche and came up with things everyone fears. And I don’t mean images soaked in gore or body parts flying everywhere (thought there is a bit of that), I mean images as simple as spiders falling from the sky or a child smiling when telling someone to kill another child. Images like that stick with you long after you put down the book.

The fast-paced and complex plot reminded me of found-footage movies. There are no heroes here; everyone is flawed and bitterly realistic. They struggle against something with no explanation, and no matter what they try, things only get worse—chaos rules.

If you enjoy fast-paced stories with scenes that are the stuff of nightmares, and you don’t mind plots that are a little “out there,” then The Void is for you. Highly recommended!

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the authors for allowing me the chance to read their work.

The Void centers on an ever growing sinkhole in the middle of a suburban street. Its origins are unknown, but the residents of the street begin acting strangely, and only one peculiar little boy seems to have any idea of what sinister powers are at play.

I don't read very much horror, but I could never get into this novel. The characters are not very well developed and many details are skipped over when describing scenes. It made it very hard to picture the events taking place.

2.5 stars

[Serena]

Received from the author in exchange for an honest review via the Media Bitch Literary Agency on Goodreads

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, it had some great set pieces and visual imagery.
Relatively short, but a great read all the same.
Will be checking out more of Bray's work! :)