| Title | : | Arcranium™ |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 151 |
| Publication | : | Published January 3, 2023 |
Arcranium™ Reviews
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Manx and Towse mash up nicely. Sounded like one voice. Great premise, fantastic manipulation of all the characters. Very satisfying ending. Well Done!
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Horror Bookworm Reviews
Arcranium by Mark Towse & Daemon Manx
https://horrorbookwormreviews.com/
Four horror writers gather on the second Tuesday of every month to discuss projects, productivity and the passion of writing. This reunion slowly evolves into jealousy towards one another’s chosen genre bringing forth a friendly competition. The group decides to use a new underground technology called Arcranium to determine who is the scariest author. However when an ulterior motive is uncovered, ominous and evil intentions cross all lines of reverence.
Mark Towse & Daemon Manx combine their literary talents into one clever story capturing stereotypes of the horror genre. From extreme to gothic to psychological, pushing the experience of terror and madness to the limits are what this author duo does best. A definitive representation of fear and manipulation are boldly told through disturbing images of unnatural horror. So much so that a safe word is needed for protection. The reader is at the mercy of Towse & Manx as they tap into the question…what is real horror?
Competitiveness, resentment, envy and ego are all plugged into this emotional machine of evil intentions. With a bit of Altered States meets Videodrome, this fusion of flesh and algorithms brings forth a breeding ground of vengeful spirits and urban legends. But wait! There’s more! In each and every book you also receive a short horror Towse story built around an 80’s tale of terror, where Game Over takes on a new meaning. You also get a short horror Manx story of a haunted sanatorium ready to be explored by six unsuspecting high school students.
Adjust your sensory input/output, choose your destination and let your imagination be your guide but never compare how big your readership is…size doesn’t matter, it’s how you write it. A five star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Horror Bookworm Reviews. -
I've read both of these authors before, and thoroughly enjoyed what I read. They have come together brilliantly as one in this futuristic tale of competition, jealousy, and the need to be the best, whatever it takes..
The book is set in 2032 and follows four authors at their last ever reunion in their local pub, not that they know this yet! They are discussing the fears and anxieties that come with being a writer, imposter syndrome, what makes a good story, how to win the readers' hearts and ultimately, what scares people the most!!
Noah has a way of finding out! In his day job he has come across a new AI software program called ARCRANIUM! This program will allow them to bring the utmost fear and anxieties to life in the minds of the participants, those participants being himself and the other authors! They will get to experience each others stories first hand.
Just imagine being able to tell a story, and for your readers to imagine it EXACTLY as you do! With all the thoughts and feelings you intended….and the pain and suffering too! Thats the idea behind this little experiment, but things take a horrifically, brilliant, sadistic turn!
With each author upping the game when its their turn to narrate their story! Playing on the others raw emotions and dark memories. Where the imagination truly does come to life….
This was like a cyber, futuristic, splatterpunk, extreme Flatliners!! The imagery was brilliantly vivid, the anxiety levels were sky high and the tension was extremely palpable. Eerily unsettling, creepy and chilling, this story is nightmare fuel for sure! 🖤 Fast paced, with a brilliantly satisfying ending, payback really is a bitch!
Oh, and DONT FORGET THE SAFEWORD!! 😉
**Also, there is an extra little something from each author at the end of this book, so like with a good Marvel film, dont leave before the credits or youll miss out!
Theres a crazy, one sided love/revenge story from Mark and an excerpt from The Okanox: Book 1 by Daemon, which, well, you had me at Sanitorium!! And I really want to explore further…… -
Holy smokes! I couldn't give this book less than 5 stars simply due to the story itself. I've never read a book like this before and it was fantastic! Creepy, chilling, has the right amount of gore. I wasn't surprised that I loved this because Manx and Towse are two of my favorite authors.
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I have read Daemon Manx and Mark Towse separately and have loved and raved about their works. But friends, oooooooh friends, ARCRANIUM is something special.
Four writer “friends”, Alex, Mike, Yas, and Noah, (I say friends because well, competition and jealousy, am I right?) meet weekly at a local pub. When Noah snitches on a top secret, decommissioned virtual reality project he had worked on, the four friends are bound and determined to out do the others stories… even if it means exposing secrets and wounds that have not healed. Who wins in this battle royals of storytellers?
