Reviews

Reviewed by Tanja Jurkovic for Readers’ Favorite

“Lit is a vivid and exquisite voyage into the darkest dimensions of Hell that reveals the true power of human emotions and the importance of emotional and life control. Mark Anthony masterfully depicts the exchange between the two dimensions, offering scenes of utmost brutality and vivid carnage. The unsettling feeling that Lit imposes on the reader is wonderfully balanced by a well-measured writing pace and the detailed descriptions of strong main characters and their attached monsters. Lit will suck you into a world where all bets are off, and hope is the only bargaining chip you get to survive this hellish experience. The scenes are amazing, so vivid, and got me scared a few times...and I don't get scared that easily. With this first novel, hopefully the first out of many, Mark Anthony is truly on a path to becoming the next-generation master of suspense.”

Reviewed by Parul Sood for Readers’ Favorite

“In Ascent, Mark Anthony expertly crafts a story that continuously builds in intensity. The merging of the nightmarish realm with the everyday world generates a sense of looming danger and raises the stakes for the main characters. This suspenseful narrative captivates readers eager to unveil the mysteries hidden in the darkness. Character development is a standout feature in Ascent. The story adopts a character-driven approach, delving into how these unseen sinister forces shape the characters' lives and minds. Ascent introduces new laws and rules within the Lit series, offering a more profound comprehension of the supernatural elements at work. The author's vibrant descriptions and meticulous attention to detail immerse readers in a dark and eerie atmosphere, bringing the world to life. Ascent serves as a gripping continuation of the Lit trilogy, with Mark Anthony skillfully weaving a tale that delves into the complexities of human nature when faced with hidden malevolence.”

5 Star Review by K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

”Author Mark Anthony writes with a passion for dark suspense and chilling moments, and that enthusiasm seeps into every atmospheric corner of this action-packed and utterly chilling read. I loved the initial concept of the Leviathans and their need for Conduits, and it can be a hard thing to expand on that and amp up the danger for a mid-trilogy book, but I felt that the new ideas building onto the existing world lore were suitably dangerous and very high stakes indeed. I loved the dialogue work and narrative presentation put into Mika and his dark quest, in stark contrast to characters like Ellie, who are just trying to survive. Overall, fans of an ensemble cast and a sweeping, cinematic paranormal style will be sure to adore Ascent and the Lit Trilogy in general, and I for one, can’t wait to see how it ends.”

Reviewed by Rabia Tanveer for Readers’ Favorite

“I do not recommend reading Ascent at night, but I highly recommend you read it. It was bone-chilling at times and is the perfect paranormal novel to read over the weekend. It isn’t horror per se; it is more suspense, and I loved that. I felt terrible for Ellie. I felt like she was the one who struggled the most with her predicament. Josh was pretty much trying to ignore it all, but Sam was the one that commands the attention of readers. He was fighting tooth and nail for his freedom and to get revenge for what his life had become. Mika, on the other hand, was lost to the darkness and thrived in it. His arc was the most interesting even though he was the antagonist. Mark Anthony's narrative style was fantastic. The descriptions were realistic, the pace was fast, and the characters were interesting. The imagery blew me away, and the overall feel of the story was fantastic. The world-building was out of this world, and I cannot praise it enough!”

5 Star Review by Emma Megan for Readers’ Favorite

“Lit by Mark Anthony is an utterly engrossing and macabre story about some Leviathans and their Conduits that will keep you awake at night. It's filled with likable characters plagued by misfortune, loss, grief, and nasty creatures waiting for them to reach their breaking point. It's one of the most inventive horror stories I've read in years. I felt as if I was watching one of those terrifying and spellbinding horror movies that give me the type of twisted nightmare that I usually like to avoid. Despite that, I was unable to put down this book once I started it, and I am still recovering from it. It's so dark, creepy, and complex. I hope that Lit becomes a movie.”

MUST READ review by WAJEEHA BASHIR for BOOK NERDICTION

I started this book with average expectations. But after reading the first page, I knew that I had to raise my expectations. Because:

A) The writing style was LIT and,

B) The mysterious environment that compels you to hold your breath!

Though Sam and Ellie were somewhat of not-so-great characters in the beginning, reading about their character development and how great they became was a treat for the eyes! But still, my favorite character was Joshua, whose innocence and childhood were compromised due to Leviathans. I felt sad for him because his whole life ahead will now be plagued with those creepy Leviathan thoughts.

The Leviathans themselves were scary, and if you are just starting Lit, you may think, “Oh, they are not so scary and creepy!”. Believe me, with the passage of chapters, they will become creepier and scarier. Just a side note for the weak-hearted people, don’t read this at midnight!

But, if you are an avid reader of the horror genre, this may be the best story for you! Because LIT is descriptive, with as-humanly-as-possible characters, you will be able to imagine all the scenes. And I kid you not, the Leviathans are very creepy ones if you are able to make their image in your mind!

The atmosphere of the book is eerie and I loved reading how all the three characters met. From my review, you should have clearly understood by now that, I loved reading LIT. It was everything you wish for in horror fiction. So don’t waste your time and grab this book as soon as possible to experience life-altering scenes.

” OUR VERDICT? GET IT!”

A delightfully gruesome story that will continue to haunt readers long after they reach its end. “GET IT” review by KIRKUS REVIEWS

“The story follows three remarkable characters from very different walks of life who have one thing in common: They’re haunted by terrible creatures called “Leviathans,” brought forth by extreme traumatic experiences and mental illness. Ellie Jameson is a school janitor who’s hounded by a giant Slender Man-esque Leviathan that destroys her family, causing a mental breakdown that forces her into state-mandated therapy; during on session, she can still hear the monster’s “rasping breath” and “feel its cold and smell its nauseating stench.” Sam Morris is a struggling advertising executive whose Leviathan manifests as a giggling, creepy little girl begging him to “come play” and victimizes family members and colleagues in Sam’s vicinity during times of extreme stress. Joshua Fielding is an 8-year-old with an alcoholic mother who has an abusive boyfriend; the youngster’s Leviathan emerges as a giant “Monster Dog” that follows him to school, where he tries to avoid prying questions from teachers and friends. Although the characters are from separate worlds, their stories begin to overlap as Ellie and Sam prepare for an upcoming event of horror and mayhem and Joshua encounters his Monster Dog for the first time. Debut author Anthony, a registered nurse, effortlessly interweaves together elements of mythology and dark SF to create a world in which trauma’s harm is far more than mere metaphor. The plot is consistently engaging, displaying an understanding of genre tropes, and the author shows a skill for storytelling that surpasses that of some more established authors. Most notable is Anthony’s ability to smoothly move between each character’s point of view, which not only gives the reader a complete story, but also a proper basis for understanding the detailed world the author has built in these pages.”

5 star review Bree, Goodreads

“This book disturbed me like nothing else I've ever read. And yet I couldn't put it down because the psychological aspects were so compelling. It’s a sophisticated and brilliantly written book with serious forward driving momentum. It caused me to consider more deeply ideas about trauma, the human psyche, life and death, non human entities, good and evil.”