It was a whirlwind…. but enjoyably so. A pretty perfect mashup of genres to keep you unsteady yet interested. Or maybe that’s just me. (Horror, comedy, mystery, and more.) All the characters had their own presence even when barely on the page.

Tyler Kyle gives you all his good, bad, and ridiculous thoughts which makes him so real. Especially times when he’s trying to understand other people’s emotions/reasons for the things they do. I find myself doing this regularly but like I kept telling Tyler Kyle during my read, “Sometimes a red flag is just a red flag.”

I enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but it was good. Think it could’ve done with a bit more fleshing out though.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but it was absolutely great.

I really enjoyed the idea of a washed up actor became a cryptid investigator. It had everything that I was looking for from this type of book and worked with the overall feel to this book. The characters were everything that I was hoping for and enjoyed about the paranormal elements of the book.

I enjoyed this! The tone—self-deprecating, self-aware, very contemporary humor—isn’t usually my thing, but I found the whole thing fun and the mystery intriguing. I liked Tyler a great deal but wasn’t as captivated by some of the secondary characters, both the “good” and the “evil.” This may just be me, however.

The Twin-Peaks-meets-21st-century-podcast vibe was a unique combination, and I do have a soft spot for cryptids.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

1.5 stars bc the initial premise was great.

This had so much potential. You start off the book with a chapter called 'fapping into god's sock' and I immediately have high expectations. It started off well, but quickly became a chore. I felt like I was reading for hours for it only to be a few pages. I just stopped caring and it was a real slog. Pretty much nothing happened for the majority of the book, except questioning sexuality on an island with a history of conversion. I'm not too sure what the purpose of the graphic sex was other than to be graphic, and serve as an excuse for more questioning.

There were also a lot of lines that brought me out of the story - frequent references to exquisite corpse, "let out a breath I knew I was holding", etc that made it clear I was reading a book that was aware of other books. I felt the characters were 2D at best, the action/gore was lacking, and the mystery got too muddled and wasn't satisfying. When it changed POV I almost quit because I was so tired of the slog. I stuck it out to write a fair review, but I should've quit whilst I was ahead. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.

Loved this book! What a refreshingly new writing style. The flow of words is distant and intimate all at the same time. It touches so freshly on today's issues, insecurities and ever-morphing idea of what love is by flawed to perfection characters that you love and hate at the same time. It's raw, a bit of a harsh slap at times (Thanks for the thumb tack image, I may never see them the same) but loving in a weird, cradles you deep into the night--maybe I'm dreaming, maybe I'm not, sort of way.

I just clicked my kindle off and can honestly say I am sitting here thinking very soft and happy feels about the end. I've not read anything like this book, and it will sit with me for a long time. The monsters were monsters, but they did not attach themselves to me like monsters do, it was the writing style that clung to me. Happy and excited for more. I hope the author revisits this world and Discovery Bang. 4.3/5 Stars

This was one gory story. It reminded me of Dead Eleven, except, with way more gore. The writing was fun, despite this. What a cool book.

This book was a mammoth. I love the blend of horror and humor BUT I feel that the book was way too long. Like it needed at least 100 pages cut. The content warnings were also not found until the end of the book. I loved Tyler as a character and the humor is reminiscent of “cozy horror.”

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ARC!

When I started reading this book it felt frenetic, fragmented, even, overwhelming like someone spit my ADHD brain out onto paper and I thought, stop that. I don't need double ADHD in my life, but also this is a great book.

It's got a bit of everything and was a wild, heartbreaking, dangerous, violent, gross, romantic story where the true monsters are difficult to pin down and you're reading far longer than intended to untangle the proverbial web.

Bravo.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read a free copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review! Slight spoilers ahead because I can't contain my love for this novel. I laughed, I cried, I read peeking between my fingers in some parts; this novel has everything!

This novel started out slow but gained so much momentum in the middle and later half of the story. Every novel I've read this year with a Queer love pairing has (THANKFULLY) not adhered to the "kill your gays" trope, and it brings my heart so much joy. Tyler and Kyle's relationship was very tumultuous, the mutual pining and miscommunication tropes almost killed me but the happy ending was well worth the heartache! The ONLY thing about this novel that I didn't enjoy was the graphic dubious consent sex between two characters, luckily another review that I read mentioned this so I was at least prepared to see that. I found the latter half of this novel to be so memorable, especially for anyone that loves Horror/odd stories. All in all, I would highly recommend this novel and will be purchasing a physical copy for myself as soon as possible. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Honestly, at first, when I started reading, I was wondering why I was reading this. It was dragging, seemed pointless and felt very pretentious - like it was trying to be edgy or something it wasn't. Then....then things started happening. The amount of times I flinched, jumped or squirmed due to the abuse and torture that is depicted, is unknown. I gagged at many of these scenes and kept on going. I had to know what happened. This book went from a 2.5 starts to a 4 around the halfway mark. I'm extremely glad I stuck with it because the payoff was huge.

Do I think it could have been shorter? Most definitely. Do I think others should read it? 100%!

Erstwhile Tyler Kyle is a tragic read that if you like supernatural, the lgbtqa community and shit hitting the fan, you will love this book.

Trigger warnings: Sexual assualt, physical abuse, emotional abuse, psychological abuse, gore, explicit violence, torture, stalking, vomit, implied ingestion of urine for survival purposes, implied cannibalism, mild dysphoria, discussions of homophobia, discussions of conversion therapy, starvation, eye trauma, body horror

Full review on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0aowXruZrzix7LFxOE7Fek?si=e40bc963ebcb4a36

3.5 ⭐️

If I had to describe this novel in the word, that word would be "challenging". It was a story that threw me for a loop. Suddenly I liked it. Suddenly I was very interested, suddenly it made me despair, and suddenly it made me put the kindle aside and not touch it for days. But you know what? It's okay. It's great when a novel grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go, but I also appreciate stories that make you struggle a bit more, that ask you to pay attention to details, that ask you to be patient and face little things you might not like along the way.

I didn't love the division of the chapters (it made me a bit desperate, as I felt Tyler didn't make much progress and just wandered around the island), but I liked the author's writing style. What a way to combine genres like horror, comedy and romance. The setting was a great touch, all these dangerous island vibes, cults and secrets offered me a great sense of immersion. While the protagonist felt like too much at some point, by the end I ended up really caring about him and ached to see him suffer repeatedly. Who I think takes the cake as MVP is Josh and the dynamic he has alongside Tyler. I can't wait to read more about this pair!

The horror, gore and its aftermath were also shocking. I appreciate that it did not feel like gratuitous violence and that importance was also given to the marks left by these situations. What happens in this book is not for everyone and I suggest that the content warnings offered in the first few pages be heeded.

In summary, The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle is a read that surprised me quite a bit, and while it demanded my patience, it rewarded me with a great ending. I highly recommend it to all lovers of horror and lgbtq+ themes!

Thanks to netgalley for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I liked The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle.
It was a good horror comedy and I had fun reading it!
The only negative is that the story could be a little confusing at times and there were some pacing issues that made this book a little difficult to get through but i definitely don't regret pushing through as they were so many good scenes in this book as well!

The characters were fun and I really liked Tyler!
The book also made me laugh a few times which happens rarely.
I definitely would still recommend this book!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review.

"The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle" by Steve Hugh Westenra is a novel that showcases flashes of brilliance alongside moments of inconsistency, resulting in a reading experience that is both captivating and frustrating.

On the positive side, Westenra's protagonist is a compelling and complex character, whose journey of self-discovery is both poignant and thought-provoking. As he grapples with questions of identity and purpose, readers are drawn into his world and compelled to follow him on his quest for truth.

Additionally, Westenra demonstrates a keen eye for detail and atmosphere, painting a vivid portrait of the novel's setting and imbuing it with a sense of palpable tension and suspense. The world-building is immersive and richly realized, transporting readers to a world that is both familiar and strange.

However, "The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle" suffers from pacing issues that detract from its overall impact. The narrative moves at a brisk pace in some sections, only to slow to a crawl in others, leaving the reader feeling disoriented and disconnected from the story. This uneven pacing makes it difficult to fully invest in the protagonist's journey and diminishes the impact of the novel's climactic moments.

Furthermore, the novel's plot feels overly convoluted at times, with twists and turns that strain credulity and detract from the emotional resonance of the story. While these elements add excitement and intrigue, they can also feel forced and contrived, pulling the reader out of the narrative and diminishing their engagement with the characters and their struggles.

In conclusion, "The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle" is a novel with moments of brilliance overshadowed by its flaws. While it offers glimpses of Westenra's talent as a storyteller, its pacing issues and convoluted plot prevent it from reaching its full potential. Despite its shortcomings, fans of speculative fiction may still find moments to enjoy in Steve Hugh Westenra's ambitious and imaginative tale of identity and redemption.

Hey there, book lovers! If you're looking for a wild ride that'll keep you up all night, you gotta check out 'The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle'! This horror comedy is lnothing you've ever read before - it's like 'Twin Peaks' and 'Ghost Files' had a baby, and I mean that in the best way possible.

Tyler Kyle is a lovable mess of a protagonist who's searching for his missing mom, and let me tell you, he gets way more than he bargained for. The island he ends up on is seriously creepy, and the secrets that come to light will have you going "whoa, didn't see that coming!"

Westenra's writing is super engaging and funny, and they're not afraid to tackle some heavy themes. The queer representation is amazing, and I love how it's woven into the story. It's like having a conversation with your witty friend who's telling you a crazy-but-true story.

Anyway, if you're looking for a book that'll keep you on the edge of your seat and make you laugh out loud, grab 'The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle' and buckle up, buttercup! 😱🎉"

This book is not for everyone, but you can bet I'm recommending it to my horror groups and horror loving friends. If you want dark mystery and violence, there's plenty of that here, but this book also has that extra ingredient I personally think makes horror so much better: humor. The main character is perfectly snarky, and some of the darkest situations are described in hilariously descriptive ways.
There was also a lot of courage and intelligence, very pleasant in horror stories, which usually depend on characters making dumb choices. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

If you are looking for a horror story with snark and queer representation, this book is for you. Now, I’m not generally a horror novel reader, but this was so very good. It’s definitely not for the lighthearted and it made me so so stressed, but it was compelling. Both the storyline and characters were so fleshed out. I was attached to all of them and felt deeply about what they were going through, even the characters who showed up later in the book. I felt very immersed in the world building and the twists kept me on the edge of my seat!

Recently, I was looking for new books to read, and I came across The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle by Steve Hugh Westenra. Once I saw the title and book cover, I knew I had to read it, and I’m glad I did. The story immediately plunges readers into a mesmerizing narrative that deftly intertwines horror, comedy, mystery, romance, and psychological thriller twists that creates a story as rich and captivating as it is unique. And its vibrant storytelling and strong character dynamics craft an experience that is not simply a journey into the supernatural but an exploration of human emotions and relationships.

Tyler Kyle is the novel’s snarky, witting, and darkly humorous main character who immediately draws readers into his complex world. Who is he? He is a thirty-year-old, washed-up actor turned reluctant cryptid investigator who sets out on a deeply person mission. The mission? Find his supposedly dead mother. He receives footage from a mysterious stalker that leads him to the eerie and secluded Echo Island. His quest promises to unravel dark and twisted secrets that force him to confront his own fears and desires, particularly those surrounding his relationship with his best friend Josh, who claims to like women. The novel presents a masterful balance of tension and chemistry between Tyler and Josh that becomes a slow-burn romance between the two.

Two things make this novel stand out. First, there is Westenra’s prose. It is at once hypnotic and lyrical, allowing readers to experience the full spectrum of emotions — from the panic and dread expected in a horror story to the tension of the romantic subplot. This, especially, comes across in the story’s character development. This storytelling dexterity keeps the story’s narrative grounded, even when the plot ventures into the fantastical and surreal.

The second is the story’s horror elements. This is one area that can make or break a story faster than someone can scream. Unlike some horror stories, this one does not rely on jump scares or graphic violence. Instead, it draws more on the deeply unsettling from its atmospheric and psychological elements. This much more subtle approach to horror, along with its moments of searing dark humor, makes the novel a standout in its genre.

Overall, The Erstwhile Tyler Kyle is a brilliantly crafted novel that isn’t easily shoved into a single category. It is a demonstration of the power of genre-blending in storytelling, and it gives readers a richly textured narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. For those seeking a story that combines the best elements of horror, comedy, and romance with strong character development and a captivating plot, this novel is a must-read.

[Originally posted in Illumination on Medium.]

There was so much going on in here! This book had the feeling of a queer-indie-horror-video game, if that means anything to you, but I think this would be really cool with some kind of graphic/visual content. Overall, I couldn't have predicted exactly where we ended up, but I did figure some of the reveals out before they came. The pacing also felt a little inconsistent to me, where we lingered sometimes in certain scenes and sped through others, and I couldn't really get a grasp on a lot of the secondary characters, or the actual scale of the setting in terms of area or population. Overall, though, I had a fun time with Tyler and Josh and Kayla, even though I'm still wrapping my brain around the more bananas parts of this!

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the e-ARC!