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Bendy and the Ink Machine #3
Fade to Black: An AFK Book
An all-new original novel from the twisted world of the hit horror video game, Bendy ! Rose is excited to start her first real job at a television studio! When she arrives at the office in Manhattan, she is immediately thrown into the chaos and meets a charming man named Joey Drew. He likes her spirit and hires her as the personal assistant on his new animated Bendy television show. Rose is thrilled by the opportunity to work with Joey, and on top of that, her family is selected to be one of his “test families.” Joey has some new technology that he is experimenting with, and it may have something to do with mysterious ink. He sends a pair of 3D glasses and a brand-new television to Rose’s home, and her brother can’t wait to try them out. But the glasses may just be a little too real . . . What happens when the line between imagination and reality starts to blur? And why does Rose keep seeing Bendy everywhere she goes?
- GenresHorror
320 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2023
32 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
Adrienne Kress
32 books451 followersAdrienne Kress is a Toronto born actor and author who loves to play make-believe. She also loves hot chocolate. And cheese. Not necessarily together.
2016 saw the release of HATTER MADIGAN: Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X., an exciting collaboration with NY Times bestselling author Frank Beddor (set in the same world as his Looking Glass Wars YA books). And April 2017 she releases the first book in her new Middle Grade series: THE EXPLORERS - The Door in the Alley (Delacorte, Random House).
October 2016 her essay appeared alongside work by the likes of Margaret Atwood and Mariko Tamaki in the non-fiction anthology THE SECRET LOVES OF GEEK GIRLS (Dark Horse).
She is also the author of two other children's novels: ALEX AND THE IRONIC GENTLEMAN and TIMOTHY AND THE DRAGON'S GATE (Scholastic). And also the YA novels, THE FRIDAY SOCIETY (Steampunk Adventure from Dial Penguin, 2012) and OUTCAST (a quirky YA paranormal romance from Diversion Books, 2013).
Some more info about Adrienne: she is a theatre graduate of the Univeristy of Toronto and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in the UK. Published around the world, ALEX was featured in the New York Post as a "Post Potter Pick," as well as on the CBS early show. It won the Heart of Hawick Children's Book Award in the UK and was nominated for the Red Cedar. The sequel, TIMOTHY, was nominated for the Audie, Red Cedar and Manitoba Young Readers Choice Awards, and was recently optioned for film. THE FRIDAY SOCIETY was nominated for a Quill Award, and has been optioned for television.
Oh, and the German title for ALEX is:
DIE HALSUBERKOPFUNDKRAGENDRAMATISCHABENTEUERLICHE KATASTROPHENEXPEDITION DER ALEX MORNINGSIDE.
No.
Seriously.
Find her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrienneKress
On Instagram:
https://instagram.com/AdrienneKress
And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrien...
2016 saw the release of HATTER MADIGAN: Ghost in the H.A.T.B.O.X., an exciting collaboration with NY Times bestselling author Frank Beddor (set in the same world as his Looking Glass Wars YA books). And April 2017 she releases the first book in her new Middle Grade series: THE EXPLORERS - The Door in the Alley (Delacorte, Random House).
October 2016 her essay appeared alongside work by the likes of Margaret Atwood and Mariko Tamaki in the non-fiction anthology THE SECRET LOVES OF GEEK GIRLS (Dark Horse).
She is also the author of two other children's novels: ALEX AND THE IRONIC GENTLEMAN and TIMOTHY AND THE DRAGON'S GATE (Scholastic). And also the YA novels, THE FRIDAY SOCIETY (Steampunk Adventure from Dial Penguin, 2012) and OUTCAST (a quirky YA paranormal romance from Diversion Books, 2013).
Some more info about Adrienne: she is a theatre graduate of the Univeristy of Toronto and London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts in the UK. Published around the world, ALEX was featured in the New York Post as a "Post Potter Pick," as well as on the CBS early show. It won the Heart of Hawick Children's Book Award in the UK and was nominated for the Red Cedar. The sequel, TIMOTHY, was nominated for the Audie, Red Cedar and Manitoba Young Readers Choice Awards, and was recently optioned for film. THE FRIDAY SOCIETY was nominated for a Quill Award, and has been optioned for television.
Oh, and the German title for ALEX is:
DIE HALSUBERKOPFUNDKRAGENDRAMATISCHABENTEUERLICHE KATASTROPHENEXPEDITION DER ALEX MORNINGSIDE.
