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Reconstructing a Relationship
Drew and Terry while out on a date suffer a terrible car accident. The boyfriend dies, but the girlfriend survives. Desperate to be with her love once more, Terry steals Drew’s brain from the morgue and escapes the hospital. She’s determined to bring him back, by any means necessary.
Through years of reading ancient books, learning forgotten languages, and drawing symbols she cannot comprehend, Terry successfully gets what she wants… And, what she deserves.
Through years of reading ancient books, learning forgotten languages, and drawing symbols she cannot comprehend, Terry successfully gets what she wants… And, what she deserves.
68 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2022
4 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
About the author
Micah Castle
42 books116 followersMicah Castle is a weird fiction and horror writer. He's an author of multiple books, and his stories have appeared in various magazines, websites, and anthologies.
While away from the keyboard, he enjoys spending time with his wife, playing with his animals, spending hours in the woods, and can typically be found reading a book or writing somewhere in his Pennsylvania home.
While away from the keyboard, he enjoys spending time with his wife, playing with his animals, spending hours in the woods, and can typically be found reading a book or writing somewhere in his Pennsylvania home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
June 4, 2024
Okkkkkk I did not see the twist in this story coming at all!! Holy smokes it got me good! My jaw was hanging to the floor haha.
Terry is truly reconstructing her relationship as she rebuilds her boyfriend after a tragic accident. He’s her soulmate after all… she’ll do anything for Drew…
This was short and sweet, creepy and crazy! It’ll definitely throw readers for a loop. I enjoyed reading about Terry collecting the items she needs, it showed how delusional and ruthless she was willing to be.
Terry is truly reconstructing her relationship as she rebuilds her boyfriend after a tragic accident. He’s her soulmate after all… she’ll do anything for Drew…
This was short and sweet, creepy and crazy! It’ll definitely throw readers for a loop. I enjoyed reading about Terry collecting the items she needs, it showed how delusional and ruthless she was willing to be.
January 21, 2023
A 5 star fast-paced chilling horror novella
It's easy to see why this one has been getting so many great reviews. While this one might have been my first read by this author, it certainly won't be my last. This chilling and gruesome horror novella will suck you in and leave you wanting more by this author. At around 68 pages, the author offers up an astounding amount of story telling including some shocking twists and turns in so few pages. The story is fast paced and you will find the pages flying by at a rapid rate. This one was alot of fun to read and I'm excited to read more by this author.
Thank you to Micah Castle for gifting me a copy of this one.
It's easy to see why this one has been getting so many great reviews. While this one might have been my first read by this author, it certainly won't be my last. This chilling and gruesome horror novella will suck you in and leave you wanting more by this author. At around 68 pages, the author offers up an astounding amount of story telling including some shocking twists and turns in so few pages. The story is fast paced and you will find the pages flying by at a rapid rate. This one was alot of fun to read and I'm excited to read more by this author.
Thank you to Micah Castle for gifting me a copy of this one.
August 9, 2022
Terry meets the love of her life at Gort’s Bar. Shortly after, tragedy strikes, and she loses Drew in an accident. She can’t have this. She wants no, she needs Drew back, and goes to great lengths to make this happen. Unfortunately, things didn’t go entirely as she planned.
I flew through this in no time. The story was so gripping, I had to know what was coming next. Part One focuses on Terry’s POV and how much she is willing to risk bringing Drew back. Castle makes it so you sympathize with her even though she’s nuts, and you think, aww, she really loves Drew. Warm fuzzies, right? Then comes Part Two, where the unexpected is revealed. This twist changes everything! Castle did a brilliant job with this from beginning to end.
I flew through this in no time. The story was so gripping, I had to know what was coming next. Part One focuses on Terry’s POV and how much she is willing to risk bringing Drew back. Castle makes it so you sympathize with her even though she’s nuts, and you think, aww, she really loves Drew. Warm fuzzies, right? Then comes Part Two, where the unexpected is revealed. This twist changes everything! Castle did a brilliant job with this from beginning to end.
October 24, 2022
Drew and Terry suffer a terrible car accident: he dies, but Terry survives. She doesn't accept the tragic end of her relationship and, fueled by anger and desperation, she's determined to do whatever it takes to have Drew back in her life.
Reconstructing a Relationship is a horror novelette that I had the pleasure to receive from the author Micah Castle. It's less than 100 pages, so a quick read, but it definitely left a mark!
I went in almost blind, I did read the blurb but somehow in my head I expected this to be a story about desperate love... well it's not that! And I was so surprised and creeped out by all the twists and turns of this story, I was hooked since page one. I particularly liked the second half of the story, which is when the reader finally sees the whole picture and can enjoy all the horror which surrounds the relationship of Terry and Drew.
The writing style is really good, which is why I'll probably read more of this author; the first person narration, of which I'm not usually a fan, works perfectly fine in this case. Both characters are well developed and I have to say, I really loved how the author completely flipped the idea I had of one of them to the complete opposite (I don't want to spoil it so I won't reveal more). The only reason why this story is not a 5 star read is the ending: it's good, don't get me wrong, but it's a bit flat compared to the rest, a bit predictable.
Still, Reconstructing a Relationship is a great read, perfect for spooky season, horror readers and short stories lovers!
Reconstructing a Relationship is a horror novelette that I had the pleasure to receive from the author Micah Castle. It's less than 100 pages, so a quick read, but it definitely left a mark!