Guys, guys, listen. I love different POVs in stories, I always have and this one is so damn clever and inventive that I don’t think I have ever read anything like it! Each author takes a turn telling a story in the ARCRANIUM virtual realm and we follow each of the other characters through their part in it. HOW FUCKING COOL IS THAT?!! Not to mention what Manx and Towse do with their own narrative, I couldn’t stop turning the pages.
This is brutal, bloody, and will leave you with your jaw on the floor numerous times. I absolutely recommend this for one of your first reads of 2023.
Available today through Amazon. I suggest you lay back, breathe as Danny gives you a shot, and enter ARCRANIUM at your own risk. -
Video Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTu99...
Full Review:
https://www.papercutslive.com/post/ar...
Towse and Manx hop into the Sci-Fi world of AI in this new tale about “one-upping” your friends, or associates, or your competition. Who can write the most shocking and scary horror novel?
Four horror writers, who all have oddly unique personalities, come together for their routine visit to rag on each other and to boast about their own work. They each think they are the best at writing horror novels.
One of the writers introduces the others to the world of AI, Artificial Intelligence, and how it can write the perfect story. There is a program, a super-secret high tech program, basically government level program that can fuse with the authors mind, creating the best possible story. And while doing so, it can add the other participants into the story. That premise tells you right up front someone’s feelings are going to get hurt, or they’re going to get killed or something. That kind of set-up just tells you to watch out, something is going to go wrong and all hell is going to break loose. After all it’s technology, and someone probably forgot to install an update sometime.
The four writers are already secretly jealous of each other, and deep down they most likely have resentment toward each other depending on the success of any of their stories. Now the competition has been stepped up a few levels, because they all agree to use this new technology to get the best story possible out of the deep dark areas of their brains and into the open for each to see.
What the participants get are these nightmarish events playing out, where the line of real and fiction is beyond blurred. Each of the main characters goes through their story, each being different but also gruesomely horrifying. This book is several stories in one. But at the foundation is the main story of how these newer stories are taking place. Did I just confuse you? It’s not a confusing book. But it is very layered.
And these layers come to life with the writing style of Towse and Manx. Like I said earlier I’ve read Towse before in the past, so I think I kinda know what I’m going to get from him. I am not familiar with Manx, but I will say the two did an excellent job blending the styles. It wasn’t like I was able to point out this is where Towse stopped and Manx took over. There didn’t seem to be much of a shift is the narrative which is a big positive.
I think the character building is strong in this book. You really do get the sense these writers want to write the best story and they are willing to sacrifice friendships that may not have been there to begin with in order to create the perfect horror.
The stories rely on the normal horror tropes you would expect with mixtures of the supernatural to plenty of chases and gore to the extreme. Which to me saves the book. Because one would think this is heavy on the Sci-Fi side of things, and I’m not the biggest Sci-Fi Horror fan. I don’t mind it but it’s not my first choice. But this works, the horror definitely overshadows the high-tech stuff. -
Behold! My review from bookstagram!
📚
Soooo this was one bloody, creepy af joyride, just as I expected. 😁 Towse never failed me and it seems he's good at choosing fellow authors to work with too.
Aaanyway, here are some random af thoughts of mine, cuz I can't write a proper review for the life of me.
📚
The beginning of the story when the "amazing" four are having a debate over at The Gardener's Arms was SO well done. I loved everything about it and Noah sums my thoughts on the topic pretty well:
"As far as I'm concerned, the only intention is to scare."
I knew some stuff about Japanese yokai (Rikuo Nura fan in da haus), but I never heard of Kashima Reiko or the Teke teke urban legend, so thanks for that. 😁
I also need to ask both @towseywrites and @daemonmanx one thing - What's wrong with wanking over Barker and King? Especially Barker! One doesn't just read the Damnation Game without… I mean, c'mon! 👀😁
All of the "creative efforts" of the cheerful quartet were terrific, especially the way Alex worked the Arcranium by inserting herself in it and bringing Mike back to the Gardener's. That one was most impressive in my opinion
I didn't particularly like any of the four protagonists (antagonists?), but if I had to choose I'd go for Yas. Just so we're clear, they're all egomaniacs, so you won't like them either. Also, I felt sorry for Mike when he pissed himself. I know I'm not supposed to, but I did. Sue me. 😁
Here's some basic info (thnx Goodreads), without getting into spoiler territory.
