Wake Up and Open Your Eyes

The premise for this novel really amused me, even if it's a little on the nose. Unfortunately, I did not enjoy actually reading it, and did not enjoy the style of chaotically inserting inner monologue every other sentence. But what really tipped it into 1 star for me was the halfway point when the author switches from 3rd to 2nd person. To be clear, the POV is unambigously a character in the story and not trying to be any kind of reader insert, but the narrative is now entirely 2nd person present tense.

Book Review: Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman 📚

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman, and overall, I really enjoyed it—definitely a solid four stars from me. First off, can we talk about how striking the cover is? It immediately caught my eye. 👀🎨

The story follows Noah, who’s been watching his Southern parents slowly slip away into the grip of far-right cable news and conspiracy theories for years. When his mom leaves a cryptic message about some “Great Reawakening,” Noah thinks it’s just another wild theory—until he finds his childhood home in ruins, with his parents trapped in a terrifying trance in front of the TV. Things spiral out of control fast when his mother suddenly attacks him. But this isn’t just happening to Noah’s family; all across the country, people are turning violent and possessed by some kind of media-induced curse. The only ones seemingly safe are Noah and his young nephew Marcus, and together they have to make a desperate run back to Brooklyn while avoiding the horrifying hordes. 📺😨🏃‍♂️

Chapman’s novel is brutal and unflinching, diving headfirst into extreme body horror that’s as gross as it is gripping. The violence and grotesque imagery aren’t for the faint of heart, but they serve a larger purpose—holding up a mirror to our divided society and the way media can consume us. It felt incredibly relevant to the current social climate, almost like a dark reflection of what we’re living through right now. 🩸🔪🖤

If you’re a fan of horror that’s both thought-provoking and viscerally disturbing, this book will definitely hit the mark. Just be prepared for some seriously intense scenes. All in all, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a powerful, unsettling ride that I’d recommend to anyone looking for horror with a sharp social edge. 📖⚡

⚠️ This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary ⚠️