I went in almost blind, I did read the blurb but somehow in my head I expected this to be a story about desperate love... well it's not that! And I was so surprised and creeped out by all the twists and turns of this story, I was hooked since page one. I particularly liked the second half of the story, which is when the reader finally sees the whole picture and can enjoy all the horror which surrounds the relationship of Terry and Drew.
The writing style is really good, which is why I'll probably read more of this author; the first person narration, of which I'm not usually a fan, works perfectly fine in this case. Both characters are well developed and I have to say, I really loved how the author completely flipped the idea I had of one of them to the complete opposite (I don't want to spoil it so I won't reveal more). The only reason why this story is not a 5 star read is the ending: it's good, don't get me wrong, but it's a bit flat compared to the rest, a bit predictable.
Still, Reconstructing a Relationship is a great read, perfect for spooky season, horror readers and short stories lovers!
March 14, 2023
Who doesn't like a good Frankenstein novella? Especially one that is written via stream of consciousness? Thank you to Michah Castle for the copy in exchange for an honest review :)
Told in two perspectives, this is the story of Terry who loves Drew. Drew is dead. Terry can fix that. The thing is, has anyone asked Drew what he wants?
It was a very entertaining, quick read that gave me more than a few 'a-ha' moments. It came together well, and gave me that no-no feeling multiple times.
If you like your novellas quick and to the point with the horror building, this is for you.
Told in two perspectives, this is the story of Terry who loves Drew. Drew is dead. Terry can fix that. The thing is, has anyone asked Drew what he wants?
It was a very entertaining, quick read that gave me more than a few 'a-ha' moments. It came together well, and gave me that no-no feeling multiple times.
If you like your novellas quick and to the point with the horror building, this is for you.
August 31, 2023
Okay, am I biased? Yes.
Is this my typical read? No.
Did I enjoy the fuck out of it? Yes.
What a creepy twisted short story.
Edit: Listening to the audiobook this time. 8/31/2023
The audiobook narration was excellent. I was shocked for being an indie publisher/author that it was so well done.
Is this my typical read? No.
Did I enjoy the fuck out of it? Yes.
What a creepy twisted short story.
Edit: Listening to the audiobook this time. 8/31/2023
The audiobook narration was excellent. I was shocked for being an indie publisher/author that it was so well done.
August 11, 2022
Love knows no bounds, not even death. After a devastating car accident kills Drew on impact, his girlfriend Terry refuses to let go, instead stealing the only part of him left intact. Using ancient spells and body parts stolen from the living and the dead, Terry cheats death and brings back her beloved.
This has got to be one of my favorite horror tropes, and it was done so freaking well. I didn’t want to put this book down, so I ended up finishing it in one whole sitting! Micah Castle took the best parts of movies like Reanimator and Frankenhooker and added his own twist that really made the story pop. Splitting the book up into two parts, each from the point of view of either Terry or Drew was perfect, I loved reading about how both of them really felt about each other.
The book surprised me by going in a completely different direction than what I had first anticipated. Looking back after finishing it, little hints were sprinkled into the first half that really foreshadowed the true nature of the book. Castle did a superb job of hiding the truth about this book in plain site. It’s so rare for me to find a book I want to read more than once, but this is one of those books that you can read multiple times and get an entirely different experience from on your second visit. That alone is a huge statement about the talent Castle has with his storytelling.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a short book that you won’t be able to put down once you pick it up.
This has got to be one of my favorite horror tropes, and it was done so freaking well. I didn’t want to put this book down, so I ended up finishing it in one whole sitting! Micah Castle took the best parts of movies like Reanimator and Frankenhooker and added his own twist that really made the story pop. Splitting the book up into two parts, each from the point of view of either Terry or Drew was perfect, I loved reading about how both of them really felt about each other.
The book surprised me by going in a completely different direction than what I had first anticipated. Looking back after finishing it, little hints were sprinkled into the first half that really foreshadowed the true nature of the book. Castle did a superb job of hiding the truth about this book in plain site. It’s so rare for me to find a book I want to read more than once, but this is one of those books that you can read multiple times and get an entirely different experience from on your second visit. That alone is a huge statement about the talent Castle has with his storytelling.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a short book that you won’t be able to put down once you pick it up.
August 22, 2022
Even though this story is only 68 pages long, it packs one hell of a punch! Before I get into my review, I want to let all of you know, if you read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and liked it, I highly suggest you grab Reconstructing a Relationship to sit right next to Frankenstein on your bookshelf.
Drew and Terry meet in a local bar and it is instant love at first sight for Terry. She has those bright stars in her eyes and is sighing in content as she listens to Drew talk to her.
For Terry, it is a no-brainer, Drew needs to come home with her. So Drew does, only to forget all about the night previously. But that’s okay, Terry forgives him! Then one evening, it is a date night for the two love-birds! And everything just goes down-hill from there.
This ends up being a twisted, disgusting, and love-sick story. Micah Castle can put a lot of emotion and horror in such a short amount of time. This is a great story to read on your next day off if you have a couple of hours free to read.
Drew and Terry meet in a local bar and it is instant love at first sight for Terry. She has those bright stars in her eyes and is sighing in content as she listens to Drew talk to her.
For Terry, it is a no-brainer, Drew needs to come home with her. So Drew does, only to forget all about the night previously. But that’s okay, Terry forgives him! Then one evening, it is a date night for the two love-birds! And everything just goes down-hill from there.