No.
Seriously.
Find her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AdrienneKress
On Instagram:
https://instagram.com/AdrienneKress
And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Adrien...
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 1, 2025
Summary:
Rose is excited to start her first real job at a television studio! When she arrives at the office in Manhattan, she is immediately thrown into the chaos and meets a charming man named Joey Drew. He likes her spirit and hires her as the personal assistant on his new animated Bendy television show.
My thoughts:
This book is just amazing!
I definitely think that this book is not just for kids, adults will definitely love it just as much as they would.
Honestly my favourite character was definitely hands down Evan! 🔥I loved him a lot. he is a definite hands down amazing character.
Seriously loved and highly recommend to all who absolutely loved the games!
The way it was written was so unique and I loved it the writing was brilliant and I did in a way understand the character especially about the dark.
Rose is excited to start her first real job at a television studio! When she arrives at the office in Manhattan, she is immediately thrown into the chaos and meets a charming man named Joey Drew. He likes her spirit and hires her as the personal assistant on his new animated Bendy television show.
My thoughts:
This book is just amazing!
I definitely think that this book is not just for kids, adults will definitely love it just as much as they would.
Honestly my favourite character was definitely hands down Evan! 🔥I loved him a lot. he is a definite hands down amazing character.
Seriously loved and highly recommend to all who absolutely loved the games!
The way it was written was so unique and I loved it the writing was brilliant and I did in a way understand the character especially about the dark.
January 2, 2024
This is the best third Bendy Book I read. Another set time period, new characters, and more lore to the Bendy Universe. I love how it brings back reoccurring characters from books, the video games, and more. It was terrifying imagining myself in the book. I can’t wait to see what would the next Installment of the book would be because the ending surprise me with three words “Bendy Smiled Back” which leaves me wondering.
I am excited for the movie that coming soon and the new video game “Bendy: The Caged” would we see characters from the books? I hope so.
11/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great book.
Thank you Adrienne Kress 😁
I am excited for the movie that coming soon and the new video game “Bendy: The Caged” would we see characters from the books? I hope so.
11/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Great book.
Thank you Adrienne Kress 😁
October 3, 2023
I dote on all of Kress's work for the Bendy franchise, and this novel is no different! It remained faithful to the story of both the games and the previous books, while also adding some very fascinating new concepts.
(i am, however, in emotional shambles. beautiful work as always <3)
(i am, however, in emotional shambles. beautiful work as always <3)
November 1, 2023
I totally loved this book. Adrienne Kress did such an splendid job 🖤
February 15, 2024
Bro I was so sad when Evan died cuz like... Idk but I just felt for him. I hope that in the next book (if there is one) he somehow is involved in it like what happened with Dot from Dreams Come to Life. The ending was kinda fucked up cuz Rose was all happy she got out and shit but when she opened her eyes she saw Bendy. BENDY. THE LITERAL BITCH SHE WAS TRYNA STAY AWAY FROM.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 5, 2024
Es una obra maestra.
He disfrutado de principio a fin. Esta novela crea una claustrofobia y un terror interno sobrehumano. La autora tenía razón: es el libro más terrorífico que ha escrito hasta el momento.
Me encanta como a unido los libros, por fin en profundidad, con los juegos. Ha sido una inmersión directa a lo que he vivido estos años como fan de Bendy. ¡Una experiencia verdaderamente única!
La protagonista es adorable. Ha sido la primera vez en la saga que quería lo mejor para ella y sufría con lo malo que le ocurría (un poco como me ocurría con Henry) e insisto: ha sido tan inmersivo que aun después de horas de haberlo leído sigo dando vueltas a la narración en mi cabeza. Bendy se ha colado en mi mente... De nuevo.
Acaba de comenzar el año. Pero sin duda alguna esta será mi lectura favorita, al menos de Enero. Creo que va ha ser dificil de superar.
Nota: 10/10
He disfrutado de principio a fin. Esta novela crea una claustrofobia y un terror interno sobrehumano. La autora tenía razón: es el libro más terrorífico que ha escrito hasta el momento.
Me encanta como a unido los libros, por fin en profundidad, con los juegos. Ha sido una inmersión directa a lo que he vivido estos años como fan de Bendy. ¡Una experiencia verdaderamente única!
