Avid fans of gory horror and haters of Conservative politics will love this novel!

Unfortunately, I am not a fan of gory horror. While I very much appreciated the political slant of this novel, I guess I expected more commentary and less repetition. Also, as I said, the splatter-gore was definitely not to my taste.

I appreciate what this book was trying to be, but I don't believe I was the intended audience.

This is a brutal horror novella with a lot to say.

This is not a book for the faint of heart, with unflinching use of graphic violence and sexual imagery thrown in the reader's face at every turn. While I don't know how much I enjoyed that reading experience, I was gripped throughout by the way this story commentates on modern political and social media climates. Because a graphic horror in which the horrors of the extreme right and toxic dark crannies of the internet manifest LITERAL demons? That's damn interesting.

The way the darkness seeped out in countless manifestations screams a real and terrifying truth about the modern world.

If you are a reader who enjoys Eric LaRocca, Gretchen Felker-Martin, or Ryū Murakami this is one to pick up next.

I love horror. That said, this is of the extreme, extreme horror genre that I'm learning I'm not crazy about. Just an endless downpour of revolting stuff and misery. But it's a cool concept, it's well written, and if you can handle descriptions of an unwashed senior citizen mother touching herself in front of her son, this is probably up your alley.

It only took about three years for Clay Chapman to become one of my favorite horror writers. He does not miss, his writing is so so timely and so so timeless, getting to the heart of our individual and collective fears.

I e never had my eyebrows raised higher than while reading this. I LOVED this book so much. So scary given actual life events right now.

4.5 stars

Holy hell what did I just read! This has got to be one of Chapmans best at this point. This was a single sitting of a read for me, I literally couldn't put it down. Buy it now!

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

"How do you give an exorcism to the whole country?"

Wow, Chapman did not hold back at all. As soon as it started, the wild ride hit the ground running. I had no idea what I was diving into because with Chapman books, I don't usually like reading the blurbs. I want to be surprised and oh boy, was I surprised!

The author wrote such a brilliant social commentary on our current world especially with how divided the country is. Plus so much body horror and the perfect dark reflection of the times we are in.

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes follows Noah through the hellish landscape of misinformation and the sacrifices he makes to save his family. This was a tough read that left me feeling despondent. It was fast-paced, very timely, well researched, and well-written. I'll recommend this to my open-minded, if somewhat jaded, patrons.

<b>[TW/CW: Language, drinking, smoking, misogyny, sexism, racism, slurs, death of dog, child abuse, blood, gory scenes, death by suicide, ]</b>

<b><big>*****SPOILERS*****</b></big>
<b>About the book:</b>
Noah Fairchild has been losing his formerly polite Southern parents to far-right cable news for years, so when his mother leaves him a voicemail warning him that the “Great Reawakening” is here, he assumes it’s related to one of the many conspiracy theories she believes in. But when his own phone calls go unanswered, Noah makes the long drive from Brooklyn to Richmond, Virginia. There, he discovers his childhood home in shambles, a fridge full of spoiled food, and his parents locked in a terrifying trance-like state in front of the TV. Panicked, Noah attempts to snap them out of it and get medical help.

Then Noah’s mother brutally attacks him.

But Noah isn’t the only person to be attacked by a loved one. Families across the country are tearing each other apart-–literally-–as people succumb to a form of possession that gets worse the more time they spend watching particular channels, using certain apps, or visiting certain websites. In Noah’s Richmond-based family, only he and his young nephew Marcus are unaffected. Together, they must race back to the safe haven of Brooklyn–-but can they make it before they fall prey to the violent hordes?
<b>Release Date:</b> January 7th, 2025
<b>Genre:</b> Horror
<b>Pages:</b> 384
<b>Rating:</b> 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 (5 thumbs down)

<b>What I Liked:</b>
1. The cover is great

<b>What I Didn't Like:</b>
1. Book is annoying as fuck with all the weird sounds
2. Redundant sentences over and over
3. The weird social media challenge of wake up
4. Too long
5. 117 uses of wake up
6. 62 uses of Fax
7. 43 uses of open your eyes
8. Writing was just bad

<b>Overall Thoughts:</b>
<b><u>{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}</u></b>

It's so true when Noah says that he didn't know who his parents voted for before all this. I just learned this year who my parents voted for in previous elections. Nobody talked about who they voted for but the last 10 years that's all people want to talk about.

