The nitty-gritty: There's plenty of food for thought in this short horror story that takes the idea of perception and turns it on its head.

Did you ever wonder why people perceive events in different ways? Two people might see the exact same thing but come away with two different interpretations of what happened. This is the idea behind Malcolm Devlin’s latest, a psychological horror story about a pandemic of sorts, where those who become infected turn into monsters and start eating people. Devlin takes the idea of how narrative shapes our beliefs and how dangerous that can be, and I absolutely loved this short, brutal and thought-provoking tale.

Spence is one of the cured. He used to be infected but was rescued, and now he lives in an institution called Ironside with others like himself. The story is framed around Spence leading a group therapy session as he tells his story to the other cured at Ironside. Through Spence’s story, we learn how the infection started. One day at the restaurant where he worked, Spence and his coworker Macey are shocked when the customers in the dining room suddenly turn into monsters and start killing everyone. Spence and Macey barely escape, but others in the restaurant aren’t so lucky, including a waitress named Pinky who’s been bitten by a monster and is convinced she’ll turn into one herself.

Little by little society becomes divided into the infected, the uninfected and the cured. In a post apocalyptic landscape, where roving groups of uninfected try to survive in a world gone crazy, Spence’s tale unfolds, and eventually we learn how he ended up at Ironside.

That’s all I can say about the plot, because nothing is quite what it seems in this story. The first half feels like your typical apocalypse scenario. Society breaks down, looters run rampant, and the news channels and social media portray a world gone mad. Safe within the walls of Ironside, Spence and his friends are protected from the media with “curated” news stories. They are told that their infection isn’t gone, but merely dormant, and could return at any time. They believe this narrative and cling to it like a life preserver.

But what is the truth? And how do you separate truth from fiction? Spence is still trying to figure that out, even though he believes what he's been told. Devlin takes the idea of news stories and social media and how the truth can be skewed one way or the other, and builds a fascinating horror tale around that idea. Through Spence’s experiences, he explores the idea of how powerful stories can be in both good and bad ways, how they shape our perceptions of events.

There are some devastating moments in And Then I Woke Up. Spence himself has done some terrible things and is trying to atone for his sins. We meet a girl named Leila, another resident of Ironside, who has a soul crushing backstory. Leila figures into one of the story’s most poignant moments at the end when she makes a shocking decision and asks Spence to help her carry it out. Interspersed with the horrific elements are wryly humorous observations about the human condition and the way belief shapes each individual’s personal narrative.

There’s an awesome twist when we learn the “truth” of what’s happening, and it was pretty mind blowing! Even Spence, who has been on both sides of the apocalypse as an infected and a cured, still seems uncertain as to whether he’s figured things out, even though he claims to have “woken up.” Are you curious? Then you’ll definitely want to read this for yourself.

Big thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy.

TITLE: And Then I Woke Up
AUTHOR: Malcolm Devlin
176 pages, TorDotCom Publishing, ISBN 9781250798077 (paperback, also available in e-book)

DESCRIPTION: (from the back cover): In a world reeling from an unusual plague, monsters lurk in the streets while terrified survivors arm themselves and roam the countryside in packs. Or perhaps something very different is happening. When a disease affects how reality is perceived, it’s hard to be certain of anything…

Spence is one of the “cured” living at the Ironside rehabilitation facility. Haunted by guilt, he refuses to face the changed world until a new inmate challenges him to help her find her old crew. But if he can’t tell the truth from the lies, how will he know if he has earned the redemption he dreams of? How will he know he hasn’t just made things worse?

MY RATING: 5 stars out of 5

MY THOUGHTS: I love a good unreliable narrator, and Spence, the narrator of And Then I Woke Up, absolutely fits that description. Of course, being unreliable isn’t really his fault: his world has been turned upside down twice thanks to the latest plague, and sometimes his understanding of events is a bit muddled between what really happened and what he thinks happened. Reliable or not, Spence’s voice is captivating, pulling the reader along as he jumps between his present (returned to Ironside, as we find out in the opening pages of the book), his recent past (time spent outside the facility locating a fellow inmate’s plague-victim “crew”), and his earlier life (as a member of a different plague-victim “crew”). It’s not often I pronounce that a book is “unputdownable.” As much as I love novellas, I usually end up taking at least two sittings to read one of this length. But And Then I Woke Up turned out to be “unputdownable” for me, and I suspect it will also for many of my friends who love horror.

