Book Description
Karl notices something odd about his sister the morning after a blind date. A coldness in her manner; nothing anyone else would notice. Suspicious, he confronts her about the date but she turns nasty, accusing him of taking a perverse interest in her sex life.
When he next sees her, months later, she seems back to normal, until a harmless comment provokes a sudden, violent response. As her mental state fluctuates, Karl seeks out the man she dated just before her personality began to change; convinced she is suppressing a painful memory from that night. But what he discovers is something far more sinister, and pervasive, than he’d ever imagined.
Strictly for adult readers, THE MANY is the first book of a trilogy that explores the dark side of the world we live in, and exposes an evil that is both disturbing and eerily familiar.
Review
It took me a while to read this book. I received the eARC in January but the copy that I got had very tiny fonts. It also didn’t have a cover so it just started from Chapter 1 which didn’t appeal to me. I usually struggle with tiny fonts and have to rotate my tablet so as to read such books which bothers me. Anyway, this is why it took me a while to read the book but once I got started, it took only took one Saturday morning to get through it.
The story begins with Stacey’s date with a certain handsome, successful doctor. The date seems to go well until the two decide to go home. Something happened on the way but as readers, we don’t get to know what it was as this is part of the book’s mystery. The only thing that is evident is that Stacey was a changed woman when she went home the next day. Her behavior was so bizarre especially the things she said to/about her brother. Her actions towards her family made me uncomfortable. On the other hand, there is Karl, Stacey’s younger brother, who lives with her. He is confused by his sister’s sudden change and is determined to find answers.
There are other characters that go through similar experiences like Stacey/Karl after going on dates with people that they met from online dating sites. It is evident that the date nights are changing the singles. Throughout the book I kept trying to guess what happened to them. I felt sorry for the loved ones who were left baffled. I mean, one day your loved one goes out on a date and then comes back a completely different person? What was even more intriguing was the fact that the singles don’t remember what happened to them so nobody has the answers (or so it seems).
I don’t know how to categorize this book. At first I thought it was a thriller but it does border on being a horror story too. Perhaps a mixed-genre. I feel like it will appeal more to fans of horror though. The themes are a bit too dark. The book ends with a cliffhanger so there maybe a second book. I found this to be an unsettling read but I am curious enough to read the second book in the series.
A Haven for Book Lovers 
Hmm strange and very creepy! The closest I’ve read to anything like this was The Birdbox. I liked that one but I’m not sure this is the one for me. I’m happy to hear you liked it and even want to read the next one.
Thanks Inge.This one is really not the usual kind of thriller. Its a bit too dark so more of horror I think. I will check out The Birdbox.
I liked this one a lot when I read it too! I guess they are making a sequel!
I look forward to reading the second book. I think it will be more about The Many and revenge. It will be interesting to see how it goes though especially after how this one ended.
I’m not sure about cliffhangers overall, I usually prefer to wait until all books are available just because I’m too impatient and I NEED to know what happens😅This sounds like an interesting read though being part thriller part horror
I totally agree with you about the cliffhangers. I don’t like having to wait so long for the next book and sometimes it forces you to reread the first book to refresh your mind before starting the second one. I hope that the sequel for this one won’t take long though 🙂
Great review! It definitely sounds like an interesting read, although the cliffhanger ending might be a turn off.
I know what you mean. Especially when you have to wait for the second book. An interesting read though. Thanks.
The change in the character’s personality really sound scary. It does get me quite curious to find out what happened overnight and how the story unfolds though. Really nice review! 🙂
– Lashaan
Thanks Lashaan 🙂 The change in personality is also aht got me curious enough to request this book. Its the mystery in the story.
Interesting, I didn’t know this one and I like the idea of it being more horror! Although I’m not such a fan of cliffhangers when there isn’t a second book yet XD
I hope the author won’t keep readers too long before the next book. I also don’t like cliffhangers because of that but hopefully it will be different with this book.
Yeah, it sounds like a horror/mystery to me. I’m very unnerved from reading the synopsis and your review.
It definitely was a bit too dark. I don;’t read horror so I may have skipped the book if I knew about the genre beforehand. It ended up being a good read though.
As always, a great review my dear! Not sure if this is one for me, though ;P
haha I totally get it. Thanks for reading and commenting though 🙂
This does sound a bit on the horror side for me! It feels so unsettling, but of course, the intriguing dates are working their magic and I’m curious! Great review!
Thanks Donna. Yeah definitely more of horror than thriller.Or a horror mystery, if that’s a thing. An interesting read though 🙂
My first thought in response to your review was the movie Get Out with the people being body snatched!