La protagonista es adorable. Ha sido la primera vez en la saga que quería lo mejor para ella y sufría con lo malo que le ocurría (un poco como me ocurría con Henry) e insisto: ha sido tan inmersivo que aun después de horas de haberlo leído sigo dando vueltas a la narración en mi cabeza. Bendy se ha colado en mi mente... De nuevo.
Acaba de comenzar el año. Pero sin duda alguna esta será mi lectura favorita, al menos de Enero. Creo que va ha ser dificil de superar.
Nota: 10/10
September 6, 2025
Hát ez megint egy rohadt jó könyv volt, és őszintén szólva továbbra is bőven superiornak érzem magam az FNAF fandomhoz képest. (Ez egy végtelen kicsinyes dolog, de sajnos túlságosan élvezem ahhoz, hogy abbahagyjam. Cserébe bárki meghalhat az ezzel ellentétes dombon, nem fog zavarni.)
Valószínűleg az író már nem ír többet, pedig őszintén élveztem, és nagyon érdekelne, hogy merre vinné tovább ezt az egészet, mert hogy most egy nagy játszóteret nyitott meg, sokkal nagyobbat, mint a játékok, és őszintén szólva jobban is élveztem.
Persze, a játékok az egésznek az alapja és én is szeretem őket, csak hát vannak fenntartásaim. A BATIM csavarja az például nem tetszett mert a másik Boris not my Boris, and I don't like him. Meg nem is volt megágyazva az egésznek, de most nem azért vagyok itt, hogy a játékokat elemezzem.
A lényeg, hogy abszolút más irányt vett, és ez nagyon jól állt neki, ahogy a fanservicet továbbra is nagyon elegánsan kezeli. Egyáltalán nem sok, nem megy a történet rovására, nem indokolatlan nyilvánvaló, hanem pontosan az a fajta cinkos kikacsintás, amire elvigyorodsz, hogy ha! ez nekem szólt!
Plusz visszatért egy szereplő az első kötetből, úgyhogy neki is nagyon örültem, bár nyilván először nem kapcsoltam, hogy ő kicsoda is pontosan, de hát ez már a személyes problémám, mert rossz vagyok nevekben minden téren.
A sztori maga nagyon tetszett, bár őszintén szólva teljesen összezavarodtam, hogy 3D filmekről beszélnek, mert hát nyilván nem volt meg ahhoz a fajta 3D-hez amivel én találkozhatok a modern mozikban, de aztán csak elfogadtam és betudtam afféle irói szabadságnak, egészen most, a vélemény írásáig amikor rákerestem, hogy akkor ez mi a helyzet, és kiderült, hogy egész korán elkezdtek a 3D technológiával kísérletezni a filmiparban. Szóval az író megint egy kis történelmet adott nekem, ugyanúgy, mint az előző könyvben a horse divinggal kapcsolatban. Fogalmam sincs, hogy mit ír még az író, de tőle pl szívesen olvasnék bármi történelmi dolgot.
De hogy a 3D és a televizió elterjedése nagyon jó alapot adott az egésznek és nagyon jól játszott vele, és az, hogy gyakorlatilag feltaláltuk a VR horrort, az külön megmelengette a szívemet. Új szintre emelte Bendyt, és nagyon érdekelne, hogy innen hova lehetne még tovább menni, főleg úgy, hogy közben a tintadimenzió is fejlesztve lett. Annyi lehetőség van itt még, hát sírva fakadok. (Vagy írok egy ficit, még eldöntöm.)
Illetve a loret is bővitettük, és őszintén jó volt látni, hogy a Tintagép maga is kapott némi hátteret, és megtudtuk, hogy kik építették, és ezzel együtt a Gent afféle baljós árnyékként lurkol a háttérben. Persze, Joey Drew a fő seggfej, de hogy a Gent is ott van a háttérben, és mossa a vért a kezéről.
Ha pedig már Joey Drew, uramég, hogy én mennyire szerettem volna, hogyha Rose belelöki fejjel előre egy ipari iratmegsemmisítőbe! A hangulatváltozásai, az, hogy mennyire megnyerő tudott lenni, miközben egy szemernyi szimpátia se szorult belé, és hogy előadja magáról, hogy mennyire zseni miközben csak egy üzletember, aki nem nézi, hogy kit és mit tipor el. Nagyon hitelesen volt ábrázolva, utáltam is végig, és az, hogy nem siette el azt, hogy felépítse a személyiségét és megágyazzon a végkifejletnek.
