Briardark

A page-turning horror! Holden, who works for the Oregon State University, is tasked with going through some old external hard drives. The school needs to be sure nothing important is on these drives before they’re wiped clean. To his surprise, Holden ends up finding documents and audio recording of a six-week expedition into the Deadswitch Wilderness - led by a Dr. Siena Dupont. But it’s something about her voice - Holden knows that voice - he just doesn’t know from where. And what he hears on those audio recordings will send him on the mission of his life to solve this mystery.

Seven years prior to Siena’s recorded expedition a team of five disappeared in the Deadswitch. They were never found. Deadswitch isn’t a regular show more wilderness, seedlings grow into matured trees in only two days and items seem to disappear there. Some say the land is cursed.

Dark, ominous, and full of suspense this is one book you’re going to want to read. Told through different character perspectives, this is a fun read with chapter excerpts, Reddit chats, Goodreads chats and text messages. These additions add a unique element to the story.

From the perspective of Holden we learn about the tapes and files he’s found and his journey to find the truth. Then we are led into the actual wilderness by Siena, Cameron, Issac, and Emmett and get to experience their six-week expedition firsthand. Being in the Deadswitch feels like an acid trip, or what I imagine an acid trip would be like.

This is the first book in a new series. The creepiness will continue on. show less

This was surprisingly more enjoyable than I anticipated. I love cosmic horror, and there's the right amount of unexplained, terrifying phenomena here. Occasionally the characters felt a little childish, like they were actually college kids rather than adults working at a college. But for the most part this was excellent and I'm looking forward to the next in the series.

During an expedition, an ambitious team discover odd occurrences, sounds, and findings. Readers are sent on a science-fiction-like story where horrors become reality. The story focuses more on the characters' backgrounds over the mysteries in the expedition and regarding the events that took place seven years earlier, and everything is gradually explained deeper into the story. The story starts off slow, then 2/3 of the way in, the pace picks up as further point of views are introduced, each with their own history and agenda.

I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

Briardark follows some scientists and an influencer who are studying glaciers. The stories don't happen at the same time and I love the going back and forth between the present and the "true crime" retelling of events. It was super creepy and I didn't predict where the book was going which I really liked Overall, despite the slightly unsatisfying ending, I still recommend Briardark for fans of sci-fi-horror or speculative mysteries. I myself will be eagerly awaiting the sequel.

Interesting but I didn't realize that this was part of a series meaning that nothing would be resolved.

Wow! Such a great book. I found myself captivated by the story right from the start. Such a mysterious and engrossing storyline. It's the kind of book that stays with you when you have finished it. At least it did for me—the only drawback...the cliffhanger ending. At the same time, I'm glad that there is going to be another book because I found the story so good that I want more. I can't wait for the sequel to be published!

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley!

During an expedition, an ambitious team discover odd occurrences, sounds, and findings. Readers are sent on a science-fiction-like story where horrors become reality. The story focuses more on the characters' backgrounds over the mysteries in the expedition and regarding the events that took place seven years earlier, and everything is gradually explained deeper into the story. The story starts off slow, then 2/3 of the way in, the pace picks up as further point of views are introduced, each with their own history and agenda.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.