When the dead rose, Spence burned down a restaurant to save his coworkers and destroyed dozens of zombies. Except, the dead never rose, and Spence was one of the millions who succumbed to a disease that made them hallucinate the end of the world. Now in a treatment facility, Spence tries to help a fellow patient and goes on a quest in search of atonement. The premise is unconventional and quietly horrifying, the unbreakable logic of desperate survival with the guilt that most zombie stories expiate intact. It has parallels in real life, with the narrative framing the Other as monsters, and the fear of just what a person who thinks they see monsters will do.

I adore Devlin's writing style. The repeated short phrases that mean nothing without context and everything with it. You could get some of the prose tattooed on your skin, this book is that beautiful. Devlin has mastered his craft and I eagerly await what he has next in store.

✨ BOOK REVIEW ✨
Omg this little book packs a punch.

At a little under 200 pages (175-ish) this story follows Spence during a weird plague. Is this a zombie apocalypse novel? Is it a weird COVID adjacent novel? We’re never really sure what caused the apocalypse.

What we are sure of though is that the infected believe there are Others. But are these Others bad? Who’s telling us what’s safe and what’s not?

This whole thing is a story on perspective and narrative and definitely gets you thinking.

And tbh, that’s all I can say without spoiling this novella. I only wish the novella was a little longer to get more background on how this whole thing started and more background on characters.

Be sure to check it out though!

Thank you to @netgalley and @tordotcomlub for my free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spence is living in a zombie apocalypse. But not in any way you might expect. Spence is 'cured' from his delusions, in a rehabilitation center trying to process the world he thought he lived in and what he did to survive in it.
This novella is a wild ride. The characters are incredibly dimensional, and hearing everyone's perspective of what they lived through was intoxicating. I do think it's very possible I just wasn't smart enough to fully understand the depth of this story!
This is a zombie apocalypse, Matrix-esqe mash up. I think it had a lot of smart commentary on narrative and the news/media and how everyone's life experiences create a sort of different reality. However I know I missed the main point of the story, I was so close to understanding it but I just... didn't.
This is absolutely a problem with me and my brain and not the book or author. People smarter than me I'm sure will have a lot of very insightful thoughts about this book.

A very interesting take on the zombie apocalypse genre that, in my opinion, is in direct conversation on how we view and process the presence of viruses now. A smart twist and surprisingly well rounded characters drive this story from mediocre to something that definitely stands out with it play on human psyche, and the constant dread of something being off with reality. My one critique is regarding the writing style, with a stream of consiousness style is very easy to lose the reader if they are not in with the plot from the beginning, it is a matter of taste, but it almost made me quit the book after the second chapter.
I've never heard of the author before this book, the first and only thing that made me ask for an arc of this novella was its cover. A stunning work of colour play building intrigue, immaculate illustration, that caught my attention in a second and begged me to read it.

Ominous titles portrayed on stunning covers that fill me with a sense of dread are a sure fire bet to getting my attention. Whether the book is a science fiction epic, or short jaunt through a fantastical realm, I’m always game when that lethal marketing combination is aimed my way. Malcolm Devlin’s tale of horror was no different. And Then I Woke Up is a terrifying and uncanny portrayal of how one’s perspective can be distorted and weaponized to split reality, causing untold harm to the masses, and forever damaging the individual.

Spence is living out his days amongst the cured. Not that long ago, he had fallen prey to a weird plague that had been sweeping the nation. One night, while working at the restaurant, something horrible happened. A strange stench of rotting meat permeated the air, and the customers began to take on a monstrous form. Spence, along with a group of his coworkers, fought their way out desperately, and ran off to scavenge in this new hostile world. Or so he thinks that’s what happened. He, along with others at Ironside rehabilitation, are quite confused as to what is real, and what isn’t. And when a new patient shows up, and asks him to help her escape and find her old crew, he worries being “cured” may not be what he thinks. And so he sets out in search of a redemption he desperately craves, but what he finds may never scratch that itch.

I did not know what to expect when I picked this book up, but as soon as I entered Devlin’s domain, I was hooked. Spence was an engrossing narrator, dancing between hard facts and his subjective perspective with the ease of a drunken marionette. Devlin made it hard to trust him right away, and it set up a pervading sense of unease that only grew as the story wore on. The slow reveal of Spence’s journey to being cured was handled well, framing it to be a group therapy session that’s been rehearsed, but with the cracks slowly starting to show. Spence’s recitation of his story is both fascinating and stomach churning as he lists explicit details and questions his own motives and perspective. The story never steps away from Spence’s version of events, letting the reader steep in his shattered mind.

The “narrative” as the plague came to be called, is a devilish idea. It’s not fully understood by those who never experienced it, and it’s an even darker ocean for those “cured” of it. Devlin has Spence walk the reader through his conception of it, parroting the sterilized medical and psychological explanations to induce goosebumps. But Spence’s layman translations are haunting and bone deep. They seem silly at first, invoking internet memes years old. However, their implications about our limited knowledge of how the brain works is almost paralytic. I don’t want to get into it too much here, as discovering it through the story is part of the fun. And who’s to say I can even relay it truthfully?

One of my favorite aspects is how Devlin plays with some more recognizable zombie horror tropes and blends them nearly seamlessly with psychological horror. Zombies have been burnt out for a while, and this novella finds a refreshing use for them. And while diving headfirst into the hyper individualistic attitudes that dominate the genre, he questions their utility. Devlin’s counter to the narrative is subtle and and in some ways radical, involving community efforts on a level I rarely see in such stories. It isn’t bright, or flashy and doesn’t wipe away the pain. Instead, the hope it provides is the shadow at the top of the stairs surrounded by light, reaching a hand out to remind you that you’re not alone in the harsh light of reality.

And Then I Woke Up is not for the faint of heart, nor the ironically detached. It seeks to fill one with dread, but a dread that underlies the present human condition. It examines the nature of storytelling, offering sobering observations without over-simplifying and playing the blame game. Devlin nails the horror of isolation and alienation due to the endless waves of competing narratives in a sea of hyper-individuality. The ending reminds the reader, it’s truly hard to trust anyone, especially if you can’t trust yourself, but it’s what one must do. Can’t live otherwise.

Rating: And Then I Woke Up – 9/10
-Alex

An ARC of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts on this book are my own.

I greatly appreciate access to this novella, but I was not invested in this story. I really didn’t understand it. It was very stream of consciousness and I did not like that while reading. The connection to the characters was also not there. I also feel like I missed the horror aspect of story. It seemed that any horror I did see did not show up until about 75% through the novella. I wanted so much more from this. While reading I just wanted to stop and watch 28 Days Later instead to get the vibes the book wasn’t giving.

2 stars.

This was an interesting and quick horror novella about the end of the world. Or maybe it’s not? Hmm… wasn’t too sure what to make of this, so it was probably best I went in blind. I didn’t really connect with the characters and I felt like they were unreliable… but that was the point, right? We are talking about a book that showcases how easy it is for a group of people to be swayed to believe a false narrative over the truth.

And Then I Woke Up is a shining example of an incredible story that can be told in less than 200 pages. This horror novella takes place after a mysterious virus plagues the world, altering the infected's perceptions of reality. Spence, our main character, takes the reader through the weeks leading up to the tipping point of the outbreak, and ultimately what led him to Ironside, the rehabilitation center for the infected.

This book is an incredible read for those who have studied or are fascinated by human psychology. The virus in this book only truly infects those that are susceptible to believing a dangerous narrative, and in turn causes them to see friends, family, and strangers as terrible, vicious monsters. The only option is to try and survive. Riddled with rhetorical questions on the subject of belief and perception, And Then I Woke Up is speculative in a way I found incredibly engaging! I don't think you should go into this book expecting to be so-scared-can't-sleep, but there are plenty of unsettling elements that classify this as a great psychological thriller!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Horror is still a pretty new genre for me, and I get to have that exciting reading experience of working out what I do and don’t like in a certain genre. And this is a big like.

The reading experience throughout this novella feels like one big question mark – as a reader you’re given just enough to be creeped out by the implications, but not quite enough to feel like you have a solid idea of what’s going on – honestly this book could be described as a bit of a trip.

It’s a difficult one to explain, because it’s vague enough to be believable and somewhat plausible, but also you’re not really sure what to believe.

The writing was eerie, trippy and a beautifully simple yet unnerving concept that was so well done, with my only complaint being that I wish this was a full-length novel because I would love to read more about this story and this world. But then again, had it been longer it might have moved more into the typical action/adventure plot line and lost the creepiness of just getting a snapshot of this world and scenario.

This is definitely a good read for those who are new to horror (like me!) It also reminded me quite a lot of a certain Black Mirror episode, but not enough that it felt like a copy – just both having the same beautifully creepy and sinister vibes.

Huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!

Torn between 2.5-3

An untrustworthy narrative in a world where you cannot trust your mind, and that might be in a zombie apocalypse? Twisted horror for sure.

Honestly, horror is a hit or miss for me, and while I didn't love this book for specific pacing and storytelling, the beginning was excellent. The creeping suspicion throughout this book on what was happening and if things were real or not was very well done!

A quick and interesting horror novella about the end of the world...or maybe not. Our narrator is in a rehab facility for the "infected" which at that point I was thinking about In the Flesh, but the truth (or the truth as we got it) is quite different.

I feel like the best thing to do for this book is to go into it blind, so I won't speak too much. But this an engaging story about false narratives and the power of an idea, that I suggest checking out.

If you have ever dreamt of sitting in a group therapy session in a post-apocalyptic Walking Dead-esque world, this book is for you. You are presumably a reformed monster, one of the infected who has been cured and is trying to process and emotionally atone for the horrors committed when you weren't in your right mind. Spence, our narrator and fellow cured monster, is telling this tale to you, explaining the actions that brought him into, out of, and back to the rehabilitation center where you have lived since you "woke up."

It is a quick read -- I read it in about an hour and a half in one go -- with superb pacing that makes it feel even quicker. A little sad, a little grotesque, and hinting at a little social commentary without fully committing to anything too dense, the story packs a lot of content without the kind of heaviness that can result in a sleepless night or book hangover.

Overall it is a surprising treat and highly recommended for anyone wanting a quick hit of something a little creepy.

Content warning: murder, gore, blood

There’s an emerging subgenre in 2022 where a mysterious contagion makes people fly into a rage. While this is part of the premise of this novella, And Then I Woke Up examines the aftermath and the power of narrative when it comes to trauma. A cure isn’t as simple as dealing with It also looks at the power of narrative as it relates to violence and justification.

Deeply introspective with flashbacks to all the trappings of a zombie apocalypse, this is one of the saddest horror stories I’ve ever read.

Spence, our main character, is also older than many protagonists I’ve read about. It lends really well to the introspection that unfolds. There’s also a good rapport between him and the other patients at Ironside. It’s impressive how rounded the side characters are, even though many of them only show up for a sentence or two. The process of “the narrative” shows up as a character in and of itself, and I’d almost argue it’s the antagonist. Leila and Spence mirror off each other wonderfully, the specifics of which are spoilers.

The presentation of the virus in this one is fascinating. Where in many other violent apocalypses, there’s a cinematic element to what the violence and contagion looks like. But in this one, there’s a high possibility it’s all in the afflicted’s head. They think there’s a zombie apocalypse happening, which is what makes them violent. But even that’s up for debate. It’s very subtly depicted as a viral delusion told in various flashbacks that retreads similar scenes.

There’s also a strong theme of compassion and redemption that hides out in the background of the aftermath. The reveals and “what really happened” segments are absolutely devastating as a result. The repetition of specific phrases effectively depicts Spence’s mental state. It’s difficult to be in. But there’s also such clarity to the fractured world beyond Ironside’s four walls. We get to go there. It’s effective in its presentation, and I found myself emotionally flattened.

Survival in this novella is a deeply interior process where the violence happening around the characters isn’t even the most upsetting part.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review a copy of this book! I thought that the idea of this novel was really cool, but I just really couldn't click with the writing style. It was very stream of consciousness/talking to the audience and I just couldn't get sucked into it. I can see why people love this, but it's just not a writing style I mesh with. The gist of this work is that the main character has survived the apocalypse, and is in a facility with others who are debating whether people are turning into monsters/there *are* monsters in the world? (I'm not going to lie I'm a bit unsure, I was pretty distracted by the writing style). This book was definitely a psychological horror, which I didn't realize before diving into it. I think this was an interesting idea but it felt like the story was mostly flashbacks on how we got to present (in the book) circumstances and being sort of an allusion to reality, instead of there really being like...a plot? Again, I can definitely see why people are loving this. It just wasn't really for me. Honestly, I think I would like this more if it was expanded into a novel and was given a bit more room to expand and breathe--therefore I will definitely check out more by this author in the future! AMAZING cover, though, whoever designed it needs a kiss on the forehead.

Thank you, Tordotcom, for allowing me to read And Then I Woke Up early!

This book was horrifying, but in all the best ways possible. I adored every single letter, word, sentence, paragraph, page, chapter. The way the story's reality is so unreliable captivated me spectacularly. It was original and thrilling. It bears repeating: I adored it.

This was a really interesting little horror novella using a (maybe?) zombie apocalypse to talk about false narratives people believe. It feels very apropos of what is happening in the real world with fake news, culture wars, and people believing all kinds of narratives driven by charismatic people.

And Then I Woke Up is a story told by a man who has lived through this apocalyptic event where many people believe that others are turning into zombies. But are they really? This man has supposedly been "cured" and can now see the truth. But what is real?

Definitely worth a read and I'd be curious to see more from this author in the future. I received an advance copy of this book for review via NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

Acabei descobrindo um tipo de narrativa que eu não sabia que gostava até ler esse livro.

Essa é uma novela de horror psicológico em que acompanhamos um paciente em um centro de reabilitação que acredita estar "curado" da doença que tinha.

Acho que isso pode ser um bom ponta pé para você entrar de cabeça nessa história, acho que quanto menos souber, melhor!

Quando você abrir esse livro pra ler, vai ver muito caos, pânico, tristeza, apocalipse zumbi e outras coisas que vai fazer você duvidar se o que está acontecendo é ou não real, pois além do nosso narrador principal, todos os outros pontos de vista dessa história não são confiáveis.

Esse definitivamente não é um livro fácil de ler, mesmo tendo uma narrativa rápida.

*Agradeço a Tor e ao NetGalley por ter me fornecido uma copia do eARC.

I was not expecting to like this as much as I did! I’m not a huge fan of zombie stories- I feel like they’re a bit one note. But, I’ve never read one like this before!

This novella is such a unique take on the zombie apocalypse. While I didn’t particularly care about any of the characters, except for Leila, I couldn’t stop reading it. I just had to know how it was going to play out.

Definitely recommend!

This novella is a unique take on our modern boogey-men, where a virus plants seeds of doubt and paranoia in it's victims until they see the non-infected as zombies that need purging. This story is not trite -- as we step through the view of different characters as certain scenes are told and replayed the pathos and tension builds.

The didactic, repetitive tone from our unabashedly unreliable narrator, Spence, ("This is what happened. This is what happened.") drives the plot forward in a way that makes you wary, uncertain of what you are reading and the actual shape of reality in this world. What can you believe when trust itself is broken?

The story ends on an unclear note - a perfect conclusion to reflect the persuadable truths we deal with today.