This ends up being a twisted, disgusting, and love-sick story. Micah Castle can put a lot of emotion and horror in such a short amount of time. This is a great story to read on your next day off if you have a couple of hours free to read.
January 12, 2023
Terry found love and she is a true romantic, nothing, not even death will keep her from her special someone, oh to be young and in love, right? Life and especially love are not that simple though and things are even darker than they initially appear.
This story is basically all the songs about an undead love I've been listening to for probably way too long made into a sweet little story that covers a lot of ground in surprisingly few pages and I am here for it. I love a story that doesn't have many extra words but manages to twist and turn and if it's a bit over the top with a few ridiculous lines all the better and that's what Castle offers here.
Also, I couldn't stop humming Frankenstein by Stitched Up Heart while reading so I recommend pairing your reading with that song for and optimal reading experience.
The story isn't overly gore surprisingly but TW for SA.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This story is basically all the songs about an undead love I've been listening to for probably way too long made into a sweet little story that covers a lot of ground in surprisingly few pages and I am here for it. I love a story that doesn't have many extra words but manages to twist and turn and if it's a bit over the top with a few ridiculous lines all the better and that's what Castle offers here.
Also, I couldn't stop humming Frankenstein by Stitched Up Heart while reading so I recommend pairing your reading with that song for and optimal reading experience.
The story isn't overly gore surprisingly but TW for SA.
I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 16, 2022
“I feel fatter, doughier….And, where are my clothes? I run my hand over my chest and stomach, the other down my legs, my groin. Everything is there but feels different, off, like im wearing clothes backwards. A strange discomfort.”
WOW!! Just wow. Not at all what I thought this was going to be. Imagine if Frankensteins monster was dating the Professor..the creater.
Im not sure if this was intended or not but part II had me shocked!!!!! I gasped, CACKLED, and gasped again. I found the second part hilarious in the best way possible.
The summary seemed a little vague but Im so glad it was. I wouldn’t have wanted any spoilers/hints to where this was going. This was such a fun read. Highly recommend!
WOW!! Just wow. Not at all what I thought this was going to be. Imagine if Frankensteins monster was dating the Professor..the creater.
Im not sure if this was intended or not but part II had me shocked!!!!! I gasped, CACKLED, and gasped again. I found the second part hilarious in the best way possible.
The summary seemed a little vague but Im so glad it was. I wouldn’t have wanted any spoilers/hints to where this was going. This was such a fun read. Highly recommend!
September 21, 2022
check my full review on : my blog
describing this story as lovely is.. a bit weird right? but it really was.
after finishing it, my mind keeps coming back to it, mulling over how good the story was.
this is a two point of view story about Terry and Drew!
Terry: in mourning, practicing magic and studying to bring her love Drew back from the dead after a horrible accident.
Drew: he's alive?! what the fuck? why is he alive again?
this story was great because of an unreliable narrator in Terry, and the dual points of view are a classic example of "show don't tell."
the backstory was well done, not boring at all, and the dialogue was believable.
you find you don't really like either Terry or Drew but it's not offputting in the slightest.
this story sucks you in. it's nasty, and LOVELY, and really really good.
5 outta 5, i'd highly recommend.
thanks to Micah for the arc in exchange for an honest review. :D
describing this story as lovely is.. a bit weird right? but it really was.
after finishing it, my mind keeps coming back to it, mulling over how good the story was.
this is a two point of view story about Terry and Drew!
Terry: in mourning, practicing magic and studying to bring her love Drew back from the dead after a horrible accident.
Drew: he's alive?! what the fuck? why is he alive again?
this story was great because of an unreliable narrator in Terry, and the dual points of view are a classic example of "show don't tell."
the backstory was well done, not boring at all, and the dialogue was believable.
you find you don't really like either Terry or Drew but it's not offputting in the slightest.
this story sucks you in. it's nasty, and LOVELY, and really really good.
5 outta 5, i'd highly recommend.
thanks to Micah for the arc in exchange for an honest review. :D
September 15, 2022
So creepy and unexpected. The transition from part 1 to part 2 was fantastic.
January 20, 2023
This is a great short! Great pace, really terrifying characters. What a girlfriend!
August 9, 2022
This was a fantastic read! My first from Micah, I'll be keeping an eye out for more!
A modern day Frankenstein love story, told in two parts. In the first part we get Terry's point of view and the second part we get Drew's point of view! And they are very different points of view indeed!
A supernatural horror tale of delusion, love, obsession, fear, magic, murder and resurrection!
Terry wants nothing more than to have Drew, the love of her life, back with her, and she will do anything to make it happen, anything….
This story was intriguing and had my curiosity piqued right from the start. I really enjoyed the writing style, the blank spots and the flashbacks were written so well they could almost have been my own! This was a dark and disturbing read that hooked me right in and didn't let me go! And the twist in this tale was brilliant! Highly recommended!
A modern day Frankenstein love story, told in two parts. In the first part we get Terry's point of view and the second part we get Drew's point of view! And they are very different points of view indeed!
A supernatural horror tale of delusion, love, obsession, fear, magic, murder and resurrection!
Terry wants nothing more than to have Drew, the love of her life, back with her, and she will do anything to make it happen, anything….
This story was intriguing and had my curiosity piqued right from the start. I really enjoyed the writing style, the blank spots and the flashbacks were written so well they could almost have been my own! This was a dark and disturbing read that hooked me right in and didn't let me go! And the twist in this tale was brilliant! Highly recommended!