Four horror authors with four vulnerable egos, square off against one another, in the virtual world, to find out who is the scariest. Welcome to Arcranium™, a powerful technology that fuses with the author's mind to stimulate their best possible creation, immersing other participants in the narrative. It's all in good fun, but with so much pride at stake, things are bound to get a little bumpy once the gloves come off. So, strap your headset on and don't forget the safe word. The future of literature is about to get an upgrade. The future is … Arcranium™
In the end I'll tap out with one word and one word only - SKYNET. -
I have read several books by Mark Towse and so far, I have yet to be disappointed. This is my first-time reading Daemon Manx.
The story is set in 2032. Four horror authors, Noah, Mike, Alex and Yas, are having what turns out to be their last writers meeting at a local pub called The Gardener's Arms. They are sitting around debating who is the scariest author. Who is the most original and who is tired and worn out using the same old formula and tropes as always.
Noah has a suggestion on just how to figure out who is the scariest author amongst them. He lets them in on a secret he's been working on during his day job. A device known as Arcranium. In the program, the AI seeps into your deepest thoughts, fears, anxieties and darkest desires. You can also allow others to experience your thoughts etc, as well. He offers to allow them to experience the program and in turn, find out once and for all which of them is the scariest storyteller.
Each author takes their turn and each one ups the ante each time. The program also allows the authors to tap into each other's fears and deep memories using their emotions to really mess with them. The session was set up with a safe word so that if things get too intense, they can opt out.
This story was very interesting, and I really enjoyed it. The AI program really reminded me of "the box" that the Riddler uses to take over the Gothamites in Batman Forever. It's also has a very cyberpunk feel to it. The book is fast paced, and the descriptions are incredible. Very graphic and detailed, making it feel like you too are on this journey with them. The end of the book has one little story from each author, and I am very interested in reading more from Manx. -
One of the authors sent me a review copy of this and I’m glad he did! Just released so check it out!
Four horror writers want to find out which of them is the best. They attempt to do this by using Arcranium, a developing software that allows people to unlock their full potential. It’s like a super advanced, fully immersive AR/VR that lets you experience everything as if it were real.
I loved the set up of four friends meeting at a bar to discuss their writing, careers, and reception. Over time the friendships wane with their growing jealousy and insecurities. Each of them is a different kind of horror writer, each with their own ideas of what’s the best kind of scare.
With this being a novella, it reads like one giant climax. Going in and out of their stories is the only short reprieve, but each is high intensity from the get go. Part of me absolutely loved this factor, while on the other hand, if it was lengthened to a novel, it would have been really cool for each story to have the space to fully play out as their perspective genre shifts. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment at all, but for the more atmospheric styles, time to grow is important.
Personally a 5/5*. Tons of screaming, cursing, bleeding, and horror. -
Arcranium™ by Mark Towse and Daemon Manx is an intense and ruthless trip through the horror subgenres and into the human ego. It’s an evocative and riveting read.
The story begins with fun and brutal bar conversation between four horror authors, who may or may not be friends, and turns into an exploration of how horrifying each author’s preferred subgenre and style can be as, through Arcranium™, they inflict their best and worst on each other.
Japanese yurei horror, sci-fi horror, gothic horror, slasher horror—you will never look at these subgenres quite the same again. You may never quite look at authors the same again. The character interaction is both entertaining and disturbing, and ultimately, it’s more than a bit frightening.
This is a sensory and gripping read. The authors engage all your senses as they take you through each character’s Arcranium™ induced scenario. The tension and horrors consume you in a compulsively page-turning experience.
It’s a must-read for those with the intestinal fortitude. -
“It doesn’t take a computer to write the coming-of-age story about a middle-aged white man influenced by Stephen King who thinks the world revolves around him.”
🅀🅄🄸🄲🄺 🅁🄴🄲🄰🄿
Four horror authors with four vulnerable egos, square off against one another, in the virtual world, to find out who is the scariest. Welcome to Arcranium™, a powerful technology that fuses with the author's mind to stimulate their best possible creation, immersing other participants in the narrative.
🄵🄸🄽🄰🄻 🅃🄷🄾🅄🄶🄷🅃🅂
First of all, thank you to Mark Towse for the opportunity to read the eARC of Arcranium™ in exchange for my honest review.
