Member Reviews

This was a gory, creepy, imaginative novel that is set in Portland, which was extra fun because that's where I live. It weaved together a lot of characters and ideas without getting too confusing or overly complicated. The chapters rotated between characters pov, but it was fairly easy to keep everyone straight.

There's a severed hand—a "remnant" that induces crazy, homicidal behavior in those near it, a shadowy government agency trying to find it, a creepy-otherworldly asset named St. Michael, and a has-been indie band singer from the 90s who can no longer leaver her apartment. Plus, thugs, gangsters, bad cops, psychics, and more. It was interesting and the ending sets it up for a sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Was this review helpful?

Can you resist the hand? Great tagline! Very fitting.

It's hard to summarize what this crazy, scary, funny, hectic novel is about, but it's safe to say that it's a race against time set off by a pair of thugs trying to collect on a debt. Before you know it, you may be rooting for thugs, or cops, or FBI type agents, famous fallen musicians, or perhaps a mysterious entity that may very well be the antichrist.

This is no madcap story - it's scary, it is gory and it will haunt you at night. There are comparisons to Joe Hill and Steven King but I might prefer Justin Cronin. There is a broad spectrum of characters and points of view and just enough intrigue. The pieces snap together nicely and I cannot wait to see what happens next. If you like a bit of horror with your dystopia, aren't scared off by a phantom hand, or just looking for your next GREAT HORROR WRITER...Fever House is for you ! #Feverhouse #KeithRosson #RandomHouse #Netgalley

Was this review helpful?

A fever dream from the very depths of hell, pure adrenalized, nightmare fuel. Rosson makes you feel like you're being dragged into hell with your eyelids stapled wide open. You just feel how dark and evil it's going to be, you are kicking and screaming and yet you feel it edging closer, perverse, awful, the absolute worst...the worst part is you just can't close your eyes. Fever House is freaking terrifying, sleep with the lights on, hold onto a rosary, pray you make it through to dawn, terrifying. This is movie worthy, gut punch horror at its finest, and I really hope Mr. Keith Rosson gives us a sequel!

Was this review helpful?

"Fever House" is a novel that successfully blends weird and twisted elements, producing an atmosphere steeped in punk nostalgia. Its character development is noteworthy and the early chapters are engaging, drawing readers into the unfolding chaos. While the book suffers from pacing issues, with flashbacks that tend to disrupt the flow of the plot, it doesn't entirely diminish the overall reading experience. Despite an abrupt ending that leaves room for a sequel, the unique elements and intriguing narrative make "Fever House" an interesting read. The novel might not be flawless, but its standout features will definitely appeal to readers who appreciate horror with a punk twist.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and the author for the advanced copy.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for sending me an advancer reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Blurb:
A demon hand that makes you violent and aggressive. A shadow government that wants to harness its power. When the hand goes missing, they must follow the trail of bodies it leaves behind… before they come back to life.

Review:
My honest review is that this is probably my favorite read of 2023. And I’ve read 50 books already! I was curious how Pulp Fiction was supposed to mix with Stranger Things, but good gracious that’s the best way to put it! It’s so ridiculously funny, it’s gory, it’s exciting, it has so many unusual elements that wouldn’t usually go together.

Vampires are sexy, but zombies are FUN. And this book was an absolute blast to read! I would have read it all in one sitting if I had the time. There were so many characters, but I never felt overwhelmed- they were all introduced gradually. I appreciated the amount of detail that Keith Rosson put into each character’s backstory to give insight into their motivations. It made me enjoy every perspective shift, even though I usually don’t like those. The writing was so colorful and strange that it made even mundane moments entertaining!

If you love demons, zombies, and government conspiracies, Fever House comes out on August 15th!

Was this review helpful?

Very tightly written horror maintains its fast pace and keeps the reader guessing. Wonderful author voice doesn’t waste a word and errs on the side of brevity and wit, much to the reader’s delight.

Was this review helpful?

When you pick up a Keith Rosson book, you know you're guaranteed a good time. And Fever House is no exception. This one took me by surprise, and took me places I hadn't expected.

