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Nightmare
Had it come back? No, it couldn't have. He had buried it for good. Or at least that's what Scott told himself. But what if it had? Was that why the scarecrow now watched him?
But the more Scott tries to ignore it, the more the evidence begins to pile up. So do the bodies. Because sometimes, the dead don't stay buried. Sometimes the monster survives.
As the bodies mount, and the secrets of his past grow more haunting, Scott must do whatever it takes to save his family. But what if by doing so, they find out what happened all those years ago? What if they realize what he did?
Scott learns that there is no escape from his own past, or the crows that have crawled out of it. He can only watch, as his life is turned into a living nightmare.
But the more Scott tries to ignore it, the more the evidence begins to pile up. So do the bodies. Because sometimes, the dead don't stay buried. Sometimes the monster survives.
As the bodies mount, and the secrets of his past grow more haunting, Scott must do whatever it takes to save his family. But what if by doing so, they find out what happened all those years ago? What if they realize what he did?
Scott learns that there is no escape from his own past, or the crows that have crawled out of it. He can only watch, as his life is turned into a living nightmare.
332 pages, Paperback
First published October 6, 2020
25 people are currently reading
399 people want to read
About the author
Chad Nicholas
6 books45 followersChad Nicholas is an author who enjoys writing mysteries and thrillers. He also has a love for writing horror novels, despite the fact that he has to watch horror movies in the daytime, like a coward, or else he gets nightmares.
Speaking of Nightmares…
Speaking of Nightmares…
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
August 26, 2020
Well, I have survived another foray into the horror genre (ok it was a bit thrillerish as well). This book was really rather good (maybe not if you are squeamish). I have to admit the start was a bit meh with clunky writing and cheesy dialogue, but this is a debut and the author soon hit his stride and the story telling then improved immeasurably. The plot was, if not original (I don’t know) certainly very unusual, ergo - not predictable.
When he was 8 years old, Scott was abducted by a very deranged man, kept in a cage and was mistreated and tortured for 70-odd days. Then he is found by authorities covered in blood, the bad man beaten to death on the floor beside him. How did the malnourished and injured 8 year old manage that? Yes...you’re thinking about the possibilities now aren’t you?
Years later Scott is married with four children. And then his nightmares and hallucinations (are you sure?) start again with disastrous consequences. And other family members, even some of the children seem a bit...off. It seems Scott’s broken mind is literally fighting with itself. This will not end well!
The imagery got darker and more grotesque as the book progressed and the reader is left wondering what is real, what is hallucination or... If you are scared of birds, tread warily as there are a lot of creepy, nasty crows in this story! This is a good quick read, there is not a lot of character development but there is a lot of blood. I think horror/thriller fans will enjoy this. It is dark and, dare I say it, has quite a creepy vibe. Many thanks to Book Sirens and Chad Nicholas for my review copy.
When he was 8 years old, Scott was abducted by a very deranged man, kept in a cage and was mistreated and tortured for 70-odd days. Then he is found by authorities covered in blood, the bad man beaten to death on the floor beside him. How did the malnourished and injured 8 year old manage that? Yes...you’re thinking about the possibilities now aren’t you?
Years later Scott is married with four children. And then his nightmares and hallucinations (are you sure?) start again with disastrous consequences. And other family members, even some of the children seem a bit...off. It seems Scott’s broken mind is literally fighting with itself. This will not end well!
The imagery got darker and more grotesque as the book progressed and the reader is left wondering what is real, what is hallucination or... If you are scared of birds, tread warily as there are a lot of creepy, nasty crows in this story! This is a good quick read, there is not a lot of character development but there is a lot of blood. I think horror/thriller fans will enjoy this. It is dark and, dare I say it, has quite a creepy vibe. Many thanks to Book Sirens and Chad Nicholas for my review copy.
October 7, 2020
3.5 stars! This was SO creepy!!! Oh my goodness what a wild ride of a book! I was hooked throughout, finished this in two sittings and that ending! Wow! I am seriously impressed and creeped out! There were a couple of moments where the logic piece of the story was a little lacking, but I will say that by the end, everything did make sense (in a way 😉). I don’t want to say much more except you’ll have to pick this up and experience it for yourself! Read this one in the day! And hopefully you don’t have any crows around your house!
May 10, 2021
ARC received from the author -Chad Nicholas- in exchange of an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Well, I enjoyed this. Even though I don't exactly go looking to read horrors I'm glad that I gave this a chance.
Despite being horror, the book still had very strong family dynamics which was 100% my favorite aspect. Getting to see how familial relationships work and how it is tackled in horror/thriller/suspense stories (as they do get quite tragic) is always so interesting to me.
— overall thoughts: 2.5 —
The concept of nightmares, crows, and ghosts(?) was what pulled me in at the beginning... I am happy to report that I was not let down.
If you're a squeamish person, probably prepare yourself. Not too much that I won't be able to sleep tonight but I was creeped out to say the least... which is good.
Love the beginning, it was hooking, but nothing particularly interesting to me happened for a good 30 pages. However, it does explore the different characters’ mindset and dynamics at this time which does help with the anticipation and actually getting attached to them.
The way they were all tip toeing around Scott in the beginning broke my heart into a million pieces.
I do feel like some scenes were just the same thing over and over again in the beginning. I had no idea what the direction of the story was and it just felt like those parts dragged more than what was necessary for the suspense. I had this heavy feeling of dread for the most part which is probably something good for a horror story? I really don't know, I don't usually read this genre, please be aware.
I would suggest trying this out if you are into more "there might be something wrong with your head" types of horror stories. Not the biggest fan of the rest of the plot but the family relationship made up for it.
instagram | blog | ko-fi | booksirens
Well, I enjoyed this. Even though I don't exactly go looking to read horrors I'm glad that I gave this a chance.
Despite being horror, the book still had very strong family dynamics which was 100% my favorite aspect. Getting to see how familial relationships work and how it is tackled in horror/thriller/suspense stories (as they do get quite tragic) is always so interesting to me.
— overall thoughts: 2.5 —
The concept of nightmares, crows, and ghosts(?) was what pulled me in at the beginning... I am happy to report that I was not let down.
If you're a squeamish person, probably prepare yourself. Not too much that I won't be able to sleep tonight but I was creeped out to say the least... which is good.
Love the beginning, it was hooking, but nothing particularly interesting to me happened for a good 30 pages. However, it does explore the different characters’ mindset and dynamics at this time which does help with the anticipation and actually getting attached to them.
The way they were all tip toeing around Scott in the beginning broke my heart into a million pieces.
I do feel like some scenes were just the same thing over and over again in the beginning. I had no idea what the direction of the story was and it just felt like those parts dragged more than what was necessary for the suspense. I had this heavy feeling of dread for the most part which is probably something good for a horror story? I really don't know, I don't usually read this genre, please be aware.
I would suggest trying this out if you are into more "there might be something wrong with your head" types of horror stories. Not the biggest fan of the rest of the plot but the family relationship made up for it.
instagram | blog | ko-fi | booksirens
September 12, 2020
Full video review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QD_ed...
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Nightmare, by Chad Nicholas.
WOW this was great! I haven't read much horror or thriller style novels at all and had planned on rotating a horror book into my regular reading every month or two and this was an incredibly pleasant surprise.
I seriously enjoyed this story and Chad has a bright future ahead of him in the genre. When the story started out I was quickly intrigued by what was going on and the story that was going to unfold.
We follow our main character Scott and his nightmares/hallucinations that he is seeming to have. Without spoiling anything that occurs, Scott is traumatized from events that happened to him in his early age and is seemingly being haunted by his memories as an adult.
This was a fantastic psychological thriller and really kept me itching for more as the story went on. This honestly does not read as if it was a first time author. It was engaging, well written, and such a cool idea for a story.
Chad did a great job of building tension throughout, created some seriously disturbing imagery at time and being a parent made this take even more scary. This was a great mind f*ck and I look forward to getting into more horror in general but I'm looking forward to more from this author.
Thanks for the ARC Chad, I would happily purchase this as well.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review of Nightmare, by Chad Nicholas.
WOW this was great! I haven't read much horror or thriller style novels at all and had planned on rotating a horror book into my regular reading every month or two and this was an incredibly pleasant surprise.
I seriously enjoyed this story and Chad has a bright future ahead of him in the genre. When the story started out I was quickly intrigued by what was going on and the story that was going to unfold.
We follow our main character Scott and his nightmares/hallucinations that he is seeming to have. Without spoiling anything that occurs, Scott is traumatized from events that happened to him in his early age and is seemingly being haunted by his memories as an adult.
This was a fantastic psychological thriller and really kept me itching for more as the story went on. This honestly does not read as if it was a first time author. It was engaging, well written, and such a cool idea for a story.
Chad did a great job of building tension throughout, created some seriously disturbing imagery at time and being a parent made this take even more scary. This was a great mind f*ck and I look forward to getting into more horror in general but I'm looking forward to more from this author.
Thanks for the ARC Chad, I would happily purchase this as well.
May 17, 2021
4 out of 5!
I was immediately pulled into this story from the beginning.
We follow a man named Scott who is suffering from terrible nightmares due to a traumatic event in his life. And at home things are... off. His family lives in fear and Scott clearly has some secrets.
This is a psychological horror that left me on the edge of my seat and not able to put the book down.
Nightmare isn't your typical scary horror story, unless you have a fear of crows or birds in general, which I do not, but it definitely leaves you with a sense of dread and unease throughout.
The characters were so compelling that I found myself still thinking about this story days later.
And the twist was great. I did have to reread it a couple of times to fully get it, but when I realized the story that was woven... impressive.
Chad Nicholas did an excellent job on his first novel.
I was lucky enough to have the priviledge of speaking to him in depth about the book and he explained even more things that were hidden in the story that blew my mind.
For me Nightmare was almost perfect. In the beginning the writing was a little too overly descriptive, which I see often with first time authors, but that quickly falls by the wayside and not a word is wasted in telling this compelling story.
If you love psychological horror as much as I do then I highly suggest you read Nightmare.
You can check out our Live Stream Discussion with Chad Nicholas here: https://youtu.be/h2EDLHaZFkc
I was immediately pulled into this story from the beginning.
We follow a man named Scott who is suffering from terrible nightmares due to a traumatic event in his life. And at home things are... off. His family lives in fear and Scott clearly has some secrets.
This is a psychological horror that left me on the edge of my seat and not able to put the book down.
Nightmare isn't your typical scary horror story, unless you have a fear of crows or birds in general, which I do not, but it definitely leaves you with a sense of dread and unease throughout.
The characters were so compelling that I found myself still thinking about this story days later.
And the twist was great. I did have to reread it a couple of times to fully get it, but when I realized the story that was woven... impressive.
Chad Nicholas did an excellent job on his first novel.
I was lucky enough to have the priviledge of speaking to him in depth about the book and he explained even more things that were hidden in the story that blew my mind.
For me Nightmare was almost perfect. In the beginning the writing was a little too overly descriptive, which I see often with first time authors, but that quickly falls by the wayside and not a word is wasted in telling this compelling story.
If you love psychological horror as much as I do then I highly suggest you read Nightmare.
You can check out our Live Stream Discussion with Chad Nicholas here: https://youtu.be/h2EDLHaZFkc
October 10, 2020
Nightmare by Chad Nicholas is a horror story that satisfied my horror lovin’ heart. Scott, loving husband and father, suffered a terrible tragedy as a child. Now, he suffers from terrible nightmares that have somehow managed to creep into his waking life.
While classified as horror, this has strong psychological thriller elements that, combined with the horror element, scared the socks right off of me. I love to be surprised by who/what is the actual villain/bad guy, and I was! There’s a host of possibilities but as the story goes on, the possibilities and motivations become more twisted. What is real? What is hallucination? Why does everyone feel just a tad off? The twist, turns, and pacing kept me turning pages until the end which was gasp-inducing, to say the least. The atmosphere is so creepy and eerie; it sets the stage perfectly for this strongly character driven plot, I have to say, I had more than one ‘holy crap’ moment. This is a sign of a solidly amazing read for me.
Surreal, chilling, thrilling and sure to send goosebumps up your spine. If you’re a fan of psychological horror, then I highly recommend this one!
While classified as horror, this has strong psychological thriller elements that, combined with the horror element, scared the socks right off of me. I love to be surprised by who/what is the actual villain/bad guy, and I was! There’s a host of possibilities but as the story goes on, the possibilities and motivations become more twisted. What is real? What is hallucination? Why does everyone feel just a tad off? The twist, turns, and pacing kept me turning pages until the end which was gasp-inducing, to say the least. The atmosphere is so creepy and eerie; it sets the stage perfectly for this strongly character driven plot, I have to say, I had more than one ‘holy crap’ moment. This is a sign of a solidly amazing read for me.
Surreal, chilling, thrilling and sure to send goosebumps up your spine. If you’re a fan of psychological horror, then I highly recommend this one!
March 4, 2021
It’s official! I’m a fan!
And this is Chad’s debut novel? Phew!
That prologue! Wow, starting the story off strong! Then I’ll admit the first couple chapters were a bit choppy in the writing style, but you could feel the exact moment where Chad’s writing talents shone through. He really became comfortable in what he was writing and dove right in.
Nightmare is a psychological horror at its best! Everything is placed just so in this story.
The plot is fantastic!
The setting is perfect!
The pacing is on point!
And the Characters! The Characters are freaking awesome! I felt for them, sympathized with them, worried for them and truly connect with them. In some of the darkest moments within this read I knew exactly where they were coming from and their whole thought process on dealing with the situation.
Nightmare is packed full of twists and turns, so many bends that will really play with your mind. My perfect type of psychological read!
The closer I got to finishing Nightmare I thought there were going to be so many open endings. Leaving me without the conclusions I need. That definitely was not the case; Chad wrapped everything up with a tight enough string to settle your mind but to also leave it wandering ever so slightly.
I loved this read and I am very excitingly awaiting his next release. I personally believe everyone should experience Chad’s writing.
Thank you, Chad, for sending me an e-copy to read and review! I have it on my list to pick up a physical copy!
And of course, thank you all for reading
Your Squawk of a Book Worm
-Nichi
You can check out my video review here:
https://youtu.be/8U71HLnyMvs
And this is Chad’s debut novel? Phew!
That prologue! Wow, starting the story off strong! Then I’ll admit the first couple chapters were a bit choppy in the writing style, but you could feel the exact moment where Chad’s writing talents shone through. He really became comfortable in what he was writing and dove right in.
Nightmare is a psychological horror at its best! Everything is placed just so in this story.
The plot is fantastic!
The setting is perfect!
The pacing is on point!
And the Characters! The Characters are freaking awesome! I felt for them, sympathized with them, worried for them and truly connect with them. In some of the darkest moments within this read I knew exactly where they were coming from and their whole thought process on dealing with the situation.
Nightmare is packed full of twists and turns, so many bends that will really play with your mind. My perfect type of psychological read!
The closer I got to finishing Nightmare I thought there were going to be so many open endings. Leaving me without the conclusions I need. That definitely was not the case; Chad wrapped everything up with a tight enough string to settle your mind but to also leave it wandering ever so slightly.
I loved this read and I am very excitingly awaiting his next release. I personally believe everyone should experience Chad’s writing.
Thank you, Chad, for sending me an e-copy to read and review! I have it on my list to pick up a physical copy!
And of course, thank you all for reading
Your Squawk of a Book Worm
-Nichi
You can check out my video review here:
https://youtu.be/8U71HLnyMvs
May 2, 2022
2.5 Stars.
NIGHTMARE,, by Chad Nicholas, had a unique idea behind it. The Prologue, however, set up a different expectation for me. While some aspects of the story made me want to read on, there were too many factual inconsistencies that bothered me later on. "Treatments" stated, but not described were all throughout the novel, and several issues concerning the justice system were just plain inaccurate.
I don't want to spoil anything for future readers, but some things mentioned I believe a psychiatrist would have to report to the authorities, if suspected. There is a need to "suspend belief" in many works of horror, but because this touches on a REAL subject, and involves protocols that aren't subjective as well, it was impossible for me to ignore the disregard of what would/should REALLY occur in certain instances.
This is only my personal opinion, and many others that read this may not be bothered in the least with those issues.
NIGHTMARE,, by Chad Nicholas, had a unique idea behind it. The Prologue, however, set up a different expectation for me. While some aspects of the story made me want to read on, there were too many factual inconsistencies that bothered me later on. "Treatments" stated, but not described were all throughout the novel, and several issues concerning the justice system were just plain inaccurate.
I don't want to spoil anything for future readers, but some things mentioned I believe a psychiatrist would have to report to the authorities, if suspected. There is a need to "suspend belief" in many works of horror, but because this touches on a REAL subject, and involves protocols that aren't subjective as well, it was impossible for me to ignore the disregard of what would/should REALLY occur in certain instances.
This is only my personal opinion, and many others that read this may not be bothered in the least with those issues.
October 1, 2020
Full non-spoiler video review here: https://youtu.be/bxPMsQbKYEc
I was captured by this book immediately. The prologue really set the tone to pull me in and Chapter 1 hit the ground running.
This book was a page turner - the story was so interesting and fast paced that I almost read the whole book in one sitting. I thought I had it figured out so many times as far as where this story was going and I was wrong at almost every turn.
The characters REALLY were the star of the show for me. I loved how they were written and there was a completely different spin on a particular aspect of the story that really just sent me over the edge, enjoyment wise.
It was a wild ride and I loved every single minute! I would definitely recommend!
I was captured by this book immediately. The prologue really set the tone to pull me in and Chapter 1 hit the ground running.
This book was a page turner - the story was so interesting and fast paced that I almost read the whole book in one sitting. I thought I had it figured out so many times as far as where this story was going and I was wrong at almost every turn.
The characters REALLY were the star of the show for me. I loved how they were written and there was a completely different spin on a particular aspect of the story that really just sent me over the edge, enjoyment wise.
It was a wild ride and I loved every single minute! I would definitely recommend!
August 17, 2020
And to think that this is the author's FIRST novel!? Get ready for a messed up ride in a horror filled mind of a fucked up killer! Hope you are not afraid of Crows!
I rated this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
So, I was granted an autographed and beautiful copy of this horror thriller from the author; Chad Nicholas, and I wanted to say a "Huge Thank You' to him for this opportunity. This does not affect any feelings or the review of this book. I am not going to go into any details here on this book, however with it being only 269 pages, i read it in a day! It is a quick and horrific read, up to about 165 however it did not go where I wanted it to have gone. I figured it out. That does not make it a bad book, it is far from that. I look forward to more horrors from this author, and he has got a huge fan in me! Check out my video review here on my Youtube Channel; AreYouIntoHorror here:
https://youtu.be/RpWlxAkH238
I rated this 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
So, I was granted an autographed and beautiful copy of this horror thriller from the author; Chad Nicholas, and I wanted to say a "Huge Thank You' to him for this opportunity. This does not affect any feelings or the review of this book. I am not going to go into any details here on this book, however with it being only 269 pages, i read it in a day! It is a quick and horrific read, up to about 165 however it did not go where I wanted it to have gone. I figured it out. That does not make it a bad book, it is far from that. I look forward to more horrors from this author, and he has got a huge fan in me! Check out my video review here on my Youtube Channel; AreYouIntoHorror here:
https://youtu.be/RpWlxAkH238
September 29, 2020
Thank you to the author for the copy for review.
Nightmare follows Scott who is a loving husband and father of four who has a traumatic event in his past. He has horrible nightmares about this time in his life. Now something from his past is haunting his waking hours. He has to protect his family from this living nightmare.
This psychological horror novel has plenty of twists and turns. The plot is full of surprises and really great spooky imagery. I found this book really scary, because it deals with a parent's worst nightmare of their kids being taken or put in mortal danger. If you like psychological horror with many twists than Nightmare by Chad Nicholas would be worth checking out.
