ARC obtained through Netgalley - this review contains spoilers

I had a hard time getting into this book, the first few 100 pages didn't exactly grasp my interest. Too little seemed to happen. However, after that, it became quite interesting. The storywriting was really good and it really messed with my head, just as it did with the characters. It made me forget the whole world around it. Even though the story was quite vague and complicated, it was still easy to imagine what was happening and relate to the characters, due to the writing. I loved the way the writer brought us back to memories, it felt so vivid. Especially the part where Carrie put a spell on Eddie with the weird substance, was so cool to experience as a reader.

The end wasn't predictable to me, even close to the end I was still struggling with predicting how it would end. However, it also confused me a little. In the end, I was not sure which pronouns Lou used, if he even called himself Lou, or whether they were somewhere in between the gender binary. I would have liked a bit more clarity about this, but overall, it didn't really matter much.

This book was absolutely addicting. It had such a slow start that I was a little weary of it, but as I continued to read, I was addicted to finding out how it was going to end. I absolutely devoured This book and read it all in one Sitting. I loved the magic endless book and still crave something that is like this book to this day

I think this book is very much misclassified in the descriptions which does the novel a huge disservice. I went in expecting a supernatural horror, however I would describe it more as a slow burn mystery. I think this along with some pacing issues really impacted my rating, however I really enjoyed the character work and description in this book.

-Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an eARC

Final rating: 2.5 rounded to 3 stars.

Rarely, don’t I finish an ARC, but sadly I found that I had to DNF this one a little over halfway. I’ll be honest, the blurb of this book and what I was expecting, is completely different from what it ended up being.

Looking past the formatting problem of the Kindle edition I received which became extremely irritating as the book went on and I hope this is remedied in the final release, I will say that I find Steigers writing quite nice. Her writer's voice and prose are detailed and engaging, and I found the depiction of mental health and the atmosphere quite poetically done.

But then there is everything else that just makes this an unenjoyable read. The start was quite intriguing, but then there was a lot of meandering and inner monologue to the point that it was unengaging, and eventually, I began to tune it all out. Then there is the LGBT marketing, when considering how far I got in this story, this aspect is barely existent (and others state not really there until the end). The horror aspects are vague, and although the writing is atmospheric, this wasn’t the type of horror or content I was expecting (again based on the description and marketing).

I would love to get my normal in-depth reviews, but I feel I can’t with this book because I will end up nitpicking it unfairly. Ultimately, I don’t think I was the right audience for this book.

Eddie doesn't feel like he belongs anywhere. He doesn't have a purpose. That is until he finds a notebook in the middle of the woods after hearing a gunshot. Now Eddie is on a journey to find a woman who fears for her life. He might just find out that the world is filled with magic along the way.

I absolutely loved this book. I want more of this universe immediately. Right in my hands. It's so good.

The characters are amazing. I loved the depth of all of them and how they all viewed the world. Each person had such a different viewpoint that all worked together in a strange and intriguing way. I loved learning about all of the characters even if they are all morally grey. they are all just people trying to survive in the strange and messed up world of the book.

The world-building was really interesting. Typically when a book doesn't really establish the rules of magic, the world-building can feel a little bit lackluster. But this book does it amazingly. The world was just so rich and I loved the way that magic was described. I also thought that the talk about fate and free will was super interesting and I absolutely loved it.

The twist at the end was my favorite thing. I didn't see it coming. I possibly could have if I was trying to but I was totally on board with just letting the story flow over me. I think that's honestly the best way to read it. The story is really just beautiful and I love that our two characters will choose each other every day for as long as they can.

Overall, a wonderfully written book. Definitely give it a read, though read the content warnings first.

I'm unfortunately DNFing this at 27%. This was a case of misclassification. It's tagged as a horror, but to this point it's reading more mystery/thriller - which I don't love and steer clear of. This book definitely has an audience, it's just unfortunately not me

*Eye of a Little God* is a haunting and surreal horror novel that delves deep into themes of loneliness, trauma, and the nature of evil. This fever-dream of a story is both unsettling and mesmerizing, offering readers a chilling exploration of the human psyche and the demons that haunt it.

The novel follows Eddie Luther, a war veteran and drifter who, after losing his delivery job and feeling detached from life, sets out into the woods with a bottle of sleeping pills, seeking an escape from his bleak existence. Instead of finding peace, Eddie encounters a whisper in his damaged ear—a plea for help that draws him into a dark and enigmatic journey.

