Book Review: Soul or Keep by Chad Taylor
Genre: Dark Speculative Fiction / Occult Thriller
Publisher: Alien Buddha Press
Synopsis
Nathaniel “Nate” Simpson is a truck driver trapped between unexplained blackouts, sleepwalking episodes, and the lingering effects of a spell cast long ago during Hurricane Susan to pull him out of a coma. To manage his memory loss, Nate relies on meticulous note-taking, especially around his home life with his girlfriend, Rebecca, and her grandmother, Evelyn, who recently moved in. Routine tasks come easy, but any new, non-repetitive information slips through his fingers.
The slight memory loss soon spirals into something far darker, stranger, and deeply addictive.
Nate’s uneasy reality shatters completely when he receives a cryptic, threatening message from a woman named Tammie:
“Meet me at Doug’s Waffles 143 Maple Court. We have some catching up to do. Unless you want me to call your girlfriend’s business phone instead. Rebecca’s Wedding Planning isn’t it?”
Cornered, Nate has no choice but to meet her to find answers. He is thrust into a world of fog-dense streets, hypnotized employees, and power-hungry mystics seeking to ascend to warlock status. At the center of it all is a game called Soul or Keep that lingers like a curse in the bloodstream. As Nate struggles to separate truth from illusion, he must free himself from spiritual bondage to save Rebecca and their unborn child before their souls are claimed.
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Review
If you’re searching for a supernatural thriller that seamlessly blends psychological horror, dark fantasy, and occult mystery, Chad Taylor’s debut novel Soul or Keep is a compelling read. Packed with eerie atmosphere and emotionally grounded stakes, it keeps readers questioning reality from start to finish.
Unreliable Narrators & Character Dynamics
Nate is a deeply sympathetic and well-developed protagonist. His fear, determination, and unwavering love for his family make him instantly relatable. However, his internal battle with memory loss creates a fascinating layer of psychological suspense—his untrustworthy perceptions make him an inherently unreliable narrator.
The supporting cast amplifies the novel’s mounting paranoia and supernatural danger:
- Rebecca: A loving, supportive partner who carries trust issues from a troubled past, making Nate’s erratic behavior a constant strain on their relationship.
- Donnie: Nate’s brother, whose desperate attempt to help with the sleepwalking—literally strapping Nate to his bed—fails when Nate mysteriously breaks free.
Vivid Prose & Central Themes
Taylor’s descriptive prose brings the uncanny world to life with precise, vivid imagery:
“He then popped out of the window with a look of concern while the yellow light blanketed his mocha colored skin which appeared almost like clay.”
At its core, Soul or Keep tackles heavy thematic ground:
- Fate vs. Free Will & Destiny: The mysterious game Soul or Keep serves as both the central conflict and a dark metaphor for human agency, questioning whether destiny is preordained or something to be reclaimed.
- Fractured Identity & Memory: Exploring how memory shapes who we are, and what happens when those foundations crumble.
- Sacrifice & Love: Positioning love as the ultimate form of resistance against supernatural control.
Final Verdict
Soul or Keep is a haunting, moody debut that establishes Chad Taylor as an exciting new voice in dark speculative fiction. Fans of supernatural horror, atmospheric thrillers, and occult mysteries will be captivated by its memorable characters and lingering, haunting conclusion.
“In the game of life, every action has a ripple effect.”
About the Author
Chad Taylor is a writer and artist based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied Writing Studies at Northern Kentucky University and has published indie comics such as The 5ivefooter and Drips under his Uni5icomics banner. Soul or Keep is his debut novel.
** Thank you to Chad Taylor for the gifted copy for review consideration. I haven’t been compensated for this review and all views and opinions expressed are my own.
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