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A review by marginmuse
Risen Apes by Vana Elaire
4.0
Risen Apes was an experience that left me with more questions than answers, but in the greatest way possible. From the first page, I was drawn into the gothic world of Vale Academy, where science and the supernatural are constantly at odds and nothing is ever quite as it seems.
The tale follows Damianos Eaton, a man haunted by a near-death experience, and Rickter Han, a cynical supermodel who suffers from sleep paralysis. Their paths converge at the academy, where the line between science and the supernatural blurs. As they go deeper into their studies of astral projection and metaphysical phenomena, they discover alarming truths about the academy's evil past. The suspense is palpable, with the boundary between reality and the paranormal continuously moving, creating an unsettling, evocative environment.
What I liked best about Risen Apes was its philosophical undercurrents. The story is about more than just mystery and suspense; it also questions the nature of truth and knowing. It made me think about how much we're prepared to risk in search of answers, especially when those answers could cost us more than just our sanity. The characters' psychological depth was riveting, with Damianos and Rickter dealing with their own inner torment in genuine and authentic ways.
While the novel does explore darker issues such as suicide, death, and sexual material, it does so with purpose and never feels gratuitous. The stakes feel personal, and each twist in the story made me question the fundamental nature of what was going on at Vale. The tension gradually rises, drawing you deeper into the mystery, and the ending is both satisfying and haunting.
Risen Apes is not for the faint of heart, but it is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dark academia and metaphysical thrillers. The combination of atmospheric language, philosophical concepts, and suspenseful storytelling kept me flipping pages well into the night. If you're seeking for a novel that will make you doubt reality, this one is definitely worth reading.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.
The tale follows Damianos Eaton, a man haunted by a near-death experience, and Rickter Han, a cynical supermodel who suffers from sleep paralysis. Their paths converge at the academy, where the line between science and the supernatural blurs. As they go deeper into their studies of astral projection and metaphysical phenomena, they discover alarming truths about the academy's evil past. The suspense is palpable, with the boundary between reality and the paranormal continuously moving, creating an unsettling, evocative environment.
What I liked best about Risen Apes was its philosophical undercurrents. The story is about more than just mystery and suspense; it also questions the nature of truth and knowing. It made me think about how much we're prepared to risk in search of answers, especially when those answers could cost us more than just our sanity. The characters' psychological depth was riveting, with Damianos and Rickter dealing with their own inner torment in genuine and authentic ways.
While the novel does explore darker issues such as suicide, death, and sexual material, it does so with purpose and never feels gratuitous. The stakes feel personal, and each twist in the story made me question the fundamental nature of what was going on at Vale. The tension gradually rises, drawing you deeper into the mystery, and the ending is both satisfying and haunting.
Risen Apes is not for the faint of heart, but it is a must-read for anyone who enjoys dark academia and metaphysical thrillers. The combination of atmospheric language, philosophical concepts, and suspenseful storytelling kept me flipping pages well into the night. If you're seeking for a novel that will make you doubt reality, this one is definitely worth reading.
✧˖°. ⤷ I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.