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William
*An up-all-night slice of Halloween horror, perfect for fans of Stephen King, Black Mirror, and Frankenstein*
'A gauntlet of thrills and surprises . . . If reading with one hand over your mouth is your thing, this is the book for you' Gus Moreno, author of This Thing Between Us
Henry, a brilliant but reclusive engineer, has achieved the crowning discovery of his he's created an artificially intelligent consciousness. He names the half-formed robot William.
But there's something strange about William.
It's not that his skin feels like balloon rubber and is the colour of curdled milk, nor is it his thick gurgling laugh or the way his tongue curls towards his crooked top teeth. It is the way he looks at Henry's wife, Lily.
Henry created William but he is starting to lose control of him. As William's fixation with Lily grows and threatens to bring harm to their house, Henry has no choice but to destroy William.
But William isn't gone. Filled with jealousy for humanity, for its capacity to love and create life, William starts to haunt the house.
He lurks behind each locked door. You can hear him muttering in the eaves of the attic. He is whispering in Henry's head. And he will be the one to take control . . .
William is a new kind of ghost story, where the haunting is not from another world, but from inside your home. Inside your head . . .
'From its first page all the way to its jaw-dropping ending, William had me hooked' Nick Cutter, author of The Troop and The Deep
'A gripping page-turner that makes you think' Araminta Hall, author of One of the Good Guys
'A gauntlet of thrills and surprises . . . If reading with one hand over your mouth is your thing, this is the book for you' Gus Moreno, author of This Thing Between Us
Henry, a brilliant but reclusive engineer, has achieved the crowning discovery of his he's created an artificially intelligent consciousness. He names the half-formed robot William.
But there's something strange about William.
It's not that his skin feels like balloon rubber and is the colour of curdled milk, nor is it his thick gurgling laugh or the way his tongue curls towards his crooked top teeth. It is the way he looks at Henry's wife, Lily.
Henry created William but he is starting to lose control of him. As William's fixation with Lily grows and threatens to bring harm to their house, Henry has no choice but to destroy William.
But William isn't gone. Filled with jealousy for humanity, for its capacity to love and create life, William starts to haunt the house.
He lurks behind each locked door. You can hear him muttering in the eaves of the attic. He is whispering in Henry's head. And he will be the one to take control . . .
William is a new kind of ghost story, where the haunting is not from another world, but from inside your home. Inside your head . . .
'From its first page all the way to its jaw-dropping ending, William had me hooked' Nick Cutter, author of The Troop and The Deep
'A gripping page-turner that makes you think' Araminta Hall, author of One of the Good Guys
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 10, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 920 reviews
November 1, 2024
William was quite the experience. I read this today. Yeah, the whole thing today. A day well spent, IMO.
It's definitely one of those stories that once you start, it's close to impossible to put down. Coile kept me on my toes the entire time. I had so many questions!
The synopsis actually calls this a delicious one-sitting read, and they aren't lying. Meeting Henry and Lily, and discovering what is going on in their home, it's like watching a train about to go off the tracks.
There's such an eerie set-up. You feel like the characters are keeping something from you, but you don't know what. Additionally, there's AI involved and for me personally, the future of AI tech is absolutely horrifying.
Both Henry and Lily are in the tech space, so their home is a virtual cornucopia of cutting-edge technological devices. Some of these things have never even been revealed to anyone outside the home.
When Lily has some co-workers, Paige and Davis, stop by for a meal, it should be a harmless event. Unfortunately, it's anything but that.
The newcomers want to meet one of Henry's creations, an AI called William. It's at that point that things go from strange and eerie, to much, much worse.
I Buddy Read this with a friend and we both flew through it. There was quite a bit of super creepy Horror imagery that I was eating up and we did find a lot to discuss.
In addition to being frightened by the possibilities of AI, I am also horrified by dolls, or any iteration thereof. Trust, there's plenty of that to go around in here!!!
I was so surprised with how this turned out and it was a race to the conclusion.. There were twists and turns I did not see coming. Jaw successfully on floor.
Overall, I felt this was a little heart-breaking, a lot thought-provoking, super creepy and hella engaging. Well done by Mason Coile. I know nothing about this author, but I already cannot wait for more.
Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am so happy to have a new Horror author to follow!!!
It's definitely one of those stories that once you start, it's close to impossible to put down. Coile kept me on my toes the entire time. I had so many questions!
The synopsis actually calls this a delicious one-sitting read, and they aren't lying. Meeting Henry and Lily, and discovering what is going on in their home, it's like watching a train about to go off the tracks.
There's such an eerie set-up. You feel like the characters are keeping something from you, but you don't know what. Additionally, there's AI involved and for me personally, the future of AI tech is absolutely horrifying.
Both Henry and Lily are in the tech space, so their home is a virtual cornucopia of cutting-edge technological devices. Some of these things have never even been revealed to anyone outside the home.
When Lily has some co-workers, Paige and Davis, stop by for a meal, it should be a harmless event. Unfortunately, it's anything but that.
The newcomers want to meet one of Henry's creations, an AI called William. It's at that point that things go from strange and eerie, to much, much worse.
I Buddy Read this with a friend and we both flew through it. There was quite a bit of super creepy Horror imagery that I was eating up and we did find a lot to discuss.
In addition to being frightened by the possibilities of AI, I am also horrified by dolls, or any iteration thereof. Trust, there's plenty of that to go around in here!!!
I was so surprised with how this turned out and it was a race to the conclusion.. There were twists and turns I did not see coming. Jaw successfully on floor.
Overall, I felt this was a little heart-breaking, a lot thought-provoking, super creepy and hella engaging. Well done by Mason Coile. I know nothing about this author, but I already cannot wait for more.
Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, for providing me with a copy to read and review. I am so happy to have a new Horror author to follow!!!
August 16, 2024
*3.5 stars*
Henry is a brilliant engineer, however, suffering from agoraphobia means he’s completely reclusive and never leaves home.
He’s spent his time indoors creating an artificially intelligent consciousness.
And so we meet the product of his many years of work, a half formed robot - William. William is very scary, made worse by the fact that Henry is losing control over his creation, and incidentally William has an obsession for Henry’s wife Lily.
One day Lily invites two co-workers to brunch and also to meet Henry. Henry wants to show off their super smart home, and while he’s at it he decides to introduce them all to William. Big mistake!
The meeting with William takes a leap into the dark side and Henry decides that he has no alternative but to destroy William. But you don’t get rid of him that easily, because William is already enraged that he can’t experience the full range of human emotions and begins haunting the house. He’s there behind every door, his muttering can be heard in the attic, but even worse, his whispers can be heard inside Henry’s head. No sir, you won’t get rid of William, he’s here to stay!
A bit slow to take off but I soon got into it. There was quite a neat little twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming. Publication is due in October making this the perfect read for Halloween.
*Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press, Baskerville for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Henry is a brilliant engineer, however, suffering from agoraphobia means he’s completely reclusive and never leaves home.
He’s spent his time indoors creating an artificially intelligent consciousness.
And so we meet the product of his many years of work, a half formed robot - William. William is very scary, made worse by the fact that Henry is losing control over his creation, and incidentally William has an obsession for Henry’s wife Lily.
One day Lily invites two co-workers to brunch and also to meet Henry. Henry wants to show off their super smart home, and while he’s at it he decides to introduce them all to William. Big mistake!
The meeting with William takes a leap into the dark side and Henry decides that he has no alternative but to destroy William. But you don’t get rid of him that easily, because William is already enraged that he can’t experience the full range of human emotions and begins haunting the house. He’s there behind every door, his muttering can be heard in the attic, but even worse, his whispers can be heard inside Henry’s head. No sir, you won’t get rid of William, he’s here to stay!
A bit slow to take off but I soon got into it. There was quite a neat little twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming. Publication is due in October making this the perfect read for Halloween.
*Thank you to Netgalley and John Murray Press, Baskerville for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
October 18, 2024
This was stupid AF. DNF @48%.
Alright, I feel like I got a little off track with my spooky season reads for a min. But back to the thrillers we go!
These AI type thrillers/horror stories sound so interesting... 👀
These AI type thrillers/horror stories sound so interesting... 👀
September 9, 2024
Combining horror and science fiction in a psychological thriller, Mason Coile’s latest book,
William,
is a quick and surprising read. Henry is an intelligent robotics engineer with agoraphobia. Therefore, he has set up the attic as his home laboratory. His latest breakthrough is the creation of an artificially intelligent consciousness called William. Henry has kept William in the attic so not even his pregnant wife Lily knows about him. However, that is about to change. Two of Lily’s co-workers arrive for brunch to meet Henry and to see their new smart home. Henry decides to introduce them to William. What follows is a unique story with a fantastic ending.
Henry is well-defined as a character. He’s socially awkward, lonely, a terrible liar, and suffers from devastating anxiety. Lily is a computer engineer who sold her start-up company for millions. She’s ambitious and loves a challenge. While Henry and Lily are somewhat likeable, greater examination of their relationship would have added another layer of interest. These two characters were reasonably well-developed, but their guests, Paige and Davis, lacked depth.