This book had me hook, line and sinker immediately. As an avid horror reader, the horror authors conversations at times had me laughing out loud even when shit hit the fan. We have a little bit of everything all packed into this.
If you’re a fan of horror, I highly recommend this one! -
Mike, Yas, Alex, and Noah are horror authors. Unable to discuss their work with family and friends, they formed their little group and meet every other month at The Gardener’s Arms to discuss their current projects. What started out as a good thing eventually turned into bitterness between the authors. Criticism and insults begin to fly between the group while Noah patiently waits for the right moment to mention Arcranium. Noah insists this will help them decide the argument of who is the scariest writer. Arcranium taps into the subconscious and stimulates it unlocking all inhibitors. He tries to sell the others on this experiment, saying it can unlock their true potential. What it unlocks is actually nightmare fuel and more terrifying than any of the authors ever imagined.
The characters were well done. The disdain they had for each other was very clear, especially once they entered Arcranium. The aggression quickly wipes away any compassion they may have had for each other. The gloves come off as the authors tap into each others memories and traumas and use them to manipulate each other. Towse and Manx did an amazing job creating this tense and hostile environment. You could literally feel this as the reader.
I thought the whole story idea was very creative and unique. The pacing is perfect, and the writing is flawless. Towse and Manx have truly created a brilliant story here that is sure to capture your attention. It's dark, engrossing, and full of suspense with a plot twist you won’t see coming. Arcranium has earned its spot in my top reads.
“His head was a world of confusion and fear, a blanket of indifferent darkness wrapping around and providing no comfort.” -
Four horror authors want to settle a debate on who is the scariest writer. They end up using a powerful technology called Arcranium™. They each take turns immersing each other in their worlds as the device fuses with the author's mind to stimulate their best possible creations. Everything can be felt, including pain. And when they decide to play on each others grief and trauma to make a point, no mercy will be shown and blood will surely shed!
This was such an exciting and original story that I quickly devoured. I loved the idea of a virtual world where imagination meets reality, especially when it comes to manifesting horror. It was also a clever way of incorporating Asian horror, vampires, sci-fi horror and gore all in one neat package. I loved each narrative these authors came up with but if I had to choose, Yas was my favorite! I’m a sucker for creepy urban legends and it was cool to see the Japanese legend of Kashima Reiko (aka Teke Teke) included in this story.
I’ve yet to be disappointed by any of Towse’s stories, they’ve all been so good! There’s even a short story he wrote in at the end of the novella titled “Happy Returns” and it was so hilarious yet kind of brutal, you’ll have to check it out. This is the first time I got a taste of Manx writing, and it just flows so well. He has an excerpt from The Ojanox: Book 1 titled “Scream in the Dark” at the very end of the novella that I really enjoyed and wanted more of.
I highly recommend checking this out as Towse and Manx fused their minds and together came up with something pretty fun and entertaining that will surely please any horror fan. -
Arcranium is a book with three stories. The first story is a collaboration by both authors and what a wild ride it is. The last two stories are short stories by each author individually.
Arcranium begins with four authors who are friends that routinely gather to discuss books, plots and writing in general. They are competitive with each other and wonder how they can decide which of them is the best writer. One of the authors believes there is a way! The government is working on a top secret immersive AI called Arcranium. It works by one person’s thoughts and emotions feed the computer while the other players are subjected to the narrative. The players are given a safe word that will pull them out from the narrative when they can’t take it anymore.
This occurs with each author as their competition turns from friendly to devious. Beware of the skeletons in the closet!
I enjoyed Arcranium and the element of AI brought to the story. Be prepared to be taken to a whole new level of horror with this story.
Happy Returns by Mark Towse is about a guy who loves video games. He’s ordered the last game he needs to complete his game collection. The lady who works at the store has plans of her own for excellence in customer service.
Scream in the Dark by Daemon Manx is a thriller! A group of teenagers follow an old road to the foot of a mountain where the abandoned sanatorium stands. The plan for teenage shenanigans quickly changes when strange shadows appear.
This was a great read! I really enjoyed the change of pace that each story gave. Get your copy of Arcranium when it drops on January 3rd! -
Wow! I just feel like I got off of a roller-coaster ride after reading this awesome novella! From beginning to end, there were thrills and chills!
