*Thank you in advance to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I'll first preface this review by sharing that I was not familiar with the Polybius urban legend, so this was my introduction to that story. For those unfamiliar like myself, Polybius is based off of the legend of a government experiment around an arcade machine that induced psychosis in those who played it, creating hallucinations and short fuses.

This book is a retelling of that myth, told through the eyes of Andi & Ro, two teenagers in a quiet seaside California town. Andi works at the local arcade, where the Polybius machine appears in her local shop. Ro is a fellow classmate of Andi's and hope's to gain her attention. As the town gets faced with dark and strange occurrences, Ro & Andi team up to investigate the common link, which leads them to the Polybius cabinet.

I found the story to be well written and with characters that I enjoyed. You can tell that the author has some writing experience, which is explained from his career in television writing. There were some violent scenes depicted to be aware of, but overall, found the store to be enjoyable and a fitting introduction to the Polybius lore. Look forward to reading more of this author's works in the future.

I heard about this game a while ago as an urban legend. I was so excited that a book was made. This book was great and it accurately depicted the urban legend. I would highly recommend reading this.

Small town horror
Nostalgic 1982
Based on the "conspiracy" of a Government built video game to intensify violent urges within the subconscious of a player causing them to have sezuire and memory loss.
Animal and people violence.

The story follows Andi, a recent transfer from Silicon Valley to the small town of Tasker Bay where she works in an arcade. While there a new video game cabinet is bought and people can't get enough of it. Strange things start happening after people start playing the game, but the local law enforcement doesn't realize the connection. Andi and the sheriffs son Ro are trying to figure out where this video game came from and why it's affecting people in this manner.

This was a very fun book, especially as a reader of old conspiracy theories. The story had a fair number of characters in it and moving parts of the plot to put together at the end. It lost a star for the pacing being a bit off at some points, but as a debut novel out was very good.

Thank you to netgalley and Gallery (Simon and Schuster) books for allowing me the opportunity to read and review honestly.

What a great read! 1980s and video games, that’s what sold me!!! This was nothing like the Walking dead or Stranger Things, I feel this was a whole new concept and a great one! If there were any similarities, I didn’t seem to notice then that much...
The author, Collin Armstrong, paced this book beautifully and there was never a dull moment. I loved the main group of characters, there were a couple I was rooting for! Also, the scenes were so engrossing and left me wanting more
The ending had me torn in two…
1. How does a parent let something like that happen??!
2. Why couldn’t the characters succeed! (I can see why but, at the time I was mad lol)
3. Andi…
However, this was great, and I had to read it in one setting because, you can’t put it down, you’ll want to know what happens next.

Thank you though for another great ARC, NetGalley!

This book was a decently easy read, and was interesting. However, there were points that it seemed to bit a bit slow or not fully developed (mainly, there wasn’t much character development). And to be fully transparent - this could’ve just been a me thing - but I tended to forget the relationships between characters. However, this was a good creepy read and I would recommend it.

Polybius by Colin Armstrong, is a horror novel that plunges readers into a nightmare unfolding in a small coastal town in 1982. At the story's center is Andi, a smart, tech-savvy teenager working at the local arcade/movie rental place, where the trouble begins with the arrival of a mysterious new arcade game. This game quickly becomes an obsession for the townspeople, young and old, players and nonplayers alike, triggering a series of disturbing events. As the victims start experiencing severe mood swings, paranoia, and hallucinations, Andi finds herself drawn into investigating the game's sinister origins. The situation takes a dire turn when a violent coastal storm cuts the town off from the outside world, coinciding with a surge in aggressive behavior among the residents. Alongside her friend Ro, the sheriff's son, Andi races to uncover the connection between the game and the town's descent into chaos, all while grappling with her own desire to escape Tasker Bay.