Noah is ridiculous. He hasn't heard from his parents all night and day and upon coming into their home he finds furniture thrown around but doesn't call the police. This is the exact time you call the police in case someone is still in the home or your contaminating evidence.

Again what the hell is Noah doing?? He finds his parents in a state of unwellness and he decides rather than follow his wife's advice of calling someone from social services to come check on them he thinks he needs to clean their home. His mother was masturbating to a TV in front of him and he wants to clean. To clean! Why??? It would be like his story of his mom coming to his rescue when he fell off the bike but instead of helping him she goes to clean the bike.

Here I thought Taylor Adams wrote the longest action fight scene in a book but dude this author is giving him a run for his money. Talk about going on and on and on. In a show or movie scene but in a book it's boring and feels redundant. Way too long going on for 14 pages.

We find out that Asher was apart of the thing happening and has gunned down a school.

Didn't need to read about Asher's semen rolling down the TV. Ew. And then he smelled his fingers. Gag.

‼Where's the dog!? Please tell me they didn't eat the dog!‼‼ Omg they ate the dog‼‼

This book is being weird and not in a fun way but in a bored over it kind of way.

I am so over the repetitive sentances and actions. So much of this book could be cut down if I didn't have to read the same thing over and over.

Phase 3 was is so boring and stupid and annoying. We get social media pov's of people I don't care about. After that we get news reporting things happening. Omg I am so bored.

Nope I can't anymore. I just can't. I hate this book. I'm annoyed too.

<b>Final Thoughts:</b>
This book made me feel as though I was reading a Dr. Suess book with all the different sounds in it written out.

I guess I thought this book was going to be as it was presented but it ended up being so weird and disconnected that I feel like it missed the point the author was trying to give us. It felt somehow less political and more on the edge of the pressures of social media and being bullied. I couldn't connect the dots of the characters falling so far into what they ended up doing because it wasn't really explained who they were before. We just get the introduction of them and suddenly they are falling a yoga lady, obsessed with Fax, and listening to a random Twitter person.

I dnfed this book at page 290. The thought of even reading another page made me want to scream. I don't think a book has annoyed me as much as this book has.

In closing this book is going on my worst book of 2025.

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<b><i>Thanks to Netgalley and Quirk Books for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

A timely addition to the horror shelf. A sardonic look at the brainwashing of the average "Fax News" viewer into something much, much more sinister than the world can imagine. Perfect for 2025, especially. Clips along at a fantastic pace and I almost never got bored. Chapman has always been an author I wanted to read, but this book's summary in particular really piqued my interest. So far it's one of my favorite reads of '25. Can't wait to read more of Chapman's works.

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman is an incredibly unsettling, thought-provoking novel that kept me on edge from beginning to end. This book explores the complexities of perception, identity, and reality, blending horror with psychological thriller elements in a way that is both chilling and deeply engaging. Chapman’s writing is sharp, atmospheric, and full of tension, making this a read that will stay with you long after you’ve finished it.

The story follows the protagonist, a man who finds himself trapped in a cycle of disorienting experiences that force him to confront the very nature of his reality. As he tries to navigate his increasingly bizarre world, he must come to terms with the way his mind is unraveling. The premise of the book is intriguing and mysterious, and Chapman does a fantastic job of keeping the reader hooked as the main character’s grasp on reality begins to slip. The book’s narrative is unpredictable, pulling you deeper into a psychological maze that is as haunting as it is compelling.

What stands out most in Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is Chapman’s ability to craft a truly immersive and unnerving atmosphere. The writing is vivid and evocative, using psychological horror in a way that’s far more subtle than traditional gore-driven tales. There’s a sense of creeping dread throughout the novel that lingers long after each page. Chapman doesn’t rely on jump scares; instead, he builds tension slowly, allowing the dread to seep into every aspect of the protagonist’s life and choices. It’s a masterful exploration of fear, both internal and external.

The themes of identity and self-perception are explored with nuance. As the protagonist struggles to understand what’s happening to him, he also wrestles with his own identity and how it is shaped by the world around him. The novel delves into questions of memory, consciousness, and the relationship between what we think we know and what is truly real. It’s a complex and thought-provoking narrative that forces the reader to question their own understanding of reality.

Chapman’s characters are multi-dimensional, particularly the protagonist, whose internal turmoil is depicted with haunting clarity. As the story unfolds, the reader is able to see the layers of his psyche peel away, revealing a deeper, darker side to his character. The supporting characters add another layer of intrigue to the story, each one playing a role in the protagonist’s unraveling journey.