While I enjoy apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction that takes time to explain the scientific or political underpinnings of whatever plague/crisis the world is facing, I really appreciated that author Malcolm Devlin did not spend any time on that aspect of world-building here. The nature of the plague, exactly how it works, is as unclear to the reader as it is to the character narrating the story. Spence is not a scientist, a reporter, a politician: he’s an average guy who has held down a number of jobs and is working as a dishwasher when the plague breaks loose. He doesn’t understand epidemiology; he just understands that suddenly some people are zombies, and some people aren’t, and that he needs to do whatever he needs to do to survive this zombie apocalypse.

Except that, as the book description above points out, it’s not actually the zombie apocalypse, but rather a distortion in how people perceive reality. This is a horror novel that is more-than-topical, taking on the rise of “false news” and the societal effect of the mindset that everyone’s opinion is as valid, if not more valid, than actual fact. Throughout the novella, Devlin touches on how just a few “true believers” can sway the perceptions of “followers” as well as how tenuous “deprogramming” efforts can be even when someone voluntarily leaves the cult (or in this case, the “crew”) when they start to question the beliefs they’re following.

While there is plenty of bloodshed and death in the book, it is not described in excruciating detail. This is not gross-out horror; it’s more psychological, as both the reader and Spence come to terms with the things he and others have done while subject to the plague. Concentrating on the psychological aspect, on Spence’s unsurety about certain events and absolutely certainty of others (along with hints that what he’s certain about may not be what actually happened), gives the book the narrative drive that kept me engaged from first page to last.

Absolutely recommended for folks who want their horror to be thought-provoking along with being disturbing and bloody.

I received an advance reading copy of this book for free from TorDotCom Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I initially had a hard time getting into this book and it was completely on me. I requested this book based off a review someone else had done and so did not read the blurb. I was very confused when I started because it was not what I expected. After reading the blurb and getting into the right mindset I was able to get more into this book. I found it interesting and creepy in a "was that real?" sort of way.

Turn your tv off and take a few deep breathes. The screams and the blood and the crash outside your door is all inside your head. They want you to believe that the people you knew, the people you loved, are all monsters begging to bite you, ready to slash you to pieces.

The future now is split into factions: Survivors, Others and the Cured. If you can keep the story straight you can see how the disease manifested. The plot of misinformation that brought the cleaver down on your neighbours head. That has you laying in a cot at Ironsides. Recovering.

And Then I Woke Up is a novella of terror through a television screen. A not so subtle discussion of the way misinformation and distrust spreads malevolently.

We slowly are exposed to different possible brutal scenarios, and have to dissect which elements are truths. It’s dark but has a naïve kindness at its heart. It’s hopeful and sad. It’s absolutely a fever dream.

Thank you to @tordotcompub and @netgalley for an ARC of this title. And Then I Woke Up comes out tomorrow, April 12, 2022.

When the dead rose, Spence burned down a restaurant to save his coworkers and destroyed dozens of zombies. Except, the dead never rose, and Spence was one of the millions who succumbed to a disease that made them hallucinate the end of the world. Now in a treatment facility, Spence tries to help a fellow patient and goes on a quest in search of atonement. The premise is unconventional and quietly horrifying, the unbreakable logic of desperate survival with the guilt that most zombie stories expiate intact. It has parallels in real life, with the narrative framing the Other as monsters, and the fear of just what a person who thinks they see monsters will do.

I adore Devlin's writing style. The repeated short phrases that mean nothing without context and everything with it. You could get some of the prose tattooed on your skin, this book is that beautiful. Devlin has mastered his craft and I eagerly await what he has next in store.

✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨
Omg this little book packs a punch.

