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The Spiral
*A slow burn, high-octane, character-driven plunge into the dark side of emotion.*
H.P. Lovecraft was wrong. Fear isn't the strongest emotion. Fear only causes three reactions: fight, flight, or freeze. Love, on the other hand...love is limitless. And far more deadly.
Take it from me; I'm an empath.
My name is Amy Durene, and I've got a story to tell before there isn't enough left of me to tell it.
That stupid, rotted ol’ barn in backwoods Maine starts out as just another place to feed my best friend’s insatiable ghost-hunting habit. Until I’m inexplicably lost, for the first time, in emotions that aren’t mine. An animalistic fear that never really leaves me.
On some level, that's smart. I should be afraid. Especially when people's moods start swinging at my whim. But, you know, it’s also kinda fun—if you don’t count the heart attacks, fatal job promotions, and Choco Tacos with criminally wasted potential left in my wake.
Then there's the delicious bit of trouble from down the way. He's emotionally silent but breaks the sound barrier on my other five senses. I can't affect what I can't feel, so he's safe...right?
Am I?
The pressure of keeping everyone’s emotions at bay is cracking my jury-rigged mental wall into a Cheshire grin. The question is, whose grin is it? Mine, yours, or something curiously sinister?
As reality twists into a labyrinthian spiral, each step I take brings a little more tragedy and a little less me. I’ll have to double back on my fading footprints and find what passes for the truth before my sixth sense becomes my only sense.
What I discover will be bittersweet, like chocolate-covered razor blades.
Content warning: Mature content and themes. Graphic language. Graphic sex. Graphic violence. Graphic design. Graphic ellipsis use…
H.P. Lovecraft was wrong. Fear isn't the strongest emotion. Fear only causes three reactions: fight, flight, or freeze. Love, on the other hand...love is limitless. And far more deadly.
Take it from me; I'm an empath.
My name is Amy Durene, and I've got a story to tell before there isn't enough left of me to tell it.
That stupid, rotted ol’ barn in backwoods Maine starts out as just another place to feed my best friend’s insatiable ghost-hunting habit. Until I’m inexplicably lost, for the first time, in emotions that aren’t mine. An animalistic fear that never really leaves me.
On some level, that's smart. I should be afraid. Especially when people's moods start swinging at my whim. But, you know, it’s also kinda fun—if you don’t count the heart attacks, fatal job promotions, and Choco Tacos with criminally wasted potential left in my wake.
Then there's the delicious bit of trouble from down the way. He's emotionally silent but breaks the sound barrier on my other five senses. I can't affect what I can't feel, so he's safe...right?
Am I?
The pressure of keeping everyone’s emotions at bay is cracking my jury-rigged mental wall into a Cheshire grin. The question is, whose grin is it? Mine, yours, or something curiously sinister?
As reality twists into a labyrinthian spiral, each step I take brings a little more tragedy and a little less me. I’ll have to double back on my fading footprints and find what passes for the truth before my sixth sense becomes my only sense.
What I discover will be bittersweet, like chocolate-covered razor blades.
Content warning: Mature content and themes. Graphic language. Graphic sex. Graphic violence. Graphic design. Graphic ellipsis use…
- GenresHorror
473 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2021
7 people are currently reading
446 people want to read
About the author
Nikki DeKeuster
7 books77 followersNikki DeKeuster invites you to sit with her around the fire as she weaves you dark tales of mischief, mayhem, and mad love. Stories that stick to your ribs long after the lights have been doused and your head hits the pillow.
She enjoys crunching leaves underfoot while exploring the bluffs of Lake Michigan with her daughter and husband.
Read my novelette, "Red String," for free when you sign up for my newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8kyldtkeqa
She enjoys crunching leaves underfoot while exploring the bluffs of Lake Michigan with her daughter and husband.
Read my novelette, "Red String," for free when you sign up for my newsletter: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/8kyldtkeqa
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
December 1, 2021
I don't consider myself a horror fan, but I love it when it's good - and The Spiral is GOOD. It starts out with a bang as our heroine discovers her questionable new superpower while ghost hunting in an abandoned barn in Maine. The questions mount for Amy and the reader as the author explores her new powers and her relationships with her family, her best friend, her new boyfriend, a stable full of horses.....and possibly a ghost? The dialog between them all is hilarious and it's all fun and games (and a little bit of kink) ... until it isn't. The second half of the book slams into action with a gut punch and doesn't let up with the twists and turns until the last page. I love that I felt the emotions and reeling confusion right along with Amy. The author has a gift with words and a unique writing style that's so fitting for the genre - she can make you laugh, cry and cringe on the same page - and enjoy every minute of it.
December 2, 2021
Every once in a while, a genuinely fresh novel comes along to sweep you up in its dark embrace. This is that novel. Amy Durene, a small-town girl with a quirky, sarcastic wit, finds herself suddenly endowed with the ability to feel what others feel, the good, the bad and a lot of ugly. That would be useful in a romantic comedy but this ain’t no rom com! Far from it. The events that unfold after that revelation take Amy and everyone who knows her, including a handsome boy with his own dark secrets, on a twisty road to new experiences, some sexy highs and deeply uncomfortable lows. The story left me impatient to find out what happens to her next. Great novel from a debut author. I will be reading the next book in the series.
November 30, 2021
I will never look at churches in the same way.
