| Title | : | Reunion Special: A Novella |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 70 |
| Publication | : | Published October 14, 2020 |
Reunion Special: A Novella Reviews
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Carson has penned a truly atmospheric horror with a dreadful mystery at the heart of it. The pages go so fast that the only thing that kept me from finishing it in one sitting was a child that needed to eat and a migraine that put me on my ass for a day. Maybe it was my brain tripping a fuse. Maybe a snake was chewing on my cerebral cortex.
Either way, this novella is going to haunt my dreams in the same way Sour Candy and blanky by Kealan Patrick Burke does! -
As a huge fan of the real-life show Survivor, I was super stoked to read this book, especially while sitting on the beach! The story starts out a bit disorienting, which I believe was intentional, but this made it a bit harder for me to focus and stay engaged initially. As things moved forward though, I did begin to get more invested. I'm not sure I can say with any certainty what exactly happened here, but it was weird and I like that. Carson does a great job of "fever dream" writing!
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“The funny thing about reality is just how elusive it is. Like life. You’re born one day, then you’re dead.”
“Reunion Special” by Carson Winter 4 out of 5 stars!
The story of the reality show that never was but became a viral, cult favorite. Four cast mates are brought together for a reunion special to discuss the past and future of the defunct reality show. One that brought tragedy, fear and betrayal. Each character hardly remembers their time in the jungle nor the events that took place there, but they were eager to get away from their current mundane lives. Their host, Edgar Reyes, brings the history, savage nature and memories of the jungle throughout the interviews while being just as much as a pawn as the cast mates before him. Each character has their own demons and personality traits that compliment each other as they are forced to view and remember what took place in the jungle.
The jungle had its own reputation driven by legends about ghosts, altars and supernatural making it a perfect scene for a reality show. Viewers began to notice and discuss their sightings which pushed its underground popularity. The fact that the characters remember nothing about what happened and the loss of their other cast mates blanketed the story with mystery until it unfolds itself chapter by chapter. This is a quick, gripping novella that sucks you in with each page.
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for my honest review. Please visit my profile or website for more reviews. Thank you! -
A sharply written and thoroughly creepy novella. Winter's story has a unique format that creates a delightfully disorienting effect. I will be thinking about the mystery at the heart of this book for a while.
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Carson Winter, a name we'll be hearing more from in the future, has created a thrilling and thoroughly creepy chiller in his debut novella. Dynamic characters that are just a couple inches off kilter from our own mundane world take center stage as they try to unravel the mystery that has been hidden deep in their own memories. They are led by the broken, but still charming Edgar Reyes, who is as much a victim of what's behind the camera lens as he is a guide and orchestrator. And they are followed by the omnipresent narrator who silently heralds a power both greater and more sinister than they could possibly imagine. With a premise that hearkens back to the early days of reality television and a google dominated internet, this story will delight with its relentless pace that doles out clues like morsels of chocolate. Too good to stop, but we know we shouldn't take the next bite.
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Clever and timely, this is one of those books that begins on an eerie note, and becomes more and more uncanny as it unfolds. Winter's use of POV and the range of structures make for what feels almost like a collage at first, and then builds itself into a novella where the tension only mounts with each page turned, even as horrific images compound the tension and make for a fast-paced read. On one hand, I wish the book were longer because it was such a fantastic reading experience to fall into, but on the other hand, it's rather perfect as it is--you should binge this book just like you'd binge a guilty escape on the television, and I'd say the horror will be even more present for devouring it in that fashion.
Just don't plan on going to bed right after you read it, and perhaps second-guess whether or not you're ready for the book if you can't handle snakes. I adore snakes, and as a result, that aspect of the book made it all the more wonderful for me. (I imagine it will make scarier for others, too.) -
This was a creepy but pleasant way to spend 99 cents and 60 minutes. I’d read more from the author, even though I did find this tale to be a little vague and unfulfilling. It hints at a lot of interesting goings-on but never fully exploits its best ideas to the fullest. I kind of like that: I’d rather read a shorter story with too many ideas than a doorstop with too few. But throw in maybe 10 or so pages fleshing out a few scenes and I might have fallen in love. Kind of reminds me of A. N. Donaldson’s work, which is a compliment (albeit with an asterisk.) Still, a nice way to spend 99 cents and 60 minutes!
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How to talk about Reunion Special without gushing. It is a challenge, I must say, one I don't think I can meet. Such is the talent of Carson Winter.
