This was a wild, horrifying, ride. A doozy if you will. 😏 Hollyhock House is an absolute nightmare, and the way this story is told is totally disorienting and effective in making the reader feel the madness. I got some Silent Hill in a psychiatric facility/AHS vibes, which was fantastic. 👌🏻 The addition of police interviews/state statutes/texts/research to the narrative gave it a true crime feel that I loved. Some of the scenes were brutal, disgusting and upsetting. The end took a turn that I didn’t really care for (until I read the afterword and understood why the story was taken in that direction), but it was original and well thought out. Overall this was a good, horrific, psych ward novel.

Welcome to Hollyhock Asylum. A reformed asylum for women, a place of disgusting practice disguised as help.

This was a wild ride and I loved every second of it. I thought I knew where this was going for about the first half of the book then it took a quick left turn for the delightfully weird. There was constant tension and eerie atmosphere. Felt like putting together a puzzle "with one piece missing" until it was finally found but you needed to start the puzzle over to make sense of it. Some thoughts:
*The blurred line between Morgan and Charlotte added a lot to their unique relationship. I do wish we got more of uninterrupted pov from Charlotte.
*The added elements of the map of Hollyhock, text messages, police interviews and visuals of devices elevated the story by ten fold.
*There is A LOT going on. It can be a bit difficult to keep up in parts. I feel like this is one of those books you read it the first time for enjoyment and basic understanding and re-read to really dive in and understand it all.
*I appreciate the detective keeping it real the whole time and their skepticism. Let's be real if you were interviewing her would you believe any of it?
*The relationship between Morgan and Hadleigh honestly wasn't that important to me even though it was the whole reason for Morgan to go to Hollyhock. In the beginning yes, I wanted to find out more about Hadleigh. But as the book shifted to a new direction I became more interested in 1. Morgan and Charlotte 2. What the hell was happening at Hollyhock.
* The ending was definitely out there. A bit rushed but also wrapped up decently. A lot of small details and connections clicking into place.
*This would be an absolutely fantastic book for a book club or buddy read. Like mentioned earlier there is a lot going on and a lot of pieces slowly turning together. Would be great for discussions and theorizing as you read along.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Angry Robot and Chris Panatier for a copy. All opinions are of my own.

Summary: Hadleigh Keene's mysterious death haunts her sister, Morgan, who blames herself. A year later, with the case unsolved, Morgan assumes a new identity—Charlotte Turner—and infiltrates Hollyhock Asylum. But this is no ordinary psychiatric facility. Strange routines, peculiar episodes, and the emergence of Charlotte as a distinct entity blur the lines between reality and illusion.


Pros:
🌟 Five stars for a WTF journey that defies genre norms! Panatier crafts a story that's as intricate as a spider's web and as unsettling as a haunted house.

✅ Unreliable narrator? Check. Eerie atmosphere? Double-check. Dark and multi-layered storytelling? Triple-check. Chris Panatier doesn't just tell a story; he immerses readers in an atmospheric, psychological playground.

🎭 The duality of Morgan and Charlotte adds layers of complexity to the story, blurring the boundaries between identities. It's a rollercoaster of twists and turns that keeps readers guessing until the final page.

Cons:
📘 If you seek a straightforward story or refuse to be challenged by the unknown, this book might not be your cup of tea. But hey, where's the fun in predictability?


📚 In conclusion, "The Redemption of Morgan Bright" is a literary rollercoaster that defies expectations and embraces the shadows of the mind. Chris Panatier's storytelling prowess shines, leaving readers exhilarated, disturbed, and craving more. A triumphant exploration of guilt, identity, and the blurred lines of reality! 🎭📜

Disclaimer: A massive thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for the eARC! Opinions here are as uniquely mine as Hollyhock's peculiar routines. 🏰🔍

I haven’t read anything by this author, so I was unsure what to expect… but I really enjoyed it. Fast paced in some parts, then super slow in others, all building to a beautifully crafted story… just don’t lose your own grip on reality.

Thanks to Netgalley and Angry Robot Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: Horror isn't a regular genre for me, but this book just seemed so interesting, and with the early reviews, I wanted to see what it was about. Also, a woman who checks herself into a mental asylum to investigate the death of her sister? Sign me up.

This book was... unsettling, but also genius? I'm still trying to wrap my head around what exactly happened between these pages. It was actually horrifying, but I also couldn't peel my eyes away.

