I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Loading… by Cager Klarxon is a novella about a man searching for answers after an adult film shooting goes awry and he falls pregnant with a foreign entity.

This was an interesting read. Marshall’s introduction was succinct. The parts about his body and mind changing dragged a bit, but I liked the twist. The ending was unnerving. This read like a movie because it was so visual. The descriptions were good. The technical wording was a bit over the top.

Marshall didn’t have a lot of range as a character, and it seemed intentional. His narration was very matter of fact or aggressive, never scared or panicked. I found that unrealistic for this situation. I have little reason to root for an unlikeable character. The sound effects were cheesy and took away from the severity of the situation.

Okay, so I really enjoyed the audiobooks narration and use of foley but that’s where my enjoyment ended.

What a unique and interesting premise, the delivery was just off. I came away confused. I couldn’t follow the plot towards the end and everything felt so half done, maybe intentionally to match the title. I personally needed more commitment to the body horror, the descriptions felt rushed. I wanna simmer in that grotesquerie!

2 stars for this one, this is my totally honest review and thank you to NetGalley and Surrender Point Press for the ALC.

Loading... takes us on a trip to explore our own internet connectivity taken to the extreme, and all the horrors that could lead to.

My first thoughts were that the prose is super interesting, especially how the artificial/technical prose combines with what is happening, which is usually very carnal, very human in matter. It could have really easily clashed with one another but in my opinion, it had a really well executed balance.

And from then on out we just descend deeper and deeper into weirdness, completely drenched in body horror and what it feels like to be taken over by something that is out of your control. I thought the similarities to pregnancy were a smart choice, but that's a very personal topic, so others might feel differently.

I do think that it was just... trying to do too much for the ending. I think a bit more subtlety would have worked better to keep the set mood and bring across the message of the fast-paced endlessly consuming nature of social media and the digital space. People are smart, there is no need to be so heavy-handed!

It's a quick and enjoyable read though, the body horror keeps the balance between being gross and being genuinely uncomfortable, and I don't think I've seen many horror books where the horror is based in tech.

If singularity occurs when our consciousness is uploaded to a purely digital format, this book is about the reverse: when a purely digital entity is downloaded into a person (or meat puppet).

The “vessel and vortex” at the center of this story is Marshall, an online influencer who makes bank via his online sexploits. The first third of the book is pretty graphic about what exactly that might entail. He does a private party (well, it’s streamed live so it’s not really private… but for subscribers only). After he is violated in a number of ways (still in the first third of the book here) things get weirder… in an interesting way.

There’s something here about memories, families, acceptance, and love. About selling out, selling ourselves short, selling our bodies. It’s not for everyone but it’s a trippy mess of a book with lots to think about. The narration and production of the audiobook is excellent with its perfectly matched eerie music and sound effects.

My thanks to the author, @SurrenderPointPress, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #Loading for review purposes. Publication date: 14 October 2025.

I will start by saying that ‘Loading…’ is not a story for those with a weak stomach, averse to profanity, or repulsed by body horror. This audiobook is an uncomfortable listen, but that is entirely the point. I dove into this story knowing that it would not be my usual cup of tea, so I was surprised by how gripped I became. Though I can’t say that I enjoyed the story, I was certainly captivated and left shaken by the narrative. Klarxon has crafted some powerfully visceral imagery and, in doing so, leaves a poignant message.

Its downfall, in my opinion, is in its production. The audio itself is different from many audiobooks I have listened to before - filled with music and sound effects that personally feel distracting. The narration by Troy SF was jarring, maybe intentionally so, and I found it difficult to listen to for any extended period of time. Perhaps if I had read this book rather than listened to it I would have found it more enjoyable, but in its audio format the work feels awkward and disjointed.

Despite the above, I am keen to read more of Klarxon’s work. This is an author who clearly understands how to craft unnerving horror, and I do not feel this audiobook truly does his talent justice.

I went into Loading... with a so much ambition. The premise was intriguing, but I feel like halfway through, it fell apart. The pacing of the second half of the book felt weird to me? Like I got lost and wasn't quite sure what was going on. The writing was good just felt like it lacked a lot for me.

My 2 favorite things about this were 1. its ambition and 2. the presentation. I knew going in that it was going to be weird and it reminded me of the early days of cyberpunk. There were a lot of philosophical ideas mixed in and I thought the narration and effects were enjoyable. I don't think I got everything but honestly I think this is something that could be really great if it was reworked into a longer novel.

Usually, I don’t review the audiobook, but this one shares a lot of problems with the actual prose of the book. In one word: over-produced. This book did not need the kind of overwrought narration, sound-effects, and music. In fact, it distracted me from the story. Which, considering how much of a mess that was, is a problem.

If the audiobook was over-produced, the book was overwritten. Pretentious to the point of incoherence. Klarxon really thought he was doing something here, but it just read as baby’s first weird fic. The weird elements were too vague to be interesting but too confusing to be purposefully vague, which I’m sure is what it was going for.

Marshall would’ve been an interesting protagonist if not for the fact that his eccentricities felt at odds with the (admittedly interesting) themes of losing your identity in order to be consumed by the masses. The book ended up having to snap Marshall’s character in half in order to make a point that wasn’t even well-argued.

The ending, though, is why I’m giving this a 1 instead of a 2. Like… What. Was. That?!

Loading... felt like a story somewhere between The Matrix inspired by Palahniuk and Kafka. While an interesting concept, it was a bit angsty for me. I'm 41 at the time of reading this, so maybe it would be more aimed at a younger audience. This is where I draw a comparison to Palahniuk. His books were some of my favorites when I was 18, but revisiting them last year made me realize how much I've changed in the past ~20 years.
The first part of the book felt a bit over the top for the sake of being over the top. I'm not sure what the purpose was other than maybe how people sell themselves, but taken to the -enth degeee. Again, the concept felt like an OnlyFans version of The Matrix. I'm not sure what happened with some of the familial storyline. I think it was meant to keep the main character grounded and somehwat likeable. And the third act felt like bit much happened. I think the author was describing an hour of time in detail but it was a third of the book? It was a lot of clever metaphors and interesting descriptions, but was more like a cool quote than necessary words to keep the story moving.
The book was clever. It was angsty for my liking but I may not be the intended audience. I love bleak and nihilistic. But I also want more out of the story.
The audio work was fun. It felt like an audio drama with sound effects and decent voice work. It wasn't Audible quality and felt a like diy or guerilla. But that kind of goes with the aesthetic of the story.
Keep it up and good luck with the book. Thank you for the read.

Marshall is the internet's most desired porn performer. He accepts a risky job with twelve mysterious men who push him past every boundary. He consumes an unknown substance that rewrites his system from the inside out and his body is no longer his own. As his body begins to transform, the world is watching. Marshall is fighting for control against the parasitic tenant in his own body.

I requested this book because a friend told me it was "weird literary horror," and I'm all here for that! I think I didn't jive with the writing style - it felt too disjointed for me. But, I liked the story overall...it was such an interesting idea that is an intense exploration of society's obsession with extreme sensational content and how media consumption can dehumanize or blur boundaries. This definitely evoked a visceral reaction to extreme body horror, so be prepared for that (check content warnings). Overall, I thought it was a unique and interesting perspective on technology consumption in the modern world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Surrender Point Press for the opportunity to listen to an Advanced Listener's Copy (ALC) in exchange for my honest opinion/review.

Loading… by Cager Klarxon, Narrated by TroySF
Surrender Point Press, Audiobook

3.45 rounded down to 3 🔮🔮🔮 orbs

A short welcome to the followers, subscribers, TikTokers, X users, Redditors, and any other of the plethora of social media outlets one would use to garner attention. Cager Klarxon takes us on a ride of what would happen if technology, social media, and humans melded together as one. Stabilize your selfie stick; this is going to be a bumpy ride.

I walk down the darkest of alleys. Water pitter-patters off the roofs high above. Passersby’s heads tilted down as the glow of the proverbial cellphone lit up their faces. What could be so engrossing that one would blatantly run into anything in its path, including an oncoming car?
2025 sees this world, and Loading…by Klarxon raises the stakes.

From the first minute of listening to TroySF, the narrator, you know that this book might be slightly bonkers. Not in a bad way, mind you, but rather a tip of the cap to Klarxon for his creative thoughts.

Marshall, our porn star turned data incubator, is having a rough time. His latest “scene” has him and twelve others engaging in sexual acts, although he isn’t quite sure what happened. He feels an incision of sorts on his body, housing an unknown organism? If one could call it an organism, was he pregnant? In any case, the strangeness ensues as Marshall attempts to get answers.

Meanwhile, his real-life calls. His sister lets him know that his father would like to speak with him before he dies. Ignoring these calls, the readers are left to ponder just how much emotional damage has been done to Marshall. Does he not care about his father on his deathbed? We find post-death that his father was harboring a secret, one that ties much into Marshall’s current predicament.

There is an underlying sense of dread about this story that is jarring. Klarxon has the reader examine modern times and just how dysfunctional we have become. Dependent upon the dopamine hits provided by the instant gratification of a like or positive comment, modern-day society is seemingly broken, with Klarxon’s rendition of a futuristic take just as scary.

The atmospheric music dropped in as TroySF's voice inflections teased the listener's brain. It has been some time since I have openly laughed at narration, but TroySF did a tremendous job. The audiobook version is a fabulous way to consume this zany work.

It is difficult to describe my feelings after finishing the book. There is a ton of merit to what Klarxon unleashes here. Is it over the top? Yes! It is definitely not apologetic; however, if one peels back beneath the skin, this novel does take us on a journey through self-examination and where we are headed. Are people happier now than 40 years ago? In my opinion, no. Sure, we have modern conveniences to help with those mundane chores, but face-to-face communication has never seemed worse. Many of us, myself included, live in a virtual world, afraid to be in the moment and living in a constant state of flux. When do our emotions become not our own, and how does AI further dilute our ability to be authentic and unique?

While this novella may not be for everyone, I do believe that those who like to indulge in stories that thrive under crazy environments shouldn’t miss this one.

Many thanks to Surrender Point Press for the audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

*This is an episode of Black Mirror, a digital fever dream, a futuristic yet realistic horror*

It’s hard to track or retell a plot of this book but I can say it is about this contagious, digital yet sexually transmitted infection. This book is short but packs a punch. The prose is beautiful, one of the greatest writing I recently consumed, the vocabulary is so rich and descriptive and it definitely feels like the author uses their words as a weapon and knows their way around them! Even though it’s a debut!

The audiobook of ‘Loading…’ is also masterfully done, it has additional sounds and effects building this creepy atmosphere of digital viruses and being hacked, the narrator also does a wonderful job.

I wish this novel could be a bit longer so there could be a universe created and understood, and some fuller backstory since some of the main character’s past and lineage affects the plot directly. There is a potential for the story to be fleshed out more but shorter reads, of course, are easier to commit to as a reader. I am giving ‘Loading…’ a 4 star rating.

Thank you to Surrender Point Press and NetGalley for providing access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

So, a friend told me this was a “weird literary horror,” and I was immediately in. And wow, Loading... is definitely weird, in the best way. It’s dark, strange, kind of gross at times, but also totally gripping. Once I started reading, I honestly couldn’t stop.

The story follows Marshall, a man who works in the adult industry and is somewhat lost in his own life. He’s successful on the surface, but you can tell he’s completely disconnected underneath. The setting, mostly this bizarre hotel called the Stardust, feels just as off and unsettling as Marshall’s own inner world.

What really hit me was how much the book explores the way tech messes with our sense of self. Marshall becomes involved with a creepy group called the Threshold Collective, and things escalate rapidly from there. Think body horror, mind-melding experiments, and the total breakdown of identity. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s so well done.

Even with all the weirdness, there’s a real emotional core. Marshall’s longing for genuine connection, particularly through memories of his childhood and his grandmother, lends the story weight. It’s not just horror for the sake of it; there’s something meaningful going on underneath.

That said, this book is definitely not for everyone. It’s pretty graphic and leans heavily into body horror. But if you’re into dark, smart, and deeply weird stories, it’s absolutely worth picking up.

I also listened to the audiobook version, and I have to say TroySF’s narration was excellent. His delivery really fit the tone of the book, and the pacing was spot on throughout. What really stood out, though, were the sound effects. They added this extra layer of immersion that made the weird, unsettling vibe of the story even more intense. It honestly felt like a full-on experience, not just a reading. I had a lot of fun with it.

It’s a solid four stars from me. I’m really curious to see what Klarxon writes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and Surrender Point Press for the e-ARC! In exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t really enjoy Loading…. While the premise (mixing body horror, technology, and intimacy) was intriguing, the execution felt muddled. The body horror never hit for me, and the plot’s late turn felt more random rather than meaningful. The audiobook, with its overdone sound effects, only made the experience worse.

well written hot mess of a story...2/5

I've been on a horror bender as of late and i went into this knowing that it was going to be a wild ride. Unfortunately, what started off being maybe a bit promising in the beginning took a complete nosedive by the end leaving me wondering what the hell I just read. I think the idea of trying to draw a parallel with content creation and some kind of sentient digital messiah is a good premise in theory, but I don't think this connected those dots in a way that makes sense.

It was unfortunate because I really enjoyed the writing for the majority of the book.

I was also able to get the audiobook as an arc through netgalley (via Surrender Point Press) and overall, the audiobook in my opinion was not as good as it could have been. I did like the fact that during some parts there was a bit of background sounds and distortion happening. But when it came to the character voices themselves it was all over the place.

Loading... is a horror novella about technology, intimacy, and humanity. It follows Marshall, a porn star with copious amounts of industry experience, who unadvisedly accepts a risky (and well paying) booking from a group of men. Encouraged to take a mysterious substance, he finds himself host to a technological entity that is taking over his being. As Marshall's body is colonized and his identity erased, he is forced to broadcast his grotesque transformation live to millions of online viewers.

I read this book because I enjoy unique horror, scathing social commentary and the cover reeled me in. The main character is very well-defined immediately, and even if you don’t like him you can understand him. I would say this book paints sex with is a neutral light which examining the very real risks of selling your body and intimacy, both in-person and online. Marshall is addicted to the attention and praise he gets from his online audience, to the detriment of his own wellbeing and real-life responsibilities, which is only amplified when body horror is involved. I wish his thought processes were more clear at times, but I think he carries the story well. The alien/parasite/virus/whatever element is pretty unique but I feel like the idea started as one thing and then the author decided to change track and it all got a bit muddy. No spoilers, but the way Marshall’s affliction ended up being connected to his own personal life was such a random decision and didn’t add any substance in my opinion.

I am a fan of body horror and when I’m going into a book for that reason, I NEED to have a visceral reaction and I didn’t get that from Loading…. I really struggled to picture exactly what was happening - only how people reacted to it, if that makes sense. Overall, I think the concept overshadowed the execution but fans of the tech horror/sci fi niche might really enjoy this!

Audiobook note: the audio honestly ruined this book for me and I would rate it lower than just reading the book. There are SO MANY sound effects that totally take away from the feeling of suspense/horror, and it just comes across as whacky. Less is decidedly more in this case.

Loading... by Cager Klarxon is an interesting and immersive listen. Great for fans of Dennis Cooper.

This was a quick read with a cool concept. I thought the themes and ideas explored in this were interesting. The beginning of this book had me hooked, but my interest flagged in the middle. The end of the book was good though, and I really enjoyed the note it ended on. I also thought the body horror was well done, by which I mean I was grossed out and horrified by some of the scenes in this book. I would’ve liked to see a bit more depth to the side characters, but considering this is a short book, I can understand why that wasn’t the priority for the author. Overall, I thought this was a pretty intriguing and enjoyable read and would recommend it.

I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did a good job. There were occasional sound effects added in that I thought were a nice touch.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sunder Point Press for providing me an ALC in exchange for my unbiased review.

The narrator of the audiobook is great, and the mixed media is very well done in the audiobook.

The plot of the book was very intriguing, and it had me hooked, but it took me very long until I understood what was actually happening, but once I understood, I couldn't put the book away.

The ending is amazing and creepy and makes you think.