What did you buy or receive today?

[Noxus35]

*RECEIVED TODAY*

"A little bit Poltergeist, a little bit Us, a lot of The Haunting of Hill House... but mostly itself, Ian Rogers's Family is full of hidden passageways, trap doors, and secrets. This is very much a novel of 2024, which means the monsters are not in the house, but inside us. As usual, Rogers proves twisty and not for the faint of heart." - Glen Hirshberg, author of Tell Me When I Disappear

This blurb has everything needed to grab my attention and draw me to a book like this, so when Earthling Publications' newsletter landed in my inbox stating they had a few galleys to spare for reviewers, I didn’t hesitate to reply.
I even included one of my previous reviews in the response.

Since I'm not a professional reviewer i wasn't expecting Paul Miller to respond to it, but to my surprise, he did- and quite quick i might add!

I'm thrilled and grateful to have the chance to read and review this book in advance, thank you so much for your faith in me Paul!

Family by Ian Rogers has officially jumped to the top of my TBR list.

My full review will be dropping soon.

In the meantime, Family by Ian Rogers is still available to purchase directly from Earthling Publications.

https://www.earthlingpub.com/ir_family.htm

[TheCollector]

Oh that's cool - drop us your official review once it's ready. I'm not familiar with the author but I may add it to my reading list (if your review is positive )

[Noxus35]

Sure thing, i have never read anything by the author as well. It's also his debut novel but apparently he has written a lot of punch packed short stories before this one.

I'll drop it here as well when i've finished reading it.

Oh that's cool - drop us your official review once it's ready. I'm not familiar with the author but I may add it to my reading list (if your review is positive )

[CamFella]

Congratulations, Tomas

[TheCollector]

I won't ask which contrats you mean and just pretend it's the second one, thanks!



or

[CamFella]

Ha! I will go with the rat on this one.

On the BINC....Sincerely...

Cam

[Noxus35]

Oh that's cool - drop us your official review once it's ready. I'm not familiar with the author but I may add it to my reading list (if your review is positive )

Done and read the novel, read on below!

**REVIEW - FAMILY by Ian Rogers

"A little bit Poltergeist, a little bit Us, a lot of The Haunting of Hill House... but mostly itself, Ian Rogers's Family is full of hidden passageways, trap doors, and secrets. This is very much a novel of 2024, which means the monsters are not in the house, but inside us. As usual, Rogers proves twisty and not for the faint of heart." - Glen Hirshberg, author of Tell Me When I Disappear

The moment Earthling Publications announced they had a few galley copies available for Ian Rogers' debut novel Family, I jumped at the chance to get my hands on one.

With that captivating blurb alone, it promised to be exactly the kind of psychological horror that grabs me, so I reached out immediately.
To my surprise and excitement, Paul Miller quickly responded and offered me an advance copy.
Thank you again, Paul Miller , for this opportunity!

Family is Earthling’s 2024 Halloween Series pick, and though I’m familiar with the series, this is the first title I’ve had the chance to review in advance.
Given how much I enjoyed this one, I’m regretting not picking up the earlier titles, but let’s focus on Family here, because it deserves all the attention it can possibly get.

Ian Rogers, while known for his short stories and novellas, makes his full-length novel debut with Family, and it's an impressive one at that- a brilliant introduction to his talents.

The novel follows the Bennett family- Jack, Laura, Jessica, and Stanley- who move into a new home after a series of personal disasters and tragedies threatened to tear their family apart.
Jack, seriously injured in a workplace accident, now struggles with everyday life, haunted by vivid and terrifying hallucinations that blur the line between reality and nightmare.
His wife Laura, was forced to leave her dream job and is now haunted on a daily basis by an otherworldly and disturbing creature.
Jessica, a teenager grappling with the usual adolescent challenges, encounters a dark and vicious version of herself, adding a chilling twist to her already tumultuous journey through life.
Meanwhile, young Stanley- a sweet but anxious boy- finds his hypochondria escalating into something far more sinister.

At first glance, it may seems like your classic haunted house story, filled with unsettling occurrences and ominous tension.
But Family quickly evolves into something far deeper and much more disturbing.
Each character’s psychological unraveling is brilliantly depicted, making you feel as if the real horror lies not just within the house but within themselves.

The dynamics in the Bennet family is what really makes this novel stand out from the others i've read before this.
The Bennetts maybe flawed but remain very likable. Then again, which family is truly perfect?
And as their circumstances deteriorate even further, you just can’t help yourself but root for them.

The dialogue throughout the novel is beautifully written, making each interaction between the characters feel authentic and drawing you into their world.
Rogers does an incredible job building up tension, and the haunting elements are truly terrifying.

What begins as a seemingly familiar haunted house story quickly twists into something far more unexpected and unsettling.
I was fully immersed in the psychological breakdown of the characters and the escalating terror within the house.

Rogers’ pacing is excellent, ramping up the tension as each family member faces their own unique, horrific ordeal.
And when i was almost done reading Family, i immediately ordered his novella Grey through PS Publishing.

If any of Ian's future work is anything like his debut novel, then definitely count me in for whatever comes next.
Well done Ian!

FAMILY can still be purchased right now via Earthling Publications here;

https://www.earthlingpub.com/ir_family.htm

[TheCollector]

Now that is an IN DEPTH review! I thought you were just doing a one or two line blurb on the back of the DJ, but you've got a full on literary critique. Very well written.

[Noxus35]

Thank you very much! Hopefully more to come in the nearby future.

Now that is an IN DEPTH review! I thought you were just doing a one or two line blurb on the back of the DJ, but you've got a full on literary critique. Very well written.

[mulleins]

Agreed! Great review.

I look forward to reading my copy.

Ralph Mulleins