What do you think?
Rate this book
Matryoshka
Hotel "Mechta". A resort for the wealthy in the Russian wilderness. A place where, supposedly, dreams come true. A wonderful place where your every need is served, where the staff is always polite…
And where there are almost no other guests.
Arthur comes there as a last resort to save his dwindling career. To partake in that dream life and turn his life around. But he quickly finds out that the image of a perfect hotel is just a façade. That at any moment, that beautiful dream he's living can turn into a nightmare. That the empty halls of the hotel have a life of their own and are host to numerous horrible secrets. Shameful secrets tied to the past of the people who work there… As well as the secrets that are not meant to be uncovered by humanity at all.
Secrets within secrets. Like a matryoshka.
Questioning his sanity and reality of what's going on, Arthur seeks to escape that nightmare. But how do you wake up from a nightmare… When you're not the one dreaming it?
Praise for "Matryoshka":"Blows Outer Limits and Twilight Zone out of the water." – ★★★★★" This is great if you are looking for something different in horror." – ★★★★★"…Another great read from a great writer" – ★★★★★"…it really is a great new-to-me approach to this type of horror, and Dereschuk pulls it off brilliantly." – ★★★★★"Great story with unexpected twists and turns and good imagery." – ★★★★★"The plot is amazingly original, the story intriguing and the ending utterly unpredictable." – ★★★★★"I am still getting over this book." – ★★★★★"I never knew when the next twist and loop was coming." – ★★★★★"This is a Twilight Zone episode with art direction by Dali and narrated by Edgar Allen Poe" – ★★★★★"RUSSIAN HORROR FICTION" is a series of stand-alone horror novels set in Russia, with every book exploring new facets of both the horror genre and the biggest, most enigmatic country in the world.
And where there are almost no other guests.
Arthur comes there as a last resort to save his dwindling career. To partake in that dream life and turn his life around. But he quickly finds out that the image of a perfect hotel is just a façade. That at any moment, that beautiful dream he's living can turn into a nightmare. That the empty halls of the hotel have a life of their own and are host to numerous horrible secrets. Shameful secrets tied to the past of the people who work there… As well as the secrets that are not meant to be uncovered by humanity at all.
Secrets within secrets. Like a matryoshka.
Questioning his sanity and reality of what's going on, Arthur seeks to escape that nightmare. But how do you wake up from a nightmare… When you're not the one dreaming it?
Praise for "Matryoshka":"Blows Outer Limits and Twilight Zone out of the water." – ★★★★★" This is great if you are looking for something different in horror." – ★★★★★"…Another great read from a great writer" – ★★★★★"…it really is a great new-to-me approach to this type of horror, and Dereschuk pulls it off brilliantly." – ★★★★★"Great story with unexpected twists and turns and good imagery." – ★★★★★"The plot is amazingly original, the story intriguing and the ending utterly unpredictable." – ★★★★★"I am still getting over this book." – ★★★★★"I never knew when the next twist and loop was coming." – ★★★★★"This is a Twilight Zone episode with art direction by Dali and narrated by Edgar Allen Poe" – ★★★★★"RUSSIAN HORROR FICTION" is a series of stand-alone horror novels set in Russia, with every book exploring new facets of both the horror genre and the biggest, most enigmatic country in the world.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 30, 2021
19 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 1, 2021
Full disclosure: I received an Advanced Read Copy (ARC) of this book on exchange for an honest review.
This story begins following an author named Arthur who is trying to get inspired for his next book. At the behest of his agent, he books a short stay at a resort hotel that promises to make your dreams come true.
The first night is dreamlike but the next day turns into a nightmare. There are twists and turns throughout the story and the ending is unexpected.
This is another great work from one of my favorite current horror authors. It starts a little slow, but with Dereschuk you know it's going to build into something really unique (and it does).
The imagination shown in this story is incredible. The beings he breathes life into on the pages are unnerving and somehow realistic. You can absolutely see the images he is creating for you.
