A properly great haunted house book. YES THANKS. Lots of atmospheric writing and loads of mood presented. Definitely one that needs a bit of work before its published (some tense issues).

It can be hard to write an unlikeable protagonist who is still enjoyable to read about, but Hull struck the balance well. There were definitely a few plot holes and unbelievable decisions, but I treated it like I treat many horror movies -- just enjoy the spookiness and don't think too hard about it -- and had a good time. The house itself, especially the pig barn, were fun to read about. I'm always a supporter of horror set in Indiana, and the fact that the author infused the story with real-life details about his childhood hometown and house added a compelling layer.

While I did appreciate the trauma aspect of this (the best horror uses trauma) and the description of the book gripped me, I did feel as though the story fell short in some ways.

What an excellent haunted house book. It's been a while since I've read a haunted house book that didn't feel like every other haunted house book.

The only thing I would say is I hope the edited version fixed all the back-and-forth tense issues.

Thank you for allowing me to read!

The graphic sequences in this book are solid: the possessed sacrificing their families, the rotting ghosts that appear without warning, and the witches coven that started it all. Paul is forced to bear witness to some horrifically irredeemable acts, committed by those he once called friends. But not everyone can be a hero. It's a story of self-destructiveness, retribution, helplessness, and honest acceptance.

Usually I don't mind an unreliable narrator, because it can keep the reader guessing or add a shocking twist at the end. This narrator though, I could not take seriously. His toxic obsession with his podcast I can understand. People are flawed and when it comes to Paul, this is no secret. He is knowingly self-centered, but unaware that his podcast may serve as a way to spread the curse. Rather, it was his underwhelming reactions and pop culture-filled inner monologues that ruined the tension. If I saw a couple of bloated corpses walking towards me, I would not be thinking "huh, this is just like that scene in..." The gallows humor doesn't land, but you could definitely create a watch-list! Disappointingly, we spend so much time in Paul's self-pitying head that other characters seem to come and go just for the body count, creating more than a few plot holes. But when it's good, it's great, and I can appreciate a new voice! The author is obviously passionate about the horror genre, and I would definitely give them another chance.

Didn’t quite finish this one, but wanted to leave some thoughts. 8114 has a really intriguing premise and Hull’s writing is sharp and atmospheric. Hull’s writing style really pulls you in: dark, tense, and cinematic. I can’t speak to the full story arc, but I’m definitely curious to pick it back up when I get the chance.

Joshua Hull’s debut novel 8114 is a haunting ride into grief, podcasts gone wrong, and the horrors of revisiting the past. Paul, a washed-up podcaster, returns to his hometown after a friend dies in his childhood home, house number 8114, and what follows is a spiraling descent into supernatural dread and psychological torment. The atmosphere oozes unease, cinematic and raw, anchored by vivid imagery and Hull’s screenwriter’s flair.

For all the dread and spectral chills, the story occasionally feels overcrowded, with layers of hauntings, trauma, small-town secrets, and podcast drama vying for attention. While the racing pace keeps you hooked, it sometimes leaves character depth and backstory just out of reach.

A gut-punch of a horror debut that’s both chilling and thought-provoking. It doesn’t let go, even if it doesn’t always feel tidy. Definitely worth the sleepless nights.

Thank you CLASH for my free ARC of 8114 by Joshua Hull — available now!

» REVIEW «
Apologies for the brevity and delay of this review, but summer has got me backed up on reviews and ARCs 😅

This little book was unfortunately not for me. I enjoyed the nostalgia, tone, and some of the visual descriptions, but Paul is just not a character I could get behind, so I had to set aside the book. Try it if you don't mind unlikeable characters!

⭐️⭐️⭐️

🐖🐖🐖🐖 / 5

8114 by Joshua Hull

thank you to @clashbooks and @netgalley for early access to the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! this one is out now!

quick thoughts:
⭐️ 4/5
👻 podcast host returns to hometown after his longtime friend’s death occurred inside his haunted childhood home
🩸 horror, thriller, mystery
✍🏼 conversational tone/writing style, short chapters
🎙️ features podcast transcripts & ‘90s references
👍🏼 would recommend to horror fans!

this one most definitely creeped me out, especially that cover 👀 and then i got chills when i read that this was loosely based on the actual house and town that the author grew up in 🤯

🎶 “what have i done to myself?”

the horror elements in this story were so terrifyingly brilliant! i genuinely was super creeped out during certain scenes. i loved the incorporation of the podcast, as i felt it elevated the story and made it even darker. i also enjoyed the ‘90s references throughout! some of the characters could’ve been a little more developed, especially the ones most affected by the curse of the haunted house, but each of their stories was uniquely devastating. the author’s background is in screenwriting, which is evident in the details he injected into the setting and dialogue! such an entertaining read!

i believe this was his first full-length novel (he’s published a novella and non-fiction book), so i’m eager to check out what he writes next!

This was scary and intense in a way that is difficult to pull off. I definitely appreciated how unnerving the writing was and how many of the scares will likely continue to haunt my dreams.

Well, that was a spooky little story!

This would be a perfect Halloween season read. It’s full of ghosts, demons, and gore. What else could a horror reader ask for?

