What People Are Saying About The Dark One…
“If you like reading Stephen King, you will absolutely love this book. It’s a unique and new premise, yet terrifying when you realize it could be true. It was hard to put down, and though I couldn’t wait to see what happened at the end, I also didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait to read more from this promising new author.”
— Susan
“This is the compelling story of a young man's twisted life journey entwined with hope, love, heart-racing fear, and danger. The writer had taken me to a dark place that I hope only exists in his mind! Yet here I am, wanting, needing more of The Dark One! Sequel, please!”
— Mary
“Just read THE DARK ONE. I’m not a big reader. I’m akin to reading shop and technical manuals. Never a book guy. Picked this novel up, WOW! couldn’t put it down. You meet Adrien and follow him through life, experiencing all of his emotions as he does. The story takes hold of you and GRABS YOU! It doesn’t let you put the book down! Not going to spoil the ending, but it got me there too!!!! Definitely 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. Hard to believe this is a Freshman Author. This book has some steam behind it, and so does its AUTHOR. Give this a read. You will not regret your decision. Now I can’t wait for the next book by this talented AUTHOR.”
— Carmelo
“I finished the book in two days and wish I spaced it out further so it could have lasted longer. Simultaneously engrossing and disturbing, this novel descends into depths of madness, much like Poe and King. Altogether haunting and beautifully written: this is a triumph of modern-day horror. The Dark One will have you looking over your shoulder long after you’ve reached the chilling conclusion.”
— Phil
“The Dark One is an extremely mesmerizing story about Adrien Thompson. Part I describes his childhood and the many personal and familial experiences he goes through. His childhood was mingled with happiness, heartbreak and through it all, an undefinable and underlying fear. I was totally drawn into rooting for Adrien at every turn.
Part II takes Adrien into young adulthood. He is living on his own, trying to understand his past, as well as navigate his future. Alongside Adrien, I found myself immensely anxious to understand why his life is progressing as it is. The Dark One is a psychological and spooky thriller with an ending that blew my mind!
1X?X3’s writing style is easy to read, almost as if each word is achieved without great effort. I felt like I personally knew each character and was able to visualize every scene. I truly look forward to reading more of 1X?X3’s novels. Way to go!”
— Wendy
“The Dark One, WOW, what a great read. It was fantastic. Can’t wait to start A Girl Named Steph. Keep up the great work.”
— Matt N.
“You really did a fantastic job of portraying Adrien’s emotions... I could always picture the scenes so vividly, both the happy times and the dark times... Overall, an amazing reading experience. I brought the book with me everywhere just to be able to take advantage of each opportunity I could get to read a few pages... It was an amazing book, and I’m glad to have started my 2023 reading journey with it.”
— Michael F.
“This is a creepy pasta story if it were directed by Martin Scorsese, in that it’s a deep character dive into an individual filled with grime and turmoil. This is a thick book with a simple plot but it reads fast because it’s written well.”
— Mona
“Excellent read, story really jumps out to you. Get yourself a copy today you won’t regret it!!”
— Dev H.
“I've read multiple books by this author. 1X?X3's writing will have goosebumps rising. This author's ability to get your heart rate going and bring you into another world is unique. The Dark One is a must-read.”
— Amy
The Dark One was such a good book to read!! The story takes you through the stages of Adrian going through his trauma, repressing it, and eventually having to face it. It was very interesting, and there were so many unexpected turns. You enter a whole new world of darkness. This story had my heart beating fast and itching my curiosity to keep reading. It’s an easy, fun read that I would recommend to everyone. :)
— Mimii
“This didn’t feel like I was reading a story. It felt like I was reading someone’s life. Reading about Adrien’s emotions and each and every moment really made me connect to his character and kept me engaged. Love that the story has a journey rather than just stuff happening in it. Good job!”
— tejas
"Man... this book was absolutely awesome, the characters, the suspense, the thrill, I felt every emotion with this one. Good job 👍 "
— Ester
“Very thrilling! Quick interesting read.”
— Brittany
“My wife and I bought this book on a whim. First, I usually don't read this genre, but I loved it. It's a literal page-turner. I had a hard time putting it down to go to bed.”
— Dan H.
“Hello reader, though the books I enjoy writing are fiction, there are a lot of true personal experiences and even more heart in the words. I like to incorporate serious topics and strive to force the reader to think differently. I believe that it is hard to leave people speechless, but with every story I write, that is my goal.”
— 1X?X3
“This terrifying thriller explores the thin line separating sanity from mental illness in a young man trying to navigate adulthood at an early age. With all its twists and shocking plotline, this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and up all night! The author takes you to a dark place that, on varying levels, is relatable to everyone. An exceptional read from a talented first-time author. I can’t wait to see what’s next!”