Nightmare follows Scott who is a loving husband and father of four who has a traumatic event in his past. He has horrible nightmares about this time in his life. Now something from his past is haunting his waking hours. He has to protect his family from this living nightmare.
This psychological horror novel has plenty of twists and turns. The plot is full of surprises and really great spooky imagery. I found this book really scary, because it deals with a parent's worst nightmare of their kids being taken or put in mortal danger. If you like psychological horror with many twists than Nightmare by Chad Nicholas would be worth checking out.
September 17, 2020
When I was asked to read this book I was not sure from the description whether it was some sort of supernatural horror or psychological. I'm game for either one, and always happy to hear from new authors so here we are.
I did enjoy much of this dark and chilling tale and as a life long horror fan I am willing to engage in a suspension of disbelief. However I prefer to limit that to ghosts and ghouls and all manner of otherworldly beings. If a story includes legal or hospital procedure I prefer it to be accurate. I will give a made up example which is similar to something in the book but not an actual happening so as not to spoil anything.
Suppose someone stole your jewelry and you describe the thief to the police. Suppose from your description they know who this thief is, and they get a warrant and go their home where they find your jewelry and arrest the thief. Then they find out that you had some sort of previous mental problem. The thief does not get to walk free because of your past, but in a similar scene they do in this book. Yes I know criminals get off on all sorts of technicalities but this is not one of them and a little research should have been done.
It also bothered me that there was more than one mention of "doing the psychological procedure" but not what this procedure supposedly was. Again if you are bringing what is meant to be a realistic subject matter into the plot research it a bit. These were not the only instances but I don't intend to pick it all apart and certainly do not want to discourage a new author.
This was, at it's heart the story of a man who would do anything to protect his family even if it cost him his own life. It was quite original and very creative. Within the first few pages there is a horrific occurrence that hooked me immediately so I would say the author recognizes the importance of grabbing a reader's attention.
I'm going to give this a 3 out of 5 stars because I did like it even if I didn't love it.
I received an advance copy for review.
I did enjoy much of this dark and chilling tale and as a life long horror fan I am willing to engage in a suspension of disbelief. However I prefer to limit that to ghosts and ghouls and all manner of otherworldly beings. If a story includes legal or hospital procedure I prefer it to be accurate. I will give a made up example which is similar to something in the book but not an actual happening so as not to spoil anything.
Suppose someone stole your jewelry and you describe the thief to the police. Suppose from your description they know who this thief is, and they get a warrant and go their home where they find your jewelry and arrest the thief. Then they find out that you had some sort of previous mental problem. The thief does not get to walk free because of your past, but in a similar scene they do in this book. Yes I know criminals get off on all sorts of technicalities but this is not one of them and a little research should have been done.
It also bothered me that there was more than one mention of "doing the psychological procedure" but not what this procedure supposedly was. Again if you are bringing what is meant to be a realistic subject matter into the plot research it a bit. These were not the only instances but I don't intend to pick it all apart and certainly do not want to discourage a new author.
This was, at it's heart the story of a man who would do anything to protect his family even if it cost him his own life. It was quite original and very creative. Within the first few pages there is a horrific occurrence that hooked me immediately so I would say the author recognizes the importance of grabbing a reader's attention.
I'm going to give this a 3 out of 5 stars because I did like it even if I didn't love it.
I received an advance copy for review.
October 13, 2020
*This book was sent to me in exchange for an honest review*
It’s a typical day for Scott and his family.
Scott wakes up from a nightmare, the same nightmare he always has. He checks on his oldest daughter April, making sure she’s up and ready for school. He knocks on her bedroom door, where she unlocks several locks before opening it. She also has bars on the window in her room...
After telling her to go wake up her siblings, Tommy & May, he heads downstairs where his wife, Karen, is.
Their conversation is very short and cold, you can tell that there is a lot of tension in that relationship.
At 6:17 it’s time for the kids to get on the bus, this is where you can tell the family is going through something. While Scott watches the kids get on the bus, he’s terrified and worried.
After they safely make it on the bus, Scott heads to a therapy appointment then work. He stays at work very late and ends up driving back home after 11 pm.
This is when he gets into a really bad car accident and wakes up the next day in the hospital with very minor injuries. When he comes home, everything returns to normal, but not really. Everything is just slightly different than before.
Eventually you learn that at 8 years old, Scott was kidnapped and tortured for 73 days. He has severe trauma because of this experience, hence the nightmares and some other things...
This book is crazy.
When I read the plot description I was not sure what type of book this was going to be. I had no clear idea and went in blindly, but I think it worked in the books favor.
When I’m not sure what to expect with a book, I’m more likely to be thrown off and I like when a book can surprise me. Luckily, this one threw me in a good way.
When I first started it, I was hooked immediately. As it gives you bits and pieces with no real explanation.
April’s room with the locks and bars? I was so confused and weirded out. I was dying to know what everyone was so scared about. It drove me insane. The bus stop scene? So strange.
This book does that the whole time. Tells you something, with little information, and then doesn’t give you anything else to build upon it until later on. It’s a good tactic because it makes me want to keep reading and uncover all the secrets.
The crows? Ugh, I’m never going to look at a crow or scarecrow the same way every again. I’ve always disliked them, but now I like them even less.
Scott is an interesting character. I found myself liking him in the beginning of the book and then not liking him at the end. His character development is an interesting one.
There is also a big focus on mental health, which I was a little unsure of especially the mental illness that is focused on in this book, because it can be done very poorly. But I actually thought this was a very interesting way to go about it and I enjoyed it a lot.
The ending is a crazy crazy crazy plot twist that I did not see coming and I was so shocked, which was awesome.
I’m so impressed with this book and I look forward to more from Chad in the future.
It’s a typical day for Scott and his family.
Scott wakes up from a nightmare, the same nightmare he always has. He checks on his oldest daughter April, making sure she’s up and ready for school. He knocks on her bedroom door, where she unlocks several locks before opening it. She also has bars on the window in her room...
After telling her to go wake up her siblings, Tommy & May, he heads downstairs where his wife, Karen, is.
Their conversation is very short and cold, you can tell that there is a lot of tension in that relationship.
At 6:17 it’s time for the kids to get on the bus, this is where you can tell the family is going through something. While Scott watches the kids get on the bus, he’s terrified and worried.
After they safely make it on the bus, Scott heads to a therapy appointment then work. He stays at work very late and ends up driving back home after 11 pm.
This is when he gets into a really bad car accident and wakes up the next day in the hospital with very minor injuries. When he comes home, everything returns to normal, but not really. Everything is just slightly different than before.
Eventually you learn that at 8 years old, Scott was kidnapped and tortured for 73 days. He has severe trauma because of this experience, hence the nightmares and some other things...
This book is crazy.
When I read the plot description I was not sure what type of book this was going to be. I had no clear idea and went in blindly, but I think it worked in the books favor.
When I’m not sure what to expect with a book, I’m more likely to be thrown off and I like when a book can surprise me. Luckily, this one threw me in a good way.
When I first started it, I was hooked immediately. As it gives you bits and pieces with no real explanation.
April’s room with the locks and bars? I was so confused and weirded out. I was dying to know what everyone was so scared about. It drove me insane. The bus stop scene? So strange.
This book does that the whole time. Tells you something, with little information, and then doesn’t give you anything else to build upon it until later on. It’s a good tactic because it makes me want to keep reading and uncover all the secrets.
The crows? Ugh, I’m never going to look at a crow or scarecrow the same way every again. I’ve always disliked them, but now I like them even less.
Scott is an interesting character. I found myself liking him in the beginning of the book and then not liking him at the end. His character development is an interesting one.
There is also a big focus on mental health, which I was a little unsure of especially the mental illness that is focused on in this book, because it can be done very poorly. But I actually thought this was a very interesting way to go about it and I enjoyed it a lot.
The ending is a crazy crazy crazy plot twist that I did not see coming and I was so shocked, which was awesome.
I’m so impressed with this book and I look forward to more from Chad in the future.
August 23, 2020
Right after reading this horror gem, I rated it 3 stars. After sitting with it for a while, I've since bumped it up to 4 stars.
More of my thoughts in this video: https://youtu.be/6XLkXPgUkWY
Pre-Order Promotion!! If you're at all interested in this, the author is running a promotion where you can pre-order this book for 2 dollars off on Amazon. Definitely check this out if you're interested, but I'm just saying, you might be... ;)
Disclaimer: I was given an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
More of my thoughts in this video: https://youtu.be/6XLkXPgUkWY
Pre-Order Promotion!! If you're at all interested in this, the author is running a promotion where you can pre-order this book for 2 dollars off on Amazon. Definitely check this out if you're interested, but I'm just saying, you might be... ;)
Disclaimer: I was given an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 10, 2021
Feels like I was under a charm. I kept thinking "what's gonna happen next"
The simple prose made the horror scenes really easy and instinctive to imagine. The characters were captivating, even though they were somewhat simple. And the plot, pacing, and the jumps between past and present worked very well for me.
I can rant A LOT about the content, which I will. But before that, it's important to stress that it is a good, fast read and I'm glad I picked it up.
As for some rants... Well,
I dislike it when a book opens with a dream -> look in the mirror sequence as much as anyone. I'm sure the author is aware of the criticism of this kind of openings, and decided to go for it anyway. I appreciate the choice, but I didn't like it. I'd much rather if the first chapter was a therapy session, for example.
Hardcore SPOILERS from here:
I dislike it when the ending is "it was all a dream" also. I can see how it works in service of this story, but still can't say that I liked it.
I also kinda like the idea of DID people aiming to kill the personalities that emerge in them. So the ending of the book is in a fierce disagreement with me.
Still, the book succeeded in invoking so many emotions in me. I was scared, I was grossed, I was on the edge of my sit, sometimes out of anger.
It's well written, no doubt there.
The simple prose made the horror scenes really easy and instinctive to imagine. The characters were captivating, even though they were somewhat simple. And the plot, pacing, and the jumps between past and present worked very well for me.
I can rant A LOT about the content, which I will. But before that, it's important to stress that it is a good, fast read and I'm glad I picked it up.
As for some rants... Well,
I dislike it when a book opens with a dream -> look in the mirror sequence as much as anyone. I'm sure the author is aware of the criticism of this kind of openings, and decided to go for it anyway. I appreciate the choice, but I didn't like it. I'd much rather if the first chapter was a therapy session, for example.
Hardcore SPOILERS from here:
I dislike it when the ending is "it was all a dream" also. I can see how it works in service of this story, but still can't say that I liked it.
I also kinda like the idea of DID people aiming to kill the personalities that emerge in them. So the ending of the book is in a fierce disagreement with me.
Still, the book succeeded in invoking so many emotions in me. I was scared, I was grossed, I was on the edge of my sit, sometimes out of anger.
It's well written, no doubt there.
August 12, 2020
5 stars for this Phenomenal horror/ psychological thriller!
An intense beginning that allows the reader to literally feel the main character, Scott’s, plight through some very descriptive scenery.
Tragedy befalls Scott & through his trauma, we are awakened to witness several horrific situations.
I thought, I had figured it out but the plot twist was mind blowing.
Superbly written & extremely clever. Things that seem off kilter, eventually sharpen and make sense.
Triggers of anxiety, claustrophobia, captivity, and PTSD, are just a few issues that lie in wait.
This story will grab you from page one and won’t let you go until you finish. I read this in one sitting!
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock & Stephen King will absolutely love this.
I read this as an arc through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommend.
An intense beginning that allows the reader to literally feel the main character, Scott’s, plight through some very descriptive scenery.
Tragedy befalls Scott & through his trauma, we are awakened to witness several horrific situations.
I thought, I had figured it out but the plot twist was mind blowing.
Superbly written & extremely clever. Things that seem off kilter, eventually sharpen and make sense.
Triggers of anxiety, claustrophobia, captivity, and PTSD, are just a few issues that lie in wait.
This story will grab you from page one and won’t let you go until you finish. I read this in one sitting!
Fans of Alfred Hitchcock & Stephen King will absolutely love this.
I read this as an arc through BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommend.
March 17, 2021
Overall 3 ⭐ I was provided this paperback by the author in order to review it honestly.
Plot 3 ⭐ I enjoyed the family dynamic. You follow Scott as he navigates his life dealing with stresses from his past. All the sudden crows start popping up and he spots a scarecrow in a field. He also is suffering from nightmares. Are these terrifying occurrences in his day-to-day his past coming back to haunt him? I am excited to read future works by Chad 👍
Writing 2.5⭐ I found that what Chad did best was set the tone and keep the pacing proper throughout the story. That being said where I found issues personally was in the beginning it started quite slow. I believe that the author was trying to set the tone and build the characters at this point, and that does work. So honestly any problems I found in this portion of my review are probably personal preference and should not sway your decision to read the book. Also the ending was not what I personally expected.
Horror 3.5 ⭐ this is a pretty good thriller style horror novel and is perfect for fall season/Autumn 🎃 the family Dynamics were by far my favorite part of this story.
https://youtu.be/-wKXodKq1TA
Plot 3 ⭐ I enjoyed the family dynamic. You follow Scott as he navigates his life dealing with stresses from his past. All the sudden crows start popping up and he spots a scarecrow in a field. He also is suffering from nightmares. Are these terrifying occurrences in his day-to-day his past coming back to haunt him? I am excited to read future works by Chad 👍
Writing 2.5⭐ I found that what Chad did best was set the tone and keep the pacing proper throughout the story. That being said where I found issues personally was in the beginning it started quite slow. I believe that the author was trying to set the tone and build the characters at this point, and that does work. So honestly any problems I found in this portion of my review are probably personal preference and should not sway your decision to read the book. Also the ending was not what I personally expected.
