I’m going to sound bitter when I say this but I am noticing that overall thriller novels have changed for the worse within the last few years. This might be a little bit of a soapbox but I am seeing more and more novels that are a scrambling of ideas rather than a well put-together novel. It’s become increasingly hard to enjoy as the writing ability decreases.
At this point I’m just making up names to sub-genres but it’s fine. I like to call this corporate thriller mixed with sci-fi. If it sounds like it doesn’t really work, you would be correct. It starts off fine, with a large corporation doing shady things to get the results, but things get progressively stranger and out of pocket. That is where the sci-fi comes into play because that is the closest thing I can think of. The plot stops making sense there and it was an entire struggle to finish. The only good thing about this novel is that it does have a clear ending.

Really enjoyed this book. I don’t think I’ve read anything similar before. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

this was okay! i liked the supernatural elements that the author used. I enjoyed that it was a short and easy read that is different than what i usually read.

liked the sci/fi aspect as well as supernatural elements that the author used , and that it was short , and a bit different then something I've ever read before.

I'll give this author another chance because this idea was so promising, and started out well, but I was left feeling vaguely unsatisfied.

LAZARUS is a great short book for when you're in a reading slump! The story was engaging, I liked the characters, and I liked the sci/fi sort of supernatural elements included. It's your typical good versus evil, like the story of Theranos but on steroids. It has a lot of good elements from some of my favorite sci/fi books. I do wish it was longer but I liked the length of it.

Imagine a world where ageing and disease doesn’t exist. The greed and ruthlessness of the main parties in the process can taint the discovery. Kami is a young girl abducted and her blood harvested by a biotech company involved in genetic experimentation.
This is a very interesting and not unrealistic storyline where people are harvested for a vital ingredient and greed overshadows the results.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review.

This story is a very good idea. We all want to discover the elixir of long life and here you could really discover that it exists and that it can be used by everyone. Unfortunately, I can't give many stars because this novel is too underdeveloped and frankly I would have liked to know more about it.

The elixir of life, the fountain of youth, is something many people look and hope for. This book had a pretty good plot with that theme but I felt the overall story and ending were not entirely satisfactory. I would've liked more in depth detail and a longer story.

I was hoping to get to this one. I am sad that I was not able to read this before it was archived. I think it will be interesting read, and I will try to get a physical copy if I can find one for a reasonable price!

How about reversing the effects of old age or counteracting the progress of death which comes with it… maybe treating life-altering ilnesses or even a deadly disease?

How about those crow feet or saggy boobs OR those man boobs… or the laughing lines you hate so much on yourself? Everyone's a little vain, right?
Who am I to judge?

Lazarus Labs has done it! They treat your ailments with Vials full of an Amber Elixir… and all the pain and suffering evaporates into thin Air.

But… where does this Elixir of Life hail from? Why wasn't it discovered any sooner?
Is it kosher/helal?

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It started of as a strong Story, but after some time and with every Chapter the Book lost some of its appeal to me because the Story itself wasn't as well woven as it should have been.

Of course I can see, that this was the Author's debut so I kept reading.
By the End, though, I was feeling a bit unsatisfied. It all felt too rushed at some point, and I would have advised putting it away for a few weeks before he rewrites it some more.

I hope his next piece will knock me off my feet from start to finish though! Don't give up!!

With a heavy heart I give it a 2.8 Rating which I will round up to 3 Stars!

Quick read about corporate greed and an utter disregard for human life, unless it is a customer ($$$). Lazarus is the finding of the exilir of life, the cure of what ails society, blindly using the 'dregs' of society and the source of this elixir. The big issue...it comes with side effects. A company employee who finds her morals and a guinea pig (elixir source) power to take down the company in this wonderful read.

"Lazarus" by Chris Kauzlarich is about a CEO who discovers a cure for aging and disease. The plot's most interesting part is the concept of a biotech company willing to do anything to achieve its goals. The story raises ethical questions about science and immortality. The science-fiction elements are exciting, but the ending is not entirely satisfying. Overall, it's an interesting novella, but the story could benefit from more explanation and development.