The narrative unfolds as Eddie discovers a cryptic journal that seems to speak directly to his own sense of isolation and longing. This journal becomes a guide, leading him into the shadowy depths beneath the small town of Devil’s Fork, Nebraska. Here, Eddie enters a world where the ordinary becomes eerie: televisions murmur prophecies, and a sinister figure known as The Painted Man prowls the darkness.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its ability to blur the line between reality and madness. Eddie’s descent into this strange underworld raises questions about his sanity and the nature of the horrors he encounters. The sense of disorientation and dread is palpable, drawing readers into Eddie’s unsettling journey as he navigates a world that seems to defy logic and reason.

The novel's atmosphere is thick with dread and surreal imagery, creating a feverish and immersive experience. The setting of Devil’s Fork and its hidden realm beneath it are described with a vividness that enhances the novel’s unsettling tone. The eerie, almost hallucinogenic quality of the narrative contributes to a sense of constant unease, making it clear that reality in this story is fluid and unreliable.

The character of Eddie Luther is compellingly flawed and deeply human. His loneliness and trauma resonate throughout the novel, and his interactions with the cryptic journal and the mysterious presence he falls in love with add layers of emotional depth to the story. This relationship challenges Eddie’s perceptions and forces him to confront the nature of his own existence and the boundaries between the real and the supernatural.

*Eye of a Little God* is a novel that will appeal to fans of modern horror and fairy tales, particularly those who appreciate a story that is as psychologically intricate as it is chilling. The book’s ability to evoke a sense of both wonder and terror is a testament to its unsettlingly beautiful prose and imaginative storytelling.

Overall, *Eye of a Little God* is a masterful work of horror fiction that stands out for its surreal approach and its deep dive into the themes of isolation and the supernatural. It is a novel that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page, leaving them to ponder the nature of their own fears and the boundaries of reality.

This was interesting. I liked the main character, Eddie. Watching him spiral into the depths of despair after losing his job was rough. Not that it was written badly, he was just going through it and it's hard to read. Overall this was interesting but it wasn't something that I'm raving about.

A fun sapphic romance.

I didn’t think it was anything too special though.

The writing was good and the characters were someone intriguing

3 stars

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Diving into "Eye of a Little God," I found myself caught in a whirlwind of emotion and confusion. A.J. Steiger weaves a tale that's as intriguing as it is perplexing, setting the stage with Eddie Luther's eerie journey into the unknown. The book's blend of horror, magical realism, and the hint of romance promised a riveting adventure but delivered a labyrinth of disjointed narratives that often left me scratching my head.

This book has left me feeling like I just had a fever dream. I was completely consumed reading this, I had to read the next chapter to find out what happened, unfortunately it was the last 50 pages where everything went out the window. Maybe I had different expectations as to what would happen with the characters but the ending seemed very lacking and rushed to me. I was left feeling very unsatisfied,

Although the book has a lovely ambiance, the story is disjointed and can be perplexing at times. However, if you persist, you will become familiar with it and discover a compelling plot and dynamic characters beneath the surface. Great writing, plot was tough for me.

This book defies easy categorization, blending elements I adore, yet leaving me with a complex mix of emotions. The uncertainty I felt while reading proves intriguing – a potential positive aspect. The summary, in my opinion, falls short of capturing the depth of the book, as unexpected elements unfolded beyond what was initially hinted. Above all, the representation within the story resonated with me, adding to the overall enjoyment.

Eddie, a Vietnam vet living in 80’s small-town America, becomes entangled with a mysterious woman named Noelle after a chance encounter in the woods. As he races to rescue her from a figure known only as ‘The Painted Man’, Eddie discovers more about the world around him than he could have ever imagined. Magic and demons hide around corners, but so do new connections with faces familiar and not.

Eye of a Little God is an exploration of loneliness and isolation, ostracism and trauma. Our three central figures are all social outcasts who have been dealing with their trauma in vastly different ways, but find commonalities in one another.