January 29, 2025
He can’t live without me, and I can’t survive without him."
How swiftly that line proves that tables will and can turn.
Terry and Drew meet one night at a bar and a relationship seems to blossom from there. While out on a date, the pair get into a horrific car accident. Drew loses his life while his counterpart survives. Terry is distraught. Heartbroken. And she will do absolutely anything to bring him back. This includes stealing his brain from the morgue so that she can recreate and rebuild her lover.
This is a twisted, modern take on the story of Frankenstein. If you add some obsession, delusion, and murder… you have Reconstructing a Relationship.
The story is told from two perspectives. It starts in Terry’s voice. She seems to be the distraught and broken girlfriend at first, running around like a madwoman trying to reconstruct the love of her life. You feel for her. She’s seemingly passionate and in love, but you’ll see her underlying psychopathy and narcissism as you progress. Drew’s narration takes over in part two, as he expresses his grief, frustration, and anger. He is victimized by the person who is supposed to love him the most. What may look like love from the outside may not be that at all.
I adored this novella. There are some powerful themes, especially the ones centered on love and playing God. Maybe I’m pulling these themes from my own imagination or from reading too deep. How far could one go for love? This is an incredibly vivid little book that I wish was just a little bit longer. Descriptive, thematic, dark, and obsessive. It was well written and the twist you get out of it is brilliant! I’m giving it the 5 out of 5 stars that it deserves.
How swiftly that line proves that tables will and can turn.
Terry and Drew meet one night at a bar and a relationship seems to blossom from there. While out on a date, the pair get into a horrific car accident. Drew loses his life while his counterpart survives. Terry is distraught. Heartbroken. And she will do absolutely anything to bring him back. This includes stealing his brain from the morgue so that she can recreate and rebuild her lover.
This is a twisted, modern take on the story of Frankenstein. If you add some obsession, delusion, and murder… you have Reconstructing a Relationship.
The story is told from two perspectives. It starts in Terry’s voice. She seems to be the distraught and broken girlfriend at first, running around like a madwoman trying to reconstruct the love of her life. You feel for her. She’s seemingly passionate and in love, but you’ll see her underlying psychopathy and narcissism as you progress. Drew’s narration takes over in part two, as he expresses his grief, frustration, and anger. He is victimized by the person who is supposed to love him the most. What may look like love from the outside may not be that at all.
I adored this novella. There are some powerful themes, especially the ones centered on love and playing God. Maybe I’m pulling these themes from my own imagination or from reading too deep. How far could one go for love? This is an incredibly vivid little book that I wish was just a little bit longer. Descriptive, thematic, dark, and obsessive. It was well written and the twist you get out of it is brilliant! I’m giving it the 5 out of 5 stars that it deserves.
March 14, 2023
If you’re a fan of the classic Frankenstein tale with some Hellraiser sprinkled in, then Reconstructing a Romance by Micah Castle might be for you. I’ll try to keep this review as spoiler free as I can, since I went into this book pretty blind and really enjoyed the experience. I’ll throw in a spoiler section later on.
We follow Terry as she goes about trying to reconstruct the body of her lover Drew, who was killed in a terrible car wreck. Racked with grief, we follow her as she enacts her plan to bring Drew back to life piece by piece. It’s fun to ride along with Terry as she goes about finding men with suitable parts for her rebuilt Drew, and procuring what she needs. A foot here, a ribcage there.
I enjoy stories in which the magic doesn;t need to be explained. Just find an arcane ritual in an ancient tome and you’re set to go. The length and pacing of this story utilizes its suspension of disbelief well.
I’m going to get into spoiler territory, so read no further if you want to be surprised. I definitely recommend this one for fans of contemporary, weird horror.
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So this book has a twist halfway through when Drew comes back to life. The second half of the story is from his point of view as he attempts to understand his condition, and escape Terry, who we learn is not the lover we thought, but an obsessive fiend.
Through the use of drugs and manipulation, Terry kept Drew captive in a false relationship. The second half of this book gets very fun as Drew plots his escape and we see Terry’s villainous side. It all leads to a satisfying conclusion and I was delighted by the shift in trajectory here by Castle.
The little details about the nature of Drew’s existence and the ways he’s tortured by Terry were a lot of devilish fun for me. Definitely check this one out.
We follow Terry as she goes about trying to reconstruct the body of her lover Drew, who was killed in a terrible car wreck. Racked with grief, we follow her as she enacts her plan to bring Drew back to life piece by piece. It’s fun to ride along with Terry as she goes about finding men with suitable parts for her rebuilt Drew, and procuring what she needs. A foot here, a ribcage there.
I enjoy stories in which the magic doesn;t need to be explained. Just find an arcane ritual in an ancient tome and you’re set to go. The length and pacing of this story utilizes its suspension of disbelief well.
I’m going to get into spoiler territory, so read no further if you want to be surprised. I definitely recommend this one for fans of contemporary, weird horror.
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So this book has a twist halfway through when Drew comes back to life. The second half of the story is from his point of view as he attempts to understand his condition, and escape Terry, who we learn is not the lover we thought, but an obsessive fiend.
Through the use of drugs and manipulation, Terry kept Drew captive in a false relationship. The second half of this book gets very fun as Drew plots his escape and we see Terry’s villainous side. It all leads to a satisfying conclusion and I was delighted by the shift in trajectory here by Castle.
