As a horror novella, 8:59:29 was pretty average. It is difficult to really develop characters in a novella, but Hetta, the protagonist, was extremely forgettable. The motivations behind her actions were questionable and ultimately I was looking for more horror and more of a connection to Hetta and her cause.

After reading this, I had to sit back and wonder what on earth did I just read, and I mean that in the best way possible. It starts off mundane enough, and just when I was beginning to wonder where this was going the story picked up, No spoilers, but you get hit with the most amazing twist before the story is over, and while the first half might go slowly, the second half picks things up. It's hard to believe this is such a quick read, yet contains so much that it leaves you reeling at the end. It somehow manages to entwine classic and existential horror all in one. I'll be adding this author to my "need to read more" list.

This cursed film story was unique and original, and clearly informed by the author’s technical knowledge, but the novella as a whole didn’t work for me. It was short and bleak and dark, but felt under-developed and rushed. The characters were flat, the motivation half-baked, and the lore contrived. Lovers of folk horror will likely enjoy this one more than I did.

I really enjoyed Polly Schattel's storytelling and pacing.

I sometimes feel like shorter novels don't give you time to feel connected to a main character, but I was invested in Hetta and her desire to change her life.

Ancient horror and modern technology meet in this short novella for a swirl of nothing but absolute goodness.

It was simple, yet intriguing. The plot was bleak, bloody, unnerving, & well-plotted.

However, the ending was not what I thought it was gonna be and that definitely left me sad and wanting more.

Felt like the longest 65 pages ever.

The book opens with a classroom scene where students are bored out of their minds and not paying attention to their teacher (who's the protagonist). Well, that's exactly how I felt about such a weak and dull first chapter, and for most of the novella. While I get that all the filmmaking trivia is integral to the plot, it just didn't hold my interest at all since everything is explained in such a drab manner.

There is a lot of purple prose, which is even more unnecessary considering the book's length. For a novella, this has super low readability.

The only saving grace is the ending. It was clever, totally unexpected and I didn't see it coming. Too bad its impact is lessened by the rest of the book and my lack of emotional investment. I just didn't care enough about the characters or plot enough. Loved the ending but it was too little, too late.

A very decent horror novella/short story, ending up at a place I hadn't expected (even though I *was* expecting a twist). The story gets off to a bit of a slow start, but picks up towards the end. I'm hesitant to say much because it was such a short piece. I might have enjoyed a bit more of "atmosphere", but I still liked reading it overall.

(Review copy from NetGalley)

This is a disturbing book. It reminds me of "The Ring". You know what the main character is planning on doing to her boss, but you have no idea of what really happens. If you enjoy books that sound like this, give it a read. I highly enjoyed it.
I would recommend.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this novella!*

Holy crap. The story left me rather unsettled, in all of the best ways.

I didn't know what to expect when reading this novella, but the writer knows how to immerse you into Hetta's thoughts and rationalizing her actions. In addition, even with limited words in comparison to a full-fledged novel, I found myself able to envision what the setting was like, how the characters acted from the expressions on their faces to the tones of their voices. This is easily one of the best horror stories I've read, and I'd recommend it to any other horror lover.

A tense novella that read nostalgically like a creepypasta from 2010.
I always appreciate when an author decides to implement into their stories elements of a topic they are educated or have a deep knowledge about; in this case the filmography aspect was the real protagonist of the story and the horror concept surrounding it intrigued me. The plot was simple, short, slightly humorous but still straightforward. I enjoyed it and I particularly liked the ending, but I would have preferred a not so blatant deus ex machina approach to find the solution for the main character problems.

Rated 3.25 stars.

Hetta is a teacher who wants to unalive her boss..
Working together with one of her students to film a short movie that can kill..
But whoever watches this short movie goes straight to hell..

Enjoyed this short horror novella. Managed to read it in one sitting.
Definitely ring vibes (the movie) would recommend this book for someone looking for something quick to read..
#NetGalley #85929

How often have you said to yourself, “if only so-and-so was g0ne”? Hetta wished that too, Be careful what you wish for Hetta for once granted….some wishes cannot be recanted. When you summon evil into your life to take care of “one” problem you will find that evil will take on a life of its own and stain all of humanity.
In 8:59:29 we see Hetta and Travis, a fellow film lover, follow a recipe for conjuring evil by using the medium of VHS filmmaking. This is like “Ringu” on steroids. I read this book in one sitting. The characters were well defined, and written to be rather unlikable. As the demon Andras says, “Thy heart is blacke, Hetta Slater, and thy aims ambitious. Thou wouldst thrive in the fyery fornaces of my realm”.
#8:59:29 is a creepy slide into the darkest dark. Thank you #netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this horror story.

A good short novella that didn't go the way I thought. I hated Hetta but was compelled to find out what happened.

The book started with a normal, or very dull plot actually.
But it goes crazy soon, and everything is out of control.
The idea is not new, but the writing is clever.
It's a short but enjoyable reading.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Hetta believes she was destined for more. But, as often happens, life wore her down and now seems to be passing her by. Her dreams were of becoming a renowned filmmaker. Now she is teaching the unteachable; wealthy and bored college kids with aspirations far different from her own. Her boss was once just like them and the privilege she is everyday surrounded with is stifling. Hetta feels forced to make a decision. She will create the film her boss has been pressing her to. A horror film. A short one. One filmed with outdated technology. One crafted for one specific audience member. One with an ending to die for!

This was unnerving, bloody and bleak. Essentially, everything I want my horror fiction to be, all delivered in less than 100 pages. I thought the plot both an exciting and well-plotted one. The particulars of filmmaking were not previously known to me but Schattel delivers her readers a basic understanding and a story is built from there. The ending was not one I could have ever seen coming and it transformed this short horror tale into a desolate and unnerving fable.

A tense horror novella. A teacher decides she needs to kill the head of her department to get further in her career. With the help of a young man auditing her class, they decide to use an ancient curse which will kill anyone watching a brief film to its conclusion. Needless to say, messing around with demons doesn't go as planned.

This was a fun novella. Slightly comedic, but it also is very atmospheric. The plotting is tight and the dialogue real. I enjoyed the story, the ending, and the film within the book.

Some books plod on and on and take 500 pages to get to the point. 8:59:29 is a 60-page horror novella that packs a superbly terrifying gut punch. If you've ever wished some ill will on someone, this story reminds you to be careful of what you wish for lest your wish come true. I enjoyed the filmmaking plot and the ode to 80s VHS cameras (yes, I still have a working VHS VCR!), and of course the not so polite warning to perhaps fear the unknown of technology. I think we can all relate to getting not so happy shiny constructive feedback at work or school and the emotions that flood in afterwards. Most of us can also relate to somehow coming up short in how we wanted or expected our lives to turn out and the corresponding desire to prove one's self-worth. How far would we take these emotions? What might happen if we suddenly found ourselves responsible for a shot heard around the world? The prospect is beyond belief.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #BooksGoSocial for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

8:59:29 is a novella about a burnt out teacher who plans to get revenge and kill her boss. Having this unreliable and unlikeable main character only added to my interest when reading. Overall a quick and enjoyable read.

8:59:29 is a novella about a burnt-out college professor who hopes to eliminate her boss by making a movie like the one featured in "The Ring".

Our main character, Hetta, is a burnt-out college professor with the intention of killing her boss, even though he has a wife and a kid. Hetta obviously has bad intentions and is a bitter person, so as a reader, I didn't find myself rooting for her. However, the unlikableness of the character works and makes me want to keep reading. In fact, it adds to the horror aspect of the novel. This is because a lot of creative youth's worst fear is becoming like Hetta. We fear failure and ending up with a dead-end job, like having to teach people that don't care. We also fear our creativity turning to bitterness as we age. Hetta has become so burnt-out, so self-absorbed, and so bitter, that she feels the need to kill her boss and send him to hell in order to be happy. For us writers, filmmakers, and artists, becoming like Hetta is our worst nightmare. That's part of what makes the novel so chilling.

The book was also paced well. It was short, only about 60 pages. In those 60 pages, Schattel got the point across.

I gave this book four stars instead of five because I felt like the side character Tanner didn't do much for the story and took up space. Tanner was Hetta's muse, and it was implied that he was the reason Hetta stayed somewhat passionate about her class. While Tanner gave Hetta the idea for the film, he didn't contribute much otherwise. In fact, at one point he disappeared and it was unclear what happened to him. I think the story would've done better if he wasn't involved because of how passive of a role he played.

The book's ending was satisfying and scary, but it didn't scare me. That's not necessarily the author's fault, though. I don't tend to get scared by Satan and demons. The way this film killed people was that it summoned a demon, caused the victim to become possessed, kill themselves, and then get sent to hell. I feel like that would scare Christians, but as a Jewish person, it didn't terrify me in a way that other horror does.

All in all, this is a book worth reading. I'm glad I read it, and I'll read it again if I feel like looking for more foreshadowing and nuance.

8:59:29 by Polly Schattel is a story of cursed videotapes, evil forces, and revenge. Hetta Salter, an adjunct teacher, allies with a promising young man who can’t pay university fees to kill her boss through a VHS infused with the black magic of Andras. Will it work?

In a way, the novel denounces the American university system that tends to privilege money over talent. It also presents art and creativity as a way of overcoming the daily injustices of the world we live in. Mostly, it is a story that deals with the power of images and the responsibility artists have in making society (hopefully) a better plate. Evil art in the form of creations that aim at destruction can be catastrophic.

If you enjoyed other film-related horror novels such as Theodore Roszak’s Flicker and Gemma File’s Experimental Film, this novelette may very well be your cup of tea.

It’s not exactly an original story, but it’s quite well done.

Evil videotape has nasty effects on everyone who watches. A frustrated adjunct professor of film is introduced by her “student“ to a dark website with interesting guidance on how to raise a demon. They hire a few actors, follow the instructions and all hell breaks loose.

Well written with a good twist. A scary little yarn worth a read!