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Manifest Reality
Everyone is looking at you funny, right? RIGHT?! They are, they're looking at you out the corner of their eyes, plotting against you. The whole world, they're out for you. Aren’t they?
He wanted this. You know he did. He said forever, didn’t he? Well, maybe he didn’t say it, but you could tell he thought it by the way he smiled at you while you checked out with your newest batch of steamy romance novels. The way the light shined off the spikes of his hair while he tried to sell you a discount card, you could tell he wanted to spend eternity with you. That struggle? That wasn’t a struggle, he was just playing hard to get. All the other boys did that before your special potion too, but this time will be different because his smile said forever.
Manifest Reality is a collection of sanity-bending short stories with one single, tenuous thread connecting them:
It’s all in your head.
He wanted this. You know he did. He said forever, didn’t he? Well, maybe he didn’t say it, but you could tell he thought it by the way he smiled at you while you checked out with your newest batch of steamy romance novels. The way the light shined off the spikes of his hair while he tried to sell you a discount card, you could tell he wanted to spend eternity with you. That struggle? That wasn’t a struggle, he was just playing hard to get. All the other boys did that before your special potion too, but this time will be different because his smile said forever.
Manifest Reality is a collection of sanity-bending short stories with one single, tenuous thread connecting them:
It’s all in your head.
- GenresHorror
175 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2016
3 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Jessica West
90 books261 followersJess is currently pursuing a state of self-induced psychosis (also known as writing).
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 1, 2016
Each of us has a unique perception of reality. Some see the glass half full, some see the glass half empty. Others see a squid-like monster floating in the glass, waiting to sink its hooks into the first person who dares to take a sip. It’s all in the eye of the beholder. The squid monster may not be real to you, but I assure you it’s VERY real to the person who just swallowed it. You might be wondering how a person’s view of reality can become so twisted. Demons, ghosts, or parasitic creatures could be to blame, but in most cases it’s simply our own mind turning against us, blurring the line between reality and nightmare. Manifest Reality is a collection of short stories that examine that blurred line. What is real? Why is this happening? Is there a squid monster in my sweet tea? I guess you’ll just have to take a drink and find out.
There are thirteen stories included in Manifest Reality, and this review would go on forever if I commented on each one, so I’ll save you some reading and just highlight some of my favorites.
TETHERED by Rachel O’Neill – A young girl receives and unexpected birthday gift.
This story takes something ordinary and turns it into something terrifying. It’s the kind of story that makes you look over your shoulder just to be sure that no one’s creeping up behind you. A sense of unease fills every page, and you find yourself anticipating that moment when something finally jumps out and scares you. I loved every minute of it.
HELL by Alexander Nader – The story of how one man ended up in Hell.
This was my first time reading Alexander Nader’s work, so I can’t say for sure whether it was the main character’s voice that I loved so much, or if it was Nader’s writing voice. Either way, it spoke to my dark, disturbed, sailor-mouthed soul. The ending of this story made me say, “YAAASSSS!” That’s not a misspelling. I said it just like that. Seriously, a thumbs-up ending to an excellent story.
THE VIBE by Rachel Ortego – Prisoners are studied and treated by a virtual reality system called the VIBE.
If you like your horror mixed with a little sci-fi (or your sci-fi mixed with a little horror), this story is for you. The use of virtual reality in this story is really fricking cool but also a little unsettling. I mean, when have you ever known technology to be reliable?
THE VOICE by Eve Jacob – A girl that’s controlled by seventeen different beings tries to start a new life.
This is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. It immediately grabbed my attention and made me question what I was reading. Is this a story about someone with a mental illness? Or a deep look at what makes us human? Aren’t we all controlled by an array of conflicting thoughts and desires? Aren’t we all capable of doing good as well as bad? Okay, I’m getting a little philosophical here, but I blame this story. It forces you to examine your own inner workings, which, of course, is highly frightening.
UNKNOWN NUMBER by Roger Jackson – Text messages from an unknown source encourage a man to do horrible things.
I felt really connected to this main character. Every time he was sneezed on or bumped into by someone (with no apology or even acknowledgement), it made me think, “Okay, maybe this guy should listen to his phone.” The story is expertly written and pays close attention to details. Jackson’s descriptions are beautifully disturbing and had me highlighting like crazy. This is definitely a story you don’t want to miss.
These are just a few of the wonderful stories in this book and a sampling of its all-star team of authors. If you like your reality a little bent, be sure to check out Manifest Reality. It may leave you slightly more warped than you already were, but it’s totally worth it. Oh! And maybe you should cut back on those sweet teas. Just in case.
There are thirteen stories included in Manifest Reality, and this review would go on forever if I commented on each one, so I’ll save you some reading and just highlight some of my favorites.
