Optic Nerve by Rebecca Rowland
Shawn is a scientist developing the formula for a drug that may cure blindness by stimulating another area of the brain that controls perception. When he surreptitiously tests the drug on himself, he accidentally accesses a neural pathway that appears to allow him to communicate with a complete stranger through telepathy instead. When Shawn finally discovers the significance of their connection and of the drug’s true effects, it is too late to stop the damage their intimate friendship has set in motion to unfold.
“Merging bio-medical science-fiction with thrilling mystery and body horror, Optic Nerve approaches post-pandemic literature in a refreshing, unique way that is sure to leave you thinking long after you close the book”
-Holly Rae Garcia, author of Parachute
“Rebecca Rowland masterfully crafts a tale of understated, psychological sci-fi horror that pulls you in with its realistic, relatable characters. When the horror rears its ghastly head, you’ll feel like you’ve been in a car accident”
- Jon Steffens, author of the Splatterpunk Award-nominated The God in the Hills
“An intriguing novella of the not-so-far future with an unexpected and clever ending”
-Frederick Pangbourne, author of Dreamers of the Tomb
United KingdomTwisty
Are humans as a race going progressively blind? What could possibly be done to change that? How about a drug called CH-55? When Shawn decides to trial the drug for himself, he starts to suffer headaches and blackouts, hearing voices and having bizarre dreams! You might think you know where this book is going, but you don't…. It keeps you intrigued with its eerie, dreamlike narrative and unexpected progression. And it has such a great twist! A really enjoyable quick read, that I read in one sitting! I'll be keeping a lookout for more from Rebecca!
United StatesFantastic medical horror!
Optic Nerve is the kind of science-fiction book I wish I had written. With in-depth subject matter it’s clear Rowland has done her research, yet it isn’t bogged down with facts or medical terms that would pull you out of the book. It’s just enough to tell the story and lend believability to the situations the characters find themselves in. Rowland’s storytelling here is masterful. With small, every-day moments peppered between big ideas and tense conversations, she accurately captures the human experience. I read this in one sitting, eager to see what would happen next, and I wasn’t disappointed. This smartly written novella expertly merges bio-medical science-fiction with thrilling mystery and body horror. Optic Nerve approaches the Covid pandemic in a refreshing, unique way that is sure to leave you thinking long after you close the book. On a personal note, I've worn glasses or contacts all of my life, so this subject was intriguing and slightly horrifying. Because we don't yet know what the long-term effects of Covid are, it's absolutely believable that it could tip the evolutionary usefulness of something as critical as our eyesight.
United StatesA medical horror novella that will keep you glued to the page
Optic Nerve is the kind of science-fiction book I wish I had written. With in-depth subject matter it’s clear Rowland has done her research, yet it isn’t bogged down with facts or medical terms that would pull you out of the book. It’s just enough to tell the story and lend believability to the situations the characters find themselves in. Rowland’s storytelling here is masterful. With small, every-day moments peppered between big ideas and tense conversations, she accurately captures the human experience. I read this in one sitting, eager to see what would happen next, and I wasn’t disappointed. This smartly written novella expertly merges bio-medical science-fiction with thrilling mystery and body horror. Optic Nerve approaches the Covid pandemic in a refreshing, unique way that is sure to leave you thinking long after you close the book. On a personal note, I've worn glasses or contacts all of my life, so this subject was intriguing and slightly horrifying. Because we don't yet know what the long-term effects of Covid are, it's absolutely believable that it could tip the evolutionary usefulness of something as critical as our eyesight.
CyprusIt will shake you up and leave you thinking about it
Rebecca Rowland was once again awesome enough to send me one of her books for review. Behold the beautifully bizarre Sci-fi/horror/thriller novella, 'Optic Nerve'. The story follows Shawn, a scientist developing the formula for CH-55, a drug that has the potential of curing blindness by stimulating the parts of the brain that controls perception. Like every good and eager scientist in a Sci-fi/horror/thriller story he tests the drug on himself. As accidents do happen, he manages to develop telepathy and starts communicating with Helena, a complete stranger. As the two of them develop a friendship, Shawn will soon discover CH-55's true effects and the catastrophic chain of events their relationship has set in motion. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised by this one, as the cover art was suggesting gore and extreme horror (perfectly fine with that). I mean just throw a grindcore band logo there and you are good to go for an album cover. Instead I was introduced to a beautifully written, hair gripping, mystery Sci-fi/horror/thriller novella that had me reading it as a whole in just one sitting as it was soooo good. I did not see the story going that way and I definitely did not expect it to escalate like it did, but maaaan that was some wonderful surprise. The author's prose is wonderful and the way she manages to slowly pull you in the story is fantastic. I literally just could put the book down until discover where taking the story. I loved Rebecca Rowland's work in 'Generation X-ed' and in 'Shagging the Boss' but 'Optic Nerve' solidifies her as one of my new favorites. Great, great, great story. It will shake you up and leave you thinking about it and that's the beauty of it.
United States"If Nothing Else, I Can Finally See"
“IT’S NOT A GHOST STORY; it’s a love story.” "Every love story is a ghost story. Some writer said that once, didn’t he?” Shawn is a scientist working on a new breakthrough medication that will end all the conditions and diseases that affect the eyes. He secretly begins to take the pill testing the drug on himself with the only side effect being headaches. As the weeks pass on a whole new effect begins and opens up a telepathic link to a complete stranger. A relationship is developed, but little does he know what the true nature of the impending danger that is about to happen. It is all about to be revealed and the future is set to play out no matter the cost. Themes of body horror, medical innovations, telepathy, and psychological obsessions. Character’s written so realistically; friendships, family, and intimate relationships. Human angst of an unknown future and the hope to make a change in the field of vision. So well written it feels as if you're part of the story as it all unfolds. The build up can be felt but you're still left in suspense until the ending and that is when it feels as if you were struck by a lightning bolt and thrown completely over the edge of a cliff. What the hell just happened? Loved it!!