Four horror writers come together to create stories in this virtual world known as Arcranium. As personalities and egos clash, the writers are determined to create better, more horrific stories than the other. What transpires is a virtual nightmare of survival. As long as you know the safe word they will be fine, right? Right? You will have to read this story to find out.
This was a fast paced read that truly creeped me out. Towse and Manx orchestrated a perfect nightmare in this story. I highly recommend this book. All the stars. Buckle up for a hell of a ride. -
Ummm - Skynet !!! 😱
Full review coming soon. -
"Arcranium™" by Mark Towse and Daemon Manx
As always, thank you @towseywrites for sending me another one of your weird and wonderful worlds!
Wow what an adventure. I recommend this book to all, but seriously.... Horror writers, you'd LOVE this! I really enjoyed the debate at the beginning over what is scary and what is not, what do the readers want and does it matter what the readers want because surely writing is about being free and digging into our own imaginations?
These characters were pretty unlikeable which is deffo the intention. They have huge egos....are all jealous of one another, don't actually like one another and seem to think their opinion is actually a fact! They were so cruel too! Using people's past traumas or dead relatives against them?! Ouch.
Yet when it all becomes completely unhinged, I could not help but feel a sense of sympathy! I won't spoiler it though because damn, I wasn't expecting it to play out that way.
It reminded me of a Black Mirror episode I watched a while ago, where the ending distressed me greatly 🤣 It had me wondering "What nightmare / what memory could be used against me in this situation and could I handle it even if a safe word was in place?"
So here are the questions I suppose.....
How dark is your mind?
What would be the limit for you?
How much horror could you present to another person?
I mean, wouldn't we all like to be the next Stephen King, don't we all feel frustrated when we run out of ideas and see others with what seems like an endless supply of creativity....but would we really go this far for it?! -
I consider myself fortunate enough to receive an abundance of magnificent horror gems for review. The majestic 'Arcranium' by Mark Towse and Daemon Manx is amongst the top ones.
It puts the blurb in the review or it gets the hose hose again:
Four horror authors whose relationship deteriorated through the years from friends to frienemies, decide during one of their regular meetings and after several drinks, to settle once and for all, who has the biggest di... eeer.. who is the scariest of them all.
So they hook themselves into Arcranium™, a powerful technology that fuses with the author's mind to stimulate their best possible creation, immersing other participants in the narrative. That will determine who's the best.
When they get in the narrative, they will discover that whatever terrifying nightmares they've put so far in paper, cannot sum up to the sheer terror and unspeakable madness they are about to experience.
Because hell follows whenever an author is wronged.
So, strap your headset on and don't forget the safe word... if you are in a condition to utter that word.
Be it haunting Japanese supernatural horror, be it gory old school horror with mutant bugs from outer space or be it etherial creatures that cast no shadows or reflection in the mirror and with an exceptional taste for blood, this tale of madness and author imagination pulls you in slowly and then it derails into terrifying territories of nightmarish landscapes of the mind.
The result is sublime indeed. The authors manage to deliver a brilliantly executed, twisted horror tale radiating 'Misery', 'Inception' and 'Existenz' with House on Haunted Hill vibes, that plays like a fiiiiiine horror film in your head with the main characters extremely well penned and the atmosphere utterly cinematic.
As with the rest of the works of Mr Manx and Mr Towse, I am once again blown away by the prose and delivery of the story. Trust me people, this is one hell of a thrill-ride, that you definitely do not want to get off. -
This book chronicles the vicious power of selfish competition. The four authors, Alex, Mike, Noah, and Yas, have massive egos that approach cruelty. They each believe they are outstanding writers who are better than the others. It's time to end the debate: who is the superior writer? They agree to a "friendly" competition to prove their skills. However, it quickly becomes anything but friendly. The showdown is a competitive war that is destructive and evil, leaving everyone involved horrified. It's an intriguing book that explores the horrors of artificial intelligence.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great read that kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good thriller. Mr. Manx is a noteworthy author, and I will certainly be reading more of Mr. Towse's books in the future. -
A group of authors that meet to talk about their horror novels decide to play a sort of AI VR game. But the jealousy and animosity of the authors make the game deadly.
