Image obtained from http://www.zriderwriter.com
INSYLUM
Author: Z. Rider
Type of Book: eBook
Length: 122 pages
Genre: Horror
Release Date: June 9, 2015
Publisher: Dark Ride Publishing
Cover Design: DamonZa.com
ISBN: 978-1-942234-05-0
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
* I received a free copy of INSYLUM from the author for an honest and unbiased review.
For as far back as either of them can remember, it’s always been Nate and A.J. Best frirnds from the day they first met. They had bonded over Pokemon cards and had never looked back.
Nate always imagined that the two of them would still be best friends when they were old and grey and that they would even spend their golden years together in the same Old Age Home. There had never been any indication that his plans would not become reality. That is until recently.
A.J. joined the freakin’ army and went to Boot Camp. When A.J. completed his training and returned home Nate noticed that he had changed. And Nate did not like the changes he saw in his friend.
Nate works in a video game store and is content with his life. Now A.J. has been ordered to ship out with his unit for active duty in Afghanistan.
For years the two friends had been hearing about Insylum and the pair hoped that eventually the traveling “funhouse” would set up close to their hometown.
“Nate and A.J. have been waiting years for traveling funhouse Insylum to come to their town.”
Their wish has now come true. “When it’s last night coincides with the night before A.J. ships out to Afghanistan, they know that’s the date they have to go.”
The question is: will they be able to leave?
Two pages into this book I was hooked. Z. Rider has a talent for horror. The first book I ever read of hers was “Suckers” which I REALLY enjoyed. If you have not yet read it, I suggest you buy a copy immediately.
Z. Rider is highly skilled at taking a situation (or topic) that has been used by many writers in the past and giving it a completely new spin; creating stories that you will not want to put down. “Insylum” is no exception.
Even though this is a horror novel and of course there are lots of thrills and chills, the author does not neglect character building.
Instead of focusing solely on terror and shock value (although there is quite a bit of both in this book), readers find themselves learning more about Nate and A.J. and what makes them tick before they enter Insylum. When Nate thinks about how he feels about A.J. heading off to war it is impossible not to get swept up in the story and to empathize with Nate’s conflicted emotions. Of course he is proud of A.J. and he wants him to do whatever it is that makes him happy, but Nate cannot help but feel that A.J. is moving forward with his life while Nate’s life seems to be stick in a rut. Also, Nate is justifiably worried about A.J.’s safety once he reaches Afghanistan. All these thoughts and complex emotions run through Nate’s head even as he goes into Insylum.
The sights the two friends see and what they experience inside the Insylum are 100% pure terror. Picture in your mind the scariest movie you have ever seen, now multiply that amount of horror by 1000 percent and you will get an idea of how scary it is inside Insylum.
Z. Rider must have had some vivid nightmares to be able to imagine such horrors as are included in this book.
I really liked the ending of this book. It was unexpected and I was surprised which does not happen very often.
I have to warn potential readers, this book is NOT for the faint of heart of for those with weak stomachs. However, if you are a fan of the horror genre then INSYLUM is the book for you.
I rate this book as 5 out of 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Z. Rider is the author of SUCKERS as well as MAN MADE MURDER: Blood Road Trilogy Book One. The second and third books in the Blood Road trilogy will be released in 2016.
Z. Rider grew up in New Hampshire and now lives in the mountains in Tennessee with her husband and two dogs.
To learn more about her visit http://www.zriderwriter.com
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