A twisty, turny wonderfully wicked tale from an excellent writer, The Spiral isn't for the faint of heart but anyone who picks it up will be rewarded with well-explored characters, a lived in world, a pulsating story that keeps you on your toes and the promise of more to come.
A twisty, turny wonderfully wicked tale from an excellent writer, The Spiral isn't for the faint of heart but anyone who picks it up will be rewarded with well-explored characters, a lived in world, a pulsating story that keeps you on your toes and the promise of more to come.
November 14, 2021
Dear Reader,
Are you looking for something new, something exciting, something different to read? Then this is it. The genre defies definition. Is it a psychological, paranormal thriller? Is it Horror? Or, is it an erotically charged paranormal, psychological, horror story? That part’s still fuzzy, but what’s crystal clear is that I absolutely fell in love with it.
First, some things to consider before opening the book: Find your most comfortable chair, a favorite drink, and if you imbibe, a shot of something stronger for later in the story. Issue a warning to everyone who opts to stay in your presence to not disturb for any reason. And finally, have a willingness to suspend all rational thought, and simply enjoy the ride. Because it is going to be a ride like you’ve never before taken.
The story begins in an old barn in Albion, Maine. Best friends, Amy and Kayla, are there to hunt for ghosts. Well, Kayla is the ghost hunter, and Amy is there because she enjoys breaking into places. But first and foremost, she’s there as support because that’s what best friends do.
Instead of finding ghosts, Amy ends up experiencing something she could only describe as “Lava and ice melted over my brain and dripped down my spine in sparks, sputtering like an emotional short circuit.”
For reasons as yet unknown, psychic and empathic abilities are fully awakened in her at that moment, in that place. From there, dear reader, you become witness to, and forever intertwined with her spiral into something akin to, but teeters just on the precipice of, madness.
Kayla is the friend few ever have, but everyone wants. Instead of being totally freaked out, she is by Amy’s side every step of the way, working tirelessly, researching everything she can in the world of all things paranormal to find a way to turn it off. For me, their relationship is the epitome of all that is pure and good.
Almost every waking minute for Amy is a nightmare. Being around people brings something new and terrifying and she can’t control it. She absorbs everyone’s emotions, their angst. As if high school wasn’t already stressful enough, can you imagine what it’s like for her walking into a classroom filled with raging hormones and the passions that accompany them? I have no words, but the author does a superb job penning them for us.
Amy discovers three things that allow a few minutes of delicious quiet: smoking cigarettes, being around animals, and Daniel.
Daniel. The boy she meets at a horse stable where she works part time. Amy is drawn to him like a moth to flame, taken by his smile, and the warmth in his eyes. But what fascinates her most is that his mind, his whole being is blessedly silent. So who (or is the question is what) exactly is this guy? There are answers delivered on so many levels throughout the story, but it leaves us begging for more. Book 2 perhaps?
This is about friendships, relationships—broken and real, and secrets. Of letting go. Of learning to live with paranormal abilities, while staying a step ahead of a mysterious group who seek to exploit them.
Reader, there is so much to this story that it bears repeating: it defies being put into a single genre. Is it an erotically charged psychological, paranormal thriller? Absolutely. Is it a horror story? Probably, but I'm still not certain. Lucky for all of us, this is only the first book so we still have time to consider it.
What I do know is that Nikki DeKeuster is a name you’ll want to put on your favorite author list because everything about this book is going to stay with you long after you’ve finished the last page. You’ll urge your friends to read it, not only because it’s a brilliant story, but so you have someone to talk to. Someone who understands.
Are you looking for something new, something exciting, something different to read? Then this is it. The genre defies definition. Is it a psychological, paranormal thriller? Is it Horror? Or, is it an erotically charged paranormal, psychological, horror story? That part’s still fuzzy, but what’s crystal clear is that I absolutely fell in love with it.
First, some things to consider before opening the book: Find your most comfortable chair, a favorite drink, and if you imbibe, a shot of something stronger for later in the story. Issue a warning to everyone who opts to stay in your presence to not disturb for any reason. And finally, have a willingness to suspend all rational thought, and simply enjoy the ride. Because it is going to be a ride like you’ve never before taken.
The story begins in an old barn in Albion, Maine. Best friends, Amy and Kayla, are there to hunt for ghosts. Well, Kayla is the ghost hunter, and Amy is there because she enjoys breaking into places. But first and foremost, she’s there as support because that’s what best friends do.
Instead of finding ghosts, Amy ends up experiencing something she could only describe as “Lava and ice melted over my brain and dripped down my spine in sparks, sputtering like an emotional short circuit.”
For reasons as yet unknown, psychic and empathic abilities are fully awakened in her at that moment, in that place. From there, dear reader, you become witness to, and forever intertwined with her spiral into something akin to, but teeters just on the precipice of, madness.
Kayla is the friend few ever have, but everyone wants. Instead of being totally freaked out, she is by Amy’s side every step of the way, working tirelessly, researching everything she can in the world of all things paranormal to find a way to turn it off. For me, their relationship is the epitome of all that is pure and good.
Almost every waking minute for Amy is a nightmare. Being around people brings something new and terrifying and she can’t control it. She absorbs everyone’s emotions, their angst. As if high school wasn’t already stressful enough, can you imagine what it’s like for her walking into a classroom filled with raging hormones and the passions that accompany them? I have no words, but the author does a superb job penning them for us.
Amy discovers three things that allow a few minutes of delicious quiet: smoking cigarettes, being around animals, and Daniel.
Daniel. The boy she meets at a horse stable where she works part time. Amy is drawn to him like a moth to flame, taken by his smile, and the warmth in his eyes. But what fascinates her most is that his mind, his whole being is blessedly silent. So who (or is the question is what) exactly is this guy? There are answers delivered on so many levels throughout the story, but it leaves us begging for more. Book 2 perhaps?
This is about friendships, relationships—broken and real, and secrets. Of letting go. Of learning to live with paranormal abilities, while staying a step ahead of a mysterious group who seek to exploit them.
Reader, there is so much to this story that it bears repeating: it defies being put into a single genre. Is it an erotically charged psychological, paranormal thriller? Absolutely. Is it a horror story? Probably, but I'm still not certain. Lucky for all of us, this is only the first book so we still have time to consider it.
What I do know is that Nikki DeKeuster is a name you’ll want to put on your favorite author list because everything about this book is going to stay with you long after you’ve finished the last page. You’ll urge your friends to read it, not only because it’s a brilliant story, but so you have someone to talk to. Someone who understands.
December 1, 2021
If a mad scientist were to somehow merge Stephen King's mastery of horror, Anne Rice's obsessive attention to detail, and Jim Butcher's dark sense of humor, the novel that unholy abomination wrote would still not be as awesome as The Spiral. But it would give you some idea of what you're in for.
Nikki's ability to keep you laughing while she rachets up the tension and horror is nothing short of amazing. The way she draws you in and makes you feel every emotion as much as poor Amy does will give you the most satisfying case of emotional whiplash you've ever had.
Slow and subtle, by the time you realize it's a horror story you're in too deep to escape. Nikki has made you care so much about these characters that you have no choice but to stay with them to end. And she'll make you love every second of it.
Nikki's ability to keep you laughing while she rachets up the tension and horror is nothing short of amazing. The way she draws you in and makes you feel every emotion as much as poor Amy does will give you the most satisfying case of emotional whiplash you've ever had.
Slow and subtle, by the time you realize it's a horror story you're in too deep to escape. Nikki has made you care so much about these characters that you have no choice but to stay with them to end. And she'll make you love every second of it.
November 29, 2021
The Spiral (Bittersweet Empathy: The Tragedy of Amy Durene, Book One)
What can I tell you about this book? Put simply it’s a twisted journey of tension and suspense with bursts of WTF did I just read. At its core The Spiral is a coming of age story for Amy, a unique character that inhabits a world of shifting shadows, terrifying traumas, and a sense of unrelenting dread.
Nikki weaves a tale filled with well developed characters, each with their own personalities, secrets, and powerful motivations. Solid descriptions and intriguing breadcrumbs to deeper mysteries lead you further down the Spiral until you can’t remember how you got here.
All in all it’s a great origin for an interesting and disturbing new realm. I would highly recommend it and I look forward to what wickedness comes next.
What can I tell you about this book? Put simply it’s a twisted journey of tension and suspense with bursts of WTF did I just read. At its core The Spiral is a coming of age story for Amy, a unique character that inhabits a world of shifting shadows, terrifying traumas, and a sense of unrelenting dread.
Nikki weaves a tale filled with well developed characters, each with their own personalities, secrets, and powerful motivations. Solid descriptions and intriguing breadcrumbs to deeper mysteries lead you further down the Spiral until you can’t remember how you got here.
All in all it’s a great origin for an interesting and disturbing new realm. I would highly recommend it and I look forward to what wickedness comes next.
November 20, 2021
Bittersweet Empathy’s content warning says it all. Graphic language, graphic sex, graphic violence, graphic design, graphic ellipses use… Yes, the book has all this but there’s much more. Nikki DeKeuster is a great writer who weaves a wonderful tale of erotic paranormal horror. Is that a thing? It is now.
Follow Amy’s empathic journey as she traverses a ghost hunting friend, parents, high school, and a ‘delicious bit of trouble’ who is too tempting for his, or anyone else’s, own good. Don’t try to tell Amy what to do. I yelled at the pages of the book but she never listened. Well, maybe you’ll have better luck.
I like a lot of action in a story and Bittersweet Empathy didn’t disappoint me. The characters are well developed, believable, and have their own unique personalities. It has just the right amount of humor. If you mixed Stargirl with X-Men and threw in a touch of X-Rated I think you might have something close to this book.
Buy it now and read it. You’ll be happy you did. May cause sleepless nights and an inability to put the book down.
Nikki DeKeuster
The Spiral
Follow Amy’s empathic journey as she traverses a ghost hunting friend, parents, high school, and a ‘delicious bit of trouble’ who is too tempting for his, or anyone else’s, own good. Don’t try to tell Amy what to do. I yelled at the pages of the book but she never listened. Well, maybe you’ll have better luck.
I like a lot of action in a story and Bittersweet Empathy didn’t disappoint me. The characters are well developed, believable, and have their own unique personalities. It has just the right amount of humor. If you mixed Stargirl with X-Men and threw in a touch of X-Rated I think you might have something close to this book.
Buy it now and read it. You’ll be happy you did. May cause sleepless nights and an inability to put the book down.
Nikki DeKeuster
The Spiral
December 1, 2021
This is a perfect example of how the safety found in the mundane can spin out of control sucking you down into a darkness you will get lost in. You need to hold on tight when the book takes you on its twisted ride. I can guarantee you'll crash right along with the rest of us in a most deliciously disturbing way.
November 17, 2021
Gruesome, hilarious, and heartfelt. This is one of the best horror novels I’ve ever read.
Ok to be 100% honest, I don't read a lot of horror. It's usually too full of unlikable characters I have no sympathy for, and I usually just find it relentlessly depressing.
Not this. I found this book to be infused with so much genuine love, joy, and laughter (not the cheap, campy laughter, either), that when I first started reading it, I didn't believe it was actually horror. I was thoroughly sucked in by the friendship of the main characters and the mystery surrounding what happened to them at the beginning of the book. I couldn't believe that anything truly bad would happen to them... because how could it, when they were so damn lovable?
Oh, how wrong I was. I was so wrong. So, so wrong. And I loved every minute of it.
If you’re anything like me and you’re in the mood for a wild ride full of wit and insanity and pain, I’m sure you’ll love it too.
Ok to be 100% honest, I don't read a lot of horror. It's usually too full of unlikable characters I have no sympathy for, and I usually just find it relentlessly depressing.
Not this. I found this book to be infused with so much genuine love, joy, and laughter (not the cheap, campy laughter, either), that when I first started reading it, I didn't believe it was actually horror. I was thoroughly sucked in by the friendship of the main characters and the mystery surrounding what happened to them at the beginning of the book. I couldn't believe that anything truly bad would happen to them... because how could it, when they were so damn lovable?
Oh, how wrong I was. I was so wrong. So, so wrong. And I loved every minute of it.
If you’re anything like me and you’re in the mood for a wild ride full of wit and insanity and pain, I’m sure you’ll love it too.
November 27, 2021
I love the action-packed introduction. Such a great way to get into the storyline and it really grabs your attention. The descriptions are great and make it easier to imagine and to follow the story. The concept is truly unique, there are not many books about empaths, especially fiction ones. The characters are well rounded and you get to know them in a deeper way. The depictions of empathic episodes are quite interesting, and I feel like they are spot on.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2021
This book is not for the faint of heart. All the twists and turns and ups and downs of Amy's story make this one wild ride you're not gonna wanna get off of. The turn of every page only left me wanting more, so much so that I'm re-reading the book already.
As an empath myself, I loved the descriptions of Amy's struggles with absorbing other people's emotions. Her experiences felt very relatable to me. My own experiences are obviously less intense and with fewer potential... benefits, but I could still relate to the struggles she has with absorbing other people's emotions. Don't worry though. Even if you're not an empath, you'll still be able to understand what Amy's going through as the author does an amazing job describing Amy's experiences with her newfound ability.
The dynamics of the relationships in this book left left me scratching my head at times, applauding at others, and down right cursing at some. Maybe it's my suspicious nature, but the book leaves you really feeling like you can't trust anyone, maybe not even even Amy. And I, for one, love that. The plot leaves me guessing, second guessing, and then throwing all my guesses out the window on a pretty consistent basis. It's great to not be able to predict what's coming next for once.
There are some themes that may be upsetting to some so be aware of that when reading this. As I've stated, it's not for the faint of heart. Amy's story is intricately weaved with several threads of sorrow, emotional and physical pain, graphic violence, and even death. It shines a mirror on the dark places in life and brings them into the light, which is what makes the story so captivating even if it's hard to push through the dark parts at times.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommended it to lovers of suspense, the paranormal, thrillers, and horror. I'm already excited for the next book!
As an empath myself, I loved the descriptions of Amy's struggles with absorbing other people's emotions. Her experiences felt very relatable to me. My own experiences are obviously less intense and with fewer potential... benefits, but I could still relate to the struggles she has with absorbing other people's emotions. Don't worry though. Even if you're not an empath, you'll still be able to understand what Amy's going through as the author does an amazing job describing Amy's experiences with her newfound ability.
The dynamics of the relationships in this book left left me scratching my head at times, applauding at others, and down right cursing at some. Maybe it's my suspicious nature, but the book leaves you really feeling like you can't trust anyone, maybe not even even Amy. And I, for one, love that. The plot leaves me guessing, second guessing, and then throwing all my guesses out the window on a pretty consistent basis. It's great to not be able to predict what's coming next for once.
There are some themes that may be upsetting to some so be aware of that when reading this. As I've stated, it's not for the faint of heart. Amy's story is intricately weaved with several threads of sorrow, emotional and physical pain, graphic violence, and even death. It shines a mirror on the dark places in life and brings them into the light, which is what makes the story so captivating even if it's hard to push through the dark parts at times.
All in all, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommended it to lovers of suspense, the paranormal, thrillers, and horror. I'm already excited for the next book!
March 12, 2022
I was given this book to review.
I wasn't sure what to think about it at first, at least the empathy part to it.
But as I got more into the story, I really enjoyed it. I certainly found the main character quite interesting and the book itself is an enjoyable read.
If you're an empathy, then this would be for you. Or if u just like the paranormal , intrigue, and an interesting story line, then this is a book to enjoy. You won't be disappointed in it.
I wasn't sure what to think about it at first, at least the empathy part to it.
But as I got more into the story, I really enjoyed it. I certainly found the main character quite interesting and the book itself is an enjoyable read.
If you're an empathy, then this would be for you. Or if u just like the paranormal , intrigue, and an interesting story line, then this is a book to enjoy. You won't be disappointed in it.
Read
January 27, 2022WOW! (In the best way) This story is such a ride!! I can't wait for the next book! Can't wait to see more from this author!
May 13, 2022
This book kept me up late for three nights, and I was sad to finish it. It is a rare book that makes the reader (especially me) fall in love with it's characters to the extent of actually feeling like you know them personally...even weeks after you finish the book.
I will not attempt to synopsize The Spiral, as I am utterly terrible at synopsizing anything but I will sing it's praises to anyone who will listen.
Nikki DeKeuster has written an indie horror novel that is truly unique, yet is so totally readable and accessible that it will satisfy readers of many different tastes. The dialogue is crisp and real, and the situations seem relateable no matter how fantastic they are.
This will be one of my most recommended novels for a while to come.
5/5
I will not attempt to synopsize The Spiral, as I am utterly terrible at synopsizing anything but I will sing it's praises to anyone who will listen.
Nikki DeKeuster has written an indie horror novel that is truly unique, yet is so totally readable and accessible that it will satisfy readers of many different tastes. The dialogue is crisp and real, and the situations seem relateable no matter how fantastic they are.
This will be one of my most recommended novels for a while to come.
5/5
November 27, 2021
The Spiral is a multisensory experience!
Amy is a teenage empath who can sense – and manipulate – other people’s emotions, aside from a few exceptions including her enigmatic boyfriend, Daniel. With the help of her wise and resourceful best friend, Kayla, Amy must navigate her newfound abilities (and hormones!) without losing herself in the process. Amy’s relationships with her boss, parents (biological and otherwise), and teachers, all of whom have unique personalities and their own problems, add even more depth to the book.
What I loved most about the book was all the sensory details the author includes to describe Amy’s emotions (her own and those of others), so we can actually visualize, taste, hear, and feel everything along with Amy – her ecstasy, confusion, despair, joy, grief, and fear. The author has a distinctive voice that makes the book fun to read, even when we get into much darker territory.
It’s a wild ride all the way to the ending, which answers many of our questions but leaves some open for ... more books in the series! I can’t wait to read more about Amy’s adventures.
If you like psychological horror with a healthy dose of the paranormal, you will love this book! Five stars from me.
Amy is a teenage empath who can sense – and manipulate – other people’s emotions, aside from a few exceptions including her enigmatic boyfriend, Daniel. With the help of her wise and resourceful best friend, Kayla, Amy must navigate her newfound abilities (and hormones!) without losing herself in the process. Amy’s relationships with her boss, parents (biological and otherwise), and teachers, all of whom have unique personalities and their own problems, add even more depth to the book.
What I loved most about the book was all the sensory details the author includes to describe Amy’s emotions (her own and those of others), so we can actually visualize, taste, hear, and feel everything along with Amy – her ecstasy, confusion, despair, joy, grief, and fear. The author has a distinctive voice that makes the book fun to read, even when we get into much darker territory.
It’s a wild ride all the way to the ending, which answers many of our questions but leaves some open for ... more books in the series! I can’t wait to read more about Amy’s adventures.
If you like psychological horror with a healthy dose of the paranormal, you will love this book! Five stars from me.
November 15, 2022
Bittersweet Empathy: The Tragedy of Amy Durene by Nikki Dekeuster. It was the book of the month for October in the Psychological Thrillers Group. I have quite a few things to say about this novel, but to get straight to the point, I do not think I was the target audience for this book. So many aspects of this novel did not click with me on a structural and narrative level. Before I get into the things I was not feeling I gotta talk about the positive. The VERY big positive! The cover for this book is GODLIKE! Such an attention grabbing cover that immediately garners your interest! Many times on my commute to work, I would be briefly interrupted by another commuter who wanted to know more about the book solely based on the cover! It markets itself! The graphic designer was credited in the acknowledgements and rightfully so! He/she put her foot in making that cover! Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into it!
Everything I say is subjective. Things I may find uninteresting or underwhelming may be someone else's cup of tea. And that is ok! With that being said, I found this behemoth of a novel awfully hard to read. Why? Mostly because we’re in the mind of the main character, Amy Durene. A quirky, sixteen year old girl with the ability to read and change people’s emotions. I found her very unlikeable because trying to follow the story through her point of view was like trying to navigate a minefield through the lens of a kaleidoscope. Her thoughts, her imagery is so random and jarring that it would take me out of whatever story that was trying to be told. So often the story would come to a screeching halt for her to go on a random diatribe using obscure references and a cringy sense of humor. This would happen so much that it required me to reread passages I just went over so I could decipher what she was saying. It’s one of the main reasons it took me THREE weeks to finish this book. Too many times I had to put this book down for a few days to refresh my mind from constantly having to reread passages. The biggest offenders of this is chapter 49 and 50! Probably some of the hardest chapters I have ever read in recent memory! Why, because something interesting happens at the end of the previous chapter only for the next chapter to come to a twenty plus page screeching halt for Amy to meticulously describe what was happening to her. It was such a jarring, bloated mess that I just closed the book shut in the middle of chapter 49 (I instantly regretted it because I forgot to put my book marker in, making the return journey a bitch to get to)! I compared this chapter to when tv shows or anime have filler episodes that pauses the story to pad out the seasonal runtime. Manny, why not DNF it if this was such a hard read? To answer that question, I’m a completionist to a fault when it comes to books. I will trudge through to the finish line because an author put her blood, sweat, and tears into this baby so it’s like I’m obligated to make it to the end. Gots to see it through, my boy!
What could have saved this book for me would have been the side characters however that too was sadly disappointing. Almost every character had the same personality as Amy. They’re all quirky, smart alecky young people who feel the need to one up each other with one quip after another. It was like I was reading an unfunny SNL skit rather than reading a narrative with rich, unique characters. Did some interactions make me chuckle a bit? Sure, but they were few and far between. You know when characterization is off when you can take a line of dialogue out of context then try to ask yourself “Who said this” and no character in particular stands out. Even the adult characters suffer this fate. Either the adult characters are quirky and overly clever like the teenagers or they have a nothing, forgettable personality. The only exception maybe (this is a strong maybe) is Amy’s mother who is the cynical voice of reason among the hormonal teens. Speaking of hormones, the sex scenes were pretty spicy, but a little uncomfortable for me since I’m a grown man reading the graphic sexual exploits of a teenage girl! That’s not a positive or negative, just an observation. Harkening back to the dialogue and characterization once again, I’ll play devil’s advocate. I’ve never been a teenage girl in a semi affluent community (talking about the character of Amy here, just to be clear) so maybe there are many things I’m not supposed to get. And once again, that’s ok! It just means that this was simply not for me.
To close, Bittersweet Empathy was a narrative that I could not fully invest my curiosity in. Certain plot points were answered at the end that painted this narrative as more of a very extended prologue instead of a full story or even a self contained story within a greater narrative. The author states that she is planning nine more books in the series, but I think I’ll start and stop here for Amy’s journey. Would I recommend this book to someone else? Depends on what their tastes are, then I’ll say yay or nay. Those who read this review all the way through, take this review with a grain of salt. What did not work for me may be exactly what the doctor ordered for you!
Everything I say is subjective. Things I may find uninteresting or underwhelming may be someone else's cup of tea. And that is ok! With that being said, I found this behemoth of a novel awfully hard to read. Why? Mostly because we’re in the mind of the main character, Amy Durene. A quirky, sixteen year old girl with the ability to read and change people’s emotions. I found her very unlikeable because trying to follow the story through her point of view was like trying to navigate a minefield through the lens of a kaleidoscope. Her thoughts, her imagery is so random and jarring that it would take me out of whatever story that was trying to be told. So often the story would come to a screeching halt for her to go on a random diatribe using obscure references and a cringy sense of humor. This would happen so much that it required me to reread passages I just went over so I could decipher what she was saying. It’s one of the main reasons it took me THREE weeks to finish this book. Too many times I had to put this book down for a few days to refresh my mind from constantly having to reread passages. The biggest offenders of this is chapter 49 and 50! Probably some of the hardest chapters I have ever read in recent memory! Why, because something interesting happens at the end of the previous chapter only for the next chapter to come to a twenty plus page screeching halt for Amy to meticulously describe what was happening to her. It was such a jarring, bloated mess that I just closed the book shut in the middle of chapter 49 (I instantly regretted it because I forgot to put my book marker in, making the return journey a bitch to get to)! I compared this chapter to when tv shows or anime have filler episodes that pauses the story to pad out the seasonal runtime. Manny, why not DNF it if this was such a hard read? To answer that question, I’m a completionist to a fault when it comes to books. I will trudge through to the finish line because an author put her blood, sweat, and tears into this baby so it’s like I’m obligated to make it to the end. Gots to see it through, my boy!
What could have saved this book for me would have been the side characters however that too was sadly disappointing. Almost every character had the same personality as Amy. They’re all quirky, smart alecky young people who feel the need to one up each other with one quip after another. It was like I was reading an unfunny SNL skit rather than reading a narrative with rich, unique characters. Did some interactions make me chuckle a bit? Sure, but they were few and far between. You know when characterization is off when you can take a line of dialogue out of context then try to ask yourself “Who said this” and no character in particular stands out. Even the adult characters suffer this fate. Either the adult characters are quirky and overly clever like the teenagers or they have a nothing, forgettable personality. The only exception maybe (this is a strong maybe) is Amy’s mother who is the cynical voice of reason among the hormonal teens. Speaking of hormones, the sex scenes were pretty spicy, but a little uncomfortable for me since I’m a grown man reading the graphic sexual exploits of a teenage girl! That’s not a positive or negative, just an observation. Harkening back to the dialogue and characterization once again, I’ll play devil’s advocate. I’ve never been a teenage girl in a semi affluent community (talking about the character of Amy here, just to be clear) so maybe there are many things I’m not supposed to get. And once again, that’s ok! It just means that this was simply not for me.
To close, Bittersweet Empathy was a narrative that I could not fully invest my curiosity in. Certain plot points were answered at the end that painted this narrative as more of a very extended prologue instead of a full story or even a self contained story within a greater narrative. The author states that she is planning nine more books in the series, but I think I’ll start and stop here for Amy’s journey. Would I recommend this book to someone else? Depends on what their tastes are, then I’ll say yay or nay. Those who read this review all the way through, take this review with a grain of salt. What did not work for me may be exactly what the doctor ordered for you!
February 22, 2022
The finest compliment I can give to a work of fiction is my time. I bull-rushed through the back half of The Spiral in a single six-hour sitting. In my experience, that says a lot of good about a novel.
DeKeuster’s first novel opens with a disclaimer against graphic violence, graphic sex, graphic design, and graphic use of ellipses. It follows through on all four, generally with strong effect. As someone no longer particularly familiar with the supernatural or horror genres, the book felt most similar to the works of Stephen King. Written in bite-size chapters, the work’s thriller-style pacing makes it an addictive and satisfying read.
The story is about Amy Durene, a teenage girl who slowly loses her mind while coming to grips with both adolescent pains and her empathic abilities. Not quite mind-reading, Amy’s empathy allows the emotions of others to impact her mental and emotional state. Discovering what Amy can, and cannot, do with her empathic abilities—and their consequences—is a major portion of the novel.
What makes this story horror—as opposed to paranormal romance—are those consequences. DeKeuster’s careful attention and effort in writing this book shone through brightly when Amy was at her darkest. As her psyche begins to unravel, it’s clear that Amy’s empathy isn’t a superpower.
It’s a nightmare.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who reads horror, especially if they also like a side of romance. The Spiral is definitely a horror story, but the romance elements form an important part of the story. It does flirt with the “sex scene or erotica?” line, which may make some readers uncomfortable due to the ages of the characters. However, anyone who enjoys someone like Stephen King should be on familiar territory with DeKeuster’s work.
DeKeuster’s first novel opens with a disclaimer against graphic violence, graphic sex, graphic design, and graphic use of ellipses. It follows through on all four, generally with strong effect. As someone no longer particularly familiar with the supernatural or horror genres, the book felt most similar to the works of Stephen King. Written in bite-size chapters, the work’s thriller-style pacing makes it an addictive and satisfying read.
The story is about Amy Durene, a teenage girl who slowly loses her mind while coming to grips with both adolescent pains and her empathic abilities. Not quite mind-reading, Amy’s empathy allows the emotions of others to impact her mental and emotional state. Discovering what Amy can, and cannot, do with her empathic abilities—and their consequences—is a major portion of the novel.
What makes this story horror—as opposed to paranormal romance—are those consequences. DeKeuster’s careful attention and effort in writing this book shone through brightly when Amy was at her darkest. As her psyche begins to unravel, it’s clear that Amy’s empathy isn’t a superpower.
It’s a nightmare.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who reads horror, especially if they also like a side of romance. The Spiral is definitely a horror story, but the romance elements form an important part of the story. It does flirt with the “sex scene or erotica?” line, which may make some readers uncomfortable due to the ages of the characters. However, anyone who enjoys someone like Stephen King should be on familiar territory with DeKeuster’s work.
May 28, 2022
Great Book- Not For The Faint Of Heart...
Warning, don’t read if you faint at the sight of blood… I didn’t know what to expect, I don’t usually like horror books (because I can visualize the scene too well also) but the words Paranormal Horror drew me in! This wasn’t going to be the same old gruesome book about murder that I don’t particularly enjoy- it was going to be something unexplained- and a horror! Nikki, the author, did an amazing job painting the scene, so well in fact, that I could imagine every sight, sound, taste and emotion, and let me tell you, some of it was hard to stomach! Unexpected twists and events both surprised and shocked me. One thing is for certain, I would not want to be Amy (the main character) or inside Nikki’s head! Great job, Nikki! Warning- Mature content, graphic descriptions and themes.
Warning, don’t read if you faint at the sight of blood… I didn’t know what to expect, I don’t usually like horror books (because I can visualize the scene too well also) but the words Paranormal Horror drew me in! This wasn’t going to be the same old gruesome book about murder that I don’t particularly enjoy- it was going to be something unexplained- and a horror! Nikki, the author, did an amazing job painting the scene, so well in fact, that I could imagine every sight, sound, taste and emotion, and let me tell you, some of it was hard to stomach! Unexpected twists and events both surprised and shocked me. One thing is for certain, I would not want to be Amy (the main character) or inside Nikki’s head! Great job, Nikki! Warning- Mature content, graphic descriptions and themes.
December 6, 2021
Bittersweet Empathy: The Spiral By:Nikki DeKeuster.i really enjoy this horror novel and I usually don't read horror novel since sometimes you can't get into but this book was great and I love even with twisted. I like how we get to know the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2021
Wow...fricken fantastic!
June 23, 2022
This book was unexpected. It leads you to believe it is one thing, but then it turns out to be something else, and not in a bad way. I cannot wait for the rest to come out to see what Amy gets herself into next.
December 2, 2021
Soulfully layered. This story is so immersive you don't really have to love the genre to get sucked in. But if paranormal horror is your thing this fresh witty take definitely delivers. The characters are complicated and multidimensional, there is a depth to their interactions that is beautiful and tragic all at once. They stay with you. Absolutely brilliant.
December 16, 2021
I was given this book to read in order to give an honest review.
The rollercoaster in which this book takes you on encompasses confusion, intrigue and a splattering of psychological thrill.
For me, it took a few chapters to really settle into the story being told. At some points, I felt like I was reading the journal or a 30 something woman, learning and coming to terms of her new found ability. In other moments, you're pulled back to the 15-17 year old high school student coming to age before your very eyes.
You do feel like you're on this confusing journey with Amy Durene as you're never really sure what is exactly going on until later in the book. Then things start to fall into place. As Amy makes sense of things, so do you.
The twists and turns of the story make you grip to the edge of the pages, excited to read the next.
The intrigue comes to wanting to know what comes next! Where does the story of Amy lead you? Do we try and work it out, or do we live with the wonder and wait?
If you're looking for a book that doesn't follow the normal writing path, but has the plot twists and blind siding smacks, then this is the book for you.
The rollercoaster in which this book takes you on encompasses confusion, intrigue and a splattering of psychological thrill.
For me, it took a few chapters to really settle into the story being told. At some points, I felt like I was reading the journal or a 30 something woman, learning and coming to terms of her new found ability. In other moments, you're pulled back to the 15-17 year old high school student coming to age before your very eyes.
You do feel like you're on this confusing journey with Amy Durene as you're never really sure what is exactly going on until later in the book. Then things start to fall into place. As Amy makes sense of things, so do you.
The twists and turns of the story make you grip to the edge of the pages, excited to read the next.
The intrigue comes to wanting to know what comes next! Where does the story of Amy lead you? Do we try and work it out, or do we live with the wonder and wait?
If you're looking for a book that doesn't follow the normal writing path, but has the plot twists and blind siding smacks, then this is the book for you.
October 15, 2022
This isn't my normal cup of tea ( or monster!) I found it rather confusing at times , but glad I kept on reading. Loved the plot and most of the characters!! I even shed a few tears, I think this story will stay with me for a long time. Thank you Nikki for sending me my copy.
November 12, 2022
Hey Nikki,
So now that I'm fully invested, I'm going to need the next book, please.
😍😊
So now that I'm fully invested, I'm going to need the next book, please.
😍😊
November 12, 2022
This is a unique story, which is hard to pull off nowadays, with interesting characters and intriguing story line.
December 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book a lot! It grabbed me and kept me engaged until the end. What I liked the most were the ways the characters were developed. There were those you loved and those you hated. …that’s good writing. The story itself has so many twists and turns I was never sure what was going to happen next.
When you get in to the first couple of chapters it reads like a young adult novel. The main characters are mid-teens who love investigating haunted things. Paranormal fiction… my personal fav! But after the introduction of one of the teens love interests you quickly realize this is NOT “young adult”… it’s way more “ADULT”! Fair warning if sex scenes make you squeamish. Over all it was a very fun read. I absolutely LOVE the paranormal storyline, however… in my opinion- some of the sex scenes felt misplaced and unnecessary for a book written with such great “story” quality.
I am totally looking forward to the continuing books in this series. I definitely recommend this as a read. For me, it was an escape into a fun, twisted and edge of my seat adventure!
When you get in to the first couple of chapters it reads like a young adult novel. The main characters are mid-teens who love investigating haunted things. Paranormal fiction… my personal fav! But after the introduction of one of the teens love interests you quickly realize this is NOT “young adult”… it’s way more “ADULT”! Fair warning if sex scenes make you squeamish. Over all it was a very fun read. I absolutely LOVE the paranormal storyline, however… in my opinion- some of the sex scenes felt misplaced and unnecessary for a book written with such great “story” quality.
I am totally looking forward to the continuing books in this series. I definitely recommend this as a read. For me, it was an escape into a fun, twisted and edge of my seat adventure!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2021
Take two teenage girls… with all their overcharged hormones… now give one of them the ability to sense all the emotions (in all their intensity) of everyone around her - now take away the off switch… I see this as a supernatural horror origin story with an evolving underlying sub-genre beneath it; bit of mystery, suspense, horror and coming of age - all woven in. From my perspective the coming of age and origin part will probably be limited to book 1 but I anticipate the ever evolving style of the sub genre to continue per each books need.
I love character driven stories, and this is one of those. Written from Amy’s perspective, the characters themselves are as evolving as a real person while staying true to themselves, even when bogged down beneath the weight of someone else’s emotional outbursts. You really feel the connections Amy has with those around her and the imppact and toll these newfound abilities are taking on them, on her psych, and on her surroundings. I look forward to seeing what Amy has in store for her in the 8 books to follow.
December 17, 2021
Oh. My. God… This book was everything and more! Each chapter was more deliciously surprising than the previous one and some of them even touched on a few of my hidden fantasies- Care to take at guess at which ones? 😉
Plus, I really loved the author’s writing style; I felt like I was there with the character the whole time. I happily give this book 5 out of 5 stars and loved reading every page!
In the words of Lestat from the movie Queen of the Damned, right after he tasted his first drop of blood, “More!”
Plus, I really loved the author’s writing style; I felt like I was there with the character the whole time. I happily give this book 5 out of 5 stars and loved reading every page!
In the words of Lestat from the movie Queen of the Damned, right after he tasted his first drop of blood, “More!”
September 9, 2024
Amazing start to a series.
A teenage supernatural drama/ thriller wouldn’t usually be in my reading list. But it was recommended to me and boy did it grab hold of me. Since it’s the first in an unfinished series I took my time with it cause I didn’t want it to end. If the series was finished I would have binged this in 2 days or less.
Nikki’s writing is excellent it grabs you by the shirt pulls you in close and never lets go. Prepare for an amazing roller coaster ride. Buy this book you won’t regret it.
A teenage supernatural drama/ thriller wouldn’t usually be in my reading list. But it was recommended to me and boy did it grab hold of me. Since it’s the first in an unfinished series I took my time with it cause I didn’t want it to end. If the series was finished I would have binged this in 2 days or less.
Nikki’s writing is excellent it grabs you by the shirt pulls you in close and never lets go. Prepare for an amazing roller coaster ride. Buy this book you won’t regret it.
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