I really had a hard time getting into this I book, so I unfortunately did not finish this book. I think it does have good promise, however, at this point in life, it was hard for me to really enjoy this story.

Dnf at 20%

Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into this book. I think the concept is really cool, a series of vignettes from items in a pawn shop, but the execution was lacking for me. Each “item” has a personification that narrates its life intermixed with a more standard narration. I found these bits absolutely insufferable. The stories were not allowed to stand in their own, these little item narrations had to spoonfeed the reader a theme. Also, in the few stories I made it through important and complicated topics were glossed over, while the narrative gave these shallow explorations the accolades of a deeper work.

ESP Pawn Chronicles is an anthology of pawned items. The items are anthropomorphic and given personalities based on their origin. Each item has a backstory that can sometimes be considered controversial. I appreciated the story brought up themes of racism and trauma.

I loved the relationship of the shop owner as well as the shop owner's family. I would have like to see more character development with characters in the anthology stories. The situation is presented, but then the end of the story is presented quickly. I would have liked less objects to leave room for more development of the individual stories.

I thought this book was so clever, the idea of a pawn shop that has items and a psychic who can see into them was so good. I found this a really interesting read.

ESP Pawn Chronicles was an interesting read, but it didn’t fully land for me. I appreciated the concept and the attempt at blending supernatural elements with a gritty, urban setting, but some parts felt uneven and the pacing dragged in places.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This is a really brilliant concept. I love that the author detailed so many objects for this collection. There was so much here to sink my teeth into, and it made for a really good read.

I think the idea of a pawn shop that collects objects with a psychic who can see into them is really novel and quite good. Some were fantastical, others were very much grounded in reality, and it makes for a really interesting read. I enjoyed learning about the characters around the objects too, especially as they made their way around the slightly curious world they were part of.

I do feel like some of them weren’t quite as detailed or well-developed as others, and some were a little childish, but they were still a lot of fun. I think the other thing that could have been improved was more characterisation and development for the people in the story, but I also understand that we were following the objects more than the people.

This is a really lovely debut book, and I think there’s a lot of potential for this author to really kick it out of the park in future. Keen to see more from him one day!

ESP Pawn Chronicles was an interesting read, but it didn’t fully land for me. I appreciated the concept and the attempt at blending supernatural elements with a gritty, urban setting, but some parts felt uneven and the pacing dragged in places. The characters had potential, though I didn’t feel as deeply connected to them as I hoped. Overall, it was a decent read with flashes of creativity, but it didn’t quite stick with me.

Loved the setting and the whole concept.
However there seems like something is missing. I couldn't make a proper connection.
I can see how it can grab the attention of a lot of people, and really the concept is cool.
I just couldn't get super involved.
Still cool.

Stories of cursed objects in a pawn shop? Sign me up! The stories all had a good creep factor and it was intriguing to learn the backgrounds of all of the objects.

Spooky stories that center around cursed objects in a pawn shop. Each story lends perfectly to the object that it's about and the past of the objects--their history--is great to see as well. Really enjoyed the read!

The overall premise of this book was fantastic. The setting is a family owned eerie pawnshop. Within, it is filled with good and evil objects. It’s goes through each object’s “story”. I think we can all agree some objects can harbor negative energy, so it was exciting to see someone bring that to life. I’m not huge on short stories, but that’s a me problem. The writing itself was done well and kept me entertained throughout.

Giving personality and elaborate backgrounds and history to items within a pawn shop is so creative. I loved the mix of "evil" to "good" items. This book has me considering the history of some of the items within my own home from the cloth of a blanket to kitchen items picked up from second hand stores.

Such a unique collection of stories! I genuinely loved every minute of it, and love that we see things from a different perspective.

Technical issues with the file have made it impossible for me too read it so I can't really give any feedback on the book itself.

ESP Pawn Chronicles by Mike Diaz who also did the cover! So, that's just really cool.

The cover is what drew me to the book and the title. I like a slightly spooky story that is just a little off the more you read and learn about it. Like the twilight zone or welcome to nightvale.

Right at the beginning the story is like someone is just siting across a table from you and talking. Short and sidebar details are just dropped for you to pick up along the way.

The stories inside are short and meaningful with fun characters. I'm impressed to know so much about them with so few words. This setting of the pawnshop and the stories inside is a really fun read that is perfect for fall or to read between going to antique shops yourself.

The items get their own voices in the story to argue their case or to take us back in time to where their story began or to when they gained their purpose or meaning,

no spoilers, my favorites are Forgotten Treasure and It's not Jaws.

Set in a pawnshop that hums with eerie energy, the book invites readers to browse shelves lined with cursed coins, haunted VHS tapes, and time-warped gadgets—each item a portal to a tale that defies logic and bends emotion. Diaz’s prose is taut and evocative, conjuring a mood that’s part Twilight Zone, part Black Mirror, and wholly original. The stories don’t just entertain—they whisper, they warn, they linger like the scent of old smoke in your clothes.

What makes this collection so atmospheric is its sense of quiet dread and wonder. The shop itself feels like a liminal space, suspended between dimensions, where forgotten objects pulse with memory and consequence. Diaz doesn’t just write stories—he excavates them, peeling back layers of the mundane to reveal the uncanny truths beneath. Whether it’s a gadget that rewinds time or a relic that reshapes identity, each tale is a reckoning, a mirror held up to the reader’s own fears and desires. It's a book best read at night, when the world is quiet and the strange feels just a little closer than usual.

Thank you to NetGalley and Primedia eLaunch LLC for this ARC!

It was ok for me! I'm not a big fan of multiple short stories person! Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this in an exchange for an honest review!

I know some readers may hesitate to pick up an indie collection of short stories, but I think this one is worth a look. I appreciated the variety of settings and the creative use of different objects. There’s a strong focus on meaningful themes like friendship, the value of a joyful childhood, the importance of loving relationships, and taking personal responsibility. My favorites were “Life and Time,” “One Summer to Remember,” and “The Skull.”
Some stories were a bit challenging to follow, especially when multiple layers of flashbacks were used. Not every story had a dramatic twist or a hard-hitting ending, which I tend to enjoy, though that may come down to personal preference.
Readers should note that many of the stories include adult language and themes.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a free copy.

Okay, so this was fun in a “paranormal spy thriller meets street-level grit” kind of way. Think: psychics, government conspiracies, and a main character who’s like if your cousin with trust issues suddenly started reading minds. The plot moves fast—almost too fast in spots—but it’s packed with action and enough twists to keep me flipping pages.

I didn’t get super deep emotional connection (which I tend to need), but the concept is strong and if this becomes a series, I’ll stick around. I liked the chaotic blend of science fiction, supernatural, and that underground rebellion energy. It’s giving graphic novel vibes in the best way.