Great audio great characters

I loved this book and the audio was great. It was weird, odd, and interesting. If you liked the house of leaves concept and the movie as above so below. Please take a chance on this book. It is written in somewhat movie description and diary entries/emails/texts. But I didnt find it distracting.

2 people found this helpful

Well, that was disappointing

This isn't the venue for the long, rant-y review I'm tempted to write; suffice it to say that this did not meet expectations in any way. What I expected, based on the descriptions: a creepy, maybe even genuinely scary ghost story with a cool format. What I got: a badly written, badly produced, badly performed story with zero suspense and less creepiness.

The writing: stiff and unrealistic. People don't talk like this. And the story itself was predictable and filled with characters I wanted to punch. It was as though the author thought "Hm, MKULTRA is very click-baity ... how can I come up with something even more spectacular..." The production: the music is annoying and obtrusive. The fact that the truly cringe-worthy "original song" the foreword touts was used as the Audible sample is a hint, folks. Don't ignore it. (Lyrics which I really should not be preserving: "The groovy people are here" "Don't let the man get you down - turn that sad frown upside down" ... "open your heart and lend me your ears" ... Wow. Did Bob Dylan write this?) And really, truly: if the text says someone laughs, I do not need to hear the narrator playing that character try to fake laughter. And I never, never need to hear a character sneeze in my ear. Or wail. Which leads me to - - The performances: Like the writing, stiff and unrealistic. Sadly, there wasn't a single narrator I ever want to hear again. That fake laughter - which, the first time, went on far too long, was painful. Most of this book was supposed to be "raw footage" and journal entries, and it all sounded like some poor ten year old forced to read Tennyson in front of their class. If I came upon a "real" YouTube - or, God forbid, network - show whose characters sounded like these narrators, I'd bail on it before the first commercial. I'm not sure why I gave this audiobook more of a chance, except that I *wanted* to like it.

I had stopped the book I had been listening to because I was excited to get into this - the description sounded that good. I made it about halfway. I let it play out during the work day yesterday, mostly because of inertia I suppose, but this morning I just can't face putting it on again - I can't do it. I won't do it. I would like my credit back now, please ...

2 people found this helpful

A Note for Potential Buyers

I came across this book at my local bookstore and figured I would give it a shot based on the intriguing description. Grabbed this audible version to supplement. I thought it may be helpful to others if I write here what would have helped me decide if I wanted to buy this or not.

No spoilers

The entirety of this book is written seemingly to emulate “found footage.” Emails, text messages, etc. In those times where a narrator is necessary this mostly comes in the form of a description of what a person would be seeing as they are viewing the footage.

In my personal opinion this came off very clinical and lost most of the connection to the story. I truly felt like an observer with no emotional attachment to anyone or anything. The result of this approach is that there are no scares, no anxiety, or any of those moments that make you want to put the book down and check on that noise you just a heard in the other room.

As for my thoughts specific to the audible version I found it underwhelming, bordering on distractingly so at times. I do not want to place blame on the actors, as there are many factors that could be outside of their control. But the fact remains that the overall presentation was not executed well.

Overall I would label this entire effort (written work and audible presentation) as mediocre. However, this may be worth a read/listen for someone that is looking for a story in the horror genre without the horror.

1 person found this helpful

Great story, but a few of the voices grated on me

I loved the story, hated Kevin's character and voice actor. The voice actor for Claire's character was also slightly annoying. Something about her voice was just grating. If it was just her voice I could have dealt. But not only was Kevin's character unbearable, his voice actor was as well.

The premise is amazing, imagining a found footage horror movie with the audio background in this was so flipping good. I wish they would have just had some different voice actors. It would have made it 100 times better.

Story ruined by delivery style

The only reason I finished this book was because I enjoyed the story. The live read story style writing was hard to follow attentively. Would not recommend listening to it. Maybe reading would fair better results.

great idea but just not for me

I'm a huge found footage horror fan and a huge fan of this author's work. So I'm totally puzzled that I didn't enjoy this book more. Some of my issues are from the audio book production. Some are with the writing. I guess it's my own fault as I can't stand the characters written for reality TV shows, these characters are perfectly created clichés. just like in reality TV shows.

one warning, be prepared to hear the same chapter heading over 110+ times, seriously. They read the title of the fictitious show, also the title of the book, that many times. Even when Some chapters were only 2 or 3 minutes long. I don't think this was supposed to create the horror in the book but it became the most scary thing, besides the song.

If you do enjoy this book definitely check out the found footage movies grave encounters 1 and 2. It's very similar in concept and execution.

if you want a great haunted house story involving "ghost hunters" check out Richard Matheson's Hell House.

Absolutely terrible.

Maybe it was the audiobook performances, but this was not good. I don’t recommend it AT ALL.

Enjoyable

I really enjoyed Episode Thirteen! A unique book that I think horror fans will like.

STUNNING

So much more than the standard ghost story or haunted location book. I guess for some that could be disappointing but for me it was AMAZING! This was so much freaking fun!! Loved what this turned into. I’m blown away.

Took a while to build

Read this for book club and didn’t love it. The format of a podcast was performed well on the audio version, but the story took quite a while to build and felt like an over attempt at suspense and intrigue than it actually produced.