Armstrong's writing style immediately reminded me of the horror novels I devoured in my younger years. It's action-packed and straight to the point, not trying to romance us with flowery language and linguistic frills. Polybius is quite different from the "literary horror" that's become popular in recent years. But there's been a lot of talk about horror with lush, beautiful prose and supposedly elevated concepts, but Armstrong's novel isn't trying to be that. The writing is straightforward and focused on propelling the story forward rather than waxing poetic. It gets you from point A to point B efficiently, even if you won't swoon over the writing.

I will say though, that I wanted more from the urban legend aspect of the story; I honestly didn't come away from the book with any sense of urban legendry at all, and only remembered it was supposedly meant to be an aspect of the story as I was reading reviews about it, so I definitely feel like there was potential for deeper exploration there. On the other hand, the government conspiracy angle didn't really grab me, and I found those parts a bit boring.

The marketing compares this to The Walking Dead or Stranger Things, but I'd say it has more in common with the Crossed comics (not THAT bad, though) or CJ Leede's American Rapture. The rapid spread of the contagion, the extreme violence and aggression of those affected, and the overall bleakness of the situation really reminded me of those works.

For readers who appreciate horror that prioritizes visceral thrills over introspection, "Polybius" capably scratches that itch.  It's not going to win any literary awards, but I am not sure that's why we are reading horror in the first place, is it?

With a description starting with "Stranger Things meets The Walking Dead," expected something hard hitting and exciting. I could not get into this book at all. The beginning is so slow with too much character development. The concept seemed very exciting, but the execution didn't work for me.

Polybius by Collin Armstrong is one part schoolyard legend mixed with Resident Evil. While diving deep into 80s arcade culture, you find yourself rooting for a small band of characters as the world around them changes forever. While the stage is set beautifully, I found the last quarter of the book rushed, which led to less of a reaction as the plot unfolded. I also found myself looking for a supernatural element and was a bit disappointed, as this fridge of the genre plays well with a bit of co-mingling. While some of the elements of this story are trop-ish, I think that readers who are fans of Rabbits or The Black Tapes podcasts will find it interesting.

I couldn't put this book down!
Polybius is based off of an urban legend that the government designed a video game in the 80s that messed with people's minds. The story goes that these game consoles showed up out of nowhere and then disappeared a month later. This book threw me down that rabbit hole.
Polybius is described as "Stranger Things meets The Walking Dead". That's pretty accurate, but I also got some Something Wicked This Way Comes vibes from it.
Lots of action and lots of violence.

Thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books for an early copy for review.
Polybius comes out April 2025

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for Polybius. They say that if you like Stranger Things and The Walking Dead that you might be into this, I for sure liked Stranger Things, and know of the Walking Dead, so I was intrigued. For sure give this a read once it is out!

Born in the 80’s and raised in the 90’s this book was all the horror I needed!! I love a story told in the past and this book hit every check mark.

It starts off with a prologue that will immediately peak your interest and it just gets better from there. I felt the urban legend aspect made the book that much better. And once the weird things started happening you immediately wanted to see what would happen next. I didn’t feel it was predictable in the sense that you knew each characters story would be in relation to the game and I loved that about it.

I think the description “Stranger Things meets The Walking Dead” is very appropriate! If you’re a fan of sci-fi meets horror you’ll love this.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Gallery books for the eARC.

The idea behind Polybius is really cool, there’s a video game that gives its players much more than they bargained for. I love a mystery and arcade culture so was excited to read this book. And had fun through most of it, but at times I felt like ideas weren’t completely fleshed out or jumped too quickly—especially in the last act. It was still a fun enough ride that I finished my way through the book.

Polybius delivered exactly what I expected from the description, a psychological thriller/horror for people who like Stranger Things and urban legends. It had the eighties atmospheric setting with a solid dose of slasher horror. It took me a second to get into it, but as soon as I was hooked, it was face paced all the way through. I did feel like I wanted a little more resolution at the end, and maybe a little more detail about the game itself. Overall, it was a fun read though!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Polybius is a wild ride that dives into the depths of an eerie urban legend, merging sci-fi horror with the nostalgic pull of 1980s arcade games. When a mysterious machine shows up in a small town’s video store, it sets off a chain of events that unleashes chaos and violence on the unsuspecting residents. Andi, our sharp and determined protagonist, teams up with her friend Ro and their families to unravel the sinister mystery behind this game that’s turning the town upside down.

