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bookish_withsky's review
3.0
A neurosurgeon has developed what he calls "The Enlightenment Project." His goal to help others have spiritual experiences and to be able to see what those experiences look like in the human brain. Of course, things don't always go as planned. Is something connected to his childhood possession coming back for him?
I have to say, the premise is amazing. I read it for the first time and knew immediately that I absolutely needed to read this one. The story kept me interested, but I will say that I didn't really care about the characters. My enjoyment came from enjoying things of this topic, so it may not be for everyone. it was definitely an intriguing take on the subject. I absolutely loved combing science with possession. The writing itself was a little off-putting. It felt so crowded somehow also not overly fast paced. It was a strange experience. The descriptions could be excessive. However, there were a few spooky moments. It has a lot going for it if you can get past the kind of wonkyness of the writing at times. I do recommend though if the subject matter is intriguing to you.
I have to say, the premise is amazing. I read it for the first time and knew immediately that I absolutely needed to read this one. The story kept me interested, but I will say that I didn't really care about the characters. My enjoyment came from enjoying things of this topic, so it may not be for everyone. it was definitely an intriguing take on the subject. I absolutely loved combing science with possession. The writing itself was a little off-putting. It felt so crowded somehow also not overly fast paced. It was a strange experience. The descriptions could be excessive. However, there were a few spooky moments. It has a lot going for it if you can get past the kind of wonkyness of the writing at times. I do recommend though if the subject matter is intriguing to you.
pearljanecatmama's review
4.0
Thanks to net galley for the ARC!
Once I started this I couldn't stop--truly a page turner. Some scary moments and eerie atmosphere.
Tash is a Very Good Girl.
Once I started this I couldn't stop--truly a page turner. Some scary moments and eerie atmosphere.
Tash is a Very Good Girl.
whimsofmin's review
2.0
Ease of Reading: 3✨
Characters: 1✨
Plot: 3✨
Writing: 1✨
Overall: 2✨
I really enjoyed the first 30% of this book. The story unravelled and revealed itself and the concepts were interesting. (Although I felt like parts of this book were written by a man writing erotic fiction as the descriptions of the female characters were just ridiculous and unnecessary).
Then the story got slow and the writing got worse. The intrigue turned to action scenes that I skim read but still knew what was going on which meant they could have been 80% shorter than they were. Overall just not my kind of writing style.
Characters: 1✨
Plot: 3✨
Writing: 1✨
Overall: 2✨
I really enjoyed the first 30% of this book. The story unravelled and revealed itself and the concepts were interesting. (Although I felt like parts of this book were written by a man writing erotic fiction as the descriptions of the female characters were just ridiculous and unnecessary).
Then the story got slow and the writing got worse. The intrigue turned to action scenes that I skim read but still knew what was going on which meant they could have been 80% shorter than they were. Overall just not my kind of writing style.
itsonmytbr's review
2.0
A neurosurgeon believes he can study possessions, a wife is hardcore unreasonable, and Catholics or whatever somehow make demons boring. There's some scary bits in the middle relating to a red-haired fake priest, but I honestly fell asleep during the final exorcism. It's like the book already had a badass antagonist but it chose to focus on some randoms instead because it didn't realize the demons were way more interesting than the MRIs.
For such a short book, this feels overcrowded. Way too many descriptions, sentences too long to allow for any sense of urgency. So much backstory for characters that we never meet or hear about again. Too many physical descriptions of what people are wearing and whether the narrator finds them attractive or if women potentially find them attractive.
I am disappointed.
For such a short book, this feels overcrowded. Way too many descriptions, sentences too long to allow for any sense of urgency. So much backstory for characters that we never meet or hear about again. Too many physical descriptions of what people are wearing and whether the narrator finds them attractive or if women potentially find them attractive.
I am disappointed.
aparker89's review
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
2.5
Meh. I only finished this book because there was so much potential to the story. The story did eventually come together and give some value and resolution. This author's description of women (every single one we meet) is unnecessarily sexual for a story narrated by a man so wholy in love and devoted to his wife.
This book is confused. The driving story is great but there's at least 100 pages that have nothing to do with it and add nothing to your experience as the reader. It's also wrapped up in a total of two pages... without actually giving you the opportunity to solve the mystery OR even enjoy the dramatic moment. It ends with an unexpected twist but honestly the story I wanted wasn't there. Probably won't read anything else by this author- overall disappointed by what could have been and was instead glossed over!
This book is confused. The driving story is great but there's at least 100 pages that have nothing to do with it and add nothing to your experience as the reader. It's also wrapped up in a total of two pages... without actually giving you the opportunity to solve the mystery OR even enjoy the dramatic moment. It ends with an unexpected twist but honestly the story I wanted wasn't there. Probably won't read anything else by this author- overall disappointed by what could have been and was instead glossed over!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Suicide, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Alcohol, Gaslighting, and Medical content
annarella's review
5.0
A scary, gripping, and riveting story that kept me reading. I loved. It's the first book I read by this author and I appreciated the style of writing and the storytelling.
It's got the right level of creepy, good character development and a well developed plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
It's got the right level of creepy, good character development and a well developed plot.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
pharmdpositive's review
4.0
Thank you to Net Gallery and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book.
I absolutely devoured this book. This is a super-natural horror with a medical twist. Sign me up! I'm a pharmacist, so I especially enjoyed the anatomy parts. This book will make you cringe, scream, and hide. This is a great read and look forward to reading more by this author. Well done.
I absolutely devoured this book. This is a super-natural horror with a medical twist. Sign me up! I'm a pharmacist, so I especially enjoyed the anatomy parts. This book will make you cringe, scream, and hide. This is a great read and look forward to reading more by this author. Well done.