“We invited the monster in. Mother Mary help us, save our souls, we are cursed here on the mountains. Our Father has cursed us. We are in your hands now Mother. Help us! Help us!”

You are invited has completely reignited my love of horror.

A fast-paced ghost story full of thrilling little twists and turns with a cast of interestingly flawed characters.

This book kept me up with some fairly disturbing dreams for a few nights but I am very glad to have read it. Would highly recommend!

The whole novel was inherently thrilling. Everything was on point, I liked the plot, the characters were nuanced and complex, the writing felt enticing. I was drawn to it and wanted to keep reading.

I had a lot of fun with You Are Invited!

Spooky, dark, claustrophobic (in a good way), and ends with a bang. My favorite "trope" will always be a locked room mystery. And this felt similar to And Then There Were None in tone without ever having a similar plot set up. We have people stuck in this creepy building, constantly live feeding all of their actions, and it's a not very happy family. Lots of drama and toxic relationships lead to the ending we all knew would come at some point....

If there was anything I particularly enjoyed about You Are Invited, it was definitely the scary stories Catherine told. They were creepy, and while it didn't move the plot forward, they always felt right. And when I say that they "felt right", the stories completely nailed the ominous tone. Everything is supposed to be ominous and a mystery of what is REALLY happening, especially all the messages in the chat that insist that one of the five is going to die by the end of the trip....

My only complaint with You Are Invited are the sometimes less-creepy chapters. These usually involve the five guests casually talking, and while their behaviour is realistic, the only thing this book didn't nail was having realistic conversations from influencers and also managing those to be just as creepy as the more sinister parts of the book.

I think you should be looking out for You Are Invited, especially if you're a fan of locked room plots as much as I am!

This was a great novel - a fast paced ghost story/thriller that left me guessing about certain parts right up until the ending. For me, I thought the use of mental health as a potential cause of the 'manifestations' earlier on in the book, along with the good use (not exploitative) of schizophrenia. I recommend this for, what I would call, a quick little ghost story that engaged and thrilled.

Oh my god, I absolutely loved You Are Invited. The writing style and descriptions are amazing and they just sucks you into the book/story, which makes it even more haunting. The characters are complex and well written, which makes it even more fun to read. To make things even more interesting, there's the trope of unreliable narrator, as Cath suffers from schizofrenia, although it bugged me a little bit that a mental illness was just in that trope in such a way. In terms of horror and ghost stories, You Are Invited also use the trope of being isolated in a spooky place, in this case a renovated monastery with a dark past.

This book was fantastic. I was hooked from the very beginning. The author's use of imagery and setting the scene at the old nunnery really added to the creepiness of the setting. The characters were well developed and the storyline kept me interested throughout. Great book for horror lovers!

I volunteered to read this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I really enjoyed this book. It was well written. The characters were described well. I enjoyed how there is mental health and lgbtq+ representation. Everyone needs to read this book. It will keep you on the edge of seat trying to figure out what happens next.

I really enjoyed this! A gothic ghost story with an original modern twist. Focused on 5 influencer types - the lifestyle blogger, the beauty guru, the gamer, the fitness god and the one we all relate to... the bookish nerd, all thrown together to stay in an abandoned haunted monastery in Transylvania to have their lives filmed and streamed around the workd for a month, what could possibly go wrong!?! The concept is so fun! The cast are all caricatures of the YouTubers we all know and love (to hate...let's be real) the mix if personalities is the perfect recepie for disaster, add in a few dead Nuns and you have the makings of a fantastic entertaining story. Im a big fan of the horror genre and i think im desensitised to a lot of scare tactics now, but something about this book genuinely chilled me! There were some insanely creepy moments and I got goosebumps several times. A couple more things I loved about this I will add at the end as they could be considered spoilers, but overall I throughly enjoyed this book. Many thanks to netgalley for providing me with the ARC and congratulations to the author.

