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Paroxysm #1
Paroxysm Effect
The chip was supposed to suppress anger and violence. The world would be at peace. For forty-eight years that was true. And then one day it wasn't...
Gemi finds herself tumbling into chaos when the world suddenly succumbs to the madness of repressed emotions, only to be rescued by a group of military personnel.
With no knowledge of what is causing the malfunction, it becomes a race against time and the population to make it back to the military base in one piece.
Paroxysm Effect is a fast paced, heart-stopping journey that will leave you wondering who is safe to trust when the world is going crazy.
Gemi finds herself tumbling into chaos when the world suddenly succumbs to the madness of repressed emotions, only to be rescued by a group of military personnel.
With no knowledge of what is causing the malfunction, it becomes a race against time and the population to make it back to the military base in one piece.
Paroxysm Effect is a fast paced, heart-stopping journey that will leave you wondering who is safe to trust when the world is going crazy.
- GenresScience FictionDystopia
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 15, 2016
64 people are currently reading
1301 people want to read
About the author
Ashleigh Reynolds
6 books147 followersAshleigh Reynolds was born and raised in Northern California where she was surrounded by fantasy novels, horror films, and role playing games.
She began writing in Kindergarten when she penned (in crayon of course) a short story about a princess and her pet "gragon".
Since that time, she has moved multiple times and currently lives in Minnesota with her husband Mark, their dog Willard, and a mean spirited cat named Butters.
Paroxysm Effect is Ashleigh's first publish book that she wrote in the off time she had from her full time job. Which pretty much meant her husband had plenty of time to play Destiny as she zoned out on the couch and wrote at night with the occasional animal running across the laptop.
She began writing in Kindergarten when she penned (in crayon of course) a short story about a princess and her pet "gragon".
Since that time, she has moved multiple times and currently lives in Minnesota with her husband Mark, their dog Willard, and a mean spirited cat named Butters.
Paroxysm Effect is Ashleigh's first publish book that she wrote in the off time she had from her full time job. Which pretty much meant her husband had plenty of time to play Destiny as she zoned out on the couch and wrote at night with the occasional animal running across the laptop.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
February 14, 2016
5.0 out of 5 stars Fresh and Different, February 14, 2016
By bcingu
This review is from: Paroxysm Effect (Paperback)
Paroxysm Effect was great. It was a different twist on any Horror-SciFi I have ever read. Love the plot and the direction it takes you on from start to finish. I had a hard time putting it down and had to know what happened next . Hoping for a sequel .
February 21, 2016
Excellent read.
I very much enjoyed the book. It was an easy read that keeps the reader engaged and needed to know what happens next. The story has more then enough twists and turns and leaves you wanting to know more.
I very much enjoyed the book. It was an easy read that keeps the reader engaged and needed to know what happens next. The story has more then enough twists and turns and leaves you wanting to know more.
May 19, 2016
I received a copy of this book from a #GoodreadsGiveaway . It was a very fast paced read. The story was very well told until the end. I loved this book but I found the ending very frustrating. While the author had the ending worked out in her head, I am not sure the ending came through in her writing. I re-read the ending a few times to see if I got the same feeling each time and I was left a little confused. I am anxious to read what other readers had to say. Might be just my urge for happy endings getting in the way. I am passing on my good fortune in winning this book to my friends who love to read. I am sure they will enjoy this book as much as I have and they will add there own reviews soon. I am looking forward to more reads from Ashleigh. :) Is there going to be a sequel?
September 30, 2018
Great futuristic sci-fi adventure. Gemi lives in a world that for many years has been void of crime and violence. The reason has to do with a chip that every citizen is required to have. The creator of the chip designed it to keep people pre-dispositioned to commit henious acts stable. But not knowing who could be a threat to society all people were forced to receive chips.
Gemi's a little bored with her mundane life and wishes she had a bit more adventure or some excitement in a world that's rather milktoast. One day her wish comes true in the most god-awful way when ordinary, normal people in her town begin to turn on each other, committing gruesome murders and crimes. She runs in an effort to save herself from crazed people trying to kill her. She encounters a band of military people fighting the crazies and one of them, Jaxton, saves her. They flee her town to a camp in the country. There she finds she's very much unwanted because she learns that everyone in the camp is supposedly part of the anti-chip movement. Being a chipped person she's swamped with suspicion because everyone believes she could turn murderously crazy like the other chipped people who snapped.
When everyone else wants her gone or dead, Jaxton stands by her and vows to keep her safe. Gemi doesn't trust him right off, but there's a chemistry between them that neither can deny.
I really got into this book even though I'm not a fan of the genre. The writing was engaging, the pace good. Really liked the romance. I got confused a bit toward the end. Why I can't say or it would be a spoiler, but it wrapped up fairly well, leaving a segue to the next book.
