This was an interesting read! I found this to be an enjoyable suspense thriller horror. Not quite what I was expecting.
Rating: 3/5
Like all children living at Rose Hill Asylum, Kyle Hampton wanted freedom from the abusive staff and violent residents. When at nine he was adopted into a loving family, he left his younger brother behind and didn't look back. Twenty-eight years later, his choices have returned to haunt him.
Now a family man, Kyle has hidden his true childhood from his wife, only to stir up the past when, as a lark, he revisits the underground tunnels and the abandoned asylum with a friend. A dark figure wants revenge and emerges ready to destroy Kyle and everyone he loves. But Kyle isn't going down without a fight—he's played in the shadows before.
Will his childhood, rooted in terror, be what saves him?
I received a free book from Blackthorn Book Tours. Thank you for this opportunity!
This was an interesting read! Not quite what I was expecting. And in some ways that was a good thing, but in others, I was a little disappointed.
We follow Kyle who was born at an Asylum. However, the asylum wasn’t meant for children. Filled with abusive staff and countless bullies, Kyle wanted freedom. At nine, he got it. Getting adopted and having to leave his younger brother behind. Years later, the asylum closed down, Kyle decides to revisit the abandoned crumbling building with a friend who also once lived at the asylum with him. The visit stirs up memories Kyle long tried to forget.
I found the story interesting to follow, to say the least. For the most part, I had no idea where it was going. But I was captivated by Kyle’s obsession over the crumbling asylum after his initial revisit. Especially when it would trigger his memories of when he lived there.
I was captivated by Kyle’s obsession over the crumbling asylum
I was also completely entranced by this side character we get to meet. It was clear to me that he also once lived at the asylum but it was unclear who they were or their significance to the storyline up until the end. I kept going back and forth between who I thought it could be. This side character was so creepy and made me uncomfortable at times. Though honestly, I didn't think we got to see enough of him and I wish we saw more of him.
While I enjoyed the storyline and the asylum aspect, as I mentioned, I had no idea where the storyline was going. So I was constantly on edge for what might happen next or when the creepy side character might pop in again. Though, the ending for me felt too happily ever after. Based on the creepy vibes I got throughout the story, I honestly would have wished for a different outcome altogether. This ending just seemed too picture-perfect.
I was constantly on edge for what might happen next or when the creepy side character might pop in again
Overall, I found this to be an enjoyable suspense thriller horror. I wouldn’t necessarily call this scary though. It was more of an uncomfortable read at times, so keep that in mind if you consider picking this up!