*MAY CONTAIN SPOLIERS BELOW*
I really appreciated the that Caths character was asexual, I have never read a book with this representation before and feel like its overlooked. And this is VERY niche, but the discovery that Irene was running an MLM scan was inspired!! I am a huge anti MLM er, and again, never read this in any book before, also an important topic that needs to be talked about as these companies historically pray on vulnerable women. Loved it!

You Are Invited is about five internet influencers who are taking part in an online experiment in a secluded, uninhabited convent in Romania. It’s a slow moving story with details that add very little to the plot. The characters are shallow, the writing is choppy, and the plot is unconvincing.

There is weak drama happening among the five, most of it very petty. Cath, the narrator, is allegedly a schizophrenic yet was able, when she put her mind to it late in the book, to set aside her mental illness. This is not likely to be possible in real life.

There seem to be many five-star reviews, but, alas, I’m afraid I did not feel the ‘horror’ at all.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review You Are Invited. I wish my review were more complimentary.

This was an ok read about a mix of social media, horror and mental health. It is always good to read about mental health issues that move away from the usual ‘this person has schizophrenia so they are going to murder all their housemates.’

The story is about a group of social influencers who are isolated in a place which has a dark past, watched 24 hours a day and their decent into distrust and paranoia along with a shot of ghost story. I only gave it 3 stars as I didn’t really feel much about the ghostly side of the story and although I read it without getting bored I definitely wasn’t feeling like I couldn’t put it down.

This ghost story, which seems to stray from Sarah A. Denzil's typical genre, didn't do it for me. The premise was intriguing with several social influencers together on a retreat in perhaps what may be a haunted house but I never felt like I really got to know enough about the characters to care what happened with them. I never got fully vested in the tale and was hungry for more depth. Although I didn't care much for this story, it won't deter me from reading more of Sarah Denzil's books in the future. Thank you Sarah Denzil and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the ARC in return for an honest review.

I really didn’t like the last line or two because life doesn’t work like that. Otherwise, though, this was an enjoyable - if oddly gothic - take on a ghost story. And what a place to center a ghost story around!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. This review contains my honest, unbiased opinion.

This book was very easy to read because I always wanted to find out what happened next. I appreciate the author's use of modern technology and the importance of social status in today's world; these are the true elements of horror in the story.

I was happily surprised when I began reading to find something original in a horror story; or at least something I haven't come across myself. A group of internet celebrities stay in a mysterious monastery and everything they do is streamed live to their followers. Their activities are determined by what their audience wants to see and, more importantly, what their audience pays to see. I was so ready to read some creepy moments and sadistic requests!

The story does a nice job building some tension and provides a few creepy moments. Ultimately, I wanted more. Many of the happenings are easily explained away with the technology used in the story which is similar to present day. I'd love to have read more ghostly happenings that couldn't be explained or more about the audience requests to see just how far the group would be willing to go for money.

The "twist" was predictable but still made for good reading - and the ending was very abrupt with its conclusion for our main character. She has this personal demon that has been following her for years and in the last 1-1.5 pages that demon is resolved.

Would I recommend this book to others? Yes. Was I entertained? Yes. Is it the best "ghost" story I've read? No.
3/5 stars

Contemporary horror stories are often criticised for failing to reflect modern technology and conveniences (characters being without their phones, acting as though the internet doesn’t exist, and so on). Many authors clearly struggle to reconcile a sense of isolation and fear with the constant connectivity of modern tech, but with You Are Invited, Sarah A. Denzil uses a bold and original setup to prove the two can work in excellent harmony to actually ramp up the tension.

When the story opens, we find Cath on the final leg of a long journey to Transylvania. From thousands of applicants, she is one of a handful of influencers chosen to participate in The Event, a unique project that will see popular internet personalities cohabit in a newly renovated monastery. Millions of subscribers from across the globe will pay to livestream their every move, and to request they take on various tasks specifically for their entertainment. But the monastery itself is haunted by stories of a brutal past. When strange events begin to unfold and viewers flood the stream with warnings of an ominous figure lurking in the shadows, tempers begin to fray.

