I didn't really like this book. I think it was very well written, the body horror was very gross, but it just began to get repetitive. I didn't find the characters to be likeable at all, and my lord that ending was frustrating. This book filled me with the same intrigue that I got from reading Piranesi, so in that way, I had a hard time putting it down, but in the end it just left me disappointed. The ending makes a very interesting choice that I feel like people are either going to love or hate, and I'm leaning further on the hate side. Overall, the book is fine, just fine, body horror is good, but that's not the point of the book, therefore there's not much of it there

Oh boy this threw me for a loop. It was a really good psychological horror book. The writing in this book is great and it was a good foray into the genre.

I really thought given the themes of this book that I would enjoy it. But I DNF'd it at 20% and it's a short novel but felt terribly long. It's not even the plot that made me not like this, I did like the plot, but the style of writing was just too flowery. I don't know, I guess I prefer more direct writing, or at least not flowery every single sentence. Many people enjoyed this so there's an audience and the author is talented. I just couldn't connect with this novel though.

En route to the beach in Montreal to commit suicide in the Saint Lawrence River, Vicken Asatryan has one last encounter with a man named Felix in a subway toilet stall. At Assomption station, the doors open and Felix alights after giving Vicken his number. Stunned silent, Vicken simply watches as the doors close and he feels the train trundle on towards his non-metaphorical final destination. Before he knows it, however, Vicken finds himself at the terminus station and more alone than he ever knew was possible. He knows he is in the subway. He must be, because he never left it. But the tracks are gone. All color is leached away to gray. There isn’t a single living person around. And the station seems to go on forever in room after room, at once both claustrophobic and endless. Alone, Vicken resolves to find the exit to continue what he started.

After hours, after days, Vicken finally encounters a woman. He calls her Pashmina, for her shawl, but honestly, he didn’t bother with her name at first and by the time he thinks to ask for it, it is too awkward. Together, Vicken and Pashmina continue to search the never ending gray, exploring the same set of infinite rooms until they discover a small fissure. What lies inside isn’t freedom; it’s a grotesque amalgam of human flesh festering in the dark, waiting for them to join it. In the rush to escape, Pashmina sustains an accident that ultimately leads her to becoming one with the gray stains upon the subway floor and pushes Vicken to disassociate to the point where he cuts wound after wound to break the monotony. Still, the infinite nothing of the subway remains unchanged…until Vicken finds first an elevator, a fathomless lake, and a payphone. One of these may lead to his salvation, but only if he survives the others.

Coup de Grâce is a horror novella from author Sofia Ajram. Set in present day Montreal, Canada, we experience Vicken’s last day on Earth, with Vicken himself as the narrator. During the brief part of the story before Vicken finds himself trapped in a subterranean horrorscape, we learn that Vicken is gay, depressed, and quite literally on his way to drown himself. Throughout the book, there are little snippets into his lived experience, like how his personal life is as much of an unchanging, tedious void as the station is. Vicken feels like his home offers no personal or creature comforts, just like his EMT job is a sorry compromise for not being able afford all the schooling to become a doctor.

In the midst of reading the story, I was consumed with Vicken’s journey, the things he sees and does in the subway. These are the trees in the “can’t see the forest for the trees” analogy. The “forest,” I think, is how Vicken’s being trapped in the train station from hell is meant to mirror his actual life. At first, Vicken seems to simply accept that the very normal train he had been on, where he met Felix and had a fling, exists in the same world where the got off the train at the last stop and discovered there were no exits, no matter how many three-story escalators or rooms or convenience stores he finds. Even discovering Pashmina after an unknowable amount of time alone is taken in stride. It isn’t until he is well and truly in the thick of existing in this hellscape that Vicken begins to rise against it and to think of ways to get out. Vicken discovers he wants to live.

The narrative tone of the story was incredible. Despite being a horror story, Vicken’s narrative voice made even the most grotesque and macabre events feel compelling, rather than cringey. It’s easy to accept his explanation that, as a trained EMT, he is more desensitized to the body horror he and Pashmina find deep in the bowels of the station or the injury Pashmina suffers. At the same time, it could also be partly a manifestation of Vicken’s disassociation with his world.

Coup de Grâce is a sublime work of horror. Vicken is a delightful character who felt surprisingly relatable given his current situation in life. The liminal space of the depopulated subway station was a powerful backdrop for this journey into the unknowable. References to a few real-world events only added to the sense of eeriness. And perhaps my favorite part is how Ajram brings in the brief glimmers of brightness (Felix, an unused subway ticket, some Canadian coins) and ties them to Vicken’s bleak sense of self to bring the story to a conclusion.

Fans of horror, people who want the book-approximation of a liminal space, readers who enjoy a complex main character, or anyone who just likes well-crafted stories with a killer twist at the end are sure to enjoy this book.

“Coup de Grâce” is a visceral, experimental horror novella that plunges readers into a labyrinth of despair, both psychological and physical. Set in an infinite, nightmarish Montreal subway station, Vicken’s journey to end his life is derailed by a never-ending maze of brutalist architecture and existential dread. Sofia Ajram's debut is as much a deep dive into the human psyche as it is a horror tale, where the real terror lies in Vicken’s internal struggles, grappling with depression and the meaning of existence.

Ajram’s prose is intoxicating, lyrical, and often unsettling. The novella’s language forces readers to confront the protagonist’s pain and nihilism head-on, making the experience both cathartic and harrowing. While the narrative lacks a traditional plot, it excels in mood and introspection, making the book a powerful, albeit non-linear, exploration of mental illness. The choose-your-own-adventure style ending adds an interactive layer, forcing readers to make decisions about Vicken’s fate, making them complicit in the story’s outcome.

Though the heavy themes and non-traditional structure may alienate some readers, Coup de Grâce is a raw and haunting read for those willing to explore its depths.

This is one of those genuinely astounding debuts that has me raving, in the best time of way. This starts out with a suicide attempt and then our main wakes up in a liminal labrynthine purgatory and tries to find his way forward. I'm also a huge sucker for the choose your own ending trope and how its implemented here. Pick this up and enjoy the ride.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for providing me with a digital ARC of this book!

Coup de Grace is a short, horror book (almost 150 pages in length) following Vicken, a 32 year-old EMT who has decided to throw himself into a river. He takes the subway to get there; however, when he reaches his stop, he finds that he is stuck in a labyrinth with no apparent entrance or exit. The story is part cosmic horror, part psychological thriller, part literary fiction about mental health... with a bunch of weirdness thrown in. I think there's definitely an audience who will enjoy this, but I encourage everyone to read the trigger warnings and only pick this up if they're prepared for a very dark read.

I love strange books about liminal spaces, so this absolutely sounded like my type of story. Unfortunately, it didn't end up being my favorite read of the year, but it was still an entertaining way to spend an evening.

I'll start with the positives. First, I can't even count the number of times I've read horror novels and thought to myself: "This would be so much better if it were a novella!" Especially in the horror genre, there are many great premises for stories, but not all of them need to be written as 300+ page novels. I applaud Sofia Ajram for selecting the perfect length for this book - it was just long enough to convey everything it needed to, without dragging or moving too quickly. Additionally, I loved the varied tone and Vicken's characterization. There are funny moments, creepy scenes, terrifying entities, and plenty of emotionally moving passages. Since the story is written in first person present point of view, much of the momentum comes from Vicken and his commentary on what's happening around him. Even though we never learn that much about him (which I think was a good choice for this type of story), he still has a strong, unique voice that makes for an engaging read. Despite the tough subject matter of the book, I still had fun reading, because I had absolutely no idea what was going to happen next or even what emotion the next section would make me feel. And lastly, I thought the use of the subway station as both a metaphor and a horror setting was well done.

However, a couple of things also didn't work for me. The biggest issue I had was the superfluous writing, which I would argue frequently verged into purple prose. There are so many long sentences in this story that are filled with metaphors and complicated language. I frequently love descriptive writing, but the constant use of simple metaphors in any story grates on my nerves. As I read Coup de Grace, I was sometimes noticing metaphors and similes in every single paragraph, which became so distracting. The constant use of thesaurus-like words also took me out of the story and made descriptions far more confusing than they needed to be. That may have been intentional, but for a short book like this, it was unnecessary. There were some moments (usually when Vicken was talking to someone or interacting with something physical in the world) that flowed more smoothly, and I even found a bunch of good quotes that made me stop and think before continuing to read. I wish the whole book had been written that way. The author clearly has strong writing skills, but the descriptive language could have been simplified and trimmed down.

My other critique is that I had trouble connecting with the story at times. There were a lot of references to pop culture, which doesn't always bother me in books, but here, it felt like all of the references sometimes took up more page space than necessary for such a short story. There was also another literary device used near the end (I won't specify what it was, because I don't want to spoil anyone) that I thought was interesting, but it made it hard for me to emotionally connect to the ending. I still found it to be a fascinating story, but I was so distracted by the shift at the end that I wasn't very moved by the plot anymore.

I had fun reading this book, but I'm not sure it's something I would return to in the future. I imagine it'll be divisive, because I think there are many people who will adore the strangeness, but at the same time, I can see some readers being annoyed by the very things that others really loved. For me, it was such a short and unique read that I didn't mind that it wasn't completely my cup of tea. I'd recommend that anyone interested gives it a try, but please do be aware that it's got a lot of intense mental health themes and it's very graphic in its horror depictions. If you're looking for a bizarre book about severe depression explored through horror, though, you might like this. I'll definitely keep an eye out for future books by Sofia Ajram.

3 stars out of 5 stars.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it didn't disappoint. Unique, atmospheric, and scary!

Coup de Grace is about a man who is riding the subway on his way to end his life, when he gets drawn into a never-ending, backrooms type subway station. What he finds there is terrifying, confusing, and ultimately it's you as the reader who feels like they cannot escape. Loved this.

many thanks to netgalley and titan books for the arc ~

this is such a heavy read for being such a short book (please look up tw before diving in). i really didn’t know what to expect and went into reading this blind, but i was far from disappointed. it took me a moment to fully grasp the world ajram was setting up but once i got it, i was invested. don’t be like me though and split this into a 2 day read. i think it makes the difference reading this in one sitting.

vicken is depressed and on his way to his (literal) final destination but when he gets off at his stop, things don’t seem quite right. without giving too much away, i applaud the way ajram tackles the topics of depression, suicide, existential dread. vicken’s descent into madness leaves you feeling just a bit off, a little unsure if anything is even really real. i personally enjoyed the ending and i won’t say much more than that but!!! if you think you’re in the right headspace to make this your next read, i do recommend it. it’s worth spending some time with.

I didn't realize liminal horror was a thing until this book and now I'm hooked! This book creeped me out a little with the dive into the human psyche and depression because it was just so realistic and so well written. One of the best novellas I have read this year, hands down!

For this to be a debut in horror I can say it honestly blew me away. Ajram combines several tropes of horror (often found in horror games too) such as liminal spaces, hooping moments and isolation but creates something that has an air of uniqueness about it. At the same time they depict depression in such a way that as a reader we are inclined to understand and sympathise with what Vicken is going through.

Vicke is an interesting protagonist, not the cookie cutter perfect character but one who suffers and yet still carries on. The atmosphere Ajram creates is oppressive and claustrophobic but at the same time you need to know what will happen next. The pace fits the novel perfectly and gives you a sense of creeping dread that it’s hard to shake even after finishing the novel. An easy 5 star.

As always thank you to Titan Books and Netgalley for my copy. My review is always honest and truthful.

Coup de Grace is an incredibly dark novella that makes excellent use of its setting both as an unsettling location for a book, and in many ways a metaphor for the lost and nihilistic thoughts of the lead character. Personally, I found this to be a perfectly ok story with a superb ending - I won’t go into spoilers, but the way this book wraps up is incredibly inventive and worthy of a star by itself.

The story follows a suicidal man called Vicken who, on his way to a planned suicide attempt, finds himself lost in an endless and deserted Montreal subway station. Understandably, the themes tackled in the story are incredibly heavy and viewing of the trigger warnings is very much recommended, as the themes of suicidal thoughts and self harm are persistent throughout. In all honesty, I thought the exploration of these themes through the story was a bit shallow, with not a lot of character progression from start to finish. The setting though makes excellent use of creepy neon-lit liminal spaces to mirror what is going through Vicken’s head.

As long as the trigger warnings aren’t off-putting to you, I’d recommend giving Coup De Grace a go mainly so you can experience the ending! I think it works incredibly well given the nature of the story. Similar to how Vicken has had to explore endless corridors without knowing where the end is, you as the reader are drawn into the same fate. I absolutely did not see it coming, and I was amazed just how well it fitted this story so well. Thank you to NetGalley and to Titan Books for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review!

This dark, twisting fever dream of a novel serves as a poignant metaphor for suicidal ideation but veers too deeply into the macabre for my tastes. The gory, violent imagery aptly mirrored the protagonists spiraling mental state but nauseated me so much that I struggled to focus. I feel that the blurb does not do a good job of prepping the reader for the story: describing a Piranesi style mystery that reveals itself as pure dark horror. I did enjoy the "choose your own adventure" style of the ending, but found that it didn't work well in ebook format.

Coup de Grâce is a brutally honest descent into a depressed and suicidal psyche. I really resonated with the theme of struggling for agency versus submitting to external loci of control. As the writing style evolved, it drew me in until I felt just as much part of the story as our main character.

Depression is as varied as the people who experience it. That being said, I think that this book could help those who haven't experienced suicidality conceptualize what that might feel like. For those who are going through or have been through this journey, I recommend reading while in a safe headspace as the beauty of this piece is in its poetic frankness.

Ajram's latest brief yet layered novella would lend itself well to buddy reads and book clubs willing to confront one of the most difficult battles a person can face.

I'm very grateful for the chance to check this book out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram is a haunting and immersive journey into the depths of psychological horror. This debut novel stands out for its experimental narrative and the visceral experience it offers readers. Set in an infinite Montreal subway station, the story follows Vicken, a young man grappling with profound despair and suicidal thoughts. His plan to end his life is thwarted when he finds himself trapped in a seemingly endless labyrinth of corridors and rooms.

Ajram masterfully crafts a claustrophobic atmosphere that mirrors Vicken’s internal turmoil. The setting itself becomes a character, with its ever-changing, surreal landscape that keeps readers on edge. As Vicken navigates this nightmarish maze, the narrative delves deep into themes of isolation, mental illness, and the human psyche’s fragility.

The book’s structure is reminiscent of a choose-your-own-adventure, but with a dark twist. Each turn Vicken takes leads to new horrors and revelations, making the reader feel as trapped and disoriented as the protagonist. This innovative approach not only heightens the tension but also engages readers in a unique way, making them active participants in Vicken’s harrowing journey.

Ajram’s prose is lyrical yet raw, capturing the intensity of Vicken’s emotions and the eerie beauty of his surroundings. The author’s ability to blend poetic language with stark, unsettling imagery creates a powerful contrast that lingers long after the final page.

Coup de Grâce is more than a horror novel; it’s a profound exploration of the human condition. It challenges readers to confront their own fears and vulnerabilities, making it a deeply personal and unforgettable read.

Coming in right under 150 pages, this Horror novella delivers a fantastic prose from a new voice in the genre, well-executed, claustrophobic, and anxiety-inducing horror, and some true to life mental health and trauma representation.

Thank you so much for letting me be an ARC reader. I will be on the lookout for this author's next project.

This book is perfect for for October!

one of my favourite reads of the year, I don't want to say to much because going into this not knowing is the way to go in my opinion BUTTTT be sure to check the content warnings as this contains some heavy themes.

I read this in one day because I just couldn't put it down, but it's also doable because this is a short little novella coming in at just under 150 pages. I also really loved what the author chose to do with the ending.

Read this if you want to read a mind-bending, visceral experimental horror with poetic prose and liminal spaces that will make you feel like you are suffocating while your heart is being ripped out.

This is one of those books that I plan to re-read in the future. and I don't do this often.

many thanks to Titan and Netgalley for providing a copy to read. as always opinions are my own.

I went into this book blind - other than the note that the story is primarily about depression and suicide, I had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised! Once Vicken arrived at his (unplanned) destination, at the end of the subway line, the story could have easily become repetitive with Vick wandering the maze within the subway station for an endless amount of time, but it was the perfect length to put you in Vick's shoes as he descends into madness without becoming boring. It's a dark and disturbing story, with some humorous moments, that keeps you engaged right until the end.

thank you to netgalley for the eARC.

this was one of those books where i had very little idea as to what was going on. people normally recommend to sit with your thoughts before reviewing, but i’m still not entirely sure what happened after doing that.

i don’t have much to say. the body horror was an interesting aspect that i didn’t expect. when it came to a backstory transitioning into the storyline, i was often thinking we were still following the backstory. there was quite a few details that felt like they had no correlation with what was being talked about.

the read wasn’t terrible, i think i just got lost in my reading somewhere along the way. might reread this at a later time.

I like reading books that feel like fever dreams, and this book definitely felt like one. The plot was fairly interesting, and while not everything worked for me completely, I still liked it overall. I highly recommend reading it if you like feeling confused or want to ask yourself, 'What just happened?'.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for this eARC!

3.5 stars