A Rose-val való kapcsolata meg olyan tökéletes és érdekes sith mester és tanítvány kapcsolat lehetne, hogy sírni támad kedvem. Főleg hogy Rose maga is egy nagyon érdekes sith lehetne. Az állandó happy-go-lucky személyisége alatt rengeteg felelősségérzet, megfelelési kényszer, a sötétebb érzelmei elfolytása rejtőzik, és hogy egy percig se gondol magára, mert mindig a környezetére figyel, hogy hol van szükség rá, és hogy elsimítsa a dolgokat, de közben magával kapcsolatban meg nulla tudása van, plusz gyakorlatilag egy harmadik szülő az öccse mellett, nem pedig a testvére. (Nagyon cuki a kapcsolatuk, de lássuk be: egyetlen valódi testvér se viselkedik így a másik tesóval.) És ez is olyan jól volt felépítve! Ahogy először csak ezt az abszolút pozitiv oldalát látjuk, majd szépen lassan bontakozik ki, és mutatja meg, hogy valójában mennyi sebe és nehézsége is van.
És az a tény, ahogy ezt Joey kihasználja! Bevallom, felerészt drukkoltam, hogy Rose átálljon teljesen a Sötét Oldalra, és úgy lökje bele Joeyt egy kéznél lévő darálóba, mert mint mondottam: nagyon érdekes sith mester és tanítvány kapcsolatot lehetne ebből kihozni.
Persze azért örültem, hogy Rose, meg a kisöccse is megúszta az egészet, bár azért a vége nem lett csupa nevetés és szivárvány. Kicsit néztem is, hogy wtf, nem jutottak ki a tintadimenzióból? De aztán rájöttem, hogy egész egyszerűen csak nem szabadultak meg onnan, úgyhogy végül is ütött a vége ennek is.
És Rose abszolút megérte a pénzét, bár bevallom néhányszor át akartam harapni a nyomásmérőt, mikor nem hitte el, hogy a bizarr dolgok tényleg megtörténnek, és azt hajtogatta, hogy "It's not real". Nem volt mindig a legélesebb kés a fiókban, na.
Meg az a tény, hogy a support karakterekkel mindenféle eszköz és lámpa nélkül mentek szétverni a Tintagépet, hát arra csak a szememet forgattam. Nem is tudom mire számítottak, hogyha nem lett volna ott Evan (??? i guess, nem feltétlen emlékszem nevekre), meg az ő csavarkulcsa, akkor tuti meg lettek volna lőve.
Az egyetlen problémám az egésszel, hogy nem lett kifejtve, hogy miként működnek a tévék és a szemüvegek egész pontosan, illetve, hogy mi a fene volt az a jelenet a könyvtárban. Annak így mi volt a lényege?
De ezek csak apróságok, és nem vettek el az egészből.
Nagyon élveztem az egészet, és őszintén sajnálom, hogy nincs már több könyv.
Valószínűleg az író már nem ír többet, pedig őszintén élveztem, és nagyon érdekelne, hogy merre vinné tovább ezt az egészet, mert hogy most egy nagy játszóteret nyitott meg, sokkal nagyobbat, mint a játékok, és őszintén szólva jobban is élveztem.
Persze, a játékok az egésznek az alapja és én is szeretem őket, csak hát vannak fenntartásaim. A BATIM csavarja az például nem tetszett mert a másik Boris not my Boris, and I don't like him. Meg nem is volt megágyazva az egésznek, de most nem azért vagyok itt, hogy a játékokat elemezzem.
A lényeg, hogy abszolút más irányt vett, és ez nagyon jól állt neki, ahogy a fanservicet továbbra is nagyon elegánsan kezeli. Egyáltalán nem sok, nem megy a történet rovására, nem indokolatlan nyilvánvaló, hanem pontosan az a fajta cinkos kikacsintás, amire elvigyorodsz, hogy ha! ez nekem szólt!
Plusz visszatért egy szereplő az első kötetből, úgyhogy neki is nagyon örültem, bár nyilván először nem kapcsoltam, hogy ő kicsoda is pontosan, de hát ez már a személyes problémám, mert rossz vagyok nevekben minden téren.