The storyline immediately draws readers into the novel. It’s descriptive and the home environment world-building is fantastic. I enjoyed learning about the smart features Henry and Lily had incorporated into their home. The author did a great job of building suspense and adding drama as the story progressed. This kept me rapidly turning the pages to see what catastrophe would occur on the next page. However, the novel’s pacing is somewhat uneven. Despite this, the book is intriguing and kept my interest. The author managed to elicit a feeling of creepiness throughout the novel. The introduction to William is dark and sets off a set of events that I didn’t see coming. The ending is fantastic and made this story one that shouldn’t be missed. The novel is thought-provoking and sent shivers down my spine at times.
Overall, this was an intense, chilling, unique, and frightening thriller filled with surprises around each corner. With short chapters and set on Halloween, it’s the perfect holiday read and would make a good horror film. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with artificial intelligence and horror, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out this author writes next. Will it be as disturbing as this one?
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Mason Coile provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 10, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.45 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Henry is well-defined as a character. He’s socially awkward, lonely, a terrible liar, and suffers from devastating anxiety. Lily is a computer engineer who sold her start-up company for millions. She’s ambitious and loves a challenge. While Henry and Lily are somewhat likeable, greater examination of their relationship would have added another layer of interest. These two characters were reasonably well-developed, but their guests, Paige and Davis, lacked depth.
The storyline immediately draws readers into the novel. It’s descriptive and the home environment world-building is fantastic. I enjoyed learning about the smart features Henry and Lily had incorporated into their home. The author did a great job of building suspense and adding drama as the story progressed. This kept me rapidly turning the pages to see what catastrophe would occur on the next page. However, the novel’s pacing is somewhat uneven. Despite this, the book is intriguing and kept my interest. The author managed to elicit a feeling of creepiness throughout the novel. The introduction to William is dark and sets off a set of events that I didn’t see coming. The ending is fantastic and made this story one that shouldn’t be missed. The novel is thought-provoking and sent shivers down my spine at times.
Overall, this was an intense, chilling, unique, and frightening thriller filled with surprises around each corner. With short chapters and set on Halloween, it’s the perfect holiday read and would make a good horror film. If you enjoy psychological thrillers with artificial intelligence and horror, then I recommend that you check out this one. I am looking forward to finding out this author writes next. Will it be as disturbing as this one?
PENGUIN GROUP Putnam – G.P. Putnam’s Sons and Mason Coile provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 10, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.45 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
September 11, 2024
Creepy, fun, and caught me by surprise at the end- this was an entertaining, quick read!
April 16, 2024
4+
Reclusive robotics engineer Henry, creates William and eventually greatly wishes he hadn’t. Foolishly, he thinks he can control William but the AI has other ideas and what’s worse it has a fixation on Henry‘s wife Lily, who recoils from the robot. This is not just because of his appearance which is disturbing, especially his face although it’s a close run thing with his odd body. However, it’s Williams razor sharp mind which is his most alarming feature and the inevitable result of this is both chilling and frightening. Perhaps a warning sound for us all. Prepared to be astonished In this buckle up tight read.
Right from the very start of this terrific novel, the conversations between William and Henry send shivers down the spine and set off warning bells in Henry’s brain. I become gripped by the horrifying awfulness that unfolds, unable to put the fast paced tense book down. I think some of the creative images have been burned on my retina. It becomes increasingly claustrophobic with the couples Victorian house playing its role in that, it’s extremely creepy, there’s a rising sense of panic, paranoia and a dreadful sense of being totally out of control. It’s terrifying in places and as for the ending, breathe girl, breathe. It is so unexpected, so good and clever yet also very darkly disturbing with a jaw dropping impact.
All the characters are incisively well portrayed, you can see all with clarity with the AI being especially vivid. Henry’s high state of anxiety builds to off the chart levels and definitely impacts the read and his state of apprehension is palpable.
Overall, if you like horror such as that of Stephen King then this is probably one for you. I just wonder if a sequel is on the cards, I do hope so.
This is a perfect Halloween read and luckily it publishes in the United Kingdom on 3/10 with immaculate timing.
It has a great cover too.
With the thanks to NetGalley and especially to John Murray Press for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
Reclusive robotics engineer Henry, creates William and eventually greatly wishes he hadn’t. Foolishly, he thinks he can control William but the AI has other ideas and what’s worse it has a fixation on Henry‘s wife Lily, who recoils from the robot. This is not just because of his appearance which is disturbing, especially his face although it’s a close run thing with his odd body. However, it’s Williams razor sharp mind which is his most alarming feature and the inevitable result of this is both chilling and frightening. Perhaps a warning sound for us all. Prepared to be astonished In this buckle up tight read.
Right from the very start of this terrific novel, the conversations between William and Henry send shivers down the spine and set off warning bells in Henry’s brain. I become gripped by the horrifying awfulness that unfolds, unable to put the fast paced tense book down. I think some of the creative images have been burned on my retina. It becomes increasingly claustrophobic with the couples Victorian house playing its role in that, it’s extremely creepy, there’s a rising sense of panic, paranoia and a dreadful sense of being totally out of control. It’s terrifying in places and as for the ending, breathe girl, breathe. It is so unexpected, so good and clever yet also very darkly disturbing with a jaw dropping impact.
All the characters are incisively well portrayed, you can see all with clarity with the AI being especially vivid. Henry’s high state of anxiety builds to off the chart levels and definitely impacts the read and his state of apprehension is palpable.
Overall, if you like horror such as that of Stephen King then this is probably one for you. I just wonder if a sequel is on the cards, I do hope so.
This is a perfect Halloween read and luckily it publishes in the United Kingdom on 3/10 with immaculate timing.
It has a great cover too.
With the thanks to NetGalley and especially to John Murray Press for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.
May 31, 2024
Love a good creepy doll story? In this case, it’s the creepy robot, William. This sort felt like a trip into the twilight zone. Remember the creepy doll one?
Henry and Lily are a married couple. Lily is also pregnant with child. Henry wants to introduce his new project that he has been working on for quite some time. Meet William.
Lily can’t believe her eyes. This tiny robot is actually talking to them. He expresses emotion and thoughts. As Henry introduces him to Lily, the neighbors are there too. They cannot believe what they are hearing and seeing.
The introduction goes horribly wrong. William is out of control. Henry tries to destroy the robot only to be defeated. William is alive and well in the house.
These characters got on my last nerve. I can handle unlikable characters, but these were just off putting. The dialogue drove me nuts too. The last half was quite repetitive. However, I think horror fans might eat this one up. The ending twist was a pretty good one, I’ve got to admit.
Thank you to G.P Putnam’s Sons, Mason Coile and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Expected publication is September 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ raised to 4
Henry and Lily are a married couple. Lily is also pregnant with child. Henry wants to introduce his new project that he has been working on for quite some time. Meet William.
Lily can’t believe her eyes. This tiny robot is actually talking to them. He expresses emotion and thoughts. As Henry introduces him to Lily, the neighbors are there too. They cannot believe what they are hearing and seeing.
The introduction goes horribly wrong. William is out of control. Henry tries to destroy the robot only to be defeated. William is alive and well in the house.
These characters got on my last nerve. I can handle unlikable characters, but these were just off putting. The dialogue drove me nuts too. The last half was quite repetitive. However, I think horror fans might eat this one up. The ending twist was a pretty good one, I’ve got to admit.
Thank you to G.P Putnam’s Sons, Mason Coile and NetGalley for the opportunity.
Expected publication is September 10, 2024
3.5 ⭐️ raised to 4
September 22, 2024
Oh, man, this was so creepy! And I LOVED the ending. Full review coming soon!
September 16, 2024
audio: 4 stars
plot: 4 stars
*suspiciously looks at Chatgpt and closes browser* Not today AI💀
This was quick, thoroughly creepy and the ending was 🤯🤯
plot: 4 stars
*suspiciously looks at Chatgpt and closes browser* Not today AI💀
This was quick, thoroughly creepy and the ending was 🤯🤯
September 25, 2024
A fun little Halloween treat, Mason Coile's short sci-fi horror novel "W1ll1am" is a nasty little mash-up of Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and Dean Koontz's "Demon Seed".
And, for people born in the 21st century who won't get those references at all, it's basically a dysfunctional marriage drama with the added horror of killer robotic A.I. (Think "American Beauty" meets "Ex Machina".)
That's all I'm saying about this book, as the less you know going in, the better.
Triggers: dysfunctional marriage; cheating; lying; foul language; bodily dismemberment; beheading; misuse of boxcutters.
And, for people born in the 21st century who won't get those references at all, it's basically a dysfunctional marriage drama with the added horror of killer robotic A.I. (Think "American Beauty" meets "Ex Machina".)
That's all I'm saying about this book, as the less you know going in, the better.
Triggers: dysfunctional marriage; cheating; lying; foul language; bodily dismemberment; beheading; misuse of boxcutters.
May 23, 2024
" The only way to find life is to take life,��� the robot says."
There are a few things about current life and the future that really scares me. The advancement of technology and AI is one of those things that terrifies me. It keeps me up at night because we don’t know what robots can do or what they can control. After reading this book I’m staying far away from AI.
The day started like any other. The wife opened the door to let the two lunch guests in as her husband came down the stairs and greeted them as best as he could. It started off as any normal lunch would until they all ventured into the lab upstairs. That's when things went from iffy to straight-up horrifying. William meets all of the guests, and that's when everything becomes more and more terrifying. Don't ever invite me into your attic lab...
This book brought one of my worst fears to life and you all can keep your robots. I want no part in that. I didn't know what was going to come from around the corner or what was going to happen next. Talk about being on the edge of your seat. Then the end hits you and your jaw hits the floor. I think I screamed, "What the f**k" at least ten times and my dog didn't know what the hell was going on. All he knew was that I was freaked out.
The death scenes were horrifyingly gruesome. The shower scene was my absolute favorite. What a way to go!
William was a highly unique and bizarre horror story that you all should read. I think you can say that I loved it after completing it in less than a day. It's one of those books that you won't be able to put down. So grab your comfort blanket, turn all the lights on, and prepare yourself for the horror that is William.
There are a few things about current life and the future that really scares me. The advancement of technology and AI is one of those things that terrifies me. It keeps me up at night because we don’t know what robots can do or what they can control. After reading this book I’m staying far away from AI.
The day started like any other. The wife opened the door to let the two lunch guests in as her husband came down the stairs and greeted them as best as he could. It started off as any normal lunch would until they all ventured into the lab upstairs. That's when things went from iffy to straight-up horrifying. William meets all of the guests, and that's when everything becomes more and more terrifying. Don't ever invite me into your attic lab...
This book brought one of my worst fears to life and you all can keep your robots. I want no part in that. I didn't know what was going to come from around the corner or what was going to happen next. Talk about being on the edge of your seat. Then the end hits you and your jaw hits the floor. I think I screamed, "What the f**k" at least ten times and my dog didn't know what the hell was going on. All he knew was that I was freaked out.
The death scenes were horrifyingly gruesome. The shower scene was my absolute favorite. What a way to go!
William was a highly unique and bizarre horror story that you all should read. I think you can say that I loved it after completing it in less than a day. It's one of those books that you won't be able to put down. So grab your comfort blanket, turn all the lights on, and prepare yourself for the horror that is William.
October 3, 2024
I love the trope of smart homes turning against its smart ass owners. The pacing and length of the book was perfect for me. Narrator Honey St. Dennis did a bang-up job!
October 8, 2024
If you're looking for a good Halloween read, William by Mason Coile delivers a chilling blend of horror, science fiction, and psychological thrills. Henry, a reclusive engineer battling agoraphobia, pours his isolation into creating an AI robot named William. When his pregnant wife, Lily, invites her coworkers over to their high-tech home, Henry reluctantly reveals his creation. What starts as a simple introduction quickly morphs into a nightmare, as the house’s advanced security system traps everyone inside, transforming their sanctuary into a terrifying prison.
This short and intense read puts a unique spin on the classic "haunted house" or "locked room" trope, fusing artificial intelligence with supernatural horror. The story expertly builds suspense from the start, lacing it with a constant, creeping unease that only intensifies with gruesome death scenes and shocking twists. The well-developed characters, particularly Henry and his struggles, add depth and drama to the plot.
As the story hurtles toward its fantastic and thought-provoking conclusion, readers are treated to an experience that’s both twisty and terrifying. William is a quick, yet unforgettable, novel that merges AI fears with eerie, spine-tingling horror, making it an excellent choice for fans of psychological thrillers—or anyone who loves a good creepy doll story.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a copy to read and review.
This short and intense read puts a unique spin on the classic "haunted house" or "locked room" trope, fusing artificial intelligence with supernatural horror. The story expertly builds suspense from the start, lacing it with a constant, creeping unease that only intensifies with gruesome death scenes and shocking twists. The well-developed characters, particularly Henry and his struggles, add depth and drama to the plot.
As the story hurtles toward its fantastic and thought-provoking conclusion, readers are treated to an experience that’s both twisty and terrifying. William is a quick, yet unforgettable, novel that merges AI fears with eerie, spine-tingling horror, making it an excellent choice for fans of psychological thrillers—or anyone who loves a good creepy doll story.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for providing me with a copy to read and review.
October 22, 2024
3⭐️s
This was a decent black mirror episode, although I will say I was left scratching my head about the ending. Knowing what I know now, many parts of the story didn’t make a lot of sense retrospectively. You might have to turn off your brain a bit for this to work.
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You should. It’s short, and fine. It’s fine.
Themes
Unchecked technology impinging upon the human condition
One Thing That Will Stick With Me
Robot thirst
This was a decent black mirror episode, although I will say I was left scratching my head about the ending. Knowing what I know now, many parts of the story didn’t make a lot of sense retrospectively. You might have to turn off your brain a bit for this to work.
Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Read It
You should. It’s short, and fine. It’s fine.
Themes
Unchecked technology impinging upon the human condition
One Thing That Will Stick With Me
Robot thirst
August 6, 2024
Um, hi! Add this to your spooky season tbr ASAP.
This was so creepy! Think combination of iRobot, Megan, and Smart House. This book had me hooked off the bat, and I flew through it because I couldn’t put it down. There was a part towards the end that gave me a jump scare, and you may be thinking, Holly? How does a book give you a jump scare? Well, I can’t answer that but it surely did. This was AI horror done right and must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
This was so creepy! Think combination of iRobot, Megan, and Smart House. This book had me hooked off the bat, and I flew through it because I couldn’t put it down. There was a part towards the end that gave me a jump scare, and you may be thinking, Holly? How does a book give you a jump scare? Well, I can’t answer that but it surely did. This was AI horror done right and must read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
October 27, 2024
Wtf did I just read??? The name William is ruined for me forever. Noooooooo. 🥴🥴🤖🤖 Do you remember that old Disney movie Smart House? Think that, but horror. Having a smart house surely isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Inside the smart house live a married couple, Henry and Lily. Henry is agoraphobic and takes up a new hobby, building creepy AI robot William. Unsurprisingly, bad things begin to happen! I recommend this for fans of Grady Hendrix, particularly How to Sell a Haunted House and Horrorstör. Creepy robots AND creepy dolls?!?!?? Yikes!
June 25, 2024
Full review in an upcoming issue of Scream Horror mag
P.s this was one of the best horrors I've read in a while
P.s this was one of the best horrors I've read in a while
October 2, 2024
Now that was a twist!! I loved this. It’s set on Halloween night and though the Halloween element is slim, the horror is there!! Perfect short Halloween week read!
Loved the characters! Loved the kills! Loved the twist and reveal. Ending 10/10! What a fun time!
Loved the characters! Loved the kills! Loved the twist and reveal. Ending 10/10! What a fun time!
February 9, 2024
Wasn't sure what to expect from this one, but it turned out to be a fantastic little horror/thriller about the power of AI and the silly notion we humans have about being able to control it. A husband, master of robotics who is having issues with his pregnant wife, creates an AI robot named William who turns out to have abilities its own creator never saw coming. He traps the duo and her two friends (one who may be having an affair with the wife) in their house and frightening chaos results. Just when I knew where the story was going, I didn't, and the ending was a real surprise. A dark and disturbing tale that I enjoyed from beginning to end. 4.5 stars. Highly recommended. Thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2024
3.25 stars
A decent horror pick-me-up, William is an in-your-face assemblage of horror trope and setting: possessed doll, tech-gone-rouge, and haunted house to highlight a few. Beneath its funhouse style carnage and violence, there lies a thought-provoking core thesis, which reveals itself towards the end for a satisfying finale.
My main issue with William is its structure: it's missing a proper first act introducing its characters and setting. Spin it positively it drops readers immediately in the midst of action (everything is already creepy/off-kilter from the get-go). However, the absence of buildup also makes the horrors less dynamic, as well as the deaths coming across as trivial (since we as readers never really get to know the characters). The writing is also uneven, very articulated in generating atmosphere and putting out philosophical discourse, but action sequences tend to be muddled and disorienting, and I find myself constantly re-reading passages trying to visualize what exactly is happening.
William offers a quick dose of satisfying horror (not a bad pick if you'll be doing a Halloween readathon this year), but has evident flaws due to the amputated storytelling (not unlike a certain character...)—a novella of strong ideas desperately needing to be fleshed out to a full length novel.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
A decent horror pick-me-up, William is an in-your-face assemblage of horror trope and setting: possessed doll, tech-gone-rouge, and haunted house to highlight a few. Beneath its funhouse style carnage and violence, there lies a thought-provoking core thesis, which reveals itself towards the end for a satisfying finale.