While the premise of Polybius—a rogue government experiment with dark, mind-altering consequences—is intriguing and fun, the novel feels like it stretches too long in some parts. The first 20% had me hooked, but as the plot slowed down, I found myself wishing for a faster pace. This book would’ve made an excellent novella with tighter storytelling, especially given how much of the middle seemed to drag.

That said, Polybius shines in its horror elements. Armstrong excels at crafting nail-biting moments that had me at the edge of my seat, and the way he builds tension through small-town relationships and bizarre, violent outbursts was compelling. Andi and Ro are well-developed, relatable characters, and I especially enjoyed the portrayal of their families, which added a layer of emotional weight to the chaos happening around them.

However, I did find the constant shifts in perspective a bit disorienting at times. There’s a lot going on, and keeping track of every character and event can be overwhelming. But despite this, the novel manages to keep the reader engaged with its twists and surprises.

As a lover of urban legends and sci-fi, I really appreciated how Polybius played into the real-life mystery surrounding the titular game. It felt like I was falling down an internet rabbit hole, just like reading about the legend itself. Armstrong’s take on the story is fresh, even if comparisons to Stranger Things or The Walking Dead don’t fully capture what this book is about.

Overall, Polybius is a solid debut that blends horror, sci-fi, and a good dose of nostalgia. While the pacing didn’t always work for me, the concept and atmosphere are strong enough to keep you reading. Fans of urban legends and creepy conspiracy theories will find a lot to enjoy here. Just don’t stare at the arcade machine too long…

I really liked the way this one started, but at 20% in I already couldn't believe there could possibly be THAT much more to say... This one felt like it dragged on for me. I think I would have preferred it as a novella, with a faster pace and less slow-build in the middle... It was fun but not as fast-moving as I'd have liked. It didn't feel like a tale designed to be drawn out...

A new arcade machine comes to a small town’s local video store/arcade and ends up causing a mass outbreak of violence. Andi and her new friend Ro want to find out whats going on and try to survive it along with his dad the sheriff and her mother the local doctor. What follows is a tale full of violence, twists, and turns and so many OH MY GOD moments.

Polybuis by Colin Armstrong is my newest review book that I got early from Net Galley. Its being described as a cross between Stranger Things and Walking Dead and that really undersells the book. Polybius is only a little bit like Stranger Things and isn’t like Walking Dead much at all. The book, however, is very intense and an edge of your seat experience. It would absolutely make an amazing movie or tv series.

Andi, the main character, is a really unique cool teenager. She’s smart and tough and she goes through a lot in this book. Ro, her new friend, is a complex character too and so is his Dad and Andi’s mom. There are other characters introduced in this book too and all of them are interesting. The book changes prospectives a lot and occasionally it is hard to keep track of who the book is following and what happened before and after each event. So much happens in this book. The events are totally crazy!

Polybius is a really good book though. Its full of horror and action and great character moments. I enjoyed it a lot and I highly recommend you check it out next year. Though, if you’re color blind, you may enjoy the book even more. Don’t stare at the arcade machine on the cover too long, okay?

Polybius by Colin Armstrong releases on April 29th, 2025. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing an early copy of the novel.

Remember the Cicada 3301 experiment? If your answer is yes, then you'll want to read this book.

Polybius is a real-life legend outside of this book which made reading all the more fun.

In the eighties, arcade games were all the rage. So, when one shows up seemingly out of the blue without context, it becomes the height of popularity. And while this "game" spreads through the town like virus, it's sinking in its claws.

The whole town crumbles at this things mercy. It's dark dangerous, deadly.

Prepare for this gripping sci-fi horror because there will be no sleep once you crack it open!

Thank you, Collin Armstrong and NetGalley, for the ARC. I leave this review voluntarily and happily. Also, thank you publishers for your hard work!