At a little under 200 pages (175-ish) this story follows Spence during a weird plague. Is this a zombie apocalypse novel? Is it a weird COVID adjacent novel? We’re never really sure what caused the apocalypse.

What we are sure of though is that the infected believe there are Others. But are these Others bad? Who’s telling us what’s safe and what’s not?

This whole thing is a story on perspective and narrative and definitely gets you thinking.

And tbh, that’s all I can say without spoiling this novella. I only wish the novella was a little longer to get more background on how this whole thing started and more background on characters.

Be sure to check it out though!

Thank you to @netgalley and @tordotcomlub for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

A very interesting take on the zombie apocalypse genre that, in my opinion, is in direct conversation on how we view and process the presence of viruses now. A smart twist and surprisingly well rounded characters drive this story from mediocre to something that definitely stands out with it play on human psyche, and the constant dread of something being off with reality. My one critique is regarding the writing style, with a stream of consiousness style is very easy to lose the reader if they are not in with the plot from the beginning, it is a matter of taste, but it almost made me quit the book after the second chapter.
I've never heard of the author before this book, the first and only thing that made me ask for an arc of this novella was its cover. A stunning work of colour play building intrigue, immaculate illustration, that caught my attention in a second and begged me to read it.

Ominous titles portrayed on stunning covers that fill me with a sense of dread are a sure fire bet to getting my attention. Whether the book is a science fiction epic, or short jaunt through a fantastical realm, I’m always game when that lethal marketing combination is aimed my way. Malcolm Devlin’s tale of horror was no different. And Then I Woke Up is a terrifying and uncanny portrayal of how one’s perspective can be distorted and weaponized to split reality, causing untold harm to the masses, and forever damaging the individual.

Spence is living out his days amongst the cured. Not that long ago, he had fallen prey to a weird plague that had been sweeping the nation. One night, while working at the restaurant, something horrible happened. A strange stench of rotting meat permeated the air, and the customers began to take on a monstrous form. Spence, along with a group of his coworkers, fought their way out desperately, and ran off to scavenge in this new hostile world. Or so he thinks that’s what happened. He, along with others at Ironside rehabilitation, are quite confused as to what is real, and what isn’t. And when a new patient shows up, and asks him to help her escape and find her old crew, he worries being “cured” may not be what he thinks. And so he sets out in search of a redemption he desperately craves, but what he finds may never scratch that itch.

I did not know what to expect when I picked this book up, but as soon as I entered Devlin’s domain, I was hooked. Spence was an engrossing narrator, dancing between hard facts and his subjective perspective with the ease of a drunken marionette. Devlin made it hard to trust him right away, and it set up a pervading sense of unease that only grew as the story wore on. The slow reveal of Spence’s journey to being cured was handled well, framing it to be a group therapy session that’s been rehearsed, but with the cracks slowly starting to show. Spence’s recitation of his story is both fascinating and stomach churning as he lists explicit details and questions his own motives and perspective. The story never steps away from Spence’s version of events, letting the reader steep in his shattered mind.

The “narrative” as the plague came to be called, is a devilish idea. It’s not fully understood by those who never experienced it, and it’s an even darker ocean for those “cured” of it. Devlin has Spence walk the reader through his conception of it, parroting the sterilized medical and psychological explanations to induce goosebumps. But Spence’s layman translations are haunting and bone deep. They seem silly at first, invoking internet memes years old. However, their implications about our limited knowledge of how the brain works is almost paralytic. I don’t want to get into it too much here, as discovering it through the story is part of the fun. And who’s to say I can even relay it truthfully?

One of my favorite aspects is how Devlin plays with some more recognizable zombie horror tropes and blends them nearly seamlessly with psychological horror. Zombies have been burnt out for a while, and this novella finds a refreshing use for them. And while diving headfirst into the hyper individualistic attitudes that dominate the genre, he questions their utility. Devlin’s counter to the narrative is subtle and and in some ways radical, involving community efforts on a level I rarely see in such stories. It isn’t bright, or flashy and doesn’t wipe away the pain. Instead, the hope it provides is the shadow at the top of the stairs surrounded by light, reaching a hand out to remind you that you’re not alone in the harsh light of reality.

