The author combines dystopian and cosmic horror to create a unique story. I felt connected to the characters, particularly those who referenced 80s shows, such as “You Can’t Do That on Television,” and 90s shows like “Friends.” I love that the college – which is the main setting of this novella – is named after the director of the film “The Exorcist.” I also had fun with the names of the buildings which were named after modern horror writers. I found these allusions added to my enjoyment of the story.
The characters felt real and behaved in ways that one would expect of humans in their daily lives and in the event of a catastrophe. The characters range in age from young adults about to enter college to an elderly couple facing a terminal illness. The spectrum of humanity is present in this novella, from those who seek to help and offer compassion to those who allow fear and anger to override their common decency and intelligence.
In what could have been a predictable ending, the author adds a twist that keeps this from becoming a cliché. I enjoyed this novella and would recommend it to fans of horror and dystopian literature and to anyone who is looking for a new take on the familiar.