A sztori maga nagyon tetszett, bár őszintén szólva teljesen összezavarodtam, hogy 3D filmekről beszélnek, mert hát nyilván nem volt meg ahhoz a fajta 3D-hez amivel én találkozhatok a modern mozikban, de aztán csak elfogadtam és betudtam afféle irói szabadságnak, egészen most, a vélemény írásáig amikor rákerestem, hogy akkor ez mi a helyzet, és kiderült, hogy egész korán elkezdtek a 3D technológiával kísérletezni a filmiparban. Szóval az író megint egy kis történelmet adott nekem, ugyanúgy, mint az előző könyvben a horse divinggal kapcsolatban. Fogalmam sincs, hogy mit ír még az író, de tőle pl szívesen olvasnék bármi történelmi dolgot.
De hogy a 3D és a televizió elterjedése nagyon jó alapot adott az egésznek és nagyon jól játszott vele, és az, hogy gyakorlatilag feltaláltuk a VR horrort, az külön megmelengette a szívemet. Új szintre emelte Bendyt, és nagyon érdekelne, hogy innen hova lehetne még tovább menni, főleg úgy, hogy közben a tintadimenzió is fejlesztve lett. Annyi lehetőség van itt még, hát sírva fakadok. (Vagy írok egy ficit, még eldöntöm.)
Illetve a loret is bővitettük, és őszintén jó volt látni, hogy a Tintagép maga is kapott némi hátteret, és megtudtuk, hogy kik építették, és ezzel együtt a Gent afféle baljós árnyékként lurkol a háttérben. Persze, Joey Drew a fő seggfej, de hogy a Gent is ott van a háttérben, és mossa a vért a kezéről.
Ha pedig már Joey Drew, uramég, hogy én mennyire szerettem volna, hogyha Rose belelöki fejjel előre egy ipari iratmegsemmisítőbe! A hangulatváltozásai, az, hogy mennyire megnyerő tudott lenni, miközben egy szemernyi szimpátia se szorult belé, és hogy előadja magáról, hogy mennyire zseni miközben csak egy üzletember, aki nem nézi, hogy kit és mit tipor el. Nagyon hitelesen volt ábrázolva, utáltam is végig, és az, hogy nem siette el azt, hogy felépítse a személyiségét és megágyazzon a végkifejletnek.
A Rose-val való kapcsolata meg olyan tökéletes és érdekes sith mester és tanítvány kapcsolat lehetne, hogy sírni támad kedvem. Főleg hogy Rose maga is egy nagyon érdekes sith lehetne. Az állandó happy-go-lucky személyisége alatt rengeteg felelősségérzet, megfelelési kényszer, a sötétebb érzelmei elfolytása rejtőzik, és hogy egy percig se gondol magára, mert mindig a környezetére figyel, hogy hol van szükség rá, és hogy elsimítsa a dolgokat, de közben magával kapcsolatban meg nulla tudása van, plusz gyakorlatilag egy harmadik szülő az öccse mellett, nem pedig a testvére. (Nagyon cuki a kapcsolatuk, de lássuk be: egyetlen valódi testvér se viselkedik így a másik tesóval.) És ez is olyan jól volt felépítve! Ahogy először csak ezt az abszolút pozitiv oldalát látjuk, majd szépen lassan bontakozik ki, és mutatja meg, hogy valójában mennyi sebe és nehézsége is van.
És az a tény, ahogy ezt Joey kihasználja! Bevallom, felerészt drukkoltam, hogy Rose átálljon teljesen a Sötét Oldalra, és úgy lökje bele Joeyt egy kéznél lévő darálóba, mert mint mondottam: nagyon érdekes sith mester és tanítvány kapcsolatot lehetne ebből kihozni.
Persze azért örültem, hogy Rose, meg a kisöccse is megúszta az egészet, bár azért a vége nem lett csupa nevetés és szivárvány. Kicsit néztem is, hogy wtf, nem jutottak ki a tintadimenzióból? De aztán rájöttem, hogy egész egyszerűen csak nem szabadultak meg onnan, úgyhogy végül is ütött a vége ennek is.
És Rose abszolút megérte a pénzét, bár bevallom néhányszor át akartam harapni a nyomásmérőt, mikor nem hitte el, hogy a bizarr dolgok tényleg megtörténnek, és azt hajtogatta, hogy "It's not real". Nem volt mindig a legélesebb kés a fiókban, na.