Conspiracy theorists, those who are already against the government and those who are interested in the bizzar! Look no further! This is a book for you! Don't worry, it's so much more than that. There is horror, death,bloodshed, and so much that will have you unable to put this book down. Definitely makes you wonder what all is going on out there in the world and if we are ever truly safe from anything. Also, if you like apocalyptic style horror, then definitely look this way.

What would happen if the government created something and it got let loose in the world and forgotten? Something dark, dangerous, and definitely mind numbingly brainwashing. What is this thing? Polybius. It's a game, and this poor town is lost to its control. Its claws have dunk deep into the minds of the people, and darkness is spreading fast. What can the people do to stop it? Can anything be done? Death, despair, and bloodshed and utterly chaos have reigned, and there is little time to stop things from getting worse. Read and find out what will happen.

I enjoyed reading this book. There were times I really had a hard time putting it down as I really needed to know what was going to happen next. The only problem i really had was i didn't really connect with any of the characters, even so I loved the book. It was unique and very different from anything I've read yet, and I hope to read more like it in the future.

Polybius by Collin Armstrong is the fictionalized account of an urban legend about a 1981 arcade game that was, in fact, a US government-run experiment that backfired. Polybius allegedly produced intense psychoactive and addictive effects on whoever played it and while it is an urban legend, you still find lengthy posts on the Internet by people who said they played it. After reading this book, I went down the rabbit hole and found pictures of an arcade machine and a long-ass video about it. Honestly, reading this was FIRE. And falling into the rabbit hole of the urban legend made it even better. If you like Black Mirror and video games, this book is a must.

Polybius follows a bunch of characters who live in the seaside town of Tasker Bay. Andi works at the arcade in town saving up money to get the fuck out of there when Mal, her boss, brings in a second-hand arcade machine he just bought for cheap. Polybius. The arcade game becomes an instant hit with people lining up to play it and even fighting to get a chance to try it out. And, right after they play the game, people change - they have visions, dreams, crazy ideas, they lose time… In the meantime, David, the sheriff's deputy, is investigating weird cases of violence that have just started happening in town.

As I said, this was FUN. I love it when a horror book features video games, it’s just so cool to me. I had so much fun reading this, I was 100% hooked. At some point, I think I said out loud ‘this is so fucking good’ while reading it (I’m also very cheap and easy to get into urban mysteries, I love a good rabbit hole and this book had plenty). Two other aspects I want to mention are that 1) this is the perfect balance between a plot-driven and character-driven book, just fantastic storytelling. 2) I loved the writing and the vibe of it all, though it felt a little dense overall.

I loved the atmosphere. This felt like the 1980-1990s movies where kids found something and came together to solve the mystery. Getting to actually get some answers from the ‘guy behind (some of) it all’ was as close as solving the urban mystery as we’ll ever get. What a cool idea and what an amazing take. I guess it is a bit cheesy, but it’s also what I wanted from it. (PS - the blurb says this is like The Walking Dead and idk where they see any connection).

It’s a 4.5 read. Rounded down because it felt a bit too heavy and slow at times. If you liked this book, I strongly suggest you pick up The Between by Ryan Leslie. It’s not about an arcade game but a text-based RPG and it hits as good as this one did.

Content Warning: this includes violence. The first sign that things are going really wrong is a pretty gruesome scene involving animals (horses).

This was a good time! Despite the description comparing it to Stranger Things and The Walking Dead, this felt like a fresh concept. I didn’t see much for similarities other than the premise being in the 1980s for one and people being brainwashed into aggression for the other. Its description did draw me in, but I’m glad that it didn’t borrow heavily from other forms of pop culture.

Pacing was consistent in this book too. I liked that it didn’t give me an opportunity to get bored or lost. As far as sci-fis go, this one was easily consumed.

The ending was iffy though. It’s hard to see a parent allowing anything like that to happen. And then Andi? Well, I’m a sucker for a less than ideal ending.

Thank you for another great ARC, NetGalley!