Assessment:

Plot/Idea: Hoover's story is expertly paced and full of nail-biting moments. He manages to combine relevant character and plot points with an unsettling atmosphere, and the result is a dark mixture of horror and character-driven dilemmas.

Prose: The three main perspectives interlace nicely, and Hoover is able to spotlight their individual traits—Wyatt is strategic and focused, Siggy is fiery and passionate, and Doc is calming and empathetic—along with their role in the story's eerie setting. 

Originality: Three people going to a cabin in the woods who end up hunted by an unknown entity is a well-known idea, but Hoover adds his own flair by exploring the struggles of veterans and giving each protagonist a distinct personality.

Character/Execution: Wyatt, Siggy, and Doc each go through their own personal developments that are relatable and true to life, despite the story's supernatural circumstances. The antagonists are completely despicable and the perfect antithesis to the main players.

Blurb: A terrifying foray that manages an in-depth exploration of veterans, trauma, and the importance of asking for help.

Date Submitted: July 26, 2023