I struggled to finish this one. In the end I don't regret pushing through, though I had a little trouble getting into it at first as the blurb was a little misleading. Technically all the elements in the blurb do occur – there are horror and romantic elements, someone falls for someone who might be possessed, there are queer main characters. However, I would classify this as magical realism more than a romance or a horror novel, and while the central romance is queer, it doesn’t come to the forefront until the final climax of the story. The dissonance between what I expected and what I got made my reading experience frustrating, which judging by some of the other reviews I am not alone in. I do think a slightly different blurb might allay this.

Eddie, Lou, and Carrie have distinct voices and perspectives. The characterisation is very distinct and their unique vulnerabilities broke my heart repeatedly. Stieger did a masterful job in really digging into their psyches and allowing the reader to experience some of the tragedies they were dealing with.

There were a few noticeable grammatical errors and some repetition that got tiresome, but there were also passages that were just gorgeous, with measures of beauty and aching sadness. Some scenes where characters experienced dissociation or derealization were profoundly moving, but also pretty triggering so be careful when you read this one, please!

The pacing wasn’t great. The beginning was good, it started off quickly and kept up the intensity, but the middle dragged a lot for me. Carrie's story was needed, but I always felt like her sections were slow or too clunky in their insertion into the plot.

Spoilers ahead for the ending!!!


I usually thoroughly detest books where whether the supernatural elements were real is left up to interpretation or are just due to mental illness/neurodiversity. Here, however, I was not as upset as I’d usually be. From the start, the reader is unsure about how much of the plot is occurring, so it didn’t feel like a lazy choice/rip-off when the ending is left up in the air. The fact that many of the supernatural phenomena might be artifacts of the characters’ PTSD or trauma did not feel poorly done as there were multiple characters with trauma of different kinds in this story. I also found the romantic relationship so quietly lovely in the aftermath of the conflict. This book was not what I expected but I did enjoy it in the end!

This book was something that I don't know exactly how to define. It's a blend of so many things that I love, but at the same time, didn't know how to feel while reading it. Which i believe can be a good thing! I do, however, feel like the summary doesn't do the actual book justice, and so much more than what was foretold occurred. Overall, I loved the representation!

A confusing book, it mirrors the mind of the main character and many people in today's society. A fun read.

A mix of horror, surrealism and dreamlike atmosphere. A good story that I liked even if it's not always easy to follow.
Not the type of book you read if you want a classic whodunnit.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Eddie Luther has been drifting his entire life, feeling unreal and empty. Enlisting was his one shot at finding purpose, but all Vietnam did was leave him emptier, hopeless, and alone. Now he’s slipping—sleepless nights, losing time, and twisted nascent thoughts that sometimes birth frightening words. When he gets fired from his latest job during the holiday season, Eddie realizes he’s tired of struggling to stay alive. Filled with a sense of peace and inevitability, he turns down a dark road into the woods to take the pain pills he’s kept for just such an occasion. Before he can end it, however, the words “Help me” sizzle through Eddie’s damaged ear, and he runs out into the night where he sees a flash of red as a woman flees. Picking up her discarded notebook, the images and words inside show Eddie his destiny—here is his raison d’être, here is the woman he has been put on this earth to save and protect.

As Eddie tries to divine clues from the nightmarish imagery and words within the notebook that seem pulled from his darkest depths, his search leads him to Lou Frye, another invisible lost soul who speaks to Eddie’s own desperate loneliness. Convinced Lou knows more than he claims about the mysterious woman, Eddie tries to draw Lou from his shell and ends up forming a friendship. However, as the mystery leads him down a rabbit hole of magic and fantasy, Eddie becomes more determined to give his very soul to save the woman in the red dress. Will his attempts to save her unleash the violence within and destroy them both?

Eye of a Little God is a meditation on loneliness, depression, and finding a flicker of hope in the darkness. The story is steeped in ambiguity, including how it’s marketed. Though billed as queer, that label is doing a lot of heavy lifting. All queer representation is at the end and open to interpretation. For example, Eddie and Lou’s friendship is platonic, so it’s equally plausible to interpret Eddie’s declaration of love (especially given its circumstances) as a continuation of their friendship or the potential for romance. Additionally, the story is not a flawed hero’s journey via horror, it’s via mystery with a few horror elements, such as disturbing art and socially horrific behavior. However, these components are effective in evoking a firm and ominous sense of place, even in moments of disorientation.

