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Singularity
Jessica B. Bell is not real.A couple of years ago I started writing horror stories and Jessica was born. I had fun creating a twisted and ominous biography for her, painting a picture of some crazy hermit who lived in my basement and wrote stories on old parchment using her own blood for ink.But she was never real.------An unspeakable act of violence leaves the residents of Ward C, home of a secret experiment, dead – torn apart. There is only one survivor…What happens when the creation surpasses the creator?How far will Jessica go to be real?Find out in SINGULARITY.
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2015
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 1, 2015
To say that this book explored every deepest, darkest fear and nightmare of mine would be an understatement. The creepy feeling that Helena Hann-Basquait and her co-authors took a glimpse into the deepest recesses of my mind and wrote a book that was tailored to my neurosis is unsettling and unnerving. Of course, they didn't look into my mind. But each story that unfolded in this twisted plot had me shivering with recognition and recoiling in fear.
Singularity is a bone chilling glimpse into the sick mind of Jessica B. Bell. Jessica's not real… or is she? Regardless, she is the most vile and sinister character that you will find yourself drawn to. She's mysterious and vulgar and funny in a sick and twisted way.
Jessica B. Bell is a character that has been brought to life with the written words of Helena. Helena's guilty pleasure of writing on the dark side has become more than a writer's indulgence. It has taken on a power of it's own. Be careful of what you create…
In Singularity, Helena Hann-Basquiat collaborates with four other talented writers to create a world that explores notions of psychological hysteria with metaphysical and scientific theories. In the setting of a strange observation/experiment held secretly in a psych ward, stories are played out of a cast of misfortunate characters who each experienced their own horrors and their own sins. The characters are each pushed to the brink by torment and manipulation. Ultimately each commits horrific acts and ends up sharing space with Jessica B. Bell in Ward C. What happens from there is hard to describe or explain. The plot twists and turns, and while you develop theories of your own along the way (as any reader does reading a mystery) you soon realize that it is futile and you will never be able to imagine where the plot takes you.
Singularity will haunt you, but it is so much more than a thriller or a horror novel. It will challenge your thoughts and ideas and make you explore ideas and notions that will leave you chilled and a little unsettled. The collaboration of five writers moves seamlessly and though each character has a different voice, the whole of it is unified in tone and temperament. I will not soon forget Singularity and the characters. This was a dark, fun read had me completely entranced.
Singularity is a bone chilling glimpse into the sick mind of Jessica B. Bell. Jessica's not real… or is she? Regardless, she is the most vile and sinister character that you will find yourself drawn to. She's mysterious and vulgar and funny in a sick and twisted way.
Jessica B. Bell is a character that has been brought to life with the written words of Helena. Helena's guilty pleasure of writing on the dark side has become more than a writer's indulgence. It has taken on a power of it's own. Be careful of what you create…
In Singularity, Helena Hann-Basquiat collaborates with four other talented writers to create a world that explores notions of psychological hysteria with metaphysical and scientific theories. In the setting of a strange observation/experiment held secretly in a psych ward, stories are played out of a cast of misfortunate characters who each experienced their own horrors and their own sins. The characters are each pushed to the brink by torment and manipulation. Ultimately each commits horrific acts and ends up sharing space with Jessica B. Bell in Ward C. What happens from there is hard to describe or explain. The plot twists and turns, and while you develop theories of your own along the way (as any reader does reading a mystery) you soon realize that it is futile and you will never be able to imagine where the plot takes you.
Singularity will haunt you, but it is so much more than a thriller or a horror novel. It will challenge your thoughts and ideas and make you explore ideas and notions that will leave you chilled and a little unsettled. The collaboration of five writers moves seamlessly and though each character has a different voice, the whole of it is unified in tone and temperament. I will not soon forget Singularity and the characters. This was a dark, fun read had me completely entranced.
August 30, 2015
Anyone who knows me, will know that when I love an author it is hard for me to contain my enthusiasm when they start a new project. Helena Hann-Basquiat is one of these authors. Okay to be honest Helena is a pen name used by the author, as is the pen Jessica B Bell.
So, when he announced the new project “Singularity” I wholeheartedly supported the project in whichever way I could. Hence you will find my name in the acknowledgments section of the book. There you go full cards on the table, I will now give you an honest review of the novel, which I purchased via the launch campaign.
The book:
Singularity, is a meta-fictional multi point of view horror thriller.
Detective Luther gets called out on a case to a hospital (Sister of Mercy), Ward C. There he finds carnage. Several bodies ripped to pieces. Who’d done it? How did they do it? And I think more importantly, who are these victims? Why kill them?
The authors take the reader on a ride, to look at who these victims are and how they landed in this super-secret, research facility “ward C”. Each with their own story. Each with their own flavor of psychosis. What drives a person crazy?
What is real, what is not real? What shapes your reality? What shapes mine? These are the questions I found myself asking while reading. Parts of the novel, read super fluent. You can’t help yourself, you just want to turn that page and find out what is happening on the next one. However, other parts I found were somewhat like a piece of rough meat, that required forceful chewing – which would rather hurt your jaw than make it more swallow able. This was not because the writing was bad, just the subject matter has been intensely horrifying and to me, even triggering. I just needed a breather. Give my head a chance to stop spinning.
However, I pushed through and found myself delighted at the end.
If you enjoy writing fiction, if you are an author, if you are a lover of fiction books, if you ever found yourself wondering at the craft of writing – I think you will be delighted at the end. More than this I don’t want to say, since I don’t want to spoil it.
What I really love about this book and its prequel “Jessica”, is that it's so abnormal. At some point, when you read a lot of books, you may become bored with the way authors tell fiction. This one is so contrasting to what is usually represented in mainstream fiction, you just got to love it. It has a Steven King flavor to it, which will surprise you.
Singularity gets an honest 4 out of 5 star rating from me.
So, when he announced the new project “Singularity” I wholeheartedly supported the project in whichever way I could. Hence you will find my name in the acknowledgments section of the book. There you go full cards on the table, I will now give you an honest review of the novel, which I purchased via the launch campaign.
The book:
Singularity, is a meta-fictional multi point of view horror thriller.
Detective Luther gets called out on a case to a hospital (Sister of Mercy), Ward C. There he finds carnage. Several bodies ripped to pieces. Who’d done it? How did they do it? And I think more importantly, who are these victims? Why kill them?
The authors take the reader on a ride, to look at who these victims are and how they landed in this super-secret, research facility “ward C”. Each with their own story. Each with their own flavor of psychosis. What drives a person crazy?
What is real, what is not real? What shapes your reality? What shapes mine? These are the questions I found myself asking while reading. Parts of the novel, read super fluent. You can’t help yourself, you just want to turn that page and find out what is happening on the next one. However, other parts I found were somewhat like a piece of rough meat, that required forceful chewing – which would rather hurt your jaw than make it more swallow able. This was not because the writing was bad, just the subject matter has been intensely horrifying and to me, even triggering. I just needed a breather. Give my head a chance to stop spinning.
However, I pushed through and found myself delighted at the end.
If you enjoy writing fiction, if you are an author, if you are a lover of fiction books, if you ever found yourself wondering at the craft of writing – I think you will be delighted at the end. More than this I don’t want to say, since I don’t want to spoil it.
What I really love about this book and its prequel “Jessica”, is that it's so abnormal. At some point, when you read a lot of books, you may become bored with the way authors tell fiction. This one is so contrasting to what is usually represented in mainstream fiction, you just got to love it. It has a Steven King flavor to it, which will surprise you.
Singularity gets an honest 4 out of 5 star rating from me.
February 2, 2016
When Helena Hann-Basquiat asked if anyone would be interested in reading an advanced copy of Singularity I jumped at the opportunity, despite the fact that I have limited time to read/write/think/create this summer. Why? Because I love the way these collaborators work, and the beauty of their words even when they write terrifying or horrific things. Reading one of the Jessica B. Bell stories is like taking a journey into the deepest, darkest secrets of your own mind--the place where sex, violence, desire, and power all whisper their most precious secrets.
This book does not disappoint. Each story, each character is rich and intriguing, as you are brought into a place where you begin to wonder what is real. What does reality even mean? Where do characters and stories come from? Who is real and who isn't? Can Helena and Jessica both be real? Does reality even matter or the stories we tell that shape that reality?
When I write, sometimes it seems as if the characters take on a life of their own. They are telling their story, I am merely the conduit. My one desire as an author is to have the facility over words that will bring the characters to life for my readers--to make them real. Hann-Basquiat has that ability. The characters and stories in this book become terrifyingly real--real enough to make you look over your shoulder into the shadows, tense at the scent of smoke in the air, cringe at the possibility that you might see something uncomfortable just around the corner. And yet . . . you must keep reading in order to discover the truth, if that's even what it is.
This book is for anyone who likes twisted tales, creative non-linear storytelling, deep thoughts, and the possibility that what we perceive as reality is only in our minds.
This book does not disappoint. Each story, each character is rich and intriguing, as you are brought into a place where you begin to wonder what is real. What does reality even mean? Where do characters and stories come from? Who is real and who isn't? Can Helena and Jessica both be real? Does reality even matter or the stories we tell that shape that reality?
When I write, sometimes it seems as if the characters take on a life of their own. They are telling their story, I am merely the conduit. My one desire as an author is to have the facility over words that will bring the characters to life for my readers--to make them real. Hann-Basquiat has that ability. The characters and stories in this book become terrifyingly real--real enough to make you look over your shoulder into the shadows, tense at the scent of smoke in the air, cringe at the possibility that you might see something uncomfortable just around the corner. And yet . . . you must keep reading in order to discover the truth, if that's even what it is.
This book is for anyone who likes twisted tales, creative non-linear storytelling, deep thoughts, and the possibility that what we perceive as reality is only in our minds.
August 1, 2015
Such a creative premise. In a world where everything goes by formula, Singularity is a refreshing (and horrifying) departure from formula. These writers worked together to weave a psychotic tale with characters who will haunt your nightmares. If you seek an unpredictable, creepy reading journey, this book is definitely a must read.
July 25, 2015
When I was given the chance to read Singularity before the release date, I jumped at the opportunity. I cannot pass up reading anything. I was not dissappointed with this book in the least.
It opens up with a quote from the Velveteen Rabbit,a book most of us have read as children. From that moment you are left guessing about what is real and what is not real. Remember fight club? To me, this was like a whole new version. You will keep guessing all the way to the end, and then still think about it and keep guessing, it's that good.
Jessica B. Bell is back. She is such a dark and stormy, twisted character that you want to hate, but cannot help wanting to know what she is up to, what she is going to do next. New characters are introduced as well. They are so well developed that you feel as if you are right there with them, going through their experiences as well. This was a perfect collaboration as each story blends into the others. They have made a great experience for the reader in keeping us guessing at what will happen next, and then wanting more and more.
I cannot wait to see if Jessica and Helena get up to anything further. I'm anxiously waiting to see if there are more stories heading our way as I could not put this book down. I think work caught me a few times reading it at slow moments.
It opens up with a quote from the Velveteen Rabbit,a book most of us have read as children. From that moment you are left guessing about what is real and what is not real. Remember fight club? To me, this was like a whole new version. You will keep guessing all the way to the end, and then still think about it and keep guessing, it's that good.
Jessica B. Bell is back. She is such a dark and stormy, twisted character that you want to hate, but cannot help wanting to know what she is up to, what she is going to do next. New characters are introduced as well. They are so well developed that you feel as if you are right there with them, going through their experiences as well. This was a perfect collaboration as each story blends into the others. They have made a great experience for the reader in keeping us guessing at what will happen next, and then wanting more and more.
I cannot wait to see if Jessica and Helena get up to anything further. I'm anxiously waiting to see if there are more stories heading our way as I could not put this book down. I think work caught me a few times reading it at slow moments.
August 21, 2015
Wonderfully crafted. This is a very fast read of stories within stories that grab you and take you on a journey of character development. While there were some typos, which is common in all publications, they weren't distracting from the plot or pacing of the book and were never enough to take me out of the world of Jessica... It's a frightening place that is tempting to want to visit at the same time. It skirts the boundaries of what is possible and makes you want to believe in the power of the impossible.
September 8, 2015
I love everything by H.K. Abell who writes as Helena Hann-Basquiat & Jessica B. Bell. Singularity is both a novel and a collection of short stories. It is beautifully crafted and artfully woven. Read it. Read everything you can get your hands or eyes on that has been written by H.K. Abell/Helena Hann-Basquiat/Jessica B. Bell and their talented collaborators. You will not be disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews