Megan Bontrager's 'Eye of the Ouroboros' is an excellent horror adventure, fast-paced from the start, with a sense of mystery and an atmosphere of dread throughout. It starts with some serious nods to those "Search and Rescue" creepypastas, with people disappearing in the woods, a park ranger stumbling on creepy things in the forest, from staircases and doors to doppelgangers and bizarre animals; once past the middlepoint, however, the plot goes into an entirely different (though equally interesting) direction, blending large-scale sci-fi horror with James Bond-like shenanigans. At no point did I get bored, but I found the characters a bit too unpromising to invest in them - they did not feel really genuine to me and the dialogue was quite stilted. Moreover, I'm still not sure the first POV narration was a wise choice; the MC's constant grief and reminiscence of family trauma got old rather early (apparently she has no other emotions inside?!, no other significant memories?!), though the situations were diverse enough for it not to bother me all that much. I did not find the story predictable, just not twisty enough: once I realized what's going on (again, towards the middle of the book), the story pretty much wrote itself. Bontrager's writing style was pleasant enough and perfectly styled for the setting of the book. Despite the novel's lacking earth-shattering originality (and who can really claim such a thing nowadays), I enjoyed myself!

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4.25/5⭐️

Thro Buchanan is really good at her job as a Park Ranger. That’s because she has the best track record in finding missing persons. Her motivation? Years prior, as a young teenager, instead of taking care of her sister Flora, she left her at the grocery store and directed her to get back home. However, Flora never made it home and it seems like the forest just swallowed her whole.

Packed with guilt, grief, obsession and alcohol, Theo works hard to find as many missing people in hopes of finding her sister or some information about her sister.

Now, more people are going missing, more stranger objects are being found in the forest and strange happenings are occurring. With help of her best friend Quinn, her backstabbing ex lover Delilah, a conspiracy theorist and a former member of a government agency no one knows about, they embark of finding out what is happening, is Flora still alive and what is the Bureau of Reality up to.

This novel got going immediately and never stopped. There was a bit of stalling at around 30% that has a transition from spooky to supernatural and it was not smooth. Cause some confusion. But it picks up and I’m glad I stuck around.

One of my fave parts is the backdrop of the West Virginia Appalachian Mountains and cave system. It tackles the stories of the staircases and random doors seen in the middle of the forest. Cryptids that have human and animal features and the disappearances.

This book is an episode out of the XFiles.

Thank you netgalley, quill & crow publishing house and Megan Bontrager for the opportunity to read this novel.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #QuillAndCrowPublishingHouse for sending this book for review consideration through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I had yet to learn what this book was about when I requested it on NetGalley. I was browsing through the horror category, sorting out a horror novel that could break the mold yet still bear the classic gothic and supernatural elements that would send shivers down my spine. Choosing this book was a breeze, considering the word "ouroboros" holds an ancient mystique and sounds eerie enough to elicit introspection.

Fast forward, I'm now penning my review for this book about a park ranger, Theo, who is burdened by guilt over her sister's disappearance. Upon discovering the existence of a parallel universe, she and her closest friend Quinn and former lover Delilah grow increasingly determined to unravel the mystery surrounding Theo's sister's whereabouts and the numerous others missing over the years.

While the plot may not be original, considering interdimensional travel, parallel realities, and secret bureaus are slowly becoming oversaturated in an industry whose fascination over the existence of life beyond ours borders on obsession, "The Eye of the Ouroboros" puts the spotlight on the protagonist's internal battle.

The author explores Theo's character, backstory, and descent into a self-imposed exile as she endures her unwarranted guilt for years. The irony isn't lost on me that Theo's parents selfishly kept her at bay, the weight of her mother's grief shoved onto her remaining daughter. The narrative explores how the onus of sorrow and remorse compels Theo to leave no stone unturned until she finds her sister, for whom she would even trade her life.

Marked with an initial atmosphere of horror and mystery, the author shifts toward a lighter tone as the characters start to come together, sharing a bond, all while infusing humorous banter and witty repartees. References to pop culture didn't go unnoticed. Wesley's character is an homage to the archetype of a quirky conspiracy theorist with a penchant for extraterrestrial beliefs, known for donning a tinfoil hat and boasting their camper van adorned with maps and evidence of alien existence. The book did not miss out on the usual elements of alternate universe exploration, like the use of portals, visual distortion, parallel selves, and its quota of horror and gore scenes.

One thing any reader of this book becomes aware of - is the writing. "The Eye of the Ouroboros" is a literary immersion. Taking away the quantum mechanics concepts and jargon (which are not common knowledge), the narrative boasts of vivid imagery and sensory details crafted in lush, poetic prose - a hallmark of wordsmithery only a few authors possess. However, it seems overdone, eclipsing particular scenes of tension. I have often wondered which scene transpires as Theo's stream of consciousness - characterized by superfluous descriptions and lengthy evocative passages - disrupts the flow of the narrative. Don’t get me wrong; I can’t help but be in awe of the author’s skill at fusing all the right words to convey a scene. But ornate passages tend to slow the pace, disengaging me from the dynamics of science fiction demanding undivided attention from its readers.

Despite a few misgivings, this book is a food for thought, guiding readers to speculate on the possibility of mirror universes. Considering its dark approach, it might not be for everyone, but it's easy enough to understand what the author wishes to convey. It is an ode and elegy addressed to a persona whose sacrifices are catalyzed by love and salvation endeavors. But the narrative will also lead you to speculate that even with good intentions, those you believe you're saving might not require saving at all if it would mean for them to endure the guilt and burden of one's sacrifice perpetually.

i had no idea what to expect going into this and i ended up being so surprised by how the story genuinely sucked me in. there’s a lot of emotion behind each of the characters motivations and it produced a almost melancholic tone. i didn’t think i would enjoy this as much as i did, but the bittersweet feeling in the end really did grab me and the horror elements were done in a way that was so engaging and well thought out for the story. i got so connected to Theo and her best friend Quinn especially. i loved the focus on alternate realities and the blend of genres had this playing like a movie in my head.

A very atmospheric read. The beginning hooked me in right away, the horror and mystery elements are very intriguing. The main character, Theo, is complex, and I found myself really feeling for her. However, sometimes the prose gets a little repetitive and hard to follow. Overall, a great spooky read that could benefit from edits and revisions, but I really think the author has great potential!

I mainly read fantasy books, however when I seen this beautiful cover I couldn’t resist reading this book.

Where this book fell flat for me was the unnecessary descriptions, long winded sentences, and real world slang. If these parts were edited and fine tuned a little more, it wouldn’t have dragged so much. It felt like the author was trying to hit a word count with how much was repeated, and I think the writing would’ve been better portrayed in third person POV so the prose didn’t sound so monotonous.

I seen the ending coming from the beginning, and it felt lazy. I’m not saying I needed a happily ever after, but what was the point of anything if it was going to end that way?

Ultimately, I think this book has good ideas and aspects but it never clicked for me. Too many concepts and too ambitious of a world for what the book was trying to do.

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me.
I’m pretty bummed because when I first got this I was so excited and the first chapter was amazing and had me hooked. Then the FMC became insufferable, unreliable and just not good.
The writing took a down hill turn fast and at one point when she kept talking about the flask and her drinking I wondered if this verbiage was meant to mimic being drunk. But I don’t think that’s the case.
I got pretty far but I couldn’t take it any longer. The fmc contracted herself constantly and was angry at how people choose to grieve and then would circle back and say she felt the same way.
I’m really disappointed because I wanted to love this. It had all the makings of a book I love but the character being this unlikable for me is a pass, I can’t connect with her.

The grammar and sentence structure needs a once over and could use another serious round of editing. Sometimes less words is best when describing things.

Thanks to NetGalley and Quill and Crow Publishing House for this copy of "Eye of the Ourboros."

I'm on a Horror novel binge right now and the description for "Ouroboros" sounded creepy and spine-tingly.

Theo is a park ranger and has spent her life looking for her younger sister who was lost in the woods.

Her sister is not the only one that's been taken. In fact, one of the ranger instructors told them not to climb any stairs they find in the woods. And guess why?

I really wanted to love this one, but ultimately it did not work for me. The thriller elements are interesting, and I like how strange and surreal the horror was. I had forgotten the blurb when I picked this up, so given the grounded beginning, I did not expect it to go as all-out with the fantasy elements as it did.

There were some great bits of imagery, things that will definitely stick with me for a while. I also really liked the romance between Theo and Delilah--they are ex-girlfriends and I love their dynamic. It was the thing that really kept me reading.

The main issue, though, was that everyone acts quite silly. There are leaps of logics the narrative makes that don't hold up to scrutiny, and the characters continuously do things that didn't make sense to me, personally. I therefore found it very hard to buy into the story and believe anything that was happening. Instead, I found myself quite frustrated with everyone involved, and the fact the narrative seemed to reward them for their not-so-smart moves. I also didn't love the treatment of Theo's alcoholism, but that's a personal taste for thing.

This definitely has the vibe of an airport thriller and would work okay there, but this just otherwise was not a book for me.

Eye of the Ouroboros ventures into a world of mystery and intrigue, promising an immersive experience with its tantalizing title and promising synopsis. However, despite its potential, the execution falls short, leaving readers grasping for substance amidst a sea of clichés and predictable plot twists.

While Bontrager demonstrates a knack for descriptive prose, painting vivid landscapes and atmospheric settings, the characters lack depth and fail to evoke genuine empathy or interest. The protagonist feels like a recycled archetype, lacking the complexity needed to engage readers on a deeper level. Additionally, the pacing feels uneven, with sluggish sections that detract from the overall narrative flow.

The premise of ancient secrets and mythical creatures holds promise, but unfortunately, it fails to deliver the captivating storytelling one would expect. Instead, the narrative feels disjointed, struggling to maintain coherence as it bounces between various subplots that never fully converge in a satisfying manner.

Content Warnings: Blood, Graphic Violence

I thought this book started with a strong premise. Theo is a Park Ranger with a drinking problem and a talent for locating lost people in the woods, both spurred from her devastation of losing her younger sister, Flora. Theo is the strongest part of the book, with a clear, consistent character and indomitable spirit. There’s also some solid horror imagery with the Ouroboros as a cosmic horror and as an infection, particularly in how it warps humans in different ways.

However, the longer the book goes, the more confusing and less interesting it becomes. Everything dealing with the multiverse critical to the plot is underexplained and bland, down to the name of the Federal Bureau of Reality. Characters don’t feel three-dimensional, so when major events happen, it’s hard to feel much about them. The antagonist of the piece had potential, but again, was too underdeveloped. Finally, though being marketed as LGBTQ+ fiction, there’s very little queer content.

I do think this author has potential, though, and would be willing to give a future book of hers a read.

There is no way I can write a review that can do this book justice. Theo is flawed but she has the kindest purest heart. She has been suffering over the loss of her sister for years and has built her career on finding missing people in the woods. She is good at it.
She is also a raging alcoholic.
Her crew includes an ex girlfriend and her soulmate bestie. This book has all the important things, true friendship, love, and complicated family relationships. It also has doorways where they should not be, monsters, and staircases in the woods.
The end hurt and I also got it.
Of course Theo would do that.

2.5* rounded up

An interesting concept and main character that starts strong but is let down by slightly muddled sci-fi elements and confusing action.

The beginning of this book had me hooked. Our MC, Theo, is a park ranger whose sister went missing in the same woods she now patrols and where weird occurrences - a child found with missing toes, a staircase out of nowhere, a toilet abandoned in a tree - are happening. Theo is - quite frankly - a mess but an entirely understandable one.

However, it lost me in the middle. I found the description / explanation of the Ouroboros confusing (like I found myself re-reading paragraphs and it still was not making sense to me) and there were various parts where I just lost the thread of what was happening (for example, there's a heist mid-book were the plan felt nonsensical).

I also never really got a good sense of any of the other characters. Perhaps the best example of this is Roman, a rogue member of the Federal Buruea of Reality, who gets a great introduction but then proceeds to just *exist*, making few contributions to the story except random mentions that were very 'oh, he's still there?'

There were a lot of moments I really liked scattered throughout out this book but everytime it engaged me it later lost me again, making for a very mixed reading experience.

Overall, I think sci-fi/ horror readers could still potentially enjoy this, but it wasn't for me.

The Ouroboros serpent is meant to be a positive symbol that represents unity and the natural eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation…..

I had no idea what the ouroboros was until
I came across this book and upon further investigation I knew I had to read this, because I mean what’s no intriguing about that!

This was a great read as a palette cleanser between genres as I don’t normally read paranormal/horror but this was just the right level of creepy for me!

I really sympathised with main character Theodora (Theo),who was basically ostracised from her family following an event that left her younger sister missing and unresolved trauma from this .

Feeling the weight and responsibility for the disappearance Theo has made it her role to continue to search for her sister, becoming a park ranger and living in the forest/woods where it all happened and throughout the years children and adults continued to disappear.

Until one day when Theo has a vision of her sister and stumbles across a number of deserted objects and strange men in the woods. Is she really seeing this or has the alcohol created the illusion before her?!?

Filled with eerie forest setting, creepy carousel music, hauntings and not of this world FBR (federal bureau of reality) brings this one is sure to have your heart pacing and brain racing.

3 stars from me as I felt character description and relationships weren’t super strong or detailed so it didn’t really elicit any strong emotion for me, but I enjoyed it all the same!

<i>Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this novel!</i>

I think a major issue with this book is that it's trying to do too much. I thought this was going to be a psychological horror with a cat and mouse chase through different realities. That wasn't the case at all. The first quarter of the book almost reads like literary fiction with a touch of mystery (and I mean the smallest touch, it was basically just Theo feeling bad for herself the whole time). Then, there was a random heist that took up another large chunk of the book (I genuinely have no idea why this heist happened, I was so confused the whole time). Only for the story to kind of end with a cat and mouse chase, not a particularly engaging one, but still. I just don't really know who the audience is for this book. I feel like the people who enjoy the first half aren't going to like the second half and vice versa.
Personally, I didn't really like either half. I found it boring (I actually did kind of like Theo's ending though, that was pretty interesting). I wouldn't have even finished it if I hadn't been provided an e-arc. The description sounded so cool, but this just was not for me.

A tense, sapphic cosmic horror that takes some forays into heist and thriller territory along the way. Possibly the most horrifying part about this book is Theo's family.

Theo is a ranger looking for lost girls, but especially for her sister. The woods seems to be eating the girls.

Although this started out so so well, it fell a bit flat about halfway through, and it slowed down. The story itself was a tad convoluted and confusing, so that I always thought I missed something.

this book is basically the tv series loki but if the shows are from the "people in charge" pov this one is from the "citizen" pov but isn't done right.

the story is a mess; it has this very awkward pace between chapters that gets you confused and makes you have to return to the previous chapter to understand what's going on. the lack of depth in the world building was really underwhelming and finishing this book felt like a chore to me.

the idea of this type of story is not that original; you can find books or movies with this story line, but it doesn't have something that "original" enough to make this book its own, if that makes sense. i expected more when i first read the synopsis, but it's disappointing.

This was a super slow read for me. I kept getting distracted from the story. And this is one you need to focus on to pick up on all the sci fi/horror elements. Overall the idea is appealing, searching for her sister, found family, and queer relationship steeped in horror. I just felt lost most of the time.
Perhaps I will pick it up sometime and re read it when I have no distractions at all.
I received a ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.

Theo is a member of the National Park search & Rescue Team. Tirelessly, she explores the Appalachian Forest, seeking answers about her missing sister and anyone else who vanished in its depths. With no results for years, her life spirals downward until she unexpectedly becomes entangled in an incredible true conspiracy.

The way the world-building unfolded, revealing more about the Ouroboros and the characters’ relationships, was something I found particularly enjoyable. I found the story line to be both engaging and easy to follow and there wasn’t a dull moment. With that said, I found the pacing to be slightly off in the middle. There was a moment when I wanted the story to move at a slower pace, allowing for more elaborate scenes and character interactions. Apart from that, I found this reading experience to be highly enjoyable!

Delilah and Quinn have intriguing relationships with Theo, the main character. More scenes between Theo and Delilah would have been great, as their chemistry was fantastic, and the anticipation and tension built up beautifully. It was refreshing to come across a story about Quinn and Theo, who are like brother and sister despite not being related, and their platonic soulmates connection.

Megan Bontrager’s magnificent debut sets the stage for her promising publishing career.

Many thanks to @megbontra @QuillandCrow & @Netgalley for a review copy.