And Then I Woke Up is not for the faint of heart, nor the ironically detached. It seeks to fill one with dread, but a dread that underlies the present human condition. It examines the nature of storytelling, offering sobering observations without over-simplifying and playing the blame game. Devlin nails the horror of isolation and alienation due to the endless waves of competing narratives in a sea of hyper-individuality. The ending reminds the reader, it’s truly hard to trust anyone, especially if you can’t trust yourself, but it’s what one must do. Can’t live otherwise.

Rating: And Then I Woke Up – 9/10
-Alex

An ARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts on this book are my own.

I greatly appreciate access to this novella, but I was not invested in this story. I really didn’t understand it. It was very stream of consciousness and I did not like that while reading. The connection to the characters was also not there. I also feel like I missed the horror aspect of story. It seemed that any horror I did see did not show up until about 75% through the novella. I wanted so much more from this. While reading I just wanted to stop and watch 28 Days Later instead to get the vibes the book wasn’t giving.

2 stars.

This was an interesting and quick horror novella about the end of the world. Or maybe it’s not? Hmm… wasn’t too sure what to make of this, so it was probably best I went in blind. I didn’t really connect with the characters and I felt like they were unreliable… but that was the point, right? We are talking about a book that showcases how easy it is for a group of people to be swayed to believe a false narrative over the truth.

And Then I Woke Up is a shining example of an incredible story that can be told in less than 200 pages. This horror novella takes place after a mysterious virus plagues the world, altering the infected's perceptions of reality. Spence, our main character, takes the reader through the weeks leading up to the tipping point of the outbreak, and ultimately what led him to Ironside, the rehabilitation center for the infected.

This book is an incredible read for those who have studied or are fascinated by human psychology. The virus in this book only truly infects those that are susceptible to believing a dangerous narrative, and in turn causes them to see friends, family, and strangers as terrible, vicious monsters. The only option is to try and survive. Riddled with rhetorical questions on the subject of belief and perception, And Then I Woke Up is speculative in a way I found incredibly engaging! I don't think you should go into this book expecting to be so-scared-can't-sleep, but there are plenty of unsettling elements that classify this as a great psychological thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Horror is still a pretty new genre for me, and I get to have that exciting reading experience of working out what I do and don’t like in a certain genre. And this is a big like.

The reading experience throughout this novella feels like one big question mark – as a reader you’re given just enough to be creeped out by the implications, but not quite enough to feel like you have a solid idea of what’s going on – honestly this book could be described as a bit of a trip.

It’s a difficult one to explain, because it’s vague enough to be believable and somewhat plausible, but also you’re not really sure what to believe.

The writing was eerie, trippy and a beautifully simple yet unnerving concept that was so well done, with my only complaint being that I wish this was a full-length novel because I would love to read more about this story and this world. But then again, had it been longer it might have moved more into the typical action/adventure plot line and lost the creepiness of just getting a snapshot of this world and scenario.

This is definitely a good read for those who are new to horror (like me!) It also reminded me quite a lot of a certain Black Mirror episode, but not enough that it felt like a copy – just both having the same beautifully creepy and sinister vibes.

Huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

Torn between 2.5-3

An untrustworthy narrative in a world where you cannot trust your mind, and that might be in a zombie apocalypse? Twisted horror for sure.

Honestly, horror is a hit or miss for me, and while I didn't love this book for specific pacing and storytelling, the beginning was excellent. The creeping suspicion throughout this book on what was happening and if things were real or not was very well done!

A quick and interesting horror novella about the end of the world...or maybe not. Our narrator is in a rehab facility for the "infected" which at that point I was thinking about In the Flesh, but the truth (or the truth as we got it) is quite different.

I feel like the best thing to do for this book is to go into it blind, so I won't speak too much. But this an engaging story about false narratives and the power of an idea, that I suggest checking out.