The little details about the nature of Drew’s existence and the ways he’s tortured by Terry were a lot of devilish fun for me. Definitely check this one out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 18, 2024
Reconstructing a Relationship is exactly as the title suggests, quite literally. But there be no romantic, heart-warming moments here. Instead, we have murder, magic, and mayhem (I needed a third M really, oh well).
Recounted in two parts, the first act of this short tale is told through the eyes of Terry. She has lost her man, and misses him so very dearly. Taken from her in a car accident, her whole life since that moment has had something very special missing. But instead of talking things through with friends and family, maybe attending a few counselling sessions or online chat forums, Terry decides there is only one way to deal with her grief.
Yes, she needs to kill people or steal portions of already dead bodies, and 'reconstruct' her lover. And she does this pretty well. There are no brushes with the law, no suspicions; everything is going according to plan.
At around the halfway point of the story, her work is complete. Then comes part 2.
I don't want to say too much about the following act because you really need to find out for yourself. Needless to say, it spins the whole tale and makes you question your earlier feelings involving the characters.
The story does this really well, as well as Terry and the old murder thing. Micah Castle has crafted a tale that flashes by in no time at all, entertains, and draws you into a story that messes with your allegiances.
You're probably thinking 'Frankenstein vibes', and you'd be right, but the story knows this, too. What lengths would a grief-stricken person go to in order to bring life back to what it once was?
Well you're about to find out. This is a great little read, so go and check it out.
Recounted in two parts, the first act of this short tale is told through the eyes of Terry. She has lost her man, and misses him so very dearly. Taken from her in a car accident, her whole life since that moment has had something very special missing. But instead of talking things through with friends and family, maybe attending a few counselling sessions or online chat forums, Terry decides there is only one way to deal with her grief.
Yes, she needs to kill people or steal portions of already dead bodies, and 'reconstruct' her lover. And she does this pretty well. There are no brushes with the law, no suspicions; everything is going according to plan.
At around the halfway point of the story, her work is complete. Then comes part 2.
I don't want to say too much about the following act because you really need to find out for yourself. Needless to say, it spins the whole tale and makes you question your earlier feelings involving the characters.
The story does this really well, as well as Terry and the old murder thing. Micah Castle has crafted a tale that flashes by in no time at all, entertains, and draws you into a story that messes with your allegiances.
You're probably thinking 'Frankenstein vibes', and you'd be right, but the story knows this, too. What lengths would a grief-stricken person go to in order to bring life back to what it once was?
Well you're about to find out. This is a great little read, so go and check it out.
August 10, 2022
What an excellent story! I was first intrigued by the cover art. An absolutely beautiful cover that portrays exactly how this relationship is being reconstructed. The story begins from the viewpoint of Terry, and her desperate journey to reanimate her soulmate, Drew, who died in a terrible accident. I really felt so horrible for Terry. Her mind had clearly cracked, and although her actions were abhorrent, I was really hoping she would get her happy ending. However, once the story switches to Drew’s point of view, some new details emerge that reveal the truth behind this supposed happy couple. They are both fighting for Drew’s life by the end.
I loved the description of Terry throughout the story. Each time new details were revealed about her, physically or mentally, a clearer image of her true nature was exposed. It was also pretty fascinating to be inside a reanimated mind and contemplate what would and would not function properly in such a state. Are the physical feelings being felt yours or the remnants of someone else’s life? Pretty thought-provoking.
This tale evoked Frankenstein feels, with a psychologically-disturbing dash of the 1985 movie, Re-Animator, and a smidge of 1998’s Practical Magic. It reads quickly, but is also detailed and descriptive. Micah Castle is a skilled storyteller taking the reader on a journey through the twists and turns of the story to a perfectly-fitting conclusion. This is a must read!
I loved the description of Terry throughout the story. Each time new details were revealed about her, physically or mentally, a clearer image of her true nature was exposed. It was also pretty fascinating to be inside a reanimated mind and contemplate what would and would not function properly in such a state. Are the physical feelings being felt yours or the remnants of someone else’s life? Pretty thought-provoking.
This tale evoked Frankenstein feels, with a psychologically-disturbing dash of the 1985 movie, Re-Animator, and a smidge of 1998’s Practical Magic. It reads quickly, but is also detailed and descriptive. Micah Castle is a skilled storyteller taking the reader on a journey through the twists and turns of the story to a perfectly-fitting conclusion. This is a must read!
July 12, 2023
3.5 stars
When I started this, I wanted to feel bad for Terry. Losing someone that you love is hard, and she was desperate to bring her "one" back. Then I got to part II......
I liked the nod to Frankenstein in this! Piecing a body back together and reanimating the result is a really interesting thing to think about. I'm so glad that this didn't turn into a cheap zombie horror. Drew was properly formed, though missing a few bits, and seemed to be as normal as he could be given the circumstances. I'm really curious though if certain things were an intended result of the spell, the lack of feeling and missing memory, or if Terry botched it since she's not the brightest bulb on the string.
My one gripe is that I wish I knew more about the characters. I don't really know where Terry came from, what her background is like, or even how old she is. I know even less about Drew. Terry absolutely deserved what she got, but did Drew? Was he a decent guy who just got mixed up with a bad person? Or was he actually some awful person who I shouldn't feel too bad for having his afterlife interrupted? I didn't get a good enough sense for him to tell one way or another, but I wish I had so I could feel the full impact of what psycho Terry did to him.
All in all, Reconstructing a Relationship was a quirky read that just goes to show that you can't trust anyone who tries to buy you a drink in the bar! You just might end up coming apart in ways you never expected ;)
When I started this, I wanted to feel bad for Terry. Losing someone that you love is hard, and she was desperate to bring her "one" back. Then I got to part II......
I liked the nod to Frankenstein in this! Piecing a body back together and reanimating the result is a really interesting thing to think about. I'm so glad that this didn't turn into a cheap zombie horror. Drew was properly formed, though missing a few bits, and seemed to be as normal as he could be given the circumstances. I'm really curious though if certain things were an intended result of the spell, the lack of feeling and missing memory, or if Terry botched it since she's not the brightest bulb on the string.
My one gripe is that I wish I knew more about the characters. I don't really know where Terry came from, what her background is like, or even how old she is. I know even less about Drew. Terry absolutely deserved what she got, but did Drew? Was he a decent guy who just got mixed up with a bad person? Or was he actually some awful person who I shouldn't feel too bad for having his afterlife interrupted? I didn't get a good enough sense for him to tell one way or another, but I wish I had so I could feel the full impact of what psycho Terry did to him.
All in all, Reconstructing a Relationship was a quirky read that just goes to show that you can't trust anyone who tries to buy you a drink in the bar! You just might end up coming apart in ways you never expected ;)
August 2, 2023
Reconstructing a Relationship was definitely more than I thought it would be. This body horror novella was a fast-paced twist on Frankenstein, and I loved how the book was written, revealing the horror one piece at a time. There was little gore, violence, or sex, but I could feel the tension mounting in my body as I read, something I enjoyed and savoured.
Both characters were well-written. At first, I had sympathy for Terry's character, but the author was skilled in making me realize the true depth of her depravity and I slowly realized how deplorable she really was. She was selfish and really gave no thought to anyone other than herself. I enjoyed the contrast of Terry to Drew, whose greatest purpose in life was to escape. You get to understand what really happened through his eyes and slowly your whole perspective changes. It was brilliantly done.
The story and plot was fast-paced and while at first I thought it would be about grief, a couple of twists quickly put that thought to rest. Told from both Terry and Drew's POV, the story was wild as the story shifted quite a bit halfway through, but only for the best of reasons. For me, that shift really propelled the story and I thought it was quite clever.
Reconstructing a Relationship was a clever novella, well-written, fast-paced, that essentially grabs you from the first page and never lets go. What a ride! Highly recommend this to fans of body horror.
Both characters were well-written. At first, I had sympathy for Terry's character, but the author was skilled in making me realize the true depth of her depravity and I slowly realized how deplorable she really was. She was selfish and really gave no thought to anyone other than herself. I enjoyed the contrast of Terry to Drew, whose greatest purpose in life was to escape. You get to understand what really happened through his eyes and slowly your whole perspective changes. It was brilliantly done.
The story and plot was fast-paced and while at first I thought it would be about grief, a couple of twists quickly put that thought to rest. Told from both Terry and Drew's POV, the story was wild as the story shifted quite a bit halfway through, but only for the best of reasons. For me, that shift really propelled the story and I thought it was quite clever.
Reconstructing a Relationship was a clever novella, well-written, fast-paced, that essentially grabs you from the first page and never lets go. What a ride! Highly recommend this to fans of body horror.
December 18, 2023
He had us in the first half, not gonna lie, if I may paraphrase a famous gif.
Though this novella is only 45 pages or so, and split between two sections, each part is crafted in such a way that it feels as though two separate stories are being read and, in a way, that’s exactly what it is. Now, looking at the title, the artwork, this seems like it might just be a horror novella sprinkled with some romance. I don’t want to say it’s not but I will say that surprises abound quickly.
The shift in tone from part one to part two is expertly crafted, but each part ropes us into the characters’ mindsets and stories so quickly that we barely have the opportunity to react before he’s winding up and throwing a curveball. Triggers are listed at the beginning, but I will say that, for the story that’s told, the content is relatively tame overall, especially considering some of the splatterpunk stuff out there.
No spoilers here: Castle has written a novella that is captivating, creepy, unsettling, enjoyable and, probably most importantly, fun. If you have an hour or two to spare, consider giving this a read. It’s unquestionably entertaining and certainly different from anything I’ve read this year.
Though this novella is only 45 pages or so, and split between two sections, each part is crafted in such a way that it feels as though two separate stories are being read and, in a way, that’s exactly what it is. Now, looking at the title, the artwork, this seems like it might just be a horror novella sprinkled with some romance. I don’t want to say it’s not but I will say that surprises abound quickly.
The shift in tone from part one to part two is expertly crafted, but each part ropes us into the characters’ mindsets and stories so quickly that we barely have the opportunity to react before he’s winding up and throwing a curveball. Triggers are listed at the beginning, but I will say that, for the story that’s told, the content is relatively tame overall, especially considering some of the splatterpunk stuff out there.
No spoilers here: Castle has written a novella that is captivating, creepy, unsettling, enjoyable and, probably most importantly, fun. If you have an hour or two to spare, consider giving this a read. It’s unquestionably entertaining and certainly different from anything I’ve read this year.
August 9, 2022
**REVIEW**
No fluff, let’s get into RECONSTRUCTING A RELATIONSHIP by Micah Castle.