The people of Devil’s Fork are all hanging on the edge in one way or another, even those with some ties to humanity. Most of the characters are steeped in inner demons fostered by isolation and handle their turmoil in many ways—from erasing themselves, to becoming living ghosts and “befriending” demons. There is witchcraft, demons, and magic fueled by loneliness. Or is there? Eye is a blend of surrealism, magical realism, and fantasy and the writing creates a melancholic atmosphere filled with shredded and deteriorating souls in a grasping search for freedom and meaning. The story follows Eddie, a man who’s as forgotten and shambling towards ruin as the small town he’s drawn to. After years of finding illusions of purpose that end in disaster, he’s ready to end it all and what better place than the dying Devil’s Fork? However, whimpers of pain and a woman in a red dress fleeing begin his journey down the rabbit hole.

Growing up, Eddie was an outsider, unable to make friends, as if people could sense his hollowness and preoccupation with death. Unlike many kids shunned by their peers, Eddie’s quietness contained violence at its core that erupts more easily after his time in Vietnam. Eddie has the urge to protect, but this urge tips easily into obsession. His mystery woman trips all his protective instincts and keeps his rage bubbling at anyone he feels is a threat to her or his mission to save her. The woman’s notebook is “like Cinderella losing her slipper on the glass stairs” and sends Eddie on his quest through the kingdom to find his soulmate. The signs and visions he experiences and the notebook entries that speak of love and violence knotted together tell him that she is the purpose he has sought all his life. He flings himself headlong into this belief and refuses to let go despite questioning his sanity and looking his dangerously compulsive nature and compromised motives straight in the eye.

When Eddie meets Lou, a quivering rabbit of a man, he knows Lou is hiding something. However, he has to curb his frustration and hair-trigger anger to get Lou to give him information. At first, Lou is an obstacle and a means to an end, but the reflections of himself Eddie sees in Lou foster a sense of camaraderie and understanding as they stumbles into friendship. Lou is all awkward angles and uncertainty, covered in a protective armor that keeps his tangled pieces in more than others out. In appearance, he’s the epitome of the creepy predator, but in reality, he’s the ultimate prey—so stomped down by life and his inner demons that he has permanent boot prints meshed into his skin and no real sense of self. Like Eddie, Lou grew up feeling untethered and alone, but unlike Eddie, Lou had no rage to keep himself safe. His meekness makes him a target of many, including Eddie.

In several small ways, they start keeping one another from drowning. Both men crave human connection and something to fill the void, so much that when a woman showed them kindness, their need for that sliver of warmth, that spark of life led them to a panicky, selfish attachment and eventual stalking—only the women’s fear finally breaking through to them. They are full of self-loathing (when they can feel anything at all) and have cracks in their psyche that leave them vulnerable to the bleakest parts of themselves. Each man is seeking salvation, to be remade into a complete human being instead of a human-shaped abyss, and they learn that though they may not be able to kill their demons or the depression that has sunk so deep it feels grafted onto their bones, they can defang it for a time with their connection.

As mentioned before, the writing does a great job creating atmosphere and conveying the all-encompassing nature of loneliness and how it mingles with violence and despair, so much so that loneliness itself a character. However, this constant evocation of loneliness creates an ouroboros of allusions and mediations and soliloquies. There is only so much ‘outsider looking forlornly at humanity like a street urchin with their face pressed to the glass of a sweets shop’ that a story can handle. As a slow-paced mystery, it’s important to keep the reader engaged, but as it was easy to see where the story is headed early on (for me) and the pacing lags in places, the lamentations slow the pace even more and lose their impact. That being said, the climax is tightly coiled tension, tinged with an air of violent release and aching tenderness. It also perfectly breaks the story’s despondent, cultural version of nihilism with the more positive, active existential nihilism that finds meaning in the senseless of the universe.

Pretty much all aspects are open to interpretation. Did Eddie actually die in his car? Is he dreaming in a coma? Are all, none, or some of his adventures in Wonderland real? All that matters is that Eddie finds home and a true purpose. Though not quite what I expected, I enjoyed this tale of broken people taking a mystical journey to find real connection.

While this book has a beautiful atmosphere, the plot was very choppy and at times confusing. If you stick with it, you do get used to this and underneath it is a really interesting plot and set of characters.

This book felt choppy and confusing. I didn't find the mystery in it that compelling. The main character was pretty unlikeable, and I didn't see why he was compulsively looking for this mystery person. It really didn't make much sense.