— Coco
“I was on the edge of my seat the entire time I had this book in my hands! The author wraps you up in Adrien’s life of torment, love, and fear. It’s evident that the author’s heart and soul went into this story to make you feel everything with this main character. Seriously, I laughed, cried, and held my dog tight at various points in the story! The emotions evoked are visceral as you read. The Dark One is a smart commentary on mental illness, “sanity”, and the darkness that is capable of consuming anyone. The ending twist was unexpected, beautifully written, and truly lived up to the horror/thriller experience this author promised. I cannot wait to read everything this incredibly talented author puts out!”
— Al Calder
“...The ending of the book is appalling, and I could not stop reading... It is a must-read for fans of thrillers, suspense, and horror. It has been ages since I read something so unconventional and fresh in that genre. I was reading The Dark One on Halloween Night and must admit - I was scared to death! I love giving a chance to unknown authors, as they are often underestimated - just like 1X?X3. You may say, "Who is this?" Just give it a shot and check out for yourself... you won't be disappointed, I swear.”
— Kamila M.
“A deep dive into the mind of a troubled man. You can't turn the pages fast enough to get more of the story. Plausible horror that makes your own mind wonder... Has the dark one visited me?”
— Tracie G.
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
— Dr. Alex
“The Dark One was such a good book to read and go through!! The whole story takes you through the stages of Adrian dealing with his trauma, repressing it, and eventually having to face it. It was very interesting, with so many unexpected turns. You enter a whole new world of darkness. The Dark One had my heart beating fast and piqued my curiosity to keep me reading. It’s an easy, fun read that I would recommend to everyone. :)”
— Skyler
“The Dark One is hands down my favorite book. The details are incredible, the action doesn't stop, and no matter who you are, you will feel every emotion Adrien goes through. It is a relatable, easy read that will leave your mind doing backflips. Do yourself a favor and give it a chance.”
— My Mother
“If you’re looking for a book that will give you goosebumps (even with all the lights on) and have you looking over your shoulder for days on end, you’ve found it. The thrill of this book is just how real it feels, at many points feeling more like reading someone’s diary or listening to the character’s thoughts in real-time rather than the author’s storytelling. The details are precise, vivid, and haunting, which puts the reader right into the horror that Adrien is experiencing. The Dark One has a special place on my bookshelf among my thrillers and mysteries and will be a definite Re-read at Halloween. So excited to read the next one.”
— Samantha W.
“The original book that turned me on to this author. It’s a fantastic read, especially considering it’s his first novel. Just the right amount of psychological horror to make you think twice about how bad things can get in real life.”
— Mike O.
“Oh my god! That was insane. Thank you so much for sharing this story. Enjoyed it a lot.”
— IUsedOnlyLetters
“This book was truly amazing and marvelous. I felt like I was watching a movie the whole time. Your writing style made me imagine every moment. I felt like I was Adrien. I felt his every emotion running through my body. I felt his pain, regret, anger, and so on. Five stars!”
— Evita
“So to me, I thought this book started kind of slow, like waiting for the mic drop, and oh boy, let me tell ya! You certainly do get it toward the end of the book. It comes at you like a jump scare!! Absolutely loved the book, absolutely loved the plot and story!! If you're a fan of anything suspenseful or horror, or anything like that, you'll love this storyline. I couldn't put the book down. I finished it in 4 or 5 days. I can't wait to dive into the second book!”
— Jessica B.
“Couldn’t put it down. The suspense of the last 100 pages pulled me in and I had to finish. Adrien is a compelling character. Looking forward to checking out more!”
— Bryan F.
“Okay, there’s a lot to unpack. There were multiple points throughout this book where I was genuinely scared or anxious. The first quarter of the book felt a little slow just due to all the backstory of the main character's (Adrien) life, but it all makes sense later and is necessary. I feel like a lot of books I’ve read all make their main character perfect. Can do no wrong. But Adrien is anything but. He’s got a messed up life, he made mistakes, and I appreciate him not being a “perfect” main character. Overall, great horror/thriller, if it's your thing. I can't wait to read the other ones because I want to know more about “the dark one” itself!!!!”
— Emmalee D.
What People Are Saying About Dead Journal…
“One piece of feedback that hit me hard (because it was true) was that The Dark One wasn’t disturbing enough. I used that as my motivation for this novel. I might have gone too far…”
— 1X?X3
“With his sophomore novel, 1X?X3 takes you inside the mind of up-and-coming investigative journalist Akuji Shepard. As Akuji’s notoriety grows through his blogs, he feels the pressure to deliver even more chilling content to his devoted fans. Throughout the novel, I felt empathetic towards Akuji, yet also repulsed by some of his actions. This author is great at putting you inside the mind of his complex characters to provide a glimpse into their madness. And as promised, 1X?X3 pulls off another unforeseeable ending that left me astounded. You will NEVER see it coming!”
— COCO
“Dead Journal is an intriguing story about Akuji’s journey to make his dreams come true. The writing keeps you on edge throughout the entire novel. You’ll experience many emotions reading this book, especially terror. Buckle up for this one. Highly recommended!”
— Shar
“Another thriller. Messed up my day because I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one sitting. Looking forward to the next book by this author.”
— Dr. Alex
“Just finished it. My head is still messed up! Man, oh, man. The author broke so many polite rules! Incredible read. I loved it so much. It reminded me of a terrible car accident I just couldn't look away from. I couldn't put it down.”
— Josanne P.
“Dead Journal delivers page after page of heart-racing plot twists and turns. The attention to detail in characters, settings, and eventually the ending is like a finely spun web of words that draws you into this mesmerizing yet bizarre story. It makes for a very quick read! I could not put the book down!”
— Mar
“This novel is the most memorable to me because of its relatability. It feels real. Also, it’s a uniquely written novel as it goes back and forth between the story written by the main character and the author.”
— Little Mike
“So dark, but so good.”
— Tammy B.
What People Are Saying About UNTITLED…
“This collection of short stories gives you a glimpse into 1X?X3’s writing abilities. He gives a couple great traditional horror stories with The Graveyard Shift and Siesta Key but also explores some sarcastically funny horror in his story about Stephen King. This story was my favorite as it takes on what I can only assume is the author’s true voice. The other two stories, Day ‘N Night and Purpose, explore more complex themes while still staying true to the horror genre. What a great collection!”
— Courtney S.
“While working on this project, I explored much more than just horror. Inside you'll find five short stories that will prove to be impossible not to finish. During one tale, you'll check over your shoulder, and during another, you'll find yourself laughing. UNTITLED is a thrilling, horrific, suspenseful, comedic, dark book with fantasies sprinkled on top. You will find a story for you. I guarantee it.”
— 1X?X3
“I definitely struggle with reading because I tend to lose interest. I really enjoyed these short stories because I wanted to keep reading each of them to find out what was going to happen. Thank you for creating twistful tales that I thoroughly was intrigued by reading. Looking forward to what your second short storybook entails.”
— Amanda P.
“Hello 1X?X3, I recently got your book UNTITLED at a fair near me, and I haven’t been able to put it down. I would love to see more books like yours. Thank you!”
— Sarah G.
"Hey, once again you have surprised me with your amazing work again. It's superb and beyond words. Waiting for more... "
— Evita on “Purpose”
"Another awesome story again, it's astounding. Great plot and writing style"
— Evita on “Siesta Key”
"The book was interesting and mysterious. It made me wonder whether one can act on their will in a dream. It's not possible, right? It would be great if it was true. The plot and writing style was fabulous. Your writing style amazed me, and I wish you write more of these kinds of books.— Evita on “Last Night I Killed Stephen King In My Dream Part 1”
“Great easy read with 5 stories that will keep you wanting more.”
— S. Y. W.
"Such a unique idea for a story.. 'nite' and 'day' personified, not expecting the ending but was an enjoyable read."— Becky on “Day ‘n’ Nite”
"This is such a good book. It really made me think 🤔"— Ester on “Purpose”
"OMG, I loved it!!! The twist was crazy"— Ester on “The Graveyard Shift”
I’ve never actually read a series of short stories before. With this being my first, I have very high standards for any other short stories I may read.
Each of the stories grabbed me, and I was anticipating what was going to happen next! I’m new to horror books but not new to thrillers, and I feel like this book was a great mix of both.
The Graveyard Shift and Purpose: A Dark Twisted Humorously Fantasized Disturbingly Accurate short story were my favorites! I don’t want to leave any spoilers, but I will say this entire book is 5 stars for me!
— Lesha
As a child, I absolutely loved the scary stories to tell in the dark, so I knew I’d love this. It feels like an adult version. I was hooked by the first story, and it just got better. Personal favorite: Siesta Key, I was getting a little creeped out reading it, but it was great. The Stephen King book was also great, and I love how personal it felt like I was in the author's head. Definitely will be getting the next book.
— Emmalee Dove
"A great and nail-bitingly catchy book! "
— Reader817 on “Purpose”
What People Are Saying About A Girl Named Steph…
“Let's pick up where Steph left off. Life turns from bad to worse for Steph after finding Adrien. The Dark One hides as a yellow light and won't leave her alone. Terrible thoughts are taking over. Right when she decides to give up, she meets Devland. It's an unexpected bond and maybe her last chance to defeat The Dark One. Join along on their thrilling adventure and try guessing the outcome... I bet you can't.”
