Synopsis
In October of 2013, Drew Hayes began posting a story to his website. Written over the 13 days leading up to Halloween, when each chapter ended the next step was chosen by the readers. Sometimes this led to great discoveries and triumphs, other paths led to Dead Ends, though even in those there was much to be gleaned.
For ten years, this tradition occurred, until in the year of 2022, the readers chose a finale.
This is their story: a tale of deaths and decisions that spanned a decade.
Review
Thanks so much to Netgalley and Tantor audio for the ARC.
Man, this was just delightful…and I actually thought that several times while listening. Now I’ve heard of short stories, novellas, and even novels being written for author’s sites or patreons, but this is (or would have been at the time) an amalgamation of one of those with a crowd-style choose your own adventure. One that lasted for a decade! As the story inevitably built up to a decision, the author would offer up choices, and the readers would choose what or where or when or how. And while this is a collection of that decade’s long project, I really enjoyed that the audio still had the polls and then told you the decision people made. It felt unique and also allowed new readers to live a little vicariously through readers of the past.
Best friend (of the consistently drunk and high variety) Jim and magical member of an old family of All Hallow’s Eve Victoria, must help you on your journey to…well help them, or, help Victoria out most often actually. I loved the author’s use of the term/word “you” as it broke a lot of the normal constructs I think of for writing. And while most of those lessons pertained to essay writing in school, I still would never refer to a character as just you. It heightened the old school, it’s really YOU, choose-your-own path feel and I enjoyed how the author eventually tied it into the story’s lore. Jim, although I realize he must have appeared much younger as a college roommate, really brought to mind Doc from Z Nation. The cadence, the drug and alcohol use, the comedic timing, all felt reminiscent of that character, and he worked perfectly for a decade! Victoria, while introduced truly toward the end of year one, is actually the impetus that allowed the author to grow outward and continue on. She’s strong, snappy, and deep down kind of a really loyal person, all her power included.
I think year one is my favorite. As the original, I think it is also the longest. The best halloween party of the year, one so serious that if your costume sucks, you don’t get in. A bit of witchy dust and your wizard costume is not only way better than before, but totally and absolutely awesomely real. Like what are the chances you are now a freaking real wizard. From there, can’t you see the options are limitless? And not only that, those original readers actually got to decide for themselves.
Unique, refreshing, and filled with adventure, laughs, and a solid amount of heart. I really enjoyed that whenever a choice was made that felt out of character the author would literally start with something snarky, or the scene would ultimately lead to a dead end. I can’t imagine the amount of time and effort this must have taken, I’m truly impressed. Sorry to say though, I’d like a sequel decade…
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