Despite the distinctly modern slant, I was pleased to see the book fully lean in to gothic traditions that instantly dial up the atmosphere. We have a setting that could have been lifted right out of Dracula, locals whispering of horrific murders, strange figures looming just out of sight, the howl of wolves from the surrounding forest, and a cast of characters clearly keeping secrets from each other. I loved all of these elements, and thought they made for a gripping, pacy read that felt paradoxically familiar and fresh.

The main character suffers from schizophrenia, heavily implied to stem from childhood trauma. This is used to good effect to heighten the air of uncertainty and paranoia, but for the most part, I felt the author avoided obvious and potentially harmful mental health tropes. That said, the speed and flippancy with which she is said to be able to stop taking previously vital medication at one point did grind my gears. I fully respect that everyone’s treatment and recovery journey is different, but the implication that meds are a quick fix until you address the ‘real’ problem isn’t exactly a favourite trope of mine.

After laying all the groundwork with excellent tension building and narrative intrigue, the climax seemed to abruptly drop a lot of potential on these fronts in favour of something a little too melodramatic for my taste. I can’t deny how much fun I had throughout my time with this novel, though. It ticks almost all the boxes you’d want from a classic, ghostly tale, while also offering interesting commentary on the distinctly modern issue of the potentially toxic relationship between creators and their audience; the pressure and manipulation that can affect both sides.

'You are Invited' by Sarah Denzil

✴️✴️✴️

The Event is being organized in Sfantul Mihail, a nunnery far up in the mountains in Romania, close to the abode of the famed Dracula. Irene is a cancer survivor, a social media influencer and the organizer of The Event, where she along with four other influencers will spend time practising their art while it was live streamed to subscribers across the world. One of the influencers, our protagonist, is Cath- a fantasy writer who is amazed yet nonplussed at being selected! All seems good except the nunnery which has a bloody and scary history..decades ago this nunnery had seen the slaughter of all its nuns by a stranger. Locals believe that the place is cursed and evil still lurks in the majestic building. This eeriness and mental illnesses of two of the members become cash making tools for Irene, who is the most money minded of them all and seems to LIVE for the subscribers and their donations. Strange visions, petty thefts and a general foreboding of evil- is it just their mind playing games with them? Or is it really someone visiting them, someone long dead? The answers come crashing upon you!!

✴️✴️✴️

This was a literal page turner! Denzil successfully builds a plot which is solid from all fronts. The characters are very well defined and the horror was fabulously added. Horror, IMO, is a difficult genre to 'write'. In movies the visuals do the task at hand, but being able to scare a reader just by the visions your words can conjure, is really a tough skill. Denzil did that superbly.

✴️✴️✴️

Special appreciation for @sarahadenzil for the sexuality chosen for Cath. ♠️💜♣️
This representation is sooooo important. Much thanks 🙏

I look forward to reading more of her work.

Very Good (July 2020)

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It had just the right balance between paranormal, thriller and general modern fiction. It took me a couple of chapters to really grasp what was going on and get into the story, but when I did, I devoured it in one sitting.

I loved the idea behind 'The Event'; a social media retreat for influencers to engage with subscribers and earn money in the process. Set against the background of the Romanian monastery, it provided a wonderful contrast between the modern world and legend. It really set up the story for the paranormal aspects that threading through the plot.

To me, it felt a lot more thriller-esque than paranormal, which I was more than happy with. The ghost stories and strange happenings popped up just often enough to keep its relevance in the story, but it definitely wasn't overdone. The thriller side of things, on the other hand, was done perfectly. There was just the right level of suspense throughout the story, leading up to an explosive finale that I really enjoyed.

I think my favourite part of the book was reading about the interactions between the characters; those influencers at the retreat. Cath's battles with her mental health were really powerful to read about, and the other diverse characters provided a lot of interesting dialogue. All in all, a really enjoyable read that I will definitely be recommending to friends.

"We invited the monster in. Mother Mary help us, save our souls, we are cursed here on the mountains."