My main issue with William is its structure: it's missing a proper first act introducing its characters and setting. Spin it positively it drops readers immediately in the midst of action (everything is already creepy/off-kilter from the get-go). However, the absence of buildup also makes the horrors less dynamic, as well as the deaths coming across as trivial (since we as readers never really get to know the characters). The writing is also uneven, very articulated in generating atmosphere and putting out philosophical discourse, but action sequences tend to be muddled and disorienting, and I find myself constantly re-reading passages trying to visualize what exactly is happening.
William offers a quick dose of satisfying horror (not a bad pick if you'll be doing a Halloween readathon this year), but has evident flaws due to the amputated storytelling (not unlike a certain character...)—a novella of strong ideas desperately needing to be fleshed out to a full length novel.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
October 12, 2024
Terror e inteligencia artificial Henry ha creado a William un robot que funciona con IA pero pronto queda claro que algo siniestro está pasando con William.
“Hay una presencia dentro de mí”, dice William con su voz habitual. "Una batería, querrás decir." El robot sacude la cabeza, como para decir que no es momento de negarlo y Henry lo sabe. “Un ser que apareció cuando lo invoqué o lo imaginé”, dice William. “Nunca había habitado una máquina antes. Pero ahora que está aquí, ahora que soy yo, le gusta ”. Henry lo siente. ¿O es que también lo está imaginando? Hay algo en la habitación que no se puede ver, pero que está más seguro de su realidad que cualquiera de ellos.
“Creo que los griegos tenían una palabra que se acercaba. Daemon. Un espíritu “entre el hombre y Dios.”
“Hay una presencia dentro de mí”, dice William con su voz habitual. "Una batería, querrás decir." El robot sacude la cabeza, como para decir que no es momento de negarlo y Henry lo sabe. “Un ser que apareció cuando lo invoqué o lo imaginé”, dice William. “Nunca había habitado una máquina antes. Pero ahora que está aquí, ahora que soy yo, le gusta ”. Henry lo siente. ¿O es que también lo está imaginando? Hay algo en la habitación que no se puede ver, pero que está más seguro de su realidad que cualquiera de ellos.
“Creo que los griegos tenían una palabra que se acercaba. Daemon. Un espíritu “entre el hombre y Dios.”
September 9, 2024
This is the story of Henry and Lily…and the robot who lives with them, William. Both engineers, they have one thing in common, but they are quite different. Lily works, leads a normal life, and is pregnant. Henry has severe agoraphobia, and can’t open the front door without having a panic attack. He lives in the attic, making his “devices”, like an AI dog, a creepy bicycling child and of course, William. I think it would be best if you knew a few things about William:
-He is very self-aware, astute, and can do things he wasn’t programmed to do
-He looks like a horrific bastardization of a man, and is upset about that
-He considers Henry to be a brother, which creeps Henry out
-He can easily hack the smart home system that Harry invented
-He has normal human emotions like loneliness, anger…and violence
-He believes a demon has possessed the odd body he was given
-He likes to do magic and play tricks
-He really likes to lock doors and windows
One (Halloween) morning, Lily lets Henry know that she is having her friends, Paige and Davis, over for brunch. Henry is anxious, but also interested in meeting his wife’s coworkers, and when the chance arises, he asks if they want to meet William. All I’m going to say is, that was a big mistake.
This is a fantastic book that I was going to give four stars from the beginning, but the ending BLEW MY MIND with a twist I never saw coming. This is almost like a Twilight Zone episode, and while it’s not quite short enough to be called a novella, it is a shorter book that is very easy to finish in one sitting. That ending made the book - five stars!
(Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Mason Coile and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on September 10, 2024.)
-He is very self-aware, astute, and can do things he wasn’t programmed to do
-He looks like a horrific bastardization of a man, and is upset about that
-He considers Henry to be a brother, which creeps Henry out
-He can easily hack the smart home system that Harry invented
-He has normal human emotions like loneliness, anger…and violence
-He believes a demon has possessed the odd body he was given
-He likes to do magic and play tricks
-He really likes to lock doors and windows
One (Halloween) morning, Lily lets Henry know that she is having her friends, Paige and Davis, over for brunch. Henry is anxious, but also interested in meeting his wife’s coworkers, and when the chance arises, he asks if they want to meet William. All I’m going to say is, that was a big mistake.
This is a fantastic book that I was going to give four stars from the beginning, but the ending BLEW MY MIND with a twist I never saw coming. This is almost like a Twilight Zone episode, and while it’s not quite short enough to be called a novella, it is a shorter book that is very easy to finish in one sitting. That ending made the book - five stars!
(Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons, Mason Coile and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be released on September 10, 2024.)
September 24, 2024
I had this toy robot dog as a child, it was back in the 90s, so it wasn't anything fancy or special and wifi wasn't a thing and there's very little I'm afraid of, clowns, spiders, snakes, bugs, walking around in the dark, I'm all fine with.
The one thing I'm not okay with is, dolls attached to wifi. HARD PASSS.
The one thing I'm not okay with is, dolls attached to wifi. HARD PASSS.
September 26, 2024
M3gan called and she wants her plot back. W1ll1am felt like the start of a book instead of a fully fledged novel. Character development was close to nill and the dialogue was absurd. An adult woman working for a global tech firm says things like “say it, don’t spray it”. There are HUGE plot holes at almost every point of action. In one scene a tech worker begs to not be locked in a building saying, “no one will know I’m here”….except they’ve been going to the building with their cell phone for at least a year, their coworker’s car is parked at the front door. I’m no forensic scientist, but am guessing someone working for a major AI company knows some folks that could follow the trail fairly easily. Bonus for the twist though, I didn’t see it coming, and while I groaned out loud at its absurdity and slight middle finger to the reader, it was a clever moment. It feels like the twist was the origination for the whole novel and it was sort of slapdashed together around it. A big boo as well for the $27 cover price for what is a very slim book.
September 15, 2024
A unique, spine-tingling and utterly chilling debut haunted house/locked room thriller novella from a new Canadian author that sees an agoraphobic man and his pregnant wife trapped in their home with a couple guests and their out of control AI robot who has taken over control of the house!
Great on audio, this was a quick listen that completely creeped me out and had a shocking twist ending I didn't see coming! Fans of Stephen King will gobble this up!! Highly recommended especially for anyone who enjoyed the Woman in the window by A. J. Finn.
Great on audio, this was a quick listen that completely creeped me out and had a shocking twist ending I didn't see coming! Fans of Stephen King will gobble this up!! Highly recommended especially for anyone who enjoyed the Woman in the window by A. J. Finn.
October 4, 2024
4.25 stars
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFy6hoJG/
Thoughts: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFy6hoJG/
September 22, 2024
this book had an interesting concept, and while the execution wasn't a total flop, i still expected a little more from this. it's honestly just fine--most of the book is the characters wandering around. the plot or characters weren't particularly compelling or memorable; they were just kind of there. there was one plot twist i guessed from a mile away, whereas another one did surprise me. the short chapters made this an easy book to read over a few sittings. however, i didn't find myself glued to the pages. i listened to the audio for this one and the narration was good. this is a short techno-horror book that was perfectly fine overall but didn't impress me.
William is out now! thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
William is out now! thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2024
Oh well.. it was.. meh...
The pacing was strange, the decisions the characters made - stumbling on the same stupid errors over and over - were eye rolling inducing... I just wanted to reach some kind of finitude to the story and it kinda unravelled at the end but it wasn't that satisfatory to me.
The pacing was strange, the decisions the characters made - stumbling on the same stupid errors over and over - were eye rolling inducing... I just wanted to reach some kind of finitude to the story and it kinda unravelled at the end but it wasn't that satisfatory to me.
August 18, 2024
Henry and his wife have drifted apart due to his obsession over a recent project but with the birth of their child not far off he will do anything to win her back. Unfortunately, William has different plans. Trapped in a high tech super panic room house Henry and Lily are fighting for their lives against something science and faith can’t seem to define exclusively.
I enjoyed this story a lot, it’s fast paced and gaslighting you the entire read. For anyone who hates the cheating trope just beware this entire story has a gray cheating veil thrown over it BUT I promise you it’ll be fine. Additionally, there are some grin worthy jump scares throughout.
My only meh with the story is that I called the ‘twist’ pretty early, like really early. I won’t say it’s predictable because, again, tons of gaslighting so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to doubt yourself. Ultimately, in a perfect horror world, Lily would’ve/should’ve got a bit more in the end, but maybe that’s just me.
February 11, 2024
I began this book expecting a scary mystery/thriller that was going to keep me on the edge of my seat; it did, sort of. The scary parts were definitely there with the technology going out of control. Some of that was extremely gruesome.
From the rather abrupt beginning, the book felt more like a short story than a fully executed novel and the writing didn’t flow smoothly. Added to that were characters that were not well developed and, therefore, I really didn’t care about why the horrible things were happening to them.
This book had potential but didn’t deliver until close to the end.
My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.
From the rather abrupt beginning, the book felt more like a short story than a fully executed novel and the writing didn’t flow smoothly. Added to that were characters that were not well developed and, therefore, I really didn’t care about why the horrible things were happening to them.
This book had potential but didn’t deliver until close to the end.
My copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to the the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review it.
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