I was sold on the Stranger Things meets Walking Dead. And the setting is a small seaside town? All right up my early. The setting makes the story immersive and I felt like I truly was living in the 80s. I enjoy books that take out the technology of cellphones and computers. A little too much switching between POVs at times, but otherwise a dark and fun story..

This book is based on an urban legend video game that messes with the people who play with it. They start by becoming almost addicted to it and then start acting differently. The craze for the game spreads like a virus into the community.

It had a great concept, but it fell flat for me. However, it did have great vibes of the 1980s era on which it was based and it was quite fun. I can’t pinpoint exactly what it lacked, but it did drag on at times and the pacing seemed off. I think some extra editing might help spruce this up a bit.

I still recommend this to anyone who loves nostalgic urban legends based in the 80s. I would give this 3.5 stars and round up to 4 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley and Gallery Books for giving me a DRC of this book. The opinion in this review is my own.

2⭐️

The premise of this book was really interesting and fairly unique. A retro video game causing the community members become obsessive and aggressive. I really liked this concept but unfortunately it just wasn't executed great.

This book really struggled with pacing and too many povs. It was really hard to get connected with any of the characters. The pacing also was a bit all over the place. Super fast at times while dragging during others.

I think readers who enjoy the nostalgia of this feeling in the 80s/90s could enjoy this.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books. My review is voluntarily my own.

A new video game console shows up at the arcade where Andi works. She’s a wiz with machines and keeps the games running. When people become addicted to the game and it leads to violent behavior, Andi finds that this console is unlike anything she’s ever seen. With Ro, the sherrif’s son, Andi sets out to find out where Polybius came from and if there’s a way to stop its vicious hold on players.

I listened to a podcast about Polybius a few years ago, and I’ve been fascinated with the urban legend of such a mysterious video game. So when I saw this fiction book, I immediately wanted to read it.

Unfortunately, it fell a little short for me. I think it was a difficult undertaking to mold an utban legend into a fully fleshed out narrative that’s compelling and well-rounded. I liked the idea and the overall plot, but I got a tad bored in the middle. I felt that the story dragged a little. It was a solid effort, however, and if you like slasher vibes with a video game twist and 80s/90s nostalgia, this one might be for you.

Wow... that was.. something..

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. A game that brain washed it players, conspiracies.. all that.

The writing style was a little harder for me but all around was a great read!

A new game has come to town, and everyone’s dying to play it… There, that’s my R.L. Stine hook of the day. Polybius, a new game cabinet bought at auction, is making waves in the seaside town of Tasker Bay, a rapidly gentrifying cove where locals are being priced out of their homes. Everyone who plays it seems to be addicted, and finds themselves becoming more aggressive and paranoid after. Based on the urban legend of the same name, it’s a video game-fueled adventure.
There’s a few glaring plot holes that (for me) took away from the book because they were so obvious.
(Spoilers below)
Somewhere in the middle, when our group of heroes are trying to find a way to stop the town from becoming addicted to the game… when one of the main characters has already opened the cabinet and taken it apart, and has the capability of destroying it/making it unplayable without anyone knowing or being able to fix it, she just— doesn’t do it?
Another character wants to destroy it, so he tries breaking into an auction house rather than just… buying it at the auction? He considers it so dangerous that he wants to break into this auction house, yet doesn’t just… stick around to see who it’s loaded up and shipped off to?
The government is apparently tapping everyone’s phone and that’s how they find out that people have played the game… but they didn’t step in sooner to destroy it or secure it? Seems like it would be far more likely that the government would have seen Andi’s post rather than having a single person dedicated to listening to him 24/7 – and after all if they were tracking him the whole time, they should have been able to step in earlier.

I didn’t get Stranger Things or Walking Dead vibes, but that’s not to say it wasn’t a fun read. It reminded me of The Troop (Nick Cutter), with the government involvement and sacrifice of civilians because of a poorly-managed danger. The story was compelling, this just wasn’t a clear knockout for me, and I think it could have been.

I was very eager to read this based on the description, however, the execution fell flat. The author is used to writing scripts and it definitely showed. It did not make for a compelling novel style and I found myself struggling to be immersed in the story - especially since the mystery behind the game’s existence is revealed 100+ pages from the end. The ending was a bit disappointing. I think the author was going for dark suspense but nothing much happens except for violence and big explosions.

The premise of the story was great and I really liked the main characters. I did feel the pacing was off through the first half and I really hoped for more at the end. It felt very abrupt. With that being said, this was still a solid story. Very creative!

An anxiety fueled suspenseful read, Armstrong has crafted a horror/psychological thriller that fleshes out the urban legend of Polybius, an arcade game that had strange effects on those who played it, a unique spin on the virus/epidemic sub genre, infused with the essence of 80s horror cinema and a pervasive sense of tension this was a wild ride and kept me hooked from beginning to end.

Polybius is a fast paced sci-fi thriller. Based on the urban legend of a video game created by the government.
The book follows Andi, a teenager in a new town, she takes a job at an arcade fixing the machines. When her boss acquires a new game Polybius all hell breaks loose. The game proves to be addictive and takes over the townspeople causing lines out the door and fistfights over who plays next.
The story follows a few key players including Andi’s mom who is a local dr. She treats people with bizarre symptoms that get traced back to Polybius.
This book drew me in with his cover and description but it did not disappoint! It’s the perfect balance of sci-fi, horror and even a little romance thrown in. I loved this book and all its 80s nostalgia.
Thanks to NetGalley for this digital ARC

As a fan of urban legends, I was surprised to find one I didn't know about called Polybius. It wasn't until I finished reading this book that I discovered that bit of information. That said, whether you know of this legend or not, you will love this one. The author excelled at creating an old-school atmosphere with his descriptive, engaging writing style. His take on this legend was brilliant, in my opinion. For an author to take an old story and make it their own, and make it good, has a unique kind of talent. The characters were well constructed, with each having their own distinct personalities and traits that you will either love or hate in equal measure. This was eerie, intense, and downright creepy. Horror readers will devour this one, and I give it four stars.

