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You Are Invited
When Cath receives her invitation to The Event--a monetised retreat for social media influencers--she can't believe her luck. Irene Jobert is the most famous influencer in the world, and now Cath will be one of the five participants chosen to stay with Irene in a renovated Transylvanian monastery.
The catch? Their every move will be live-streamed to millions of people around the world. Patrons pay for constant access to their favourite social media stars: Irene, the model; Nathan, the gamer; Jules, the blogger; Daniel, the fitness guru; and Cath, the writer.
Nestled halfway up a mountain, the five are isolated, with nothing but the internet to connect them to the world. That is,until eagle-eyed live-stream followers all around the globe notice a sixth participant. A dark figure lurking in the background.
They thought they were alone. Perhaps they were wrong.
The catch? Their every move will be live-streamed to millions of people around the world. Patrons pay for constant access to their favourite social media stars: Irene, the model; Nathan, the gamer; Jules, the blogger; Daniel, the fitness guru; and Cath, the writer.
Nestled halfway up a mountain, the five are isolated, with nothing but the internet to connect them to the world. That is,until eagle-eyed live-stream followers all around the globe notice a sixth participant. A dark figure lurking in the background.
They thought they were alone. Perhaps they were wrong.
312 pages, ebook
First published September 15, 2020
467 people are currently reading
3566 people want to read
About the author
Sarah A. Denzil
47 books2,553 followersSarah A. Denzil is a Wall Street Journal bestselling suspense writer. She is also known as young adult author Sarah Dalton.
Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.
She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.
You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3
Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/
Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil
Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/
Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com
Sarah lives in Yorkshire with her partner, enjoying the scenic countryside and rather unpredictable weather.
She is the author of international bestselling psychological thriller SILENT CHILD, which topped the bestseller lists on Amazon in the US, UK and Australia.
You can read now read AIDEN'S STORY, a short story and sequel to SILENT CHILD. It's completely free here: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/n7lb74chp3
Find out more at: http://www.sarahdenzil.com/
Join the newsletter for updates: http://eepurl.com/cwAmZD
Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahadenzil
Check out her Instagram page:
https://www.instagram.com/sarahadenzil/
Email: sarah@sarahdenzil.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 338 reviews
August 14, 2020
Finally, I got to read something I could get my teeth into! Five social media influencers are invited to The Event - a social experiment where they spend one month in a remote former monastery in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania while everything is live streamed and viewers can issue challenges to the participants. A bit like Big Brother only more creepy. The participants are lured with the promise of making money as their followers need to pay a subscription to watch the action.
So we have Cath, our narrator, who writes fantasy books and interacts heavily with her followers. Cath also apparently has schizophrenia and is on antipsychotic medication. Then we have Irene Jobert, a social media darling with millions of followers, she is apparently a cancer survivor and now has a make-up empire. There is also Jules, a lifestyle blogger; Dan, the fitness nut who does yoga at sunrise and Nathan the gamer boy who apparently also has an undisclosed mental heath condition. Irene and her mother have organised The Event.
The monastery (which was actually a home to nuns) is reputed to be haunted, I guess that’s why they picked it. In 1946 the nuns were all murdered, their throats slashed, the Abbess was the only one who survived. What better place to bring together 5 strangers for a social experiment? Sure enough soon there are things going ‘bump’ in the night and strange shapes are seen on some of the footage. Cath’s medication disappears on the first day so the voice in her head is given free rein again. She keeps seeing a white wolf and a dark shrouded shape. She becomes obsessed with one of the nuns and her story. If that isn’t enough throw in a snowstorm and the revelation that one of the group has been deceiving the others, stir the pot and - BOOM!
I didn’t find this creepy, but then I never do. It was, however, very atmospheric. The monastery was almost a character in its own right. The tension got so thick you could cut it with a knife. It was obvious something untoward was going to happen but I had no idea what as the book could have gone in any number of directions. I am pleased to say I didn’t see that twist coming. I found the book very entertaining and it was enjoyable to read. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Sarah A. Denzil for my review copy. 3.5 stars rounded up.
So we have Cath, our narrator, who writes fantasy books and interacts heavily with her followers. Cath also apparently has schizophrenia and is on antipsychotic medication. Then we have Irene Jobert, a social media darling with millions of followers, she is apparently a cancer survivor and now has a make-up empire. There is also Jules, a lifestyle blogger; Dan, the fitness nut who does yoga at sunrise and Nathan the gamer boy who apparently also has an undisclosed mental heath condition. Irene and her mother have organised The Event.
The monastery (which was actually a home to nuns) is reputed to be haunted, I guess that’s why they picked it. In 1946 the nuns were all murdered, their throats slashed, the Abbess was the only one who survived. What better place to bring together 5 strangers for a social experiment? Sure enough soon there are things going ‘bump’ in the night and strange shapes are seen on some of the footage. Cath’s medication disappears on the first day so the voice in her head is given free rein again. She keeps seeing a white wolf and a dark shrouded shape. She becomes obsessed with one of the nuns and her story. If that isn’t enough throw in a snowstorm and the revelation that one of the group has been deceiving the others, stir the pot and - BOOM!
I didn’t find this creepy, but then I never do. It was, however, very atmospheric. The monastery was almost a character in its own right. The tension got so thick you could cut it with a knife. It was obvious something untoward was going to happen but I had no idea what as the book could have gone in any number of directions. I am pleased to say I didn’t see that twist coming. I found the book very entertaining and it was enjoyable to read. Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and Sarah A. Denzil for my review copy. 3.5 stars rounded up.
November 22, 2020
Irene Jobert is one of the most world's famous influencers, with over ten million followers across her social media accounts. It is most people's dream to live her lavish lifestyle and share in her online success. Five, lucky, smaller influencers have been given the chance to do just that, and spend the next few weeks residing alongside her in a renovated Transylvanian monastery with 24/7 streaming for those willing to pay.
You are invited to The Event.
Our eyes into all that occurred belonged to Cath, a writer with an online legion made up of thousands of eager readers and supporters. Despite this, her quiet and lonely existence could not differ more from those she now shared her every breath and movement with: The Mr Nice Guy of the fitness world, the over-enthusiastic teen gamer, the stern-faced fearless feminist, and, of course, their fearless leader, Irene. However, they were never allowed to forget that the mysterious company providing the financial backing for this project were the real figures in charge.
This compelling premise sucked me in and the eerie events which soon took over ensured I remained glued to the pages. I also found it a very clever tactic to intersperse Cath's perspective with those from the paid live-streams, as they often noticed shifting shadows and faceless figures that the others could not. It made every scene one of tension, when both reader and central characters were unaware if any other elements were present and when truth seemed so determined to be held at bay.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Sarah A. Denzil, and the publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for this opportunity.
You are invited to The Event.
Our eyes into all that occurred belonged to Cath, a writer with an online legion made up of thousands of eager readers and supporters. Despite this, her quiet and lonely existence could not differ more from those she now shared her every breath and movement with: The Mr Nice Guy of the fitness world, the over-enthusiastic teen gamer, the stern-faced fearless feminist, and, of course, their fearless leader, Irene. However, they were never allowed to forget that the mysterious company providing the financial backing for this project were the real figures in charge.
This compelling premise sucked me in and the eerie events which soon took over ensured I remained glued to the pages. I also found it a very clever tactic to intersperse Cath's perspective with those from the paid live-streams, as they often noticed shifting shadows and faceless figures that the others could not. It made every scene one of tension, when both reader and central characters were unaware if any other elements were present and when truth seemed so determined to be held at bay.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Sarah A. Denzil, and the publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for this opportunity.
May 3, 2021
“You are invited to... The Event.”
The Event in question being an exclusive, monetised retreat for some of the biggest social media influencers in the world. Cath Fenwick, a writer, receives her invite to travel over to the renovated monastery in Transylvania to take part.
Whilst on her way, her taxi driver tells the ghost story surrounding the Sfântul Mihail where she shall be staying.
Cath is joined there by:
- Irene, the fashion model/influencer
- Nathan, the gamer/streamer
- Jules, the Blogger
- Dan, the fitness guru
As Cath retells the ghost story to the rest of the group and also on a live stream to all their eager viewers, she receives a $500 donation. It soon becomes apparent that the spookiness of the place will get them the higher donations from the viewers.