Gemi's a little bored with her mundane life and wishes she had a bit more adventure or some excitement in a world that's rather milktoast. One day her wish comes true in the most god-awful way when ordinary, normal people in her town begin to turn on each other, committing gruesome murders and crimes. She runs in an effort to save herself from crazed people trying to kill her. She encounters a band of military people fighting the crazies and one of them, Jaxton, saves her. They flee her town to a camp in the country. There she finds she's very much unwanted because she learns that everyone in the camp is supposedly part of the anti-chip movement. Being a chipped person she's swamped with suspicion because everyone believes she could turn murderously crazy like the other chipped people who snapped.
When everyone else wants her gone or dead, Jaxton stands by her and vows to keep her safe. Gemi doesn't trust him right off, but there's a chemistry between them that neither can deny.
I really got into this book even though I'm not a fan of the genre. The writing was engaging, the pace good. Really liked the romance. I got confused a bit toward the end. Why I can't say or it would be a spoiler, but it wrapped up fairly well, leaving a segue to the next book.
August 5, 2018
A Broken Chip in the System
When violence began to overtake the world, a chip to control emotions seemed like a good idea. It would have remained a good idea until corruption infiltrated the solution. This story brings to light social issues which seem to be as old as time itself, free will vs. the big brother concept.
When Gemi finds herself in the middle of what feels like Armageddon, she has no idea what she can do to get out of it. Jaxton enters her life, saving her time and again as they battle to get free of a city gone mad. Gemi keeps wishing she could wake up from her nightmare and go back to the ordinary, boring life she used to have.
I particularly enjoyed reading the parts where Gemi lets herself be vulnerable, yet still strong. I hated every loss of the characters I grew to care about, yet I loved the twists and turns of this story.
When violence began to overtake the world, a chip to control emotions seemed like a good idea. It would have remained a good idea until corruption infiltrated the solution. This story brings to light social issues which seem to be as old as time itself, free will vs. the big brother concept.
When Gemi finds herself in the middle of what feels like Armageddon, she has no idea what she can do to get out of it. Jaxton enters her life, saving her time and again as they battle to get free of a city gone mad. Gemi keeps wishing she could wake up from her nightmare and go back to the ordinary, boring life she used to have.
I particularly enjoyed reading the parts where Gemi lets herself be vulnerable, yet still strong. I hated every loss of the characters I grew to care about, yet I loved the twists and turns of this story.
April 16, 2024
This book would make a great Black Mirror episode if the first two acts were trimmed a bit.
The story would have been much better without the prologue. While reading it, I kept thinking, “Incorrect: crime is not “out of control”. Even if it were, there’s no way in Hell this would happen in the USA in 2025. That’s not how the US government works. That’s not how any of this works.” This sort of conjecture is excusable in stories written before 1980. But in 2016? Nope. A cold open would have been better. Without the prologue, the book is three stars.
Until I got to Act III, I thought I would give this book zero stars: the writing was that stilted and clichéd. Act III improved it somewhat.
The story would have been much better without the prologue. While reading it, I kept thinking, “Incorrect: crime is not “out of control”. Even if it were, there’s no way in Hell this would happen in the USA in 2025. That’s not how the US government works. That’s not how any of this works.” This sort of conjecture is excusable in stories written before 1980. But in 2016? Nope. A cold open would have been better. Without the prologue, the book is three stars.
Until I got to Act III, I thought I would give this book zero stars: the writing was that stilted and clichéd. Act III improved it somewhat.
June 27, 2018
A Must Read!!!
Paroxysm Effect by Ashleigh Reynolds is the ultimate thrill ride! I found it very difficult to put this book down! There is constant action, high and lows in emotions, and twists and turns galore! There are barely any low spots in the story line, which kept me engaged and flipping through the pages like a maniac! Loved this story, and will be coming back for book 2!
Paroxysm Effect by Ashleigh Reynolds is the ultimate thrill ride! I found it very difficult to put this book down! There is constant action, high and lows in emotions, and twists and turns galore! There are barely any low spots in the story line, which kept me engaged and flipping through the pages like a maniac! Loved this story, and will be coming back for book 2!
September 16, 2018
When violence began to overtake the world, a chip to control emotions seemed like a good idea. It would have remained a good idea until corruption infiltrated the solution. This story brings to light social issues which seem to be as old as time itself, free will vs. the big brother concept. This book will keep you intrigued from start to finish exceptional read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 2, 2018
a chip is supposed to suppress anger and violence. it worked for a while, 48 years to date. when suddenly it no longer works. she is rescued and they need to find out what is happening. can they find out what is going on? great read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2018
What if it were possible to control anger and violence?
This story is intriguing in that it explores the human mind and the lengths some will go to for power. Of course, it would be an easier world if some emotions were suppressed - crime would fall to almost zero. However...
Politicians and scientists - yikes!
A fast-paced tale of mystery and psychological experiments - worth a look.
This story is intriguing in that it explores the human mind and the lengths some will go to for power. Of course, it would be an easier world if some emotions were suppressed - crime would fall to almost zero. However...
Politicians and scientists - yikes!
A fast-paced tale of mystery and psychological experiments - worth a look.