Thank you, Netgalley and Gallery Books, for this ARC.

Andi, a loner high school student with a knack for hardware uncovers a mystery in the form of an arcade game. She and her new friend (and fellow student) Ro track down the source of the mysterious game as their small town descends into chaos and violence.

This book reads like a horror film from the 80s— the sort of tried and true “comfort food” for folks who want the feeling of an old school, buddy adventure with a side of horror. The writing is straightforward and the plot moves along at a good clip. While some of the “descent into madness” part of the story is a bit slow for my taste, I still thought this was a solid and recommendable read. I’d definitely save this rec for Halloween time— it’s best read for spooky season.

Collin Armstrong’s Polybius is a mind-bending, pulse-pounding thriller that grips you from the very first page. This novel masterfully blends elements of sci-fi, horror, and psychological suspense, creating a chilling atmosphere that lingers long after the final page.

Armstrong's vivid descriptions and intricate plot weave a captivating tale of a small town consumed by a mysterious arcade game. As the characters become increasingly unhinged, the tension escalates, leaving the reader breathless. The author's deft handling of suspense and his ability to create genuinely unsettling moments make this a truly unforgettable read.

Polybius is a must-read for fans of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. It's a thrilling ride that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Hard to believe this a debut! I’ve always loved horror built around epidemics, viruses, and this was such a unique take on the genre. There is a constant build up of tension starting almost at the beginning, and this definitely kept me at the edge of my seat. There is als good character development. A wonderful new addition to the world of horror and I can’t wait for future books! Thanks for the opportunity to read in advance!

This had me on edge the entire time I was reading it and I ate this book up.

It’s pretty obvious what’s going on early in the book, however the horror aspect comes from the build and escalation which I felt was really well done. I was constantly anxious about how things spiraled out of control in the town.

Rooted in an authentic urban legend, the most terrifying thing about ‘Polybius’ the novel is that there’s enough doses of realism throughout to make you believe that something like this could really happen. This is a fantastic debut and I look forward to Armstrong’s future works.

Thank you for the e-arc!

Polybius is based on the urban legend about the arcade game of the same name that mysteriously surfaced in arcades during the '80s and had strange effects on those who played it. Collin Armstrong's novel fleshes out this tantalizing idea and does not disappoint.

The action unfolds in the quaint town of Tasker Bay, California. The owner of a small arcade introduces Polybius, and soon, the entire town is gripped by the game's allure. As the story progresses, the excitement escalates, leading to a series of bizarre and violent events.

Polybius is accurately described as a blend of Stranger Things and The Walking Dead, but it reminded me of the eerie atmosphere of an X-Files episode. The pacing is masterful and the escalating tension kept me hooked until the very end.

What kept this from being a five-star read is that it's overwritten. There was a lot of telling rather than showing, which was too bad because Armstrong is an excellent writer! More than one character was given a two-sentence biography (she's so-and-so's cousin, she works at such-and-such) only to be killed in the following sentence. I didn't need the first two sentences; getting right to the carnage would have been fine. Basically, it could have done with a round of ruthless editing to make the most of the otherwise excellent pacing.

A must-read if you grew up hearing the urban legend, and a must-read if you didn't but love a good action-packed mystery. Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the eARC.

Collin Armstrong’s Polybius delivers a chilling blend of 1980s nostalgia and supernatural horror, reimagining the urban legend of a sinister arcade game with gripping intensity. The characters, particularly Andi and Ro, are richly developed, navigating the eerie unraveling of their town as the game’s dark influence spreads. While the plot treads familiar ground for horror fans, the atmospheric writing and intriguing premise make it a standout read.

I had such high hopes for this one! Nostalgia vibes, people acting weird because of a video game… sounds great. Unfortunately, it was sooooo slow I lost interest :(

Collin Armstrong’s Polybius is an enthralling debut novel that blends 1980s nostalgia with supernatural horror. Drawing on the urban legend of the mysterious arcade game rumored to induce bizarre effects, Armstrong crafts a story that is part Stranger Things, part The Walking Dead. Set in the quiet coastal town of Tasker Bay, the narrative follows Andi, a tech-savvy teen trying to save money to return to her Silicon Valley home, and Ro, the sheriff's son with a growing crush on her. Their lives intertwine when a mysterious arcade game, Polybius, arrives in the local shop, bringing chaos and psychological mayhem to the town.

The novel excels in building suspense and atmosphere, vividly capturing the eerie events as the game’s influence drives residents into paranoia and violence. The small-town setting, combined with a raging coastal storm, enhances the claustrophobic and unsettling mood. Armstrong also delves into themes of isolation, community breakdown, and resilience, offering both an engaging plot and emotional depth.

While the characters, especially Andi and Ro, are compelling, some plot elements feel reminiscent of familiar horror tropes. Critics have noted that the book sometimes leans heavily on well-worn ideas without fully exploring some of its unique concepts. However, the storytelling remains sharp, and the prose effectively balances action with introspection.

Polybius is a thrilling and thought-provoking read, perfect for fans of retro-themed horror and suspenseful, character-driven stories. It’s a nostalgic yet fresh exploration of the dark side of technology and human behavior.

**I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.**

Combines so many of my favorite elements of supernatural horror-- urban legends surrounding lost, haunted, or cursed media being one of them. Riveting and scary and deeply satisfying!