Red on the Inside

Awake in the Dark #3

by Tim McBain, L.T. Vargus

The Awake in the Dark saga continues.The events of Bled White (Awake in the Dark #2) leave Grobnagger drained, often struggling to keep from falling asleep. He shuffles through life half awake, half tethered to reality. He still has no idea what is happening to him, but he's not sure he even cares anymore.When those that mean him harm finally begin to assert themselves, however, Grobnagger finds himself and his friends under direct threat of death. Plans are made to cross over and rescue Amity once and for all from her vulnerable position in the other world. But his adversaries are one step ahead and a violent spectacle becomes inevitable. His adventures to this point may have changed him some, but now Grobnagger will never be the same.What readers are saying about Red on the Inside:"'Red on the Inside' is a metaphysical mindfreak that had me pondering my existence for hours after I put the book down." - Liza Robbins"So far the best book of the series in my opinion... I'll be eagerly awaiting the next installment." - Jeff Gilpin"Everything in the story is so clear that I often felt like I was right there in the world they created." - Heather DiAngelisPraise for the Awake in the Dark "Fade to Black is the funniest book I've read in... I can't remember how long. Seriously funny. I think I laughed out loud roughly once every three pages. That's a lot of funny packed into one book! And not just an internal chuckle here and there, but an honest to goodness laugh out loud that made my significant other call, 'What?' from the next room repeatedly." - Lisbeth Ames"(FADE TO BLACK) weirdly resonates with me. It is sneaky in a way – it holds the things we fear up to the light – opening the reader up to honesty – to love and hope and the truths of our souls found in the darkest of nights. It’s weird and dark and twisted – and real. And I recommend the trip." - Leiah Cooper, SoIReadThisBookToday.com"Buy it, read it, laugh your butt off over it and trust me you’ll likely love the heck out of this book." - Horror Chick, agirlsguidetohorror.com"I don't normally give five stars, but "Fade to Black" gets five stars from me for one I haven't been this excited about a book in a long time. As I mentioned earlier, I am eagerly awaiting the second novel in the series, because I have to see what happens. It kind of reminds me of the feeling I got the first time I watched Lost, the TV series. It feels like my eyes have been opened to a universe of possibilities, and I cannot wait to see how McBain and Vargus explore that world." - E. Branden Hart, emptysinkpublishing.com"Grobnagger's narration is hilarious. There are going to be times while reading this that you find yourself laughing even while he's breaking your heart." - eden Hudson, author of HALO BOUND"Chuck Palahniuk (crossed with) the Dean Koontz Odd Thomas series." - Drunkle Dan, The Drunken Beardsmen podcast

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2015

Reviews

[Elizabeth Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Book 3 totally blew me away...It was actually worth the wait. "Red on the Inside" is a metaphysical mindfreak that had me pondering my existence for hours after I put the book down. I recommend re-reading Fade to Black and Bled White first, unless you have really good retention, so you don't get lost in book 3. Grobnagger and Glenn have many "astral adventures" in this continuation of the series. There's murder and mayhem, resurrections, bloody gore, and existentialism. Everything I liked about the series, so far, multiplied! The ending was a complete surprise. Absolutely worth every penny you pay for it. Love, love, love it!

[Audrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea of the story is excellent, however the follow-through was severely lacking. I was so disappointed in character development, and the self-loathing of the main character became too much. The first book had enough to peak my interest. The second book started off good, then hopped on the loose-strings-bus and everything just went downhill. I was so hopeful book 3 would pull it together, but alas, it's just more self degradation monologue. I can't make it through anymore of the books. I'm sure for some it's great, but as for the series being advertised as similar to the Dark Tower series, and my gullible self taking that bait, I was thoroughly disappointed.

[Nancy Silk · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Jumping Off The Cliff"

In this third paranormal suspense story, Jeff Grobnagger tries to stay awake as he is still trying to find out why he has these horrible dreams when he has seizures. He becomes aware that there are entities trying to harm him. He now knows he must cross over to rescue Amity from the other world. This remains to be a mind blowing thriller series which can tantalize the reader. Stay with Jeff on his struggling journey to the other world.

[Lori Stevenson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn’t a review, I just feel awful giving this two stars because it’s not a fair review- I read the first two books FIVE YEARS AGO so I have barely any memory of them. I really should have re-read the first two before I read this because my issue was that it’s impossible to understand what’s going on *at all* unless you remember everything from the first two books. Not a review, and my rating is not exactly fair to the book or the authors.

[Melanie Foxfire · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was hard for me to read. I love the series, and its a great book, but its very emotionally charged and painful at times. Read the whole series, and after you read this one you will definitely want to read the next book immediately.

[Kevin Going · Rating 2 out of 5]

Never finished this one. Was waiting for progression, put the book down and never picked it back up.

[D. George · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite so far. Hoping #4 and #5 will be substantially better.

[Eden Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you're reading a series with characters who grow and change, and worlds that develop and are either saved or lost or at the very least finally understood, you expect one of the books (usually the middle one) to be a building book. You know, where not much happens, but things start to get set up for the Big Finale. Not so with the Awake in the Dark series. So much happens in Red on the Inside that it's hard to talk about without dropping a ton of spoilers. I can say, "HOLY COW, IT'S SO CRAZY WHEN--" or "IT KILLED ME WHEN--" but I don't want to ruin even the smallest thing for you. Suffice to say that if you liked Fade to Black and Bled White, you're going to love Red on the Inside. There's action, intrigue, debilitating sadness, the search for meaning, and even a glimpse of what might be a light at the end of the tunnel for Grobnagger.

The thing I love most about Grobs is that he isn't some stationary character who gets fed all the answers and then miraculously saves the day. He's like us. When nothing makes sense, he gets frustrated. When the people he's come to love betray him, he gets hurt. Sometimes he even thinks it would be easier to just give up. Jeff Grobnagger is a real person. He gets tired of all the crap and just wants something--anything--to work out or to make sense. He wants there to be some kind of meaning to life, but he's afraid there isn't.

As much of a downer as I'm making Red on the Inside sound like, these feelings of pointlessness and defeat are rendered in absurd trips to Chili's, drunk dudes trying to cross over into the white world without falling on their faces, and conversations with mysterious disembodied voices. Enemies lash out in horrifying ways, do unforgivable things, and then paint themselves as the better man. And who knows? Maybe they are. And the ending...the ending will cut your heart out in a way that also, weirdly, makes you feel a little bit better about the world. Which is exactly what fans have come to expect from McBain and Vargus.

My point is that Red on the Inside isn't just some throwaway building book to get you psyched about the series's Big Finish. It's a complex story unto itself, completely different from the previous two books, but still unmistakably the next step in Grobnagger's journey. I can't wait to find out what happens next. The whole gang has come so far that life can never be the same for any of them. Where will Grobs go from here?

[Jennifer Tooker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nowhere is safe

Red on the Inside, the third in the “Awake in the Dark” paranormal series is very much a transition time for Jeff Grobnagger. After proof of Riston Farber’s recent return to the living, Jeff seeks Glenn’s help to sort things out. Together they experiment with various ways of getting to the astral plane to seek Amity’s help. Once there, they realize that Amity isn’t the only person inhabiting this realm with the consequences turning severe and final.

First of all I must say that this book should not be read without previously reading “Fade To Black” and “Bled White”. If you haven’t followed this series from the beginning, you will be totally lost and probably not enjoy this book at all. If you have gotten this far, then you are well acquainted with the major players and themes and will find this an interesting progression in the events to date.

I say interesting because I did have a hard time getting into this one. My main issue was that Bled White pretty much ended with Jeff Grobnagger and Riston Farber face to face in the League of Light Headquarters and Jeff pretty much running for his life. The majority of Red on the Inside basically amounted to Jeff and Glenn having a big bro fest, getting drunk and seemingly doing nothing to track down or stop a person pretty much intent to do them both harm. When they finally get serious about finding Amity in the other realm and seeking her help or get her to return to the physical world the book is more than half over. Even with that being said, once Glenn and Jeff both arrive in the other realm, they encounter one hell of a “welcoming party”. The events that follow make is clear to Jeff that as long as Riston Farber exists, he will never be safe.

This is probably my least favorite book in the series so far but then again “Bled White” is a hard act to follow. Even with that being said it does its job to further the story and set up for the next book. It will be interesting to see how Jeff will handle Riston Farber now that there is no mistaking his intentions even if his ultimate motives are still unclear.

[E. Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

First and foremost: You should only read this book if you've read the first two--"Fade to Black" and "Bled White." If you don't heed my advice on this, you will have no clue what's going on. Good news though: you can get a boxed set of all the books on Amazon.

Second and...secondmost?: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Then I bought a copy of the boxed set and a copy of this book because I want to support these authors. They're just that good.

What impressed me most about ROTI is how deep we got into Jeff's thoughts. Here's this cynical guy who's kind of kept us at arm's length throughout books 1 and 2, but now, I feel like he's warming up to us and telling us a lot more than he has in the past. In ROTI, we start to become far more familiar with Jeff's hopes, fears, and internal conflicts, and it makes him a much more sympathetic character. I feel like, in ROTI, Jeff is starting to catch a glimmer of the idea that he just might be the HERO of this story. It's a big idea to grasp, so I expect trouble ahead, if not just because of the trademark cliffhanger ending that I've come to expect from the previous books in the series.

Bottom line: in book 3, Vargus and McBain figure out how to make things fresh while maintaining Jeff's self-deprecating humor and sardonic perspective on life, the universe, and everything. We start to see a little deeper into the universe that Vargus and McBain have created, and I can't wait to see what they've got for us in book 4.

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Red On The Inside is the third book in the Awake In The Dark series. The action picks up right where it left off in book 2. Jeff Grabnagger is in deep trouble and he is also drunk a funny combination, plus an old friend from book 1 returns. Jeff is a reluctant Hero type he has changed from the loner he once was at the beginning of the series. The fragile friendship between Jeff and Glenn also faces some serious challenges, both between their friendship and their goal of finding Glenn's daughter Amity. Riston Farber the villian who has mostly stayed hidden but feared becomes all to real. A tense psychological thriller with some laughter but also some difficult situations they must face. I can't wait to read the next book in the series to see what happens next.

[GC MacQuarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

McBain and Vartgus have thrown together an imaginative tale with an edge. There’s no fluff here. No part of the story that doesn't play a vital role. It’s quick, witty and most of all, clever. As writers all know, getting a character right is just one of the major hurdles to be faced.

These two have nailed Grobs.

The setting is fed to you in crumbs, slowly building up to create the world of Jeff Grobnagger. Book three takes us further into the unknown dream state; a place outside the conscious level. I was there, standing beside Grobs, ready to take a bullet; egging him on in a situation that seemed helpless from the get-go.

Read my full review here: http://gcmacquarie.weebly.com/reviews...

[David Greenlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Red on the Inside

I have been a big fan of the Awake in the Dark series. I love the paranormal adventures of Jeff Grobnagger and Glenn. I must admit that when I started this particular book, I thought it would not be as good as the two previous ones but once Jeff and Glenn got onto the astral plane, things really happened and I must applaud the authors on the turn the book took at the end of the astral plane visit. I was moved by all the emotion with Jeff, Glenn, Amity and how things have changed, for virtually everyone. It makes this whole series more exciting and I am anxious to start the next book. I suspect Jeff is in for a lot of surprises and new emotional experiences. A good read.....

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this third book in the series. I love Grobnagger and his observations of the bizarro world he's found himself in. I found myself becoming much more emotionally invested in the characters in this book, particularly Glenn. What happens to him in this book is making me very anxious to read the next one, so kudos to McBain and Vargas for that! There were times when I didn't completely understand what was going on in the story - it's a big concept, and that can lend itself to some reader confusion. That said, I kind of like the fact that it's confusing - it keeps me on my toes and wanting more.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is my advice---these books are a journey---not all puzzles will be solved, you will not get all the answers right away. You have to hang on-each book a small installment. If you read them that way, each one is a delight. If you expect each one to be a complete story-you will weep. And you must read them in order---as I said-they are not self contained stories-each is a part of one great adventure. I enjoy the characters, the mystery, just when it gets to esoteric for me, it veers back into the action and I'm pulled back in. I really like the sense of humor and self-editing of the main character.

[Dawn Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeff lost his parents at a young age. He has spent most of his life wanting to be left alone. It has worked for him for a long time. Now with all the strange things happening to him, he is finding there is more to life. His big question is way are we here. Tim McBain and L.T. Vargus have wrote a good mystery that takes you to another world. I'm not sure if I'm getting the meaning of the book or not, sometimes I don't get the deeper meanings of books. The book is keeping me entertained and turning the pages. I want to know what happens to Jeff. In my opinion this book is not for everyone. I'm enjoying it even if I don't get everything.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red on the Inside starts right where Bled White left off, so this story definitely isn’t a standalone. As usual, McBain and Vargus have a knack for turning a phrase. They describe things in a unique way—in a way no one else would think of but everyone will understand. Everything in the story is so clear that I often felt like I was right there in the world they created. The only downside to Red on the Inside is that it has a much slower pace than Fade to Black and Bled White. Not much happens in this book compared to the others. Regardless, I will continue to read all books by these authors.

[Franklin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series for me is like the television show "Lost'. I knew I loved it, but was never sure why. The answers were never satisfactory enough. This is a frustrating read, but we'll worth the time. It's the characters that have kept me involved. Throughout this strange series I have felt as if the authors had been in my head and had stolen my thoughts. Something I would be thinking, was right there on the page. Then again, something I thought I understood was blown out of the water.

Still lost in this series, but anticipate each new volume.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a frustratingly bad book. The first two in the series were quite good and intriguing, however, this last installment should not have existed. And when I say "last," it really isn't. I forced my way painstakingly through this repetitive volume thinking that secrets would be revealed. Wrong. There is a fourth. This series should not have gone beyond two books and I no longer care what the secret is. I'm done and over it and only regret the time I wasted.

[Elizabeth Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun Read

I don't know what it is, but Grobnagger is my hero. Although things go awry, he always seems to make it out.

[Lana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series keeps messing with my head. I love Jeff Grobnagger. I feel for him. But there is so much in this series that I just don't understand. I must read more.