Synopsis:
Seven strangers – with no memories of who they are – must undertake a terrifying journey into the heart of darkness.
A man awakes on a boat at sea with no memory of who or where he is. He’s not alone – there are six others, each with a unique set of skills. None of them can remember their names. All of them are armed.
When a message appears on the onboard computer – Proceeding to Point A – the group agrees to work together to survive whatever is coming.
But as the boat moves through the mist-shrouded waters, divisions begin to form. Who is directing them and to what purpose? Why can’t they remember anything?
And what are the screams they can hear beyond the mist?
Review:
I was sent a copy of Red River Seven by Orbit in exchange for an honest review.
Red River Seven captured my imagination so badly that I literally had a nightmare inspired by the events of the book. Something I can’t say happens to me very often. Mix the scream-making creatures and the creepy as hell mist-shrouded London I know so well and it was perfect nightmare fuel.
I think I read this in just a few days. I only put it down when I had to and I would’ve read it in one sitting if that had been possible. All 270 pages of Red River Seven is packed with action, there’s no relief for our characters and the reader is as in the dark about the unfolding events as they are. A quote on the book cover compares the book to Resident Evil and that’s a pretty perfect comparison!
With the majority of the surroundings constantly covered in mist A.J. Ryan has to rely on his characters, sounds and glimpses of bridges/boats/riverbanks to keep the reader engaged and tell the story. He masterfully achieved this as I was hooked. Red River Seven is atmospheric, it’s creepy and it’ll play on your most primal fears.
The seven strangers know nothing of their identities, the identities of those they’re being instructed by or of the apocalypse that has occurred. I loved discovering everything alongside the characters as it gave the feeling of everything happening in real time. Living and working in London meant all of the landmarks are extremely familiar to me and I could picture everything in terrifying detail.
This is one of my favourite reads of the year. Listen to all the hype and read it.
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