Decades after playing the titular killer in the 80s horror franchise Night of the Reaper, Howard Browning has been reduced to signing autographs for his dwindling fanbase at genre conventions. When the studio announces a series reboot, the aging thespian is crushed to learn he’s being replaced in the iconic role by heartthrob Trevor Mane, a former sitcom child-star who’s fresh out of rehab. Trevor is determined to stay sober and revamp his image while Howard refuses to let go of the character he created, setting the stage for a cross-generational clash over the soul of a monster. But as Howard fights to reclaim his legacy, the sinister alter ego consumes his unraveling mind, pushing him to the brink of violence. Is the method actor succumbing to madness or has the devilish Reaper taken on a life of its own?
The character work in this read was incredible. McAuley was able to give both of the main characters some fantastically flawed humanity. They were both, at time, their own heroes and villains and this allowed the reader to be incredibly sympathetic to both of them at different times in the book. They really felt like two sides of the same coin even though they are at odds throughout the entire book. Each of them also went through an inevitable change during the events of the book that was heartbreaking to read. Both characters had their struggles and we got to see them both trying their best to make it through life and the Hollywood grind. This made it all the more bittersweet to see them fall into the horrors of the story.
The horror elements were fantastic and used to just the right levels. We have a good amount of gore, but much of it is saved for the proper slasher finale. I found this read to be the perfect blend of psychological and physical horror. I loved the slow descent into the psychological that both Howard and Trevor go through. Both the characters and the readers are trying to figure out where the line between psychological and supernatural potentially is and I could see different readers finding that line at different points. I wouldn't really call this a 'slow burn' horror, but it certainly ramps up the horror elements by the end.
I've never been super interested in celebrity or Hollywood machine, but I loved that we got to explore some of the more behind the scenes of celebrity status. Obviously Howard and Trevor are at two very different points in their careers but they both have had their share of the limelight. I think McAuley did a great job of showing the high highs and low lows of fame and celebrity as well as the sort of churning of Hollywood where you're in until you're out. I loved the atmosphere this created as well because Hollywood is such a pervasive part of culture, even if you aren't super into movies or celebrities. So it is familiar enough to be relatable but also removed enough from most people's day to day lives that it gives the reader a sort of tabloid feeling of seeing behind the scenes.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this read. It was an interesting premise with human characters and the horror elements were fantastic.
Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the ARC. Publication date was October 4, 2022.