Meg az a tény, hogy a support karakterekkel mindenféle eszköz és lámpa nélkül mentek szétverni a Tintagépet, hát arra csak a szememet forgattam. Nem is tudom mire számítottak, hogyha nem lett volna ott Evan (??? i guess, nem feltétlen emlékszem nevekre), meg az ő csavarkulcsa, akkor tuti meg lettek volna lőve.
Az egyetlen problémám az egésszel, hogy nem lett kifejtve, hogy miként működnek a tévék és a szemüvegek egész pontosan, illetve, hogy mi a fene volt az a jelenet a könyvtárban. Annak így mi volt a lényege?
De ezek csak apróságok, és nem vettek el az egészből.
Nagyon élveztem az egészet, és őszintén sajnálom, hogy nincs már több könyv.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2025
genuinely this was my favorite out of the trilogy. I really feel like this should have been the second book and the lost ones not even be a thing and instead have a different third to replace it.
having said that it's not without it's issues. the main thing is that it needed a once over with an editor. there are plenty of lines that needed to be either omitted or reworked. a lot of lines were repetitive and I wonder if that was just to bump up the word count. it also has the same issue like the other 2 in that there's so much telling instead of showing. characters saying outright how they feel etc.
unlike the protagonists in the lost ones, rose genuinely had a narrative voice but I don't know if she came off the way the author wanted her to. she definitely has some kind of mental health problem, for sure cptsd. I'm wondering if this was intended as another character does explicitly tell her that she is very different.
I loved that there was a call back to the first book with dot, however it does not pass the bechdel test. the scene with evens and the machine would have been more impactful otherwise as it mimics dot and buddy. I really wish there was more call backs, such as bill, constance and brent being in the cartoon world or some references to them when rose and her brother are there.
loved the battle with the projectionist and the ink demon. a nice little nod to the first game.
I felt Joey's protryal in this was lacking. he was perfect in the first book. in the third just having him be inexplicably nasty at the end was odd. there was kind of a build up but at the end he had none of the signature showmanship he has had up until that point. also, the fact that he didn't have a reason for creating the cartoon world in the first place was such a strange decision and didn't feel well thought out and natural.
there were some plot issues I had with the book that wildly through me out of the story. such as evens and rose just leaving when Joey is having a fit and spending probably an hour at a cafe when they're supposed to be at work. workers given the day off and rose not getting this memo. the whole scene with the ink machine, Joey and rose. why and how escaping the cartoon world only works in the fake studio. why is Allison in every book when she doesn't need to be. rose doesn't know steven or his receptionist yet they treat her weirdly kindly, he even giving her the master key with out wondering why she needs it. Papa just complying with Joey to have her be his assistant instead on literally the second day. I can go on but it really just is a bunch of little things that probably would have been caught in editing.
overall though I didn't find this at all scary. it felt too much like a mid creepypasta. especially when it came to the cartoon world. I was literally laughing at some points because all I would think of was vrchat and how pervasive this already is in the real world. to the point that there was worlds made specifically for sleeping in. this whole story could of been changed to someone getting caught in a VR world with a cursed headset or something.
having said that it's not without it's issues. the main thing is that it needed a once over with an editor. there are plenty of lines that needed to be either omitted or reworked. a lot of lines were repetitive and I wonder if that was just to bump up the word count. it also has the same issue like the other 2 in that there's so much telling instead of showing. characters saying outright how they feel etc.
unlike the protagonists in the lost ones, rose genuinely had a narrative voice but I don't know if she came off the way the author wanted her to. she definitely has some kind of mental health problem, for sure cptsd. I'm wondering if this was intended as another character does explicitly tell her that she is very different.
I loved that there was a call back to the first book with dot, however it does not pass the bechdel test. the scene with evens and the machine would have been more impactful otherwise as it mimics dot and buddy. I really wish there was more call backs, such as bill, constance and brent being in the cartoon world or some references to them when rose and her brother are there.
loved the battle with the projectionist and the ink demon. a nice little nod to the first game.
