*I received a free copy of this book, with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
Blurb: There is no need to panic. There is no need to be scared. JOY will protect you.
In this helpful guide designed to allay all sorts of fears and concerns that have risen in the post-JOY utopia, Ward Christopher - with assistance from The Union - presents explanations, examples, and solutions to the things that may be scaring you. From the shadows in your bedroom to politics, and even the very end of the world, this JOY-approved Reassurance Guide produced by The Union is here to tell you one simple thing.
Everything is under control.
From the author of the award-winning Wilthaven (BBNYA Finalist 2021) comes a new title introducing another world in which things aren't what they seem, and with a threat far larger than anything imagined.
everything is under control is a very unusual horror story with a very clever premise: JOY has taken control of humanity and created a utopia, but some people stubbornly persist in their mistaken belief that JOY is a monster humanity enslaved and the world as we know it threatened by forces of darkness and madness. But that's okay! Because the author has produced this handy (Union approved) guide to the various challenges you might be facing under JOY's reign. So, don't worry: everything is under control!
The story is told in a press release / manual format in a witty parody of authority propaganda and presents numerous little vignettes of horror, styled as case studies or exemplars. There is humour throughout but the story is weighted towards psychological horror, so the sense of doom and despair pervades as you read.
I was reminded of some of my favourite podcast series - Welcome to Night Vale and The Magnus Archive - as the author has taken a similar slanted approach to the genre, whilst retaining his own style.
This was a quick but disturbing read and I would recommend it to horror fans looking for existential dread and space god-monsters.
Remember, JOY only wants what is best for you. Submit to JOY and rejoice. everything is under control. Be very afraid.
Find more from Oli Jacobs at his website here, or follow him on Facebook or Twitter.
For my review of Oli Jacobs' The Lament of the Silver Badger check here, for The Space Adventures of Kirk Sandblaster have a look here, for Wrapped Up In Nothing, try here, for Strange Days in High Wycombe have a nosy here and for Suplex Sounds of the 70s, here. Plenty of OJ for everyone!
everything is under control is available on Amazon right now.
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