The path that the author takes with this book is definitely unexpected. I did feel like the story has a great message by making us feel uncomfortable, and [I believe another reviewer mentioned] is also reminiscent of Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale."

The story never feels gruesome for the sake of being gruesome but also has some pretty gag-worthy moments and a lot of creepiness, which ties together well with the storyline. It all feels very intentional.

My only hang-up is that there is so much going on, that I feel I need to reread it just to grasp it a little bit more and make sense of all of the layers that Panatier built into the story. It's very well-constructed but also confusing at times because of the mental state of the unreliable narrator and her own confusion. Overall, it was a great read, and I think this one will sit with me for a while.

I was really intrigued by this mystery, the use of interviews and text messages definitely made it feel more exciting and real to me

I stayed up untill 2am to finish this and I cannot get it out my head, the writing is just phenomenal,  Panatier has executed a meditation on mental health, idenitity, trauma and grief exquisitely, the plot is complex and multi layered mirroring what's happening in the mind of our protagonist(s?) Morgan (and Charlotte), an insidious atmosphere clings to this entire book and the unreliable narrator contributes to the blurring of reality, I loved how the sinister descriptions of Charlottes visions could be interpreted as whats actually going on in her fractured memory, layer after layer of pain and anguish are laid bare over the pages and her distress becomes yours, the tropes found in this book never felt gimicky or sensationalized but were dealt with sensitivity and it was refreshing to see this, I loved the mixed media and thought the text transcripts were very witty, I would like a hot nerdy man who speaks to birds(if that alone doesn't make you wanna read this I don't know what will) I was often left with more questions than answers, something I personally love I feel it adds a layer of mystery and unease, if this book was made into a movie it would be an A24 production, it has that unique quality and pushes the boundaries of what you'd expect, I thought I knew what I was getting into from the books blurb, I was mistaken 😅 a truly mind bending gorgeous horror that will stick with me for a while! Highly recommend!

*spoiler*


It contained a trope that I can't stand which made it really hard to read this.

The writing was very hard to read and it just didn't do it.

As a psychology major I was looking forward it but I just struggled so much.

Okay, I went into this book totally blind. I've not read another book by the author, and didn't even read the description. I had been sold on the title and cover alone, and wow was I pleasantly surprised!

First, an asylum book? I'm in. I think the author really delivered on the spooky vibes he was going for. But this book just wasn't for me. The entire time I was so confused what I was even reading? I don't know if it was the formatting of the chapters or the transcriptions, but I found myself kind of thinking "what am I reading?" pretty consistently throughout the book.

Overall, I'd rate 2.5-3 stars. While I didn't enjoy it, I think maybe I just wasn't the right audience.

NetGalley, thanks for the ARC!

This had really good reviews, and despite asylums not really being my thing, I gave it a try. I can now say that I agree with the positive reviews.

There was a sprinkling of horror, but tension and ambiguity stole the show. I was invested, and while this book took me awhile to get through, the end took off. I was blown away by the original twists and the sheer amount of connections that came together. Also, pretty much everything was tied up by the end.

I don’t think there were any overt politics until the afterward, which you could easily skip if that’s not your thing, but it did clarify why I had trouble remembering that this was taking place in current times and not the 1950’s. It was meant as a subtle commentary about the current state of the world, and I think it was successful.

I would advise looking up the trigger warnings for this book.

Overall I’d recommend this book for any thriller/horror lover. It does get a little weird, and the plot is elaborate, but in the best way!

This was strangely written and almost hallucinogenic. It wasn’t for me but I’m sure it will be appreciated by some.

Well, the premise of this was fairly simple and straightforward, while the story was anything but... I don't even know where to go with this review because it was just so bizarre to put into words or form any coherent thoughts about. I'm still not sure how I feel about it either; certain sections were captivating and emotionally resonant, particularly when delving into themes of guilt and grief. The exploration of psychological aspects was skillfully executed, and I appreciated the intriguing layers added by text message exchanges and interviews.

However, my main critique lies in the majority of the book, where the complexity made it challenging to follow, leading to moments of boredom and distraction. The narrative took unexpected and sometimes bewildering turns, leaving me torn between questioning its brilliance and my personal enjoyment. While I acknowledge the thematic depth and intentions behind the work, the pacing issues persisted, and I believe a trim of at least 50 pages could enhance the overall experience.