A story about a reality show cast reunion, this slice of cosmic horror unspools itself, snakelike, and winds its way from your brain down into your gut as it unfolds, and then it starts to squeeze. You'll never feel safe while your reading it, and by the end, you'll find yourself wondering if the book has somehow cursed you to the same fate that befalls its characters.
Winter's talent shows in his obliqueness, and the way he presents the narrative to the reader. The unreliable narrator is taken to an extreme here, and every time he winks at you (figuratively, of course), it makes you squirm that much more. There is so much subtext that it almost begs to be re-read, but it never leaves you feeling as if you received no answers. You just won't get ALL the answers. And that is what the best stories always do. Challenge you to go deeper.
Carson Winter is a name to watch, mark my words. This novella is just the beginning. -
A weird tale from a new voice in weird fiction, Reunion Special plays with form as easily as it plays with the reader.
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In 1997, a reality show known as Survivor captured America's attention and would change TV forever. Meanwhile, in an alternate reality, Deserted was filmed in much the same manner. 8 contestants were brought to a tropical island to compete for the cash prize at the end, but...something happened. The show was never aired.
You may have heard of it.
I think I did.
Weren't there some disturbing clips of the doomed reality show available online?
Yeah, I remember that.
Don't you?
I read about it somewhere . Think I even saw a clip.
But maybe I'm not so sure, because Carson Winter's debut novella threads that dreamlike quality that makes the prose take up refuge in your subconscious where you start to have confusions as to what is real and what is a false memory.
A great premise if there ever was one: over a decade later, the remaining contestants of Deserted are scheduled to appear in the Reunion special where they will finally confront what happened and what went wrong.
I was only disappointed that this was the only story available by Mr. Winter.
Anxiously awaiting his next release.
In the meantime, I am back to scouring the internet for clips from Deserted. I could've sworn I saw something before. -
This is a very short book that packs a full-sized punch. In the 75 pages we are introduced to fully developed characters with fully realized lives and troubles beyond the scope of their little reality tv foray. I’m really impressed with the depth of story and conflict the author was able to work into it… it is absolute word sorcery!
I would love to read another JUST about the time on the island and shooting the show- because that would be just as interesting!
Very unique- definitely recommend! -
If you've ever wondered how a survival show could go terribly wrong, and you enjoy the bite size pieces of a short story told almost in a podcast like form, this one is three. For me, it was a little too short, I didn't necessarily care about the characters, and I just wanted more. But for a short story it is well rounded, intriguing, and pretty fast-paced. It was all an intriguing idea, and I think it would make a great film. And some ways it reminded me of the ruins.
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A gripping, unconventional horror novella with well-crafted characters and an intriguing, mysterious storyline. Very interesting POV.
Highly recommend to fans of weird horror! -
**Note: I was provided a copy of this title in exchange for a fair and honest review.**
You can also read my review over at HorrorTree.com:
https://horrortree.com/epeolatry-book...
I’ve never really cared for most reality television. I mean, I love The Great British Baking Show and Kitchen Nightmares, and occasionally something like American Ninja. But, not most of the others, like singing and dancing competitions. And, every year there seems to be a new—even more bonkers than the last—dating reality show.
Not to mention the show that kicked off all the fervor for the reality show craze: Survivor.
I understand how it drew an audience (drama, scenery, scantily clad twenty-somethings, hijinks), but I could never stomach how fake everything seemed. I’ve always wondered what would happen if real “bad stuff” started happening to the contestants. Like, Jimmy’s body washes up on the beach, but the producers decide to keep rolling and not call the authorities.
Guess what! Carson Winter delivered on this morbid curiosity with his book, Reunion Special. In his story, the Survivors of a gameshow never aired, and then get back together on another deserted island. An eerie feeling moves throughout the tale, that something is not right about this production.
Reading Reunion Special gave me the same sort of willies I got from creepy pastas years ago. And hint by hint, Carson leads us deeper in the secrets behind the production of the lost series. He captures the same surreal experience of stories like Crystal Cove, which dug into my brain and resurfaced in a nightmare. Within this original and capital-W weird situation, the author created perfectly placed visceral scares, and well-crafted and believable characters.
I highly recommend checking out Carson’s novel. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, I’m now more afraid of snakes. (Thanks Carson. 😊) -
GR doesn't have half stars, I am giving this a 3.5. Personally it was hard to follow at first and when it hit a steady pace and sucked me in, it ended. I would absolutely love more to this story! I love Carson's prose and he sets the scene spectacularly. I am hungry for more of work and will keep me eyes peeled for his future books. Also f*ck snakes they can burn in a fire.
