Ghost Eaters

This was a fever dream of a read.

Erin is still trying to find her grounding and get her life started after graduating college. One thing that's always a constant, however, is her lack of boundaries when it comes to her enigmatic on again, off again college boyfriend Silas. Silas is constantly getting himself into trouble and jumping in and out of rehab and always asking Erin to bail him out. Erin is always there to help him, even against her better judgment, until one day she doesn't. After Silas dies of an overdose, Erin starts to spiral until she learns about Ghost, a drug that Silas was working on that allows users to see the dead. In her grief she tries it hoping to see Silas one last time, but soon she's spiraling very deep and very quickly into the life of an addict.

Clay McLeod Chapman does a great job with his world building of the most horrific trip. I felt myself shudder quite a few times at certain scenes throughout. I mean, he definitely can write gross stuff incredibly well. And while it was enjoyable for the most part, I found myself wanting more of the story as a whole and not just Erin in a drug induced haze even though that's where I saw the best horror scenes. I just wished it was more balanced with the real world implications of what she was seeing and doing, however, that's just my personal opinion and overall I think horror fans will love this book!

Overall, a fun and terrifying horror book that I'd recommend.

Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman is a haunting book about grief, addiction, trauma, and ultimately life and death. Erin, a recent college grad trying to make her way in the world, along with her friends discover a fantastic new drug that claims to allow the living to see the dead. Is it true? Is it a trip? What are the implications of such a drug, and what are the costs? These are just some of the questions explored by the author of Whisper Down the Lane in his newest narrative. This book, read by Elisabeth Rodgers, represents a very different take on haunted houses and possession than any other work of genre fiction I've encountered. Still, this book is not without antecedents, as fans of that specific horror element found in Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic or Caitlin Starling's The Luminous Dead may find spores of delight throughout this hallucinogenic novel. I found this work less grunge and more relatable than Kathe Koja's The Cipher, but also see how certain elements of Ghost Eaters might appeal to fans of that cult classic too. I generally enjoyed this book, and recommend it as a great addition to your spooky season reading list. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

FINALLY a book that touts itself as a horror novel and actual IS one!! When I received Ghost Eaters from Quirk Books (shout-out for the review copy) I was extremely sceptical. I have been disappointed lately with books promising thrills, chills and creepy. Wholly and pleasantly surprised...kudos and THANK YOU Mr. Chapman.

While this one has ALL the perfect vibes for Spooktober it's not just horror and ghosts. It also has a depth ingrained within the story. There is a sense of loss and a profound grief that Erin is suffocated with. She is described often as being empty and that's why she is the perfect vessel. How many of us feel this way in our own lives as times? Was not expecting this kind of insight in a horror novel.

I need this to be a movie stat!! There were a few times where I was like yep not reading this anymore until this gloomy, rainy, creepy atmosphere is gone and I am surrounded by light and brightness