TETHERED by Rachel O’Neill – A young girl receives and unexpected birthday gift.
This story takes something ordinary and turns it into something terrifying. It’s the kind of story that makes you look over your shoulder just to be sure that no one’s creeping up behind you. A sense of unease fills every page, and you find yourself anticipating that moment when something finally jumps out and scares you. I loved every minute of it.
HELL by Alexander Nader – The story of how one man ended up in Hell.
This was my first time reading Alexander Nader’s work, so I can’t say for sure whether it was the main character’s voice that I loved so much, or if it was Nader’s writing voice. Either way, it spoke to my dark, disturbed, sailor-mouthed soul. The ending of this story made me say, “YAAASSSS!” That’s not a misspelling. I said it just like that. Seriously, a thumbs-up ending to an excellent story.
THE VIBE by Rachel Ortego – Prisoners are studied and treated by a virtual reality system called the VIBE.
If you like your horror mixed with a little sci-fi (or your sci-fi mixed with a little horror), this story is for you. The use of virtual reality in this story is really fricking cool but also a little unsettling. I mean, when have you ever known technology to be reliable?
THE VOICE by Eve Jacob – A girl that’s controlled by seventeen different beings tries to start a new life.
This is one of the most unique stories I’ve ever read. It immediately grabbed my attention and made me question what I was reading. Is this a story about someone with a mental illness? Or a deep look at what makes us human? Aren’t we all controlled by an array of conflicting thoughts and desires? Aren’t we all capable of doing good as well as bad? Okay, I’m getting a little philosophical here, but I blame this story. It forces you to examine your own inner workings, which, of course, is highly frightening.
UNKNOWN NUMBER by Roger Jackson – Text messages from an unknown source encourage a man to do horrible things.
I felt really connected to this main character. Every time he was sneezed on or bumped into by someone (with no apology or even acknowledgement), it made me think, “Okay, maybe this guy should listen to his phone.” The story is expertly written and pays close attention to details. Jackson’s descriptions are beautifully disturbing and had me highlighting like crazy. This is definitely a story you don’t want to miss.
These are just a few of the wonderful stories in this book and a sampling of its all-star team of authors. If you like your reality a little bent, be sure to check out Manifest Reality. It may leave you slightly more warped than you already were, but it’s totally worth it. Oh! And maybe you should cut back on those sweet teas. Just in case.
February 18, 2016
In all honesty, I've only read Jessica West's forward and Anne Skinner's, Regrets. I plan on reading the entire book but due to time constraints I read what was most important to me. I just wanted to leave an early review so someone else could enjoy Manifest Reality as well.
Jessica's forward makes you want to jump right in feet first. She entices you from the first paragraph. Drawing you in and almost willing you, daring you to turn the page and loose yourself in another dimension.
Anne's story is captivating, reminiscent of the Twilight Zone. I could hear Rod Serling's voice at the end of the story,"They say a dream takes only a second or so, and yet in that second a man can live a lifetime. He can suffer and die, and who's to say which is the greater reality: the one we know or the one in dreams, between heaven, the sky, the earth in the Twilight Zone."-Rod Serling. I can't wait to read more from Anne & get back to finishing Manifest Reality. I'm sure the other stories are wonderful if Anne's story is any indication of what's to come.
Jessica's forward makes you want to jump right in feet first. She entices you from the first paragraph. Drawing you in and almost willing you, daring you to turn the page and loose yourself in another dimension.
Anne's story is captivating, reminiscent of the Twilight Zone. I could hear Rod Serling's voice at the end of the story,"They say a dream takes only a second or so, and yet in that second a man can live a lifetime. He can suffer and die, and who's to say which is the greater reality: the one we know or the one in dreams, between heaven, the sky, the earth in the Twilight Zone."-Rod Serling. I can't wait to read more from Anne & get back to finishing Manifest Reality. I'm sure the other stories are wonderful if Anne's story is any indication of what's to come.
July 1, 2016
I don't typically consider myself a horror fan, but I bought this book because I knew there were some talented authors contributing. Overall I was impressed with the depth of imagination and creativity behind the stories, and I liked that many of them built up great suspense without going overboard on the gore factor. I think how well the stories were told varied, but they all had something of value to offer, and there were some real gems in the mix which were quite memorable. Well worth the read!
June 7, 2016
Talk about a bad day!
Ever have a day that started off just fine and then went completely to hell? That's the basic premise of these stories, only the hell is far beyond a bad day at work. Spooky and original, these stories can deliver a good scare and a better read.
Ever have a day that started off just fine and then went completely to hell? That's the basic premise of these stories, only the hell is far beyond a bad day at work. Spooky and original, these stories can deliver a good scare and a better read.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews