This story had some definite surprises for me. Great read.
Many thanks to Permuted Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

am a total sucker for a story about a creepy house or building, so this was totally up my alley! This one is more sci-fi than horror, which isn't what I expected, but I really enjoyed it!

I'm sorry I was not able to read and review this book before it was archived, due to serious health issues.

14 is a book that had a lot of secrecy attached to it, Peter had hinted about it in various interviews and blog posts. I compiled a blogpost wherein some of its mystery was mentioned So when I got a review copy of the book, I was prompt to start the book and find out what was the big mystery at the core of the book.

The best and worst part about reviewing this book is its central plot and how much a reviewer can describe of it. In this regards this book becomes a very tough cookie to talk about, leave alone review it in its entirety. The book plot begins with Nate who is in LA and is looking for a new apartment, he hears about this new place that is really cheap and fills in the application for it. Upon getting acceptance he moves in and finds that as the building and its occupants are odder than they appear. Beginning with the building manager Oskar and right down to cockroaches found in the building, that have a emerald tinge to them. His curiosity soon gets ahead of him and he soon starts discovering that the building might be much older than is apparent and also server a purpose much more meaningful than other deemed important by human minds.

The biggest mystery along with the host of the other smaller ones is for the reader to discover as the author intended. The tale is very much like an episode of the Twilight Zone with a huge helping of LOST mythology and secrets. The reader is slowly taken through the mystery of the building as does the main character Nate, drawing in on a host of influences and backgrounds, Peter Clines has written a fine story. The mysteries are several and range from the miniscule to major ones however the trick is in recognizing which is what.

The best part of the story that it shares with LOST, is its terrific characterization, beginning from the main character and to all the side character cast, the author has given all of the characters interesting personalities and it makes the story come alive. The reader gets invested in the characters wanting to know more and thereby as a result feels much more attuned with the overall direction of the story. Characterization has always been a strong point of Peter seen in his Ex-Heroes books as well as the short story collection “The Junkie Quatrain” and this trend continues colorfully in this story as well.

Another fact that I liked about the story and one that strengthens its connections to the LOST-like setting is the mythology and background present in the story, tracing its roots to a couple of famous scientists as well as literary figures. The story veers back in to SF and horror territory smoothly and then back into a character study. The humor and character bickering are also spectacularly present thereby giving the reader a fun read as well thereby alleviating the story’s darker parts. Lastly the author’s nods to pop culture, Hollywood and other literary works made this book a fun one and like LOST has some connection to the plot as well.

The only thing that I felt went against the book was it is a standalone and at the end of the book, the reader gets this intense feeling of wanting to know more about the world and possible future/fate of several characters as well as exploring more of the history and the reason for the creation of the Kavach. The last word means something in Marathi, my mother tongue and so it was quite exciting for me to see its use in this book with the proper context.

CONCLUSION: Peter Clines takes a well thought concept and creatively expands on it to give the readers an excellent mix of The Twilight Zone, LOST & H.P. Lovecraft, this is a story for all the people who want something interesting to read and get a complete story in the end. Read it and find out why Peter Clines needs to heralded as one of SFF’s rising superstars.

I did not have a chance to read this book, but it is effecting my feedback rating. I am giving books 5 stars that I haven't read to improve my feedback rating. I am not recommending the book for my classroom or students since I have not read the book. There needs to be a better system of leaving feedback for books not read.

When Nate moves into his new apartment and sees apartment 14 with padlocks outside the door, he thinks it's strange, but the rent is low and it seems like a nice place so he thinks nothing of it. But with mutant cockroaches, his kitchen light only emitting glowing black light no matter what bulb he puts in, and his neighbours apartments all totally different than what they should be, He starts to realise that there is something strange about this place. But the more he digs, the more questions are raised and Nate needs help to get to the bottom of it. With the help of Xela, Veek, Tim and some more of his neighbours, they soon find out that a locked door is locked for a reason!!

This book totally exceeded my expectations! I thought that it was a horror, and while it is, it's also a mystery. an adventure and a sci fi book all rolled into one incredible read.

The plot was slow to start and took a while to fully get going, but the build up was much needed and the suspense of what the building was just made it all the more exciting. When we find out the answers to some of the questions I actually gasped out loud because it was amazingly done!!! You think you know where it's going, but believe me when I say that you have no idea! The first half of the book is setting the scene for the twists and turns of the second half!! It was expertly done.

There are quite a few characters, but all play a part and all are well written and developed. I loved Nate, he is an ordinary guy who hates his job and is just trying to save money by moving into the apartment. The little things about the place start to niggle at him and he has t get to the bottom of the mystery. He was tenacious! Veek was a mystery because of all her computer equipment and I loved finding out what she did. Tim was another mystery because of his knowledge and the way he "read that in a book"!! I became invested in each of them and their story.

In all, this book was amazing. It had so many elements that I love in a book and I devoured it. There are times where you might have to suspend disbelief but it just makes it more enjoyable to read!! A truly unique, imaginative and surprising read and one I highly recommend.