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a psychological horror novel that goes beyond mere scares. It’s a deeply introspective story that explores the fragility of the mind and the unsettling idea that our perception of reality might not be as reliable as we’d like to believe. It’s a fast-paced, gripping read that draws you in with its unsettling atmosphere and keeps you hooked until the very end.

This was insane. I mean in a kind of weirdly good way. It won't be for everyone, especially the people who will see themselves in the ones possessed. It hits too close home to what is happening today in our world. The way our people are split up, and the way society acts like a mob possessed over their "truths."

I found this a very accurate social horror. It makes you think, even if it creeps you completely out. It was disturbing, not just with the message sent, but with gory descriptions. I mean the one scene with Noah's mom? That has creeped under my skin and made me shudder. Now, I'm not big on extreme horror, but this book toed the line just close enough where I didn't feel like slamming the book down and not finishing. It had enough levity in a horrific situation that it was a book you had to know how it will end.

" . . . we are in the process of the second American Revolution, which will remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.” - Heritage Foundation President Kevin Roberts discussing Project 2025

As Roger Ailes and Rupert Murdoch discovered, the best way to impose your views on others is to create your own "news" empire using the very screens we can't seem to tear ourselves away from to tell us how to think, who to vote for, and whom to fear. So far, it's working. Their 24-hour service has become the most-watched television news channel, currently attracting nearly 50% of the cable news viewing audience. Over four million viewers just can't get enough of it. And, for years now, adult children of Fox News addicted parents have seen their loved ones transformed into shills for the network, spouting perhaps deeply held, but previously secret opinions about everything from illegal immigrants to furries.

Noah already tried dragging Mom and Dad back from their batshit conspiracy-laden crackpottery . . .

Noah's mom and dad suffer from "Fax News Brain" and he's already googled "how to deprogram your parents." When he can't get them on the phone, he travels from Brooklyn to their home in Virginia only to discover that they've been turned from "mildly racist vegetables" to "mindless monsters" by the new "Mad cow disease for conservatives." Not only have social norms been allowed to slip away, Noah's folks have become downright violent.

And . . . hungry.

Yep. Fax News is turning people into LITERAL ZOMBIES.

This horror novel is INSANELY violent with the author dreaming up new uses for ordinary household objects like blenders and pizza cutters. He also gives new meaning to the phrase "family meal time." In addition to the gore, there seems to be a "ripped from today's headlines" feel to this one. As the far right prepares to play a large part in the new administration with many Project 2025 architects slated to fill vacate cabinet positions, Robert's prophecy seems right on the money: the Second American Revolution is indeed coming, and with or without zombies, I truly doubt it will be bloodless.

I received a copy from NetGalley to review, below is the blurb
"Noah has been losing his polite Southern parents to far-right cable news for years, so when his mother leaves him a voicemail warning him that the “Great Reawakening” is here, he assumes it’s related to one of her many conspiracy theories. But when his phone calls go unanswered, Noah makes the drive from Brooklyn to Richmond, Virginia. There, he discovers his childhood home in shambles and his parents locked in a terrifying trancelike state in front of the TV. Panicked, Noah attempts to snap them out of it.
Then Noah’s mother brutally attacks him.
But Noah isn’t the only person to be attacked by a loved one. Families across the country are tearing each other apart—literally—as people succumb to a form of possession that gets worse the more time they spend glued to a screen. In Noah’s Richmond-based family, only he and his young nephew Marcus are unaffected. Together, they must race back to the safe haven of Brooklyn—but can they make it before they fall prey to the violent hordes?"

I loved the premise of this book and really appreciate being given an ARC which is why I have given it 3 stars, however, this wasn't for me. The style of the writing didn't really flow and I found myself skipping the news stories and social media bits. As I said loved the idea of this story but it didn't really grip me.

WAKE UP AND OPEN YOUR EYES, and, man, it’s a bonkers zombie? possession? novel that is terrifying and gross and hilarious. There’s a crazed, gleeful exuberance to the prose that I loved and could hear in Clay’s voice (his live performances are legendary). 5 stars.

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman is a gripping and unsettling read that pulls you into a world that feels uncomfortably close to home. The author masterfully blends psychological tension with eerie, thought-provoking moments that linger long after you've finished the book. I particularly enjoyed Chapman's writing style—his prose is sharp and evocative, capturing both the dread and vulnerability of his characters in a way that’s haunting without being overly dramatic. While the themes and emotional depth can feel a bit too relatable at times, this only adds to the impact of the story. It’s a book that leaves you reflecting long after the final page. A solid four-star read for fans of psychological thrillers and dark, introspective fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an advance reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Even as far fetched as the concept would seem....how many of us know someone who just devours and wholeheartedly believes those farfetched news sources that seem to be warping their opinion of the world? That is what makes this novel truly terrifying! We can almost imagine people we know (or ones we wished we didn't know) have their entire bodies taken over, much like these distorting news sources have already warped their mind!

Love Clay McLeod Chapman & this one really hits home with looming political changes on the horizon.

Description
From master of horror Clay McLeod Chapman, a relentless social horror novel about a family on the run from a demonic possession epidemic that spreads through media.

Noah has been losing his polite Southern parents to far-right cable news for years, so when his mother leaves him a voicemail warning him that the “Great Reawakening” is here, he assumes it’s related to one of her many conspiracy theories. But when his phone calls go unanswered, Noah makes the drive from Brooklyn to Richmond, Virginia. There, he discovers his childhood home in shambles and his parents locked in a terrifying trancelike state in front of the TV. Panicked, Noah attempts to snap them out of it.

Then Noah’s mother brutally attacks him.

But Noah isn’t the only person to be attacked by a loved one. Families across the country are tearing each other apart—literally—as people succumb to a form of possession that gets worse the more time they spend glued to a screen. In Noah’s Richmond-based family, only he and his young nephew Marcus are unaffected. Together, they must race back to the safe haven of Brooklyn—but can they make it before they fall prey to the violent hordes?

This ambitious, searing novel from one of horror's modern masters holds a mirror to our divided nation, and will shake readers to the core.

It just wasn’t for me. It’s too preachy and when Anderson Cooper was hailed as some profound beacon of insight I had to stop reading.

A great premise that is stunted by its self-congratulatory sanctimonious messaging.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

› Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is an "unflinching supernatural epic about a family - and nation - torn apart by malevolent forces operating through the news, social media, and influencer culture."

Noah Fairchild lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Kelsey, and daughter, Alicia. He feels like he's losing his parents to far-right conspiracy theories. At Thanksgiving, his parents made racist comments about immigration while their Haitian daughter-in-law was sitting at the same table. But of course, they don't mean her they are talking about the others. His parents watch the popular far-right news called Just the Fax. Noah feels like his parents are possessed. His mother keeps telling him:

"I just wish you would wake up, honey, before it's too late. I wish, I wish you would open your eyes."

His brother Ash is more like their father than Noah is. He's also started watching Just the Fax. His wife Devon has been watching influencers learning "wellness tips". They have two sons named Caleb and Marcus and a dog named Rufus. They keep telling Noah that December 20 is "The Great Reawakening". Just before Christmas, Noah decides to visit his parents after not being able to reach his mother or brother. Upon arrival, Noah begins the worst day of his life.

“This is not our horror story. This is your f-ing horror story. An American Horror Story . . . But whose America, am I right?”

› Wake Up and Open Your Eyes has interesting characters, but they felt underdeveloped to me. I also wanted more world-building and I had a hard time with the second-person perspective (which I common for me). However, the writing style is high quality with good readability and dialogue. Told in three phases, this page-turner loses its construction as half the world is losing its mind. The first quarter was the best part for me. Some absolutely grotesque scenes will permanently live in my brain. The intrigue faded during the last quarter, but this is still a great book.

"Baby Ghost...boo boo boo boo boo boo...BOO! baby ghost...boo boo boo boo boo boo...BOO!"

APPEAL FACTORS
Storyline: action-packed, issue-oriented, open-ended, unconventional
Pace: medium
Tone: angsty, dark, disturbing, gruesome, violent
Heat index: explicit (18+)
Humour: dark humour
Character: awkward, flawed

Read Alikes:
We Need to Do Something by Max Booth III
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
American Rapture by C. J. Leede

›
› Final Thoughts
• Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a gruesome horror book with relevant social commentary on screen usage, social media, and politics. It's about morality and humanity. I admire Clay Mcleod Chapman for his courage to put out a book like this in our current political climate. I'm adding Quirk Books to my favourite publishers list on Netgalley.

Not terrible. The extreme logical conclusion of misinformation and conspiracy theories is certainly an effective plot device, along with the way families are divided by this kind of thing. I feel like this would have done better as a short story or novella. Once the initial technique was used once, it got pretty repetitive. Often cock-eyed humour mixed in with the bleakness works well for me, but in this case it fell a bit flat.