This book was perfect for the spooky season. I read it within two days and it was wonderful. Thank you netgalley.

"8114" is a haunting psychological horror that follows Paul, a podcast host returning to his hometown to confront the tragic suicide of a close friend in his childhood home. As Paul interviews old friends and digs into the town's history, he finds himself caught in a chilling downward spiral, blurring the lines between past trauma and a sinister, supernatural presence. The author masterfully evokes an eerie atmosphere, combining vivid scenes with emotional depth, making "8114" a gripping, unsettling read that lingers long after the final page.

In "8114," we follow Paul, a weary podcast host who returns to his hometown to face a haunting tragedy: the suicide of a dear friend within the decaying walls of his childhood home. This chilling tale skillfully intertwines elements of psychological horror and mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

As Paul seeks answers by interviewing friends and locals, the story unfolds with an intense atmosphere of dread. The author brilliantly evokes the unsettling ambiance of the small town, where the shadows of the past envelop Paul like a suffocating mist. Each conversation reveals layers of the town’s sinister history, pulling readers deeper into a realm where memories can serve as both solace and torment.

The exploration of Paul’s psyche is particularly intriguing. His urgent quest for closure transforms into a haunting journey that compels both him and the reader to face the unsettling truth that some ghosts may never be laid to rest.

"8114" is a riveting read that fuses horror with deep emotional resonance. It’s a story that lingers long after the final page is turned, prompting readers to contemplate the fine line between memory and madness. If you enjoy psychological thrillers that explore the darker facets of human nature, this book is essential. Get ready to be both enchanted and disturbed by a narrative that remains in the shadows of your mind.

I tried and tried to read it, but I couldn't get into it, nothing to the author but it started off with a podcast and after that I couldn't finish.

While the the premise and the cover were enough to make me start reading, the actual writing wasn't enough to keep me going. I heard a lot of good things about this book but it missed the mark for me. The story was maybe a bit too reminiscent of Stephen King with the whole "irreverent dude is called back to his hometown after something paranormal happens," except this time the irreverent dude in question is not at all likeable. Paul is not a character that I root for. He makes everything about him and he never responds in a way that feels attached to the reality of the story, if that makes sense.

The biggest reason why I didn't like this book was the writing style. The author uses both italics and bold font to add emphasis to certain words and to differentiate when something is just a thought our character is having. The problem is, he uses these interchangeably, so sometimes a word is bolded because it's meant to be emphasized, but other times it's bolded because it's not part of the main narration. Same with italics. Also, there are quite a few random paragraph breaks that I felt cheapened the story as a whole.

I really enjoyed this book! It moves fast and be ready to suddenly feel confused, but it's all for the best. This story pulled me in within a couple of pages and gripped me until I finished it....in one sitting.

This was a genuinely creepy and terrifying horror novel that will be sure to leave you freaked out!

Paul Early is a host of a small-time podcast, who returns to his hometown to discover that a longtime friend committed suicide in the ruins of Paul’s childhood home. Determined to find answers, Paul interviews friends and locals hoping to find closure. He soon finds himself in a chilling downward spiral of memories. Are these memories the result of his past coming back to haunt him? Or is it something more sinister…

I’m not easy to scare when reading, so sometimes horror novels fall flat for me, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I’m always a sucker for a “haunted house” plot, and so many of the scenes in this novel were so well written and graphic that I could visualize what was happening and genuinely creeped out. As an added bonus, this novel was actually inspired by the author’s childhood home, and details and pictures are included in the Afterword.

This is the first book I have read from this author and would most definitely read another of his in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and CLASH books for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I'm giving this one a 2.5. I really liked the concept. Haunted houses are timeless in my opinion, and it was a really interesting twist to have the haunting (I guess it's a haunting?) extend to the entire property and then to anyone who had ever had even the slightest of connection to it. But the main character, Paul, was so annoying. His internal monologue was not my favorite and just made him out to be a big of a jerk? By the end, I had no sympathy for him at all. I think my lack of connection to him and the other characters made it hard to want to finish this one as well. There was some really good imagery and creepy descriptions, but it relied too much on that when I think the focus should have been more on fleshing the actual plot out. This could have done well as a novella or short story, but just didn't have enough plot to make it a solid novel. I think more focus on the history behind the curse, the paranormal entities, the podcast, and the town itself could have fleshed this out and made it stronger.

It all just felt a little too disjointed...going from segments from Paul's podcast and then back to whatever was happening at random times, etc. Also there were points where things happened with other characters only to be contradicted later on and I couldn't tell if that was part of Paul going crazy or an inconsistency (ex: Producer Rachel. No clue what happened there). From a writing standpoint, there was a lot of 'tell' instead of 'show'. Paul just saying how he feels about something or someone instead of it being shown through his actions or emotions. And I did notice a character's name changed halfway through and back again, but hopefully little things will be ironed out before it's offical release.

Overall, I do think this author has a knack for horror and I would read future books. This one just wasn't it for me, but doesn't mean someone else might not enjoy it.

I'm new to reading horror books and 8114 did it's job by creeping me out! I thought the plot was unique and I love anytime a book includes a podcast element! Although the book had moments of scaring me, some parts felt a little silly. The main character doesn't take anything seriously and his inner thoughts took away from the scare factor. I actually enjoyed that but people going in wanting to be freaked out may be disappointed. Overall, a good read for around Halloween!

Once I read that the author is a screenwriter, it clicked why I was absolutely not vibing with this book. It’s cinematic but missed what makes a good haunted house story. Our narrator felt so detached from the house somehow and his reactions never felt right for the situation.

I’m fascinated that other people found this funny? I spent most of the time rolling my eyes because our narrator only fluctuated between movie references, being a self-centered jerk, and panic that lasted about three seconds before one of the other two settings kicked back in.

The rhyme was spooky, the lore was spooky, and if I could muster even an ounce of sympathy for Paul, maybe I would’ve been concerned for him in this eerie space with this horrible history, but instead I was just waiting for the end.

I read this book pretty fast, and it has some great, scary moments, but I had some trouble feeling connected to the characters. I would recommend it to horror fans, but it wasn't just right for me as I read a lot of different genres.

A very, very film-like book. (About a podcast?) Some of the scenes felt almost written like jump cuts, or jump scares, which is interesting but cheapens the scare factor for me. I’d like for there to be more reactions and build-up on page. In some instances it made sense, but mostly it felt disruptive.
I liked this concept, at least, I like what I think it was. I just don’t really have a clear picture on it all looking back. Many different elements were at play here. I would’ve liked for a good fraction of the horror motifs to be cut out, and instead really hone in on one or two aspects haunting the story and our mc. I don’t need everything explained to me, but give me something a little more specific to be afraid of.
I do think this author has a knack for horror, and didn’t shy away from committing to some really messed up shit, which will always earn my respect. The horror imagery is the highlight of the book.

"8114" by Hull offers an intriguing storyline that captivates with its original concept. The characters are well-developed, and the mix of suspense and emotional depth is nicely balanced. While the pacing varied at times, the twists kept me eager to see what would unfold next. A few moments felt somewhat predictable, but Hull’s writing flows smoothly, making it an enjoyable read overall. If you’re after a book that combines mystery with strong character arcs, this one is definitely worth checking out. Ideal for a cozy reading session!

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book, as the premise was pretty unique. It turned out to be a fast-paced. However, I did have a few issues with the story. At times, certain scenes felt a bit disjointed, which interrupted the overall flow and intensity of the narrative. Despite this, the captivating pace and intriguing concept kept me engaged throughout the book and Believe is a fantastic read for those who enjoy a touch of spooky without diving into anything too intense. It's perfect for readers who appreciate a thrilling atmosphere but prefer a more gentle scare. Overall was an interesting book I enjoyed in perfect season

I love horror and I was sadly not scared while reading this one. I was expecting good things when I saw that Clay McLeod Chapman spoke some praises because Ghost Eaters gave me chills. It’s not very descriptive so I couldn’t really picture anything. The plot was all over the place which made it confusing.

I didn’t know what to expect going into this book as the premise was pretty unique. This was a fast paced short read with some great scares. My only issues for this story were at times some of the scenes felt rushed and repetitive.

8114 is a wild ride full of suspense, mystery, horror, sadness, and more. I genuinely got creeped out by scenes in this book. I really enjoyed the main characters journey and felt bad about him and the situations that follow him and those around. The ending was what stopped this from being a 5 star read because I wish we could have gotten something that is hinted at but overall, if you love horror, highly recommend checking this out!

I don’t think this was for me. There are definitely audiences out there who this will work for. Sadly it did not work for me. Some of the more gruesome bits would have been fine had the rest of the writing been up to par, but it was almost like the author was trying to meet a grossness level by just randomly throwing those parts in. Also, the breakup of chapters and podcast announcements was…odd? Like in the first quarter when he went to 8114 and then after he talked to the racist and homophobic police chief, there’s a break where he announces the 8114 podcast, and then in the next chapter he’s still at the house on the same day. It was disjointed and off in so many parts.

Now THAT was creepy. Especially after reading the afterward and seeing the real house at the end (don’t skip those parts!!!)

I am left reeling with the desire for more answers but in a good way. The feeling of ambiguity really adds to the essence of 8114. I really appreciated that the author wasn’t afraid to take it to the next level in regards to the darker events that happen throughout this story. Usually “haunted house” stories feel somewhat repetitive and predictable but this one was really special.

8114 had a lot of potential, but as I was reading through the book, I started taking detailed notes in the way an editor would, and I think this story would have benefitted greatly from another round of editing.

First, at 218 pages, 8114 is neither a novella nor a fully fleshed-out novel. I think that if Joshua Hull had chosen to tighten this up into a shorter story or if he had opted to add more character development to build out a full novel, the results would have been much better. As it stands, many of the characters read very flat, and listening to Paul's constant internal monologue becomes incredibly repetitious since it all tends to stay at the surface level (and let's face it, he's not that likable of a character to begin with).

Initially, the moments of horror came across as shocking and really well done, and I shuddered at the references to black mold and other grossness. However, these same "party tricks" soon grew wearisome as they repeated without much variety. There are some better scenes later towards the end of the book, but I wish there had been a bit more happening overall throughout the story.

The motive and motivation behind the horror also could have used more depth and explanation. I was disappointed that every time a character was about to reveal more of the nitty-gritty details of the property's history, something happened to interrupt the scene, and the reader was never actually privy to any of those details. Sure, we get a basic outline of the reasoning, but diving even deeper into that history and having a solidly developed background and motivation would have given me a better connection to the story.

I would really love to see a 350-page version of 8114 where the characters and storyline have more extensive development. It has all the bones of an excellent novel; it just needs a little more work in its current state.