I really enjoyed this book. I don't like Arthur, but that's not a requirement to enjoy it. His adventure is incredible, his choices make sense whether you agree with them or not, and it's a compelling read.
I also really enjoyed the varied use of first and third person. I think it really added to the overall feel of the story.
If you like Eldritch horror, Dereschuk needs to be on your go-to list of authors. I've never been disappointed by his work and Matryoshka continues this trend.
This story begins following an author named Arthur who is trying to get inspired for his next book. At the behest of his agent, he books a short stay at a resort hotel that promises to make your dreams come true.
The first night is dreamlike but the next day turns into a nightmare. There are twists and turns throughout the story and the ending is unexpected.
This is another great work from one of my favorite current horror authors. It starts a little slow, but with Dereschuk you know it's going to build into something really unique (and it does).
The imagination shown in this story is incredible. The beings he breathes life into on the pages are unnerving and somehow realistic. You can absolutely see the images he is creating for you.
I really enjoyed this book. I don't like Arthur, but that's not a requirement to enjoy it. His adventure is incredible, his choices make sense whether you agree with them or not, and it's a compelling read.
I also really enjoyed the varied use of first and third person. I think it really added to the overall feel of the story.
If you like Eldritch horror, Dereschuk needs to be on your go-to list of authors. I've never been disappointed by his work and Matryoshka continues this trend.
December 10, 2023
This book was quite an unexpected surprise!
Most of it i loved dearly, as it turned out to be the very trope i love most in horror (trying not to put spoilers here). If you loved The hollow places or are a Clive Barker fan, you might find yourself quite happily immersed in some pretty horrifying hellscapes. Those are absolutely outstanding!
The book's characters were very unlikeable which i find is common enough in russian books or movies, and the ending was... conflicting. But good, i think. Though i wished the last third of the book didn't dissolve into heavy talks and contemplations, i missed the horror element in full bloom.
It's a book I'll probably always treasure and remember, and I'm grabbing the author's other books soon because he's brilliant.
Most of it i loved dearly, as it turned out to be the very trope i love most in horror (trying not to put spoilers here). If you loved The hollow places or are a Clive Barker fan, you might find yourself quite happily immersed in some pretty horrifying hellscapes. Those are absolutely outstanding!
The book's characters were very unlikeable which i find is common enough in russian books or movies, and the ending was... conflicting. But good, i think. Though i wished the last third of the book didn't dissolve into heavy talks and contemplations, i missed the horror element in full bloom.
It's a book I'll probably always treasure and remember, and I'm grabbing the author's other books soon because he's brilliant.
September 30, 2021
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
September 18, 2022
All kinds of scary things going on in a Russian Resort Hotel! Would make a great movie. He is my favorite Russian author, his book OUTSIDE started it all and if you haven't read it (about being trapped in your apartment bldg because all the exits were welded shut) read it then Matryoshka.
You know that is what those hand carved, balsa wood nesting dolls are called. You uncover something in this hotel and another thing appears. Enjoy
You know that is what those hand carved, balsa wood nesting dolls are called. You uncover something in this hotel and another thing appears. Enjoy
October 1, 2021
Great Russian Horror
I really liked this one. It does have gore but not in the usual way. It is hard to really describe because it is so different from American or British Horror. This is great if you are looking for something different in horror. Excellent. You might be pleasantly surprised and engrossed at the same time.
I really liked this one. It does have gore but not in the usual way. It is hard to really describe because it is so different from American or British Horror. This is great if you are looking for something different in horror. Excellent. You might be pleasantly surprised and engrossed at the same time.
October 12, 2021
Awesome
I loved this book. It’s like reading the Ukrainian Stephen King. I love the creativity and terror. Please write more stories!
I loved this book. It’s like reading the Ukrainian Stephen King. I love the creativity and terror. Please write more stories!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews