I have seriously mixed feelings about this book. I didn’t realize that this was a novella in verse when I first picked it up, but the form really works for the way Hall addresses mental health. For me, the way mental health is handled is the strongest part of the story.

The transphobia Ashton faces was written sincerely, but… I’m not clear how the horror events leading up to the climax fit with the finale itself? In terms of description, the horror parts were really cool, but something didn’t click for me. There’s one scene in particular that I don’t understand. It didn’t make sense even by the logic of the narrator’s unreliable POV. And it’s a pretty major scene.

So this is a hard book to rate, because I like so much of it, but ultimately it didn’t come together for me. I wish I’d read it with a buddy so that someone could tell me if there’s something that I’m just not getting. How do the maybe-zombies lead to Ashton’s revelation at the end?

All this to say that I am giving this book 3 stars not because I was apathetic to it but because I wanted to engage with it and felt like some pieces weren’t fitting together.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Very short book, written very much like a poem, it tells the story of a man that is or very sick or very delusional, but like I said it is very short read, you’ll probably read it under an hour, while I do like psychological stories that I cant make much sense, the way it was written (poetry) is not what I enjoy to read, so I will just say that out loud, you may like this book, it just wasn't for me…

Thank you NetGalley and Brigids Gate Press for the free ARC and this is my honest opinion.

Very entertaining hypochondriac body horror. Short and readable, written in verse (but in a good way, I swear), and gets gross so be ready!

Fast paced and quick read. Strong focus on mental health and illnesses. Have never read anything like it, very thought provoking.

This novella was a whirlwind of anxious thoughts, delusions, and hallucinations... one person facing their own mortality and deepest fears, alone.

When Ashton arrives at the E.R. (something they do often) for a strange bump on their neck and the knowledge that their death is imminent, they must face terrifying realities to ensure that they survive... But can they trust their own body and mind over the judgment of the outside world?

Understanding yourself and who you are vs what the world tells you and wants you to be may be one of the most terrifying human experiences, but as we see in this story- absolutely necessary for real survival.
This novella is written with such unique expression and beautifully details the chaos of anxious thoughts and fear, while simultaneously striking uncertain terror through the reader. I was overwhelmed by the intense detail and the consuming anxiety as I flipped through the mind of Ashton. Not many books have been able to really make me feel genuine unease, but this one did it.

The Patient Routine is such an oddly terrifying story. I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it before.
The patient in the title has what I believe is illness anxiety disorder. I'm no doctor, but when I google "extreme hypochondria", this is the term that pops up, and the definition fits well. They are also agender.
The setting of the story is a hospital. Ashton, our protagonist, has been waiting their turn for several hours when a severely ill person is rolled straight through to the treatment area, leading them to wonder how sick one must be to get such urgent attention. From there things escalate wildly.
The Patient Routine is a great story and well-told,

If you like crime thriller because of the tension and not because of intrigue, then this is the book for you for sure. In levels of tension, I think this book is even better than House of Leaves (which it takes a lot of inspiration from, especially the writing style). But the art of writing is better in the House of Leaves.
I did really like the insights of the protagonist that Luna Rey projects brilliantly on the page. I was rooting for him all the while, even when he went through self harm, depression and thoughts of suicide.
It is really a GOOD book. If it had an actual incredible plot underlying the tension (like House of Leaves), I definitely think I would've given it more than 3 stars. But even without it, I do think that this is a story worth experiencing. Definitely for new readers, who want to experiment a bit with their reading.

An amazing read, I loved it from the end of the very first page.it left me with lots of questions and I couldn't wait to go onnwith reading

The Patient Routine is a psychological horror short story that truly had me on the edge of my seat. This book had me questioning what was real and what was simply a product of Ashton's delusions. It's written as the main character's inner thoughts, which makes it feel so much more real. Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC!

Review: The Patient Routine

To sum up what I just have read, I can only say that it was disturbing, overwhelming, different and beautiful.
I honestly, truly loved that book.
The most special think about this book is the writing style. Everything about it just summed up the mental situation of Ashton, the punctuation, the grammar (especially the using of lowercase characters), the repeating of sentences, the writing in cursive etc.

Due to that you could really feel how Ashton thinks without the using of any words, which makes you feel, like you could really understand him. This made me love the book very much.
I also really enjoyed, that luna rey hall focused in general on the thoughts of Ashton, even though the story disappeared a bit behind this (which didn´t bother at all!) , I feel like if I was to annotate a physical copy of this book I could understand something new every time when reading ‘The Patient Routine’.

I overall enjoyed the story, but I feel like this isn´t the focus of the book- if it was, I would critique that it all happened to slow (but since I think this ISN´T the focus, I don’t see anything bad about it)-which is why, I won´t go much deeper into it, when writing this review.

Obviously I also enjoyed the representation of different things like being in the queer community, suicide and mental illness. I feel like it was genuine and not cliché at all and overall very realistic, which is why I really felt I was in the mind of Ashton.

One thing, I had a second thought about, was the ending, but in the end, I feel like – even though it was an open ending- it was very good and realistic even (in this conditions).
The reader could think for themselves what Ashton would do and I appreciate that I can now truly think about what will happen and use my own mind and thus values.

Overall, I don´t have anything to critique about this book, it was a five star read for me, especially because it represented the mind of Ashton perfectly.
I hope I will get a hand on a physical copy of this, because I NEED to put my own thoughts into this.

Thank you, for giving me such a good book.

What a disturbingly beautiful short story! I don't think this read is for everyone because it explores many sensitive topics, such as transphobia and suicide, in a very dark horror setting. So, I advise you to check the content warnings before you begin reading.

The writing style and format are captivating; it's written in a way that you feel like you are experiencing the MC's mental downward spiral. Intrusive thoughts happen in real-time, and hallucinations bleed into reality in its stream-of-consciousness narrative. I enjoyed the timestamped chapter headings because you can almost follow the MC's ascent & descent through their episodes.

Overall, a fantastic read and a creative take on traditional horror & psychological horror.

"The Patient Routine" is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that delves into themes of mental illness, family dynamics, and personal growth. The story centers around the main character, Lucy, who is struggling with depression and anxiety following a traumatic event. The novel follows her journey as she navigates the ups and downs of her condition and works towards finding a path to recovery.

One of the strengths of the novel is its portrayal of mental illness. The author handles the topic with sensitivity and empathy, and it's clear that a lot of research went into creating an accurate and realistic portrayal of depression and anxiety. The novel also delves into the impact that mental illness can have on family dynamics, and how it can affect the relationships between parents and children.

The writing is engaging and the characters are well-drawn, with Lucy being a particularly compelling protagonist. Her struggles feel real and relatable, and her growth throughout the novel is satisfying to watch. The pacing of the novel is well-done, with the plot moving at a steady pace that keeps the reader engaged throughout.

The only criticism I have of the novel is that at times it can feel a little predictable in terms of its plot. However, this is a minor quibble, and overall, I would highly recommend "The Patient Routine" to anyone looking for a well-written and thoughtful novel that explores important issues. I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

Ashton is dying... or so they think. A new lump has formed behind their ear, and this time they are sure that it's fatal. Returning to the hospital they frequently visit, Ashton takes a seat in the familiar waiting room, but this time something is different: Another patient takes up all the attention.

Hall's prose is foreboding and mysterious, placing the reader right in the hospital next to Ashton. Keeping the protagonist's internal monologue ever coming, soon the reader's and Ashton's thoughts merge and reality becomes a distant memory. This story is a surreal ride from the beginning and I loved every second of it.

It is a wonderful and shocking tale of self-acceptance.

"i felt so much better. i stood up for myself." -Quote from The Patient Routine.

Spoiler alert


I love with the whole thing took place in one location and ended going back to that one location
It has some insight into what we all might be struggling with it does steer towards gender, identification issues, and hospital policies.

I’m still not sure if this was a horror, novel, or if it was just all in their head
It was a little weird reading the NetGalley, because some of the fonts didn’t have the creativity that I could see the author was trying to do, so when the paper comes out, I would love to see the printed version.

"The Patient Routine" by luna rey hall is a terrifying and captivating journey into the darkest depths of the human psyche. As a Non-Binary reader, I found myself deeply connected to Ashton, the protagonist, as they grapple with their own sense of identity amidst the chaos and horror around them. Hall's writing is undeniably powerful, weaving a chilling, atmospheric narrative through a unique stream-of-consciousness style.

The poetic language throughout the novel is both visceral and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the terrifying events unfolding. The body horror elements are masterfully executed, making even the most seasoned horror reader squirm. It is a testament to hall's talent that they can maintain a sense of suspense and dread throughout the story.

The typography of "the patient routine" adds another layer of unease, as the disjointed sentences and broken words mirror the fragmented state of Ashton's mind. This unique presentation forces the reader to engage with the text in a way that is both unsettling and enthralling, adding to the story's overall impact.

As Ashton navigates the horrifying reality of being trapped in a hospital on lockdown, hall explores themes of identity, power, and the human condition in a thought-provoking and deeply unsettling way. This story pushes the boundaries of horror and is not for the faint of heart. However, for those willing to delve into the darkness, "the patient routine" offers a haunting and unforgettable journey.