The premise of this book was great. It’s a fun idea and I was excited to read it. However the language was a bit much (I don’t mind it, it just didn’t seem super necessary). I also had a hard time reading about a character that I just really couldn’t like. Even the anti-hero needs some redeeming qualities!

The anti hero is a very interesting protagonist when done right. But it's a delicate balance. It's a balance that this book doesn't quite get right.

Max McMllan, the main character, is a self hating successful author. He is unhappy in his life, but that doesn't stop him from doing good deeds. To me, an anti hero who does good deeds just for the sake of doing them is the best kind. But Max does his good deeds very consciously as a way to right the perceived injustice his presence causes in the world.

The story regarding him stealing and publishing his friend's book is inteesting, but ultimately unaffecting. Same with the love story with Jess.

I can't recommend this book, but I'm definitely going to keep Moses Mikheyev on my list of authors to watch for. He has a real way with words, and I'm confident that he will write a great book soon.

Max McMillen is a world class writer. People fawn on him everywhere he goes. His books are legendary. This might be true except this author heavily laces his narrative with profanity when it is not needed. Therefore, I feel the book is best described as a journey into crudity and profanity. Yes, life can be very difficult and disease and relationships are hard but constant profanity only serves to darken any insight into oblivion.

There is some humanity as the book progresses because of Max’s sympathy for a friend and his family who are battling with cancer in the family. The book deals with these issues with a sympathetic tone at times but then the graphic nature of the writing takes even the gift of humanity out of the novel. 3.5 stars rounded down CE Williams Net Galley

I really wanted to like THE HACK by Moses Mikheyev because it is about two authors. I generally like stories about writers because I think they have such insight. Unfortunately, I only finished half the book before I gave up. The inner monologue of the main character, Max McMillan, was just too much. He is such a narcissist it was hard to have any compassion for him. Whenever he would show redeeming qualities by helping Jack, a poor author or his kids, he would turn around and do something outrageous again.
The stream of consciousness was just too much for me.

I don't even know what to say. The book is about a narcissist, full of himself, writer. He does have very brief moments of almost being human. The best part of the entire book was probably the last, last chapter. Other than then that I just had to get through it.

Max McMillan, This is my story. It’s absurd and outrageous. It really is. If you’re an asshole like me, you’ll really love this story.
Sadly I did not find the story, absurd or outrageous more ludicrously shallow and not at all entertaining.
I have no problem with foul language, but I did feel it was overused.
The style of writing may suit a younger reader, but adult themes may need to be curtailed for that to come about.
I want to thank NetGalley and Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev for a free copy to review.

Thank you NetGalley for a free copy of The Hack in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lewd, crass, bold, poignant, evocative.... simply brilliant!! Moses Yuriyvich Mikheyev certainly knows how to capture a reader. The Hack is written in true Holden Caufield-esque style, crude, narcissistic language and all. I think I even detected a slight nod to 1984.

Max McMillan, mega famous literary genius, only loves four people: Jack, his wife Jane, and their two young children, Lucy and Nathan. Max really @#$%#^ hates cancer. Jane is dying from cancer, and Max is an asshole.

I'll say this first, if you are opposed to foul language, move on. This is not the book for you. Depending on how the foul language is used in a book, it typically does not offend me. My first impression of The Hack made me think of The Catcher in the Rye's Holden Caulfield. I was immediately amused by the thought, "Holy crap! This is Holden all grown up!!" Max's inflections and stories he tells throughout the whole book are outrageous and implausible, but his running rude commentary on society is pretty spot on. His narcissism knows no bounds and it's hysterical! But he speaks the naked truth about himself, too. You can't help but love the guy.

I hope Mikheyev didn't really mean it when he said this is his least favorite novel he has written. I think he has written a hilarious bold metaphor for today's social climate.

Did not finish- not a fan of the language used, and the story was a bit jumpy. Not for me though the premise was interesting

Sorry, just couldn’t get in to this book. I tried but was unsuccessful. I have no difficulty reading a book written in the first person but I just could not stay interested in this particular book. I feel I didn’t read far enough in to it to give a fair review, but after several attempts I had to call it quits.

Read the first 10 pages and the language is so atrocious. I would never finish or enjoy this book. The curse, swear words are not necessary but then this author may not be able to talk if he is denied those words. I would give it 0 stars if I could.....

I loved it. Thrilling, gripping and full of moments of tense and acute insight into humanity and what drives us.

From the description it sounded like a good read but that’s not my experience.

Max is all over the place and I was ready for this based on the description but I seriously couldn’t keep up. Half the time I didn’t know how things applied to the story and I really struggled to stay in the story. If Max’s inner monologue was reeled in a bit, maybe that would have made it easier for me to read.