Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Scanlines

The writer said he originally wanted to write something with a lighter tone after finishing Devil's Creek. A coming of age story. While he absolutely didn't write something light, he succeeded in writing a haunting story that I probably won't forget.

This story is about three teenage boys trying to download porn. What they stumble upon instead changes their lives forever.

The story is inspired by a real event that was televised and that the author watched as an 11 year old. That and the subject matter make this novella anything but lighthearted. As dark as this story was, I still managed to enjoy the 1998 setting.

This is really short at just over 100 pages, I read it in one sitting alone. I meant to only read a few chapters and found myself unable to stop reading. Like the video in the story, this will have you hooked.

Obviously, due to the subject matter I'd say skip this if you're sensitive to the topic of suicide.

In the afterword, the author states that writing has always been his therapy. "I think that's why my work tends to be so dark. I exercise the demons on paper so they don't manifest elsewhere." I love that.

This book reminded me of movies like The Ring and Pulse. If you're into those, then definitely give this a try. I'm looking forward to reading Devil's Creek from this author.

Content Warnings

vererito's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Content Warnings

ehicks212's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

“A ghost story, but not the conventional sort.”

This book is dark, but the author’s afterword also shows how important it is.

Content Warnings

mossroot's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Scanlines was such an enjoyable read. This book really does shed light on the darkness of the human obsession with death. A ghost type story that leaves you questioning if the characters are actually crazy or if this is actually happening. Such a short read, there's no reason not to give scanlines a try. It's real, a real book about the real ways that people deal with trauma.

Scanlines took me an hour to read.

Content Warnings

horrorfemme15's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I’ve been burned by a lot of small-publication and self-published horror lately so I was skeptical coming into this book. However, it far exceeded my expectations. This one is a heartbreaker too. We don’t get a happy ending, but we know that from the start. It’s all about the journey.

Content Warnings

takecoverbooksptbo's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Scanlines is absolutely deserving of the title « the most disturbing book I’ve ever read ». It’s not the most violent or gruesome story you’ll read, but it will bother you.

Having said that, the novel is very effective. As an exploration of depression, suicide, morbid curiosity, and self-destructive desires, it’s among the best horror stories I’ve come across. It’s a coming of age narrative in the worst way possible and, I guess I’ll leave it at that. Check it out and abandon all hope.

Content Warnings

irish_m1nx's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Oof...Scanlines by Todd Keisling is a dark read about some tough subject matter. It's been a while since a book has made me feel so unsettled.

I have a teenage son who struggles with thoughts of self-harm and suicide, so this story hit close to home. This is a very intense look at how depression and suicide can be contagious, especially among young, impressionable teens. There is a part in the story when the boy's mother asks him what's wrong. He wants to tell her everything, but instead tells her he's stressed from school. This is my son's M.O.

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