A astonishingly gripping read that grabs you from the first word and doesn’t let you go until the end! Dark and clever with such depth and thought for the characters I’m literally on the edge of my seat waiting for the next book!

From page one I was gripped, this book is really well written, the characters are intriguing and the writing kept me wanting more, it is definitely one of the best books I've read of late. So excited to read the 2nd one this week. If you looking for a great thriller of a book that keeps you trying on tender hooks, this is the one.

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.

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. Its 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.

Completely terrifying and at times, deeply touching. The words diverse, gritty and real come to mind. The world created in Lit is evil and vicious, the three dimensional characters within it are plunged into a world that seems bleak and hopeless. The characters are strong, the terrifying plot building along with the tension. It is contemporary, new and fresh which is so needed in literature. The demons in the story are "old school" evil and they exist surreally in connection with normal, everyday people. The constant contrast of good and evil, pure and impure is consistent and captivating. The book takes you on three unique journeys with the same nightmare and then slams the picture together. Fantastic work.

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.

A delightfully gruesome story that will continue to haunt readers long after they reach its end.

Intriguingly distinctive, this book unravels a spellbinding narrative that begins with Ellie, an anxious woman meticulously trying to conceal her unease during her therapy sessions with Niles. With an uncanny creature persistently tailing her, the book deftly explores the contrasting layers of Ellie’s personality in her physical interactions and introspective dialogues, a dichotomy intensified by her ceaseless evasion of the creature.

The plot swiftly evolves from Ellie’s everyday life to her encountering a collection of individuals whose pasts are marred by unthinkable adversity. As they unite to endure their predicaments, the reader is immersed in a riveting exploration of resilience and camaraderie.

The commendable depiction of mental health issues is perhaps one of the most compelling aspects of this book. It offers thoughtful insights into each character’s personal battles with grief, loss, and anxiety. The engaging narrative and Anthony’s skillful storytelling ensure readers are hooked and eager to learn more about each character’s journey. The possibility of identifying with one or more characters adds a layer of relatability that will likely enhance the reader’s investment in the book.

What sets this book apart is its incorporation of multiple realms and its testament to the extraordinary resilience humans can display in harrowing circumstances. Anthony’s detail-rich writing and vivid characterization keep readers absorbed, enabling them to empathize with the characters’ fears and anxieties. His writing prowess is indeed on full display, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the intense, eerie atmospheres.

I recommend this book for its immensely engaging narrative and unique storyline. It’s a captivating read that elicits a deep sense of involvement with the plot and characters and impels you to hope for their survival in their terrifying environments. I’m confident that this riveting tale will similarly captivate other readers, leaving them enthralled by its unusual storyline and richly drawn characters.

Our world entwines with other dimensions, seen by only a few. These few individuals, known as Conduits, are the strong ones who shut the barrier between these two worlds. Ellie is one of them. One day, walking to her inconspicuous job as a night cleaner at a local school, she gets sucked into a hell dimension she didn't create herself... another Conduit lighted her. Meeting the little boy Josh, whose monster almost broke him, and finding another one, an overwhelmed man called Sam, these three Conduits realize their strength is in numbers and working together. Waiting to survive the most important night of their lives, when the boundaries between the dimensions disappear, Ellie, Josh, and Sam experience important lessons; how to conquer their fears and endure the impending danger in the form of a mysterious Circle while trying to remain alive.

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.

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.