The Loop by Jeremy Robert Johnson #BookReview

Stranger Things meets World War Z in this heart-racing conspiracy thriller as a lonely young woman teams up with a group of fellow outcasts to survive the night in a town overcome by a science experiment gone wrong.

Turner Falls is a small tourist town nestled in the hills of western Oregon, the kind of town you escape to for a vacation. When an inexplicable outbreak rapidly develops, this idyllic town becomes the epicenter of an epidemic of violence as the teenaged children of several executives from the local biotech firm become ill and aggressively murderous. Suddenly the town is on edge, and Lucy and her friends must do everything it takes just to fight through the night.

Title: The Loop | Author: Jeremy Robert Johnson | Publisher: Saga Press| Pub. Date: 29 September 2020 | Pages: 320 | ISBN: 9781534454293 | Genre: Horror| Language: English |  Source: Received a copy from publisher for review consideration | Starred Review

The Loop Review

From bizarro to horror to the most heartbreaking horror novella I’ve read (looking at you In the River), Jeremy Robert Johnson has provided yet another great read in his new novel, The Loop. Readers should expect a genre-bending whirlwind of a ride as they follow Lucy, Bucket, and others on a terrifying journey.

This book takes place over the course of a few weeks with a majority of the time spent in just one night. The small amount of lead up to the evening in question is no small matter, however. First, we get a brief introduction via a radio host that had me wishing I already had this book in audio. Somehow Johnson managed to write a scene (and the whole book really) that I could HEAR while reading. When Johnson decides to reveal that not everything is what it seems, just a little while later, I sat back in revulsion and awe; I knew I was in for a hell of a ride.

I love a good sci-fi horror when done well. Some recent favorites have been The Hematophages by Stephen Kozeniewski and Wanderers by Chuck Wendig. In fact, about 75% of the way through, I thought this was like Wanderers but with more horror/gore and a tighter time frame. I love that Becky Spratford also mentioned something similar in her review and I knew I was not alone in this realization. Be sure to check out her review as well, she outlines very clearly just how many different kinds of readers will dig this book.

I don’t know what else to say without giving too much away. I love that this book gave me genuine gross out moments. I love that this book includes science fiction in a way that is fascinating AND engaging. I think readers will really love this one, especially if they enjoy a fast pace, a kick-ass female protagonist, and a writer who certainly does his job well. You guys go buy this, I am off to read one of Johnson’s short story collections. More, please.

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