I was so excited when I got approved for this book as I have wanting to read Jonathan Janz since a long time. An author killing his characters was known, but authors called to a retreat in the jungle and being killed one by one was a new theme for me, and I was so dang thrilled that my heart thumped.
Jonathan Janz started the story with a bang, the feeling of impeding doom swamped me almost at once. All the 10 authors were not the cute cuddly kinds. They were vicious; each one had a secret. Murder and death were their past. Their books weren’t a success. Wells, the elderly author, promised them the literary world if the won the competition, survived would be more apt. The first few chapters saw the death of one. And then the gore and horror started…
The book was divided into parts, and each brought nightmares and true nature of all these authors alive. In fact, their fictional characters came to life too. I loved the parts where horror was vibrant and scary. But they came in bits and pieces across the book, hence there was no gripping tension. This niggled me, I could get easily distracted.
Overall, I liked what the book gave me, but I wanted more of pounding heart, hitched breath, heightened interest from my end. A fun read, nevertheless.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Flame Tree Press, and this is my journey into its pages straight from the heart.
All my reviews can be found here
Do you like gore and horror? Would you read books out of your comfort zone?
Jonathan Janz grew up between a dark forest and a graveyard, which explains everything. Jonathan’s primary interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children, and though he realizes that every author’s wife and children are wonderful and amazing, in this case the cliche happens to be true.
Ten writers are selected for a summer-long writing retreat with the most celebrated and reclusive author in the world. Their host is the legendary Roderick Wells. Handsome, enigmatic, and fiendishly talented, Wells promises to teach his pupils about writing, about magic, about the untapped potential that each of them possesses. Most of all, he plans to teach them about the darkness in their hearts.
The writers think they are signing up for a chance at riches and literary prestige. But they are really entering the twisted imagination of a deranged genius, a lethal contest pitting them against one another in a struggle for their sanity and their lives. They have entered into Roderick Wells’s most brilliant and horrible creation.
Publication Date: 11th April 2019
Publisher: Flame Tree Press
34 Responses
Keep reading and keep posting.
I always want to come here and read some of your reviews but haven’t found the time.
I will try to be consistent.
Would love if you will share your thought on this post.
https://www.flyhiee.com/reflection/the-slippery-slope-to-misguided-feminism/
Thank you
Well said on your post.. I couldn’t comment as there was no WordPress plug in to it
Thank you.
Its’s okay
The 10 authors sounds like bad news but the elderly who scheme doesn’t sound lovable eitheir. 😡 I feel annoyed for some reason 😅 Maybe I should try requesting it too… maybe… but if it’s horror I don’t feel ready. Talk about stepping out of comfort zone, maybe I’m not. This is frustrating! 😢 I want and not want…
Hahaha Jonathan Janz is a horror writer.. There are gore and gruesome murders, walls eating the body, spider webs leeching the body and all the nightmares becoming real… 😂 😂 I somehow wanted more horror as I wasn’t horrified enough😂😂 this was my second horror book in life
😱😱😱… slowly stepping backwards.
See you later… (look the coward run away as fast as possible)
I am not requesting a copy! 😢
Hahaha 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
It so amazing
Thank you
great review 🤗🤗WOW ❤❤❤❤❤❤
Whoa… I was blocked for words today… Thank you
I fear gore and horror – I’m a wimp
Oooh but you like juices and sweat and scorching sheets… This also had that but in horrifying ways 😂😂
I’m not a fan of horror, but I like the premise of this one, and I love that cover. It makes me think of evil things hiding in the fog of the forest. Great review, Shalini! Enjoy your week! 🙂
I think this is not his best work according to others… So may be I try another of his work?
The story plot is unique and makes for the perfect thriller in the unlikeliest place. I bet it’s a gripping story and your review is balanced.
Wow thank you so much ❤️ how have you been?
Hey! Been good ya and with work or few other issues. Blogging been more or less happening.
Oh understandable.. Have fun in whatever you do
Was this the horror to keep your hands away from the cookies and cakes?
Yessss…. It was so gross with walls eating the human and soil like quicksand, and spiders webs sucking the human… Whew
Boom – NO APPETITE!! 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂
Yeah….. I see how that would happen…. ugh! 🤢🤢😂
Hmm 🤔 the book is not for you, eh?
Uhhh…. I’ll pass! 😂😂
😂😂
OK so there’s angry authors in the jungle killing each other off? The premise makes me want to laugh! Love your review!
still it does sound scary 🙂 !
It was fun hope you like it too 😝
Great review, and I am so glad you enjoyed the book overall, even though you wanted more heart pounding.
Thank you Kaleena ❤️ I want to read more of his books but did not know whic one
If you enjoyed the setup of this one, The Sorrows is pretty similar and I enjoyed it! I also recommend The Siren and the Specter, and Children of the Dark!
Wow thanks… I am off to amazon to check prices.. I think the siren is in my wishlist.. I will check the other two
Nice review Shalini, but definitely not for me. I am not a horror afficienado.
I have started liking it now