I found myself empathising with the character of Cath the most as she struggles with mental illness throughout, as though she is fighting a battle with her own mind.
You Are Invited has an intriguing premise and gripped me from the start. I did feel as though it was going to be tongue-in-cheek towards the whole “influencer” culture that is prevalent within our modern day society, primarily our youth. It ended up being darker than I imagined, in ways I didn’t expect.
The bulk of the story is quite slow paced as the influencers and their viewers start to notice all these little signs that they might not be alone in Sfântul Mihail... 👻
3.5 Stars, rounded up to a 4.
The Event in question being an exclusive, monetised retreat for some of the biggest social media influencers in the world. Cath Fenwick, a writer, receives her invite to travel over to the renovated monastery in Transylvania to take part.
Whilst on her way, her taxi driver tells the ghost story surrounding the Sfântul Mihail where she shall be staying.
Cath is joined there by:
- Irene, the fashion model/influencer
- Nathan, the gamer/streamer
- Jules, the Blogger
- Dan, the fitness guru
As Cath retells the ghost story to the rest of the group and also on a live stream to all their eager viewers, she receives a $500 donation. It soon becomes apparent that the spookiness of the place will get them the higher donations from the viewers.
I found myself empathising with the character of Cath the most as she struggles with mental illness throughout, as though she is fighting a battle with her own mind.
You Are Invited has an intriguing premise and gripped me from the start. I did feel as though it was going to be tongue-in-cheek towards the whole “influencer” culture that is prevalent within our modern day society, primarily our youth. It ended up being darker than I imagined, in ways I didn’t expect.
The bulk of the story is quite slow paced as the influencers and their viewers start to notice all these little signs that they might not be alone in Sfântul Mihail... 👻
3.5 Stars, rounded up to a 4.
October 1, 2020
Many Thanks to Net Galley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
#YouAreInvited #NetGalley
I would like to thank Shalini for her irresistible temptation that made me request this book🤣 🤣 🤣.
Transylvania in Romania , the name of the place itself conjures an image of dark nights, Dracula’s and vampires or strigoi as they are called locally, blood dripping from their mouths, the image so macabre that it chills the bones. You are Invited by Sarah A Denzil begins on such a disturbing gloomy night, at the Sfantul Mihail or Saint Michael monastery, a 200-yr old building seeped in history of murder and mayhem.
Cath Fenwick is invited for a retreat of successful social media influencers and as a writer of fantasy fiction, Cath believes herself lucky to be in the presence of the star, cancer survivor, entrepreneur, Instagram influencer, Irene Jobart. The others attending THE EVENT of the century is Dan Mendoza, Jules Chen and Nathan MacDonald, all of them young successful stars in their own respective field. Anything too good to be true, of course, there’s a catch.
THERE’S NO PRIVACY!
The social media, the twitterati’s, the youtubers, the bloggers, the followers, the instagrammers, every other Tom Dick and Harry can log in and subscribe and pay money to view your every thought and action. Reminded of BIG BOSS / BIG BROTHER anyone? Well, that is such a mild show compared to this chill fest!
The madness escalates as the Cath realizes the loss of her meds for schizophrenia that keeps THE VOICE at bay, Jules struggles with antipathy towards Irene, Nathan suffering a breakdown and so much keeps happening as secrets and truths of their face in reality comes thru and the close living quarters that seem to exacerbate their woes.
Sarah A Denzil captures the imagination of the reader with the setting and the atmospheric menace throughout the story. The wolves, the ghosts, the brutal history of the nuns’ death, the absolute desolation of the place adds to this intense drama that raises goosebumps on your skin. After about three-quarters of the book, the story takes on such a rapid pace that as a reader you can feel the intensity of the menace and dread just lurking around the corner. By the time the end credits roll in, I had already run a marathon with a galloping heart.
So obviously, I loved everything about this book and really do not want to classify it as a ghost story, as there is so much more than that and like Cath at the end, it is better to be illogically logical.
This review will be published in my blog: https://rainnbooks.com/, Amazon India, Goodreads and Twitter.
#YouAreInvited #NetGalley
I would like to thank Shalini for her irresistible temptation that made me request this book🤣 🤣 🤣.
Transylvania in Romania , the name of the place itself conjures an image of dark nights, Dracula’s and vampires or strigoi as they are called locally, blood dripping from their mouths, the image so macabre that it chills the bones. You are Invited by Sarah A Denzil begins on such a disturbing gloomy night, at the Sfantul Mihail or Saint Michael monastery, a 200-yr old building seeped in history of murder and mayhem.
Cath Fenwick is invited for a retreat of successful social media influencers and as a writer of fantasy fiction, Cath believes herself lucky to be in the presence of the star, cancer survivor, entrepreneur, Instagram influencer, Irene Jobart. The others attending THE EVENT of the century is Dan Mendoza, Jules Chen and Nathan MacDonald, all of them young successful stars in their own respective field. Anything too good to be true, of course, there’s a catch.
THERE’S NO PRIVACY!
The social media, the twitterati’s, the youtubers, the bloggers, the followers, the instagrammers, every other Tom Dick and Harry can log in and subscribe and pay money to view your every thought and action. Reminded of BIG BOSS / BIG BROTHER anyone? Well, that is such a mild show compared to this chill fest!
The madness escalates as the Cath realizes the loss of her meds for schizophrenia that keeps THE VOICE at bay, Jules struggles with antipathy towards Irene, Nathan suffering a breakdown and so much keeps happening as secrets and truths of their face in reality comes thru and the close living quarters that seem to exacerbate their woes.
Sarah A Denzil captures the imagination of the reader with the setting and the atmospheric menace throughout the story. The wolves, the ghosts, the brutal history of the nuns’ death, the absolute desolation of the place adds to this intense drama that raises goosebumps on your skin. After about three-quarters of the book, the story takes on such a rapid pace that as a reader you can feel the intensity of the menace and dread just lurking around the corner. By the time the end credits roll in, I had already run a marathon with a galloping heart.
So obviously, I loved everything about this book and really do not want to classify it as a ghost story, as there is so much more than that and like Cath at the end, it is better to be illogically logical.
This review will be published in my blog: https://rainnbooks.com/, Amazon India, Goodreads and Twitter.
August 7, 2020
I had a lot of fun with You Are Invited!
Spooky, dark, claustrophobic (in a good way), and ends with a bang. My favorite "trope" will always be a locked room mystery. And this felt similar to And Then There Were None in tone without ever having a similar plot set up. We have people stuck in this creepy building, constantly live feeding all of their actions, and it's a not very happy family. Lots of drama and toxic relationships lead to the ending we all knew would come at some point....
If there was anything I particularly enjoyed about You Are Invited, it was definitely the scary stories Catherine told. They were creepy, and while it didn't move the plot forward, they always felt right. And when I say that they "felt right", the stories completely nailed the ominous tone. Everything is supposed to be ominous and a mystery of what is REALLY happening, especially all the messages in the chat that insist that one of the five is going to die by the end of the trip....
My only complaint with You Are Invited are the sometimes less-creepy chapters. These usually involve the five guests casually talking, and while their behaviour is realistic, the only thing this book didn't nail was having realistic conversations from influencers and also managing those to be just as creepy as the more sinister parts of the book.
I think you should be looking out for You Are Invited, especially if you're a fan of locked room plots as much as I am!
Spooky, dark, claustrophobic (in a good way), and ends with a bang. My favorite "trope" will always be a locked room mystery. And this felt similar to And Then There Were None in tone without ever having a similar plot set up. We have people stuck in this creepy building, constantly live feeding all of their actions, and it's a not very happy family. Lots of drama and toxic relationships lead to the ending we all knew would come at some point....
If there was anything I particularly enjoyed about You Are Invited, it was definitely the scary stories Catherine told. They were creepy, and while it didn't move the plot forward, they always felt right. And when I say that they "felt right", the stories completely nailed the ominous tone. Everything is supposed to be ominous and a mystery of what is REALLY happening, especially all the messages in the chat that insist that one of the five is going to die by the end of the trip....
My only complaint with You Are Invited are the sometimes less-creepy chapters. These usually involve the five guests casually talking, and while their behaviour is realistic, the only thing this book didn't nail was having realistic conversations from influencers and also managing those to be just as creepy as the more sinister parts of the book.
I think you should be looking out for You Are Invited, especially if you're a fan of locked room plots as much as I am!
September 4, 2020
You Are Invited was one crazy book. It was creepy and tense and I read it in one night. It was an interesting plot and I got caught up in it immediately. There are characters you will love and other story that you will love to hate.
A group of online bloggers are invited to a portly renovated old monastery in Transylvania for an exclusive online event. They are all different in what they blog about and how they do it. It is a party of o promote themselves and the products. The creepy building they are in makes them question everything that goes bump in the night. It was atmospheric and very well done., except for the way that mental health was portrayed and used in the story. It felt too easy. As somebody who suffers it wasn’t right.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of this book to read.
A group of online bloggers are invited to a portly renovated old monastery in Transylvania for an exclusive online event. They are all different in what they blog about and how they do it. It is a party of o promote themselves and the products. The creepy building they are in makes them question everything that goes bump in the night. It was atmospheric and very well done., except for the way that mental health was portrayed and used in the story. It felt too easy. As somebody who suffers it wasn’t right.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced copy of this book to read.
September 18, 2023
Creepy, Atmospheric and very well written book, which doesn't shy away from depicting the realism of social media and mental illness!
Five Social Media Influencers have been invited to 'The Event' - A month long retreat to an isolated monastery surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. These five people are going to be live streamed and will be the focus of millions of people from all over the world. But something is not right here and as Cath digs deeper into this, she and people around her starts losing their mind, and things takes the worse turn from there onwards!
The overall concept was pretty basic, it was nothing unique or groundbreaking, but it was very well executed. I really liked what author did with that simple concept, giving a lot of background and creating the rich history of the place. The folklore stories added more haunting touch in the overall creepiness.
The way we gets to see the realistic dilemma in the life of an Influencer towards their work, the connection with their followers and their insecurities was very convincing and interesting. Cath's struggle with mental illness, her low self esteem and an abusive past was heartbreaking but it was inspiring to see her trying to get past all of that.
Now, on the critical side, it was atmospheric and creepy but not very high in horror. Things were quite slow and not a lot happened in a large section of the book. So, don't expect a full on action horror going into this.
As for me, I, overall, really enjoyed 'You are Invited', it had a lot of creepy moments; I really liked Denzil's creepy and atmospheric writing which keeps you on the edge throughout the story. The ending was also good, not very predictable. The payoff was worth going through all of it.
OVERALL RATING : 4 STARS!
Received an e-arc from Netgalley for an honest review
Five Social Media Influencers have been invited to 'The Event' - A month long retreat to an isolated monastery surrounded by the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. These five people are going to be live streamed and will be the focus of millions of people from all over the world. But something is not right here and as Cath digs deeper into this, she and people around her starts losing their mind, and things takes the worse turn from there onwards!
The overall concept was pretty basic, it was nothing unique or groundbreaking, but it was very well executed. I really liked what author did with that simple concept, giving a lot of background and creating the rich history of the place. The folklore stories added more haunting touch in the overall creepiness.
The way we gets to see the realistic dilemma in the life of an Influencer towards their work, the connection with their followers and their insecurities was very convincing and interesting. Cath's struggle with mental illness, her low self esteem and an abusive past was heartbreaking but it was inspiring to see her trying to get past all of that.
Now, on the critical side, it was atmospheric and creepy but not very high in horror. Things were quite slow and not a lot happened in a large section of the book. So, don't expect a full on action horror going into this.
As for me, I, overall, really enjoyed 'You are Invited', it had a lot of creepy moments; I really liked Denzil's creepy and atmospheric writing which keeps you on the edge throughout the story. The ending was also good, not very predictable. The payoff was worth going through all of it.
OVERALL RATING : 4 STARS!
Received an e-arc from Netgalley for an honest review
July 8, 2020
I WAS INVITED TO THE EVENT, and I bloody well freaked out. The atmosphere was eerie and spooky, and the characters saw shadows in every corner. Author Sarah Denzil had nailed the ghost story making a shiver go down my back. Or did someone walk over a grave or two?
5 influences invited to the Event at the Sfântul Mihail, a monetized reality show where they would talk live to their followers among other tasks. Cath was one of them. This was her tale as captured live from the place where the nuns had died decades ago, drained of their blood. So the story went. Sounded scary, didn't it?
Oh my! Sarah had done a fantastic job bringing her characters to life. Their idiosyncrasies, their flawed nature, their ways to manipulate their followers, each was right on point. It was the beginning of a horror fiesta. Add to it, cold drafts and evil vibes, a wolf or two and the plot turned wicked. I read the book slowly, savoring it as the pages turned to reveal a fear so deep that it couldn't be assuaged.
The story took some turns; none of them was expected. I couldn't even begin to predict where the author would take her plotline. I could only liken it to entering a foggy abyss where I couldn't see beyond my hand.
This was a detailed prose where every nuance, big and small was emphasized. Each character made the other jumpy, and it was fun to see their reactions. The author sure had a wicked mind to show the darker shades of human. Did that make them inhuman. Go figure, rather read the book.
A dark read with some nuanced writing about flawed character, set in the Carpathian Mountains, this book was a complete spooky thriller. Yet not a horror.
5 influences invited to the Event at the Sfântul Mihail, a monetized reality show where they would talk live to their followers among other tasks. Cath was one of them. This was her tale as captured live from the place where the nuns had died decades ago, drained of their blood. So the story went. Sounded scary, didn't it?
Oh my! Sarah had done a fantastic job bringing her characters to life. Their idiosyncrasies, their flawed nature, their ways to manipulate their followers, each was right on point. It was the beginning of a horror fiesta. Add to it, cold drafts and evil vibes, a wolf or two and the plot turned wicked. I read the book slowly, savoring it as the pages turned to reveal a fear so deep that it couldn't be assuaged.
The story took some turns; none of them was expected. I couldn't even begin to predict where the author would take her plotline. I could only liken it to entering a foggy abyss where I couldn't see beyond my hand.
This was a detailed prose where every nuance, big and small was emphasized. Each character made the other jumpy, and it was fun to see their reactions. The author sure had a wicked mind to show the darker shades of human. Did that make them inhuman. Go figure, rather read the book.
A dark read with some nuanced writing about flawed character, set in the Carpathian Mountains, this book was a complete spooky thriller. Yet not a horror.
October 29, 2023
In a word: Yikes.
I was excited about this one. A group of people trapped in a supposedly cursed building high in the Carpathians with the shadow of Dracula looming sounded like just my sort of thing.
And it was indeed a good premise. In theory. In practice? What an unholy (literally and figuratively) mess.
I’ll give the author credit for pacing and sense of menace (which were excellent), as well as for actually coming up with a decent plot for a mystery/horror novel involving influencers, which is rare.
The idea was good, but the whole thing started to unravel toward the end, and the final product was...not great.
There’s no true Big Reveal, and the one that did (sort of) come to pass was pretty predictable. But that wasn’t really the problem. The solve itself wasn’t awful. But the circumstances surrounding it were.
First, the forgiveness angle at the end was enough to tank the whole book on its own. I cannot stand the whole Girl World “Be Nice!” approach. Forgive! Be the bigger person! Huh. I dunno, but if someone lured me to a cursed location on the other side of the world under false pretenses, humiliated me, didn’t pay me the agreed upon fee, and then caused the murder of most of the other people there, I wouldn’t be feeling particularly forgiving. That doesn’t make you the bigger person. It makes you an idiotic simp. Which I suppose is pretty consistent with Cath’s character, so points for committing to the bit, or something.
The writing (of both the book and the book-within-a-book) was awful. The explanation (if you can call it that) for the ghosts didn’t make any sense. And can we please, please stop perpetuating the myth that wolves randomly murder humans for like, a wolfy good time? These were not werewolves, nor did they attack because they were afraid or cornered or starving. Additionally, one of the wolves seemed to have mysteriously gone from a helpless baby to a human-murdering machine in the span of two weeks. Must be something in the water there.
It’s a shame, because the premise for this was good, and the author had the bones of a great story. But the end product was hugely disappointing.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I was excited about this one. A group of people trapped in a supposedly cursed building high in the Carpathians with the shadow of Dracula looming sounded like just my sort of thing.
And it was indeed a good premise. In theory. In practice? What an unholy (literally and figuratively) mess.
I’ll give the author credit for pacing and sense of menace (which were excellent), as well as for actually coming up with a decent plot for a mystery/horror novel involving influencers, which is rare.
The idea was good, but the whole thing started to unravel toward the end, and the final product was...not great.
There’s no true Big Reveal, and the one that did (sort of) come to pass was pretty predictable. But that wasn’t really the problem. The solve itself wasn’t awful. But the circumstances surrounding it were.
First, the forgiveness angle at the end was enough to tank the whole book on its own. I cannot stand the whole Girl World “Be Nice!” approach. Forgive! Be the bigger person! Huh. I dunno, but if someone lured me to a cursed location on the other side of the world under false pretenses, humiliated me, didn’t pay me the agreed upon fee, and then caused the murder of most of the other people there, I wouldn’t be feeling particularly forgiving. That doesn’t make you the bigger person. It makes you an idiotic simp. Which I suppose is pretty consistent with Cath’s character, so points for committing to the bit, or something.
The writing (of both the book and the book-within-a-book) was awful. The explanation (if you can call it that) for the ghosts didn’t make any sense. And can we please, please stop perpetuating the myth that wolves randomly murder humans for like, a wolfy good time? These were not werewolves, nor did they attack because they were afraid or cornered or starving. Additionally, one of the wolves seemed to have mysteriously gone from a helpless baby to a human-murdering machine in the span of two weeks. Must be something in the water there.
It’s a shame, because the premise for this was good, and the author had the bones of a great story. But the end product was hugely disappointing.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
July 15, 2020
3.5 Stars
As someone who loves horror stories involving modern technology, I absolutely loved the premise behind this novel. Furthermore, as someone who uses Patreon and other social media platforms, this book had a lot of personal appeal. I loved the beginning, which painted a very atmospheric scene despite the ultramodern premise. However, as the story progressed, I felt that the narrative lost its way as the story became more about the interpersonal drama than the possible haunting. This horror thriller read more like a thriller when I wanted more of the horror. So I was left a bit underwhelmed by the end.
Still, I enjoyed this enough that I would recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary horror that incorporates social media and modern technology into the genre.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.
As someone who loves horror stories involving modern technology, I absolutely loved the premise behind this novel. Furthermore, as someone who uses Patreon and other social media platforms, this book had a lot of personal appeal. I loved the beginning, which painted a very atmospheric scene despite the ultramodern premise. However, as the story progressed, I felt that the narrative lost its way as the story became more about the interpersonal drama than the possible haunting. This horror thriller read more like a thriller when I wanted more of the horror. So I was left a bit underwhelmed by the end.
Still, I enjoyed this enough that I would recommend it to readers who enjoy contemporary horror that incorporates social media and modern technology into the genre.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley.
July 19, 2020
Original and fun! Perfect thunderstorm read!
September 15, 2020
A ghost story! Would you accept an invitation anonymously to a strange unknown castle in Romania. Good question!
Cath Fenwick does accept this invitation to this social media event. Has no idea who else is coming and what will happen.
This invitation is by an obscure group that only Irene Joubert can have contact with.
The lives of the participants are changed forever.
This book has mystical. ghosts and history of Romania in it.
I loved the story fasted paced thriller.
Thank you! Netgalley and Sarah A Denzil for an early arc in exchange of an honest review!
Cath Fenwick does accept this invitation to this social media event. Has no idea who else is coming and what will happen.
This invitation is by an obscure group that only Irene Joubert can have contact with.
The lives of the participants are changed forever.
This book has mystical. ghosts and history of Romania in it.
I loved the story fasted paced thriller.
Thank you! Netgalley and Sarah A Denzil for an early arc in exchange of an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The premise drew me in right away, and it was very well paced, not dragging , but gradually building suspense to the horrifying conclusion. I was suspecting a ghost story, and while there were paranormal and creepy elements, there is no definite conclusion to whether or not the ghosts exist or if it all exists in the protagonists mind, which I loved. Always love an unreliable narrator!
The characters are really well developed as well, and I really found myself enjoying being with Cath on the journey. Sometimes with a lot of characters books struggle with the characterization, but I don't feel like this was an issue here. I had no issue keeping the characters separate and distinguishing between their different personalities.
All in all an intriguing story with great characters and a creepy atmosphere, and as a new reader to this author I am excited to see her other works!
The characters are really well developed as well, and I really found myself enjoying being with Cath on the journey. Sometimes with a lot of characters books struggle with the characterization, but I don't feel like this was an issue here. I had no issue keeping the characters separate and distinguishing between their different personalities.
All in all an intriguing story with great characters and a creepy atmosphere, and as a new reader to this author I am excited to see her other works!
September 13, 2020
I am torn on my rating & review for You Are Invited. I had so much fun reading it, and I absolutely loved the setting for the story. There were some great creepy scenes, and I was invested the entire time I was reading it.
However, I was not thrilled with the mental health representation. It felt like a little bit of a cop-out, and most of the rest of the story was so good. I loved both the dramatic and spooky aspects of this story, but I couldn't get behind the mental health aspect, especially with the ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would love to read more horror / thrillers by Sarah A. Denzil. This one will be out on 9/15.
However, I was not thrilled with the mental health representation. It felt like a little bit of a cop-out, and most of the rest of the story was so good. I loved both the dramatic and spooky aspects of this story, but I couldn't get behind the mental health aspect, especially with the ending.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I would love to read more horror / thrillers by Sarah A. Denzil. This one will be out on 9/15.
July 12, 2020
Cath, a self-publishing fantasy author, is chosen among thousands to join four other "influencers" in a remote former monastery in the Carpathians in Romania for something called "the Event". For four weeks, the five social media celebrities will be streaming everything about their stay in Sfântul Mihail, chatting with paying viewers and increasing their online stardom. But there is a legend about the monastery: it is said to be cursed and soon it seems as if this might not be just a legend at all...
What I really enjoyed about "You Are Invited" is the setting: late autumn in Romania, deep woods, the remote Carpathians... Can it get more atmospheric than that? I don't think so.
But I somehow struggled with the story. To me the whole idea of "the Event" seems a little far-fetched. Who would be willing to pay a lot of money to watch more or less famous influencers for four weeks basically doing nothing?! But well, aside from that I liked the atmosphere throughout the first half of the book: the feeling that something might not be right, that there might be something or someone who doesn't mean well, that not everybody might be who they say they are.
But as the story progressed, it lost some of its appeal, as it became more and more repetitive and predictable. The ending felt really rushed and didn't make a whole lot of sense to me at all.
My ranting aside, I flew through the book and I did enjoy it. So despite its flaws, it's still an enjoyable, partially spooky read, albeit not very memorable.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eBook!
What I really enjoyed about "You Are Invited" is the setting: late autumn in Romania, deep woods, the remote Carpathians... Can it get more atmospheric than that? I don't think so.
But I somehow struggled with the story. To me the whole idea of "the Event" seems a little far-fetched. Who would be willing to pay a lot of money to watch more or less famous influencers for four weeks basically doing nothing?! But well, aside from that I liked the atmosphere throughout the first half of the book: the feeling that something might not be right, that there might be something or someone who doesn't mean well, that not everybody might be who they say they are.
But as the story progressed, it lost some of its appeal, as it became more and more repetitive and predictable. The ending felt really rushed and didn't make a whole lot of sense to me at all.
My ranting aside, I flew through the book and I did enjoy it. So despite its flaws, it's still an enjoyable, partially spooky read, albeit not very memorable.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eBook!
November 23, 2020
I wish they would update this app... My actual rating is 3.5 stars which I rounded up to 4. I've read almost all of Sarah A. Denzil's books and the 2 of 3 that I haven't read, I do own and they are in my TBR list, including her newly released book. This book is definitely very different from all her others, as this is the only book she's written that I suppose is meant to be a' 'Ghost Story'. It's also the only book she's written that even alludes to anything supernatural. I think it's brave of any Author to step out of their comfort zone and then put out out there for the world to judge. In this case, the Author has actually done a pretty good job... The book is week written, it held my attention from beginning to end and the only criticism I really have is that, even after finishing the book, it was never really made clear whether certain events were truly of the Supernatural type, or just the effect the legend had on 5 people who found themselves truly stuck in the middle of nowhere together when a Snow Storm makes it impossible for anyone to leave if they choose to. The narrator is Cath, one of 5 Social Media Influencers given the opportunity to live in an old abandoned monastery (which local legend has it a bunch of Nuns were brutally murdered hundreds of years ago and still haunt the halls ) that has been partially remodeled to accommodate the 5 guests, including the Superstar of the group, and apparent organizer of THE EVENT as it is referred to... Irene Jobert, who is a social media darling since a child when she fought cancer and recovered, then went onto create her own cosmetic line and record Makeup Tutorials that go viral. The point of this isolation is that they are constantly being live streamed for their fans who have to pay a basic fee just to subscribe to a preferred person, then can pay more money to set a 'challenge' for a specific person, which they must complete live. From the beginning, Cath seems like an unlikely candidate to be chosen. She is well known for a serious of fantasy, Sci/fi novels and self publishes. She has a loyal fan base whom Can let's help her decide what happens to the characters next.. They are given an active role in writing the books, but besides her usual fan base, Cath is a private person, unlike the Uber popular social media influencers she finds herself with, A well known and loved fitness Guru, Dan, a hyper, self absorbed and at times, cruel video gamer, Nathan, whose behavior changes occur quickly and are quite scary, and finally Lisa, a blogger who Cath ends up really getting along with and is the only person there she feels she can trust. Almost immediately, weird and worrying events begin to occur. Our narrator Cath was diagnosed with schizophrenia after her Mother's death, has her pills stolen the very first day M, and even after getting them replaced in their first shipment of supplies, she continues to hear her dead mothers voice speaking to her in her head, the viewers start writing on the comments about a 6th shadowy person that is living in the monastery unknown amongst the 5 others. Cath starts believing she is seeing visions of 1particular Nun that was murdered all those decades prior. A group of hikers that the 5 run into during a hike and actually end to spending an entire evening drinking and socializing with, are reported as missing the following day, despite the hostile beginning between Nathan and Cath, Nathan becomes sort of an ally for Cath due to things that he sees and experiences that he can't explain. Then secrets start to emerge, ones that really set things in motion. I don't want to give anything away, but a piece of information finally sends Nathan over the edge which is the start of the ending. The way it happens, I feel was done very smartly, because though it doesn't make it clear whether any of the events, including the end was Supernatural or not, it tells the story in such a manner that it could very well be supernatural activity involved or not... The Reader has to decide what they believe to be true, and there really isn't a wrong answer. I did like the closure Cath receives in the end, and the Author wrote a survival note at the end to explain why she chose to do it this way, I respect where she was coming from, but that decision is what made me give it a lower rating than I would have otherwise. Overall, a really good book, which is made even better because the Author is writing in a completely different kind of genre than all her other books and I found it to be quite a treat. An engaging book that hooks you from the start, without having to think too hard while enjoying. I highly recommend it.
July 13, 2020
Does a building become malevolent because of the terrible crimes committed there? Or was tthe malevolence there to begin with? Does the energy remain? Or do we project our fears onto that building through rumours and curses?
Gothic meets Modern when past and present collide in this chilling tale.
Set in the remote Carpathian Mountains of Romania, five social media celebrities will be streaming everything about their stay in partially renovated monastery, Sfântul Mihail. For four weeks, they will be isolated from society while chatting with paying viewers and increasing their online stardom.
But Sfântul Mihail has a very dark history. Many years ago, thirteen nuns were slaughtered in the night after inviting in a mysterious stranger. Legend says they were drained of blood and still haunt the corridors of the monastery as ghosts...or something far worse. When the influencers and the viewers catch sight of dark shadows, they begin to wonder if the legends are true.
I'm a sucker for a ghost story, even better if it's set in a decrepit old building. Add in a dash of vampire lore and I'm living my best life while reading this story!
There's so much to love in this atmospheric tale. It's told through the perspective of one of the influencers, Cath, and she is such a great and endearing character. She suffers from schizophrenia and loses her medicine shortly after arriving. As she ingratiates herself into the history of Sfântul Mihail and the story of one of the nuns, her paranoia starts to slowly takeover. Are the shadows in the corners real or part of her hallucinations? She can't trust herself and, with tensions rising with the other influencers, she's not sure if she can trust them either.
I loved everything about this book! It's one of those story that I didn't want to end. I could have crawled inside this book and lived. This is the first book I've read by Sarah A. Denzil, and I'm looking forward to reading many more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Gothic meets Modern when past and present collide in this chilling tale.
Set in the remote Carpathian Mountains of Romania, five social media celebrities will be streaming everything about their stay in partially renovated monastery, Sfântul Mihail. For four weeks, they will be isolated from society while chatting with paying viewers and increasing their online stardom.
But Sfântul Mihail has a very dark history. Many years ago, thirteen nuns were slaughtered in the night after inviting in a mysterious stranger. Legend says they were drained of blood and still haunt the corridors of the monastery as ghosts...or something far worse. When the influencers and the viewers catch sight of dark shadows, they begin to wonder if the legends are true.
I'm a sucker for a ghost story, even better if it's set in a decrepit old building. Add in a dash of vampire lore and I'm living my best life while reading this story!
There's so much to love in this atmospheric tale. It's told through the perspective of one of the influencers, Cath, and she is such a great and endearing character. She suffers from schizophrenia and loses her medicine shortly after arriving. As she ingratiates herself into the history of Sfântul Mihail and the story of one of the nuns, her paranoia starts to slowly takeover. Are the shadows in the corners real or part of her hallucinations? She can't trust herself and, with tensions rising with the other influencers, she's not sure if she can trust them either.
I loved everything about this book! It's one of those story that I didn't want to end. I could have crawled inside this book and lived. This is the first book I've read by Sarah A. Denzil, and I'm looking forward to reading many more.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Currently reading
September 15, 2020Happy publication day to YOU ARE INVITED. Here is the link to buy the book: http://hyperurl.co/ldpa5z (I'm not sure if this is clickable, you might need to copy and paste).
Why not hop over to Facebook and join me celebrating the release day. I'll be posting some giveaways and stopping to chat and answer questions. I'll be there all day and I'd love to see you. https://www.facebook.com/events/26585...
I hope you enjoy the book. I had such a great time writing it. :)
Sarah
Why not hop over to Facebook and join me celebrating the release day. I'll be posting some giveaways and stopping to chat and answer questions. I'll be there all day and I'd love to see you. https://www.facebook.com/events/26585...
I hope you enjoy the book. I had such a great time writing it. :)
Sarah
February 22, 2021
You Are Invited by Sarah A. Denzil is a psychological thriller.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Cath Fenwick is ecstatic. She received an invitation from Irene Jobert, to be one of five participants in "The Event". Cath will be staying in a renovated Transylvanian monastery in the Carpathian Mountains in Romania, totally isolated. She can't believe her luck. Irene Jobert is the most famous social media influencer in the world.
As part of this retreat, Cath has agreed that almost every step she takes will be live-streamed to millions around the world. Her followers, if they subscribe, will be paying for exclusive content. Along with Cath (a writer), there is Irene (a model), Nathan (a gamer), Jules (a blogger), and Dan (a fitness instructor). The followers will be able to chat amongst themselves, and with the participants.
The followers are surprised to see a sixth individual lurking in the background of some of the pictures and videos, and warn the participants, but they are already aware of strange things happening in the monastery.
It is said that the forests around the monastery contain wolves, and other things. It is said that ghosts walk the corridors of the monastery, that Sfântul Mihail is haunted. Others say they are not ghosts at all. They are vampires.
It's a good thing that Cath doesn't believe in all that nonsense.
My Opinions:
Basically this book is a reality tv show, based on the contestants living together in a haunted house, and with plenty of access to their fans. I don't watch reality tv shows. However, I do read ghost stories, so this was definitely up my alley.
On the suspense and creepiness scale, it was right up there. Very well done. It was a little dark, and very atmospheric. The characters were also well done, and their emotions shone through enough that you felt their fears. You knew most of them were keeping a secret or two, and you knew that one of them you couldn't trust at all, but that didn't detract from the "ghost" story part of the book.
My only concern was that I'm not sure the mental health issues were handled correctly, but they were somewhat convincing. Personally, I think living with 4 other strangers would do me in. Add the creepy location and strange events, and my anxiety would be at an all time high. However, I think schizophrenia was the wrong label to apply, since the ending seemed to prove that a broken mirror and a dead nun could heal that. I have faith, but that didn't jive.
Overall, it was a really fast, entertaining read, and with this one the author hit the mark.
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, author information and a favorite quotation or two from the book), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
August 29, 2020
Stars 2. 5 out of 5
I like a good ghost story from time to time and nothing is more prone to haunting than an old monastery hidden in the mountains, especially when the snow cuts it off from the rest of the world…
This had all the ingredients to be an excellent ghost story that would keep me up at night first rushing to finish it, then being scared by imaginary sounds I hear in my own home. But unfortunately, it wasn’t so.
There are three ingredients for a good ghost story: 1) the characters, 2) the atmosphere, 3) the actual ghost (or the idea of one). It’s essential that all of them mix together perfectly, because that’s when the building becomes alive in our imagination and we root for the hapless characters and are afraid (or pity) of the apparition.
So let’s talk about the ingredient the author did well – the atmosphere. There are numerous beautifully haunting descriptions of the monastery and the mountains surrounding it. I felt the chilly drafts in the old building and the creaking doors. I could hear the howling of the wind and the answering calls of the wolves. I could see the surreal shapes of the trees peaking out of the dense fog. It was beautiful, it was sad, and it deserved a much better story that was told.
The biggest problem with this book is the characters. You HAVE to like at least some of them to care about what happens to them. Here, the characters are so one-dimensional that I couldn’t even picture them in my head. Yes, Irene is beautiful and self-absorbed. Dan is a yoga instructor… and that’s about all he contributes to the story. Nick is a cliche gamer with possible mental issues? Jules is a hapless blogger that happens to befriend our protagonist… And the protagonist… I think the protagonist is the reason why characters don’t work.
I understand the idea behind having the story told by an unreliable narrator, but Cat is too fixated on herself and her progressing schizophrenia to really care about anyone else. She only “sees” the other characters in this monastery to the extent of their reaction to her (and that reaction is often imagined and wrongly interpreted by her as well).
So how can the reader care about them when Cat doesn’t really care about them? Apart from Jules, but even then it’s a stretch.
And the final ingredient is lacking as well. The whole story behind the haunting is horrible, yes, but also too vague and inconsistent. Who is actually haunting this place? Nobody knows, Cat even less so than the others. And with her illness turning into an obsession, all her findings and suppositions are even more unreliable.
As a result, I felt disconnected from the story almost from the beginning. I read about the events that happened, but it felt like I was just looking in through a dirty window. There was no involvement and no connection whatsoever. So there was no fear or even apprehension. I could care less what happened to the animated characters on the other side of the glass. That, my friends, is a ghost story fail in my books.
PS: I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I like a good ghost story from time to time and nothing is more prone to haunting than an old monastery hidden in the mountains, especially when the snow cuts it off from the rest of the world…
This had all the ingredients to be an excellent ghost story that would keep me up at night first rushing to finish it, then being scared by imaginary sounds I hear in my own home. But unfortunately, it wasn’t so.
There are three ingredients for a good ghost story: 1) the characters, 2) the atmosphere, 3) the actual ghost (or the idea of one). It’s essential that all of them mix together perfectly, because that’s when the building becomes alive in our imagination and we root for the hapless characters and are afraid (or pity) of the apparition.
So let’s talk about the ingredient the author did well – the atmosphere. There are numerous beautifully haunting descriptions of the monastery and the mountains surrounding it. I felt the chilly drafts in the old building and the creaking doors. I could hear the howling of the wind and the answering calls of the wolves. I could see the surreal shapes of the trees peaking out of the dense fog. It was beautiful, it was sad, and it deserved a much better story that was told.
The biggest problem with this book is the characters. You HAVE to like at least some of them to care about what happens to them. Here, the characters are so one-dimensional that I couldn’t even picture them in my head. Yes, Irene is beautiful and self-absorbed. Dan is a yoga instructor… and that’s about all he contributes to the story. Nick is a cliche gamer with possible mental issues? Jules is a hapless blogger that happens to befriend our protagonist… And the protagonist… I think the protagonist is the reason why characters don’t work.
I understand the idea behind having the story told by an unreliable narrator, but Cat is too fixated on herself and her progressing schizophrenia to really care about anyone else. She only “sees” the other characters in this monastery to the extent of their reaction to her (and that reaction is often imagined and wrongly interpreted by her as well).
So how can the reader care about them when Cat doesn’t really care about them? Apart from Jules, but even then it’s a stretch.
And the final ingredient is lacking as well. The whole story behind the haunting is horrible, yes, but also too vague and inconsistent. Who is actually haunting this place? Nobody knows, Cat even less so than the others. And with her illness turning into an obsession, all her findings and suppositions are even more unreliable.
As a result, I felt disconnected from the story almost from the beginning. I read about the events that happened, but it felt like I was just looking in through a dirty window. There was no involvement and no connection whatsoever. So there was no fear or even apprehension. I could care less what happened to the animated characters on the other side of the glass. That, my friends, is a ghost story fail in my books.
PS: I received a free advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2020
Contemporary horror stories are often criticised for failing to reflect modern technology and conveniences (characters being without their phones, acting as though the internet doesn’t exist, and so on). Many authors clearly struggle to reconcile a sense of isolation and fear with the constant connectivity of modern tech, but with You Are Invited, Sarah A. Denzil uses a bold and original setup to prove the two can work in excellent harmony to actually ramp up the tension.
When the story opens, we find Cath on the final leg of a long journey to Transylvania. From thousands of applicants, she is one of a handful of influencers chosen to participate in The Event, a unique project that will see popular internet personalities cohabit in a newly renovated monastery. Millions of subscribers from across the globe will pay to livestream their every move, and to request they take on various tasks specifically for their entertainment. But the monastery itself is haunted by stories of a brutal past. When strange events begin to unfold and viewers flood the stream with warnings of an ominous figure lurking in the shadows, tempers begin to fray.
Despite the distinctly modern slant, I was pleased to see the book fully lean in to gothic traditions that instantly dial up the atmosphere. We have a setting that could have been lifted right out of Dracula, locals whispering of horrific murders, strange figures looming just out of sight, the howl of wolves from the surrounding forest, and a cast of characters clearly keeping secrets from each other. I loved all of these elements, and thought they made for a gripping, pacy read that felt paradoxically familiar and fresh.
The main character suffers from schizophrenia, heavily implied to stem from childhood trauma. This is used to good effect to heighten the air of uncertainty and paranoia, but for the most part, I felt the author avoided obvious and potentially harmful mental health tropes. That said, the speed and flippancy with which she is said to be able to stop taking previously vital medication at one point did grind my gears. I fully respect that everyone’s treatment and recovery journey is different, but the implication that meds are a quick fix until you address the ‘real’ problem isn’t exactly a favourite trope of mine.
After laying all the groundwork with excellent tension building and narrative intrigue, the climax seemed to abruptly drop a lot of potential on these fronts in favour of something a little too melodramatic for my taste. I can’t deny how much fun I had throughout my time with this novel, though. It ticks almost all the boxes you’d want from a classic, ghostly tale, while also offering interesting commentary on the distinctly modern issue of the potentially toxic relationship between creators and their audience; the pressure and manipulation that can affect both sides.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
When the story opens, we find Cath on the final leg of a long journey to Transylvania. From thousands of applicants, she is one of a handful of influencers chosen to participate in The Event, a unique project that will see popular internet personalities cohabit in a newly renovated monastery. Millions of subscribers from across the globe will pay to livestream their every move, and to request they take on various tasks specifically for their entertainment. But the monastery itself is haunted by stories of a brutal past. When strange events begin to unfold and viewers flood the stream with warnings of an ominous figure lurking in the shadows, tempers begin to fray.
Despite the distinctly modern slant, I was pleased to see the book fully lean in to gothic traditions that instantly dial up the atmosphere. We have a setting that could have been lifted right out of Dracula, locals whispering of horrific murders, strange figures looming just out of sight, the howl of wolves from the surrounding forest, and a cast of characters clearly keeping secrets from each other. I loved all of these elements, and thought they made for a gripping, pacy read that felt paradoxically familiar and fresh.
The main character suffers from schizophrenia, heavily implied to stem from childhood trauma. This is used to good effect to heighten the air of uncertainty and paranoia, but for the most part, I felt the author avoided obvious and potentially harmful mental health tropes. That said, the speed and flippancy with which she is said to be able to stop taking previously vital medication at one point did grind my gears. I fully respect that everyone’s treatment and recovery journey is different, but the implication that meds are a quick fix until you address the ‘real’ problem isn’t exactly a favourite trope of mine.
After laying all the groundwork with excellent tension building and narrative intrigue, the climax seemed to abruptly drop a lot of potential on these fronts in favour of something a little too melodramatic for my taste. I can’t deny how much fun I had throughout my time with this novel, though. It ticks almost all the boxes you’d want from a classic, ghostly tale, while also offering interesting commentary on the distinctly modern issue of the potentially toxic relationship between creators and their audience; the pressure and manipulation that can affect both sides.
Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2021
I saw this book on the website of one of my favorite ghost story writers…Darcey Coates. While it wasn’t necessarily recommended by Ms, Coates herself…she did give a blurb about the book that sounded intriguing. I thought the book started out rather slow and it took some time to actually pick up where something was happening besides the other participants meeting and assessing one another. I actually thought the story to be slightly muddled for lack of a better word. It seemed the author couldn’t quiet decide in which direction she wanted the story to go. I know that this author can write a well told tale and her writing style is easy to read…but not so much on this one. The idea of combining a traditional ghost story in a remote Romanian nunnery, long deserted after the nuns were all murdered....along with wolves....maybe even a vampire...blend with the ultra-modern world of Internet influence and technology and you have a good story that could have worked well...but this one just didn’t do it for me they way I had hoped. The best part was when the 6th uninvited participant appeared.. I’ll give it 3 stars just because I feel it may have been more me than the story itself that felt "off".
July 21, 2020
The world of social media to me is daunting and as a blogger just returned from a four year hiatus I can see the blogosphere has changed in those years and some of it I don’t like. Influencers rule the roost and they have the power, sorry the influence to sell millions but at what cost?
You Are Invited caught my eye because reading through the lines of the synopsis it sounded like Big Brother with wolves and vampires in a haunted monastery in Romania. Sold, where do I sign up?
Naturally there is more to it than that, a retreat has been set up in the Carpathian Mountains, an exclusive event that is invite only, hosted by über influencer Irene, a cancer survivor, model and all round amazing human. She is joined by four others, Dan the fitness guru, Jules the blogger, Nathan the gamer and our protagonist Cath the writer, all young twenty somethings.
They will be staying for four weeks in a refurbished monastery, the building has a bloody past, one that Cath is haunted by. Every move they make (with the exception of bedrooms/bathrooms) will be streamed to their adoring public, they are at their subscribers beck and call 24 hours a day and the more they do, the more they get paid as the whole event is monetised.
Sounds easy right, enjoy a peaceful break, make new friends, soak up the scenery, talk to subscribers, earn some money and in Cath’s case try to fit in. She struggles, not only because of the whole situation she finds herself in but she has Schizophrenia which she takes daily medication for.
She finds her medication taken one day and from then on things starts to unravel. Not just for Cath but for them all, they are complete strangers in a remote setting, surrounded by bloody history and maybe something else, when their subscribers mention a sixth person in their videos things start to go south. Are they alone?
I really enjoyed this books because the setting is well described, the dark mountains, the forests where wolves still prowl, the superstitions that make the locals nervous and the monastery itself sounds wonderful imposing. The characters especially Irene are perfectly described, I can just picture her with a duck face pout on Instagram with a blue sea and golden beach behind her.
My knowledge of Schizophrenia is limited, the character of Cath and her mental health is dealt with in a way that you feel her confusion in wondering what is real and what is not, she struggles immensely but unlike the others she has a very loyal fan base who look out for her and are genuinely worried for her.
You Are Invited is a look at the darker side of social media influencers, what they are willing to do to be the best. Who they are willing to destroy and who they are willing to betray.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
You Are Invited caught my eye because reading through the lines of the synopsis it sounded like Big Brother with wolves and vampires in a haunted monastery in Romania. Sold, where do I sign up?
Naturally there is more to it than that, a retreat has been set up in the Carpathian Mountains, an exclusive event that is invite only, hosted by über influencer Irene, a cancer survivor, model and all round amazing human. She is joined by four others, Dan the fitness guru, Jules the blogger, Nathan the gamer and our protagonist Cath the writer, all young twenty somethings.
They will be staying for four weeks in a refurbished monastery, the building has a bloody past, one that Cath is haunted by. Every move they make (with the exception of bedrooms/bathrooms) will be streamed to their adoring public, they are at their subscribers beck and call 24 hours a day and the more they do, the more they get paid as the whole event is monetised.
Sounds easy right, enjoy a peaceful break, make new friends, soak up the scenery, talk to subscribers, earn some money and in Cath’s case try to fit in. She struggles, not only because of the whole situation she finds herself in but she has Schizophrenia which she takes daily medication for.
She finds her medication taken one day and from then on things starts to unravel. Not just for Cath but for them all, they are complete strangers in a remote setting, surrounded by bloody history and maybe something else, when their subscribers mention a sixth person in their videos things start to go south. Are they alone?
I really enjoyed this books because the setting is well described, the dark mountains, the forests where wolves still prowl, the superstitions that make the locals nervous and the monastery itself sounds wonderful imposing. The characters especially Irene are perfectly described, I can just picture her with a duck face pout on Instagram with a blue sea and golden beach behind her.
My knowledge of Schizophrenia is limited, the character of Cath and her mental health is dealt with in a way that you feel her confusion in wondering what is real and what is not, she struggles immensely but unlike the others she has a very loyal fan base who look out for her and are genuinely worried for her.
You Are Invited is a look at the darker side of social media influencers, what they are willing to do to be the best. Who they are willing to destroy and who they are willing to betray.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 20, 2020
3 stars. First things first: the 'A Ghost Story' part of the title could've been left out. It's distracting and possibly misleading. It removed some of the tension of what on earth is going on. No need to suspect anything or anyone else, because it's a ghost, right? Right?!
That being said, the first 60% was worth 4 stars to me. It was a page-turner and I wanted to find out, indeed, what on earth was going on! (apart from the 'ghost story'. Around 70%, closer and closer to the revelation, things started feeling as flat as Cameron Diaz' feet to me. The revelation itself was a disappointment, in the sense that I could've seen this coming from a mile away, were it not for the title.
I felt nothing for the cardboard charcters. Only the protagonist was semi relatable and more fleshed out. The atmosphere and mystery kept me going.
If you like modern day thrillers/horror with historical aspects while still making use of communication a la 2020, go for it. Just don't expect to be blown away.
Many thanks to Sarah A. Denzil for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
That being said, the first 60% was worth 4 stars to me. It was a page-turner and I wanted to find out, indeed, what on earth was going on! (apart from the 'ghost story'. Around 70%, closer and closer to the revelation, things started feeling as flat as Cameron Diaz' feet to me. The revelation itself was a disappointment, in the sense that I could've seen this coming from a mile away, were it not for the title.
I felt nothing for the cardboard charcters. Only the protagonist was semi relatable and more fleshed out. The atmosphere and mystery kept me going.
If you like modern day thrillers/horror with historical aspects while still making use of communication a la 2020, go for it. Just don't expect to be blown away.
Many thanks to Sarah A. Denzil for providing me with an advanced e-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2020
Outstanding story, some really creepy moments.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
I received a copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
May 12, 2022
You Are Invited is a story that had a lot of appeal. It sounded super interesting, and the concept had me eager for a book I could not put down. Unfortunately, from the start, this one never really grabbed me in the way I had hoped.
While the idea of this one certainly had me curious and willing to turn the pages, there were so many things in this one that did not work for me. Topics were handled in ways that left me wanting to rant. Elements were introduced and never explained, feeling like they existed just to fit specific criterion. Details were predictable and cliched. That makes it sound like I hated it, and by the end I was super annoyed. However, the potential at the start had me so excited. It promised something super interesting; alas, it simply was not handled in the right way.
I know a lot of people enjoyed this one, but it was not what I expected from the story at all.
While the idea of this one certainly had me curious and willing to turn the pages, there were so many things in this one that did not work for me. Topics were handled in ways that left me wanting to rant. Elements were introduced and never explained, feeling like they existed just to fit specific criterion. Details were predictable and cliched. That makes it sound like I hated it, and by the end I was super annoyed. However, the potential at the start had me so excited. It promised something super interesting; alas, it simply was not handled in the right way.
I know a lot of people enjoyed this one, but it was not what I expected from the story at all.
January 8, 2022
I think there are took many things in this that didn’t make sense to me or just jumbled up in my brain. Like they don’t go coherently in one story.
It gave me hints of Gypsy Rose’s story, The Shining, Let the Right One In, Big Brother. I don’t know. Sounds like a whole lotta crazy.
At the end of the day, i don’t care about the story. Didn’t work for me.
It gave me hints of Gypsy Rose’s story, The Shining, Let the Right One In, Big Brother. I don’t know. Sounds like a whole lotta crazy.
At the end of the day, i don’t care about the story. Didn’t work for me.
November 28, 2021
Reading the blurb had me fully sold on reading this book. Who doesn’t love a good ghost story? I love a story where the setting is isolated as it adds to the whole atmosphere and the one in this novel being set in a remote monastery, I knew it was going to add plenty of chills!
The story focuses on Cath who is very different to the other four social media influencers that are taking part. In some ways it felt a bit like a reality show, apart from people viewing can comment on social media to the influencers, which in some respects was nice but on the other hand not so much as the bad side of social media comes out with how horrible people can be when they are hidden behind a keyboard.
From meeting the five different characters, I knew it wasn’t going to be plain sailing. Irene and Nathan especially are very full of themselves and definitely not the most likable of characters. Cath and Jules were the more relatable of the five. As strange things start to happen, the finger of doubt kept pointing at all of them.
I loved the whole legend surrounding events that had led up to this historic building being left to ruin. It made the story even more intriguing and I was dying to know if there was any truth in it all. To find out you will have to read it for yourself!
You Are Invited sets the scene for a captivating read that will have you on edge throughout. As we get to know more about the horrible murders that happened many years before, it will certainly start to creep you out along with the strange events that are happening in the now. A novel you will want to read with the light on!
The story focuses on Cath who is very different to the other four social media influencers that are taking part. In some ways it felt a bit like a reality show, apart from people viewing can comment on social media to the influencers, which in some respects was nice but on the other hand not so much as the bad side of social media comes out with how horrible people can be when they are hidden behind a keyboard.
From meeting the five different characters, I knew it wasn’t going to be plain sailing. Irene and Nathan especially are very full of themselves and definitely not the most likable of characters. Cath and Jules were the more relatable of the five. As strange things start to happen, the finger of doubt kept pointing at all of them.
I loved the whole legend surrounding events that had led up to this historic building being left to ruin. It made the story even more intriguing and I was dying to know if there was any truth in it all. To find out you will have to read it for yourself!
You Are Invited sets the scene for a captivating read that will have you on edge throughout. As we get to know more about the horrible murders that happened many years before, it will certainly start to creep you out along with the strange events that are happening in the now. A novel you will want to read with the light on!
October 15, 2020
(Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a review copy of this book!)
I must first mention that I requested this book merely out of curiosity, seeing as it referenced Romania and, being a Romanian myself, I was very keen on seeing how we as a country, or rather our mythology, would play a part in this story. On this front, it lacked a whole lot for me and I found that the author only "used" the Romanian setting as a plot device, as sort of a way to easily create a plot twist.
There is no actual piece of Romanian mythology in this book. None. Only the lingering feeling that it has to do with some Romanian myth that we all know and love (and some of us even know that it didn't come directly from Romania...)
This simple fact made the book a 3-star for me, along with other inconsistencies that were also tied to the supernatural/mythology part, the characters etc,
All in all, the story was enjoyable and quite easy to read. Not that scary and, for me personally, not that atmospheric. It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat and I still don't understand the reasoning behind some of the stuff that happened in it.
Would I recommend it? If you feel like giving it a go and if you don't usually like really creepy, scary, true horror stories, sure. It reads very fast and it's not full of fillers. It may even be able to create that spooky autumn atmosphere for some of you!
I must first mention that I requested this book merely out of curiosity, seeing as it referenced Romania and, being a Romanian myself, I was very keen on seeing how we as a country, or rather our mythology, would play a part in this story. On this front, it lacked a whole lot for me and I found that the author only "used" the Romanian setting as a plot device, as sort of a way to easily create a plot twist.
There is no actual piece of Romanian mythology in this book. None. Only the lingering feeling that it has to do with some Romanian myth that we all know and love (and some of us even know that it didn't come directly from Romania...)
This simple fact made the book a 3-star for me, along with other inconsistencies that were also tied to the supernatural/mythology part, the characters etc,
All in all, the story was enjoyable and quite easy to read. Not that scary and, for me personally, not that atmospheric. It didn't keep me on the edge of my seat and I still don't understand the reasoning behind some of the stuff that happened in it.
Would I recommend it? If you feel like giving it a go and if you don't usually like really creepy, scary, true horror stories, sure. It reads very fast and it's not full of fillers. It may even be able to create that spooky autumn atmosphere for some of you!
July 6, 2020
You Are Invited is a ghost story about five characters living in a haunted monastery where they are live-streaming for millions of viewers. Cath having fewer followers than the others doesn’t understand why she was invited. After all she is a writer not a social media sensationalist.
During the night of her arrival a Dracula Event is taking place giving a dark ominous setting to this ghostly legend. The legend of cursed nuns in this monastery draws tourists from all over the world. Not that long ago a company came and renovated the monastery in hopes of drawing more tourists for the gothic haunted experience.
Nestled in the isolated Carpathian Mountains lies a monastery known as Sfântul Mihail where The Event was taking place. A group of five social media individuals were invited for a live-streaming event where subscribers can watch the show and interact with the cast using chat platforms.
Overall:
Sarah A. Denzil is a British suspense writer. Her subtle use of the British words were limited in this book. I appreciate the limited use as it allows for the story to flow naturally without getting hung up on dialect.
It’s certainly a clever and original ghost story. The concept of live-streaming the five characters lives inside the monastery was interesting. Sarah tells a compelling ghost story. She factored in all the cliched factors leading to a scary haunting. She set the stage with all the essential instruments fully preparing her readers for a spectacular experience.
This was very thought provoking. Sarah mentioned every possible scenario my mind could conjure to dispute the haunting of ghosts. I looked for ways to pick apart the characters, the viewers, and the disturbances. She covered all her bases and provided logical explanations.
The story follows five characters, but the primary character is Cath. It’s written from her perspective. When she interacts with the other four characters it’s from her perspective.
Break out the Ouija board and call me spooked. Nothing creeps me out more than calling spirits on Halloween night. Unless your doing a seance of Bloody Mary in the mirror.
Everything has a meaning and a purpose: the five characters, the monastery, The Event, the subscribers, and the location; all these components worked seamlessly together. Every part of the story transitioned into a sensational experience.
During the night of her arrival a Dracula Event is taking place giving a dark ominous setting to this ghostly legend. The legend of cursed nuns in this monastery draws tourists from all over the world. Not that long ago a company came and renovated the monastery in hopes of drawing more tourists for the gothic haunted experience.
Nestled in the isolated Carpathian Mountains lies a monastery known as Sfântul Mihail where The Event was taking place. A group of five social media individuals were invited for a live-streaming event where subscribers can watch the show and interact with the cast using chat platforms.
Overall:
Sarah A. Denzil is a British suspense writer. Her subtle use of the British words were limited in this book. I appreciate the limited use as it allows for the story to flow naturally without getting hung up on dialect.
It’s certainly a clever and original ghost story. The concept of live-streaming the five characters lives inside the monastery was interesting. Sarah tells a compelling ghost story. She factored in all the cliched factors leading to a scary haunting. She set the stage with all the essential instruments fully preparing her readers for a spectacular experience.
This was very thought provoking. Sarah mentioned every possible scenario my mind could conjure to dispute the haunting of ghosts. I looked for ways to pick apart the characters, the viewers, and the disturbances. She covered all her bases and provided logical explanations.
The story follows five characters, but the primary character is Cath. It’s written from her perspective. When she interacts with the other four characters it’s from her perspective.
Break out the Ouija board and call me spooked. Nothing creeps me out more than calling spirits on Halloween night. Unless your doing a seance of Bloody Mary in the mirror.
Everything has a meaning and a purpose: the five characters, the monastery, The Event, the subscribers, and the location; all these components worked seamlessly together. Every part of the story transitioned into a sensational experience.
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