So when I saw Horrorstor featured on Smart Bitches, Trashy Books, I knew I had to have it. It's a horror story set in an IKEA knockoff. Now, I loves me some IKEA. But you know it'd be freaking creepy to be in one at night. All those fake rooms, all those twists and turns, the endless maze. Not to mention all those Allen wrenches and wordless instruction booklets. *shudders*
This author took that concept to the nth degree using an IKEA knockoff concept named Orsk. But it's really clever how they packaged the story. The book looks like an IKEA catalog and there are ads throughout the book that read like IKEA-speak. (Have a question? Just ORSK!) But the furniture ads at the beginning of chapters get more and more sinister as the story goes along.
So at first I was worried that this would be all schtick. Clever but not much substance. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. The story is darkly funny (especially if you've ever worked in retail) yet still delivers on the creepiness. It's got that Scream vibe. Where you're laughing one minute but then getting creeped out the next. Also, fair warning, this is not a romance. I know that's what I usually feature, but this is not that. If scary books aren't your thing, then this probably won't be for you. It's not terrifying IMO. It's creepy. But I know some of you avoid horror-type stuff at all costs.
Also, because of the illustrations and format, you'll want to either get the print copy or read it on a larger device. I think you'd miss a lot if you were reading it on an e-ink device.
What do y'all think? Anyone freaked out by the idea of getting trapped in an IKEA at night? My nightmare would be being forced to assemble the furniture all night. My thumbs hurt just thinking about it.
Disclaimer: Though Amazon and iBook links are affiliate links, I only recommend books I truly enjoyed from my own TBR pile. I purchased this book and was not asked by anyone to promote it.