Terry was in the most perfect relationship of her life until tragedy struck. How far is she willing to go to have that again?
I want to preface this with something I have never written in a review before: this is THE most important story in the genre right now.
Let me repeat that for those in the back that may not have heard me.
This. Is. THE. Most. Important. Story. In. The. Genre. Right. Now.
But, Christina! That’s insane to say. Not at all. Putting aside how well written it is; characters, plot, twists, everything, this is a work I have not read in the genre before.
Micah takes a subject that is not only taboo to write about but often mocked and belittled in real life. The idea of taking a Frankensteinian horror inspired story and coupling it with date rape and extremely abusive relationships…
Well, friends. Mr. Castle has earned a spot in my Top Ten for 2022. I’m serious when I say, if you don’t read this, you should be ashamed. I REALLY hope this gets the eyes on it it deserves.
Fucking phenomenal.
Godless. $1.99. Go now.
No fluff, let’s get into RECONSTRUCTING A RELATIONSHIP by Micah Castle.
Terry was in the most perfect relationship of her life until tragedy struck. How far is she willing to go to have that again?
I want to preface this with something I have never written in a review before: this is THE most important story in the genre right now.
Let me repeat that for those in the back that may not have heard me.
This. Is. THE. Most. Important. Story. In. The. Genre. Right. Now.
But, Christina! That’s insane to say. Not at all. Putting aside how well written it is; characters, plot, twists, everything, this is a work I have not read in the genre before.
Micah takes a subject that is not only taboo to write about but often mocked and belittled in real life. The idea of taking a Frankensteinian horror inspired story and coupling it with date rape and extremely abusive relationships…
Well, friends. Mr. Castle has earned a spot in my Top Ten for 2022. I’m serious when I say, if you don’t read this, you should be ashamed. I REALLY hope this gets the eyes on it it deserves.
Fucking phenomenal.
Godless. $1.99. Go now.
September 21, 2022
The very definition of a short, sharp shock. Castle constructs a two-hander narrative that deftly shifts perspective as easily as inhaling and exhaling. Unfolding over a breezy 45 pages, this tightrope walk between a novelette and novella eschews the typical pleasantries associated with horror/thrillers and gets right down to the meat of the matter. I could easily see this as a stripped-down, no-nonsense indie horror feature film. A little bit of Frankenstein, a little bit of Prometheus myth, a dash of Leaving Las Vegas and Fatal Attraction, and a lot of indie genre horror with plenty of the red, red kroovy. Dig in.
Terry and Drew have a unique relationship. Drew is deader than Dillinger and Terry has been cramming with occult books from all over on how to bring him back to life. With a mishmash of other people's body parts. Yeah. The dimensions of their relationship can't be spoiled here. Get in there and savor the flavor on this one. You'll be sad when it's over. And for other reasons, mayhaps?
Terry and Drew have a unique relationship. Drew is deader than Dillinger and Terry has been cramming with occult books from all over on how to bring him back to life. With a mishmash of other people's body parts. Yeah. The dimensions of their relationship can't be spoiled here. Get in there and savor the flavor on this one. You'll be sad when it's over. And for other reasons, mayhaps?
December 17, 2022
Special thanks to the author for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Castle is able to bring a fresh take to the classic Frankenstein story, and while it takes inspiration from the original tale it is very much it’s own thing. The premise is simple and follows Terry as she collects parts to recreate her deceased boyfriend Drew as she can’t accept that he’s no longer with her. From here Castle splits from the expected and creates an original yet familiar tale following this process. Aside from that I can’t say much because of how short the story is, but what I can say is that I had trouble finding flaws within it. In fact the only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I wanted more. I really would’ve liked a bit more backstory on the two characters and would’ve loved for the ending to have been dragged out a bit more as I felt it ended abruptly. Aside from that the story is pretty perfect though, and is worth reading especially if you’re trying to hit any year end reading goals as it takes about an hour to read.
Castle is able to bring a fresh take to the classic Frankenstein story, and while it takes inspiration from the original tale it is very much it’s own thing. The premise is simple and follows Terry as she collects parts to recreate her deceased boyfriend Drew as she can’t accept that he’s no longer with her. From here Castle splits from the expected and creates an original yet familiar tale following this process. Aside from that I can’t say much because of how short the story is, but what I can say is that I had trouble finding flaws within it. In fact the only reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I wanted more. I really would’ve liked a bit more backstory on the two characters and would’ve loved for the ending to have been dragged out a bit more as I felt it ended abruptly. Aside from that the story is pretty perfect though, and is worth reading especially if you’re trying to hit any year end reading goals as it takes about an hour to read.
January 25, 2023
The story centers around Terry & Drew, a couple who decide to go out for a well-deserved date night. Date night never happens, however, due to a horrific accident on the road. As Terry fights to save Drew and Drew eventually awakens to a whole lot of confusion, we begin to see all is not what it seems with these two.
There’s a lot Castle does with this story that I like. First off, he uses several tried and true tropes and manages to put a new spin on them. It’s always refreshing to see an author take a well-trodden storyline and make it into something that feels different.
He also uses a first person dual POV. I personally love knowing each character’s inner feelings and monologues. Terry & Drew’s personal recollections & evaluations of their life before & after the accident are so important…and so vastly different from each other.
This is a quick, fun little story that isn’t overly gruesome, but still has the potential to leave the reader with an uncomfortable impression. I paused at some places to just say yikes 😬.
January 14, 2024
Firstly I really enjoyed this book. It is a modern twist on the Frankenstein story. Now, I can’t go into too much detail as it will give a few spoilers and they are the best bit of this book.
The book is in 2 parts, one told from Terry’s perspective and the other from Drew’s. Part on deals with how far a person will go to bring back the one they love. Terry and Drew are out on a date and they get into a nasty car accident. Drew is killed in this. Terry does some quite horrid things with very little regards to those that are living. Needless to say, she is not actually a particularly likeable character and will do anything to bring him back.
Part 2 of the book deal with how Drew rationalises being a bag of parts. He also tells his story from the moment that he met Terry and the very odd twists and turns of their relationship.
All in all this is a great quick read with some great twists and turns along the way. Very much a great use of an hour or so.
The book is in 2 parts, one told from Terry’s perspective and the other from Drew’s. Part on deals with how far a person will go to bring back the one they love. Terry and Drew are out on a date and they get into a nasty car accident. Drew is killed in this. Terry does some quite horrid things with very little regards to those that are living. Needless to say, she is not actually a particularly likeable character and will do anything to bring him back.
Part 2 of the book deal with how Drew rationalises being a bag of parts. He also tells his story from the moment that he met Terry and the very odd twists and turns of their relationship.
All in all this is a great quick read with some great twists and turns along the way. Very much a great use of an hour or so.
August 9, 2022
Drew and Terry while out on a date suffer a terrible car accident. The boyfriend dies, but the
girlfriend survives. Desperate to be with her love once more, Terry steals Drew’s brain from the
morgue and escapes the hospital. She’s determined to bring him back, by any means necessary.
Through years of reading ancient books, learning forgotten languages, and drawing symbols she
cannot comprehend, Terry successfully gets what she wants… And, what she deserves.
That’s the provided description. My description is it’s an inventive, cleverly crafted and definitely intense story told from the POV of both the victim and the victimizer. At times, it had a Frankenstein feel, which I enjoyed. I always love seeing what authors can do with that theme. Terry scares the heck out of me, and Drew garners my sympathy.
girlfriend survives. Desperate to be with her love once more, Terry steals Drew’s brain from the
morgue and escapes the hospital. She’s determined to bring him back, by any means necessary.
Through years of reading ancient books, learning forgotten languages, and drawing symbols she
cannot comprehend, Terry successfully gets what she wants… And, what she deserves.
That’s the provided description. My description is it’s an inventive, cleverly crafted and definitely intense story told from the POV of both the victim and the victimizer. At times, it had a Frankenstein feel, which I enjoyed. I always love seeing what authors can do with that theme. Terry scares the heck out of me, and Drew garners my sympathy.
March 16, 2023
When I started this I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it like I had hoped. Terry drove me insane. And from what I could pick up, I found myself wondering why on earth Drew even entertained her! But a few other things Terry mentions has me wondering if this is as copacetic as she makes it out to be. Then we get hit with part deux (said that in my best French accent) I was so here for Drew’s side of the story!! Every despair, question, wondering, defeat, hope, faith, belief I felt alongside my man Drew. I was beyond ecstatic when he finally said fuck it and kills the bitch!! I rooted for Drew up until the very end. Which brings me to my next thought. Now I need another story or even novel of what happens to Drew! Does he get his wish and live any kind of life he wanted?!
Definitely would recommend fucked up horror readers get their hands (or someone else’s) on this book!!
Definitely would recommend fucked up horror readers get their hands (or someone else’s) on this book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2023
What a short, sharp shock of a read! Coming in at under 70 pages, yet managing to fit in a good backstory, some excellent first person characterisation, and an effective perspective shift, I flew through Reconstructing A Relationship in one sitting.
The story follows Terry, a woman who lost the love of her life in an accident, but thinks she's found a way to bring him back. A modern take on Frankenstein, but with some twists along the way you might not see coming, this is a gripping novella with some body horror elements. To say much more would be to no doubt go into spoiler territory, and this is one that's best read blind.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Terry, a woman who lost the love of her life in an accident, but thinks she's found a way to bring him back. A modern take on Frankenstein, but with some twists along the way you might not see coming, this is a gripping novella with some body horror elements. To say much more would be to no doubt go into spoiler territory, and this is one that's best read blind.
Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
February 12, 2025
Recipe for an entertaining, creepy read: Take a bit of Misery, a piece of Fatal Attraction, a touch of Pet Semetary. and stir with Frankenstein. That's what you get with this short book.
Terry is a determined woman, stopping at nothing to get her true love, Drew, back. The lengths she goes to will horrify and astound you. But, will she truly get Drew back or will things go horribly wrong. You will have to read this one to find out!
Wildly entertaining, with just enough gore to make your skin crawl, you will hope to never have someone as obsessed with you as Terry is with Drew!
The narrator was perfect and really brought the characters to life. If you are looking for a quick horror fix, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed!
Terry is a determined woman, stopping at nothing to get her true love, Drew, back. The lengths she goes to will horrify and astound you. But, will she truly get Drew back or will things go horribly wrong. You will have to read this one to find out!
Wildly entertaining, with just enough gore to make your skin crawl, you will hope to never have someone as obsessed with you as Terry is with Drew!
The narrator was perfect and really brought the characters to life. If you are looking for a quick horror fix, give this one a try. You won't be disappointed!
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