Horror 3.5 ⭐ this is a pretty good thriller style horror novel and is perfect for fall season/Autumn 🎃 the family Dynamics were by far my favorite part of this story.
https://youtu.be/-wKXodKq1TA
September 28, 2020
Good, old-fashioned horror at its best! A captivating, suspenseful and twisted delight!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
October 8, 2020
“There is no escape, no way out. I know everything you’ve ever been afraid of. This is your nightmare, Scott” (330).
Scott seems like the typical father of a loving family. Beneath the surface, his past lingers in the darkest corners. The seemingly perfect family has gone through not one, but two traumas. At the age of eight, Scott is taken by a man, trapped and tortured in a birdcage for over two months. The day of his escape would change his life forever. Years later, he will have to face his fears once again probed by his resurfacing nightmares. The imaginary will soon enter reality and Scott must push himself to overcome his darkest fear in order to save his family.
“He could just turn and run down the stairs, back into the night, but the crows would be there too. No matter where he ran, they would find him. They always found him” (217).
This book felt like a mystery that I desperately needed to uncover. I found myself constantly clawing at my brain for answers. The premise was uniquely fueled by the unreliable narrator with a sprinkle of the supernatural. Abandonment and betrayal are both at the core of this work. Nicholas gave me the atmosphere I so desperately wanted in a horror book. With every page, it grew more in darkness. Scott’s diagnosis wasn’t a surprise to me. Considering I only know the bare minimum of DID, I can't say to the accuracy depicted throughout the book.
“I see blood. It’s everywhere. It flows down the walls, drops from the ceiling, pours from the sky” (259).
The comic relief moments and glimpses of romance were adorably inputted but not spotlighted within a story filled with blood. I adore crows, so I wasn’t frightened by that aspect within the book. What I really found most fascinating was the portrayal of fear. Even if I wasn’t personally scared, I could feel how scared Scott and his family were. I could feel the restlessness Scott felt after days without sleep. In that aspect, I think the debut author did a marvelous job. This aspect kept indulging my momentum to push forwards. The editing needs to be revisited with a fine tooth comb. I looked past it as much as possible since this is a self published work. The ending wrapped everything up nicely while leaving a trail of blood behind.
“They seemed to multiply by the thousands as he watched them soar above him, covering the sky like the black veil of a mourning bride” (66).
An intriguing and captivating physiological thriller/horror filled with twists and turns. Rapid page turner, that included alternating timelines and perspective. I would recommend this work to fans of Stephen King or anyone looking for a quick, yet gory, physiological thriller.
Triggers: mental illness; suicide; violence; death; torture; gore; anxiety; PTSD
Thank you to BookSirens and Chad Nicholas for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Scott seems like the typical father of a loving family. Beneath the surface, his past lingers in the darkest corners. The seemingly perfect family has gone through not one, but two traumas. At the age of eight, Scott is taken by a man, trapped and tortured in a birdcage for over two months. The day of his escape would change his life forever. Years later, he will have to face his fears once again probed by his resurfacing nightmares. The imaginary will soon enter reality and Scott must push himself to overcome his darkest fear in order to save his family.
“He could just turn and run down the stairs, back into the night, but the crows would be there too. No matter where he ran, they would find him. They always found him” (217).
This book felt like a mystery that I desperately needed to uncover. I found myself constantly clawing at my brain for answers. The premise was uniquely fueled by the unreliable narrator with a sprinkle of the supernatural. Abandonment and betrayal are both at the core of this work. Nicholas gave me the atmosphere I so desperately wanted in a horror book. With every page, it grew more in darkness. Scott’s diagnosis wasn’t a surprise to me. Considering I only know the bare minimum of DID, I can't say to the accuracy depicted throughout the book.
“I see blood. It’s everywhere. It flows down the walls, drops from the ceiling, pours from the sky” (259).
The comic relief moments and glimpses of romance were adorably inputted but not spotlighted within a story filled with blood. I adore crows, so I wasn’t frightened by that aspect within the book. What I really found most fascinating was the portrayal of fear. Even if I wasn’t personally scared, I could feel how scared Scott and his family were. I could feel the restlessness Scott felt after days without sleep. In that aspect, I think the debut author did a marvelous job. This aspect kept indulging my momentum to push forwards. The editing needs to be revisited with a fine tooth comb. I looked past it as much as possible since this is a self published work. The ending wrapped everything up nicely while leaving a trail of blood behind.
“They seemed to multiply by the thousands as he watched them soar above him, covering the sky like the black veil of a mourning bride” (66).
An intriguing and captivating physiological thriller/horror filled with twists and turns. Rapid page turner, that included alternating timelines and perspective. I would recommend this work to fans of Stephen King or anyone looking for a quick, yet gory, physiological thriller.
Triggers: mental illness; suicide; violence; death; torture; gore; anxiety; PTSD
Thank you to BookSirens and Chad Nicholas for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 8, 2020
n Nightmare, we met Scott, husband and father of four, desperately trying to maintain a normal, family life despite the traumatic events of his past starting to overwhelm him. The nightmares grow worse, the crows return and the scarecrow keeps watching him. Could it be that some monsters never remain buried?
Nightmare is fast-paced, frightening, psychological fiction that is hard to put down. The prologue is good old-fashioned supernatural horror and from the beginning chapter, we are quickly aware of issues and conflicts within the family unit and Scott himself. The atmosphere is heavy with dread anxiety. The constant motif of the crows is incredibly well-done, inciting a creeping fear and a truly unpleasant foreboding of doom Mr Nicholas really can write horror; moments of utter terror are cleverly balanced between paragraphs of simmering tension and outright fear. In illustrating the erratic fragility of Scott’s mental state, the writing is unflinching and unnerving.
A number of flashback chapters are woven throughout the novel and they work really well. They are kept economical so that they do not detract from the main plot yet provide backstory and respite from the increasingly scary and unexplained events occurring in the central narrative.
There are plenty of twists and I was kept guessing until about halfway when things become a little clearer. The visual horror really takes off and, at times, it is a relentless pace of gore which is quite harrowing towards the end. I did feel about three-quarters through that the narrative was teetering on the brink of incredulity and there were a few loose ends but it is pulled back round and this is a horror, after all. The main characters are nicely-developed yet Dr Freeman, Karen and April retain a sense of ambiguity which keeps you wondering as the tension builds. I would have liked Scott’s relationship with his parents explored/expanded a bit further and I think Dr Freeman could have possibly been utilised more.
Notwithstanding, I found Nightmare to be a well-written, gripping and unsettling horror. Highly recommended.
Nightmare is fast-paced, frightening, psychological fiction that is hard to put down. The prologue is good old-fashioned supernatural horror and from the beginning chapter, we are quickly aware of issues and conflicts within the family unit and Scott himself. The atmosphere is heavy with dread anxiety. The constant motif of the crows is incredibly well-done, inciting a creeping fear and a truly unpleasant foreboding of doom Mr Nicholas really can write horror; moments of utter terror are cleverly balanced between paragraphs of simmering tension and outright fear. In illustrating the erratic fragility of Scott’s mental state, the writing is unflinching and unnerving.
A number of flashback chapters are woven throughout the novel and they work really well. They are kept economical so that they do not detract from the main plot yet provide backstory and respite from the increasingly scary and unexplained events occurring in the central narrative.
There are plenty of twists and I was kept guessing until about halfway when things become a little clearer. The visual horror really takes off and, at times, it is a relentless pace of gore which is quite harrowing towards the end. I did feel about three-quarters through that the narrative was teetering on the brink of incredulity and there were a few loose ends but it is pulled back round and this is a horror, after all. The main characters are nicely-developed yet Dr Freeman, Karen and April retain a sense of ambiguity which keeps you wondering as the tension builds. I would have liked Scott’s relationship with his parents explored/expanded a bit further and I think Dr Freeman could have possibly been utilised more.
Notwithstanding, I found Nightmare to be a well-written, gripping and unsettling horror. Highly recommended.
January 10, 2021
Chad Nicholas writing is dark, detailed and gory in this book. The feeling of horror this book emits is not for the squeamish.
Nightmare is a story about Scott and his family. Something terrible happened to Scott when he was a young boy, and he is still dealing with it today when he is older and has a family. The way this has been written, you dont find out the extend of what anything means right up until the end. You are always guessing, right along with Scott.
I really enjoyed the pace of this book. It did not drag on, it did not move to fast. I was confused for a short bit at the beginning with the band and forth bits but by the time I got used to it and understood what it meant, it suited this story really well. Towards the end I could not help but think, damn, imagine this as a movie!
If you like psychological horror with abit of thriller, are not too overly squeamish and can read about some tough subjects, give this a go!
I rated it 4 - unique story line, easy pace, even enjoyed my shifting feelings for the characters.
I reviewed this ARC from book sirens in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much.
Nightmare is a story about Scott and his family. Something terrible happened to Scott when he was a young boy, and he is still dealing with it today when he is older and has a family. The way this has been written, you dont find out the extend of what anything means right up until the end. You are always guessing, right along with Scott.
I really enjoyed the pace of this book. It did not drag on, it did not move to fast. I was confused for a short bit at the beginning with the band and forth bits but by the time I got used to it and understood what it meant, it suited this story really well. Towards the end I could not help but think, damn, imagine this as a movie!
If you like psychological horror with abit of thriller, are not too overly squeamish and can read about some tough subjects, give this a go!
I rated it 4 - unique story line, easy pace, even enjoyed my shifting feelings for the characters.
I reviewed this ARC from book sirens in exchange for an honest review. Thank you so much.
October 15, 2020
*I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Nightmare is exactly what the title tells you it is. This is a type of novel that you’ll probably want to read more than once, filled with details heavy in importance, but obscured until the very end. The story of a man and his horrific childhood trauma, Nightmare deals with grief, mental anguish, and fear for the ones we love.
The story progresses from the usual day to day of the family, to a darkness growing between husband and wife, slowly seeping out from the repressed memories of his childhood. Something broke off inside him the day he was taken captive and it is something that he still struggles with. As events take a turn for the worst it is unclear whether our protagonist is dreaming, hallucinating, or whether there is someone stalking him and his family.
Nicholas does a great job of juggling the different elements of the story and creating compelling characters. Though, for me, the ending doesn’t have quite the payoff that I was expecting it to, there is a resolution for the characters that makes sense, and overall the story comes together with few loose ends.
Nightmare is exactly what the title tells you it is. This is a type of novel that you’ll probably want to read more than once, filled with details heavy in importance, but obscured until the very end. The story of a man and his horrific childhood trauma, Nightmare deals with grief, mental anguish, and fear for the ones we love.
The story progresses from the usual day to day of the family, to a darkness growing between husband and wife, slowly seeping out from the repressed memories of his childhood. Something broke off inside him the day he was taken captive and it is something that he still struggles with. As events take a turn for the worst it is unclear whether our protagonist is dreaming, hallucinating, or whether there is someone stalking him and his family.
Nicholas does a great job of juggling the different elements of the story and creating compelling characters. Though, for me, the ending doesn’t have quite the payoff that I was expecting it to, there is a resolution for the characters that makes sense, and overall the story comes together with few loose ends.
August 22, 2021
First I want to thank Chad Nicholas for sending me this book last year. I also want to apologize for taking so long to read it. It was so good. Giving this book a solid 4 stars.
This story is about a man named Scott, who is married to Karen and they have four kids: April, Tommy May and Joey. At the beginning of the story there is a bit of tension between the married couple and the kids seem fine, but as you read you can tell something is a bit off. They also have a dog named Dakota, but he has been missing for a bit.
The children have a ritual where they all walk to the bus together before school and before they board, they turn to wave at their father. At first I thought this was nice, but...something definitely has happened in the past and that is the reason for this ritual.
Scott sees a therapist because of what happened in the past that we, as readers, are not yet privy to. It's a build up of something, but we just don't know what.
Later, on the same day, that we meet this family, Scott gets into a car accident. When he wakes up at the hospital is when the story really takes off.
I know that what I have reviewed isn't much, but it's such an emotional roller coaster of ride that I don't want to give anything away.
This book really grabs a hold of you right from the get go. Chad does an amazing job with the subtle hints that are given. As a reader you read the words and then kind of shrug them off and continue, but then later on in the book, those hidden eggs are later dwelled upon until you realize, oh my god! I could not put this book down. I have struggled reading this year because I've been so busy, so to have a book that is so engrossing was a treat.
If you have read the Dark Half by Stephen King, then you will definitely like this book. I'm not saying they are similar, but they do have the same kind of vibe or tone. I was thoroughly creeped out while reading this and the ENDING. That ending. I was thinking there is no way. And I'm still so undecided how I think it should have ended. I just loved it.
Thank you again Chad for sending me your book.
This story is about a man named Scott, who is married to Karen and they have four kids: April, Tommy May and Joey. At the beginning of the story there is a bit of tension between the married couple and the kids seem fine, but as you read you can tell something is a bit off. They also have a dog named Dakota, but he has been missing for a bit.
The children have a ritual where they all walk to the bus together before school and before they board, they turn to wave at their father. At first I thought this was nice, but...something definitely has happened in the past and that is the reason for this ritual.