This story is similar to Pet Semetery at its foundation. Spoiled/haunted ground is coming back to haunt the owner who has attempted to leave it behind.

People are dying at the hands of their parents and themselves… and all at 8114.

I loved the podcast segments and wished there were more of those. Especially at the end!

It truly kept me engaged and turning those pages into the night.

I recommend!

I'm a sucker for horror stories that probe questions of identity and trauma, and 8114 delivers on those themes. I loved how the podcast elemend was woven into the story, and I was glued to the pages trying to figure out what happened.

It’s rare when I get spooked by a book and this one had me on the edge of my seat the whole time ! I looooved how the podcast was incorporated into the book it truly made me feel like I was tuning in every week to listen on the news that was being updated on ! 10/10!!

The premise of 8114 is what first drew me in. Our protagonist, Paul Early, is a controversial podcast host who returns to his hometown after one of his childhood friends takes his own life, in Paul’s childhood home. In searching for answers, Paul begins to uncover dark and unsettling truths about the house he grew up in, 8114.

Sounds gripping, right? Unfortunately, the execution falls flat, largely because Paul is one of the most unlikeable characters I’ve ever read. This may well be intentional, but it makes the reading experience a slog.

Paul never takes anything seriously. Even in moments meant to be terrifying, he undercuts the atmosphere with jokes or throwaway ’90s pop culture references. Any tension that could have been building just dissolves, leaving the reader detached. It’s hard to feel fear, or even concern, for a protagonist who is so relentlessly flippant.

Another issue is the lack of imagery. Descriptions of paranormal events and key scenes are thin, often reduced to Paul saying something looked like a famous horror movie moment. While this might fit his personality, it prevents the reader from visualising the events for themselves, stripping away atmosphere and immersion.

The podcast sections, however, are the book’s strongest element. Here, Paul slips into “host mode” and actually takes things seriously, allowing some genuine tension and unease to build. These glimpses suggest that with a more grounded and likeable protagonist, 8114 could have been a far more effective and memorable horror story.

Reeling from his podcast gone terribly wrong, Paul returns home to mourn the loss of his best friend. However when he returns home he learns how sinister things really are at his former home, 8114.

This is not my typical genre. I found the writing interesting with its humorous spin on such dark content, but I can still say the genre is just not for me.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

8114 was my first read by Hull and I loved that it was based on the home he grew up in. 8114 is the story of Paul, a fairly unlikable guy who flailed around a bit after high school until he managed to put out a podcast that generated some publicity. Unfortunately the publicity turned negative when he ends up exposing some DV victims in hiding. He returns home after a call from a good friend and then eventually decides to do a podcast based on some strange occurrences based around his childhood home.

I loved some of the 90s nostalgia in the beginning. Mention NIN and The Offspring on the same page and I’m in. But once the story gets rolling it became difficult to distinguish certain plot elements and characters. The pacing would very rapidly ramp up and then just kind of die off and never explain what was happening. I assuming there was some kind of unreliable narrator trope/mental breakdown going on, but it just had too much going on at times. Paul sucks. I generally vibe more with characters in that morally grey territory but he’s obnoxious and incredibly obtuse. I expected more on the history of the home but much of the story seems focused on imagery over explanation. The spreading black mold was an awesome visual but again, I just couldn’t totally reconcile how elements impacted another. Most of the side characters fell flat for me and some of the later deaths felt unnecessary. I didn’t really see how AB connected with the house at all. This book played out well in my head. Some super creepy scenes and vibes but lacked the substance needed to tie it all together. I’d be down to read more Hull in the future but 8114 didn’t grab me as much as I’d hoped.

Wanted to love this one but really didn’t like Paul the main character, this has random jump scares throughout that just kind of felt clunky to read. Not my favorite horror book

Okay. As a rule, I'm not a fan a huge reader of horror novels. They just don't tick a lot of boxes for me. What I find is that I'm not scared by the words. This was certainly true of 8114, but as I read I could imagine what a freaky movie it would make. A haunted house (in a true horror trope way), dead bodies piling up faster than the eye can see, and a town with a legacy. It has all the makings. But as a read, it wasn't really that scary. It was fine, I suppose. Just didn't tickle me that much.

This was super good and super scary. Podcaster, Paul Early, is making his way back home to Pendleton, IN, after his failed attempt and subsequent consequences for his podcast, Where is Adam Benney? He has been called home as his best friend, Kyle, has committed suicide. In Paul's old abandoned house, 8114. None of this makes sense. Soon Paul realizes that something is DEFINITELY wrong with 8114. And as the sickness keeps spreading to everyone Paul comes in contact with, Paul will have to decide if he can stop it. Or give in to it.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and CLASH Books for this digital e-arc.*

Number 8114 does't take prisoners, it takes souls...

Paul Early gets a call from his childhood friend delivering the news that their best friend has committed suicide in Paul's old home, number 8114, under sinister circumstances. Paul decides to drive home and uncover what happened, putting it all together in his own little podcast.

I wasn't a fan of the writing style/wording at first, but grew into it after page 15. It's does get gorey at times, but I was hoping for it to be more unsettling. In saying that, I believe that 8114 would translate great on the screen.