Moonrise is a dark, winding tale that starts off as a corporate retreat and spirals into a visceral horror-thriller packed with strange rituals, power games, and a literal beast lurking in the woods. At its center is Anthony Montgomery, a weary mid-level employee who’s forced to navigate a world where loyalty tests involve taxidermied wolf paws and a monstrous creature might just be real. The book straddles the line between corporate satire and supernatural horror, and the way it flips from mundane work-life nonsense to full-on blood and snow makes for one thrilling ride.

Claiborne starts things off slow, with Anthony being the perfect jaded everyman, reluctantly sipping wine at an awkward office retreat. Then suddenly, we’re howling under the moon with a taxidermy paw full of wine and being told to drink up like it’s a frat party hosted by Satan. The scene with Mr. Morgan and the “Omega” ritual was unhinged. And I loved it. The writing here is sharp and cinematic, capturing that uneasy tension between corporate absurdity and primal chaos. It’s weird, but in the best way.

But it’s not just the gore and weirdness that kept me hooked. The characters—especially Anthony—are written with surprising depth. His interactions with Luna, his sense of duty to his girlfriend Sidney, and that internal battle between temptation and loyalty felt real. And then that scene in the woods? Where Anthony sees the creature for the first time? Pure horror movie magic. The tension was unbearable, and I was genuinely sweating. Claiborne describes the creature in such vivid detail. Anthony’s injury, the adrenaline, the decision to play dead—all of it was so well done.

There were a few moments that felt a bit over the top. Some of the hospital scenes ran a little long, and a few of the jokes didn’t quite match the tone of the rest of the book. There’s also a lot of internal monologue—some lines hit just right while other didn’t. But honestly, that added to the charm in a weird way. It gave Anthony this raw, messy humanity. He’s not a hero. He’s just a dude trying not to die and maybe score a promotion, which somehow makes him more relatable. I won’t spoil the ending, but let’s just say it leaves enough questions dangling to make me suspicious of every CEO with a vineyard.

Moonrise is for fans of offbeat horror, black comedy, and corporate satire. If you like your monsters bloody and your protagonists flawed, this book is for you. It’s not for the faint of heart or anyone looking for a polished, buttoned-up read. But if you’re in the mood for something different—something wild, creepy, and a little unhinged—pick this up.

Pages: 267 | ASIN: B0CLYXKZGZ