I felt Joey's protryal in this was lacking. he was perfect in the first book. in the third just having him be inexplicably nasty at the end was odd. there was kind of a build up but at the end he had none of the signature showmanship he has had up until that point. also, the fact that he didn't have a reason for creating the cartoon world in the first place was such a strange decision and didn't feel well thought out and natural.
there were some plot issues I had with the book that wildly through me out of the story. such as evens and rose just leaving when Joey is having a fit and spending probably an hour at a cafe when they're supposed to be at work. workers given the day off and rose not getting this memo. the whole scene with the ink machine, Joey and rose. why and how escaping the cartoon world only works in the fake studio. why is Allison in every book when she doesn't need to be. rose doesn't know steven or his receptionist yet they treat her weirdly kindly, he even giving her the master key with out wondering why she needs it. Papa just complying with Joey to have her be his assistant instead on literally the second day. I can go on but it really just is a bunch of little things that probably would have been caught in editing.
overall though I didn't find this at all scary. it felt too much like a mid creepypasta. especially when it came to the cartoon world. I was literally laughing at some points because all I would think of was vrchat and how pervasive this already is in the real world. to the point that there was worlds made specifically for sleeping in. this whole story could of been changed to someone getting caught in a VR world with a cursed headset or something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2025
Fade to Black is the third novel in the Bendy franchise not counting the meta book The Illusion of Living.
Author Adrienne Kress does another fantastic job of creating a tension driven story with a historical setting. As with the previous novels the action if Fade to Black starts off pretty slow letting you really get to know and care about the characters. This isn't a problem if you are someone who also enjoys reading historical fiction. For those of you who are just here for the Bendy lore, stick it out, your patience will be rewarded.
Fade to Black is the book that this franchise has been waiting for. It has lore elements from both videogames as well as a returning character from Dreams Come to Life.
The final five or so chapter is where the book really shines though as we finally get the origin story for The Ink world and a youtuber cameo character saves the day.
Author Adrienne Kress does another fantastic job of creating a tension driven story with a historical setting. As with the previous novels the action if Fade to Black starts off pretty slow letting you really get to know and care about the characters. This isn't a problem if you are someone who also enjoys reading historical fiction. For those of you who are just here for the Bendy lore, stick it out, your patience will be rewarded.
Fade to Black is the book that this franchise has been waiting for. It has lore elements from both videogames as well as a returning character from Dreams Come to Life.
The final five or so chapter is where the book really shines though as we finally get the origin story for The Ink world and a youtuber cameo character saves the day.
April 28, 2024
This is my favorite of the 3 (I think it's 3) Bendy books. I'm not fully sure why, other than I like how much of a world building this story seemed to be. It's also 'entertaining' to see how intense yet weird Joey Drew has become within this story.
Having old characters come back, mentioning Joey's memoir (which is a real thing you can read if interested) was a great tie in, and seeing how intense the 'ink world' is being created through this was such an interesting take. The technology being used it a curious take on '3D glasses' but in a way that I can go along with. After all, we have beings made of ink walking around, it can't get any stranger than that.
Right?
Enjoyable read, love the characters, this was just a fun ride.
Having old characters come back, mentioning Joey's memoir (which is a real thing you can read if interested) was a great tie in, and seeing how intense the 'ink world' is being created through this was such an interesting take. The technology being used it a curious take on '3D glasses' but in a way that I can go along with. After all, we have beings made of ink walking around, it can't get any stranger than that.
Right?
Enjoyable read, love the characters, this was just a fun ride.
October 25, 2023
Drawing on elements of Bendy & The Dark Revival as well as Kress' previous novels, Fade To Black is probably the closest you're going to get to a happy ending for a Bendy protagonist, and that's saying something. Tension seeps into the pages like spilled ink, and the parallels between protagonist Rose's predicament with her father and the way in which Bendy makes his way into her life is very well realised.
November 19, 2024
Продовження першої частини (друга картонна та нецікава, тому вважаю її за бонусом) й остання книга трилогії. Цікавий сюжет, враховуючи що це книга 12+, тобто є про що подумати, але тем піднято не так багато. Англійська проста, тому рекомендую не боятися читати в оригіналі. Дії та характер персонажів реальні, не викликали якогось дисонансу, окрім кінця. В цілому мені сподобалось, але перша частина була краща, тому 4
October 19, 2023
This novel is the first one in the Bendy series where I actually started to understand just how exactly these novels relate to the overall plot in the game series. I also appreciated the tie-ins to the previous novels published. Adrienne Kress does a great job of making these stories feel relevant to the overall Bendy world and lore.
If you’re a fan of the games, you’ll enjoy this!
If you’re a fan of the games, you’ll enjoy this!
