Member Reviews

This brutal novel by Alex Gonzalez absolutely blew me away. This book explores grief, identity, relationships, reality and how all of those things are impacted by the internet and online culture.

I'm a part of the generation of kids who grew up when the internet was a relatively new, and largely unmonitored, place to explore with your friends. There were a few instances when I found myself surrounded by two or three of my preteen friends with our mouse hovering over a link that we knew would open up a world of things we weren't ready to see. Luckily, we always put the mouse down and stepped away from the screen before we did permanent damage to our developing brains.

However, I know a few people who DID click those links, who DID visit those sites and saw things that they've never been able to erase from their minds.
This story holds so true to the experience of being whittled away by the dark reaches of the internet. It perfectly portrays the struggle to find a sense of normalcy and a firm grasp of what humanity is and what it looks like in the real world, after seeing the absolute worst that humans have to offer.

Our main character, Sammy, has had to face loss and tragedy in ways that have left him questioning his role and responsibility in the death of people who were very important to him. His guilt, albeit misplaced, leaves him spiraling into a pattern of watching horrible videos online that are increasingly infiltrating his real life.

Through his journey to try and figure out where these videos come from, and how real they are or aren't, we learn more about Sammy's family dynamics and how trauma has shaped his relationships for most of his life.

There's a lot to like about this story but the character work is what really knocked it out of the park for me. Alex Gonzalez did such an incredible job writing a main character who I felt like knew and who I could relate to, deeply. His portrayal of familial relationships in Latino families, specifically between fathers and sons, rang so true to my own experience. The way Gonzalez was able to fully realize and portray not just a setting, but an overall atmosphere, at times reminded me of Donna Tartt's writing, while still being a very different and unique voice, as a whole.

All that to say, this was easily a five star read that I will recommend, very carefully, to the right people. This story has a grotesque kind of beauty that portrays grief, loss of self and overall emotional unease in a way that really gets under your skin but keeps you turning the page. The violent imagery and gore may be aspects of "Rekt" that the average reader has trouble stomaching, but overall, I think Alex Gonzalez has offered an exceptional piece of writing that horror readers will throughly enjoy. Can't wait to read more from this author!

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**Book Review: *rekt***

Alex Gonzalez’s *rekt* is a harrowing, unrelenting dive into the toxic underbelly of the Internet and the fragile psyche of a man consumed by grief, guilt, and the allure of depravity. This darkly visionary novel offers a chilling meditation on toxic masculinity, algorithmic manipulation, and humanity's capacity for both destruction and despair.

The story follows Sammy Dominguez, a young man teetering on the edge of self-destruction after the devastating loss of his girlfriend, Ellery. Sammy’s downward spiral feels painfully real, exacerbated by his exposure to chinsky—a sinister dark web site that seems to feed on his darkest impulses. Gonzalez crafts Sammy’s descent into this digital abyss with disturbing precision, painting an unsettling picture of how algorithms and anonymity can amplify the worst in people.

At its core, *rekt* is as much a psychological thriller as it is a critique of Internet culture. Sammy’s character is complex and uncomfortably relatable, a man undone by grief yet complicit in his own unraveling. His interactions with chinsky and the mysterious Haruspx are as terrifying as they are thought-provoking, forcing readers to confront questions about voyeurism, desensitization, and the thin line between curiosity and complicity.

The novel's writing style is raw and visceral, with Gonzalez blending Internet slang, chat logs, and haunting prose to immerse readers in Sammy’s fractured reality. This fusion of narrative techniques mirrors the chaotic, often toxic landscape of the Internet, making the story feel immediate and unsettlingly familiar.

What sets *rekt* apart is its unflinching exploration of the impact of technology on human behavior. The concept of an algorithm that seems to manipulate Sammy’s thoughts and actions blurs the lines between reality and paranoia, raising chilling questions about the power and ethics of artificial intelligence. The novel doesn’t just critique; it warns, highlighting the dangers of unchecked technology in shaping identity and morality.

However, *rekt* is not for the faint of heart. Its vivid depictions of violence and its descent into the macabre may alienate some readers. Yet, for those willing to confront its darkness, the novel offers a deeply unsettling but necessary examination of the digital age’s potential to erode humanity.

*rekt* is a bold, provocative, and deeply disturbing novel that lingers long after the last page. Gonzalez forces readers to look into the abyss of the Internet—and find themselves staring back.

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This book is ROUGH. It’s gory, harsh, uncomfortably close to what the real world is or could be sometimes. Trigger warning: just about everything.

It also has an underlying story about immense grief, and feeling broken.

If you’re into super fucked up books (or creepypasta), it’s quite a ride. If you’re on the more “faint of heart side” there is nothing at all wrong with that, this just maybe isn’t the one for you.

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3.5/5, rounded up to 4. This struck me as two separate stories forced together rather than a continuous plot arc, which lost a star from my perspective. This starts off dark but not overly gritty or graphic - almost like the editor said we can’t make sell this if it’s just about toxic masculinity on the internet. I think just writing on the toxic masculinity/coping with trauma piece could have been a strong stand alone novel, with the chinsky game element seeming a bit out of left field without clearly building on the intensity of initial character development. I wasn’t a huge fan of the speculative fanfic ending, but that’s just my personal preference.

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I’ve read a few splatterpunk/horror books that centre around the dark web and red rooms. Those parts of this story were gross and frightening, but that’s what I was looking for in a scary story.
What bothered me were the characters, I just found them all unlikeable. The story also dragged at some parts- it felt way too long and the narrator rambled on and on at times.

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This book was great, it was hopeless throughout even when it seemed things were going well for Sammy he was never able to fully let go of his grief which came in the form of an online addiction. I feel like the characters were done really well and it was written in a way that felt different, I will definitely be checking out more from this author in the future

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The character is a racist. Did not enjoy. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this free eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This could have been so good, a dark look into the dark web and what we commonly associate with incel behaviour but instead it was just a little too far fetched to the point where it was unenjoyable.

There is countless parts where the main character uses casual racism yet this doesn’t seem to be a character flaw or issue, in fact it’s simply who he is. I can appreciate a protagonist who is unlikeable but this wasn’t even that, he just….wasn’t a fun, engaging or enjoyable character to follow.

It could have been good but it simply lacked too much, whether that be world building, character development or even cohesion within subplots.

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3.75 stars rounded up to 4 stars.
What initially drew me to rekt by Alex Gonzalez was its premise—using technology as both a form of horror and a way to process grief. I’ve never read a book that explored these themes in quite this way, and I was captivated by how the darker corners of the internet could shape someone’s coping mechanisms in such a destructive way.
Sammy, the main character, is a tragic figure whose grief and lack of family support lead him down a dangerous path. When his loving uncle dies during his childhood, Sammy starts coping by creating stories about the Wax Man—a character who, as the story unfolds, seems to represent both his uncle and, ultimately, himself. With no one to guide him through healthy grieving, Sammy turns to the internet, where he and his friends watched disturbing and graphic videos as a form of distraction.
Years later, after losing the love of his life in a car accident, Sammy once again seeks refuge in the online world, but this time, it pulls him into a much darker abyss. He becomes obsessed with watching increasingly violent and gruesome videos, ultimately getting lured into a site called chinsky. The way the book portrays how technology amplifies grief and fuels self-destruction is both chilling and compelling.
While I was drawn in by the premise, I did find the pacing to slow down a bit around the 40-50% mark. I struggled to stay fully engaged during this section, though I do think this could have been partly because I was reading in the midst of a big move. That said, I’m glad I pushed through because the unique format kept me hooked. Each chapter begins with short context snippets, almost like posts Sammy might find online, which adds a layer of immersion. The experimental style in the final section, with emails, texts, posts, and comment threads, was a brilliant way to bring the narrative to life.
Overall, rekt is a deeply depressing book—in the best way possible. It’s a raw and unflinching look at grief and self-destruction, with Sammy making the absolute worst choices for himself at every turn. The Wax Man, as a symbol of both his uncle’s death and Sammy’s own spiral, adds another layer of emotional complexity. It’s not an easy read, but it’s one that stays with you, making you reflect on those around you who might be struggling with their own losses or trauma.
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for theis eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

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rekt is about Sammy, a young man who grew up watching online videos he probably shouldn't have and writing creepypasta. When his girlfriend dies, he copes by delving deeper into that dark online world until he spirals out of control, both mentally and physically.

This is a dark, dark book. It made me feel kind of sick, and I almost regret reading it. Sammy is a haunted person, and his grief is heavy and ugly.

But the thing is, I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out how far he would go, and I honestly wanted to know if he would be okay. And I say it that way because his thoughts felt so real, like he was talking to me, and I grew to genuinely care about him.

When I picked up rekt, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. It was like the first time I read a Palahniuk book (too young)—by the time I realized how upsetting it was, I was too hooked to stop. rekt is sad and highly disturbing, yet somehow beautiful. I cannot stop thinking about it, and I don't know that I ever will.

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I had a bit of a challenging time ranking this one. I think others are very likely to give it a solid five star rating. This book is very dark and incredibly frightening, as horrifically, it could actually happen. The premise is incredibly interesting and reminds us of the horror that happens on the dark web. The ending wasn’t completely satisfying to me and felt sudden. The variety of blurbs at the end were confusing (but maybe it’s just me feeling that way) and I didn’t really know what I was meant to take from them. Of note, there is an incredibly difficult part of the book involving a baby that I could have gone without reading.

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This was the second ARC of a book that I've received and I massively enjoyed it. I can hardcore relate to Sammy's character as I'm a person who experienced a loss and found myself seeking out disturbing content online as a coping mechanism that I had a lot of trouble explaining to others. At its heart, this is the story of a person who has no idea HOW to grieve. His family culture and traumatic childhood experiences have left him with the inability to process his losses so he goes to incredibly dark lengths to try and teach himself how to navigate this very human experience.

Gonzalez does an incredible job of making my heart ache for someone who does truly awful shit throughout the book. He also carefully weaves in several mini-twists throughout the course of the story so that I could NOT put it down.

I was prepared to give it five stars because I was enthralled the entire time, but I found the end to be slightly unsatisfying. That's more of a personal thing for me, I still found the book an incredible read and would recommend to anyone.

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Well. This is...timely. A story about greed, ego, and toxic masculinity, this was an honest look at the world we're living in. For better or worse.

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This is a dark, scary and all too timely book about just how far people will go for greed and entertainment. This book uses social media and the dark web to explore toxic masculinity, violence towards women and misogyny in general. It is not for the faint of heart but it is very good and there is much to learn from the ideas here.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Rekt.
I was drawn in by the premise due to my morbid curiosity about the dark web. However, my reading experience for this book was unusual because I really enjoyed the first 50% but lost interest around the 70% mark and unfortunately started skimming from that point on…(last third of a book is usually the best part).
Reading about Sammy grieving Ellery's death felt authentic and the story about his uncle's death further humanized him (I enjoyed/ appreciated the character development). I was sort of enticed by who / what was behind the videos online of people dying but once Sammy joined Jay and Izzy I really struggled to keep reading. Their time together seemed to drag and I lost interest in how the book was going to end.
The final 10% of the book reminded me of The Sluts by Dennis Cooper in that you have to read a variety of online postings and piece together what it all means... I unfortunately didn't have the capacity to put much thought into it.
I enjoyed the author's writing style and can appreciate the formatting at the end but I couldn't get into this one personally. If you read creepypasta / are chronically online maybe this ones for you??
Overall this book is hard to rate, but I suppose my reasoning for the low rating is quite simple- the book felt too long and it wasn't for me.

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Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC to review!

3.5 stars! Rounded up!

The way this kicked off and the first half had in locked in and reading away. There's stuff that's scary but when it involves people online and what we have such easy access to this day in age, it's honestly terrifiyig when you think about it, and also the other things people will consume on the internet and how it influences or changes them.

I loved the start of this and how dark it was. How Sammy went from grief to a spiral that watching certain stuff online to then all hell breaking loose.

The middle and then the end really stopped me from rating this higher because it just became so unrealistic with the sense of how things were panning out with relation to the first half of the book. Like I was reading almost two books. Regardless of this, this is a fantastic dark read and I'm beyond happy to find a new author to keep an eye out for!

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The internet is a scary place and this book really dug into that fear for me. It really made me think about my life and what I have on social media. This book was fantastic! I highly recommend!

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3.5/5 stars

Alex Gonzalez's Rekt is a great novel that examines the sinister depths of the dark web, and toxic masculinity. It follows the main character, Sammy, as he wanders into the side of the internet that most people hear about in secret, uncovering unsettling mysteries and irreversible consequences. This read contains extremely graphic descriptions of abuse and torture and feels awfully close to real life.

What gives Rekt its impact is the gripping narrative, which vividly captures the isolation and paranoia that come with digging too deep online and Gonzalez uses these themes to fuel a psychological tension that escalates throughout the story. Seeing Sammy's character development, and realizing how deep he has gone and how impossible it is to turn back now, truly left me with shivers down my spine. As intense as this book is, there were a couple of funny and heartfelt moments that were well-placed and memorable which I really appreciated as they added a layer of realism.

Ultimately, Rekt is a cautionary tale about the dark side of the internet and how curiosity can lead to terrifying places if one is not careful. By the end of this book, I found myself uttering the exact words of one of the characters, "I want to not want to be online."

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This comes out this spring, and I can highly recommend it when it does. Along with exploring the many paths grief can take, you've got the deeper, darker underside of the internet (think snuff films but crypto and betting gets involved), creepypastas, and a man who, while well intentioned, just keeps making the absolute worst choices possible. Especially a fan of the ephermea at the end of this. Pick this up this spring, and enjoy the descent.

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✨REVIEW: 4/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
📹 Rekt by @nahitsjustalex 📹

⌨️synopsis: Once, Sammy Dominguez thought he knew how the world worked. The ugly things in his head—his uncle’s pathetic death, his parents’ mistrust, the twisted horrors he writes for the Internet—didn’t matter, because he and his girl, Ellery, were on track for the good life in this messed-up world.

Then a car accident changed everything.

⌨️my opinion: I don’t usually read these kinds of books… (actually, I’ve never been a huge fan of the stuff that’s out there on the internet🫠) BUT, this one caught my eye because of its cover and well, I don’t regret it.

The story follows Sammy, who recently had a loss and is dealing with grief and the “ghosts” of his past.
His life ends up falling apart when he opens a link on the internet that shows him videos of people’s deaths 🫨 (apparently, there is a huge online group of people who create those videos by betting which way people will die) I know, it's crazy. 🫣

So this story delves into the consequences that the dark web can cause, toxic masculinity, grief, and the internet in general. 🤫

📀Highly recommended if you:

✨Like CreepyPasta.
✨Like the dark web.
✨ If you’ve ever liked Slenderman.

I would like to thank @erewhonbooks and @netgalley for the advanced e-copy. <33

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