Scott sees a therapist because of what happened in the past that we, as readers, are not yet privy to. It's a build up of something, but we just don't know what.
Later, on the same day, that we meet this family, Scott gets into a car accident. When he wakes up at the hospital is when the story really takes off.
I know that what I have reviewed isn't much, but it's such an emotional roller coaster of ride that I don't want to give anything away.
This book really grabs a hold of you right from the get go. Chad does an amazing job with the subtle hints that are given. As a reader you read the words and then kind of shrug them off and continue, but then later on in the book, those hidden eggs are later dwelled upon until you realize, oh my god! I could not put this book down. I have struggled reading this year because I've been so busy, so to have a book that is so engrossing was a treat.
If you have read the Dark Half by Stephen King, then you will definitely like this book. I'm not saying they are similar, but they do have the same kind of vibe or tone. I was thoroughly creeped out while reading this and the ENDING. That ending. I was thinking there is no way. And I'm still so undecided how I think it should have ended. I just loved it.
Thank you again Chad for sending me your book.
August 16, 2020
This book definitely toes the line between thriller and horror. After being kidnapped and tortured when he was 8, Scott was saved by his alternate personality. After coexisting for many years, "Vincent" is back and determined to take Scott's life for himself, no matter what. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart and I was left guessing until the very last second. If you are into either horror or thriller, or both, this book is worth the read.
I received an ARC to review, but my opinions are all mine.
I received an ARC to review, but my opinions are all mine.
July 19, 2020
I have always been a fan of horror from childhood, be it the classic Poe or Lovecraft or the modern Stephen King. So when I saw the blurb I knew I had to try this one.
I don't know much about Dissociative Identity Disorder so I can't vouch for the accuracy of Scott's experiences but, from the horror/supernatural perspective, it was spot on. The blows kept on coming. It was brutal. It was relentless. At times, I felt like I gotta stop for a bit. The narration was fast, with flashbacks but it was easy to understand but some words became repetitive. This actually has the style of a short fiction instead of a novel.
I liked the premise, the concept but the execution not so much. The writing leaves something to be desired but, the story is rather good. And the twist at the end! I live for twists and the last part of the book completely blew my mind. Most of the questions that I had got answered in the end. This would make an excellent slasher film. A perfect read for the weekend, especially if you are a beginner in this genre and are looking for a good fast paced story but for hardcore fans, it can be a bit cliched.
I thank Booksirens and the author for the e-ARC.
I don't know much about Dissociative Identity Disorder so I can't vouch for the accuracy of Scott's experiences but, from the horror/supernatural perspective, it was spot on. The blows kept on coming. It was brutal. It was relentless. At times, I felt like I gotta stop for a bit. The narration was fast, with flashbacks but it was easy to understand but some words became repetitive. This actually has the style of a short fiction instead of a novel.
I liked the premise, the concept but the execution not so much. The writing leaves something to be desired but, the story is rather good. And the twist at the end! I live for twists and the last part of the book completely blew my mind. Most of the questions that I had got answered in the end. This would make an excellent slasher film. A perfect read for the weekend, especially if you are a beginner in this genre and are looking for a good fast paced story but for hardcore fans, it can be a bit cliched.
I thank Booksirens and the author for the e-ARC.
April 1, 2021
WOOOOOOOOOW Chad might just be the plot twist master.
WARNING: This books has a lot of violence towards children. Please don't read this if that is something you can't handle. It's in your best interest.
Perfect pacing, great characters, extremely believeable yet terrifying circumstances and amazing plot twists.
This is now on my favorite Horror novels list for sure!
It's hard to believe that this is his 1st novel I was completely blown away. This is one of those books I wish I could sit down and read in 1 sitting. I could see someone picking this up for a movie one day.
I have seen I think one review on it before Ali from BookBinge(youtube) did an author interview with Chad. I immediately bought the book. I don't buy many books so that already saying something. This was his 1st book published and at 1st i could tell by his writing BUT as I read on it was liked hes been doing in for years! This is one of the best books I read all year I know it's only the end of March but still! I could see myself coming back to this book multiple times it was that good!
WARNING: This books has a lot of violence towards children. Please don't read this if that is something you can't handle. It's in your best interest.
Perfect pacing, great characters, extremely believeable yet terrifying circumstances and amazing plot twists.
This is now on my favorite Horror novels list for sure!
It's hard to believe that this is his 1st novel I was completely blown away. This is one of those books I wish I could sit down and read in 1 sitting. I could see someone picking this up for a movie one day.
I have seen I think one review on it before Ali from BookBinge(youtube) did an author interview with Chad. I immediately bought the book. I don't buy many books so that already saying something. This was his 1st book published and at 1st i could tell by his writing BUT as I read on it was liked hes been doing in for years! This is one of the best books I read all year I know it's only the end of March but still! I could see myself coming back to this book multiple times it was that good!
January 28, 2021
Scott has nightmares and they do not stop. They are a constant reminder of what happened to him as a child. The first half of the book is very slow then starts to pick up the pace. The timeline kind of jumps arounds and so do the characters. Sometimes it's hard to tell what is taking place. I enjoyed the family dynamic a lot! That really is what shines in the book. I'm not a big fan of mental issues with horror but this was a good read. Definitely like an amplified modern horror take on Jekyll and Hyde!
CW: A lot of gore and violence against children and animals.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
CW: A lot of gore and violence against children and animals.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 12, 2020
Such a fun read.
My full review: https://youtu.be/GQCiczwhKIs
My full review: https://youtu.be/GQCiczwhKIs
January 18, 2021
I found this book dreadfully boring. Badly written and with crappy characters I didn’t care about at all.
October 10, 2020
This book will keep you on the edge of your seat!!!!
Scott is a loving husband and father of 4. He has secrets in his past that he doesn't want anyone to know. One day things start to unravel and Scott need to confront his past. If he doesn't he could lose everything.
I was hooked from page 1. All the twists and turns in this story had me thinking that I knew what was happening and then bomb there was another twist that threw me for a loop. I was so invested in the story that I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know about Scott's past. I wanted to know all the other little things that came up and how they fit into Scott's past.
If there is one book this year that you need to read it's this one. Hurry up and finish that book your reading cause this book need to be your next read.
Scott is a loving husband and father of 4. He has secrets in his past that he doesn't want anyone to know. One day things start to unravel and Scott need to confront his past. If he doesn't he could lose everything.
I was hooked from page 1. All the twists and turns in this story had me thinking that I knew what was happening and then bomb there was another twist that threw me for a loop. I was so invested in the story that I couldn't put it down. I wanted to know about Scott's past. I wanted to know all the other little things that came up and how they fit into Scott's past.
If there is one book this year that you need to read it's this one. Hurry up and finish that book your reading cause this book need to be your next read.
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