A good book! I really liked how the authors clearly despised each other, and the ending surprised me. The short story at the end by Mark Towse was hilarious but sad. A retro game collector battles for his life. -
Towse and Manx have created something unique with Arcranium™. I was hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down. The whole concept blew me away. I recommend this to everyone, whether you love horror or not - and to those of you that are horror writers - you will love this.
When I start reading a story, the most important thing is that I gel with the characters and want to keep reading about them. Mike, Yas, Alex and Noah are unpleasant to one another, and I thought they were all unlikeable in some way - but that was the intent, and it works so well. There is a battle of egos here to prove who is the best horror writer, each writing in different sub-genres, trying to convince the others how scary their work can be when written well. The tension here oozes from the page as they tear each other's writing apart, which leads to some laugh-out-loud dialogue. It also had me thinking from a writer's perspective about what makes a solid, scary horror story. Their heated conversation ultimately leads them to Arcranium™, where each writer gets to showcase the horrific depths of their imagination and creativity. There is no holding back as they each manipulate their fellow writers' worst fears and traumatic memories to their full advantage, showing how far they will go to prove they write the scariest horror.
Arcranium™ is a fantastic story full of different tropes - an eclectic mix of delicious horror - from the supernatural to old-school blood and gore that will horrify and disturb. The pacing was perfect, with a writing style that flowed well, keeping the story fast-moving and intense. It is also a dark, chilling, suspenseful read with a plot twist that will surprise you. Hands down, this is one of the best books that I have read this year, without a doubt. It had everything I could want in a horror story, and it has me questioning how far I would go to play the game and prove myself as a horror writer.
Come and join me in Arcranium™. Just don't forget the safe word. -
Artificial Intelligence has changed the face of art forever - Horror as imminent!
Co-authors Mark Towse and Daemon Manx have individually published horror stories and now they join to outdo their separate tales - two authors write about a possibility that is all too possible in a story about four authors and the peak of technology made real!
The gentlemen glide into their tale introducing the quartet - ‘For the last three years, on the second Tuesday of every other month, Mike, Yas, Alex, and Noah had been meeting at The Gardner’s Arms to discuss existing writing projects. There was never anything productive about said exchanges; they were to whinge, boast, bitch, and roast. All starting above board and good-natured, over-familiarity soon began to breed contempt which of late had extended to indignation and wrath. Their last ever reunion at The Gardner’s Arms too place on May 2nd, 2032.’ The difference in their interaction erupts as follows:’ Four horror authors with four vulnerable egos, square off against one another, in the virtual world, to find out who is the scariest. Welcome to Arcranium™, a powerful technology that fuses with the author's mind to stimulate their best possible creation, immersing other participants in the narrative. It's all in good fun, but with so much pride at stake, things are bound to get a little bumpy once the gloves come off. So, strap your headset on and don't forget the safe word. The future of literature is about to get an upgrade. The future is … Arcranium™’
Providing an insider view of how writers think, as well as a magnifying glass to the vagaries of Artificial Intelligence and its permutations, this novel explodes with vigor and imagination. Hopefully these two gentlemen will continue bonding with books - they are terrific artists. Highly recommended. -
The Review
This was such a chilling and captivating read. The perfect blend of modern horror and haunting psychological thrills, the authors did a wonderful job of bringing a shocking and visceral story to life on the page. The imagery and tension that layered this writing allowed the fictional worlds the main characters conjured up to come to life in such perfect detail, and the scares that occurred as a result felt natural and paid off from the developing narrative.
For me, the draw of this book came from both the stories within a story concept and the powerful themes that helped draw out the horrors of the genre into this novel. The way the narrative honed in on each character or author’s story and allowed those worlds to flourish not only moved the story forward but allowed the authors of this novel to showcase and flex their own creative work in a unique way. Yet it was the themes of the dangers of technology, the downfall of the ego, and the idea of playing god as a writer that really made the terrors of this fictional world tear into our own deep-seated fears, making this a wonderful read.
The Verdict
Haunting, captivating, and entertaining, authors Mark Towse and Daemon Manx’s “Arcranium™” is a must-read horror novel meets psychological thriller and anthology novel. The short yet powerful read immediately strikes readers with its commentary on the state of writing (and subsequently entertainment as a whole) while also delivering potent scares and thrills that will keep readers wide awake at night. -
I hadn't read either of these authors before this, but I think this was definitely a fun way to start! Arcranium is a virtual realm which brings a hyper realistic story from the mind of an author. It pulls all of their best ideas and creates a story that is essentially personalised. When four horror authors who all think they're the best at their craft find themselves with an opportunity to use it, everything turns to shit.
Within this book you essentially get several mini stories, from all of the authors, which feature their best and favourite types of horror, and what's really fun is they all try to outdo each other.
I really like the idea of a futuristic horror, I think before this I was yet to read one, and especially with an idea as unique as this. I think the best thing about this read is just that its well, FUN. It's a fun read, it's nothing too in depth, nothing deep, there's a bit of a storyline to follow, but all in all, it's about horror and the scares for the authors in the book.
The characters are well written, the plot is pretty good and there's no real issues!! I definitely enjoyed it and it made a good in between read. It's not one of those 'WOW i'll remember it forever' kind of reads, but it's interesting, unique and entertaining, and I think that makes it a worthwhile read. -
4.25 rounded down
What causes the greatest fear? Is it a threat of violence and knowledge of impending pain? Is it feeling something unknown brush against you in the dark? Or is it perhaps your worst memory, something from your past you’d give anything to change…
It’s this debate that leads to a group of writers having a little “friendly competition” to see which one of them can create the best horror story. With the help of an AI program-Arcranium™️ and a safe word, what could go wrong? Everything.
What a wild ride! I had a lot of fun with this horror novella. The plot was refreshingly unique; it grabbed my attention right away and kept me engaged throughout. It was well written, which was particularly impressive having two authors. There was a good mix of atmospheric dread in eerie settings and flat out horror with plenty of gore. The dialogue was sharp, with moments of humor, and the ending was top notch.
Romance has friends-to-lovers and enemies-to-lovers tropes and that’s fine, but I’ll take a friends-to-enemies horror fest any day. Absolutely recommend this one to any horror fan.
I appreciate the copy of this ebook for my honest review. -
First off I want to thank @towseywrites & @daemonmanx for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
As usual Towse writing, what the f*ck ! This was such a unique concept, such a different universe. It's totally not on my usual go to genres but I'm glad I gave this one a try.
I really loved that you couldn't tell this was two writers, everything just flowed and meshed well together. The beginning for me was a bit on the slower side, but still had some gory, chilling aspects. When it started to pick up, it just didn't stop and I was hooked.
The imagery of it was very vivid, easily imaginable even if it was a futuristic invented concept. You could feel the tension and anxiety of the characters through the pages.
If you're looking for a chilling, futuristic, fast horror read give this a try ! -
Arcanium™ is a virtual reality AI machine that learns everything about you and can help make you into the most creative version of yourself. Mind you it was originally a government project until the scrapped it. Four horror authors enter to compete and see who is the best author while inflicting the others to their own twisted story.
Upon finishing this I knew it was going to be a bench mark for all Mark's work. Once again Mark's prose is in point, with beautifully described and written passages. Obviously Daemon wrote this also but their styles have melded so well I couldn't gather where one author ended and the other started.
The authors incorporate multiple different genres to help emphasise each character and each genre feels fully different. When it's gore it's gore, when it's suspense it's suspense and they never rely on one trope as a back up. This helped give the novel a Cabin in the Woodsy feel for me where we knew the tropes and could apreciate them almost as an insider, something that was reinforced due to the authors almost breaking fourth wall as they talk amongst themselves.
This was an easy 4.8/5 for me and I can't wait to read more of Mark's or Daemon's work -
BOH indie brawl runner up list
I have a sweet spot for stories about authors. I wonder why?
The first chapter sets the tone. A group of authors, all comparing their sub genre of horror to each other, each one trying to be scarier than their friend.
Thanx to technology and a super secret project, they get to put their stories to the test by strapping into (almost like virtual reality) machines, hooked into the other authors minds, living and feeling the stories within their heads.
In real life, I'd love to do this. IF IT WERE SAFE -
This was like a brand new type of horror and scifi book all rolled into one. I enjoyed the hell out it. It was unique and well written. The characters we easy to hate (and maybe on occasion feel sorry for). The end had a twist that's a plus for me. I highly recommend this book!
Veronica Smith - author of Chalk Outline and Salvation in the Wasteland