July 26, 2025
Solid 4.00
Spectacular topic and delivery
It got super confusing near the end, but I get it, it's supposed to be that
I felt like I was truly in Gemi's mind
And what a cool name, Gemini
This was on an indy list I'm reading my way through, might just have to put this author on my list to stick with
Spectacular topic and delivery
It got super confusing near the end, but I get it, it's supposed to be that
I felt like I was truly in Gemi's mind
And what a cool name, Gemini
This was on an indy list I'm reading my way through, might just have to put this author on my list to stick with
March 3, 2018
It's really promising! I loved Reynolds' writing style a lot. It was spooky and creepy and gave me that vibe you get from watching a horror sci-fi. I can't wait to see what book 2 has in store!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 8, 2018
GemI has to figure out a solution In this faced paced action while time is running out and nothing is as easy as it seems.
Want to read
December 26, 2016That cover is ugly.
That blurb shines bright so it definitely makes up for it. :)
That blurb shines bright so it definitely makes up for it. :)
January 1, 2017
It's a really good book, good premises but it gets a little predictable. still a great book 3.5/5
November 14, 2016
What an emotional masterpiece! I'm completely blown away by Ashleigh Reynolds' ability to capture such a wide range of human emotion with such vivid detail. Although clearly a fictional read, Paroxysm Effect has shined a whole new light on humanity and our ability as a human race to retain feelings of love and compassion despite adversity and/or the efforts of others to veer us in different directions.
I absolute adore the way that this books takes a tale of technological advances (to the point of and centering around personality and demeanor altering chips), gore, violence, unfathomable action and suspense, and has intricately woven in a love story so intense that in the end, it will all but knock your feet out from under you. Wow, talk about chest thumping!
The pace of Paroxysm Effect is fast, almost too fast, leaving little to no time between fight scenes and emotional twists. Because of the over intensity and the need of a slightly tighter proofread I debated between and four and five star. The reason I ultimately choose a five star rating is because of the uniqueness offered.
It is rare to come across a futuristic story that doesn't focus too much on technology. In my opinion, Ashleigh's approach of focusing on the emotional aspect of her characters rather than solely on the chip's technology is refreshing. The personalities presented are developed, and the twists and catches are one of a kind. Reynolds truly has a way with words, and her delivery of a shocking ending is phenomenal! I enjoyed this book immensely, and will definitely recommend it.
I absolute adore the way that this books takes a tale of technological advances (to the point of and centering around personality and demeanor altering chips), gore, violence, unfathomable action and suspense, and has intricately woven in a love story so intense that in the end, it will all but knock your feet out from under you. Wow, talk about chest thumping!
The pace of Paroxysm Effect is fast, almost too fast, leaving little to no time between fight scenes and emotional twists. Because of the over intensity and the need of a slightly tighter proofread I debated between and four and five star. The reason I ultimately choose a five star rating is because of the uniqueness offered.
It is rare to come across a futuristic story that doesn't focus too much on technology. In my opinion, Ashleigh's approach of focusing on the emotional aspect of her characters rather than solely on the chip's technology is refreshing. The personalities presented are developed, and the twists and catches are one of a kind. Reynolds truly has a way with words, and her delivery of a shocking ending is phenomenal! I enjoyed this book immensely, and will definitely recommend it.
March 7, 2017
I won this book in a giveaway. It's a pretty interesting sci-fi story in the same vein as Dark Matter, which I loved. I didn't think this one was executed quite as well, but I still enjoyed it.
The premise of this story is a near-future scenario where individuals are implanted with a chip that's designed to help suppress anger and violence in an effort to promote peace. But being a novel and all, there are bound to be some unexpected consequences.
I found the story to be a bit confusing and difficult to follow, but I think that was mostly because I read it in lots of little segments. Looking back I believe it would have been clearer and more enjoyable had I read it in fewer, longer segments instead. Take that for what it's worth.
All things considered, this is a good story with solid writing and enough originality to be interesting. I'm glad I got to read it.
The premise of this story is a near-future scenario where individuals are implanted with a chip that's designed to help suppress anger and violence in an effort to promote peace. But being a novel and all, there are bound to be some unexpected consequences.
I found the story to be a bit confusing and difficult to follow, but I think that was mostly because I read it in lots of little segments. Looking back I believe it would have been clearer and more enjoyable had I read it in fewer, longer segments instead. Take that for what it's worth.
All things considered, this is a good story with solid writing and enough originality to be interesting. I'm glad I got to read it.
May 2, 2017
Paroxysm Effect was a quick and easy read, if you enjoy sci-fi without tonnes of technical references you would be please here, but it was not as enjoyable as I was expecting it to be reading the synopsis.
The interesting part of the story, human chipped world and the conspiracy behind the scene, are only a tiny fraction of the novel which seems to focus mostly on the relationship of two of the characters and the power of their love...
I was expecting to read a novel exploring an interesting concept and I ended up reading a sci-fi theme romance.
The interesting part of the story, human chipped world and the conspiracy behind the scene, are only a tiny fraction of the novel which seems to focus mostly on the relationship of two of the characters and the power of their love...
I was expecting to read a novel exploring an interesting concept and I ended up reading a sci-fi theme romance.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews