reubenalbatross 's review for:

The Venue by T.J. Payne
5.0
challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This could possibly be, dare I say it, a perfect horror novel. 
 
It's insanely readable and compelling. The pacing is immaculate. Loved the camp vibes. 
 
It's so completely believable - both in the setting/events and in the way the characters reacted throughout the book. This just made it even more terrifying as I could really see it happening in this reality (though reading other reviews I may be alone in this!).
 
It's got great LGBT representation. 
 
It’s got hard emotional hits AND really gory body horror. 
 
And the ending was really strong! It felt so genuine and not cheesy at all, which seems to be a struggle a lot of authors have with this kind of ending. 
 
Just wow. This is my first T. J. Payne, but definitely won't be my last!