— 1X?X3
“In the sequel to The Dark One, 1X?X3 dives into the life of Steph a year after she met Adrien. Steph is stepping into those hard and awkward teenage years which are even worse as her home life is less than ideal. If you’ve ever felt lost in yourself or struggled to find your place, you’ll feel for Steph. You’ll root for her, ache for her, and question her decisions throughout the novel. Her journey is similar yet vastly different from Adrien’s and will keep you eager for more chapter after chapter. And in his typical fashion, 1X?X3 puts in a final twist at the end that you’ll never see coming!”
— Mrs. S
“I was so excited to see this book come out and it did not disappoint! I got to know Steph from reading The Dark One and I was so curious about what happened to her after that fateful day. You know the feeling. You finish a book and can’t stop thinking about the characters after the book ends. While reading this novel, my emotions were all over the place; happy, hopeful, mad, sad, outraged and of course shocked. Talk about a page-turner. I could not put the book down until I was done reading it and it left me spent. I never could have imagined the odyssey that A Girl Named Steph would take me to.”
— Mrs. Mary
“I had to sleep on it before I wrote this due to the rollercoaster this book put me through. First of all, when I didn’t think it could get any better than following Adrien, Steph's story was a lot more intriguing to me personally. Without spoiling anything, the whole second half of the book gave me whiplash. Just as I thought I understood and was rooting for a certain scenario/plan, I found out I was wrong. 10/10. Can’t wait till I read the next one. I NEED this as a movie, short film, or something (let me know if u need an extra😏) 1X?X3 quite literally never misses.”
— Emmalee Dove
“I wasn't sure what to expect after The Dark One, but the author found a way to make Steph's character intriguing, adorable, and complex. I loved it!”
— Sherry
"Excellent plot. Enjoyed reading it. 10/10 and would recommend it to others Kudos to you Looking forward to reading more from you"
— Dr. Malavika
“Excellent sequel to the Dark One. Long live the Dark One!”
— Mr. Owings
"I absolutely loved this book, each and every page of it. I slightly thought something was wrong with (censored name), still didn't see this kind of end coming. This book was phenomenal, no words can really describe this one in my opinion. Glad to read another one of your masterpieces.”
— Evita
What People Are Saying About {Insert Title Here}…
“What can I say besides I knocked it out of the park with this book of short stories? I thought my first collection was good, but I didn't know how much of a difference a year and some confidence could make. Read four (longer) more intense tales this time around. Once again, I provide every genre, and I dare you to try putting these tales down. From worst-case scenarios to revisiting Stephen King to taking a trip back in the day, you'll be reading these stories for years to come.”
— 1X?X3
"This was such a good read. I hung on to every word, anxious to know what would happen next. The author's use of imagery gave a vivid experience.”
— Leigh on “73 Weeks”
"Am stuck with what just happened 😱😱😱😱 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"
— Christina on “73 Weeks”
“In his second collection of shorts, 1X?X3 gives four exceptionally written stories all with a slightly different voice and style. There’s the follow-up Stephen King story which is again witty and sarcastically funny but now along with it three stories that will really make you think. I couldn’t help but put myself in the unimaginable situation of 73 Week’s main character and I still don’t know what I’d do. My favorite by far was Billy Wright! The character development and style were so established for a short story it had me wanting more! Another success from this talented author!”
— Court
“Fantastic read! I bought it from you on Saturday and finished that same night by flashlight when I lost power for 4 hours. I really enjoyed it, and I like your style of writing. Very conversational, which makes it easy to read and relate to each character. My favorite was DEFF Billy. Didn't see that twist coming! Awesome job, and keep following your dream! Keep up the good work!”
— Rachel C.
“I'm not a big short story reader, but the writing is amazing, and I couldn't put the book down!”
— Sherry
"Great story, really enjoyed it, especially the twist at the end."
—Alyson on “Billy Wright”
I didn't think it’d get better than the last one, but somehow, 1X?X3 did it yet again. I love that these stories are unique, and I've never read anything like them.
The first story was absolutely amazing. It feels maybe a little slow at first, but there is a lot to pay attention to. I love physiological thrillers, and this one was great.
I love “Last Night I Killed Stephen King In My Dream Part 2”. This one was even better than the last one, and that says a lot. I never see books with a POV from the author. It really feels like you’re connecting with the author, and it’s a wild ride.
Again, I've never read anything like this, but “73 weeks” had me hooked, and I wanted to cry at the end LOL. A GREAT story with a wild ending.
“Billy Wright” might have been my second favorite? It’s hard to rank them, but this one was great. It’s like I read a whole novel with it just being a short story. A lot of detail/background is provided, and a crazy ending. Another 10/10.
I want more.