Greg Zipper is a paranormal vlogger whose livelihood relies on his online popularity. When a fight between him and his girlfriend goes viral for all the wrong reasons, Greg purchases a dark web mystery box in hopes of restoring his audience’s faith in him and hitting one million subscribers. But when Greg opens the box, he gets much more than he bargained for, including a Boxer who’s determined … determined to stop him from taking his loved ones for granted. Now Greg must do all he can to stop the Boxer, or else he’ll lose his livelihood—along with the woman he loves.
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I have read a few books in play format. They are unique and can add an element to a story. I was drawn to this book first by the book cover and second by the concept of the story. I got both the audio and ebook versions of this book. Which I started out with the audio version.
When I got to the halfway point of the audio book, I realized that I could not remember a thing that had happened. Therefore, I read the ebook as I thought maybe it was the narrator that might have been the issue. No, it was not the narrator.
Both Alice and Greg were not very likable. Greg more than Alice. The events that transpired after Greg opened the mystery box were not goosebump worthy to me. In fact, I found myself at times re-reading passages as I was like that is it. Overall, I liked the concept and the play format but not very scary to me.
haven’t read a play in a while, not since Harry Potter and The Cursed Child. I read this in one sitting, took about an hour or so. I liked how Morgan’s characters in this are tailored to the social media age, it was good to see the issues of trust when Greg has become obsessed with his own image causing him to neglect his girlfriend, Alice.
I was sad that the doggie died. They always get it in the horror genre. 🙁
Unboxed would make a good short film, fast paced with a sharp moral at the end of it. Appreciate the real people in your life, you can’t replace them.
We live in an interesting time for many reasons, but one of them is that just about anyone, with some effort, can build a following online if they bring something to the table. Maybe you stream games, maybe you review books, or maybe…you’re a vlogger that’s into the paranormal.
You make your first video, and someone likes it and subscribes. Then another and another and one day you have a large enough following to make it your full-time gig. It pays for the house, the car, your utilities. But you want more because it’s a rush. Sure, you could keep building your fanbase the way you have been, and you’ll get to your goal eventually OR you could go on the dark web and buy a mystery box to make the video that’s going to fast-forward you to success. But everything has a cost.
I won’t say more about the plot because it’s not a long play and I don’t want to spoil anything. Actually let’s talk about that for a second; it’s a play. Don’t let the format stop you from checking this out. I actually found it to be cool to have staging instructions on the page for what I was going to picture in my head anyway. It added something to the reading experience and I wasn’t necessarily expecting that.
Overall, I enjoyed this very much. The characters, their relationship, and their struggles felt authentic to me- which isn’t easy to do in a play that’s on the shorter side. Most of their choices also made sense to me, which is not something that happens in horror often. Lastly, but not certainly not least, there was a moment that gave me the chills (and I don’t scare easy), so bravo! The only reason reason this isn’t a five star review is I wish there was a little more to the antagonist, but that’s a minor gripe.
To sum it up: Unboxed is a fast-paced, creepy, timely tale about ambition and its costs that’s well worth your time.
This was my final read in 2020! It did not disappoint. This is my first from Briana Morgan and won’t be my last.
This story was short and sweet and had a great premise. It was very relevant to today. You Tube vlogger is looking for a way to boost his subscriptions to the coveted 1 million. So he goes to the seedy underbelly of the internet, the dark web. He purchased a mystery box to open while streaming. And of course all types of he’ll ensue.
Being the mom of a pre teen I’m immersed in the world of you tube, “subs”, algorithms and trending videos. This story was spot on. The desperation Greg feels, dare I say greed, to keep upping his subscriptions. He shuts everyone out, his dog, his partner. It’s like a drug and he’s addicted to that insta famous high.
I loved the ending, no spoilers. The characters of Greg and Alice were well fleshed out for such a short book. I was empathetic to Alice and angry at Greg. But towards the end felt for both of them and the turmoil their lives had become.
5 stars to this relevant and horrifying story!
Unboxed is my absolute favorite short read this year so far and to say I’m excited for the author’s upcoming release, The Tricker-Treater and Other Stories, is an understatement. I truly believe that this quick read has the capability of reaching a wide audience. It’s not just for fans of horror, it’s for fans of the arts. Brianna Morgan Is a bright light that shines on the #HorrorCommunity and this is just the beginning for her. Beware of unmarked packages, the Boxer and his menacing Entity.
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