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Slashtag
Welcome to Slashtag, the most immersive horror reality competition series in history! Tag along as seven of America's favorite celebrities step into the infamous Propitius Hotel, home to one of the most prolific serial killers in history - Arthur Wilson.
Arthur built and operated the Propitius Hotel from 1905 until 1928 when dozens of bodies were found in his hotel, along with countless hidden torture rooms throughout the hotel. Arthur disappeared, seemingly never to be caught. He then returned - nearly 40 years later - under the guise of a priest leading a congregation of 100 people back to his hotel, where he once again committed mass murder.
Enter Tawny Howlett-- a top-tier lifestyle influencer who is in the midst of the crappiest week of her life. Her brand new health drink turned out to be tainted, and now thousands of her followers want nothing more than to see her social media empire crumble. In order to rehabilitate her image, she's agreed to take part in "Slashtag: The Ultimate Horror Experience".
At first it's all fun and games, until the team of seven celebs discover that the ghost is very real, and out for blood. In order to survive the three-day live-streamed event, Tawny and her fellow contestants must band together to try and send the spirit of Arthur Wilson straight to hell.
"I suddenly wish that I were just crazy. A hallucination would mean my brain is broken, which is something I’ve spent my entire adult life attempting to accept. If we’re both seeing this, it means the world is broken in a way my brain is not prepared to confront."
While Tawny has her hands full trying to survive a weekend at the Propitius Hotel, it's up to her younger sister April to work from the outside to try and find a way to save her sister, and uncover the dark truth behind the TV network that continues to air the deaths of some of America's top talent.
Together these seven doomed souls must solve the puzzles hidden within the hotel in order to vanquish the spirit of Arthur Wilson.
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From best-selling author Jon Cohn, comes the tale of a social media influencer's attempt to salvage what's left of her dwindling empire, save her sister, and survive the unimaginable in Slashtag, a gripping horror novel with IRL vibes and unexpected twists and turns in the age of social media.
Jon Cohn's best-selling debut novel, "The Island Mother" won Publisher's Weekly's Booklife Prize for Best Indie Horror Novel of 2022.
Arthur built and operated the Propitius Hotel from 1905 until 1928 when dozens of bodies were found in his hotel, along with countless hidden torture rooms throughout the hotel. Arthur disappeared, seemingly never to be caught. He then returned - nearly 40 years later - under the guise of a priest leading a congregation of 100 people back to his hotel, where he once again committed mass murder.
Enter Tawny Howlett-- a top-tier lifestyle influencer who is in the midst of the crappiest week of her life. Her brand new health drink turned out to be tainted, and now thousands of her followers want nothing more than to see her social media empire crumble. In order to rehabilitate her image, she's agreed to take part in "Slashtag: The Ultimate Horror Experience".
At first it's all fun and games, until the team of seven celebs discover that the ghost is very real, and out for blood. In order to survive the three-day live-streamed event, Tawny and her fellow contestants must band together to try and send the spirit of Arthur Wilson straight to hell.
"I suddenly wish that I were just crazy. A hallucination would mean my brain is broken, which is something I’ve spent my entire adult life attempting to accept. If we’re both seeing this, it means the world is broken in a way my brain is not prepared to confront."
While Tawny has her hands full trying to survive a weekend at the Propitius Hotel, it's up to her younger sister April to work from the outside to try and find a way to save her sister, and uncover the dark truth behind the TV network that continues to air the deaths of some of America's top talent.
Together these seven doomed souls must solve the puzzles hidden within the hotel in order to vanquish the spirit of Arthur Wilson.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From best-selling author Jon Cohn, comes the tale of a social media influencer's attempt to salvage what's left of her dwindling empire, save her sister, and survive the unimaginable in Slashtag, a gripping horror novel with IRL vibes and unexpected twists and turns in the age of social media.
Jon Cohn's best-selling debut novel, "The Island Mother" won Publisher's Weekly's Booklife Prize for Best Indie Horror Novel of 2022.
418 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2023
About the author
Jon Cohn
15 books321 followersJon Cohn is the award winning author of "The Island Mother." His latest novel, "Slashtag," is a horror-satire currently available on ebook, paperback, KU, and Audiobook! For more info visit www.slashtaginsider.com
Writer, Board Game Designer & Horror Fanatic
Jon has been a member of the games community since 2016, designing narrative-focused horror experiences like Grind House, and having the absolute joy of contributing to his favorite franchises like Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joncohnauthor.
He would also love to give you free stuff like stories, audiobooks, and games by signing up for his mailing list at joncohnauthor.com.
He lives in San Diego with his incredibly supportive wife Delaney, and two little monsters named Gizmo and Luna.
Writer, Board Game Designer & Horror Fanatic
Jon has been a member of the games community since 2016, designing narrative-focused horror experiences like Grind House, and having the absolute joy of contributing to his favorite franchises like Ghostbusters and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter @joncohnauthor.
