The Sleep Experiment by Jeremy Bates is a chilling horror tale that will keep readers turning the pages. In 2018, Dr. Roy Wallis, the head of psycThe Sleep Experiment by Jeremy Bates is a chilling horror tale that will keep readers turning the pages. In 2018, Dr. Roy Wallis, the head of psychology at the University of California at Berkeley is attempting a sleep deprivation experiment using a stimulant gas. With two Australian test subjects under surveillance around the clock, he and his two student assistants (Penny Park and Guru Rampal) will record their findings. These will include general observations as well as various test results. The experiment is scheduled to last twenty-one days. But the situation soon becomes a nightmare.
Wallis is fashionable, ambitious, and determined to see the experiment through to its end. Penny is sharp, has a sardonic sense of humor, is an extrovert, and she’s attracted to older men. Guru is intelligent and hopes to eventually help reform the health care system in India. The two test subjects are Sharon and Chad, who met while traveling in Europe, and have become friends.
While the prologue and last day of instruction chapters were interesting, the book pacing quickly slows to a crawl as readers gain insight into the various characters during the next two chapters. The following few days get more interesting as readers see how the test subjects behave as they experience boredom, lack of privacy, and endless tests that show physical and mental changes. Readers need to be prepared for a chilling, horrifying, and action-filled horrifying finish. Themes include human experiments, ethics, sleep deprivation, values, and much more.
Overall, this is a book that kept me turning the pages after a slow start to see what would happen next. It was initially intriguing and this was followed by shocking.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 7, 2019. ---------------------------------------- My 2.73 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon....more
Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison combines horror with romance and family. Rory Morris has taken an extended leave of absence from her ManhattanSuch Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison combines horror with romance and family. Rory Morris has taken an extended leave of absence from her Manhattan job as a business development consultant vice president. She loves her job, but her twin sister Scarlett who is pregnant and estranged from the baby’s father. Scarlett has asked for Rory’s help. After a night out when Rory meets a childhood friend Ian Pedretti, she hits a large animal with her car. She’s attacked when she gets out to investigate.
Afterwards, Rory is dealing with the trauma of the attack, but also some side effects. She is stronger, has keener eyesight, and her hearing and sense of smell are enhanced. Those are just a few of the changes she sees and senses. Is she a monster? Is she a danger to others? Rory values her independence, is smart, generous, sarcastic, and full of rage. Ian is confident, honest, has a good sense of humor, and has had a crush on Rory since they were teenagers. Scarlett is optimistic, patient, responds well to candor, and a hard-core romantic. She also doesn’t like surprises.
The narrative flows well with a thought-provoking story line and good characterization. Several themes stood out to me including trauma, rage, trust, fear of the unknown, accepting responsibility, taking control, relationships, sisterhood, family, and love. Sprinkled throughout the novel is some humor and banter that provides some relief as Rory transitions to a new life.
Overall, this was a great premise that delivered more than I expected. I want to read more novels by this author.
I purchased a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was October 4, 2022. --------------------------------------- My 3.98 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon....more
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