Lazarus by Chris Kauzlarich was an intriguing and really interesting story.
This was such a good book! A page turner for sure.
I thought this was a gripping and well-crafted read.
The writing was great and the characters pulled me deep into their story.
With compelling characters and a unique narrative structure, it offers a gripping and a great reading experience.

Thank You NetGalley and Indie Published for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

The only horror in this book is the fact that I read it.

What started out as an interesting thriller about an abduction and science experimentation quickly turned into a social justice drama. Remembering this is actually supposed to be a horror story, some supernatural elements are sprinkled in, and done. We conclude with no answers, no real horror, or satisfying ending, just relief that it’s over.

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great read and one that I think will be on my "to purchase" list once it's released, for sure. The story starts off well, the first scene is one of action with a pace that perfectly matches what is on the page, and it is close enough to reality that a part of me might actually group it in with books like "Handmaid's Tale" or "1984" in terms of "uncomfortable realism" were it not for the few paranormal themes scattered throughout. Every part of this made me feel uncomfortable, and I enjoyed that.

I couldn't give it five stars, however, for two reasons: the writing style, and the length. I was not a fan of the style of writing, it just didn't click with me, but it was well done for what it was trying to do (impart realism and discomfort). When it comes to the length, however, I almost wanted more of it. It felt too short for what it was trying to do, and I found myself thinking "that's it?" once I was done.

Still, it's well worth the read and I did enjoy myself despite these downsides.

Imagine a world without disease, where congenital birth defects can be reversed, and where the ravages of old age can disappear overnight. This is the promise Jarum Daughtry dangles in front of investors, and the American public as our novel opens. More than the mystical promise of the fountain of youth, Jarum's Lazarus Inc. has unlocked portions of the genome needed to reverse disease, old age, and more with a simple transfusion of their "elixir." While investors aren't too eager to look this gift horse in the mouth, instead lining up to make their own appointments, as we follow doctor, Violet, and donor, Kami, we get a peek behind the curtain at Lazarus that proves something much more sinister might be powering Jarum's transformations.

I flew through "Lazarus" in a little over an hour. Although it may be short, clocking in at just 105 pages, this novella packs a punch. Chris Kauzlarich had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. I was so impressed by the world-building that he managed to accomplish in such a short time. I could feel Kami's terror as she raced through the streets in the opening scene, I could feel Violet's internal struggle as she wrestled with the oath she took as a doctor to do no harm. I loved the touches of magic that peppered in throughout and was READY for the conclusion.

Chris Kauzlarich has catapulted to the top of my "must-buy" list. If he could create such a moving and suspenseful thriller in just over 100 pages I cannot wait to see what he can accomplish with a full-length novel. An easy five-star read for me, and one of my favorites of the year so far. I will be recommending "Lazarus" to fans of Blake Crouch, Grady Hendrix, and Joe Hill. Special thanks to NetGalley and to Books Forward for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of "Lazarus" in exchange for an unbiased review!

Lazarus was the beginning of a decent story. i feel like it was rushed and not thought out. It also included some truly exploitive instances of women being…well..exploited. i think this could be more.

A world free of disease and reverse aging… but at what cost? I’m a big horror fan, and when you throw science into it, you’re bound to come up with some heart-pounding, fast-paced, WTF moments. Lazarus is certainly fast-paced, and I appreciate its short chapters because it kept me hooked in. I also love the descriptive similes intertwined throughout as it painted beautiful imagery at points within this thrilling horror. However, there are unanswered questions, and I feel like the story was a bit rushed. It could have been expanded on more with added backstory for Kami, Ruth, Julia and even Jarum. Despite its minor shortcomings, I still enjoyed this novella and rate it 3.5 ⭐️. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I look forward to reviewing future works from Chris K.

This book had me HOOKED from page one! A story filled with twists and turns that had me wanting more and more each page I read. I loved being able to see the multiple perspectives within the characters and what their intentions were throughout the book. The main character was very likeable as well, had me rooting for them the entire time. Very good book 4.5/5 overall