January 5, 2024
Probably the best Bendy book yet. Not only is it a great Bendy book but just a good book in general; great atmosphere and mood. The prose was good as well, I felt. I literally couldn't put this book down. I love the way the characters are handled, especially Joey and Rose. The way Joey seems to command the atmosphere of the room according to his very tempestuous mood made for some good scares.
October 3, 2023
A fantastic addition to the Bendy universe. Gives us so much more on the lore and how the world works, a great group of both new and returning cast. This book was great and a must-read for any Bendy fan.
January 5, 2024
It is a good book in general. My favorite part is the end because it can be actually scary in real life. The only reason it lost a star is because, sometimes, it is confusing. I also am not the biggest fan of the ending because it is a plot twist, kind of where Bendy is still there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2024
7/10
I enjoyed this more than I expected. I found the narrator's voice got on my nerves a bit, especially at the beginning, but there were some genuinely creepy scenes in this, and the concept worked better than I expected. I also enjoyed the grumpy characters.
I enjoyed this more than I expected. I found the narrator's voice got on my nerves a bit, especially at the beginning, but there were some genuinely creepy scenes in this, and the concept worked better than I expected. I also enjoyed the grumpy characters.
May 22, 2024
I liked it, the pacing was really done well. And the ending was so good!
I didn’t really relate to the main character as much as I did to the main characters in faded ones, but I still understood Rose.
ALSO WHAT HAPPENS TO OLLIE IS INSANE.
I didn’t really relate to the main character as much as I did to the main characters in faded ones, but I still understood Rose.
ALSO WHAT HAPPENS TO OLLIE IS INSANE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2024
Wonderful 2nd person beginning, which pulled me right in. I hadn't read any of the previous Bendy books but I didn't find it was a problem: this works as a stand-alone story. Recommended.
Full disclosure: I know Adrienne Kress, but that has not coloured this review in any way.
Full disclosure: I know Adrienne Kress, but that has not coloured this review in any way.
October 5, 2023
This is amazing. Masterpiece
March 22, 2024
I loved this book, it perfectly brings together all the previous books and both games.
June 9, 2024
I loved this book a great continuation to the other books while still being its own book
June 13, 2025
it was an okay book... it took me a while to read is it was not my favorite, I have really high standards for horror, and I needed to be in the right mood to read it.
November 26, 2024
So bendy fade to black it’s the definition for mediocre for bendy books the time period and characters were the same as dreams come true but I don’t know why I don’t like it as much there’s nothing really special about it to talk about out it’s fine tho read it if you want idk I can’t think of anything 5/10
September 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this one! I loved the involvement of Rose’s brother Ollie! It was a neat take on what Joey “did next”. I can’t believe the ending! We definitely need another book!
July 5, 2024
WE ARE SO BACK.
The Lost Ones kinda fumbled the bag but GOD IF THIS ONE DIDN’T BRING US RIGHT BACK AROUND. This book is genuinely suspenseful, I was so shocked?? Like oh my god I felt like I was reading a thriller. Transported me to a different world altogether and wonderfully serves as a display of how far the Joey Drew empire has fallen since its conception. Rose is a fantastic character, and my jaw hit the goddamn FLOOR when my favourite character from the first novel appeared again, years later with buckets of survivors guilt and angst to throw around. Feels like the true sequel to Dreams Come to Life. (Also hearing Kress read one of the chapters out loud before a signing actually changed the trajectory of my life thank you Adrienne)
The Lost Ones kinda fumbled the bag but GOD IF THIS ONE DIDN’T BRING US RIGHT BACK AROUND. This book is genuinely suspenseful, I was so shocked?? Like oh my god I felt like I was reading a thriller. Transported me to a different world altogether and wonderfully serves as a display of how far the Joey Drew empire has fallen since its conception. Rose is a fantastic character, and my jaw hit the goddamn FLOOR when my favourite character from the first novel appeared again, years later with buckets of survivors guilt and angst to throw around. Feels like the true sequel to Dreams Come to Life. (Also hearing Kress read one of the chapters out loud before a signing actually changed the trajectory of my life thank you Adrienne)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2024
I loved the first two books so I was so excited to be able to read this one. I will say though it is hard to put away because I had to find out what was going to happen so it took me about a day to read. It has an unexpected ending though just to be warning you and the game and books are now tied together in a way.
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