Brilliant concept and very well executed. I throughly recommend Wake Up and Open Your Eyes - it’s every bit as haunting and potent as you’d expect in this time. I’m sure it’ll become a classic in the not some distant future where Clay McLeod Chapman’s world is not too dissimilar from our own. I hope not, but it really is a stark reminder of where we’re heading. Fans of Orwell will love this book.

Great read for our current times. Reminded me of a more socially conscious Crossed. Wish it had a little bit more direction but overall enjoyable and definitely a book that attracts conversations.

A petrifying and gruesome story of possession and the spread of a cult that won't let go once it latches on. This book was incredibly well done, and is frightening both because of the gore and its resonance in our current society.

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman (2025) is a terrifying novel exploring political possession and mind viruses. What seems like an open critique of the media and indoctrination turns into something much more sinister.

Book Review: Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman

Rating: 4 Stars

I just finished Wake Up and Open Your Eyes by Clay McLeod Chapman, and overall, I really enjoyed it—definitely a solid four stars from me. First off, can we talk about how striking the cover is? It immediately caught my eye.

The story follows Noah, who’s been watching his Southern parents slowly slip away into the grip of far-right cable news and conspiracy theories for years. When his mom leaves a cryptic message about some “Great Reawakening,” Noah thinks it’s just another wild theory—until he finds his childhood home in ruins, with his parents trapped in a terrifying trance in front of the TV. Things spiral out of control fast when his mother suddenly attacks him. But this isn’t just happening to Noah’s family; all across the country, people are turning violent and possessed by some kind of media-induced curse. The only ones seemingly safe are Noah and his young nephew Marcus, and together they have to make a desperate run back to Brooklyn while avoiding the horrifying hordes.

Chapman’s novel is brutal and unflinching, diving headfirst into extreme body horror that’s as gross as it is gripping. The violence and grotesque imagery aren’t for the faint of heart, but they serve a larger purpose—holding up a mirror to our divided society and the way media can consume us. It felt incredibly relevant to the current social climate, almost like a dark reflection of what we’re living through right now.

If you’re a fan of horror that’s both thought-provoking and viscerally disturbing, this book will definitely hit the mark. Just be prepared for some seriously intense scenes. All in all, Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a powerful, unsettling ride that I’d recommend to anyone looking for horror with a sharp social edge.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is an incredibly and eerily timely horror novel. Full of on-point poltiical and social commentary, this book terrified me in a way that I haven't felt since reading The Handmaid's Tale for the first time. Chapman writes such visceral scenes of terror and gore and they stay with you long after you close the book. I will have to read more of Chapman's backlist after picking this one up. Readers of Sarah Gailey and Zakiya Dalila Harris will like this book.

I just couldn't get into this book. I don't think it was bad at all, it just wasn't my thing. I didn't vibe with the prose style at all.

Just finished "Wake Up and Open Your Eyes" by Clay McLeod Chapman, and it’s a chilling masterpiece! This social horror novel follows Noah, who discovers his parents—and much of the country—possessed by a media-driven epidemic that turns loved ones into violent attackers. With its mix of psychological, body, and zombie-like horror, this book is a scathing reflection on societal divides and media influence. A must-read for horror fans who enjoy thought-provoking terror!

I enjoy following Clay McLeod Chapman on social media - his quirky personality really shines there. Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is just another way that the author chose to showcase his personality! This is an interesting possession novel with a fair amount of gross/gory bits thrown in for good measure. I found it to be totally relatable to today's (unfortunate) political propaganda and a particular group's cult-like following (the other side isn't safe from criticism either). Thanks, NetGalley!

did i feel violently ill at several points through this book? yes. would i do it all again. also yes.

what i liked: the pacing of this story ebbs and flows, but the narrative immediately hooks the reader with uncanny and completely unhinged characterisation and antics.

what i disliked: i now have Baby Ghost stuck in my head for eternity. also, the dog?!?!?!

I really enjoyed this! The book takes on a political horror through the media perspective and the body horror and descriptions were very vivid throughout. The book was well-paced and kept you engaged. This is my first time reading Clay McLeod Chapman and I'd be very interested in reading more in the future.

I found this book to be incredibly dark and reflective of what our country has come to. We are so sucked in by media that we cannot peel ourselves away from it. The father is addicted to the news often times adding incorrect information to what is happening. The mother turns to Facebook and live streams for health advice that leads her down the rabbit hole of smoothies that eventually turn to something horrific. The eldest son gets caught up in strangers on the internet and locks himself away from his family. This is a reflection of how we think we are connecting to others but in reality, we are slipping farther into isolation and destruction than ever before.

*Wake Up and Open Your Eyes* by Clay McLeod Chapman is a wild ride from start to finish. The story mixes suspense with moments of deep introspection, making you think while also keeping you on the edge of your seat. Chapman’s writing is sharp and engaging, and the plot twists definitely keep things interesting. Some parts were a bit confusing, but the overall journey was thrilling enough to make me push through. If you like a story that keeps you guessing and makes you reflect on life in the process, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a visceral sci-fi horror novel that offers social and political commentary. When Noah cannot contact his parents, he decides to leave his liberal enclave of Brooklyn and head for his hometown in Virginia. For months, his mother has left increasingly agitated right-wing propaganda voicemails about a "Great Reawakening" and other conspiracy theories. When he arrives, he is met with strange and animal-like behavior not only from his parents, but from the whole town. As Noah finds his family and slowly uncovers what is behind the mystery, the novel begins to unfold and tear down all that Noah believes.

Be aware, this is definitely a political body horror book. Know what you're getting into. Good, but not outstanding.
Thank you very much to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

"Wake Up and Open Your Eyes is a rollercoaster ride of a possession story, completely unlike anything you’ve encountered before.

I thoroughly enjoyed spotting clever Easter eggs throughout—nods to other authors, etc. The storytelling was elevated by the diverse cast of narrators, especially as the book incorporates snippets of videos, podcasts, and social media posts, each brought to life by a different voice. These elements added depth and made the experience all the more captivating.

The book struck an odd but delightful balance: it felt almost mischievously gleeful. While it addresses serious real-world issues, I couldn’t help but imagine Clay McLeod Chapman cackling to himself, pipe in hand, while furiously typing out his vision. Some parts left me laughing uncontrollably, others disgusted and repulsed, and still others deeply saddened by how far society has already gone—and where it might be heading.

Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

I'm still sitting here just taking it all in. This book was terrifying and horrific. I almost wanted to stop reading but I just couldn't look away. The premise of this book would have been extremely unique however it seemed awfully repetitive and drawn out

Splatterpunk goes mainstream with this subversive examination of the things we let possess us. You'll need a strong stomach and even stronger scuba gear to handle the depths this goes to. Cautiously recommended!

Wake Up and Open Your Eyes definitely feels relevant and opens with an interesting idea of massive numbers of people being possessed by avenues such as obsession with right-wing news sources. It begins with a son who is worried about his parents and brother as the time comes for everyone to wake up and open their eyes, and moves quickly into being a zombie apocalypse style story. Although the opening definitely caught my attention, the book ended up being extremely gory and ultimately kind of repetitive as the possessions were occurring. I also was not thrilled at the ending..

I'm not sure who I would recommend this book to. It's violent, sickening, and perhaps the social horror is hitting a bit too close to what's happening in reality. Read the content warnings. This book is not for everyone.

That said, this book has a lot to say about the time spent with social media and how we all participate in self-brainwashing through mindless activities. I'm scrolling a lot less.

Thank you to Quirk Books and NetGalley for the digital arc in return for my honest review.