Approaching the story expecting a straightforward account of a woman investigating her sister's death within an institution would be misleading. The narrative unfolds into unexpected territories that synopsis doesn't give away, so I won't either, as it would be considered a major spoiler for where the story ends up going. If you appreciate a deliberately slower pace, a complex narrative that keeps you guessing, and poignant and hard-hitting examinations of sibling relationships and dynamics, pick this one up.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

3 stars

I’m not sure what I just read. I struggled just to finish in order to write this review. There were parts that were super fast and interesting but around 1/3-1/2 the way through it just kind of stalled out.
The concept is there, it just needs a little fine tuning.

I was drawn to The Redemption of Morgan Bright by Chris Panatier because I love horror novels and mysteries. The book is about a woman named Morgan who checks herself into an asylum to solve the mystery of her sister's murder, only to lose her memory and maybe her mind. The book challenges the conventions of the genre and explores the themes of guilt, secrecy, and redemption.

The book was a thrilling and terrifying read. The author created a creepy and captivating atmosphere with his descriptions of the asylum and its secrets. The plot was full of twists and turns that kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat. The characters were complex and intriguing, especially Morgan, who was a flawed but sympathetic protagonist. I felt for her as she struggled to find the truth and cope with her trauma. I also liked the other characters, such as Dr. Lyle, who was a kind and helpful psychiatrist, and Lila, who was a mysterious and charismatic patient. The book also had some disturbing and shocking scenes that made me shiver and gasp.

However, the book also had some flaws that prevented me from giving it a perfect rating. The book was too short and felt rushed in some parts. I wish the author had developed some of the subplots and characters more, such as Morgan's relationship with her sister and her girlfriend, and the backstory of the asylum and its experiments. The book also had some plot holes and inconsistencies that made me confused and frustrated. For example, how did Morgan manage to get into the asylum without anyone noticing? How did she keep her phone and her identity hidden? How did she escape from the police and the asylum staff? The book also had some clichés and tropes that made it predictable and unoriginal in some aspects, such as the evil and corrupt police, the mad and sadistic doctors, and the unreliable and unstable narrator.

Overall, I enjoyed reading The Redemption of Morgan Bright and I would recommend it to fans of horror and mystery novels. It is a book that will keep you hooked and horrified until the end. It is a book that will make you question your reality and your sanity. It is a book that will make you feel Morgan's guilt and redemption.


#NetGalley #TheRedemptionOfMorganBright #eArcs #Horror

Thank you NetGalley, publisher, and author for this eARC. I honestly do not know how to rate this because this felt like a fever dream.

Thank you to Netgalley and Angry Robot for an ARC copy of The Redemption of Morgan Bright.

I'm very seldom lost for words, but this is a really hard one for me to rate and review!

The good: This was the third asylum/commitment clinic story I've read in the last few months and this was BY FAR the best nailing the spooky, disconcerting vibe. I also enjoyed the timeline alternating between the past and the present, it helped to switch up the pace of the story. Lastly, I usually REALLY hate any sort of political opinions being inserted into anything I read, but I did appreciate the subtle (but powerful) way it was woven into this story and explained in the afterward by the author.

The not-so-good: I flew through the first quarter of this book and flew through the last quarter, probably read both in one combined day. The middle felt super slow, it took me at least five days to make it through. I just didn't feel compelled to keep reading for a while. The story also became more supernatural than I expected after reading the blurb. Supernatural elements aren't a deal breaker for me, but I like to know it will be a significant part of the plot going in.

Overall, this is one I think will stand out in my memory for a long time. I wouldn't recommend it to just the general reader, but would recommend it to readers looking for a wild ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for this opportunity to read review and rate this arc which will be available /423/24!!!

Ok but this book messed with my head. It has unreliable narrators, sisters, mental health issues in a very dark and twisted asylum that is hiding something. I was on the edge of my seat. Mail biting tension with an insidious creep of horror.

I am really not one hundred percent sure what I read, but I do know that it was not great. I love an asylum story, but this one was just not for me.

3.5 🌟
Came for the mention of asylums.
Stayed until I knew what the actual he'll was going on.
Not sure I know even now.
For a good part of this story I was as confused as our characters.
But not in a bad way, in a "I NEED to know WHAT is going on!!"
It was weird, and creepy, and I shuddered a few times.
Definitely pick it up if you like all that.
I did!

I loved the premise of this book but the execution didn’t work too well for me, maybe because of the use of texts and interviews which always take me out of the flow. I did find the story and mystery intriguing though and would recommend to others who like gothic mysteries
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc