PopHorror Let's Get Scared
Before reading BETA, I knew Sammy Scott was a talented writer. At Home with the Horrors is a hell of a collection, and I quickly fell in love with his writing style. Perfect prose, tension built quietly and at a perfect pace for each story. Unique ideas, and the writing chops to pull them off. Very impressive. I was extremely excited to hear that he was working on a novel. I wanted to get my hands on it the second it was released. Thankfully, I was lucky enough to get an ARC, so my wait was a bit shorter than expected.
The Synopsis:
Michael Danvers’ life of self-imposed seclusion is interrupted when he receives a strange the unique opportunity to move into and beta-test a fully automated, state-of-the-art smart home. A true marvel of modern innovation, the house is controlled by a sophisticated AI that ensures all routine tasks are taken care of, limitless forms of entertainment are just a voice command away, and nearly every physical need is met with efficiency. But soon Michael realizes that what at first presented itself as a futuristic utopia may be quickly devolving into a technological prison.
Ninja Clown’s Thoughts on BETA: A Technological Nightmare
Sammy delivered in a big way with BETA. His style of stellar prose that I loved in short form was even more apparent in novel form. The longer format enabled a deeper dive into the characters and setting, described to perfection and easy to empathize with and visualize.
BETA revolves around our main character, Michael. He is an author that is invited to participate in a trial run of a brand-new SMART home and write about his time spent there. For three months, he will be alone in this immaculate home run completely by A.I. He doesn’t have to cook or clean, and the amenities in this house are practically beyond imagination.
It comes with it’s own A.I. named Ella, which is basically a tricked out version of Siri or Alexa with capabilities that Google and Apple would love to be able to offer. There is also a small robot assistant named Esra. Ella is just a voice that runs everything in the house and has complete control. Esra is a small, physical robot that performs both Ella and Michael’s bidding. The description of Esra made me instantly think of a fancier version of Eve from Wall-E. There is even a little cleaner bot that is a high end Roomba, it doesn’t have a name so Michael calls him Mouse.
You’re not getting any spoilers!!
That’s pretty much all of the plot I’m willing to talk about in a review for this spectacular book. I went in fairly blind, and I feel like it’s imperative that other readers do the same. Everything is fantastic about this book, but the way Sammy throws plot twists around is downright masterful. I feel that if I were to talk about the plot too much, it would steal from the enjoyment and I absolutely refuse to do that. One of the twists was revealed almost gently. You don’t even realize you’ve read a twist and then, BAM!! It hits you. Then you laugh, call Sammy Scott some names for tricking you, and continue onward.
Sammy Scott has plotted and planned extensively to give the reader a truly entertaining and immersive experience with BETA. I felt lulled into the story at the beginning, fawning over the gadgets and capabilities of this miraculous house. Wishing I could live in a place just like it, be waited on hand and foot by an entity that is in full control of every need or want you can imagine. Be careful what you wish for.
BETA left me in a bit of a tough spot. Do I congratulate Sammy on this masterful work of literary horror fiction? Or do I wring his damn neck for putting my emotions through the ringer throughout this technology drenched, horrific fever dream? I think the first option is in order, because I need Sammy to keep putting out magnificent fiction for years to come.
Highly recommend, to anyone that enjoys any genre. There’s something for everyone here.
Now for some heavy news about Sammy, and how you can help
A couple of days ago, Sammy posted on social media that he has been diagnosed with Cholangiocarcinoma. An extremely aggressive Cancer of the bile ducts of the liver. Being self-employed, Sammy has had major financial loss due to loss of work and hospital bills. Fellow author and friend, Nick Roberts, author of the smash hit The Exorcist’s House and Anathema, has started a gofundme to help Sammy and his family in his time of need. https://gofund.me/c64c51a9 Please take a look at the link and share on social media. And you can always help Sammy by purchasing his work available on Amazon.