If you have ever dreamt of sitting in a group therapy session in a post-apocalyptic Walking Dead-esque world, this book is for you. You are presumably a reformed monster, one of the infected who has been cured and is trying to process and emotionally atone for the horrors committed when you weren't in your right mind. Spence, our narrator and fellow cured monster, is telling this tale to you, explaining the actions that brought him into, out of, and back to the rehabilitation center where you have lived since you "woke up."

It is a quick read -- I read it in about an hour and a half in one go -- with superb pacing that makes it feel even quicker. A little sad, a little grotesque, and hinting at a little social commentary without fully committing to anything too dense, the story packs a lot of content without the kind of heaviness that can result in a sleepless night or book hangover.

Overall it is a surprising treat and highly recommended for anyone wanting a quick hit of something a little creepy.

Content warning: murder, gore, blood

There’s an emerging subgenre in 2022 where a mysterious contagion makes people fly into a rage. While this is part of the premise of this novella, And Then I Woke Up examines the aftermath and the power of narrative when it comes to trauma. A cure isn’t as simple as dealing with It also looks at the power of narrative as it relates to violence and justification.

Deeply introspective with flashbacks to all the trappings of a zombie apocalypse, this is one of the saddest horror stories I’ve ever read.

Spence, our main character, is also older than many protagonists I’ve read about. It lends really well to the introspection that unfolds. There’s also a good rapport between him and the other patients at Ironside. It’s impressive how rounded the side characters are, even though many of them only show up for a sentence or two. The process of “the narrative” shows up as a character in and of itself, and I’d almost argue it’s the antagonist. Leila and Spence mirror off each other wonderfully, the specifics of which are spoilers.

The presentation of the virus in this one is fascinating. Where in many other violent apocalypses, there’s a cinematic element to what the violence and contagion looks like. But in this one, there’s a high possibility it’s all in the afflicted’s head. They think there’s a zombie apocalypse happening, which is what makes them violent. But even that’s up for debate. It’s very subtly depicted as a viral delusion told in various flashbacks that retreads similar scenes.

There’s also a strong theme of compassion and redemption that hides out in the background of the aftermath. The reveals and “what really happened” segments are absolutely devastating as a result. The repetition of specific phrases effectively depicts Spence’s mental state. It’s difficult to be in. But there’s also such clarity to the fractured world beyond Ironside’s four walls. We get to go there. It’s effective in its presentation, and I found myself emotionally flattened.

Survival in this novella is a deeply interior process where the violence happening around the characters isn’t even the most upsetting part.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review a copy of this book! I thought that the idea of this novel was really cool, but I just really couldn't click with the writing style. It was very stream of consciousness/talking to the audience and I just couldn't get sucked into it. I can see why people love this, but it's just not a writing style I mesh with. The gist of this work is that the main character has survived the apocalypse, and is in a facility with others who are debating whether people are turning into monsters/there *are* monsters in the world? (I'm not going to lie I'm a bit unsure, I was pretty distracted by the writing style). This book was definitely a psychological horror, which I didn't realize before diving into it. I think this was an interesting idea but it felt like the story was mostly flashbacks on how we got to present (in the book) circumstances and being sort of an allusion to reality, instead of there really being like...a plot? Again, I can definitely see why people are loving this. It just wasn't really for me. Honestly, I think I would like this more if it was expanded into a novel and was given a bit more room to expand and breathe--therefore I will definitely check out more by this author in the future! AMAZING cover, though, whoever designed it needs a kiss on the forehead.

Thank you, Tordotcom, for allowing me to read And Then I Woke Up early!

This book was horrifying, but in all the best ways possible. I adored every single letter, word, sentence, paragraph, page, chapter. The way the story's reality is so unreliable captivated me spectacularly. It was original and thrilling. It bears repeating: I adored it.

This was a really interesting little horror novella using a (maybe?) zombie apocalypse to talk about false narratives people believe. It feels very apropos of what is happening in the real world with fake news, culture wars, and people believing all kinds of narratives driven by charismatic people.

And Then I Woke Up is a story told by a man who has lived through this apocalyptic event where many people believe that others are turning into zombies. But are they really? This man has supposedly been "cured" and can now see the truth. But what is real?

Definitely worth a read and I'd be curious to see more from this author in the future. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.