Although it took me a few chapters to really get interested, with the early passages feeling heavier on atmosphere and mystery than a clear story, that disengagement changed quickly. And once I did get engaged... well, I couldn't stand to put it down. As the plot started to evolve and the characters had some time to pull me in, this book really began to remind me, very simply, of why I love horror so much. Yes, there's a dark story here, with suspense and terror to go around, but there's also that balance of the real and the unreal that is, so often, what I think makes a horror such a fantastic world to explore through books and movies.

Absolutely, I'd recommend this to horror readers, and I'll be picking up the next book in the series sooner than later... ( )

Just couldn't get into this book. While I'm not a fan of info dumps, and would rather be left with questions at the start of a story, this story never seemed to give me enough to grasp what was going on or why I should care about these characters. I couldn't find a point to focus on. I think. I'm not even sure what the problem was, but that itself says enough. ( )

Originally posted at Bunny's Review


If I had a nickel for every book I have ever read I would be rich, instead I am rich in literature and personally think that is worth more than any amount of money. Starting this book I felt an immediate connection from another famous author I greatly admire. Keep reading because I will not state who until the end.

This is not your average horror, fantasy but more of a dark fantasy. Granted I am not big on fantasy unless it is by one specific author. I will only read his work but this book really pulled me it. I enjoyed being able to find an author that write a genre that I would normally turn up my nose at instead of even trying to read. To say I stepped out of my comfort zone with this one would not be a lie.

After I finished this book I reflected because it really made me think. See Samuel has died and is in a world that is nothing but a waste land. A waste land that is slowly dissolving away and he needs to find a way to either stop this from happening or slide into a different world. As always there are obstacles in the way. Obstacles that do not want him slide to another world, obstacles that want to eat him.

While Samuel is running he encounters a few other people. During this time he does not realize how these people might help him. Until the end Samuel is clueless about these people and how he might of played a part in their life. When reflecting back Samuel is consumed with guilt.

Honestly if a person really reads this book it will leave the reader looking back at their own life wondering if we have made any type of impact on others. Did we say the wrong thing to someone and they end up hurting themselves? Did we forget to tell someone something important and that person leave our life?

Reading this book will leave readers questions parts of your life.

If you enjoyed The Dark Tower series or The Stand by Stephen King then I highly suggest this book.

The bunnies and I give this book carrots.

I purchased this book at Amazon 2014. ( )

Please note: To actually so the links, you'll need to visit Goodreads.

Review Repost: to fix some errors, and let folks know I'm holding a giveaway for this book on my blog from 4/29 through 5/7, 2013, which you can enter by clicking this link. I've also embedded some music into the post, so you can listen while you read! Go!

Book Info: Genre: Dark Fantasy
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: Fans of Stephen King, especially his more esoteric stuff

My Thoughts: Imagine an infinite number of realities, all vibrating at different speeds. Some are steady. Some are picking up speed. Some are slowing down. Some... are about to stop. Samuel has apparently stepped from one reality into another – this movement between realities seems to happen just prior to the point of death.

In some ways, this story reminds me of Stephen King’s short story “The Langoliers”: mainly the creeping cloud o’ doom that leaves... nothingness in its wake. There is also a sense of recursiveness - especially toward the end - that reminded me of the Dark Tower series. So, basically what I’m saying is that this book reminded me a lot of Stephen King. It’s all about the journey, about the creeping horror of individual moments, the long wait, the brief moments of terror, and then more waiting. It was... a fascinating read, and I will definitely be interested in following this series. If this sounds like something that would appeal to you, don’t wait – go and pick it up.

Disclosure: I received a free advance copy of this ebook from the author. He specifically absolved me of any responsibility for a review, but I am happy to provide an honest one anyway. In February 2013 I edited the book for re-release. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis (from the flap): With a noose around his neck, Samuel arrives in a forest littered with caution tape and artifacts of the deceased. He struggles to regain his memory while fending off a pack of wolves and the mysterious visitors who seem to know more about this dying world than he does. Major, Kole, and Mara, his new companions also trapped in the strange locality, accompany Samuel and attempt to outrace its destruction, to outrun the Reversion. ( )

Horror can be many things. It can be shocking or terrifying but it can also be creepy and atmospheric like Portal Arcane 1 Reversion by J Thorn. The story begins in another world with a man name Samuel who has amnesia and a noose around his neck. He doesn't have much time to think before a pack of wolves finds him. Samuel escapes into a tree and is saved by a man called Major. He then finds out that the wolves were the least of his worries. The world he's in is being destroyed by a giant cloud which is preceded by an undead army. Samuel and three others must find a way to escape.

J Thorn does a great job of bringing his story to life by describing everything in great detail. The opening scene is excellent with Samuel waking up and looking around at the forest. He is happy to be alive but the mood changes quickly as he hears the howls in the background. I like how J Thorn doesn't set up the story right away. He puts his main character in a dire situation and you get to see the tension build. The opening scene was almost like the author was painting a picture. I liked how the wolves stalking Samuel were described along with the terror as he realizes he can't fight them off forever. At this point you don't know what is going on, but you see Samuel's situation and you are forced to root for him.

I also liked the description of the army of zombies that comes before the cloud and the reason why they are there. The use of flashbacks in the story was well done. Your not sure what you're going to get in the beginning of the story, it's almost like Portal Arcane 1: Reversion starts in the middle. J Thorn hooks you in with some eerie moments of terror and then delivers a good tale of dark fantasy.

Portal Arcane: Reversion is very reminiscent of Stephen King's Langoliers. The characters aren't really alive but there not dead either. Little by little you learn why they are here but where is here? Throughout the book there is a feeling of dread and the atmosphere is one of impending doom. Despite the story being very dark, I felt compelled to read on because I liked its theme of redemption and I wanted to see if the characters could make amends with what brought them here.

If you do decide to read this book pay close attention, because everything in the story is a metaphor for something, such as the Reversion cloud, personal objects that disappear and reappear and how nothing looks quite like it should. You could compare this story to a Twilight Zone episode because you have to pay attention to get the most out of it, in fact you might want to read it twice. Things aren't exactly what they seem and its very much a tail about morality. My only complaint about the story was the way it ended. There are some unresolved questions but I wondered if that was by design. This is the first of a series and the second book is available. Portal Arcane 1: Reversion is a great read if you like psychological horror. ( )