It starts off simply enough - Hutch and Tim are out on the hunt for people who owe their boss Peach drug money. But after kicking the door in at one particular junkie's place, they discover more than they bargained for. The dude had a severed hand hidden in the freezer. And not just any severed hand, mind you. This one starts messing with your head. The closer in proximity you are to it, the darker and more violent your thoughts turn.

Scared of the thing, and desperate to get rid of it, Hutch calls his buddy Nick, a man who makes his living locating rare items for clients. Meanwhile, dark goverment agents are employing the remote viewing skills of a "subject" by the name of Saint Michael to narrow down its whereabouts, hot on the hand's trail. We learn that it once belonged to them and they are not going to stop until its back in their possession.

Hutch, Nick, and everyone else who crosses paths with this cursed thing are now running for their lives. A strange hell is about to be unleashed in Portland, and they are going to have front row seats when the madness begins.

Rosson seamlessly weaves multiple narrative threads together throughout the book, building character backstories that just continue adding layer upon layer to the main storyline, culminating in one big spider's web of death, deception, and destruction.

Be warned: there are some intentional loose ends here, as this book is part of at least a two-book series. You won't find a fully realized end, but the one we were served up should hold us over nicely until the next book drops.

Was this review helpful?

THIS WAS SO MUCH BETTER THAN I ANTICIPATED!
this book was a sprint, start to finish. my heart was racing from the first chapter and I didn't want to put it down.
I had no idea what to expect, but I definitely didn't expect this and I LOVED IT!!
if you're into horror I highly recommend this one!

Was this review helpful?

This gave me idle hands meets night of the living dead vibes. Throw some punk rock and a little occult in there and wow. At first I had a hard time getting into it because there are multiple povs and until I got a feel for the characters my brain kept doing the squirrel thing. Crazy plot twist and turns. You really don't know who's good and who's bad. Not my typical read but I'm glad I requested it. And Katherine with that final girl energy 🙌

Was this review helpful?

This book, y’all. It reminded me of a cross between Stephen King, a Noir detective novel, and a Reddit conspiracy theory. It‘s a bit crazy and I didn’t expect it to work…but it did. Without going into spoilers, it just workd; check it out.

Was this review helpful?

Solid horror and I really wish it was a stand alone title. The plot is too complex for me to attempt a summary, but not too complex to follow and enjoy. Separating the characters' stories chapter by chapter was helpful for me to keep it all straight in my head, and I was happily surprised at how fleshed out everyone was, bad guys, good guys, neutral guys, all got a treatment that kept me invested in their outcomes. It's been a while since I've read a horror that really made me think about the nature of good and evil AND was so fast paced as to keep me up reading later than I probably should have. Lots of great theatrical action threaded in with fascinating and believable (mostly) characters. The only negative is I'd always rather read a book that ENDS, but this one I will definitely read the next installment whenever that appears. Thank you to Netgalley for the review copy.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book!

I have scheduled promotional posts around release day for this book and I will provide a full review on my Instagram once I am able to get to this read.

Rating 5 stars on Netgalley as a placeholder for me to update later once the review is complete.

Will also complete a review on Goodreads once read.

Thanks again!

Was this review helpful?

I didn't expect to like this book so much but wow was I surprised. Everything from the dialogue to the plot had me hooked as soon as I started reading. That rarely happens but the author undoubtedly took great care in how everything is presented. This is easily a 5 star read and am looking forward to checking out Keith's other works.

Was this review helpful?

"Fever House" by Keith Rosson is a gripping horror novel that takes readers on a dark and intense journey. With a mix of intriguing characters, a sinister government agency, and a powerful severed hand, the story weaves together a tale of chaos and terror.

The narrative kicks off when Hutch Holtz, a small-time criminal, discovers a severed hand in a client's refrigerator during a routine job. To his surprise, the hand possesses a malevolent power that compels anyone in its proximity to engage in violent behavior. As catastrophic forces are set into motion, Hutch finds himself pursued by relentless government agents while the city of Portland falls under the hand's brutal influence.

Meanwhile, Katherine Moriarty, a former rock star, and her agoraphobic son, Nick, become entangled in the escalating chaos when Hutch reaches out to them for help. Their lives are thrust into a global struggle as they confront bloodthirsty mobs and deceitful government agents, all while unearthing long-buried family secrets that may hold the key to humanity's survival.

The strength of "Fever House" lies in its well-developed characters, each with their own flaws and vulnerabilities. The author skillfully pulls the reader into their individual plights, making it easy to empathize with their struggles. The interconnecting narratives of the characters, driven by the malevolent hand, create a sense of urgency and suspense that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

Rosson's writing is intelligent and full of raw emotion, infusing the strange occurrences with an unsettling sense of terror. The intricate plot gradually reveals its secrets, building intrigue and leaving the reader desperate to know what happens next. The author's ability to switch between multiple perspectives seamlessly is commendable, making it easy to follow the story despite the numerous characters.

While "Fever House" may not be a quick and easy read, it rewards the serious horror addict with its immersive and in-depth experience. The concept of an infectious disease that turns humans into violent animals is not new, but Rosson executes it well, breathing new life into the trope. The root cause of the infectious terror is unique, fresh, and creatively explored, adding depth and originality to the narrative.

The explosive and surprising ending is a treat for readers who have committed to the deep journey into this terrifying world. It delivers a satisfying conclusion to the intricate web of horror and leaves a lasting impact on the reader's mind.

In conclusion, "Fever House" is a chilling and well-crafted horror novel that immerses readers in a world of terror. With its compelling characters, intelligent writing, and unique take on a familiar concept, it is a must-read for fans of the genre. Dive into the depths of this book if you're ready to embark on a dark and twisted journey.

Was this review helpful?

"You shall make me a house of fever and wounds. A house of beetle and crow. A house of worms. A house of hounds that savage forever at the belly of love and take root there, devouring."

A criminal trying to collect drug money ends up instead discovering a severed hand. And very quickly it becomes clear that this is no ordinary hand. It incites everyone near into terrible violence.

Meanwhile a secret government agency is torturing "Saint Michael" who knows more about the hand than he's willing to tell them.

This is a huge cast of characters with multiple POVs. The story flips between them rapidly and I found it somewhat confusing, and not all the scenes felt really necessary.

This story is also very dark and violent, I can see that that has affected other reviews.. but it didn't bother me! 😆

Overall I did enjoy this, a 3.5 star read.

Thank you random house publishing group and netgalley for giving me an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Fever House by Keith Rosson was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. While I had never heard of this author in the past, I am certainly glad I read this book, meaning the author is fresh and energetic. Horror publishing houses need to sign more authors like this. As always, I will not go into plot details much, this book is a mash-up of many horror, crime, and government shenanigans tropes. The book starts at a sprint and takes a while to slow down (almost like a new author came in). If you, or someone you buy gifts for likes books about a hand with dark powers, secret agents, criminal thugs, and rock stars, give this book a read.

4 Stars

Was this review helpful?

This book was so much fun it was like a roller coaster! I was hooked immediately. All the characters were great and I loved it!

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed reading this, it felt like a fresh take on curses in horror. It was interesting to follow the journey of the hand through mysterious governments and mobs! It felt a little long, but at the same time I really enjoyed learning more about the character's backstories. I thought the writing style was interesting and well done, and I'm excited to see more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing a review copy.
This absolute fever dream of a book surprised me in the best way. You'll find a cursed object, black ops, a band, criminals, and the threat of an apocalyptic event. The book is exceptionally well-written and when the pieces started coming together, I was blown away. I guarantee you've read nothing quite like Fever House before. I already can't wait for the sequel, and the first book hasn't even been released yet.

Was this review helpful?

This one has gotten some rave reviews, but it just didn’t really work for me. There were too many different moving pieces, and I pretty much hated the secret program’s chapters. It also took me a while to get through, which is never a good sign.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

Was this review helpful?