Cath, Jules, Irene, Nathan, and Dan have been invited to participate in The Event, a lucrative opportunity for these influencers. All they have to do is live a month in the secluded and long abandoned Sfăntul Mihail monastery of Romania, live streaming and providing other content for their subscribers. However, clashing personalities, the rumours of a curse, dangerous secrets, and the ghost of a nun make The Event more grating for the participants.

I quite enjoyed my time with You Are Invited, my second book by Sarah A. Denzil. Mystery and secrets very much seem to be what Denzil specialises in, and she brings plenty of it into this supernatural tale. The characters were, for the most part, nuanced and engaging, and the setting was perfect for the story being told. There was some asexual and lesbian rep that I appreciated, and misconceptions and ignorance about these were addressed in an organic way. There were also some aspects I had difficulty with, which I will also address in this review.

This story is told primarily from Cath's point of view. In fact, she is the one telling us the story, so it is in first person. I have an uneasy relationship with first person horror, but I believe in this case it worked. We were told what we needed to be told, discovering things alongside Cath, who was perceptive and open minded enough not to ignore aspects of the haunting we needed to know about. Cath is a sweet girl, who notices much of the other characters. She also has schizophrenia, which will will discuss in more detail shortly.

I say that this is primarily told from Cath's point of view because, between some of the chapters we get a glimpse at the chat of the subscribers to The Event. This was brilliant. It broke things up a bit, provided a fresh perspective on the occurrences and characters, and makes an interesting statement on internet culture, idolisation, and anonymity.

The other characters were also interesting to learn about, with their own motivations and lives outside of The Event. There was definitely some stereotyping at play however, to get the characters to fit together. Nathan and Irene were the most guilty of this, but each also had some unique aspects to their characters as well, once you get to know them.

The setting, as is often the case with horror, was one of my favourite aspects of the book. It was fascinating to explore the monastery with the characters. I especially enjoyed the juxtaposition between the modern, renovated sections, and the ancient, best left alone.

The haunting itself was slightly disappointing. The author attempted an ambiguity which made it difficult to tell what was supernatural and what was psychological. This is a valid tactic, but I don't think it landed well here. Instead it muddied the waters too much, and rubbed up against my next point in a way I didn't enjoy.

Cath is on anti-psychotics for her schizophrenia, but this is also played with for ambiguity in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. I can't make any comment about the rep of the illness itself however, as I have no experience with it. I will leave that to someone more knowledgeable.

Overall, I would say this is a solid story for people who like mystery and isolated settings. While some aspects didn't work for me, they may well be great for you! I was thorough absorbed in this book until the very last page.

trigger warning
<spoiler> mental illness, trauma, child abuse, domestic violence, alcholisim </spoiler>

Five youtubers are invited to a supposedly haunted monstery in Romania for a month to create content. They will recieve the money only afterwards, so they have to pull through, regardless of what may happen.

I love haunted house stories. If said building happens to be in the middle of nowhere, bonus points!
So it's safe to say that the premise appealed to me a lot.

Things get messy fast. And sadly, that's where my problems with this book start.
Cath, our protagonists, hints from the beginning that she's mentally ill. Her meds get stolen - she is sure she had them, and I believe her. In her place, I would have been sure, too.
She talks about her missing meds like an adult and is promised new ones will be ordered and should arrive with the next grocery delivery - without even having to tell them what kind of meds she takes.

Two problems:
- You can't simply stop taking psychopharmaceutics and experience no withdrawal. In the rare case in which I forget to take mine one day, the next day I will wake up very disoriented - and I don't even take antipsychotics like she does. I know a person who does, and they are even more bound by the clock than I am, having to take the pill the exact same time every day, or else.
The only thing happening here is <spoiler> that Cath's symptoms come back - which makes sense. But in my opinion, that would have been added on top </spoiler>
- You can't simply buy antipsychotics in the grocery store. I don't know if it's a case of bad research, if Romania's health care system is vastly different to how I imagine it to be, or if the implication is that the huge company paying for all the expenses can get their metaphorical hands on anything. Clarification would have been nice. One sentence would have been all it takes, like Cath being impressed or something.

Another problem I had is related to the same topic: They invite a doctor over. They have to wait a few days till he can come, and I am wondering, why. They constantly tell us how awesome the ruined monastery has been renovated, how well the wi-fi works, that they have all the gadgets they could wish for, including camera drones.
... why didn't they arrange a phone meeting with the doc, or maybe a video chat? I do that with my psychiatrist and I am not even in the middle of nowhere.
Well, I think I can answer that one myself: Middle of nowhere is far less scary if you have means to contact people. There is a kind of two sided blade thing going on with the livestreams - yes, it has to work or they can simply leave because their presence is not needed anymore, but if they can communicate at every time, everything that may happen could be stopped.

One last issue: Every Youtuber has a specialisation. Cath is a bookish one, we have a sports fanatic, a beauty guru, a gamer, a lifestyle vlogger. But what that entails has been glossed over - there was a mention of sunrise yoga and a make-up tutorial, cool, but apart from that, the five people felt very generic, even Cath and her writing.
We're never even told what Cath <i>does</i> in her vids, only that she writes and has a forum and a patreon page and uploads her stories. I wonder how that translates to videos.

So, all in all? Cool ideas, but I found the execution lacking.
Might check back with the author in a few years, see how their writing evolved.

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Sfântul Mihail, is a 200 year old monastery in the Carpathian Mountains. It was recently renovated to accommodate 5 social media influencers who will be going on a live-streamed retreat, aptly called The Event, in which, they can share more of their chosen content - fitness, writing, life hacks, gaming, beauty. Subscribers, on the other hand, can come up with challenges for the influencers, interact with them through chat or video interviews, pay for exclusive content and to be released footage. They'll be living in isolation, in a monastery with a very grim past, on a mountain teeming with wild animals, far, far, away from the nearest town. Creepy and seemed kind of fun! Until personalities clash and viewers talk of entities being caught on live video. Is it insanity? Or the paranormal? The only way to find out is to, "Access the lives of those you covet".

READ THIS BOOK!

***
I was so intrigued by the short summary of this book that I knew, I just had to read it. Thank you so much to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for loaning me an ARC in exchange for an impartial review.

You know you've read a great horror book when, hours after you've finished reading, you're still freaked to the nth level. Sarah A. Denzil is amazing!!!

First of all, the monastery setting and the isolated conditions, gave me The Nun meets The Shining vibes. Never mind that I can't even imagine what a monastery looks like. Just the thought that it was 200 years old, used to be abandoned, with a sinister past, is enough to creep me out!

Second, this book sucked the normal out of a situation or a concept, as if it were a mask and let me see the evil that lurks within. Take The Event's tagline, for example. "Access the lives of those you covet." I sure scoffed at this blatant show of narcissism and voyeurism 'til I realized this IS happening in real life.

And then the mysteries that surround the story, was told in such a way that filled me with so much doubt, being able to guess some things made me consider the state of my own sanity (it does take one to know one, right?) 😅

Finally, just when I thought I knew how this was all going to pan out, I figured wrong. (wait. isn't this better?) At first I didn't quite agree with it. But as I was mulling it over, it made perfect sense and it left me with this chilling question:

What's more terrifying? Horrors committed by humans? Or those committed by the unknown?

Four social media influencers are invited by “the most famous influencer in the world” to a month long, live streamed, monetized event at an abandoned monastery in the Carpathian Mountains of Transylvania. This monastery is believed by locals to be cursed and has a tragic and bloody history. "There are those who claim the ghosts walking the corridors of Sfântul Mihail are not ghosts at all." “Eagle-eyed live-stream followers all around the globe notice a sixth participant. A dark figure lurking in the background. Who--or what--is in the monastery with them?”

So yeah, I was excited for this one, and I’m happy to say that it did not disappoint. It’s well written, original, and entertaining from beginning to end. There’s some strong ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ vibes, and a little bit of ‘The Shining’ too. It’s easily one of my favorite reads of the year.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early review copy.