He would also love to give you free stuff like stories, audiobooks, and games by signing up for his mailing list at joncohnauthor.com.
He lives in San Diego with his incredibly supportive wife Delaney, and two little monsters named Gizmo and Luna.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 204 reviews
May 31, 2023
Welcome to Slashtag!
It's a horror reality show that takes 7 celebrities and places them in the infamous Propitius Hotel. The hotel is famous for being the home to Arthur Wilson, a notorious serial killer.
Tawny Howlett is a top lifestyle influencer who has seen her image take a battering after a drink she endorsed made people sick. To help her image, she agrees to take part in the reality horror show that will be streamed for all to see. She doesn't want to, but her image needs some help! It is when she enters the home with other participants that she learns the ghosts are real and the horror is all too real. There they will have to work together to survive. Tawny's younger sister, April will help Tawny in any way that she can from the outside.
Fans of "The Cabin in the woods", "Saw", "Big Brother" and escape rooms will enjoy this one. Plus, readers will also get H.H. Holmes and his "Murder Castle" vibes from this book. There are plenty of horror film references thrown in as well. I don't think I need to tell anyone that this book is creepy, dark, gory, entertaining, and horrific!
Throughout the book, I wanted things to move along a little bit more. I thought the book could have used a little bit of editing and been just as enjoyable but not feel as long. I enjoyed the dread, tension, and unease in the book. One could feel it when the participants realized that their lives were in danger. Like a horror film, this does get gory.
Overall, an enjoyable and entertaining book which would make a killer movie!
3.5 stars
Thank you to Deadbolt Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
It's a horror reality show that takes 7 celebrities and places them in the infamous Propitius Hotel. The hotel is famous for being the home to Arthur Wilson, a notorious serial killer.
Tawny Howlett is a top lifestyle influencer who has seen her image take a battering after a drink she endorsed made people sick. To help her image, she agrees to take part in the reality horror show that will be streamed for all to see. She doesn't want to, but her image needs some help! It is when she enters the home with other participants that she learns the ghosts are real and the horror is all too real. There they will have to work together to survive. Tawny's younger sister, April will help Tawny in any way that she can from the outside.
Fans of "The Cabin in the woods", "Saw", "Big Brother" and escape rooms will enjoy this one. Plus, readers will also get H.H. Holmes and his "Murder Castle" vibes from this book. There are plenty of horror film references thrown in as well. I don't think I need to tell anyone that this book is creepy, dark, gory, entertaining, and horrific!
Throughout the book, I wanted things to move along a little bit more. I thought the book could have used a little bit of editing and been just as enjoyable but not feel as long. I enjoyed the dread, tension, and unease in the book. One could feel it when the participants realized that their lives were in danger. Like a horror film, this does get gory.
Overall, an enjoyable and entertaining book which would make a killer movie!
3.5 stars
Thank you to Deadbolt Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
May 18, 2023
I got this book for review on netgally.
I was very intrigued by the premise, with it being set in a horror reality show with a lot of "Big Brother" vibes. The characters where great and they added the drama and tension, making it feel very much like a reality show. But there where more serious moments as well. It had elements of escape rooms, true crime, ghosts and was able to make it all work well. Really enjoyed this one and would det read something more by Jon Cohn
I was very intrigued by the premise, with it being set in a horror reality show with a lot of "Big Brother" vibes. The characters where great and they added the drama and tension, making it feel very much like a reality show. But there where more serious moments as well. It had elements of escape rooms, true crime, ghosts and was able to make it all work well. Really enjoyed this one and would det read something more by Jon Cohn
June 8, 2023
A group of celebrities get invited to participate in a ‘Haunted House Escape Room’, which is being televised to the public...but is it really a game?
There is torture, blood, gore, death, ghosts, a demon, as well as a nod to various horror movies. With a cast of characters which can be annoying, as well as likeable...we also get to know some backstory of each of them.
If you like escape rooms, haunted houses, and the movie ‘Saw’, then this is for you.
3.5 ⭐️
Thanks to BookSirens for sending me this free ARC, which I’m happy to provide a free and voluntary review.
There is torture, blood, gore, death, ghosts, a demon, as well as a nod to various horror movies. With a cast of characters which can be annoying, as well as likeable...we also get to know some backstory of each of them.
If you like escape rooms, haunted houses, and the movie ‘Saw’, then this is for you.
3.5 ⭐️
Thanks to BookSirens for sending me this free ARC, which I’m happy to provide a free and voluntary review.
April 29, 2023
Slashtag | John Cohn
Cross between Celebrity Big Brother and a haunted escape room
Leave your lights on for this one
Great cast of characters you actually want to survive
Decent length (allows for plenty of story and character development)
Just a lot of fun to read!
Five stars
I couldn’t wait to dive into this horror novel by John Cohn when I read that intriguing premise. What’s not to love about a bunch of celebrities, puzzles and an escape room that might just be a little too deadly. I absolutely loved that the author developed a whole website devoted to this book. Check it out, it’s incredible. There are photos of the characters, profiles, maps, history of the locations and much more. http://www.slashtaginsider.com/ This isn’t just a book it feels like a whole experience. I read it in one sitting, couldn’t put it down. The author was new to me but I am looking forward to checking out other books.
Cross between Celebrity Big Brother and a haunted escape room
Leave your lights on for this one
Great cast of characters you actually want to survive
Decent length (allows for plenty of story and character development)
Just a lot of fun to read!
Five stars
I couldn’t wait to dive into this horror novel by John Cohn when I read that intriguing premise. What’s not to love about a bunch of celebrities, puzzles and an escape room that might just be a little too deadly. I absolutely loved that the author developed a whole website devoted to this book. Check it out, it’s incredible. There are photos of the characters, profiles, maps, history of the locations and much more. http://www.slashtaginsider.com/ This isn’t just a book it feels like a whole experience. I read it in one sitting, couldn’t put it down. The author was new to me but I am looking forward to checking out other books.
June 20, 2023
Oh my God, this was fun. Like, please sir...may I have another?
This is a slash, boom, crunch kind of read with gruesome kills, entertaining characters, and a whole host of sliced and diced Influencers (the best kind).
Definitely have your popcorn ready and come with a sense of humor and adventure.
An absolute blast of a read!
This is a slash, boom, crunch kind of read with gruesome kills, entertaining characters, and a whole host of sliced and diced Influencers (the best kind).
Definitely have your popcorn ready and come with a sense of humor and adventure.
An absolute blast of a read!
May 15, 2023
2023 so far has blessed me with an extraordinary number of extraordinary books! Most so far have been 4 * or 5 *, with rare exceptions. Many have been super great. Yet another in this latter category, an unputdownable, wildly imaginative, gory, incredibly twisty, Horror Thriller, is the recently released novel from Jon Cohn, SLASHTAG. (Release Date: April 26 2023)
Let me assure you: I will be waiting in line to read Jon Cohn's next novel! SLASHTAG is Influencer/Reality Show/Hybrid Media/Performance Art with a strong foundational dose of Cosmic Lovecraftian "sell-your-eternal-soul" Horror! There is nothing that it lacks, and I wanted to start back at the beginning and read it all over again!!
Let me assure you: I will be waiting in line to read Jon Cohn's next novel! SLASHTAG is Influencer/Reality Show/Hybrid Media/Performance Art with a strong foundational dose of Cosmic Lovecraftian "sell-your-eternal-soul" Horror! There is nothing that it lacks, and I wanted to start back at the beginning and read it all over again!!
May 14, 2023
When seven celebrities are invited to a haunted hotel with the same history as the one created by HH Holmes in Chicago They’re all reluctant to go but are convinced by emotional blackmail well not all of them… Tawny is however she is a lifestyle influencer in the thing she loves most in the world it’s her sister April they both went through a horrible ordeal which put April in a wheelchair and gave Tawny scars she has spent most of her life trying to hide. The only reason she agrees to go to this haunted house reality show is because they said they could help get her sisters the kidneys and rehab she needs. The show is being funded by a mega media conglomerate Who has purchased all the popular social media sites and made one big social website that if you want to be on the Internet it is your only choice. No one understands how a virtually unknown politician and his rich partners came from to become such big players and a huge part of the zeitgeist in any event they’re here and are funding this reality show at first Tawny isn’t excited at all but right before she enters the haunted hotel they’re all given cell phones that only has a Camera app Notes app in the ability to send a one emergency message to her fellow contestants but then she notices an app with her name on it and when she presses it it says good dogs keep their mouth shut which is a reference to the horrible ordeal that happened to her and her sister and wants she presses it it disappears this will not be the only time she was reminded of the horrible event that changed her in Aprils life forever as a matter of a fact she will learn ghosts are real and because of that running from your past is not an option. This book is so good she is on this show with an anonymous clerk whose identity no one knows but everyone thinks is a celebrity an actor name Landon who played the hotel owner in the movie that turned out to be a flop another influencer name Britt who’s from Texas Keke Kawaii a football player name Sean and Tawny’s fake public boyfriend Derek who’s known as the wreck. He is a 30-year-old man child who wants to change his image and has been dating her with the plans of doing just that but when they enter the haunted house not all of them will be leaving. As I said this book is so good the dialogue flows and when I say you will not want to put this book down I’m being so serious I stayed up all night until I was finished reading Slash Tag by Jon Cohn an author I have never heard of before but I have already picked my next book by him which I think is his only other book but either way I feel like this is just the beginning for Mr. Cohn If you love horror then you’ll definitely love this book I do and did and highly recommended this is a definite five star read in the gradebook any lover of paranormal horror will love. I received this book from NetGalley but I’m leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
April 28, 2023
This book earned its stars, that’s for sure!
I loved the idea of celebrities participating in a horror escape room type of reality show. They each have their own personalities (real and fake), their brand, their traumas, etc.
The hotel itself is an H.H. Holmes wet dream!
Then throw in some real ghosts, torture, cults, and supernatural aspects and things get even more crazy.
All the characters were fantastic, I especially liked April. The scenes were tense and bloody throughout a lot of the story. The writing was on pointe, keeping your eyes glued to the pages. The horror movie references were awesome (especially the High Tension one, a def fav movie of mine!).
Everyone should absolutely give this book a go as soon as possible! It was truly a phenomenal tale!
Thank you to the author and BookSprout for a copy to review!
I loved the idea of celebrities participating in a horror escape room type of reality show. They each have their own personalities (real and fake), their brand, their traumas, etc.
The hotel itself is an H.H. Holmes wet dream!
Then throw in some real ghosts, torture, cults, and supernatural aspects and things get even more crazy.
All the characters were fantastic, I especially liked April. The scenes were tense and bloody throughout a lot of the story. The writing was on pointe, keeping your eyes glued to the pages. The horror movie references were awesome (especially the High Tension one, a def fav movie of mine!).
Everyone should absolutely give this book a go as soon as possible! It was truly a phenomenal tale!
Thank you to the author and BookSprout for a copy to review!
March 30, 2023
This is the second book that I have read by Jon Cohn, and I was delighted to see that this one was darker, a little more sinister, and felt like an IRL reality show on the page. I am not a horror reader most of the time, but when I saw that Jon had written another book after The Island Mother, I was stoked to read it!
In Slashtag, we find Tawny with her social media empire in ruins after a product that she promoted gives people severe food poisoning, and in true present day fashion, her fans are out for blood and trying to cancel her. Shocker, I know. LOL
She has an ill sister and signs up for a reality horror show alongside six other celebrities with a big brother/escape room vibe, against her better judgment, and things don't go from bad to worse - they go from scary to horrifying. See, there are secrets that EVERYONE is harboring, and the show is bringing those secrets to light as each celebrity starts got knocked off one by one. And HERS is the biggest secret of all.
Ghosts and bloodshed and stalkers and then throw in a little Saw/Big Brother/Survivor-esque mania and you've got yourself a killer horror story! See what I did there? ;)
I can't say enough good things about the book without throwing out SPOILERS EVERYWHERE, but I've already recommended it to a few friends and can't wait to hear what they think about it once they've read it.
Bonus! There is a website with all kinds of behind the scenes stuff that gives you a deeper dive into the characters and also a few podcast episodes that follow along with the story at www.slashtaginsider.com that were CLUTCH while reading this.
Jon Cohn really gave us magic with an excellent follow up to his debut novel!
In Slashtag, we find Tawny with her social media empire in ruins after a product that she promoted gives people severe food poisoning, and in true present day fashion, her fans are out for blood and trying to cancel her. Shocker, I know. LOL
She has an ill sister and signs up for a reality horror show alongside six other celebrities with a big brother/escape room vibe, against her better judgment, and things don't go from bad to worse - they go from scary to horrifying. See, there are secrets that EVERYONE is harboring, and the show is bringing those secrets to light as each celebrity starts got knocked off one by one. And HERS is the biggest secret of all.
Ghosts and bloodshed and stalkers and then throw in a little Saw/Big Brother/Survivor-esque mania and you've got yourself a killer horror story! See what I did there? ;)
I can't say enough good things about the book without throwing out SPOILERS EVERYWHERE, but I've already recommended it to a few friends and can't wait to hear what they think about it once they've read it.
Bonus! There is a website with all kinds of behind the scenes stuff that gives you a deeper dive into the characters and also a few podcast episodes that follow along with the story at www.slashtaginsider.com that were CLUTCH while reading this.
Jon Cohn really gave us magic with an excellent follow up to his debut novel!
July 9, 2024
Read for the 2024 Books of Horror Indie Brawl. This book was seated at #27.
Well, that was.... unexpected. I was very impressed with this author and this book. In addition to a well written story there was an entire website dedicated to the fictional game Slashtag, including a 4 episode podcast. This is what really put it over the top for me. I will be giving this boo 4.8 witht he additional material, 4.2 without it.
Well, that was.... unexpected. I was very impressed with this author and this book. In addition to a well written story there was an entire website dedicated to the fictional game Slashtag, including a 4 episode podcast. This is what really put it over the top for me. I will be giving this boo 4.8 witht he additional material, 4.2 without it.
May 12, 2023
Given the bonkers originality of this book, I am not entirely sure where to begin.
My wife and I watch a lot of reality TV and have, on more than one occasion, wondered how long it will be before someone dies on one of those shows. Slashtag takes that idea and runs with it in a big way.
This book is a truly immersive experience, thanks to the www.slashtaginsider.com website, where you will find character bios, podcast episodes, and so much more. If you take the tips suggested in the book to visit the website at specific times, you will feel as though you are witnessing something very real.
Slashtag is an incredibly cool idea brought to life in an imaginative way. There are a couple of formatting issues later in the book, but not enough to stop this being a 5-star read.
My wife and I watch a lot of reality TV and have, on more than one occasion, wondered how long it will be before someone dies on one of those shows. Slashtag takes that idea and runs with it in a big way.
This book is a truly immersive experience, thanks to the www.slashtaginsider.com website, where you will find character bios, podcast episodes, and so much more. If you take the tips suggested in the book to visit the website at specific times, you will feel as though you are witnessing something very real.
Slashtag is an incredibly cool idea brought to life in an imaginative way. There are a couple of formatting issues later in the book, but not enough to stop this being a 5-star read.
May 1, 2023
Slashtag is an incredible adventure through Big Brother meets Saw meets H.H. Holmes! Told with narratives, actual podcast episodes, cast emails, and texts, Slashtag is an homage to trash TV and media monopoly.
Jon really brought the story to life through the eyes of his characters. They really encapsulated reality TV and the cheesy, over-scripted aspects of it, but the added true horror elements completely changed the game. There was never a dull moment while reading this book, and I was so engrossed in the characters and their lives outside of the competition.
Now....the podcasts. I have a love-hate relationship with them. I absolutely adored the added information that the podcasts, and the website, itself provided. I loved the additional look at the cast, the hotel, and the company itself. However, the podcasts were also distracting. The long expositions on the movies that the show was adapted from seemed to drag and took me out of the story a bit. I didn't think those parts were necessary for the purpose of the podcast, and almost wished that they were just kept to recaps and reactions to what was happening on the show.
What an absolutely brilliant idea, though! I've never read a book that was supplemented by a website and multiple podcast episodes, so this was a really fun curveball. I did think it was a little hard to know when to listen to the episodes after the first one. I didn't catch on that the notifications for the new episodes were at the bottom of the phone until the 4th episode so I ended up going back and listening to 2 and 3 a little later than I should have. I wish it was a little clearer on when I should listen to them so I'm getting the full immersive experience. I did think that Chef Costanza's character was extremely obvious on the podcast.....the first time he had very little to no accent then when he comes back, he's suddenly accompanied with a thick accent and voracious swearing, which seemed hugely opposed to Costanza's actual character. That didn't gel as well with me as everything else.
I did have a few formatting issues, specifically on the pages with the text messages. They didn't seem to sync right so I had pages that were duplicates, but with a couple differences, a page that didn't line up at all with the one before it, and so on. Overall though, a totally unique and incredible experience and I can't wait to see where Tawny and the crew go from here! I love the turn that Tawny's character has taken with the amulet, and I'm so ready to ride this out to the end!
Jon really brought the story to life through the eyes of his characters. They really encapsulated reality TV and the cheesy, over-scripted aspects of it, but the added true horror elements completely changed the game. There was never a dull moment while reading this book, and I was so engrossed in the characters and their lives outside of the competition.
Now....the podcasts. I have a love-hate relationship with them. I absolutely adored the added information that the podcasts, and the website, itself provided. I loved the additional look at the cast, the hotel, and the company itself. However, the podcasts were also distracting. The long expositions on the movies that the show was adapted from seemed to drag and took me out of the story a bit. I didn't think those parts were necessary for the purpose of the podcast, and almost wished that they were just kept to recaps and reactions to what was happening on the show.
What an absolutely brilliant idea, though! I've never read a book that was supplemented by a website and multiple podcast episodes, so this was a really fun curveball. I did think it was a little hard to know when to listen to the episodes after the first one. I didn't catch on that the notifications for the new episodes were at the bottom of the phone until the 4th episode so I ended up going back and listening to 2 and 3 a little later than I should have. I wish it was a little clearer on when I should listen to them so I'm getting the full immersive experience. I did think that Chef Costanza's character was extremely obvious on the podcast.....the first time he had very little to no accent then when he comes back, he's suddenly accompanied with a thick accent and voracious swearing, which seemed hugely opposed to Costanza's actual character. That didn't gel as well with me as everything else.
I did have a few formatting issues, specifically on the pages with the text messages. They didn't seem to sync right so I had pages that were duplicates, but with a couple differences, a page that didn't line up at all with the one before it, and so on. Overall though, a totally unique and incredible experience and I can't wait to see where Tawny and the crew go from here! I love the turn that Tawny's character has taken with the amulet, and I'm so ready to ride this out to the end!
May 14, 2023
This was such a fun slasher! It's got an escape room mystery, a killer ghost, a cult, a spooky hotel, and a celebrity reality tv show/livestream.
I found Slashtag to be fast-paced, it had plenty of twists and turns that made the book really hard to put down.
I enjoyed how atmospheric the story was, at times, I felt like I was wandering around the hotel with the influencers.
I was also pleasantly surprised at how likable the influencers were, I was expecting them to be sort of stuck up and tone-deaf, but I really wanted to see them succeed.
The world building is incredibly immersive; it's told in multiple POVs, email exchanges, and celebrity news articles. There's a cool Easter egg with a website where you can read contestant bios and the history of the hotel. Plus, it has an insider podcast, which you can listen to exclusive interviews.
Highly recommend checking this one out if you love a good slasher story! And a big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy!
I found Slashtag to be fast-paced, it had plenty of twists and turns that made the book really hard to put down.
I enjoyed how atmospheric the story was, at times, I felt like I was wandering around the hotel with the influencers.
I was also pleasantly surprised at how likable the influencers were, I was expecting them to be sort of stuck up and tone-deaf, but I really wanted to see them succeed.
The world building is incredibly immersive; it's told in multiple POVs, email exchanges, and celebrity news articles. There's a cool Easter egg with a website where you can read contestant bios and the history of the hotel. Plus, it has an insider podcast, which you can listen to exclusive interviews.
Highly recommend checking this one out if you love a good slasher story! And a big thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the gifted copy!
September 15, 2024
Holy insane! Think House on Haunted Hill in a hotel. Excellent character and world building, and gruesome ghost-on-human eliminations. You feel for the characters as you watch them go room to room, desperate for escape when they realize this is no mere publicity stunt they’ve agreed to. I really enjoyed how well-described the rooms, hotel, characters and entities were; imagery is a definite skill the author masters. This was fun, gut-wrenching, anxiety inducing horror. I will definitely be reading more of his work.
September 14, 2024
loved the interactivity of this book and all of the pop culture references. social media influencers are thrown into a murder mansion survival broadcast. there are external “contestant” links, fake instagrams, and podcasts to follow along with the book’s reality show - a lot of work was put into this story to make it a fully immersive experience and it worked. the campy clue vibes are well balanced with modern horror twists. I gave it 4 stars because it felt a bit drawn out at times, but overall it was solid slasher and the ending did not disappoint! highly recommend if you like the fun side of horror and are tired of reading the same regurgitated plot lines.
October 3, 2024
This book is a bit all over the place but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
If you enjoy watching bad horror movies I reckon you'll like this. Good way to start the spooky season 👻🎃🦇
If you enjoy watching bad horror movies I reckon you'll like this. Good way to start the spooky season 👻🎃🦇
May 13, 2023
Where to begin: Awesome cover, great pacing, fantastic writing, original story, and most of all... wonderful characters! Media celebrities take part in a reality horror show; their mission: to escape a haunted hotel, previously the home of a serial killer. There are lot sof secrets in the background, each contester bringing their own story, their own shame and regrets. After all hell breaks loose, Cohn's 400 page book goes by like water! It's as if he's lured us into a trap, and once the trap has been sprung, we can't help wanting more of the lure! Cohn has a deep understanding of social media, knows how to keep the reader's interest, and writes a poignant story. It could have been scarier, but it has well-thought action scenes, fully descriptive escape-room puzzles, and it also has... podcasts! If you want to pace yourself, give them a chance: they complement the story, bringing it to life, and have some details you won't find in the book. In sum, this is a wild, utterly weird ride, not to be forgotten any time soon!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2023
From reading the blurb I was very excited to read this, the idea of a reality show meshed with slasher vibes sounded unlike anything I've read before, I love the slasher genre and this didn't disappoint, it was a fun fast paced blood soaked ride, I'd recommend it to fans of clown in a cornfield/my heart is a chainsaw
May 8, 2024
This is my first time reading Cohn, and I really enjoyed it! It’s not typically one of my go to tropes, but I love the world Cohn created and the extra measures he took beyond the book to pull you into the experience. And his writing style was great, so I can’t wait to check his other stuff out
May 22, 2023
ARC💫 (spoiler free review)
good lord almighty was this book traumatizing in all the best ways possible!! I consume a lot of horror content and yet Slashtag is the first book or movie to ever cause me to have nightmares 😍
seriously everything in there was sooo good, I went in with low expectations as books never scare me but I could feel my heart beating faster once shit got real. I could feel the tension and the fear of the characters like I was in the house myself pls the writing was amazing.
the characters were all great in their own way, they had their little character development while going through all the chaos it was so well done!
the plot??????? insane, legendary, ground breaking, iconic. each scene fit just right with the others, inventive and creative horror scenes, chef kiss🤌
the chapters with corporate emails and the pov outside the house were the perfect touch to put it all together and create an unbearable suspens, loved that!
anyway I can't shut up about it because it was just too good, I could sell my soul to watch a movie adaptation of this book🙏
good lord almighty was this book traumatizing in all the best ways possible!! I consume a lot of horror content and yet Slashtag is the first book or movie to ever cause me to have nightmares 😍
seriously everything in there was sooo good, I went in with low expectations as books never scare me but I could feel my heart beating faster once shit got real. I could feel the tension and the fear of the characters like I was in the house myself pls the writing was amazing.
the characters were all great in their own way, they had their little character development while going through all the chaos it was so well done!
the plot??????? insane, legendary, ground breaking, iconic. each scene fit just right with the others, inventive and creative horror scenes, chef kiss🤌
the chapters with corporate emails and the pov outside the house were the perfect touch to put it all together and create an unbearable suspens, loved that!
anyway I can't shut up about it because it was just too good, I could sell my soul to watch a movie adaptation of this book🙏
September 19, 2024
A group of celebrities are invited to a haunted hotel to take part in a live-streamed reality show. What they don't realise is that they are lambs that have been led to the slaughter. What they thought was just a TV show, turns out to be very very real. Soon they are facing ghosts, trapped in the hotel with no way out, being picked off one by one while the world watches.
This was a little slow to start with, but once the celebrities were in the hotel and shit started going down, it really took off. It was gritty and tense, and it genuinely had me doubting my own mind. Was it just a really immersive game show, or was it truly real? Were the contestants really just having a psychotic break brought on by stress? Once the story picked up, I couldn't read it fast enough, but I was gutted when it ended. Kinda hoping there could be a second book in the future too.
This was a little slow to start with, but once the celebrities were in the hotel and shit started going down, it really took off. It was gritty and tense, and it genuinely had me doubting my own mind. Was it just a really immersive game show, or was it truly real? Were the contestants really just having a psychotic break brought on by stress? Once the story picked up, I couldn't read it fast enough, but I was gutted when it ended. Kinda hoping there could be a second book in the future too.
September 9, 2024
Brilliant story. Well designed (especially loved the mobile phone graphic ticking off tasks to be completed!), well written (different sub genes are incorporated and all done well, also keeps you really engaged as you don't know what is going on), and just an all round great book to read. The work that Jon has done to put this story together, well, hats off to you! The only part of the book I found a bit jarring was- it's told from a 1st person POV (Tawny) but when her sister is on the scene, HER part is told in 1st person as well, not quite sure why that was but i found it a bit off putting, to start with anyway, I soon got used to it. Minor grumble but that was all, the rest of the story is top notch.
August 12, 2024
This book had me hooked almost instantly. It was just a fun and unique take for a novel. I felt like I was emersed in the gameshow with them. I found myself loving once character one minute and despising then another. The little twists and turns kept me guessing the whole way though. The mix of reality TV and horror movies play hand and hand together perfectly. I caught my heart racing at times as well as needing to slow my reading down because I just need to know what happened next. Although this was my first by this author I will definitely be reading more!
August 14, 2024
This was so much fun! Found this book for the Escape /Puzzle /Maze prompt for Horror Haven's Hardcore Horror Fan Challenge. I'm so happy I had to search for a book because this is a gem. Great characters. Had my attention right away and held it till the very end. Fresh and imaginative plot. Did I mention that this was so much fun?!? I can't wait to read more by Jon Cohn! Highly recommended for all Horror fans!
June 4, 2023
stalking, slashing, haunting, possession, horror movie referencing, mixed media, reality tv, escape rooms, murder and mayhem.. this had soo many layers!! what more could one possibly want from a book🤭 (side note, they should definitely make a movie out of this asap) loved loved itt
December 6, 2023
3.5💗
def got a little repetitive but it was really fun!
def got a little repetitive but it was really fun!
May 26, 2023
I was recently introduced to Jon Cohn through his novel The Island Mother, which was a five-star read for me. This, of course, meant I had high hopes going into Slashtag. Could Mr. Cohn wow me and woo me once more?
Yes. Yes, he could. Slashtag starts with a great horror premise (influencers stuck in a haunted hotel solving escape room style puzzles for a huge prize and Internet notoriety) and keeps the chainsaws revving throughout. Mr. Cohn perfectly balances the humor and horror of life as an influencer without straying into anything too silly or losing focus on what we're all here for: a bloodbath.
And boy is it! People die in gruesome and unusual ways left and right in this book. Dismemberment, strangulation, explosion...it gets gory.
Slashtag and Island Mother have cemented Jon Cohn as a must-buy author for me. Not only will I be purchasing copies of both these books but I'll be preordering any new releases from him in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Yes. Yes, he could. Slashtag starts with a great horror premise (influencers stuck in a haunted hotel solving escape room style puzzles for a huge prize and Internet notoriety) and keeps the chainsaws revving throughout. Mr. Cohn perfectly balances the humor and horror of life as an influencer without straying into anything too silly or losing focus on what we're all here for: a bloodbath.
And boy is it! People die in gruesome and unusual ways left and right in this book. Dismemberment, strangulation, explosion...it gets gory.
Slashtag and Island Mother have cemented Jon Cohn as a must-buy author for me. Not only will I be purchasing copies of both these books but I'll be preordering any new releases from him in the future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2024
Welcome to Slashtag, the most immersive horror reality competition series in history! Tag along as seven of America's favorite celebrities step into the infamous Propitius Hotel, home to one of the most prolific serial killers in history - Arthur Wilson.
Arthur built and operated the Propitius Hotel from 1905 until 1928 when dozens of bodies were found in his hotel, along with countless hidden torture rooms throughout the hotel. Arthur disappeared, seemingly never to be caught. He then returned - nearly 40 years later - under the guise of a priest leading a congregation of 100 people back to his hotel, where he once again committed mass murder.
Enter Tawny Howlett - a top-tier lifestyle influencer who is in the midst of the crappiest week of her life. Her brand new health drink turned out to be tainted, and now thousands of her followers want nothing more than to see her social media empire crumble. In order to rehabilitate her image, she's agreed to take part in "Slashtag: The Ultimate Horror Experience".
At first it's all fun and games, until the team of seven celebs discover that the ghost is very real, and out for blood. In order to survive the three-day live-streamed event, Tawny and her fellow contestants must band together to try and send the spirit of Arthur Wilson straight to hell.
I rate this book 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed Try Not To Die On SlashTag- An Interactive Adventure by Jon Cohn. When I found out there was a sequel called SlashTag, I just had to read the book. I must say, this book was very well written. I only hope that this book turns into a movie because as I read it, I could picture everything in my mind as if a movie was playing. I loved the storyline of each character, the humor used, and the scenes were very tense and gory. I could not put this book down and didn’t want it to end. I loved the plot twist and found myself cheering on the contestants. This is a must read! I strongly suggest you read Try Not To Die On SlashTag first! Jon Cohn please write another one or make this into a movie! I would gladly sign up to participate!
Arthur built and operated the Propitius Hotel from 1905 until 1928 when dozens of bodies were found in his hotel, along with countless hidden torture rooms throughout the hotel. Arthur disappeared, seemingly never to be caught. He then returned - nearly 40 years later - under the guise of a priest leading a congregation of 100 people back to his hotel, where he once again committed mass murder.
Enter Tawny Howlett - a top-tier lifestyle influencer who is in the midst of the crappiest week of her life. Her brand new health drink turned out to be tainted, and now thousands of her followers want nothing more than to see her social media empire crumble. In order to rehabilitate her image, she's agreed to take part in "Slashtag: The Ultimate Horror Experience".
At first it's all fun and games, until the team of seven celebs discover that the ghost is very real, and out for blood. In order to survive the three-day live-streamed event, Tawny and her fellow contestants must band together to try and send the spirit of Arthur Wilson straight to hell.
I rate this book 5 stars!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I really enjoyed Try Not To Die On SlashTag- An Interactive Adventure by Jon Cohn. When I found out there was a sequel called SlashTag, I just had to read the book. I must say, this book was very well written. I only hope that this book turns into a movie because as I read it, I could picture everything in my mind as if a movie was playing. I loved the storyline of each character, the humor used, and the scenes were very tense and gory. I could not put this book down and didn’t want it to end. I loved the plot twist and found myself cheering on the contestants. This is a must read! I strongly suggest you read Try Not To Die On SlashTag first! Jon Cohn please write another one or make this into a movie! I would gladly sign up to participate!
August 28, 2024
A Fun and Gruesome Nightmare
Story time: about 10 years ago-maybe more, maybe less- I was watching that horrible Halloween movie Halloween Resurrection where they live broadcast a night spent in the infamous Michael Myers house. I started to get an idea of writing a book about a live stream haunted house.
I started mapping it out, writing a few chapters, but could never figure out how to get all the characters and celebrities to the house without it sounding forced.
10 years later, I am glad I never moved forward with that book because we would never have had the masterpiece that is Jon Cohn's Slashtag. This book was a very fun read that kept me turning the pages until the very end. I didn't want it to finish.
When celebrities agree to be filmed nonstop in a supposed haunted hotel, only the worst can happen, and it truly lives up to that. This book is scary in more ways than just ghosts and blood. With the way our world is heading with social media and influencers and god-like celebrities, something like this doesn't seem too far off.
I give this book a 4.5 stars, and it will go down as one of my favoritebreads of 2024
Story time: about 10 years ago-maybe more, maybe less- I was watching that horrible Halloween movie Halloween Resurrection where they live broadcast a night spent in the infamous Michael Myers house. I started to get an idea of writing a book about a live stream haunted house.
I started mapping it out, writing a few chapters, but could never figure out how to get all the characters and celebrities to the house without it sounding forced.
10 years later, I am glad I never moved forward with that book because we would never have had the masterpiece that is Jon Cohn's Slashtag. This book was a very fun read that kept me turning the pages until the very end. I didn't want it to finish.
When celebrities agree to be filmed nonstop in a supposed haunted hotel, only the worst can happen, and it truly lives up to that. This book is scary in more ways than just ghosts and blood. With the way our world is heading with social media and influencers and god-like celebrities, something like this doesn't seem too far off.
I give this book a 4.5 stars, and it will go down as one of my favoritebreads of 2024
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