Member Reviews

This book was very unique and different from what I typically read and I loved it! The entire book was action packed and I enjoyed how it kept me hooked from the beginning. The way the author wove science fiction into a mystery/thriller plot was impeccable. This is a great book for those who don't typically lean towards the sci-fi genre as the elements aren't overbearing. I felt like the Oracle was real and I was ready to go investigate! When a book submerges you so deeply that you feel as you are a part of that world, it is truly magical. I learned there is a book before this one (thankfully, you don't have to read the first one to fully understand this one). I will definitely be buying the first book! The narration of this book was perfect. I could differentiate between the characters easily. Overall, I am glad I took a chance on this book and I'll definitely be checking out past and future books from this author!

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For example, you either love it or loathe it. I adore it. Nice, if a little over the top, follow-up to Hex Supernatural horror; I enjoy it.
Sometimes Thomas keeps things light, but other times he pulls you right back into the spooky parts. It guarantees that the narrative will stick with you for a very long time, yet it's not so terrifying that it keeps you awake.

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Complex and compelling characters add greatly to this book that has an 18th century ship on a field that’s mysteriously appeared. A secret government team comes to investigate.
Extremely well narrated by Nathaniel Priestly. His voice added to this psychological thriller.
Thank you to @MacmillanAudio and @NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

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Slight trigger warning for some body horror elements and some unexpected deaths later in the book.

I had a hard time putting this book down. This passed by so quickly, and every single reveal made me want to know more and more. I think I got this from the mystery section, and I would say it’s almost more of a psychological thriller in a lot of ways, but there were definitely enough mystery elements that if you are a mystery fan you won’t be disappointed.

All of the main characters or people I felt for, and wanted to know more about. The mystery that’s unfolding is horrifying and awe-inspiring at the same time. This book had me so captivated, which is hilarious, given the context of the book. I highly recommend this one.

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"Oracle" by Thomas Olde Heuvelt captivated me from the very first page. This haunting blend of horror and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire read. Heuvelt's writing style is masterful, creating a chilling atmosphere that lingers long after the final chapter.

The premise of a small town plagued by a mysterious force is not new, but Heuvelt's execution is fresh and original. The characters are complex and relatable, each with their own demons to face. The way Heuvelt weaves together their stories while maintaining a sense of impending doom is nothing short of brilliant.

One of the strongest aspects of "Oracle" is its ability to keep the reader guessing. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Heuvelt throws in a twist that leaves you reeling. This unpredictability adds to the tension and makes for an exhilarating reading experience.

Furthermore, Heuvelt's exploration of themes such as fear, redemption, and the power of community gives the story depth and meaning beyond its supernatural elements. It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page, prompting contemplation and discussion.

In conclusion, "Oracle" is a must-read for fans of horror and psychological thrillers. With its gripping plot, well-developed characters, and thought-provoking themes, it's a standout novel that deserves all the praise it receives.

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I may need to let this one gel a bit. There were parts of it where I thought it was really going to take off, but then it got bogged down with “details” that were more confusing than helpful and it threw me out of the story a bit. Then it would come around and the same thing would happen again. Hmm. The writing was good like I know would be, it just felt disjointed and rushed in parts.

I’m going with 3 Stars for now, reserving the right to revise upon further contemplation.

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I'm absolutely prejudiced here. I loved Hex so much, and then I read Echo. Hex is an easier read, but Echo has the same kind of cosmic horror you can see so well in Oracle.
A character from Hex is in Oracle, too, and I enjoyed that. The plot is so original, and the people so real. From the beginning, people were making choices that seemed irrational, like real people do, such as going into a strange ship.
The narrator was great, and helped build my sense of dread. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook

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A 18th century ship called Oracle appears suddenly and inexplicably in the middle of a field, on it's side. Those that enter the hold disappear after a bell tolls. AIVD (Dutch intelligence) arrive on the scene after 11 people have entered and disappeared; only Luka, a teenager first on the scene, and the farmer who owns the land have manages to stay outside and try to warn of others away. In the US, Robert Grim is plucked out of his solitary life trying to forget Black Springs, to go investigate what's happening.

Having read Hex, I was excited to see what Oracle had in store. I've read both in translation now and while Hex is relocated to the US in English, most of Oracle takes place in the Netherlands. Though you can get by without reading Hex first, Robert Grim is in both. I ended my listen uncertain of what the book was ultimately trying to be, because it didn't stick to the eldritch horror I was expecting. Overall it was enjoyable, but it felt different than Hex and its resolution. I ultimately felt the beginning carried the most unease and that the ending left many things unanswered. The footnotes were helpful and not too obtrusive.

Thank you to @Macmillan.Audio for an advanced audio book on @NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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Out of the fog, a ship appears in the middle of a tulip field. First on scene are Luca and Emma who are on their way to school. However, Emma decides to explore the ship but something happens to her and though Luca can hear her, she cannot seem to hear him. By the end of the first day, 10 others have vanished into the Oracle, including Luca's dad, Emma's dad, a hand full of cops, and some other boys from school.

A secret government agency sends in their team to investigate and to unravel what is going on. Luca and his remaining family are being watched but Luca still feels tied to the ship and seems to walk away with a mysterious presence, haunting him, revealing bits and pieces of what is to come.

This was such an engaging read and I was rivetted from the very beginning. I did not realize it was the second in the series until I checked out Goodreads and noticed this was number two. With that being said, I don't think you have to have read book one to understand what is going on in this story but you might get more information on Robert Grim, a specialist who seems to know a thing or two about the supernatural,

I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see what more may be in store for this author and for Grim.

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Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook copy of Oracle by Thomas Olde Heuvelt in exchange for an honest review. I love his books. It's hard to classify Olde Heuvelt into one genre as each book spans at least 3 different genres. Oracle was no different. From appearing ships to old gods, it embraced science fiction to horror and even a bit of teen romance. Beautiful writing.

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This 16 minute preview was well performed and I enjoyed the start of this book. Thankfully I have a physical ARC of this book, otherwise I may have been more disappointed. It wasn’t enough of the story to get me invested but I am ready to pick up the book now to find out what it’s all about.

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Thomas Olde Heuvelt comes up with the creepiest stories. With a dash of Lovecraft and a pinch of Ajvide Lindqvist, this is the sequel to the magnificent HEX. Robert Grim is reluctantly back when a mysterious shipwreck appears in the middle of a field. I’m not a huge fan of cosmic horror but this one kept me engrossed throughout. Nathaniel Priestley is a solid narrator. He gives the main characters their own voice, even if the supporting cast sounded a little similar. I’m not sure whether it’s a narrator issue, or that they are not as well defined on the page. The plot never lets up and some parts are so suspenseful that I it’s impossible to pause. This book is not for the faint of heart, and some parts made me cringe. Animal lovers beware that, as usual with this author, there are some scenes that were hard to stomach. I really enjoyed this read.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, #NetGalley/#Macmillan Audio.

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So it was only a teaser it was okay two chapters is just not enough to get you into a book or maybe I just couldn't download the whole thing I'll be buying the book when it comes out

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This was only 6 minutes but I enjoyed every one of them! Nathaniel Priestly has a wonderful narrator's voice!

Thank you MacMillan Audio for this sneak peek!

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Cover is gorgeous and premise is intriguing. Unfortunately, the sliver of content provided is not enough to generate a comprehensive review. I can say that the 16ish minutes that were shared seemed like the they might herald the beginning of a really fun journey and that the narrator seemed up to the task. The pacing and tone seemed agreeable and I felt hopeful that the read would be a good one! But as we all know, a handful of pages does not a complete story make. If a complete version becomes available for advanced reading I would be very happy to revisit this book and share additional feedback. As it is, 3 stars feels too may for less than 20 minutes of a 12hr book, but 1 star seems like not enough since the minutes I did listen to seemed perfectly fun. Splitting the difference at 2 stars feels like the most I can do for the material provided and of course I will hold any external comments (to tiktok, goodreads or insta) until I've read a complete copy.
That feels most fair, right?

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This book appears to be well written, with realistic dialogue and an intriguing plot. The narrator was very good as well. Beyond that, I am not capable of judging the entire book as like my fellow reviewers here, I was provided less than 20 minutes of the 12 hour audiobook. I'd be happy to amend my review if I have the opportunity to review the entire audiobook in the future.

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Like all of the other reviewers, I am somewhat stymied by the fact that there are only about 20 minutes of this audiobook available... It is really interesting and as I loved his first book Hex, was really looking forward to this one - unfortunately apparently I'm going to have to find it elsewhere if I want to listen to the whole thing. Very odd to only offer part of a book and not indicate that it is a sample. I really like what I'm hearing, but it's impossible to evaluate based on this little material, hence three stars.

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No realistic way to review an audiobook when given just a snippet of it. Now I have to find a way to make this review at least one hundred characters... there we go. Done.

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I think there may be an issue with this audiobook. The copy I was given was only the first 16 minutes of the book. I would like to be able to review the entire book before I give an accurate review.

Hopefully the issue can be sorted out and we can all get a full copy.

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Not sure what happened but this was only the first two chapters of the audio book. The first two chapters had me intrigued and I’d like to hear/read the rest of it.

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